Ask a Jew

Dr. Jonathan Sarna is one of the most well-regarded historians in America and the Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University. He has written and edited over 30 books (which is more than we have read…combined) and is the expert on the Jews of America. We rate the American presidents on whether they liked or didn’t like Jews, discuss how bad antisemitism really is today compared to the past, and learn why we have always been blamed for everything — historically speaking, of course.Also:* A brief detour into the history of… Sex and the City.* The Jews that don’t eat Turkey.* Rehabbing Ulysses S. Grant.* It’s always the fault of the Jews - even before it happens.* What Jews can learn from Feminists.* What is going on with Jewish Studies departments in academia?* Why many Jewish academics prefer to sit the antisemitism discussion out.* Who hasn’t gotten an antisemitic letter from Richard Nixon??* Honest Abe lives up to his name.* How bad is it really?Oh hey guess who else wrote something? Honored to make my debut in National Review with a piece about Israeli wartime humor.Also, friend of the pod and previous guest Jen Brick Murtazashvili had a wonderful piece in the Washington Post today about what we get wrong about this war (a lot). Here’s a gift link. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Nowruz!Is Iran winning? Do the people support the regime? Are the Arab countries mad at us? Beni Sabti has no time for your nonsense.Born and raised in Iran, Beni is one of Israel’s top war commentators and a fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University. We were honored to catch him for a bit (albeit after a few glasses of wine…) to get the real story behind the headlines. Shots were fired, and narratives sunk like the Iranian Navy. Follow him on X.Much more on Substack!To our Iranian listeners - we love you guys! Show 'em what you got.Also:* The Iranian regime only knows how to do one thing - take hostages* love to waste Time, Money and Lives.* The weight of responsibility when Trump listens to your interviews* Wait Ahmadinejad is still alive? And he’s not Mossad??* The Ayatollah is still around…in a refrigerator.* Launchers can be rebuilt - leadership cannot* 21:20 half a million wounded people* Reza Pahlavi is totally a thing* Maybe if we controlled the world the Oscar’s would be better.* The Saudis aren’t playing* Are the Arabs mad at us?* Iranians love pride!* No to Gaza, no to Lebanon! I live only for Iran.* How are the Jews doing?* America and Israel together = tears of joy.* It’s not about Israel, stupid!* Take the hope from the Iranian regime and give it to the people This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Today on Ask A Jew, we fly into the future to talk to Claire Lehmann, the founder and editor-in-chief of Quillette, a fantastic Australia-based online publication. We talk about the state of the nation in the land down under, how Australians are grappling with the rise of antisemitism and radical Islam, and which Australian celebrities are secretly based (looking at you, Bluey). Before we kick that off, we spenD about 30 minutes catching up, talking covid, hugs, and the Manosphere. We obviously recorded this before the two horrific terrorist attacks in the US yesterday, and who knows what will happen in the coming days to make this episode seem out-of-date, or even more timely. If you’re Jewish, go to synagogue tonight. If you’re not, stop by and say hi.And either way, thank a police officer if you see them! xxTONS OF LINKS, VIDEOS AND FUN ON SUBSTACK!!Follow Claire on X, Facebook, and check out her writing at Quillette (right here on Substack too!) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

These are trying times for the United States, Israel, and the good people of Iran. Thankfully, we gathered on a Substack Live with our community to talk sh*t about Malala Yousafzai! Also: funny memes from Israel, we love the USA, Hashem trolls Chaya Leah through Uber Eats, and more….Enjoy, and Happy Purim!Video of this episode as well as photos and videos of the wonderful Iranian celebration in NYC on askajew.substack.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Behnam Ben Taleblu is senior director of the Foundation For Defense of Democracy’s Iran Program, and a senior fellow specializing in Iranian security and political issues.We ask this noted scholar the burning questions of the day like, “Do you lose weight on Ramadan?” and “What’s it like to have a fatwa on your head?”We also discuss the potential for an American (and Israeli?) strike on Iran, the incredible resilience of Iranian society, how Ayatollah Khamenei is playing us all, where Behnam is more hawkish than his Israeli colleagues.Follow Behnam on X and check out his writing at the FDD.Happy Purim, Ramadan and Nowruz to all!Also:* No one has done a better job at secularizing Iranian society than the Islamic republic itself.* What is Iran?* We’re all from Malta now.* Is Ramadan intermittent fasting?* I’m sorry I can’t come to your event, the Iranianss are after me.* Where is Hezbollah now?* Iranian society deserves a collective Nobel Peace Prize.* Bumbling idiot or 7D chess player?* The knife and the handshake.* The JCPOA created this mess.* This is a war of choice, and Iran chose it.* Khamenei needs to thank Trump, instead he’s leaving him on “read”.* Tucker Carlson didn’t like the Ben Gurion Airport McDonald’s.* No one and everyone has a right to exist.* Benham has a favorite Hamentaschen flavor.* Persian food with a Shmear.* Kebab and Chinese This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Happy almost-Iran war day! On this solo pod, we discuss our respective Valentine’s Days, whether or not the US should start executing Olympic athletes who don’t bring home medals, and Chaya Leah’s near Holocaust experience at a fancy kosher restaurant in LA.We also finally take some listener questions! We help a listener explain to her Goyfriend why she wants to raise their kids Jewish even though she’s not a huge Jew herself, and advise another listener facing her new role at work as the token “tell us about antisemitism” employee.You can send yours to askajewpod@gmail.com.No questions is stupid, as you can clearly see by Yael’s question about a drunk encounter with a Big Mac.Want to help us grow? Consider rating us 5 stars and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Lahav Harkov is the Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider, formerly of the Jerusalem Post, and most importantly - a repeat offender on AAJ. She’s here to answer all our current affairs questions, and some of our stupid questions too. We cover the potential of a war with Iran, an upcoming election in Israel (If you think American politics are crazy…), and the notorious Blue Square Superbowl ad that will save us all from antisemitism.🟦 🟦 🟦 Shield against mean comments 🟦 🟦 🟦Follow Lahav on X, check out her writing on Jewish Insider, and listen to her podcast, Misgav Mideast Horizons.Also:* What’s the difference between Donald Trump and a reform rabbi?* Ehud Barak is the Mandy Patinkin of Israel.* Kosher pizzagate.* What are Trump and Bibi gossiping about?* What’s the verdict on the Iran attack from June?* War or no war?* Think American politics are crazy? That’s cute. Listen to what’s going on in Israel.* Hostages on Dancing With the Stars.* The Robert Kraft Blue Square question… what do you think about the ad? and the ADL, while we’re at it?* What’s the relationship between Israel and Russia?* Putin bought what in Tel Aviv???* The (orthodox) Jewish question.* Haredi Bridgerton.* The dairy wars. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Candid conversation about Tu B’Shvat, the seven species, and quirky holiday traditions. Playful takes on uterus-shaped challah, sourdough trends, and feminist food debates. Sharp reactions to the Crown Heights car-ramming and political condemnations. Personal stories about parenting, vaping scares, Mandy Patinkin obsession, and community mental-health initiatives.

Eylon Levy is a former Israeli Government Spokesman and one of Israel’s most recognized faces on the global stage since October 7th. A graduate of Oxford and Cambridge (which is like Harvard in the UK - ybt), he founded the Israeli Citizen Spokesperson Office, a grassroots campaign which gives citizens an opportunity to take part in the global information war. He also hosts the new show “Eylon The Record” which you should definitely check out, and you may even recognize some of the guests from previous AAJ episodes!Find Eylon on X, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.We talk to Eylon about the reasons Israel is losing the media war, why not everything is a PR problem, what messages actually work, and his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu (never met him).MUCH MORE ON SUBSTACK This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Yassine Meskhout is a public defender, a Moroccan, an anarchist, a liberterian, a cyclist (*shudder*) and now, our new best friend. We’ve become obsessed with his writing since his viral November 2023 essay “The Jewish Conspiracy To Change My Mind” and the banger, “Why I write About the Jews”. We talk to Yassine about working with criminals, trying to figure out why some of his friends were celebrating on October 7th, why ICE shouldn’t shoot Mandy Patinkin, and how his father, who believes Israel created ISIS, also believes the Jews should have their own state.Check out substack for a fun Israeli-Moroccan inspired Spotify Playlist!Also:* First things first - would an ex-Jew fool Hitler?* Escaping the lack of McDonalds in Morocco through the diversity lottery.* DJ Smack-that-ass, Esq.* The life of a public defender - eleven magic words.* The system works, mostly.* Minnesota, ICE, and what expectations we should have from law enforcement.* Trying to understand the celebrations of October 7th.* Doubling down on Islam as a kid* This amazing story about Yassine’s father:* Western leftists - please find meaning elsewhere.* The hard truth Jews need to hear - not everyone is an antisemite, some of them are just stupid.* How to protest well.* Everyone needs to stop being so confident.* Leave a white woman, take a white woman. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe