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| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revisiting The Heart Of Jewish Comedy with Raanan Hershberg | 28 oct. 2026 | 00:46:41 | |
What’s so funny about growing up as a Conservative Jew in Kentucky? Plenty, according to comedian Raanan Hershberg. We’re off this week, so we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations, where Noam and Raanan tackle Jewish upbringing, antisemitism, and how the Bible drives Jewish humor.
check out Raanan's latest special, Morbidly Jewish, here: https://youtu.be/2Kc6151SE1U?si=KCetUPtHiGtJUWsg
For more on Raanan, visit https://www.raananhershberg.com/
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Is Antisemitism On Campus As Bad As It Seems? | 21 oct. 2026 | 00:42:38 | |
In the aftermath of October 7th, our feeds were filled with reports of antisemitism at Columbia and UCLA, among other colleges. But are these schools part of a broader trend, or merely outliers that received outsize attention? In this episode, Noam sits down with Ethan Goetz, a leader of Jewish student life at the University of Miami. The discussion isn't about what other colleges are doing wrong. Instead, Ethan lays out what Miami is doing right, and shares a moving story about his own Jewish journey. There's also plenty of sports talk, cholent recipes, and a spontaneous recital of the Barchu.
Wondering Jews thanks Hillel International for introducing us to inspiring student leaders across the nation, including Ethan. To learn more about Hillel, visit hillel.org
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| On East Of Eden, Dinner With God, And Ambition | 14 oct. 2026 | 00:47:06 | |
Is ambition a virtue that allows us to reach our full potential? Or is it a trap that leaves us dissatisfied and burnt out? With Florence Pugh starring in a new Netflix adaptation of Noam's favorite book (East Of Eden), it seems like a great time to wonder about the ambitions of Steinbeck's most notorious character, and why that matters for the rest of us. Along the way, Mijal has her own thoughts on a viral "would you rather" question, Jewish leadership, and Simchat Torah.
Jon Polin's SAPIR article on reluctant leadership can be read here: https://sapirjournal.org/influence/2026/on-reluctant-leadership/
This episode is generously sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Are We As Divided As We Think? Reflections On October 7th | 07 oct. 2026 | 00:37:00 | |
In the immediate aftermath of October 7th, 2023, there were incredible signs of unity within and alongside the Jewish people. But there were also moments of profound division. Three years later, how has this infamous date--and the subsequent war in Gaza--brought people closer together, or further apart? Mijal and Noam's discussion is one of hope: perhaps tragedy has united us more than television or social media would have us believe. Emotions run high as Mijal and Noam reflect, reminisce, and discuss the future of Israel and the Jewish people in this new reality.
This episode is generously sponsored by Nadina and Fernando Szew, in honor of their deep care for Jewish education and their enduring love of our peoplehood and Israel.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| How Mikey Greenblatt Turns Hate Into "Jewish Fan Mail" | 30 sept. 2026 | 00:42:09 | |
Antisemitism on social media seems worse than ever. Scrolling through Instagram, X, or TikTok is enough to make any Jewish person hyperventilate. But are things as bad in real life as they are on the internet? And if not, how can we learn to take the trolling with a grain of (kosher) salt? There's no better guide than Mikey Greenblatt, who turns nasty comments on his posts into "Jewish Fan Mail." In a heart-to-heart with Noam, Mikey explains how his connection to audience members means so much more to him than vitriol from anonymous bots and trolls.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| What Does It Mean To Be "Happy?" | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:34:05 | |
In an era where we're more stressed, more depressed, and more isolated than we've ever been, what will it take to feel that elusive thing called "happiness?" How will we know when we've found it? This week, Mijal and Noam are doing a deep dive into whether the "pursuit" of happiness is problematic, why pain can sometimes bring us closer to joy, and just what exactly is written on Noam's t-shirt.
This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. Thank you to The Bernstein Foundation for their generous support and partnership.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on Youtube.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Olga Namer: A Modern-Day Mrs. Maisel | 16 sept. 2026 | 00:37:39 | |
Olga Namer grew up in a Syrian Jewish Orthodox community and got married at the age of 18. Two years later, she was divorced and heartbroken. That could have been the end of her story. Instead, she turned tragedy into opportunity, pursuing a career in comedy and using her act to process her breakup. In this episode, Olga opens up to our hosts about being caught between comedy and community, poking fun at Zohran Mamdani, and relationship advice.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Why Is It So Hard To Admit When We're Wrong? | 09 sept. 2026 | 00:46:06 | |
In an era where public figures double down instead of apologizing, and social media puts our every word under the microscope, saying "I'm sorry" feels scarier than ever. So what can help us conquer that fear? In this episode, Noam and Mijal explore guilt culture versus shame culture, accountability, and the "five percent" rule.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Can Israelis And Palestinians Ever Live In Peace? With Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib | 02 sept. 2026 | 01:03:43 | |
Will the war ever truly come to an end? Can two populations with so much pain find common ground? Or is the hurt too deep, too vast to overcome? There are no questions more urgent than these, and there is no better guest to wonder with than Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian activist and author of Hamas And Its Two Million Hostages. With Noam, Ahmed shares his own own tragic story of loss, why he holds Hamas responsible for the plight of the Palestinian people, and what Israel--and the world at large--can do to truly bring about peace.
Ahmed's book is available for purchase here: https://jewishquarterly.com/essay/2026/07/hamas-and-its-two-million-hostages
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Revisiting The Future Of Judaism With Rabbi Avi Killip | 26 août 2026 | 00:37:23 | |
This fall, Mijal and Noam are thinking of the big questions that the High Holy Days can bring with them. We're off this week, so it seemed like a good time to revisit a discussion with Rabbi Avi Killip, who has big questions of her own: About Jewish movements and denominations, technology and religion, and why the trappings of modern life aren't making us as happy as they should.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Is The Middle East Finally Ready To Accept Israel? With Jason Isaacson | 19 août 2026 | 00:34:47 | |
As threats to Jews spike around the globe, there's a part of the world with a brighter outlook--and it's not where you'd expect. This week, Noam and Mijal are joined by Jason Isaacson, the Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer for the American Jewish Committee. Jason has been working tirelessly to normalize relations between Israel and other Middle Eastern countries for decades. He sees plenty of challenges ahead, but plenty of hope as well.
Learn more about AJC at ajc.org
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Maytal Kowalski Is Having Tough Conversations With Canadian Jews | 12 août 2026 | 00:51:32 | |
As antisemitism has exploded in Canada, debate has raged within its Jewish community. Is the government doing enough to combat Jewish hate? What does it mean to be zionist? Why are young Jews walking away from Israel? Maytal Kowalski, the executive director of JSpaceCanada, has leapt headfirst into all of these uncomfortable questions. In this episode, Noam and Maytal discuss her unique background, the bond between Canada's Jews, and her strong views on Israel and progressive politics. Learn more about JSpaceCanada at jspacecanada.ca
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Can Australia's Jews Ever Recover From Bondi? With Jeremy Leibler | 05 août 2026 | 00:41:02 | |
On December 14th, 2025, a pair of gunmen killed 15 people attending a Hanukkah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach. For Jewish leaders like Jeremy Leibler (Zionist Federation of Australia), the killings were shocking--even as concerns around antisemitism continued to grow after October 7th. Will Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism be a meaningful step towards change? Jeremy speaks openly to Mijal and Noam about the commission, his legacy as the child of Holocaust survivors, and what is giving him hope.
Learn more about the Zionist Federation of Australia at zfa.com.au
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Matthew Nouriel Always Had Shabbat | 29 juil. 2026 | 00:43:39 | |
There are many words to describe influencer and activist Matthew Nouriel: Persian, Jewish, Gay, Zionist... But when you belong to so many different communities, do you really belong anywhere at all? As Mijal discovers, Matthew's answer is an emphatic "yes." His Mizrahi family may have struggled to accept him, but they never left him behind. Now, Matthew is using his voice to encourage Jews of all kinds to make that same embrace.Learn more about JIMENA by visiting https://www.jimena.org/Mijal's study for JIMENA is at https://sephardicstudy.org/
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| The Meaning of Love with Rabbi Shai Held | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:42:28 | |
How do you even begin to define love? How are we supposed to balance love of family with “love thy neighbor?” These are the kinds of questions Rabbi Shai Held tries to tackle in his latest book, Judaism Is About Love. Shai is President and Dean of Hadar and host of the podcast Answers WithHeld. Together with Mijal and Noam, he wonders about how to balance the needs of our Jewish family with the biggest family of all: humanity.
For more on Shai’s book visit https://hadar.org/torah-tefillah/books/judaism-about-love
And be sure to check out Shai's podcast, Answers WithHeld: https://www.hadar.org/torah-tefillah/podcasts/welcome-answers-withheld
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| The Family Cycle Moran Atias Had To Break | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:34:37 | |
Actress and philanthropist Moran Atias was raised in a Moroccan Jewish home that expected her to marry young and have children, just like the generations before her. Her mother married at 18. Her grandmother was wed at the age of 12. When Moran broke from that tradition, it threatened to tear her family apart. In this deeply personal conversation, Moran shares her unforgettable journey towards motherhood with Noam and Mijal.
To check out Moran's TED Talk, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO1CBhA67Hs And don't miss Moran's latest TV credit, Joseph of Egypt, when it drops on Amazon Prime!
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Revisiting The Question: What Is Judaism? | 08 juil. 2026 | 00:37:21 | |
As Mijal and Noam explore the idea of "family" through the Jewish lens, it's necessary to step back and wonder if the Jewish people are an extended family of their own. We're off this week, so we're revisiting an episode from last fall, where are hosts start with a basic question: What is Judaism?
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Nas Daily: The Identity Crisis October 7 Forced Me to Face | 30 juin 2026 | 01:14:55 | |
Does identity define us or limit us? In this crossover episode with Unpacking Israeli History, Noam searches for answers with Nuseir Yassin, better known as internet personality Nas Daily.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Learning To Swim: How Jews Build Resilient Families | 24 juin 2026 | 00:33:47 | |
What does it mean for parents to act as priests? Does teaching a child to swim mean more than just laps in a pool? In our first episode exploring family through the Jewish lens, Noam and Mijal are tackling profound, meaningful questions about Judaism within our four walls. Our hosts break down the reciprocal obligations between parents, children, and siblings, with plenty of personal anecdotes to illuminate their significance.Mijal's article on the priestly blessing can be found here: https://open.substack.com/pub/mijal/p/4500-blessings?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Telling The Jewish Story with Jennifer Tepper and Etai Benson | 17 juin 2026 | 00:38:50 | |
Can a musical teach Torah? Why is Fiddler on the Roof beloved in Japan? The answers to these questions could have implications for the future of the Jews and their place in the world. Noam sits down with Jennifer Tepper, a theatre historian, and Etai Benson, a Broadway actor, to discuss the art of crafting stories, and the innovative ways in which Judaism has intersected with the stage.
If you’re interested in bringing Etai’s new show, The Book of Steve, to your synagogue or Jewish space, write to MountCarmelProductions@gmail.com
Jennifer Tepper’s new book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out is available here: https://a.co/d/00JNs0AJ
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Mijal and Noam Answer Your Questions About Denominations | 10 juin 2026 | 00:36:28 | |
Mijal is back, and this week we're responding to your comments! Spurred on by awesome listeners like you, our reunited hosts ponder the dynamic relationship between Zionism and Reform Judaism, the question of Jewish continuity, the hot-button issue of affordability, and more. We have the best audience in the world, and we hope you'll keep commenting and writing to us at wonderingjews@unpackedmedia.org for the next Q&A episode.
Mijal's article "The Future Is Sephardic" can be read here: https://sapirjournal.org/aspiration-ii/2026/the-future-is-sephardic/
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Stars Of David: Jews at Carnegie Hall with Kathleen Sabogal | 03 juin 2026 | 00:40:45 | |
Jews have left an indelible mark on the fabric of America, impacting activism, music, and religion. One venue holds so many inspiring examples of these contributions: Carnegie Hall. For this episode celebrating the end of Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam joins Kathleen Sabogal (Director, Rose Archives and Museum) on-location at the famous venue. On the corner of 57th Street and 7th Avenue, great names like Leonard Bernstein, Rabbi Stephen Wise, and Isaac Stern advocated for education, women's suffrage, racial equality and more. Is there inspiration here for the next chapter of Jewish American history? The answer will be music to your ears.To learn more about Carnegie Hall's story and view their digital archives, go to https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Matbucha And Mishpucha: Life As An Israeli-American Chef with Michael Solomonov | 27 mai 2026 | 00:37:19 | |
For years, the famous Philly chef Michael Solomonov has grappled with his American and Israeli identities. What can his journey teach us about American Jews and their relationship with the Jewish state? In this episode exploring Jewish American Heritage Month, Michael shares his remarkable family history, how his restaurants tell the Israeli story in America, and his take on ranch dressing.
To learn more about Zahav--and the rest of Michael's restaurants--visit https://www.zahavrestaurant.com/cns-family
This episode is sponsored by RootOne. Join thousands of North American Jewish teens for a life-changing experience in Israel! Find out more about RootOne trips: rootone.org
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Revisiting Chabad with Rabbi YY Jacobson | 20 mai 2026 | 00:34:32 | |
In the wake of our Denominations series, many of you wrote to us asking "what about Chabad?" As a leading resource for all Jews, it makes perfect sense to consider how Chabad fits into the denominational puzzle of America. We're off this week, but Noam kicks us off with a fresh greeting and a few words about Chabad before re-introducing our episode from last summer with Rabbi YY Jacobson.
We're getting ready to respond to more of your letters about the denominations series (as well as some other recent episodes). If you'd like to have your question considered for a special mailbag episode, don't forget to write to us at wonderingjews@unpacked.media or comment on our Instagram/YouTube pages.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| What's So Funny About Antisemitism? With Raanan Hershberg | 13 mai 2026 | 00:46:00 | |
America has enjoyed a golden age of Jewish comedy: Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, and Amy Schumer are just some of the luminaries that have graced our stages and televisions. But with antisemitism on the rise and Israel becoming more divisive than ever, can Jewish comedians still thrive? For our second episode honoring Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam is in conversation with Raanan Hershberg, a brilliant comedian who tackles questions of identity and ideology in his latest special, Morbidly Jewish. With Noam, Raanan opens up about his childhood as a Conservative Jew in Kentucky, his concerns about antisemitism masquerading as anti-zionism, and why the Old Testament might explain Jewish humor.
Be sure to check out Raanan's latest special, Morbidly Jewish, here: https://youtu.be/2Kc6151SE1U?si=KCetUPtHiGtJUWsgFor more on Raanan, visit https://www.raananhershberg.com/
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Is the Zabar's Story A Jewish Story? With David Zabar | 06 mai 2026 | 00:32:47 | |
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
The story of Zabar's--a NYC foodie fixture--is bigger than bagels: it includes a horrifying pogrom, a narrow escape to America, and success in the face of countless setbacks. For Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam asks: what does does this story mean to American Jews, and America at large? In a rare interview, David Zabar, a senior executive and third-generation family member, tells us the incredible story of Louis and Lilly Zabar, how Zabar's sees itself in the American tapestry, and yes... his bagel order.
To check out Zabar's (they ship!) go to zabars.comYou can order Zabar's: A Family Story With Recipes here: www.zabars.com/zabars-a-family-story-with-recipe-book-by-lori-zabar/
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Is the Future Non-Denominational? With Rabbi Avi Killip | 29 avr. 2026 | 00:35:55 | |
Do the words that once categorized Jews--reform, conservative, orthodox--still matter today? And if they don't... then what's next? To answer these questions and close out our series on denominations, Noam and Mijal speak with Rabbi Avi Killip, the executive vice president of Hadar. In this can't-miss conversation, Rabbi Killip makes the case for Hadar as a movement that is ready to meet the the challenges of contemporary Jewish life.
Learn more about Hadar at https://www.hadar.org/
To hear Hadar's podcasts, including Ta Shma and Responsa Radio, check out https://www.hadar.org/torah-tefillah/podcasts
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
------------
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Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Is Reform Judaism About Modernity Or Tradition? With Rabbi Rick Jacobs | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:39:31 | |
Will Reform Judaism be defined by the past, or the future? Does it emphasize the Jewish community, or the community at large? Does it feature personal choice, or obligation? Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, joins Noam to explore these queries, and the meaningful tension they create. Plus: Reform Judaism's evolution on Zionism, and uplifting stories from congregations that were attacked in Mississippi and Michigan.
Learn more about the URJ by visiting urj.org
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Will Conservative Judaism Survive? With Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman | 15 avr. 2026 | 00:36:55 | |
What is Conservative Judaism? Why is its share of American Jews shrinking? Can you take a Waymo to Shabbat services? Here to explore these questions is a married rabbi team: Erez Sherman and Nicole Guzik, from Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Together with Mijal and Noam, they discuss the beautiful nuances of Conservative Judaism, and what its future might mean for all Jewish denominations.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Why Does Judaism Have Denominations? With Zev Eleff | 07 avr. 2026 | 00:38:02 | |
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist... where do these religious practices come from? What do they even mean? Zev Eleff, the president of Gratz College, is here to lay out the fascinating origins of denominations, and how they intersect with Protestantism and American culture. Plus: Zev, Mijal, and Noam reflect on the rich tapestry of Orthodox Judaism, and what its future might be.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Straight Outta Egypt with Michael Rapaport | 31 mars 2026 | 00:35:24 | |
For this special Passover episode, Mijal and Noam open their door to actor and comedian Michael Rapaport (Friends, Only Murders In The Building, The Traitors). If the conversation had only been about the holiday, dayenu. But there's plenty more on the seder plate, including that viral meal from The Traitors and Michael's campaign to become the next mayor of New York City. Careening between moments that are funny, irreverent, wistful, and poignant, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
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Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| The Greatest Rabbi Of All Time? With Jenna Weissman Joselit | 25 mars 2026 | 00:33:04 | |
In this episode, Noam and Mijal begin their multi-part exploration of Jewish denominations in America with one of the most influential rabbis in history: Mordecai Kaplan. Kaplan is known as a trailblazer who emphasized community over kashrut and gave the very first bat mitzvah to his own daughter. But what was Kaplan's inner life? The conversation becomes a joyous family affair as Noam welcomes in his aunt, Jenna Weissman Joselit, author of the new book Mordecai M. Kaplan: Restless Soul.
This episode is sponsored by Jewish Lives, a prize-winning series of biographies from Yale University Press. To learn more about Mordecai Kaplan's life, identity, and legacy, you should check out Mordecai M. Kaplan: Restless Soul by Jenna Weissman Joselit at www.jewishlives.org. Use the special promo code KAPLAN to get 25% off.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
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Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
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Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| What The Headlines Mean For American Jews with Bret Stephens | 18 mars 2026 | 00:30:38 | |
An anti-semitic attack in Michigan. War with Iran. The news cycle is spinning so rapidly that it’s hard to make sense of it all. This week, Noam and Mijal turn to Bret Stephens (New York Times Opinion columnist and Editor-In-Chief of Sapir) to help them understand the big picture. How should Jews—and Americans in general—be responding to conflicts at home and abroad? Plus: Bret discusses his latest article for Sapir, and how academia can set the record straight on Israel.
Read Bret’s latest article in Sapir: https://sapirjournal.org/aspiration-ii/2026/israel-studies-can-redeem-academia/
Program note: this episode was taped on March 13th, 2026
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
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Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| The Truth About Antizionism with Adam Louis-Klein | 11 mars 2026 | 00:38:45 | |
Perhaps the only thing more contentious than the definition of antisemitism is the definition of antizionism; when is criticism of Israel legitimate, and when is it hateful? In this episode, Noam and Mijal look to Adam Louis-Klein for answers. In the aftermath of October 7th, Adam committed himself to defining and fighting antizionism, using the tools of academia. But is it working?
Adam Louis-Klein is a writer, philosopher, and anthropologist completing a PhD in Anthropology at McGill University. He is a Postgraduate Fellow at the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and founder of the Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ). Be sure to check out Adam's latest piece for Sapir Journal: https://sapirjournal.org/aspiration-ii/2026/defeating-antizionism/
This episode is in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
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Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| The Rhymes of History with Professor Jonathan Sarna | 04 mars 2026 | 00:28:20 | |
Note: this episode was recorded before the latest developments in Iran.
What can incidents of antisemitism from America's past tell us about its future? For Mijal and Noam, there's no one better to answer this question than Professor Emeritus Jonathan Sarna. Professor Sarna--a legendary scholar and author of the essential book American Judaism--takes our hosts on a tour of the late 19th century, when Jews found themselves excluded from a variety of spaces. Together with Mijal and Noam, he finds hope in the Jewish community's response--both then and now.
This episode is in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
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Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Dispatch From Irangeles with Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh | 02 mars 2026 | 00:25:44 | |
War with Iran is unfolding days before Purim, so Mijal and Noam step back from the news cycle to process this moment emotionally and theologically. Joining them is Tarlan Rabizadeh, a rabbi, activist, and Persian Jew who is deeply imbedded in LA's "Irangeles" community. With wit, passion, and humor, rabbi Tarlan breaks down what the media has been missing, and the sights and sounds that are filling her with hope.
Follow Rabbi Tarlan on Instagram: instagram.com/rabbitarlan/
Learn more about Rabbi Tarlan on her website: https://www.rabbitarlan.com/about
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Clarity to Confusion: Reflections on Purim With Justin Pines & JBS | 25 févr. 2026 | 01:04:02 | |
Joy and pain. Clarity and confusion. Each year--but especially now--the holiday of Purim inspires a wide array of emotions. In this special crossover episode of Wondering Jews and Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Mijal reflects on what Purim teaches us about the fight against anti-semitism. How can we interpret the actions of legendary figures like Mordecai and Esther, and what inspiration do they have to offer us in today's uncertain world?
This episode was produced in collaboration with the Jewish Broadcasting Service. To learn more about JBS and Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, visit https://jbstv.org/archives/category/jewish-insights-with-justin-pines
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| God, the Jews, and Israel: Three Thousand Years of History | 18 févr. 2026 | 00:30:12 | |
In this episode, Mijal invites Noam to talk about his most ambitious project yet: a 5-part epic series on the history of Zionism, from biblical beginnings to modern Israel. Years in the making and deeply personal to Noam, this sweeping series on Unpacking Israeli History traces the 3,000-year story of Zionism. Mijal and Noam's conversation touches on collective memory, the cyclical fracturing of the Jewish people, and how an ancient dream finally materialized as a sovereign state.
This episode is in memory of Leo M. Bernstein.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Soviet Anti-Zionism and the Refuseniks with Izabella Tabarovsky | 11 févr. 2026 | 00:34:35 | |
What can Russian Anti-Zionism of 1967 teach us about Anti-Semitism today? This week, Noam and Mijal speak with Izabella Tabarovsky, author of the new book Be A Refusenik: A Jewish Student's Survival Guide. With academic expertise and personal stories, Izabella paints a vivid picture of the Refusenik movement and what lessons it can offer to Jews facing discrimination on college campuses.
Order Izabella's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Refusenik-Jewish-Students-Survival/dp/B0G2GKWKCJ
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Understanding the ICE Surge with Kate Davenport | 04 févr. 2026 | 00:42:53 | |
At a moment when many Americans are either shouting past each other or staying silent, Noam and Mijal pause to reflect on what this moment demands of them as Jews, as leaders, and as citizens. In this episode, Mijal and Noam speak with Minnesota resident and Aspen Civil Society Fellow Kate Moore Davenport. The conversation explores the surge of ICE agents in Minneapolis and why it has ignited a debate over due process, safety, and federal power. Afterwards, Noam and Mijal reflect on polarization, competing narratives, and how Jewish ethical frameworks can help guide conversation without surrendering nuance.
Here is a link to Mijal's instragram post, discussed in the episode:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUEo6ezDnnQ/?igsh=MWs1c3J3ZzY4YnhzZQ==
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Inside the American Right: Israel, Antisemitism, and Trump’s GOP Coalition | 28 janv. 2026 | 00:52:25 | |
What’s actually happening inside the American right—and how much of it is real versus online noise? Mijal and Noam talk with Jesse Arm of the Manhattan Institute about the GOP coalition after Trump, the new fault lines on Israel, and why conspiracy culture is becoming a political force.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Shabbat and the Radical Idea of Rest (#1 Staff Pick) | 21 janv. 2026 | 00:36:13 | |
This week, we wrap up our Staff Pick countdown with our #1 episode of the year. What Is Shabbat—Really? goes beyond the long list of “don’ts” to uncover the deeper joy and purpose of the Jewish Sabbath. Grounded in Genesis, Exodus, and the writings of Abraham Joshua Heschel and Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Mijal and Noam explore Shabbat as a 25-hour “palace in time”—a weekly digital detox, spiritual reset, and celebration of meaning.
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
Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Sabbath
Joseph B. Soloveitchik :The Lonely Man of Faith
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media.
Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube.
------------
This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
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Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| You Think You Know Chabad? Think Again — With Rabbi YY Jacobson (#2 Staff Pick) | 14 janv. 2026 | 00:36:32 | |
What does Chabad have to offer a fractured world in 2025? On Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam, Mijal Bitton 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. Chosen by our staff as the #2 top episode of the year and part of our countdown to the #1 Staff Pick, this conversation leans into Chabad’s worldview, its nuanced relationship with Zionism, and its bold response to antisemitism. Rabbi Jacobson also 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.
------------
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 | |||
| What it Means to be Jewish: A Conversation with Jonah Platt (#3 Staff Pick) | 07 janv. 2026 | 00:53:39 | |
Noam revisits his conversation with actor, Jewish advocate and fellow podcast host, Jonah Platt. In the episode, voted the #3 staff pick, Noam and Jonah sit down in LA to talk about identity, Israel, Hollywood, and why October 7 turned him into what he calls an “October 8th activist.” Jonah reflects on his Jewish upbringing, the rising fear around Jewish identity, and why he now proudly wears a Magen David. They dig into what Hollywood gets right (and wrong) about Jewish stories, why so few celebrities speak up for Israel, and how to navigate tough conversations using Jonah’s “Five C’s.”
Jonah Platt is the host of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Mijal will be back next week.
Get in touch at 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
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Jewish 2025 Wrap: Peoplehood, Polarization, and Hope | 31 déc. 2025 | 00:47:53 | |
As 2025 ends, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman look back on a year that felt both relentless and revealing, then name ten themes that shaped Jewish life, Israel, and the diaspora, except it’s nine, because they’re contrarians, plus what they hope 2026 can become.
They unpack the shift from acute crisis to chronic challenge, why “that feeling you’re feeling is peoplehood,” the rise of horseshoe politics and Overton window expansion, the exhaustion of nonstop noise, and the surprising places hope still shows up, including resilience, allies, and moments of solidarity.
They also get personal, from Mijal’s pregnancy and the tension of joy amid fear, to Noam’s Israel bar mitzvah trip and what it taught him about civic society. To close, they draw on Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ guidance for how Jews respond in hard eras, find allies, strengthen unity, and choose joy alongside the fight, then ask what it would look like to build “the ark, plank by plank” in 2026.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. 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
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Hugging, Hitting, and Helping: Mitch Julis on the Future of Jewish Giving | 29 déc. 2025 | 00:44:05 | |
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025
Mijal and Noam explore how generosity—of time, money, talent, and attention—has powered the Jewish story across generations, and what it means to make giving a lifelong practice rather than a one-time donation. They’re joined by Mitchell R. Julis, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Canyon Partners, for a wide-ranging conversation about Jewish identity, philanthropy, and responsibility.Drawing on his Romaniote and Ashkenazi family roots and decades of civic, educational, and Jewish leadership, Julis reflects on the difference between power and influence, how philanthropy can both “hug and hit,” and why investing in Jewish education, Israel experiences, and institutions is essential for sustaining Jewish life across generations.
Get in touch at 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
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| What Happens After We Die? | 24 déc. 2025 | 00:38:34 | |
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025
Mijal and Noam dive into one of Judaism’s biggest—and most deliberately open-ended—questions: What does Judaism say about the afterlife, Olam HaBa, the World to Come? They explore why humans across cultures care so deeply about life after death—justice, grief, meaning, and reward—and why the Torah is famously sparse on the subject. Drawing on classical Jewish sources from the Mishnah and Talmud to Maimonides, they unpack what Jewish tradition does (and doesn’t) say about what comes next, including Olam HaZeh vs. Olam HaBa, Gan Eden, resurrection, and the risks of turning religion into a system of spiritual rewards. The takeaway: Judaism insists there is something beyond this life—while refusing to let speculation about the afterlife distract from the sacred work of living well right now.
Here is a link to the story from the Talmud discussed in the episode:
https://www.sefaria.org/Taanit.22a.7?lang=bi
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
Get in touch at 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
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Modesty in Judaism: What Tzniut Really Means (Beyond Dress Codes) | 17 déc. 2025 | 00:46:17 | |
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025
Mijal and Noam dive into the fraught conversation around tzniut (modesty), blending Jewish sources with personal stories and lived experience. They unpack what Jewish law actually says, debunk common myths about dress codes, oppression, and liberation, and wrestle honestly with how modesty shows up in real communities. Ultimately, they expand tzniut beyond clothing—toward dignity, humility, self-awareness, and agency.
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
Get in touch at 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
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| Unpacking the Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy | 16 déc. 2025 | 00:43:24 | |
A Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach became the site of one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in the diaspora in decades. Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy, who grew up in Sydney and now lives in Jerusalem, joins Noam and Mijal to explain what happened, why many in the community say it was “horrifying but not shocking,” and what this moment demands next.
Here's a link to donate to the Bondi terror attack response:
https://donate.thedorfoundation.org.au/bondi-beach-terror-attack-response/donate
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. 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
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
| The Battle Over Jewish Storytelling: A Hanukkah Conversation with Dr. Tanya White (Part 2) | 10 déc. 2025 | 00:46:57 | |
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025
Book for the Jerusalem Marathon "Return, Reconnect, and Run for Resilience" tour: sababatravel.com
In Part 2 of The Battle Over Jewish Storytelling: A Hanukkah Conversation, Mijal sits down with Dr. Tanya White to explore the deeper meaning of Hanukkah—beyond the oil. Together they unpack the three major narratives of the holiday: the historical Maccabee revolt, the rabbinic miracle of the oil, and the Al Hanisim prayer that weaves together human courage and divine presence. Speaking from Israel after October 7, Tanya reflects on a new “renaissance of the spirit” and what Hanukkah can teach us today about Jewish resilience, covenant, and hope. This timely, inspiring conversation reframes Hanukkah as a story of agency, faith, and the light we create together.
Here is a link to Dr. Tanya White website, where you can learn more about her work and find links to her podcast.
https://www.tanyawhite.org/
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
Note: Noam Weissman will be back next week's episode .
Get in touch at 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
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History | |||
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