That Jewish News Show – Details, episodes & analysis

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

Referenced articles, books and music:

News of the Week: 

• “‘They have nowhere to go’: On Maui, a Chabad outpost gives safe harbor to dozens of Jews “ by Louis Keene in the Forward

• ”Five things Jews can do to stop climate change” by Rob Eshman in the Forward

• ”Bomb threats and ‘swatting’ campaign hits dozens of synagogues” by Arno Rosenfeld and Louis Keene in the Forward

• ”MAP: 148 Bomb Threats Strike Jewish Community — And Counting” (from 2017) by Laura E. Adkins in the Forward

• ”Former Trump adviser Michael Flynn blamed Jews for boarding trains to Auschwitz — here’s all the offensive comments he’s made about Jews” by Beth Harpaz and Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

Main Interview:

• ”Analysis: With an eye to 2024, Biden takes a ‘passive-aggressive’ approach to Israel” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

• ”Biden and Bibi both need a big win. Is a deal with the Saudis their answer?” by Michael Oren in the Forward

• “Normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not imminent” by Noa Shusterman Dvir in the Forward

Recommendations: 

Laura: Jared Freid: 37 and Single, on Netflix

Benyamin: Painkiller, on Netflix

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242 

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction

2:10  News of the week

12:20 Interview with Mark Chiusano

31:00 Recommendations and closing 

On the May 17, 2023 episode of “That Jewish News Show,” Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward discuss Elon Musk’s Magneto tweets, Nazi memorabilia (including Zyklon B!) that’s going to auction, and Rudy Giuliani’s latest shocking (and…weird?) antisemitism. 

They were joined by Mark Chiusano, reporter at Newsday and author of the forthcoming The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos, to discuss the myriad scandals and recent indictment of Rep. George Santos on 13 criminal counts “for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations.”

“It’s kind of a psychological study and a bit of a grifter thriller of: how did this man continue to keep hustling even when he knew eventually he was going to get caught,” Chiusano said of his forthcoming book.

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newsletters

And find the Forward on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforward

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdforward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/

Referenced articles, books and music:

Elon Musk’s Magneto tweets:

• “Elon Musk doesn’t understand George Soros — or Magneto — but he’s great at antisemitism” by P.J. Grisar in the Forward

“AIPAC accused George Soros of undermining American politics. Is that antisemitic?” by Emily Tamkin in the Forward

Nazi memorabilia goes to auction: 

“Holocaust items, including Zyklon B can and concentration camp patch, listed for auction” by Arno Rosenfeld in the Forward

Rudy Giuliani does an antisemitism: 

• “Rudy Giuliani made antisemitic remarks about Jews’ genitalia, mocked ‘freaking Passover’ observance, new lawsuit claims” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

Interview with Mark Chiusano:

• “Andrew Raia has a new challenger” by Mark Chiusano in Newsday (paywall)

“Who Is Rep.-Elect George Santos? His Résumé May Be Largely Fiction.” by Grace Ashford and Michael Gold in The New York Times

• “The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos” by Mark Chiusano (out Nov. 28, 2023) 

Recommendations: 

Laura: “How Magneto Became Jewish” by Abraham Josefine Reisman in Vulture, 2019

Benyamin: “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” on Apple TV

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction

0:40 The indictment of Rep. George Santos

2:55 The Orthodox community confronts a young suicide  

9:30 Interview with Michael Helfand

25:45 - 29:00 Recommendations and closing 

On the May 11 episode of “That Jewish News Show,” Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward discuss the indictment of George Santos, the death of 25 year-old Herschel Siegel, and a Supreme Court case that could make it easier for Jewish Americans — and other Sabbath-observers — to receive religious accommodations from their employers. The hosts were joined by Michael A. Helfand, an expert in religious law and liberty, to discuss Groff v. DeJoy. 

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newsletters

And find the Forward on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforward

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdforward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/

Referenced articles, books and music:

George Santos’ Indictment:

“Congressman-elect George Santos lied about grandparents fleeing anti-Jewish persecution during WWII” by Andrew Silverstein in the Forward

“The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos” by Mark Chiusano

“‘He needs to go’: Long Island Jews react to George Santos’ indictment” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

The Death of Herschel Siegel: 

"A young gay Orthodox man died by suicide. We must confront how Jewish teachings harmed him” by Mordechai Levovitz in the Forward

Letter: “Herschel Siegel was embraced by our Atlanta Orthodox community” by Jennifer Marks in the Forward

Letter: “I knew Herschel Siegel for his entire life. Don’t exploit his death for an agenda” by David Schoen in the Forward

“Yeshiva University is left in mourning after a beloved gay alum dies by suicide” by Jacob Henry in the New York Jewish Week

“My friend Herschel Siegel died by suicide. Politicizing his death doesn’t help gay Jews” by Simon Italiaander in the Forward

“NY appeals court agrees Yeshiva University must recognize LGBTQ club” by Louis Keene in the Forward

Interview with Michael Helfand on Groff v. DeJoy:

“A new case before the Supreme Court could make Shabbat observance easier” by Michael A. Helfand in the Forward

“Must your employer accommodate your Shabbat observance? That’s up to the Supreme Court” by Michael A. Helfand in the Forward

AFL-CIO amicus brief in Groff v. DeJoy

Recommendations: 

Laura: The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” and the sneak peek in Vogue. 

Benyamin: A new song, “The World to Come,” by Zusha

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction

1:00 - American Jewish Heritage Month and End Jew Hatred Day

7:15 - Interview with Aleeza Ben Shalom, the host of “Jewish Matchmaking” on Netflix 

28:00 - Recommendations and closing 

On the May 1, 2023 episode of “That Jewish News Show,” Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward discuss the pros and cons of Jewish American Heritage Month and End Jew Hatred Day. They were joined by Aleeza Ben Shalom, star of Netflix’s “Jewish Matchmaking,” to discuss the reality series and all things Jewish dating.

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newsletters

And find the Forward on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforward

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdforward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/

Referenced articles, books and music:

American Jewish Heritage Month and End Jew Hatred Day: 

A Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month, 2023

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/04/28/a-proclamation-on-jewish-american-heritage-month-2023/

“Council OKs ‘End Jew Hatred Day,’ minus 6 votes” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

https://forward.com/fast-forward/544960/new-york-city-council-end-jew-hatred-day-antisemitism/

JFREJ critique of ‘End Jew Hatred Day’ on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JFREJNYC/status/1652020938114842624?s=20

Recommendations: 

Laura: The Jewpanese Oral History Project 

https://www.carmeltanaka.ca/initiatives/jewpanese-oral-history-project

Benyamin: The Man Who Stole Einstein’s Brain

https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/hot-docs-festival/films/2023/man-who-stole-einsteins-brain

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

The Tree of Life Trial, Pittsburgh Jews and the Death Penalty: 

Letter: “Most families of Pittsburgh synagogue victims support the death penalty for the shooter” in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 

“The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting Could Have Destroyed My Family — but Jewish Tradition Rejects the Death Penalty” by Beth Kissleff in the New York Times

Benyamin’s interview with a Tree of Life shooting survivor, “Postcard from Pittsburgh, on the 4th anniversary of Tree of Life massacre” in the Forward

Main Interview:

Ben Smith’s new book, “Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the billion-dollar race to go viral,” out on May 2

Recommendations: 

• A Person is a Person (אדם הוא אדם) by Benaia Barabi (בניה ברבי)

Music Video and lyrics + English translation

“A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them” by Timothy Egan

"That Jewish News Show" is hosted and produced by Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward. Additional help this week came from Nora Berman, Matthew Litman and Jake Wasserman. Our theme music is by The Fly Guy Five.

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0:00 Introduction
02:25 News of the Week
12:10 Interview with Alex Edelman
29:35 Recommendations and closing

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

And follow the Forward on
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Referenced articles, books and music:

News of the Week: 

RFK Jr.’s antisemitic remarks

• “RFK Jr. said COVID-19 was targeted to spare ‘Ashkenazi Jews.’ One rabbi came to his defense” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

• ”We need to talk about RFK Jr.’s antisemitic conspiracy mongering” by Aviya Kushner in the Forward

• Kerry Kennedy’s tweet about her brother

• “History shows that epidemics can carry dangerous side effects for Jews: deadly anti-Semitism” by Henry Abramson in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Members of Congress skipping Bougie Herzog’s speech: 

• “Why are Israel supporters so worried about a tiny boycott of Israeli president’s speech to Congress?” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

• “Bernie Sanders boycotted President Herzog’s speech to protest Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward

Barbenheimer Shabbat

• “Is Barbie Jewish? The complex Jewish history of the doll, explained” by Shira Li Bartov in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Main Interview:

“Just for Us” is on Broadway until August 19th

Alex and his mailing list can be found at https://www.alexedelmancomedy.com/

Recommendations: 

Laura: The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds by Benyamin Cohen

Benyamin: The audiobook version! 

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction

03:00 News of the Week

14:00 Interview with R/Judaism

32:30 Recommendations and closing

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

Referenced articles, books and music:

News of the Week: 

“As Tree of Life trial enters final phase, 6 Jewish scholars on what text and tradition say about the death penalty” in the Forward  

“The Tree of Life shooter will likely receive the death penalty. Only one question remains" by Rob Eshman in the Forward

“Jonah Hill’s therapy-speak exposes the dark side of the Nice Jewish Boy” by Mira Fox in the Forward

“Was Jonah Hill’s ex-girlfriend wrong to share texts showing his abuse?” by Nora Berman in the Forward

“New LA Times sports section has Sabbath-observant fans feeling boxed out” by Louis Keene in the Forward

There’s a new social media platform — Threads! You can follow us there: 

Benyamin is @benyamin_cohen, Laura is @adkinsdebate, and the Forward is @jdforward.

Let’s talk r/Judaism:

You can join in on the fun at reddit.com/r/Judaism.

Recommendations: 

LAURA: Finding Q: My Journey into QAnon by Nicky Woolf on Audible 

BENYAMIN: “The End of the Magic World’s 50-Year Grudge” by David Segal in The New York Times

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newsletters

And find the Forward on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforward

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdforward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/

Referenced articles, books and music:

News of the Week: 

“Roseanne Barr, in strange tirade, says ‘nobody died in the Holocaust’ but ‘they should have'” by Rebecca Salzhauer in the Forward

“Boteach to his friend Roseanne: ‘This is a time for earnestness, not sarcasm’” by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in the Jewish Journal

Main Interview:

You can follow the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Recommendations: 

Laura: “Is the ‘antisemitism crisis’ on US college campuses real?” in +972

Benyamin: “The underwater search for an alien meteor” in the BBC

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

Hosts Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward were joined by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, everyone’s favorite sex therapist, in celebration of her 95th birthday. Later in the show, they discussed a neo-Nazi who renounced his ways thanks to MDMA, and the renaming of Wyoming’s “Swastika Lake.”

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email thatjewishnewsshow@forward.com with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.

Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242

Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newsletters

And find the Forward on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforward

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdforward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/

Referenced articles, books and music:

Main Interview:

• “Dr. Ruth's Attends Her Granddaughter's Summer Garden Party Wedding in New York” in People 

• ”Dr. Ruth said if you cheat once, regret it, and are happy in your relationship, you shouldn't tell your partner” in Insider

• Dr. Ruth’s post-pandemic life is a lot busier than yours in the Forward

News of the Week: 

• ”How a dose of MDMA transformed a white supremacist” in the BBC

• ”MDMA enhances pleasantness of affective touch” in Nature

• ”Patriots owner Robert Kraft among backers of successful push to rename Wyoming’s Swastika Lake” in the Forward

• ”Jury Convicts Man in Killing of 11 in Pittsburgh Synagogue” in The New York Times

Recommendations: 

Laura: “The Doctor Is In: Dr. Ruth on Love, Life, and Joie de Vivre” by Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Benyamin: “Ask Dr. Ruth” on Hulu

“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.