エピソード

  • Why Do Jews Pray Like That?
    2025/09/10
    Prayer can feel abstract—so Mijal and Noam get practical. In the second part of our In the Beginning mini-series on foundational Jewish topics, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman explore what Jewish prayer (tefillah/davening) is. They look at why we pray, who we pray to, and the words we use. From fixed liturgy to personal expression, this episode offers a clear, text-based guide to deepen Jewish prayer practice. We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here: https://simchattorahchallenge.org/ https://www.sefaria.org/texts Here is a link to: This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation, by Alan Lew and Norman Fischer Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold
    続きを読む 一部表示
    46 分
  • Is Judaism a Religion—or Something Much Bigger?
    2025/09/03
    What is Judaism, really? Is it a religion like Christianity or Islam—or something much bigger? In their first episode of Season 4, Mijal and Noam Mijal discuss the centuries-old debate about Jewish identity and why it matters more than ever. They trace how Judaism has been defined—and misdefined—across history and argue that while Jews are extremely diverse they see themselves as part of a family. Judaism is more than belief: it’s peoplehood, culture, land, and shared destiny. Here are links to the Sefaria and Simchat torah challenge: https://www.sefaria.org/texts https://simchattorahchallenge.org/ BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd St Y with special guest Dan Senor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihny25⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use Promo code UIH20 to get 20% off your tickets Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold
    続きを読む 一部表示
    36 分
  • Holocaust Education is Broken. Dara Horn knows how to fix it (Re-release)
    2025/08/27
    Mijal and Noam sit down with award-winning author Dara Horn (People Love Dead Jews) to tackle one of the most urgent questions today: What’s wrong with Holocaust education—and how do we fix it? Together, they explore why most American students meet Jews only as Holocaust victims, how teaching the Shoah without Jewish civilization erases the very culture the Nazis tried to destroy, and why that erasure actually fuels antisemitism rather than combating it. From Holocaust denial to October 7th, from the “big lie” at the heart of Jew-hatred to the paradox of Jewish sovereignty, Dara doesn’t hold back. This episode, originally released on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a call to rethink how we talk about Jews, Judaism, and antisemitism. Click ⁠here⁠ to read more about Dara Horn and her work, including 7 books. BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd St Y with special guest Dan Senor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihny25⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use Promo code UIH20 to get 20% off your tickets Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠youtube⁠. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠ ⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠ ⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠ ⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold
    続きを読む 一部表示
    45 分
  • Unpacking Antisemitism with Haviv Rettig Gur (Re-release)
    2025/08/20
    In this re-release of one of our most popular episodes, Noam Weissman and Mijal Bitton speak with journalist Haviv Rettig Gur about the history, ideology, and persistence of antisemitism. They trace its roots from early Christian and Islamic theology through Marxist and nationalist movements, examine how it has evolved in the Arab world and on American campuses, and discuss why the current wave feels unprecedented to many American Jews. (Note: this episode was recorded before Mamdani's victory in the Democratic primary of the NYC mayoral election.) Here is Mijal's article in the Free Press: ⁠⁠Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Be Different.⁠⁠ BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd St Y with special guest Dan Senor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihny25⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use Promo code UIH20 to get 20% off your tickets Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews. Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 8 分
  • Rabbi David Wolpe on How to Keep Jewish Unity Alive (Re-release)
    2025/08/13
    In a year of division, can Jewish unity still hold? In this special re-release of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton sits down with Rabbi David Wolpe for a deep, candid conversation about Jewish solidarity, peoplehood, and the meaning of freedom. They explore why the Seder remains Judaism’s most beloved ritual, how to handle political disagreements at the table, and why Jewish identity is rooted in community as much as in faith. BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd St Y with special guest Dan Senor: ⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihny25⁠⁠⁠ Use Promo code UIH20 to get 20% off your tickets Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews. Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
    続きを読む 一部表示
    42 分
  • If You Love Israel, Why Don’t You Live There? (Re-release)
    2025/08/06
    In one of the most talked-about episodes of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman dive into the emotional and complicated questions facing Jews today: If you love Israel… why don’t you live there? Listen again or for the first time to Mijal and Noam open up about the cognitive dissonance of loving Israel while living in the Diaspora. Along the way, they reflect on the insights of Jewish giants and share candid stories of love, guilt, dreams—and bagels. BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd St Y with special guest Dan Senor: ⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihny25⁠⁠ Use Promo code UIH20 to get 20% off your tickets Here are some of the sources referenced in the episode: Unpacking Israeli History: ⁠Does Israel Represent All Jews?: The Great Debate⁠ ⁠Blaustein/Ben Gurion exchange⁠ ⁠Lubavitcher Rebbe’s response to Ariel Sharon Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews. Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
    続きを読む 一部表示
    47 分
  • You Think You Know Chabad? Think Again — With Rabbi YY Jacobson
    2025/07/30
    What does Chabad have to offer a fractured world in 2025? Mijal Bitton and and Noam Weissman are joined by renowned Chabad scholar and speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson to explore the enduring power of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s legacy. Together, they unpack Chabad’s worldview, its nuanced relationship with Zionism, and its bold answer to antisemitism. Rabbi Jacobson shares how every Jew—religious or secular—can become an agent of healing, love, and redemptive consciousness. Click here to read Rabbi Jacobson's bio. Click here for Rabbi Jacobson's website. Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews. Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd St Y with special guest Dan Senor: ⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihny25⁠⁠ Use Promo code UIH20 to get 20% off your tickets ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
    続きを読む 一部表示
    35 分
  • The Mamdani Moment: NYC Jews Confront a Political Shift
    2025/07/23
    What does it mean to be Jewish in NYC after Zohran Mamdani’s surprising victory in New York's Democratic mayoral primary? In this candid and passionate conversation, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman reflect on fear, populism, and the strategic mistakes and opportunities facing the Jewish community. From public safety to coalition-building, they explore why this moment matters far beyond New York — and what must happen next. Note: This episode was recorded on July 2nd. Subsequent developments are not discussed in this episode. BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd St Y with special guest Dan Senor: ⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihny25⁠⁠ Use Promo code UIH20 to get 20% off your tickets Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews. Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
    続きを読む 一部表示
    25 分