Jonah Platt // Jewish Identity, Culture, and Current Events

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Religion EN ↓ 105 episodes

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt is the hit weekly podcast that illuminates the vast, beautiful, and often unexplored tapestry of Jewish identity, through deeply honest and personal conversations with notable Jews and non-Jewish allies alike. Hosted by actor & advocate Jonah Platt, a trusted expert in contemporary Jewish culture, identity, and politics, Being Jewish seeks to engage, educate, and empower listeners to take full ownership of their identities and live as their proudest, most authentic selves.https://beingjewishpodcast.com/join

Author

Jonah Platt // Jewish Identity, Culture, and Current Events

Episodes

My Most Important Monologue, Part 3 of 3 (The Jeremiah Effect) and Bishop Michael J. Fisher 03.02.2026 1:09:46

In this compelling episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah speaks with Bishop Michael J. Fisher, a prominent Los Angeles faith leader and longtime advocate for Black–Jewish solidarity. The discussion explores Bishop Fisher’s personal journey, deeply influenced by his father, Reverend W. Jerome Fisher, a World War II medic who helped liberate Jews from the Dachau concentration camp. Jonah...

My Most Important Monologue, Part 2 of 3 (Antizionism) & Israeli Oz Party Leader Dr. Einat Wilf 27.01.2026 1:04:32

In this essential episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah speaks with Israeli public intellectual, former Knesset member, and political strategist Dr. Einat Wilf about Israel’s political future in the wake of October 7th. Wilf argues that Israel has reached a historic inflection point — one that requires shedding what she calls a lingering “diaspora consciousness” and fully embracing perm...

My Most Important Monologue (Part 1 or 3) and Entertainment Icon Howie Mandel 20.01.2026 1:03:02

In this energetic and wide-ranging episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah sits down with comedy and television icon Howie Mandel ( America’s Got Talent, Deal or No Deal, Gremlins, St. Elsewhere ) for a conversation that moves effortlessly between laughter and reflection. From his early days as a stand-up comic to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in television, Howie reflects o...

Disrupting Jewish Institutions with AJU President Jay Sanderson 15.01.2026 27:33

In this episode of 30 Minute Mensches , Jonah sits down with longtime Jewish communal leader Jay Sanderson, recently appointed President of American Jewish University (AJU). Sanderson recounts a harrowing childhood marked by intense antisemitic violence while growing up in Boston public housing, including a near-fatal incident in which he was buried alive. That trauma ultimately propelled him towa...

HOSTAGE (2-Part Special): Eli Sharabi on Surviving 491 Days in Hamas Captivity 13.01.2026 59:57

In one of the most powerful and singular conversations ever featured on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah sits down with Eli Sharabi, a survivor of 491 days in Hamas captivity. Eli joins Jonah for a two-part conversation that moves from public testimony to deeply personal reflection. The episode opens with a live, onstage discussion at a Magen David Adom gala in Miami, honoring Eli and tracing...

Cindy Crawford: Supermodel, Super Ally 06.01.2026 52:25

In this intimate and revealing episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, iconic supermodel and Jewish ally Cindy Crawford sits down for a rare interview with Jonah to discuss family, faith, and allyship. Known worldwide for redefining beauty and celebrity, Cindy opens up about the quieter values that have shaped her life — from her interfaith marriage to Rande Gerber to the loss of her only brothe...

One Mitzvah A Day with Daily Giving Founder Dr. Jonathan Donath 18.12.2025 27:19

Can we change the world with just ONE dollar? In this inspiring episode of '30 Minute Mensches,' Jonah talks to Dr. Jonathan Donath, founder and president of Daily Giving, the grassroots online platform that has turned daily donations of just $1 into almost $27 million distributed to over 75 Jewish causes worldwide. Dr. Donath shares the epiphany that led him to start Daily Giving, the importance...

Unwrapping Hannukah & Food Personality Jake Cohen 16.12.2025 1:04:14

It’s Hanukkah! In this cozy episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah is joined by culinary expert, social media darling, and New York Times -bestselling cookbook author Jake Cohen for a conversation about Jewish food, ritual, and the unifying power of gathering around the table. Known for zhuzhing up traditional Jewish cuisine with a distinctly modern yet reverent flair, Jake reflects on h...

The Black American Playbook and Philosopher-journalist Bernard-Henri Lévy 09.12.2025 53:11

In this thought-provoking episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah sits down with world-renowned philosopher, author, and war correspondent Bernard-Henri Lévy (known as BHL) for an insightful conversation about the meaning of Jewish solidarity after October 7th and the collapse of moral reasoning in the West. Drawing on five decades spent on the frontlines of conflicts from Bosnia to Bangl...

Jewish Traumatic Invalidation with Israeli Psychologist Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern 04.12.2025 30:48

Jonah hosts an insightful conversation with Israeli-American Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, a Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist and renowned trauma expert, about her experiences growing up in Israel during times of conflict and how they shaped her career in trauma and mental health. She explains her groundbreaking work on the concept of 'traumatic invalidation' in the Jewish community after October...

Updated! The 5 C’s of Difficult Conversation and Superstar Dancer/Wife Courtney Platt 02.12.2025 1:12:06

In this landmark 50th episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah celebrates the milestone with his wife, Courtney Ann Platt (Glee, So You Think You Can Dance, Rock of Ages) , the world-class dancer, television star, and multiple sclerosis advocate whose journey into Judaism has become a defining part of the traditions and values in their home. From growing up Italian Catholic in New York to...

I Read Peter Beinart’s Book So You Don’t Have To and “Ace of Cakes” Duff Goldman 25.11.2025 1:06:25

It’s Turkey Time! In this warm and wonderfully flavorful Thanksgiving episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah sits down with Duff Goldman — celebrity pastry chef, bestselling cookbook author, Food Network Icon, and beloved host of shows like Ace of Cakes, Kids Baking Championship, Buddy vs. Duff, and Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time.   Together, they dig into the stories and traditions tha...

Jewish Values in Action, Helping Rwandan Genocide Orphans with JC Nkulikiyimfura 20.11.2025 27:24

In this uplifting episode, Jonah speaks with Jean-Claude Nkulikiyimfura, the Executive Director of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) in Rwanda. ASYV was founded to support orphans of the Rwandan genocide, providing a holistic education model rooted in Jewish principles like Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tikkun Ha Lev (repairing the heart). Jonah has a personal connection, having volu...

What Gives Me Hope and Broadway Legend Seth Rudetsky 18.11.2025 1:01:53

In this spirited and emotional episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Broadway legend Seth Rudetsky — actor, pianist, musical director, SiriusXM host (Seth’s Big Fat Broadway, Seth Speaks), comedy writer, and tireless advocate — joins Jonah for an honest conversation about the deep history of Jewish contributions to Broadway. They discuss the rise of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment in the...

L’Dor V’adorable Returns! and 3x Academy-Award Nominated Producer Lawrence Bender 11.11.2025 1:08:03

In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Academy Award-nominated producer Lawrence Bender — the creative producing force behind Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, Reservoir Dogs, An Inconvenient Truth and Inglorious Basterds — Joins Jonah for a candid conversation about the film industry’s reckoning after October 7th and the moral weight of telling real stories in the aftermath of...

Jew on Jew Hate and CNN’s Anchor Jake Tapper 04.11.2025 1:18:14

In this special Election Day episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Emmy Award–winning journalist Jake Tapper joins Jonah for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on politics, identity, and truth-telling in a polarized world. Best known as the anchor of CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper and State of the Union , Jake reflects on his decades covering America’s most defining political moments — f...

Navigating Comedy, Antisemitism, and the Gaza/Israel War with Impressionist Ami Kozak 30.10.2025 29:08

Ami Kozak is redefining what Jewish comedy and commentary look like in 2025 — blending sharp impressions, fearless satire, and moral clarity in a time of chaos. In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches , Jonah sits down with Ami — modern Orthodox comedian, musician, and host of the podcast Ami’s House — to talk about how his Jewish faith and sense of moral clarity shape...

LIVE FROM PHILLY! Jewish & Native actress Sarah Podemski & activist Lani Anpo (Live from The Weitzman Museum in Philadelphia) 28.10.2025 1:08:22

BEING JEWISH goes live! In our first ever East Coast live pod at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia , Jonah Platt welcomes two unique voices, Sarah Podemski and Lani Anpo, who share insights into their dual heritage as both Jewish and First Nation/Native American. Sarah is a Canadian actress, best known for her supporting role as Rita in the hit FX television s...

Soulful Dating Advice with Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom 23.10.2025 27:57

On the hunt for the perfect NJB (Nice Jewish Boy) or Girl? Look no further! On this love-filled episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah is joined by international matchmaking icon Aleeza Ben Shalom, star of the hit Netflix show 'Jewish Matchmaking.” Aleeza is an author, dating coach, and modern day yente who has successfully matched over 200 couples and coached thousand...

Making the Implicit Explicit and bestselling author Sarah Hurwitz 21.10.2025 1:17:14

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: Jonah@JonahPlatt.com To contact us & all things BJJP: www. BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram -  @JonahPlatt X -  @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram -  @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok -&nbsp...

Being Trans & Jewish with CoverGirl model Madison Werner 16.10.2025 26:32

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: Jonah@JonahPlatt.com To contact us & all things BJJP: www. BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish Madison W...

Bullsh*t Behavior & Central Synagogue’s Rabbi Angela Buchdahl 14.10.2025 1:09:45

Unpacking Better Israel Education with OpenDor Media’s Dr. Noam Weissman 09.10.2025 29:22

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: Jonah@JonahPlatt.com To contact us & all things BJJP: www. BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish What happ...

Remembering October 7th with Israeli Artist Tomer Peretz 07.10.2025 1:06:39

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: Jonah@JonahPlatt.com To contact us & all things BJJP: www. BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish On the se...

Wisdom from Beyond the Veil with Jewish Psychic & Energy Healer Jana Stern 03.10.2025 31:14

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: Jonah@JonahPlatt.com To contact us & all things BJJP: www. BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish After bei...