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PODCAST

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

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, this show offers a refreshing perspective that"s both enlightening and enjoyable. It"s not just a

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

46:57

The Battle Over Jewish Storytelling: A Hanukkah...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/12/10

Book for the Jerusalem Marathon "Return, Reconnect, and Run for Resilience" tour: sababatravel.comIn Part 2 of The Battle Over Jewish Storytelling: A Hanukkah Conversation, Mijal sits down with Dr. Tanya White to explore the deeper meaning of Hanukkah—beyond the oil. Together they unpack the three major narratives of the holiday: the historical Maccabee revolt, the rabbinic miracle of the oil, and the Al Hanisim prayer that weaves together human courage and divine presence. Speaking from Israel

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41:53

The Battle Over Jewish Identity: A Hanukkah...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/12/03

In preparation for Hanukkah, Mijal sits down with her friend and bestselling author Sarah Hurwitz to rediscover the holiday’s deeper meaning. Together they explore the grown-up story of the Maccabees, the complexities of assimilation and resistance, and how Hanukkah’s themes echo the identity struggles facing Jews today. Drawing on insights from Here All Along and As a Jew, Sarah reflects on courage, community, and what it means to live proudly and unapologetically Jewish in 2025. Here is Sarah

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42:23

What Is Jewish Law, Really

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/11/26

Mijal and Noam break down Jewish law (halacha) as a living legal system—tracing its path from Sinai to the Mishnah, Talmud, Maimonides, and the Shulchan Aruch. They explore how halacha is interpreted, how Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions differ, the role of custom (minhag), and why debates across denominations shape Jewish life today. They share personal stories that reveal just how much they love Jewish law and how fun, engaging, and meaningful it can be.We’re proud to be collaborating

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52:35

What it Means to be Jewish: A Conversation with Jonah...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/11/19

Noam sits down in LA with actor, Jewish advocate and fellow podcast host, Jonah Platt, to talk about identity, Israel, Hollywood, and why October 7 turned him into what he calls an “October 8th activist.” Jonah reflects on his Jewish upbringing, the rising fear around Jewish identity, and why he now proudly wears a Magen David. They dig into what Hollywood gets right (and wrong) about Jewish stories, why so few celebrities speak up for Israel, and how to navigate tough conversations using Jonah’s

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35:33

Who Are Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the United...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/11/12

Mijal and Noam dive into the first national study of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the United States. The study was directed by Dr. Mijal Bitton at NYU in partnership with JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa). Mijal and Noam discuss a missing chapter in the American Jewish story. Through new research and personal reflection, they explore what Sephardic and Mizrahi experiences and communities reveal about Jewish identity, belonging and traditions.Here is a link to Mijal

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37:14

How We Endure: A Conversation for Uncertain Times

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/11/05

BOOK NOW FOR UNPACKING ISRAELI HISTORY LIVE IN LA - Nov 12 at Sinai Temple with special guest Ronen Bergman. Last stop for 2025! Use the coupon code UIH20 to get a discount on your tickets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/UIHLA25Mijal and Noam step back from politics to ask bigger questions: how should Jews meet a world where hostages come home under a ceasefire, Nick Fuentes inches into mainstream discourse, and NYC debates Mamdani? Fresh off a trip to Israel, Mijal shares what resilience looks like

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30:25

Eli Sharabi: Surviving Hamas and Choosing Life ...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/10/29

BOOK NOW FOR UNPACKING ISRAELI HISTORY LIVE IN LA - Nov 12 at Sinai Temple with special guest Ronen Bergman. Last stop for 2025! Use the coupon code UIH20 to get a discount on your tickets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/UIHLA25In this special crossover episode, host Noam Weissman shares one of the most powerful conversations he’s ever had—an interview with Eli Sharabi, who survived 491 days as a Hamas hostage in Gaza. Noam talks to Eli about his new memoir, Hostage, where he recounts life 50 meters

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45:12

How It Feels to be Israeli Right Now: A Conversation...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/10/22

BOOK NOW FOR UNPACKING ISRAELI HISTORY LIVE IN LA - Nov 12 at Sinai Temple with special guest Ronen Bergman. Last stop for 2025! Use the coupon code UIH20 to get a discount on your tickets: ⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/UIHLA25In this special crossover episode, Noam Weissman explores what it feels like to live through this moment in Israel. Mijal is away so Noam sits down with writer and Times of Israel editor Sarah Tuttle-Singer, author of Jerusalem Drawn and Quartered, for a raw, empathetic

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23:52

Sukkot: Finding Joy in Uncertain Times (Re-release)

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/10/06

As Sukkot begins, Mijal and Noam revisit a favorite episode about what it really means to live with fragility and joy. From stepping into temporary huts to Rabbi Nachman’s teaching to “always be in a state of joy,” they explore how Judaism reframes happiness—not as comfort or control, but as presence, purpose, and connection.Mijal Bitton: ⁠Committed by Mijal Bitton | Substack⁠ Martin Seligman: ⁠Pursuit of Happiness⁠ Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (Harvard study on happiness): ⁠The Good

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33:36

Shabbat and the Radical Idea of Rest

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/09/29

What is Shabbat -- really? Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman go beyond the long list of “don’ts” to uncover the deeper joy and purpose of the Jewish Sabbath. Grounded in Genesis, Exodus, Heschel, and Rav Soloveitchik, they explore Shabbat as a 25-hour “palace in time”—a weekly digital detox, spiritual reset, and celebration of meaning. We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning”

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51:17

The Art of Forgiveness with Professor Moshe Halbertal

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/09/25

In this special episode of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with Prof. Moshe Halbertal to reflect on the High Holidays. Together they explore why the “Days of Awe” feel both intense and joyful, and how teshuva, tefillah, and tzedakah can restore a sense of agency and open the future. https://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile.overview&personid=20653 We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode

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48:46

Jewish Lifecyle 101

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/09/17

Why do Jews mark life’s biggest moments with rituals—and what happens when those rituals clash with modern life? In this rich, personal, and sometimes hilarious episode, Mijal and Noam take you on a journey through the Jewish life cycle—from brit milah to bar mitzvah, weddings to funerals. They explore how different communities (Syrian, Moroccan, Ashkenazi, Persian, and more!) celebrate, grieve, and navigate transitions. Along the way, they ask tough questions about tradition, cost, creativity, and

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45:53

Why Do Jews Pray Like That?

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/09/10

Prayer can feel abstract—so Mijal and Noam get practical. In the second part of our In the Beginning mini-series on foundational Jewish topics, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman explore what Jewish prayer (tefillah/davening) is. They look at why we pray, who we pray to, and the words we use. From fixed liturgy to personal expression, this episode offers a clear, text-based guide to deepen Jewish prayer practice.We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this

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36:18

What even is Judaism?

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/09/03

Is it a religion, a people, a culture, a nation - or something that refuses tidy boxes? In the first episode of our In The Beginning mini-series where we'll be covering foundational Jewish topics, Mijal and Noam trace how Jews have defined themselves or been defined across centuries and why it matters now more than ever; impacting belief, peoplehood, culture, land, shared destiny and so much more.We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along

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44:39

Holocaust Education is Broken. Dara Horn knows how to...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/08/27

Mijal and Noam sit down with award-winning author Dara Horn (People Love Dead Jews) to tackle one of the most urgent questions today: What’s wrong with Holocaust education—and how do we fix it? Together, they explore why most American students meet Jews only as Holocaust victims, how teaching the Shoah without Jewish civilization erases the very culture the Nazis tried to destroy, and why that erasure actually fuels antisemitism rather than combating it. From Holocaust denial to October 7th, from

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68:27

Unpacking Antisemitism with Haviv Rettig Gur...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/08/20

In this re-release of one of our most popular episodes, Noam Weissman and Mijal Bitton speak with journalist Haviv Rettig Gur about the history, ideology, and persistence of antisemitism. They trace its roots from early Christian and Islamic theology through Marxist and nationalist movements, examine how it has evolved in the Arab world and on American campuses, and discuss why the current wave feels unprecedented to many American Jews.(Note: this episode was recorded before Mamdani's victory in

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41:48

Rabbi David Wolpe on How to Keep Jewish Unity Alive...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/08/13

In a year of division, can Jewish unity still hold? In this special re-release of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton sits down with Rabbi David Wolpe for a deep, candid conversation about Jewish solidarity, peoplehood, and the meaning of freedom. They explore why the Seder remains Judaism’s most beloved ritual, how to handle political disagreements at the table, and why Jewish identity is rooted in community as much as in faith. BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking Israeli History LIVE in NYC - Sep 7 at 92nd

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46:43

If You Love Israel, Why Don’t You Live There?...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/08/06

In one of the most talked-about episodes of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman dive into the emotional and complicated questions facing Jews today: If you love Israel… why don’t you live there? Listen again or for the first time to Mijal and Noam open up about the cognitive dissonance of loving Israel while living in the Diaspora. Along the way, they reflect on the insights of Jewish giants and share candid stories of love, guilt, dreams—and bagels.BOOK TICKETS for Unpacking

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35:05

You Think You Know Chabad? Think Again — With Rabbi...

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/07/30

What does Chabad have to offer a fractured world in 2025? Mijal Bitton and and Noam Weissman are joined by renowned Chabad scholar and speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson to explore the enduring power of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s legacy. Together, they unpack Chabad’s worldview, its nuanced relationship with Zionism, and its bold answer to antisemitism. Rabbi Jacobson shares how every Jew—religious or secular—can become an agent of healing, love, and redemptive consciousness. Click here to read Rabbi

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24:46

The Mamdani Moment: NYC Jews Confront a Political Shift

Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam ·

2025/07/23

What does it mean to be Jewish in NYC after Zohran Mamdani’s surprising victory in New York's Democratic mayoral primary? In this candid and passionate conversation, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman reflect on fear, populism, and the strategic mistakes and opportunities facing the Jewish community. From public safety to coalition-building, they explore why this moment matters far beyond New York — and what must happen next. Note: This episode was recorded before recent developments, but its message

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