Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Sarah Hurwitz, a bestselling author and rabbinical student, joins Jonah Platt to discuss her insightful book, As a Jew. They dive into the complexities of Jewish identity and the reclamation of history in the face of antisemitism. Hurwitz explains how internalized shame has shaped traditions and highlights the importance of education as empowerment. She addresses the misconceptions surrounding Zionism, the need for honest dialogue about Israel, and the role of Jewish texts in modern spirituality. This conversation is a rich tapestry of wisdom and reflection.

Madison Werner, a groundbreaking transgender model and activist, made history as the first transgender CoverGirl in 2024. In a heartfelt conversation, she delves into her unique journey of faith as a Jewish woman. Madison discusses the challenges of navigating LGBTQ+ identities amidst rising tensions in Israel, sharing her experiences during Tel Aviv Pride and the emotional impact of recent events. She emphasizes the importance of acceptance within the Jewish community and shares insights on gender identity, resilience, and the need for compassion.

Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl, the first Asian American rabbi and author of Heart of a Stranger, joins Jonah to delve into her unique journey of faith, identity, and belonging. They explore the challenges of feeling like an outsider and how embracing that feeling can lead to empathy. Rabbi Buchdahl reflects on growing up with multiple identities, the lessons from her community-oriented mother, and the importance of inclusion in Judaism. Their conversation also touches on the meaning of rituals today, significantly highlighting how to connect with others while navigating the complexities of communal identity.

Dr. Noam Weissman, Executive Vice President of OpenDor Media and host of Unpacking Israeli History, discusses transformative approaches to Jewish education. He argues that Israel learning should focus on curiosity rather than just advocacy, and highlights the dangers of portraying an idealized version of Israel. Noam introduces the concept of 'goosebumps with complexity' to blend emotional connection with intellectual honesty. He emphasizes the vital role of Jewish camps and schools in cultivating a more informed generation of Jews passionate about their identity.

Tomer Peretz, an Israeli visual artist and founder of The 8 Project, shares his poignant journey following the October 7 attacks. He discusses using art as a therapeutic tool to help survivors heal and rediscover hope. Tomer recounts the harrowing experiences he faced with ZAKA and how they propelled him to create meaningful connections through art. The conversation explores his transition from documenting trauma to fostering healing in others, and the inspiring evolution of The 8 Project, dedicated to renewing faith and resilience within the community.

In this enlightening conversation, Jana Stern, a Jewish psychic and spiritual healer, shares her powerful journey following an 11-minute near-death experience. She discusses the deep connection between Jewish rituals and spiritual energy, revealing how astrology and Kabbalah are essential parts of her ancestral wisdom. Jana also emphasizes the significance of intuition, divine coordination over coincidence, and the transformative power of tragedy. Plus, she gives Jonah a live reading, encouraging him to trust in his podcasting journey!

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:Jonah@JonahPlatt.comTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWe’re Back! I In this very special season premiere of Being Jewish, Jason Alexander, who gave us the iconic George Costanza from Seinfeld, joins Jonah Platt to discuss Jewish identity, cultural Judaism vs. religion, his work as a proud Jew and activist supporting Israel, and the impact of October 7th. The legendary actor, Tony Award-winner, and generational TV comedy icon kicks off the new season in a deep and honest conversation. Jason Alexander cares about the children; he is not interested in belonging to a group and would rather build bridges and not borders, learn why this Mensch is truly a Master of His Domain. Jason Alexander discusses his personal faith and the distinction between cultural Judaism (a "shirt I can't take off") and formal religious doctrine. He shares the emotional weight of being a Jew since October 7th and his long-standing commitment to Jewish philanthropy, including organizations like Magen David Adom, the ADL, and Jewish Federation. He clarifies the story behind his stage name change from Jay Scott Greenspan to Jason Alexander. If that’s not enough, Jason gives us his unbelievable inside stories from working on Seinfeld and tells us about the one episode that even he thought pushed the boundaries taste too much. Connect with Our GuestFollow Jason Alexander on InstagramJason Alexander’s IMDB PageJason Alexander Hosts Cancer Research Fund August 5 Virtual GalaHost & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Executive Producer Matthew “MoJo” Jones, Story Producer Sean Leviashvili, Editors Diana DeCilio & Jacob Kindber, and Executive Assistant Jax Santiago of Rainbow Creative; Chief Business Officer Kenyon Laing, Executive Assistant Josie Rothschild; Research Associate Samantha Greenwald;  Associate Producer Rachel Stern; YouTube Consultants - Zac Stein & Jason Al-Samarrie - Production Assistant, Charlie Zuker; Interns Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb; & Graphic Designer, Noah BellMentioned In EpisodeHow Many American Adults Actually Use Social Media? Pew Research ReportAdvanced Technique with Jason AlexanderEntrepreneur & Bridge-Builder Daniel LubetzkyWilshire Boulevard TempleJason Alexander Post for Ohad Munder-ZichriOver 4,000 Hollywood Actors & Directors Boycott Israeli Productions in Name of Gaza24/7 Seinfeld Online StreamWatch Seinfeld on NetflixBryan Cranston as Tim Whatley on Seinfeld Season 8, Episode 19: “The Yada Yada”Seinfeld, Season 5, Episode 5: “The Bris”Seinfeld, Season 3, Episode 3: “The Pen”Jason as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” at La MiradaJonah Platt and Mark Whitten sing “The Riddle Song” from “Floyd Collins” at La Mirada Theater, 2014Jason Alexander Returns to ‘Broadway Bound’ as DirectorAbout Neil SimonThe Neil Simon CollectionIf I Forget, Directed by Jason AlexanderPeaceWorks Foundation (formerly OneVoice Movement)Anti-Defamation LeagueJason to Direct “Sweeney Todd” at La Mirada Theater

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:Jonah@JonahPlatt.comTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishSeason 2 premieres THIS TUESDAY September 30th! And we’ll continue dropping 30 Minute Mensches every Thursday. A double dose of BJJP every week!This season features more incredible guests beginning with Jason Alexander, Tomer Peretz, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Sarah Hurwitz, Sarah Podemski & Lani Anpo, Jake Tapper and many more!Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you don’t miss a moment!

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:Jonah@JonahPlatt.comTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWhat does it mean to live proudly and publicly Jewish in New York City, with the possibility of Zohran Mamdani as mayor looming large? Ask Ben Soffer, better known as @BoyWithNoJob to his over 1 million followers online. In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Ben — CEO of Spritz Society wine cocktails, co-host of the hit Good Guys podcast with Josh Peck, husband to viral creator Claudia Oshry (Girl With No Job), and proud modern Orthodox Jew — to talk about faith, family, social media, and Jewish pride in today’s charged climate. Together, Jonah and Ben dig intoHow Ben built a unique modern Orthodox identity on his own termsWhat it feels like to wear a kippah on the streets of New York amid rising anti-Jew bigotryThe effect October 7th had on his Jewish identity…  or didn’t?How becoming a father deepened his sense of connection to God and Jewish continuityThe story behind Spritz Society — and how a viral April Fool’s joke turned into a real-life savory cocktail courtesy of Claussen’s Pickles!From candid takes on community safety to spreading Jewish joy through humor (and beverages!), Ben Soffer embodies what it means to be unapologetically yourself — and unapologetically Jewish — in the digital age. Listen now to hear how one of the internet’s most authentic voices is shaping Jewish identity for a new generation.Connect with Our GuestBen Soffer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boywithnojob/ Ben Soffer & Josh Peck’s Podcast “The Good Guys” https://www.instagram.com/goodguys/ Host & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo' Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson; Editor: Jacob Kindberg; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah BellMentioned In EpisodeJonah’s appearance on The Good Guys podcast “Mazel, Moses”Spritz SocietyCamp RamahNYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s Comments About Globalizing The Intifada'All Jewish Americans are questioning their security' after violent antisemitic attacksCollege group Zohran Mamdani co-founded welcomed radical speaker who later blamed US for 9/11 attacks: ‘Made its bed’Socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani once rapped about his ‘love’ for Hamas terror-funding group ‘Holy Land Five’AJC Survey Shows American Jews are Deeply and Increasingly Connected to IsraelOuri’s Market - Upper East Side, NYCWhat Does The Word Neshama Mean?23andMe Is Under Fire. Its Founder Remains ‘Optimistic’

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:Jonah@JonahPlatt.comTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWhat does it mean to reclaim Judaism not in the synagogue — but at the family table? That’s the vision of Rabbi David Bashevkin, author, podcaster, educator and one of today’s most engaging Modern Orthodox voices. In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Rabbi Bashevkin to explore how Judaism can speak authentically to modern life and why Jewish identity is ultimately about integrating our “unchosen” identities with the “chosen” ones. Rabbi Bashevkin shares:Why Jewish life must begin in the home, not in synagogues or textbooksHow Judaism helps us integrate our unchosen identity (family, history, peoplehood) with our chosen paths in lifeThe importance of 1840 — a mystical year that reshaped Jewish thought, technology, and modern identityWhy Jewish education must instill a love of lifelong learning– not just through graduationThe urgent need for bridge-building within the Jewish community — and how to turn religious difference into dialogueWhy teens crave authenticity, and how NCSY empowers them through peer-to-peer mentorshipThe challenge of negative Orthodox representation in the media — and why Judaism is meant for the imperfect among usRabbi Bashevkin’s work through his platform 18Forty (essays, podcasts, and conversations at 1840.org) opens the door for “post-institutional Jews” and anyone searching for meaning beyond the classroom. Listen to this episode to find out why Judaism isn’t just about survival or fighting antisemitism — it’s about rediscovering purpose, family, and the sanctity of everyday existence.Host & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo' Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson. Editor: Jacob Kindberg and Kevin Maynard; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah BellMore on Dovid Bashevkin18Forty WebsiteFollow Rabbi Bashevkin on XMentioned in EpisodeListen to 18Forty Podcast (Apple Podcasts)Watch the 18Forty Podcast on YouTubeEssays by Rabbi David BashevkinWhat Makes A Jewish Home?What Is The Significance of The Year 1840?Understanding The Zohar & The Significance of the Year 1840 for JewsThe Sixth Millennium & The Age of MoshiachWhat is The Zohar?What Jewish Education Means To Me by Rabbi David BashevkinHere All Along by Sarah HurwitzSarah Hurwitz on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt (Season 1)Parashat Vayehi: Teach A Child According To Their WayWho is Rabbi Moshe Hayim Luzzatto?An Appreciation of Rav Yitzchok HutnerWho is Martin Buber?Phish Rendition of Avinu MalkeinuA Brief Biography of The Lubavitcher RebbeQuestions & Answers on Moshe & The AngelsWhat is NCSY? National Conference of Synagogue Youth