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Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

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Israel
Judaism
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Iran
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Lag Baomer
October 7th
Anti-Zionism

Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman are two of the most dynamic, interesting, and thought-provoking Jewish leaders today. Two seasoned educators who love to talk, listen, laugh, challenge, and grow, Mijal and Noam are the Wondering Jews, leading us through thought-provoking discussions that are as serious as they are entertaining. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or just curious about Jewish culture, ... more

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Society & CultureJudaismReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Wondering Jews

Latest Episodes

Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Go to: ⁠⁠unpacked.bio/podsurvey⁠⁠. We want to hear from you!

Does identity define us or limit us? In this crossover episode with Unpacking Israeli History, Noam searches for answers with Nus... more

What does it mean for parents to act as priests? Does teaching a child to swim mean more than just laps in a pool? In our first episode exploring family through the Jewish lens, Noam and Mijal are tackling profound, meaningful questions about Judaism... more

Can a musical teach Torah? Why is Fiddler on the Roof beloved in Japan? The answers to these questions could have implications for the future of the Jews and their place in the world. Noam sits down with Jennifer Tepper, a theatre historian, and Etai... more

YouTube

Mijal is back, and this week we're responding to your comments! Spurred on by awesome listeners like you, our reunited hosts ponder the dynamic relationship between Zionism and Reform Judaism, the question of Jewish continuity, the hot-button issue o... more

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Identity/CrisisShalom Hartman Institute
Ask Haviv Anything
Ask Haviv AnythingHaviv Rettig Gur

Recent Guests

Kathleen Sabogal
Director of the Rose Archives and Museum
Rose Archives and Museum
Episode: Stars Of David: Jews at Carnegie Hall with Kathleen Sabogal
Michael Solomonov
Chef and co-owner of Cook+Shops and Zahav, author
Cook+Shops; Zahav
Episode: Matbucha And Mishpucha: Life As An Israeli-American Chef with Michael Solomonov
Raanan Hershberg
Comedian
Comedian from Kentucky/Baltimore
Episode: What's So Funny About Antisemitism? With Raanan Hershberg
Rabbi Avi Killip
Executive Vice President at Hadar
Hadar
Episode: Is the Future Non-Denominational? With Rabbi Avi Killip
Rabbi Rick Jacobs
President of the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)
Episode: Is Reform Judaism About Modernity Or Tradition? With Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Rabbi Nicole Guzik
Co-Senior Rabbi, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles
Sinai Temple
Episode: Will Conservative Judaism Survive? With Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman
Rabbi Erez Sherman
Co-Senior Rabbi, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles
Sinai Temple
Episode: Will Conservative Judaism Survive? With Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman
Zev Eleff
12th president of Gratz College; author/editor on Jewish studies and American religion
Gratz College
Episode: Why Does Judaism Have Denominations? With Zev Eleff
Michael Rapaport
Actor, comedian, Jewish advocate and activist
Episode: Straight Outta Egypt with Michael Rapaport

Hosts

Mijal Bitton
Host of Wondering Jews and co-host; educator and commentator on Jewish culture and diaspora identity.
Noam Weissman
Co-host and educator; discusses Jewish history, culture, and Zionist perspectives with depth and accessibility.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 334 ratings
  • Elittttee

    Just listened to the episode of Robert Rick Jacobs and idk if ive ever had 40 minutes go by so quick in my life. Noam did a great job of balancing asking questions and listening and bringing out good thoughts and ideas.

    Am gonna keep coming back 🙏🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shlom-Ami
    United States16 days ago
  • Zabar’s

    It may not be a “store” in the traditional sense, but there is also a Zabar’s presence/booth in Grand Central, in addition to its flagship on upper west side.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ebrathedebra
    United States2 months ago
  • Stick with discussing Jewish ideas

    I normally appreciate this show but why interview one of the hate America left. And yes someone who brags about actively trying to stop and interfere with ICE is part of the hate America left. That has very little to do with the Jewish theme of the podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    This Ken
    United States4 months ago
  • Great show, BUT

    I agree with the other reviewer, please don’t stray into national politics. I love this show because it provides me with information I can’t find anywhere else. I don’t need a selective “Jewish” view on America’s immigration policy and current enforcement methods. There’s a seemingly infinite number of liberal podcasts that could provide me with a similar perspective, it doesn’t add anything to do it “Jewishly.” I’m also uncomfortable with the politicization of religion, which is what this episo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CuckerQatarlson
    United States5 months ago
  • Stick with discussing Jewish ideas

    I normally appreciate this show but why interview one of the hate America left. That has very little to do with the Jewish theme of the podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    This Ken
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

This show blends thoughtful discussion with warmth and humor; a rare combination.
Listeners appreciate nuanced conversations about Jewish life and identity.
Guests consistently bring depth, making complex topics accessible to a broad audience.
Two-host dynamic is a major strength, offering balanced perspectives and engaging banter.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stars Of David: Jews at Carnegie Hall with Kathleen Sabogal
Q: Can you tell us about Benny Goodman performing with a Black musician at Carnegie Hall and why that was significant?
The 1938 swing concert brought Benny Goodman with a racially integrated lineup, including Lionel Hampton and Teddy Wilson, performing in Carnegie Hall in a way that challenged segregation norms and showcased unity through music; the performance was a landmark for racial integration in American orchestral settings.
Matbucha And Mishpucha: Life As An Israeli-American Chef with Michael Solomonov
Q: Does the tension of having a foot in both American and Israeli worlds power Zahav, or is it a separate force driving his work?
The hosts and Solomonov describe the tension as a catalyst that powers his work, helping him act as a conduit between Israeli culture and the global Jewish diaspora, shaping Zahav's culinary voice.
Matbucha And Mishpucha: Life As An Israeli-American Chef with Michael Solomonov
Q: Who are you, and what would you end the sentence with if you started with 'I am'?
Solomonov frames his identity around being a father, a friend, and someone who loves people, emphasizing expressive care and connection as core to who he is.
Is the Future Non-Denominational? With Rabbi Avi Killip
Q: What is Hadar trying to do and where does it fit in the landscape of Jewish denominations?
Hadar is a movement and an organization that seeks to embody Halachic egalitarian Judaism and build vibrant communities by combining tradition with egalitarian practice, while not being strictly bound to existing denominational labels.
Will Conservative Judaism Survive? With Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman
Q: What is Conservative Judaism?
Conservative Judaism is defined in contrast to Reform and Orthodox, focusing on authenticity within Jewish law and tradition, while engaging with modern life and community needs.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wondering Jews

What is Wondering Jews about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful, conversation-driven discussions exploring Jewish life, culture, history, and identity through a modern diaspora lens. Episodes commonly feature scholars, rabbis, journalists, comedians, and activists who provide nuanced perspectives on Judaism, Israel, denominational history, and contemporary Jewish experience. The show stands out for its blend of rigorous ideas with accessible storytelling, often weaving personal narratives, humor, and real-world applications to help listeners understand complex topics without without losing warmth or curiosity.

Where can I find podcast stats for Wondering Jews?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Wondering Jews. 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 Wondering Jews and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Wondering Jews get?

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What are the audience demographics for Wondering Jews?

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How many subscribers and views does Wondering Jews have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Wondering Jews 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 Wondering Jews?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wondering Jews:

1. Unpacking Israeli History
2. What Matters Now
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. Identity/Crisis
5. Ask Haviv Anything

How many episodes of Wondering Jews are there?

Wondering Jews launched 2 years ago and published 131 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 Wondering Jews?

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 Wondering Jews?

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

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What guests have appeared on Wondering Jews?

Recent guests on Wondering Jews include:

1. Kathleen Sabogal
2. Michael Solomonov
3. Raanan Hershberg
4. Rabbi Avi Killip
5. Rabbi Rick Jacobs
6. Rabbi Nicole Guzik
7. Rabbi Erez Sherman
8. Zev Eleff

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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