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North Star with Ellin Bessner

The CJN Podcasts
Anti-Semitism
Israel
Canada
Jewish Community
Auschwitz
Antisemitism
Holocaust
Hamas
Toronto
Canadian Jewish News
Iran
Hate Crimes
Gaza
Zionism
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Bill C-9
Montreal
IDF
Tariffs
Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes828Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsDaily NewsPolitics

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for North Star

Latest Episodes

Last month, during a ceremony to award the Jerusalem Unity Prize, Israeli President Isaac Herzog greeted the audience with a warning about “a terrible process of brutalization” that has been threatening Israeli society. He singled out extremist Jewis... more

On June 17, the suspect caught and charged in connection with breaking a window, then setting fire to Montreal’s Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, is scheduled to have his bail hearing.

Court documents show the suspect, Steven Luu, 38, is from the Montr... more

As Jonathan Levy prepares to preside over his final Grade 12 graduation ceremony as head of school on Wednesday June 17, the outgoing leader of TanenbaumCHAT says the mission of Jewish education has never been clearer.

"We need an incredibly strong... more

YouTube

It’s a few days out from Toronto’s 2026 Walk with Israel, and volunteers and walkers are still sharing their impressions and experiences of participating in the largest Jewish pride event in Canadian history,

Sunday’s Walk was noteworthy because it... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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What Matters NowThe Times of Israel
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For Heaven's SakeShalom Hartman Institute, Ark Media
Ask Haviv Anything
Ask Haviv AnythingHaviv Rettig Gur
Identity/Crisis
Identity/CrisisShalom Hartman Institute

Recent Guests

Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
Senior Rabbi at Montreal's Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Synagogue
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Synagogue
Episode: Montreal rabbi says 'I'll eat my kippah' if firebomb attack wasn't deliberate hate crime
Jonathan Levy
Head of TanenbaumCHAT, retiring after 17 years
TanenbaumCHAT
Episode: "We need an incredibly strong Ark": Jonathan Levy's Farewell to TanenbaumCHAT
Shai DeLuca
Israeli-Canadian activist and television personality
Independent/Community Activist
Episode: The protesters were farther away at Toronto's Walk with Israel. The anger and anxiety weren't
Judy Weinstein Haggai
Member of Temple Sinai; hostage family member referenced
Temple Sinai member; victim's family
Episode: After a difficult year, Toronto's Jewish community prepares to walk again
Michael Dolgan
Temple Sinai Rabbi
Temple Sinai
Episode: After a difficult year, Toronto's Jewish community prepares to walk again
David Star
Toronto couple highlighted at finish
Walk participants
Episode: After a difficult year, Toronto's Jewish community prepares to walk again
Elan Factor
Dance Festival producer, in Toronto for Nova Festival Memorial Exhibition
Nova Festival
Episode: After a difficult year, Toronto's Jewish community prepares to walk again
Matthew Tobe
Activist mentioned by protesters questioned by organizers
Community activist
Episode: After a difficult year, Toronto's Jewish community prepares to walk again
Jian Megan
MC who set the tone for the walk
Unspecified
Episode: After a difficult year, Toronto's Jewish community prepares to walk again

Host

Ellin Bessner
Host of North Star; journalist and broadcaster

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 81 ratings
  • Excellent Host, Timely Topics

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LarbyDarby
    Canada2 months ago
  • 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

Listeners Say

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

Engaging coverage of safety, policy, and community matters
Professional, well-researched episodes that add clarity to complex issues
Timely, credible take on Jewish Canadian issues and politics
High-quality guests and grounded discussions on current events
Insightful and concise format with strong host questioning

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#81
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#131
Ukraine/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#132
Israel/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gail Asper calls for review of new Nakba exhibit at the museum her father founded
Q: What steps could be taken to address concerns about the exhibit?
Propose pausing the exhibit, conducting third-party reviews, possibly reverting to the museum's original emphasis on dialogue and context.
Gail Asper calls for review of new Nakba exhibit at the museum her father founded
Q: What are the broader concerns about consultation and accuracy?
They discuss lack of credible consultation with mainstream Jewish groups and independent historians, stressing the importance of peer review and contextual accuracy.
Gail Asper calls for review of new Nakba exhibit at the museum her father founded
Q: Can we start with the title of the exhibit and the use of the word Nakba?
The guest explains that the word Nakba should not be used by a federal institution due to its Palestinian framing, emphasizing the need for historical context and balance.
The protesters were farther away at Toronto's Walk with Israel. The anger and anxiety weren't
Q: Are you a little nervous to come?
Yes, due to uncertainty about who else might be present and concerns after recent events, people feel a tense mixture of fear and determination to participate.
A Yiddish 'Fiddler on the Roof' Arrives in Canada at Exactly the Right Time
Q: How is the cast prepared to perform in Yiddish, especially for non-native speakers?
The company works with a language coach and intensive rehearsal, emphasizes immersion, and relies on a long rehearsal period to internalize the language so performers can communicate through action as well as words.

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?

A daily briefing that centers on Canadian Jewish news, politics, security, and community issues through interviews with scholars, policy experts, lawyers, politicians, and community leaders. Episodes frequently tackle antisemitism, national security, Israel-Canada relations, historical context, and diaspora experiences, often connecting current events to broader Jewish life in Canada and beyond. The show stands out for its blend of timely analysis, guest-driven insights, and a steady focus on practical implications for safety, civil liberties, and community resilience.

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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. What Matters Now
2. For Heaven's Sake
3. Ask Haviv Anything
4. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
5. Identity/Crisis

How many episodes of North Star are there?

North Star launched 5 years ago and published 828 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on North Star?

Recent guests on North Star include:

1. Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
2. Jonathan Levy
3. Shai DeLuca
4. Judy Weinstein Haggai
5. Michael Dolgan
6. David Star
7. Elan Factor
8. Matthew Tobe

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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