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Artwork for Wondering Jews

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

Unpacked
Judaism
Zionism
Jewish Identity
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Israel
Anti-Semitism
Encampments
Daniel Kahneman
Joe Lieberman
University Life
Ashkenazi Judaism
Sephardic Judaism
Yom Hazikaron
Holocaust
Community
Social Isolation
Behavioral Economics
Adversarial Collaboration
Yom Hashoah
Activism

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes119Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualitySociety & CultureJudaism

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Artwork for Wondering Jews

Latest Episodes

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist... where do these religious practices come from? What do they even mean? Zev Eleff, the president of Gratz College, is here to lay out the fascinating origins of denominations, and how they intersect ... more

For this special Passover episode, Mijal and Noam open their door to actor and comedian Michael Rapaport (Friends, Only Murders In The Building, The Traitors). If the conversation had only been about the holiday, dayenu. But there's plenty more on th... more

In this episode, Noam and Mijal begin their multi-part exploration of Jewish denominations in America with one of the most influential rabbis in history: Mordecai Kaplan. Kaplan is known as a trailblazer who emphasized community over kashrut and gave... more

An anti-semitic attack in Michigan. War with Iran. The news cycle is spinning so rapidly that it’s hard to make sense of it all. This week, Noam and Mijal turn to Bret Stephens (New York Times Opinion columnist and Editor-In-Chief of Sapir) to help t... more

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Recent Guests

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
Jenna Weissman Joselit
Professor of Judaic Studies at GW; author of Mordecai Kaplan, Restless Soul
George Washington University; Yale University Press (Jewish Lives)
Episode: The Greatest Rabbi Of All Time? With Jenna Weissman Joselit
Bret Stephens
Editor-in-chief of Sapir Journal; New York Times columnist
Sapir Journal, Maimonides Fund
Episode: What The Headlines Mean For American Jews with Bret Stephens
Adam Louis-Klein
Academic voice in anti-Zionism discourse; researcher and activist
MAAZ (Movement Against Antizionism) / Sapir
Episode: The Truth About Antizionism with Adam Louis-Klein
Jonathan Sarna
Professor of American Jewish History Emeritus at Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Episode: The Rhymes of History with Professor Jonathan Sarna
Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh
Activist and rabbi from Los Angeles with Persian Jewish heritage
Los Angeles Persian Jewish community
Episode: Dispatch From Irangeles with Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh
Justin Pines
Broadcaster and contributor at JBS
Jewish Broadcasting Service
Episode: Clarity to Confusion: Reflections on Purim With Justin Pines & JBS
Izabella Tabarovsky
Scholar of Soviet anti-Zionism and contemporary anti-Semitism, author of 'Be A Refusenik, A Jewish Student's Survival Guide'
Z3 Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Episode: Soviet Anti-Zionism and the Refuseniks with Izabella Tabarovsky

Hosts

Mijal Bitton
Co-host of Wondering Jews; educator and community leader with Unpacked/OpenDor Media affiliations.
Noam Weissman
Co-host; educator and communicator focusing on Jewish history and identity.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 310 ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States2 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 States2 months ago
  • I really love this show

    Toda raba.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maman Canadienne
    Canada5 months ago
  • One of my favourite shows

    Mijal and Noam make for a great pair of hosts. This show is educational, fun, and at times moving.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Al in Vancouver
    Canada6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality guests and engaging hosts make tough topics approachable.
Thoughtful, nuanced discussions with clear expertise and warmth.
Listeners praise the balance of insight and accessibility, with occasional concerns about politics.
Episodes consistently described as engaging, intelligent, and hopeful.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Greatest Rabbi Of All Time? With Jenna Weissman Joselit
Q: If you could share with us maybe like, you know, top three ideas that were part of this project that many people call today Reconstructionist Judaism, what would these top three ideas be?
Jenna explains that Kaplan's influence isn't easily distilled into a simple top-three; rather, it rests on a sensibility that prioritizes rational inquiry, active engagement with Jewishness, and a commitment to a broader, non-denominational sense of community that binds Jews together through shared practice, ethics, and identity.
Straight Outta Egypt with Michael Rapaport
Q: What personal practices or rituals do you carry into adulthood, and how did you start wearing Teffilin regularly?
He shares carrying Teffillin for years and making an effort to encourage others to wear it, reflecting his commitment to visible Jewish practice and community engagement.
Straight Outta Egypt with Michael Rapaport
Q: What was your Jewish family like growing up and how did Passover look in your childhood?
Rapaport describes an inconsistent Passover experience with varied tradition between his grandmother's home and his parents' households, highlighting how Jewish practice was not uniformly emphasized and how family stories and humor shaped his sense of identity.
The Truth About Antizionism with Adam Louis-Klein
Q: What is your theory of change and how do tools like memes help?
MAAZ aims to empower Jews with a language and tools to push back against anti-Zionism, using meme warfare and education to clarify what anti-Zionism is, while also supporting internal education about Israel and Jewish identity to strengthen resilience against harassment.
The Truth About Antizionism with Adam Louis-Klein
Q: What is the strongest version of the critic's claim and how do you respond to it?
The strongest critic claim is that anti-Zionism and antisemitism are linked through conspiratorial thinking; my response is that they are overlapping yet distinct phenomena with different stereotypes, and we should treat anti-Zionism as a separate category that still carries risks of bigotry.

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, interview-driven discussions on Jewish identity, history, and contemporary life are a hallmark. Episodes frequently tackle anti-Semitism, Zionism, immigration, and community resilience through perspectives from scholars, activists, and cultural leaders. The show blends rigorous ideas with accessible storytelling, often highlighting how Jewish tradition informs modern social and political issues, while fostering constructive dialogue across viewpoints. A notable strength is its capacity to mix deep scholarship with personal storytelling, making complex topics feel relevant and engaging for a broad audience.

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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 119 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?

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What guests have appeared on Wondering Jews?

Recent guests on Wondering Jews include:

1. Zev Eleff
2. Michael Rapaport
3. Jenna Weissman Joselit
4. Bret Stephens
5. Adam Louis-Klein
6. Jonathan Sarna
7. Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh
8. Justin Pines

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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