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Artwork for The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
Jewish Identity
Judaism
Holocaust
Literature
Anti-Semitism
Cultural Identity
Jewish Literature
Jewish Book Month
World War II
Cancer
Tikkun Olam
The Lost Baker Of Vienna
Tevye the Dairyman
Loss
Israel
Jewish Community
Identity
Humor
Holocaust Studies
Antisemitism

The Five Books celebrates the role of books in our lives. Each week we’ll talk with a Jewish author about five books in five categories. We’ll hear about: two Jewish books that have impacted the author’s Jewish identity; one book (not necessarily Jewish) that they think everyone should read - a book that changed their worldview. We’ll get a peek into what book they're reading now, and we’ll hear t... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes53Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityBooksJudaismArts

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Artwork for The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Alicia Jo Rabins traces the “red hot glow” of the moments that shaped her, both spiritual and artistic, and how they led her to a life rooted in music, text, and ritual. She’ll tell us how a chavruta (study partnership) with an Ortho... more

In this conversation, Matti Friedman reflects on the power of foundation stories to shape how we understand ourselves and where we come from – from Noah’s Ark, to the origins of the Bible, to Hannah Senesh and the other parachutists who landed in Naz... more

In this episode, Zeeva Bukai discusses her two novels, Anatomy of Exile and The World Between, both published in the past year and woven with threads of her family history. She traces a legacy of dislocation: her grandmother’s reunion with her husban... more

Rob Kutner is an Emmy, Peabody, Grammy, and TCA-winning writer for late-night TV including The Daily Show and TBS’ Conan. He is the author of the humor books including Apocalypse How (Running Press, 2008) and the kids’ comedy-horror graphic novel Sno... more

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Recent Guests

Matti Friedman
Author of Out of the Sky, journalist and writer
Author, Israeli journalist
Episode: Matti Friedman on the Stories that Built a People
Dov Abramson
Artist and graphic designer
Dov Abramson Studio
Episode: Matti Friedman on the Stories that Built a People
Zeeva Bukai
Author of Anatomy of Exile and The World Between
Author
Episode: Zeeva Bukai on the Fragments that Make Us Whole
Rob Kutner
Comedy writer and author
Author of The Jews, 5000 Years and Counting
Episode: A Purim Episode with Rob Kutner On Where Comedy and Judaism Overlap [REBROADCAST]
Sasha Vasilyuk
Journalist and author of the debut novel Your Presence Is Mandatory
Episode: Sasha Vasilyuk on the Silences of the Soviet-Jewish Past
Judith Viorst
Author of several children's books and memoirs
Episode: Judith Viorst on Happiness, Agency, and the Art of Aging
Rabbi Yitz Greenberg
Rabbi, author, and influential thinker on Jewish theology and ethics
Episode: Rabbi Yitz Greenberg on Re-envisioning the Jewish Future
Jake Cohen
New York Times best-selling author and chef
Episode: Jake Cohen on the Magic of Gathering Around the Table
Sam Sussman
Author of the autobiographical novel Boy From the North Country
Episode: Sam Sussman on Bob Dylan and Being his Mother’s Son

Host

Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
Host who engages deeply with authors about the role of books in shaping Jewish identity and cultural narratives.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 77 ratings
  • Love this!

    Very educational and informative about my Judaism!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yaircohen123
    United States6 months ago
  • Kin

    I’m a practicing Episcopalian deeply interested the history and theology of my faith. I am in a single digit %age of Christians. Every worship service ion the Episcopal liturgy includes a reading from the Old Testament, the psalms and The New Testament. The “cultural Christians” are not well read. The Protestant style of religion is not well informed. We share history and styles

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NBerault
    United States7 months ago
  • Wonderful conversations and book recommendations!

    I’ve added so many books to my to-read list because of this podcast… And I hope one day to be a guest myself and join the ranks of these incredible Jewish writers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ohthewhomanity
    United States9 months ago
  • SheReaders Book Club

    This is so informative! The authors always feel so comfortable that they really open up and share. I love this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allbymyselfalone
    United States10 months ago
  • Thoughtful and approachable

    Love this podcast. It’s intellectual and thoughtful without being wonky or unnecessarily highfalutin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DeisCane
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the curated book recommendations, often becoming must-reads.
Educational and informative, particularly about Jewish identity.
Thought-provoking and engaging conversations that resonate across faiths.
Reviews highlight a well-balanced mix of intellect and warmth in discussions.
Hosts and guests exhibit a strong sense of cultural understanding.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#146
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#221
South Africa/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Matti Friedman on the Stories that Built a People
Q: What led you to telling this story? How did you get here?
Friedman describes a long interest in marginal yet meaningful stories about Israel and Jewish history, culminating in researching the parachutists after a friend suggested the line of inquiry; he sought to reveal how such narratives reflect larger questions about identity and humanity.
Allegra Goodman on “This is Not About Us” (Or So We Tell Ourselves)
Q: Do you have a sense of when you are writing to a Jewish audience versus a broader secular audience, depending on the book? How does that influence your writing?
Goodman says she writes primarily for a broad audience and doesn't worry if Jewish readers pick up nuances, noting that her earliest work was also aimed at many readers, not just a Jewish audience.
A Purim Episode with Rob Kutner On Where Comedy and Judaism Overlap [REBROADCAST]
Q: What was the biggest challenge in balancing humor with serious history?
Finding a tone that can be irreverent without punching down, while also honoring the gravity of topics like the Holocaust and social justice issues.
Jason Diamond on being a (Jewish-)American Author
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about what your household was like Jewishly when you were a kid?
Jason recounts a mixed background with a Jewish upbringing that included both Reformed and Yiddish influences, highlighting a sense of duality in his family's connection to Jewish culture.
Samantha Ellis on Becoming a Keeper of Her Ancestral Language
Q: You write that language needs keepers, not just speakers. Can you tell us a little about what that means to you?
There are lots of speakers, but many aren't passing the language on to the next generation. Keepers are those who love the language, study it, and tell its stories, preserving it in ways beyond fluency.

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 This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on exploring literature's impact on Jewish identity, as each episode features a conversation with an author who discusses five significant books that have shaped their perspectives and experiences. This exploration typically includes two Jewish titles that connect to the author's identity, a book outside the Jewish context that broadens their worldview, and insights into their current reading and new publications. The discussions reveal a diverse and rich tapestry of themes, including the significance of cultural heritage, community, personal growth, and the role of literature in reflecting societal challenges, thereby appealing to listeners interested in the intersection of Jewish experiences and literature.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Identity/Crisis
2. For Heaven's Sake
3. Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
4. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
5. Chutzpod!

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched a year ago and published 53 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Matti Friedman
2. Dov Abramson
3. Zeeva Bukai
4. Rob Kutner
5. Sasha Vasilyuk
6. Judith Viorst
7. Rabbi Yitz Greenberg
8. Jake Cohen

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