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Artwork for Wondering Jews

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

Unpacked
Israel
Judaism
Jewish Identity
Zionism
Anti-Semitism
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Antisemitism
Community
American Jews
Iran
Hanukkah
Passover
Shabbat
Jewish Community
Jewish Law
Jewish History
Holocaust
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes122Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualitySociety & CultureJudaism

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Artwork for Wondering Jews

Latest Episodes

Do the words that once categorized Jews--reform, conservative, orthodox--still matter today? And if they don't... then what's next? To answer these questions and close out our series on denominations, Noam and Mijal speak with Rabbi Avi Killip, the e... more

Will Reform Judaism be defined by the past, or the future? Does it emphasize the Jewish community, or the community at large? Does it feature personal choice, or obligation? Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, joins Noam to ... more

What is Conservative Judaism? Why is its share of American Jews shrinking? Can you take a Waymo to Shabbat services? Here to explore these questions is a married rabbi team: Erez Sherman and Nicole Guzik, from Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Together wi... more

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

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Recent Guests

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
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

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 319 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 States2 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 States3 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 States3 months ago
  • I really love this show

    Toda raba.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maman Canadienne
    Canada6 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
    Canada7 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.

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.
Is Reform Judaism About Modernity Or Tradition? With Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Q: What does Reform Judaism mean to you, especially for someone explaining it to a sixth grader?
Reform Judaism is a living, flexible approach that combines serious study and ethical obligations with meaningful ritual, allowing for diverse expressions of practice while keeping Jewish learning and community at the center.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
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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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How many listeners does Wondering Jews get?

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How many subscribers and views does Wondering Jews have?

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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 122 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. Rabbi Rick Jacobs
2. Rabbi Nicole Guzik
3. Rabbi Erez Sherman
4. Zev Eleff
5. Michael Rapaport
6. Jenna Weissman Joselit
7. Bret Stephens
8. Adam Louis-Klein

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