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The Jewish Lives Podcast

Jewish Lives
Judaism
Zionism
Philosophy
Léon Blum
Walter Benjamin
Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Dreyfus Affair
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Jewish Identity
Jacob
Carole King
Socialism
Ayn Rand
Abraham
Franz Boas
History
Jewish Tradition
Biblical Scholarship
Tapestry
Nazi Germany

The Jewish Lives Podcast explores the lives of remarkable Jewish figures from antiquity to the present. Hosted by Alessandra Wollner, each episode features a conversation with an acclaimed Jewish Lives author, illuminating the life and enduring legacy of the subject of their biography. Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of biography published by Yale University Press and the Leon D. Black Found... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes74Founded7 years ago
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JudaismArtsBooksReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Jewish Lives Podcast

Latest Episodes

Join us with David Rieff, author of the new biography Robert Oppenheimer: The Sphinx Without a Secret, as we explore the inner life, contradictions, and enduring mystery of the man who helped usher in the atomic age.

Edmond de Rothschild (1845–1934) was born into one of the wealthiest families in history, but his legacy lies beyond aristocratic privilege.

Join us with award-winning historian James McAuley, author of the new biography Edmond de Rothschild: Findin... more

Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021) was a towering figure in American musical theater.

Join us with Daniel Okrent, author of the new biography Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy, as we explore the ways Sondheim’s music and lyrics express the inner life of on... more

Rabbi, writer, teacher, and thinker, Mordecai M. Kaplan (1881–1983) was one of the leading Jewish personalities of twentieth-century America. Founder of the Reconstructionist movement, he was a maverick who reshaped religious faith and practice, gene... more

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Recent Guests

David Rieff
Journalist and author of Robert Oppenheimer: The Sphinx Without a Secret
Episode: ROBERT OPPENHEIMER
James McAuley
Author of Edmond de Rothschild, Finding Zion
Yale University Press (author collaboration)
Episode: EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Daniel Okrent
Author of the Jewish Lives biography Stephen Sondheim, Art Isn't Easy
Author, Stephen Sondheim, Art Isn't Easy
Episode: STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Jenna Weissman Joselit
Author of Mordecai M. Kaplan Restless Soul
Yale University Press
Episode: MORDECAI M. KAPLAN
Peter E. Gordon
Critical theorist and historian of modern European philosophy
Harvard University
Episode: WALTER BENJAMIN
Anthony Gottlieb
Former executive editor of The Economist and author working on the history of ideas.
Yale University Press
Episode: LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN
Steven J. Zipperstein
Author of Philip Roth, Stung by Life and Daniel E. Koshlin Professor of Jewish Culture and History at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: PHILIP ROTH
Jane Eisner
Author and journalist, former editor-in-chief of The Forward
Jewish Lives
Episode: CAROLE KING
Noga Arikha
Philosopher, historian of ideas, and essayist.
European University Institute
Episode: FRANZ BOAS

Host

Alessandra Wollner
Host of The Jewish Lives Podcast

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 163 ratings
  • Excellent

    This podcast is deeply satisfying all the while it presents many more questions than it answers. An Essential element for Jewish learning.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    In The Voice of Our Mothers
    United Statesa year ago
  • Want to like more

    I want to like these podcasts more but over produced for me. Too short and not enough depth.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Awesome driving hind
    United States2 years ago
  • Grateful

    I love learning the history of the lives of these influential people. Informative content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BaKeeno
    United States3 years ago
  • Excellent!

    Each episode is a delicious appetizer, a taste of an individual volume from Jewish Lives, the outstanding series of biographies of influential Jews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B. Kind 143
    United States3 years ago
  • Awesome podcast!

    Thanks so much for this wonderful program!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gabfanatico
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and topics are repeatedly described as engaging and informative, with high regard for historical context.
Listeners praise thorough, insightful discussions and strong host preparation.
Some listeners feel episodes are too short or overproduced for deep-dive tastes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ROBERT OPPENHEIMER
Q: Why did Groves choose Oppenheimer?
Rieff says Groves had an instinct for the right person to do the job and pushed past objections from military intelligence, the FBI, and some scientists who thought a Nobel laureate should lead the project.
ROBERT OPPENHEIMER
Q: You compare him to Icarus in your book. So what about that story do you think better captures Oppenheimer?
Rieff says Oppenheimer's remarkable rise and success, followed by his fall, resembles Icarus flying too close to the sun more than Prometheus discovering fire.
EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Q: What did you mean by writing history from above, and what do we gain or lose by telling Zionism through a figure of Rothschild's social position?
The author explains that history from above focuses on the elites to illuminate structural forces, but also acknowledges the need to incorporate other voices, such as settlers, to avoid a one-dimensional narrative of Zionism and to better understand the human consequences of Rothschild's grand plans.
EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Q: Would you start by reading us an excerpt from your new book?
McAuley reads an excerpt that frames Rothschild as a man of immense wealth and moral concern, moved by the plight of his Jewish kin, whose actions in Ottoman Palestine evolved into a large network of colonies and a lasting impact on Zionist development.
MORDECAI M. KAPLAN
Q: What do you think made him so unusually sensitive to the pressures facing American Jews at that time?
Joselit attributes Kaplan's sensitivity to a blend of Old World and New World influences, plus early experiences with conflicting cultural forces, which sharpened his awareness of how Jewish life could adapt to modern American society.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Jewish Lives Podcast

What is The Jewish Lives Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A biography-focused interview series that delves into the lives, work, and lasting impact of influential Jewish figures. Across episodes, the host chats with biographers and scholars to illuminate the subject's historical context, personal motivations, and cultural legacy, often weaving in archival material and book-promoting promos. Notable strengths include thoughtful storytelling, use of primary sources, and a steady emphasis on how biography can illuminate broader Jewish history and intellectual currents. A standout trait is the host's preparedness and ability to draw out nuanced tensions between private life and public influence, making complex figures accessible to curious listeners who enjoy literary and historical deep-dives.

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How many listeners does The Jewish Lives Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Jewish Lives Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Jewish Lives Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Jewish Lives Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Jewish Lives Podcast:

1. Jewish History Nerds
2. A Mandatory Listen
3. The Tikvah Podcast
4. SAPIR with David Wolpe
5. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

How many episodes of The Jewish Lives Podcast are there?

The Jewish Lives Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 74 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 The Jewish Lives Podcast?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Jewish Lives Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Jewish Lives Podcast?

Recent guests on The Jewish Lives Podcast include:

1. David Rieff
2. James McAuley
3. Daniel Okrent
4. Jenna Weissman Joselit
5. Peter E. Gordon
6. Anthony Gottlieb
7. Steven J. Zipperstein
8. Jane Eisner

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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