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Listen in as Lex Rofeberg and Rena Yehuda Newman analyze pressing issues for 21st century American Judaism. Mixing their own analysis with interviews of leading thinkers, practitioners, and even "regular Jews," Lex and Rena Yehuda look to push past the bounds of what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century. You can support Judaism Unbound at www.JudaismUnbound.com/donate.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes702Founded11 years ago
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JudaismReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Judaism Unbound

Latest Episodes

Elul is the 12th and final month of the Jewish calendar year. Elul Unbound is a Judaism Unbound initiative all about making Elul meaningful, through creative digital modalities. In this conversation, Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash ask what th... more

On this episode of Shabbat Dinner Party, we return to the imaginary Shabbat Dinner Table.

Neil Spears talks about how to rid ourselves of the ‘tyranny of always having to produce.’ Gefelteria’s Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Liz Alpern return to the kitchen ... more

Elul is the 12th and final month of the Jewish calendar year. Elul Unbound is a Judaism Unbound initiative all about making Elul meaningful, through creative digital modalities. In this conversation, Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash explore que... more

On this episode of Shabbat Dinner Party, we return to the imaginary Shabbat Dinner Table.

Neil Spears talks about how to have Shabbat dinner with a purpose, and why it can feel so hard to enter new Jewish spaces. Gefilteria’s Jeffrey Yoskowitz and L... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Neil Spears
Educator; grew up in a mixed heritage Jewish family
Independent educator
Episode: Shabbat Dinner Party I: Shabbat Shalom
Jeffrey (Gefilteria)
Co-founder of Gefilteria; food writer/chef
Gefilteria
Episode: Shabbat Dinner Party I: Shabbat Shalom
Mike Liebenson
Comedian, writer, actor
Independent
Episode: Shabbat Dinner Party I: Shabbat Shalom
Kate Mishkin
Producer, host, writer, editor for Shabbat Dinner Party
Gefilteria (team behind Shabbat Dinner Party)
Episode: Episode 547: Shabbat Dinner Party
Liz Alpern
Friend at Gefilteria
Gefilteria
Episode: Episode 547: Shabbat Dinner Party
Jeffrey Yaskowitz
Friend at Gefilteria
Gefilteria
Episode: Episode 547: Shabbat Dinner Party
Andy Kahn
Executive Director, American Council for Judaism; author and rabbinic scholar
American Council for Judaism
Episode: Episode 544: Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av) 2026 II - Andrue Kahn, Dania Rajendra
Dania Rajendra
Organizer and writer focusing on racial and economic justice; abolitionist activist
Abolition Judaism / In Our Name Fund
Episode: Episode 544: Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av) 2026 II - Andrue Kahn, Dania Rajendra
Jo Kent Katz
Kohenet and guest on intergenerational trauma patterns in Jewish communities
Kohenet Jo Kent Katz
Episode: Rest to Return IV: Couplet Rhymes

Hosts

Lex Rofeberg
Co-host of the show with Lex as a primary host; frequently discusses Judaism Unbound themes and guest perspectives
Rena Yehuda Newman
Co-host and presenter; often guides conversations and explores rest, gender, and community in Jewish life

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 669 ratings
  • Auditory Jewish comfort food

    This podcast covers a wonderful, wide sweep of Jewish diversity. I really appreciate all the possibilities that feel open to you when you listen. And it pairs excellently with their Talmud podcast as a double feature on Shabbat. I really appreciate everything this show has done to serve the wider community and to encourage creativity in Jewish life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    luthien13
    United States10 months ago
  • Sporadic gems aren’t worth the drivel

    The occasional amazing guest kept me subscribed until October 7. Then the super swing left just repelled me.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bryan_001
    Australiaa year ago
  • DH

    Episode 495 / I am unsettled that the daughter kept framing jews who disagree some of her views as a pathology…in other words her repeated excuse for them not agreeing with her was “unprocessed trauma”. That is language that has been continuously used by the anti-zionist movement to de-legitimize the many rational reasons many jews do not see this as a genocide but indeed a lack of compassionate warfare in a war zone. To be a truly active listener you must be aware of “talking down” or patroniz... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    D Harlin
    United Statesa year ago
  • Impressions So Far

    I deeply appreciate the space Judaism Unbound creates for reimagining Jewish identity outside institutional norms. The spiritual openness, the intergenerational curiosity, and the attention to justice all keep me listening.

    That said, I find myself increasingly uneasy with how the podcast discusses Israel and Zionism without including any actual Israeli voices (at least in the episodes I’ve listened to). I don’t say that to shut down critique, I think critique is vital.

    But in my opinion, thes... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    genzwannabe3
    United Statesa year ago
  • Episode 468

    October 7th depends on the context? Serious references to the projection in that poorly researched book, The Message? I’ve appreciated this podcast in the past but I just cannot anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nothappytodaythanks
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for more Israeli perspectives and broader voices on certain topics.
Listeners praise the wide range of topics and accessibility for a diverse audience.
The show is seen as a thoughtful, innovative space for reimagining Jewish life and practice.
Guests are consistently engaging and well-informed, elevating discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 546: Worlds to Come - Lexi Kohanski
Q: What is this game for folks who are excited about Hebrew for reasons beyond speaking to God?
For those not focused on prayer, the game offers a creative and historical exploration of Hebrew, allowing players to connect with language through imagination, culture, and social imagination.
Episode 544: Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av) 2026 II - Andrue Kahn, Dania Rajendra
Q: How should contemporary Jews engage with Lamentations and the rituals of mourning on Tisha B'Av?
They suggest engaging with Lamentations not just as a historical lament but as a tool for imagining a future—using the text to spark personal and communal renewal, and to guide concrete actions toward justice and rebuilding.
Episode 544: Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av) 2026 II - Andrue Kahn, Dania Rajendra
Q: Why is Tisha B'Av central in some Jewish communities and more muted in others, especially within Reform contexts?
The guests explain that Reform Judaism historically shifted away from rebuilding the Temple and toward reformulating Jewish meaning in diaspora, emphasizing ethical living, universal emancipation, and social reform rather than restoration; this created a varied texture of observance and emphasis across communities.
Episode 539: Judaism and Abortion, Beyond 'Choice' - Danya Ruttenberg
Q: How can Jewish communities be seen as legible and effective in secular legal settings?
The discussion highlights expanding tools beyond halachic arguments, including civil rights claims, oral storytelling, and the historical networks of clergy and activists, while acknowledging the risks and benefits of visibility and the importance of not relying on a single authority in a decentralized tradition.
Episode 539: Judaism and Abortion, Beyond 'Choice' - Danya Ruttenberg
Q: Why critique the word 'choice' and what terminology should we use instead?
They explain that 'choice' can obscure structural barriers; reproductive justice provides a framework that centers bodily autonomy and the conditions necessary for people to parent or not parent in safe, sustainable communities, with Jewish advocacy expanding beyond halachic justifications.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Judaism Unbound

What is Judaism Unbound about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show explores 21st-century American Judaism by pairing thoughtful host analysis with conversations with leading thinkers, practitioners, and engaged community members. Recent episodes highlight innovative education methods, rest and sacred time, bodily autonomy and reproductive justice through Jewish ethics, and global justice through Jewish philanthropy and advocacy. A notable strength is its willingness to reimagine tradition—using play, ritual, and pluralistic dialogue to broaden what Jewish life can look like while centering justice, inclusion, and diverse voices. The format often blends expert insight with practical guidance for listeners who want to apply ideas in their communities, classrooms, or personal practice.

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How many listeners does Judaism Unbound get?

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What are the audience demographics for Judaism Unbound?

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How many subscribers and views does Judaism Unbound have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Judaism Unbound?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Judaism Unbound:

1. Identity/Crisis
2. On the Nose
3. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
4. The Oral Talmud
5. For Heaven's Sake

How many episodes of Judaism Unbound are there?

Judaism Unbound launched 11 years ago and published 702 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Judaism Unbound?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Judaism Unbound?

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What guests have appeared on Judaism Unbound?

Recent guests on Judaism Unbound include:

1. Neil Spears
2. Jeffrey (Gefilteria)
3. Mike Liebenson
4. Kate Mishkin
5. Liz Alpern
6. Jeffrey Yaskowitz
7. Andy Kahn
8. Dania Rajendra

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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