Episodes

  • The Ms. Rachel Monologue & THE 22-HOUR Jew, Trans TV Writer Our Lady J

    The Ms. Rachel Monologue & THE 22-HOUR Jew, Trans TV Writer Our Lady J
    Mar 24 2026
    She converted to Judaism yesterday! Jonah Platt interviews transgender activist, Emmy-nominated TV writer-director (Transparent, American Horror Story, Pose), and musician Our Lady J (Yona Speidel), less than 24 hours after she formally converted to Judaism. She describes her 12-year path, the beit din with three rabbis, her written reflection on Isaiah 56 and intersex identity, her mikvah immersion, and why she chose the Hebrew name Yona. She recounts growing up in a Mennonite household, losing trust in organized religion amid homophobia during the AIDS crisis, and later returning to spirituality through Judaism. The conversation addresses unconscious antisemitism, queer-community susceptibility to “they” conspiracies, and rising antisemitism in LGBT spaces after October 7. She discusses BDS (The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement) pressure on Transparent, later learning German courts found BDS antisemitic, and argues for fact-based definitions of Zionism, while saying she is pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli. Topics discussed include:The emotional experience of completing the Beit Din and mikvah after a 12-year spiritual journey Guidance from three rabbis during the conversion process The significance of Isaiah 56 and its message welcoming eunuchs, and those who might not have a binary identity of sex or genderGrowing up in an ex–Old Order Mennonite Christian background and early perceptions of Jews The evolution of Lady J’s identity through names like Justin, Jonah, and Yona, and their biblical significance Influence of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, pioneer of trans medicine in Berlin (1909), on understanding antisemitism and queer history How Nazi book burnings in the 1930s destroyed Hirschfeld’s research at the Institute of SexologyThe intersection of antisemitism, transphobia, and homophobia throughout European and modern history The rise of antisemitism within the LGBTQ community following October 7 and shifting attitudes toward IsraelLady J’s experience working on Transparent (Amazon Prime Video)Referencing activist Larry Kramer and ACT UP in discussions of queer organizing and Zionist parallels The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on spiritual reflection, including cross-country travel and research in Berlin archivesJewish values of perseverance illustrated through Torah learning, including lessons about continuing even when strugglingThank you to this episode's sponsor:Jewish Communal FundMENTIONSMs. Rachel draws ire over appeals for Gazan childrenWhy Is Everyone Talking About Ms. Rachel Right Now?YouTube star Ms. Rachel should be investigated for spreading Hamas propaganda Who is the Bibas family?In the Sudan sick and starving children continue to waste awayViolations against children have tripled in the CongoRussia’s kidnapping of Ukrainian childrenIranian children killed by Iranian security forces in crackdown of protests12 Israeli Druze children killed in Hezbollah rocket attackLady J First day of Judaism postOur Lady J’s Film and TV CreditsThe MikvahThe Beit Din (Rabbinic Court) and ConversionRabbi Iggy‘Transparent’ Writer Our Lady J: Hollywood ‘Needs to Put Stories Into the Hands of Trans People’What is intersex?What is a eunuch in the Bible?Mennonite HistorySnapshots of an Epidemic: An HIV/AIDS TimelineLady ChablisQueer Jews Forced into a Different Closet: Antisemitism and Conditional Acceptance“Through Science to Justice”: The Story of Magnus Hirschfeld, a Gay Jewish TrailblazerLady J Zionism Instagram postThe TV series TransparentGermany Declares: BDS is AntisemiticMiller Intro to JudaismJay Sanderson BJJP EpisodeRabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh, Mandana Dayani, and Matthew Nouriel BJJP EpisodeJonah and the Whale - Bible Story MeaningJacob Wrestles with the AngelIs MAGA really pro-Israel?The Holiday You’ve Never Heard Of: Why Shmini Atzeret MattersWhy Are Grasshoppers (Locusts) Kosher for Some Jews?What’s So Wrong with Mixing Wool & Linen?Ask the Expert: Kosher Wine and Kosher Mevushal WineSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam...
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Jonah Does CNN and KIND Founder Daniel Lubetzky

    Jonah Does CNN and KIND Founder Daniel Lubetzky
    Mar 17 2026
    Jonah interviews Daniel Lubetzky, Mexican-American Jewish founder of KIND, Shark Tank investor, and longtime bridge-builder, about how his Holocaust-survivor father and Mexican Jewish upbringing shaped his commitment to connecting communities. Lubetzky describes mourning his father, saying Kaddish, and launching both KIND and the OneVoice Movement the same year, crediting prayer and purpose with keeping him grounded. He explains PeaceWorks, a trade-based social enterprise linking Israelis and Arabs (and later other conflict regions), which succeeded in sustaining relationships but never scaled and ultimately closed. He recounts OneVoice’s effort to empower moderates against media-driven extremism, mobilizing nearly a million Israelis and Palestinians, yet falling short of ending the conflict. Lubetzky outlines his latest project, the Builders Movement, and its “builders vs. destroyers” framework, its education, media, and civics work, and argues kindness is strong, honest action.Lubetzky reflects on the impact of reciting Kaddish after his father’s death and how Jewish ritual shaped his worldview.The founding story behind KIND Bars and why Lubetzky named the company after his father’s values.Lubetzky’s first social enterprise PeaceWorks, connecting Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, Egyptians, and Turks through trade.How PeaceWorks also operated in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Chiapas, Mexico to foster cooperation across conflict lines.The creation of the OneVoice Movement, which mobilized nearly 1 million Israelis and Palestinians around shared peace principles.Why Lubetzky believes media narratives often amplify extremists instead of moderates in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Launching the Builders Movement, a global initiative promoting cooperation over division.The Builders Movement framework built around the “Four Cs”: Curiosity, Compassion, Creativity, and Courage.Educational partnerships with institutions such as Stanford University to promote builder-mindset leadership programs.Collaboration with leaders like Van Jones to strengthen alliances between Jewish and Black communities.Thank you to this episode's sponsor:Jewish Communal FundMentioned In The Episode:Three synagogue attacks in Toronto in one week.Blast Outside Begum SynagogueArrests made in Norway Synagogue attackSan Jose pedestrians attacked in hate crimePolice Arrest Suspect in Ramat Gan StabbingMan, Rams Truck Into Michigan Synagogue With Over 100 Children InsideThe Story Is with Exel MichaelsonThe Lead with Jake TapperDaniel LubetzkyDaniel Lubetzky on Shark TankCamp RamahPeaceWorks FoundationVan Jones BJJP EpisodeDachauKIND SnacksJason Alexander BJJP EpisodeThe History, Significance, and Meaning of KaddishAl Jazeera Propagates Hatred. Is it also a Foreign Agent?Annapolis Peace Conference (2007)1993 Oslo AccordsKind Creates the Kind Foundation to Help Foster Kinder and Healthier CommunitiesSave Your Relationships! How To Talk to Antizionist Loved Ones About Israel - Jonah Platt’s 5 C'sLubetzky Family Foundation Builders Movement Builders on InstagramBuilders on YouTubeJewish Neighborhoods: Mexico CityMexican school merger will expand ORT’s presence in Latin AmericaMarc Platt BJJP episodeJulie Platt BJJP episodeJewish Nobel Prize LaureatesSebastian Maniscalco - Italians at Passover (Aren't You Embarrassed?)Mexican Gefilte FishRed snapper with Veracruz-style sauce (huachinango a la Veracruzana)The Rise and Fall of Eliot NessSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • On Location with Ethiopian-Jewish Chef and Restaurateur Beejhy Barhany

    On Location with Ethiopian-Jewish Chef and Restaurateur Beejhy Barhany
    Mar 10 2026
    In this delectable episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah records on location in Harlem, New York, at Tsion Café, America’s only Ethiopian-Israeli restaurant, for a conversation with owner and chef Beejhy Barhany about Ethiopian Jewish (Beta Israel) culture, food, and identity. Beejhy explains Tsion Café’s mission of bridge-building through vegan kosher cuisine and storytelling, and why she recently closed daily dining and now hosts only private events, due to years of anti-Zionist harassment, threats, and vandalism that intensified after October 7 and after becoming fully kosher. She discusses Harlem’s support, her meaning of “Zion,” and her belief that food can break barriers. Beejhy discusses Beta Israel’s unique history, questions of legitimacy, her family’s 1980–83 trek from Ethiopia to Israel, and experiences of discrimination and “conversion” pressures in Israel. Walking through the café, Beejhy shares the venue's legacy and culinary inspirations with Jonah. The two head into the kitchen to make samosas, discuss injera, dabo, spices, and her NY Times bestselling cookbook (Gursha). During the discussion, she describes founding the BINA (Beta Israel of North America) Cultural Foundation and raising her children with multifaceted identities.TOPICS INCLUDE:The story of the Beta Israel Jewish community of Ethiopia and their ancient connection to Judaism.Beejhy recounts her family’s escape from Ethiopia and years spent in Sudan before immigrating to Israel.Discussion of major Ethiopian Jewish airlifts, including Operation Moses and Operation Solomon.Life in immigrant absorption centers in Israel alongside newcomers from Ukraine and Russia.The role of Tsion Cafe as a cultural hub for Ethiopian Jews and the wider Jewish diaspora.Why Beejhy founded the Beta Israel North American Cultural Foundation (BINA) to promote Jewish diversity.The closing of Tsion Cafe’s regular dining service due to anti-Zionist harassment following October 7.Conversations about racism, identity, and the need for unity within the global Jewish community.How Ethiopian cuisine, such as traditional dishes served with injera, helps build cultural bridges.Reflections on raising multicultural Jewish children in New York City.The importance of celebrating Jewish diversity across communities from Israel to Africa and the United States.Thank you to our sponsors and promotional partners:Jewish Communal FundChutzpodAnd a Special Thanks to our production partner on this episode: Jewish Broadcasting Services (JBS)Mentioned In The Episode:Beejhy Barhan InstagramTsion CafeFar from the Eye, Close to the Heart: The Fascinating History of the Beta Israel Community in EthiopiaNYC’s only Ethiopian-Israeli restaurant closes after anti-Zionist harassment: ‘So much animosity’What is a Mezuzah?W. E. B. Du BoisThe Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley How This New York Restaurant Is Carrying on the Legacy of the Harlem RenaissanceCharlie ParkerRedd FoxxArt Tatum: A Talent Never to Be DuplicatedEthiopia, the home of coffeeEthiopian immigrantsThe Queen of Sheba The Incredible Story of Ethiopian Jews and Their Journey to IsraelGursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens, from Ethiopia, Israel, Harlem, and Beyond: A Cookbook Operation MosesOperation SolomonEthiopia’s Turbulent HistoryThe Law of ReturnAbsorption CentersDabo (Ethiopian Bread)Injera: Ethiopia’s Traditional Bread in Pictures and WordsLost Tribes beer company resurrects ancient brewsBeta Israel of North American Cultural FoundationShop Tsion CafeSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Is Israel an Ethnostate? And the 2026 Israeli Olympic Bobsled Team

    Is Israel an Ethnostate? And the 2026 Israeli Olympic Bobsled Team
    Mar 3 2026
    In this inspiring episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with members of the Israeli Bobsled Team (AJ Edelman, Ward Fawarsy, Uri Zisman, Ower Katz, Itamar Shprinz, and Menashem Chen) while in competition in Milano Crotina, to discuss the unlikely journey of building a team for a Winter Olympic sport in a country with no snow. Representing Israel on the global stage, the athletes share how they transitioned from backgrounds in track and field, rugby, crossfit, and other sports into elite bobsled competitors. They discuss training and competing internationally, and navigating the challenges of representing Israel amid rising antisemitism following October 7. Their story is a wild one with robberies, getting booed, a death on a plane, and missing critical training runs. The conversation explores patriotism, Jewish pride, and the emotional weight of wearing the Israeli flag at global events sanctioned by the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and the Winter Olympics. The athletes reflect on the powerful symbolism of Israeli athletes competing on the world stage and the importance of positive representation for Israel in international sports. Jonah and AJ Edelman, captain of the Israeli Bobsled Team, get some one-on-one time to dig into the team's challenges and the role of the Israeli Olympic Committee. Edelman details self-funding, starting a nonprofit to support the team, and hopes to grow the program.Topics Discussed Include:Competing in sanctioned events under the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) circuitQualification pathways toward the Winter OlympicsBeing champion athletes from other sport disciplinesThe nickname “Shul Runnings”Having a Druze athlete on the teamTraining in the U.S.-based tracks in Lake Placid, New York, and Park City, UtahThe measure of success is how far you’ve come, not how close you are to the topThe mechanics of a two-man and four-man bobsled under IBSF regulationsPutting together an “Ocean’s Eleven” team for bobsledFunding challenges and support from the Israeli Olympic CommitteeHow to support the team in the futureMentioned In The Episode:Advancing Jewish AthleticsDonate to the Israeli Bobsled TeamAJ Edelman InstagramWard Fawarsy InstagramUri Zisman InstagramOmer Katz InstagramItamar Shprinz InstagramMenachem Chen InstagramNOT A Genocide: Jonah Platt's Definitive Takedown of the World's Favorite Anti-Jew, Anti-Israel Lie (Part 2)Anti-Jew Libels DECONSTRUCTED-Jonah Platt Debunks 4 Lies About Israel & The Jewish People (Part 1)The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the Jews: Part 1PART 2 - The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPART 3 - The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsNatan Sharansky Natan Sharansky 3 D’sIsrael is Among a Number of EthnostatesMyanmar casts minorities to the margins as citizenship law denies legal identityMyanmar Rohingya: What you need to know about the crisisArmenia is 98% Armenian DataKoreans in JapanUAE’s Double-Standard on Citizenship RightsMigrant Rights in UAE and QatarSwiss government rejects automatic citizenship for those born in SwitzerlandCitizenship through Naturalization for Aliens of Greek ethnic originEgypt's Christians face 'constant pressure to hide their faith'Israel’s Right of ReturnOperation SolomonIsraeli Law Declares the Country the ‘Nation-State of the Jewish People’Jewish CalendarArabs Make Up 20% of the Jewish PopulationArab residents of mixed cities disadvantaged compared to Jews - ComptrollerBen Gvir’s policy goals: Going to extremes even Europe’s far right won’t touchPalestinian Authority: You're a "traitor" if you sell land to the JewsWhat does the Hamas charter say?Milano Cortina 2026 OlympicsIsrael’s first Olympic bobsled team heads to Italy in bid they have dubbed ‘Shul Runnings’The Israeli bobsled team is in last place but calls themselves 'victors'Kris Horn OK after solo ride as teammates fail to get into sledBobsled costs are skyrocketing. Can the U.S. keep up in a bedrock Olympic sport?Israel team marches to smattering of boos at Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremonyAJ Edelman, The First Orthodox Jewish Male Olympian, Is Ready For Gold!Meet Bat-El Gatterer, First Orthodox Jewish Female OlympianMIT Alumnus Competes in Winter Olympics From obese yeshivah student to Slider-Man – the remarkable run of Israel’s Olympic bobsleigh pilotIsraeli Bobsled Team's Apartment Robbed of 'Thousands of Dollars' Worth of Items During Winter Olympics TrainingWhat To Know About ‘Shul Runnings,’ the Bobsled Team Representing Israel in the Winter OlympicsVitaris ClubAt the Olympics, Israel's athletes pay a high cost in the quest for goldThe Israeli Bobsled Team’s Withdrawal from the last day of Olympic CompetitionBobsledding for IsraelSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being ...
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • L’Dor V’adorable is Back! And American-Israeli Cookbook Author Adeena Sussman

    L’Dor V’adorable is Back! And American-Israeli Cookbook Author Adeena Sussman
    Feb 24 2026
    In this delicious episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with New York Times bestselling cookbook author and Tel Aviv-based food writer Adeena Sussman for a conversation about food, culture, and the rituals of living in Israel today. Living steps from the Carmel Market, Adeena paints a vivid portrait of daily life in Tel Aviv, how Israelis continue daily routines amid rocket alarms, and what it means to compartmentalize in a country where normalcy and uncertainty coexist.Adeena reflects on feeling like an insider-outsider as an “American Israeli,” and how the shuk itself mirrors Israel’s layered religious and cultural diversity. She shares how October 7 transformed her Shabbat cookbook tour into community-centered gatherings and fundraisers, and why she views cookbooks as narrative literature that provide cultural context. She also speaks candidly about her responsibility in culinary storytelling, documenting Yemenite, Iraqi, Moroccan, and broader Middle Eastern Jewish cuisines while crediting provenance and seeking permission for adaptations.Jonah and Adeena also explore her path to co-authoring cookbooks with a number of chefs and celebrities including Chrissy Teigen, her Substack (including a viral post after attending Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s funeral), and the personal accountability she feels towards readers who bring her recipes into their homes. The episode covers her family history and Shabbat hospitality, including her mother Steffi’s influence, and what makes food suitable for Shabbat. Adeena introduces her upcoming cookbook “Zuriz” (“quick”), a collection of 100 one-page recipes designed for real life. This conversation doesn’t just talk about food as sustenance, but as a means of storytelling and connection.Topics Include:Adeena Sussman’s move from New York City to Tel AvivBecoming one of today’s most influential voices in Israeli cuisineWriting Sababa and Shabbat cookbooksLiving with Chrissy Teigen and John LegendHow Israeli Elections Really WorkWriting Cookbooks That Tell a StoryAdeena Sussman’s Recipe Development ProcessLearning the Roots: Respectful Research Across Middle Eastern Jewish CuisinesIsrael and California’s Abundant Local ProduceNYT Bestseller Pressure & What Stays Exclusive to the BooksCulinary influences from Mizrahi, Sephardi, and Ashkenazi traditionsTel Aviv’s food scene and local markets like Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel)Links to Things Mentioned in the Episode:Adeena Sussman InstagramZariz CookbookShabbat CookbookSababa CookbookTrump moves closer to a major war with IranThe Electoral System in IsraelCarmel MarketReal-time red alerts in IsraelShielded by Fire: Middle East Air Defense During the June 2025 Israel-Iran WarFood Network's New York City Wine & Food FestivalUnited HatzalahChanie ApfelbaumBusy in BrooklynNaama ShefiRachel SimonsJake CohenBengingiBreads Bakery Adeena Sussman: Came to Israel for love, stayed for foodAdeena Sussman SubstackA Stain on Israel’s Soul: Remembering Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the Beautiful SixTears From The SkyEllie Krieger CholentFirst Tango with Mango: Iraqi AmbaIsraeli produce is the best. Here’s why:Sisters fight cancer, honor mother by rolling out the doughSheet Pan Latke BoardSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishSubscribe to Ora, A Luxury Jewish Lifestyle and Culture Magazine. https://oramag.co/Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Genocide Libel and Comedian Modi Rosenfeld

    The Genocide Libel and Comedian Modi Rosenfeld
    Feb 17 2026
    In this delightful and hilarious episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, comedian Modi Rosenfeld opens up about faith, fame, identity, and building unity through Jewish comedy. Recently named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 10 New York Comedians, Modi discusses what it means to be a proudly Jewish comedian in today’s cultural climate, and why laughter is his path to creating what he calls “Messianic energy.”From performing at the Comedy Cellar, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and soon Radio City Music Hall, to navigating conversations with fellow comics like Dave Chappelle and Ben Shapiro, Modi shares candid insights on comedy, politics, and Jewish pride.He reflects on growing up Israeli in America, coming out as gay later in life, marrying his husband Leo, and supporting LGBTQ inclusion within the Orthodox community through organizations like Eshel. Modi also reveals how COVID, Zoom shows, and social media transformed his career into a global brand with audiences in Israel, Europe, and beyond.With humor and heart, this episode explores Judaism, comedy, Israel, identity, and the power of laughter to bring people together in divided times.Topics discussed include:Modi Rosenfeld on being a “Jewish comedian” vs. a comedian who happens to be JewishRoasting Ben Shapiro at a Commentary Magazine eventFollowing Donald Trump at the Republican Jewish CoalitionTouring internationally in Israel, Paris, Berlin, and LondonProcessing October 7th and performing in Europe amid rising antisemitismGrowing up Israeli-American on Long IslandMarriage, faith, and partnership with husband LeoSupporting LGBTQ Orthodox Jews through EshelPreparing for his upcoming Radio City Music Hall debutBuilding a global audience via Instagram and post-COVID Zoom comedyThe meaning behind his tour title: Pause for LaughterMentioned In The Episode:Anti-Jew Libels DECONSTRUCTED - Jonah Platt Debunks 4 Lies About Israel & The Jewish People (Part 1)Modi Rosenfeld WebsiteModi Rosenfeld InstagramThe reasons why what is happening in Gaza is not genocideAmnesty International is among the NGOs bashing IsraelGrand Mufti of Jerusalem and his aid to the NazisB’tselem’s “broader analytical framework” The U.N. Official Who Said Hamas is not a Terrorist OrganizationThe U.N. Condemned Israel 17 Times, more than the rest of the world combined Alice Nderitu of the U.N. said Israel’s campaign in Gaza doesn’t meet the definition of genocide. She was fired.Anyone can be a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Including Cookie Monster and Emperor PalpatineArab countries ban Al-Jazeera Israel distributes over 1 million polio vaccines in GazaPalestinian death toll passes 70,000Defining genocide in a post WW2 worldIsreal’s critics rewrite the definition of genocideHineni Society Event with World-Renowned Comedian ModiDavid Attel InstagramJeff Ross InstagramJerry Seinfeld InstagramChris Rock Who are the classic Catskill ComediansOld Jewish Catskill Comedian's Classic JokesThe Messianic EraRelease of latest Epstein files unleashes online wave of antisemitic conspiraciesModi | Know Your Audience (Full Comedy Special)Q&A | Comedian Modi Is Running on ‘Moshiach Energy’What Are Tefillin?The Gestapo: OverviewJewish comedian Modi Rosenfeld, a mainstay for Orthodox audiences, is gay. So what?The Comedy CellarBen Shapiro Roasted By MODIDave Chappelle Mocks “I Stand With Israel”Dave Chappelle and the Space JewsJon CarhartRepublican Jewish CoalitionU.S. Congressman Mike JohnsonOrthodox Judaism and LGBTQ IssuesEshel Ritual Hand Washing Before MealsWhat is Chabad?A New LightFran LiebowitzModi Rosenfeld, Gay Jewish Comedian, Talks ‘Moshiach’ Energy, Celebrating Shabbat and Comparisons to Robin Williams and Richard PryorTa’anit 22a-b: A Place in the World to ComeFrance reports dozens of antisemitic acts since Hamas attackThe History of HatikvahSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishSubscribe to Ora, A Luxury Jewish Lifestyle and Culture Magazine. https://oramag.co/Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, ...
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • EMERGENCY MINI-POD! Behind Robert Kraft’s Blue Square Super Bowl Ad with Org President Adam Katz

    EMERGENCY MINI-POD! Behind Robert Kraft’s Blue Square Super Bowl Ad with Org President Adam Katz
    Feb 11 2026
    In this special emergency episode, host Jonah Platt interviews Adam Katz, president of the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate. They discuss the purpose and strategy behind the $15 million 2026 Super Bowl ad aired by the organization, founded by Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft. The discussion covers the ad's target audience, primarily the unengaged Americans oblivious to the severity of antisemitism. Adam explains the rigorous data-driven process behind creating and testing the ad and addresses varying reactions and criticisms from the Jewish community. The episode also explores the effectiveness and future direction of the organization’s campaign to combat Jewish hate, emphasizing the importance of allyship and broader community action.Topics include:The Super Bowl Ad: Goals and Target AudienceThe Creative Process Behind the AdTesting and Refining the AdAddressing Criticisms and ReactionsThe Importance of Allyship and Audience TargetingMeasuring the Impact of the CampaignThe Blue Square InitiativeEvolution of the Organization and MessagingWhat it means to actively participate in fighting Jewish hateMentioned in the episode:Adam KatzAdam Katz LinkedInBlue Square AllianceRobert KraftBlue Square Super Bowl adRobert Kraft and the Kraft GroupBlue Square Alliance Jewish Hate DataOther Blue Square adsGen Z & Anti-Jew HateFreedom to MarrySharing Blue Square on Social MediaRequest a Blue Square PinBlack Unity Event Davos Blue Square Pins Van Jones Wearing Blue Square on CNNGLAAD AssociationShift from Combat Hate/Antisemitism to BSABSA Super Bowl Commercial 2025 Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady"Tony" 2023 Swastika Painted on the GarageIsaiah BSA SpotWhat's Up With Hate InstagramWhen There Are No Words AdBeing Jewish: Discussing When There Are No WordsStand Up To Jewish Hate InstagramSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishSubscribe to Ora, A Luxury Jewish Lifestyle and Culture Magazine. https://oramag.co/Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    38 mins
  • Antizionist Libels & Iranian-Jewish Activists Mandana Dayani, Matthew Nouriel & Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh

    Antizionist Libels & Iranian-Jewish Activists Mandana Dayani, Matthew Nouriel & Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh
    Feb 10 2026
    In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah speaks with Jewish Iranian advocates, Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh of American Jewish University, Mandana Dayani of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, and Matthew Nouriel of JIMENA - Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, whose families fled persecution by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), offering an urgent and deeply personal look at life under the Iranian regime. The conversation exposes how the IRGC functions not just as a military force, but as an ideological and economic power structure responsible for widespread human rights abuses, political repression, and global terrorism. The guests share personal stories about living under the threat and surveillance of the IRGC. The episode explores the Iranian regime’s hostility toward Israel, the Jewish community, and the West, while drawing clear distinctions between the Iranian people and their government. Jonah and his guests discuss how the IRGC funds proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, destabilizing the Middle East and exporting violence far beyond Iran’s borders. The conversation also highlights the challenges refugees face when seeking asylum in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and the importance of educating Western audiences about Iran’s internal resistance movements. Ultimately, the episode is a call to awareness, urging listeners to recognize the human cost of extremism and stand with those fighting for freedom, and truth.Topics Include:Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its role in IranPolitical repression and surveillance in IranIranian refugees seeking asylum in the United States and CanadaIRGC funding of Hamas and HezbollahIran’s anti-Israel ideology and antisemitismDistinguishing the Iranian people from the Iranian regimeIranian opposition movements and internal resistanceTerrorism exported by Iran across the Middle EastThe impact of October 7 on Iranian dissidents worldwideWestern media narratives about Iran and the IRGCJewish solidarity with persecuted communities under authoritarian regimesMentioned In The Episode:Part 1:The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 2: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 3: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsTarlan Rabizadeh InstagramMatthew Nouriel InstagramMandana Dayani InstagramBrandolini’s LawAvailability HeuristicInattention BlindnessDhimmi Under Muslim RuleIsrael is not an Apartheid StateAre Jews White?Infant Death During the Hamas Attack on Israel'They just kept killing': Eyewitnesses describe deadly crackdown in IranWhat Led to the 1979 Iranian Revolution?Over 36,500 killed in Iran's deadliest massacre, documents revealThe expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran – an untold historyFirst Persian Female Rabbi Finds Her VoiceMiller Intro to JudaismThe Battle for Sheikh JarrahWhy Iranian women are burning their hijabs after the death of Mahsa Amini“Women, Life, Freedom” a new revolutionary era in IranLGBT Rights in IranSpeaking Up - United Nations Special Session on Oct. 7th: Mandana DayaniADL and JLens Urge Accountability Regarding Huda Kattan's Antisemitic RemarksHuda Beauty faces boycott campaign over founder’s Iran protest videoRediscovering the Lost Tribes and God’s Faithfulness: The Jewish Diaspora and AliyahIranian Diaspora CollectiveHow Ancient Persians Essentially Saved Judaism As We Know It TodayWhy Are We So Silent About the Uprising in Iran?Leading Change: How Persian and Jewish Diasporas Can Unite against AntisemitismI came to Israel for Pride. It got canceled.Matthew Nouriel, The Empress MizrahiAmerican Jewish UniversityReport Shows Foreign-Born Citizens Are More Socially Conservative Than Their Native-Born Counterparts and Are Less Likely to Identify with Either Political PartyMatthew Nouriel, Community Engagement Director JIMENASephardim, Mizrachim in NY more conservative, less likely to intermarry than peers, per UJA studyAyatollah Khomeini returns to IranThe Ironies of History: The Ukraine Crisis through the Lens of Jewish HistoryJimmy Carter, blamed by many Iranians for the revolution, dies at 100The Fascinating History and Political Lives of Jews in IranJewish students assaulted, threatened and harassed at UCLA campusEducation Department opens second investigation into Yale antisemitismIran-Iraq WarHIAS United States Holocaust Memorial Council (Board of Trustees)Steven Wise TempleGerman Jews' Passports Declared InvalidExpulsion to cultural integration: 500 years of Sephardic Jews in TürkiyeDid Ezra Reconstruct the Torah or Just Change the Script?Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh Named American Jewish University’s VP for Jewish EngagementJay Sanderson BJJPPersian Gondi on FridaysSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:...
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    1 hr and 25 mins