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North Star with Ellin Bessner

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes836Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsPoliticsNews

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Artwork for North Star

Latest Episodes

Ellin Bessner is off on a well-deserved summer vacation, so we're bringing back some favourite episodes from the archives. This episode originally ran on May 31, 2021.

Has there ever been a better home for Jews than Canada? That's the bold questio... more

There’s been a major new development in the controversy surrounding the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ new Nakba exhibit.

Canada’s Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Mark Miller, toured the exhibit before the show opened last weekend, an... more

YouTube

When people think of the Calgary Stampede, they probably picture rodeos, chuckwagon races, the famous parade, or perhaps deep-fried Mars bars on the midway. But how about kosher pancake breakfasts, Israeli tech entrepreneurs, and the Jewish businessm... more

YouTube

Over the past school year, The Canadian Jewish News' Local Journalism Initiative reporter, Mitch Consky, who covers education, has introduced readers to some exceptional students through his "Chai Achievers" series. He has profiled young Jewish Canad... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
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Recent Guests

Mark Berlin
Lawyer, human rights scholar, former Federal Justice Department official
Former trustee, Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Episode: The Human Rights museum's only Jewish trustee wanted the Nakba Exhibit. He just quit
Joel Ceausu
Quebec correspondent for The Canadian Jewish News
The Canadian Jewish News
Episode: What we know about the deadly Montreal shootings that shook a Jewish neighbourhood
Irv Siegel
Founder of Feed the Children School Lunch Program
Beit Rayim Synagogue
Episode: A synagogue heard local schoolchildren were hungry. They've delivered 7,000 lunches
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
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 The North Star podcast; veteran broadcaster, journalist, and writer.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 82 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
    Canada3 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
    Canada2 years 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.

Audience appreciates clear reporting and diverse guest voices.
Covers timely Canadian Jewish issues with depth and balance.
Host is thoughtful and keeps focus on guests and topics, not self-promotion.
Shows credibility and concise questions from the host.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#109
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#150
Ukraine/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#188
Israel/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#238
Denmark/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A synagogue heard local schoolchildren were hungry. They've delivered 7,000 lunches
Q: What makes this program unique or different from other charity efforts?
Unlike some initiatives, this program sources, prepares, and distributes all lunches through outside volunteers from the synagogue, ensuring self-sufficiency and broad community involvement, including collaboration with Bayview Secondary School helpers.
A synagogue heard local schoolchildren were hungry. They've delivered 7,000 lunches
Q: How is the program funded and sustained over time?
Funding comes from grants and donations, with cost estimates around $40,000 annually; the group also receives food donations and in-kind support like free bagels and produce, while seeking ongoing grants to maintain operations into the fall.
A synagogue heard local schoolchildren were hungry. They've delivered 7,000 lunches
Q: What sparked the decision to start feeding hungry kids during the school day?
The realization from Stats Canada that one in five children in the region go to school without lunches, coupled with observed impacts on learning and behavior, motivated Beit Rayim to partner with local schools and develop a sustainable delivery model.
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.

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?

The program centers on timely Canadian Jewish news, featuring conversations with community leaders, educators, journalists, and activists who shape Jewish life in Canada. Across episodes, guests explore anti-Semitism, Jewish education, memory and ritual, culture, and public policy, often tying local events to broader national and international contexts. A standout aspect is the willingness to host a wide range of voices—from synagogue leadership and school administrators to artists and grassroots organizers—fostering pluralism, resilience, and informed civic dialogue.

Noteworthy is the heavy emphasis on current events and community safety, coupled with deep dives into policy debates and cultural initiatives. The format blends reportage wit... more

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Which podcasts are similar to North Star?

These podcasts share a similar audience with North Star:

1. Ask Haviv Anything
2. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
3. What Matters Now
4. For Heaven's Sake
5. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

How many episodes of North Star are there?

North Star launched 5 years ago and published 836 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. Mark Berlin
2. Joel Ceausu
3. Irv Siegel
4. Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
5. Jonathan Levy
6. Shai DeLuca
7. Judy Weinstein Haggai
8. Michael Dolgan

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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