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North Star with Ellin Bessner

The CJN Podcasts
Israel
Hamas
Jewish Community
Carmel Gat
Anti-Semitism
Toronto
The Killing Roads
University Of Toronto
Bathurst and Sheppard
Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
October 7
Rabbi Shlomo Leib Mund
Jewish National Fund Of Canada
Nazi War Criminals
Jews
Hate Crimes Unit
Canada Revenue Agency
Canada
Maayan Shavit
Student Activism

Newsmaker conversations from The Canadian Jewish News, hosted by Ellin Bessner, a veteran broadcaster, writer and journalist.

PublishesDailyEpisodes797Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsDaily News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for North Star

Latest Episodes

Members of Canada’s New Democratic Party are meeting this weekend to choose a new party leader, with a decision slated for Sunday. And for the first time since the 1970s, a Jewish candidate has a strong chance of being elected.

Avi Lewis could foll... more

Will Bill C-9 make it safer for Canada’s Jews?

The federal government’s Combating Hate Act is heading toward a final vote—after weeks of committee study. and a move recently to limit debate. The bill is being framed as as Canada's signture response... more

YouTube

The Liberal MP for Eglinton–Lawrence, Vince Gasparro, says his heart dropped when he heard a synagogue in his riding was recently targeted. Now he is calling for arrests, increased police support and expanded intelligence sharing, and hints there wil... more

YouTube

Two Israeli seniors were killed overnight when an Iranian cluster bomb hit their Ramat Gan apartment. The husband reportedly needed a walker to get around.

When a missile warning sounds in Israel, people have only seconds to act — to get to a safe ... more

YouTube

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

Sharren Haskel
Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel
Israeli government
Episode: Israel Warns Canada About Rising Antisemitism | Sharren Haskel
Laya Witty
Lawyer and BAYT security volunteer; congregant
Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)
Episode: After the Toronto synagogue shootings: 'They want to scare us'
Jennifer Berman
Rabbi, Toronto Board of Rabbis
Toronto Board of Rabbis
Episode: Gunfire aimed at three Toronto synagogues: has the threshold been crossed?
Sam Taylor
Rabbi, Sharia Shemaim
Shemayaim/Sharia Shemaim
Episode: Gunfire aimed at three Toronto synagogues: has the threshold been crossed?
Noah Schock
CEO, Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs
Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
Episode: Gunfire aimed at three Toronto synagogues: has the threshold been crossed?
Sarah Lefton
Chief Development Officer
UJA Federation
Episode: Gunfire aimed at three Toronto synagogues: has the threshold been crossed?
David Mastracchi
Maple Publication figure, gta2idf.com
Maple Publication
Episode: Gunfire aimed at three Toronto synagogues: has the threshold been crossed?
Tina Ahava Azarin
Ottawa entrepreneur known for Persian Jewish cooking demonstrations
Ottawa Jewish community, public figure within CJN North Star program
Episode: She loves Iran and Israel. What it’s like for this Canadian watching them at war
Irwin Cotler
Professor, human rights lawyer, former Canadian Justice Minister
Former Canadian Parliament member; advocate against Iran's regime
Episode: Iran targeted Irwin Cotler. What he says must happen now

Host

Ellin Bessner
Host known for her experience as a broadcaster and journalist, focusing on newsworthy conversations and community issues.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 78 ratings
  • Excellent Host, Timely Topics

    A must-listen for anyone interested in keeping up with Jewish news in Canada. Elin Bessner is a good host.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maman Canadienne
    Canadaa year ago
  • Must-listen for Canadian Jews

    This is the only breaking-news daily podcast for Canadian Jews. If you care about issues that matter to the community, this is an important podcast to hear.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MBF432
    Canada2 years ago
  • Insightful and concise

    I like the show because I learn a lot about Canadian Jewry in a brief daily form. Ellin is thoughtful but measured with her guests making the show about them and not her, the way others often do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mscott76
    United States2 years ago
  • The best!

    Amazing podcast with important information delivered in a clear and factual way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisaLev1981
    Canada3 years ago
  • Relevant updates

    Appreciate the relevance of the topics to current event impacting the Jewish community & world at large in this concise format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OT in TO
    Canada5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback indicates that the podcast serves as a crucial source of information for the Canadian Jewish community, especially concerning contemporary events.
Listeners appreciate the timely and relevant updates on Jewish issues, valuing the thoughtful discussions and insights provided.
The host is frequently praised for her professionalism and ability to engage guests without dominating the conversation, allowing for meaningful narratives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#66
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#107
New Zealand/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#113
Israel/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gunfire aimed at three Toronto synagogues: has the threshold been crossed?
Q: Is this a random act of violence or a targeted anti-Semitic attack, and can resources be moved quickly to respond?
Leaders indicated it is targeted anti-Semitic violence and affirmed that authorities will deploy necessary resources and increase police presence, with ongoing investigations and evidence-driven updates.
Iran targeted Irwin Cotler. What he says must happen now
Q: How has Iran managed to remain a threat for so long despite global scrutiny?
Cotler explains the persistence of anti-Semitic rhetoric, state-sponsored incitement to genocide, and the strategic use of legal and political avenues to shield the regime, while noting the evolving international pressure and sanctions over time.
Israel Warns Canada About Rising Antisemitism | Sharren Haskel
Q: What is the international community's role during this crisis according to the guest?
The guest argues for moral clarity and active backing from allied nations, including Canada, to protect civilians and not merely offer words, with a focus on diplomacy backed by real actions and support for the Iranian regime's opponents.
Israel Warns Canada About Rising Antisemitism | Sharren Haskel
Q: How does Israel view Iran and the IRGC's role in global antisemitism and security?
Israel sees a rising, organized effort linked to Iran and the IRGC, with international activity targeting Jewish communities and assets; they stress the need to disrupt and deter these networks and to maintain international support for countering these threats.
Israel Warns Canada About Rising Antisemitism | Sharren Haskel
Q: What does Israel want Canada to do in response to the rising antisemitism?
Israel seeks concrete protection for Jewish communities through deterrence, policing enhancements, intelligence sharing, and strong diplomatic backing, plus clear action from the Canadian government to defend civilians.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About North Star

What is North Star about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focuses on the latest news and events affecting the Jewish community, especially within Canada. Topics frequently include issues related to antisemitism, Jewish identity, and community resilience in response to challenges like recent terror attacks. The discussions often feature personal stories that illustrate broader societal themes, intertwining current events with cultural traditions. The format is likely to be brief and engaging, making it suitable for listeners who want timely updates with an emphasis on the Jewish experience.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for North Star. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to North Star and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does North Star get?

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What are the audience demographics for North Star?

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How many subscribers and views does North Star have?

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Which podcasts are similar to North Star?

These podcasts share a similar audience with North Star:

1. Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
2. Not in Heaven
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
5. What Matters Now

How many episodes of North Star are there?

North Star launched 5 years ago and published 797 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 North Star?

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 North Star?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for North Star from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on North Star?

Recent guests on North Star include:

1. Sharren Haskel
2. Laya Witty
3. Jennifer Berman
4. Sam Taylor
5. Noah Schock
6. Sarah Lefton
7. David Mastracchi
8. Tina Ahava Azarin

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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