Can Jew Believe?

96% of Lithuanian Jewry was exterminated during the Holocaust. More than any other country—more than Poland. It was a devastating wipeout."In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, Brad Pomerance and Nick Sayers, author of The Jews of Lithuania, take a look at the chilling history of Lithuanian Jewry. First, they take us through the chilling 1,000 year history of Lithuanian Jewry, from the medieva...

Hate groups are changing their tactics, and they are targeting children far younger than you think. It is a terrifying reality that many parents are completely unprepared for: extremist groups are no longer just targeting college students or late-stage teenagers. Today, children as young as 12 to 14 are actively being groomed into hate online. Even more shocking? Across white supremacy, jihadism,...

"Without Cincinnati, the Jewish community as it stands today throughout the United States would not be what it has become. It's simply undeniable." When you think about the major epicenters of Jewish America, your mind probably jumps to New York, Miami, or Los Angeles. But in the early 19th century, the true gateway to the West—and the birthplace of modern American Judaism—was actual...

Words have power. But since October 7th, words like Zionist and Genocide are being used as slurs and to shut down conversations, rather than start them. In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?", Brad Pomerance and Hebrew Union College President Dr. Andrew Rehfeld challenge us to step back from the emotional brink. They dive into why calling someone a "Zionist" has become a popular...

"Last night there was an unbelievable missile attack in Kyiv. I spent six hours in the parking lot. 90 missiles." - Yet, the very next day, over 100 Jewish youths gathered for a culture festival. - In this deeply moving and urgent episode of "Can Jew Believe? with Brad Pomerance," we pull back the headlines of the war in Ukraine to expose the harrowing reality facing Ukrainian...

In this fascinating episode of "Can You Believe?" host Brad Pomerance sits down with acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and scholar Joe Alterman to uncover the deep, complex, and beautiful history between Black and Jewish communities that help build the American music industry. From the surprising reality behind Harold Arlen’s iconic song "Over the Rainbow" to the profound impac...

While the IDF was still actively clearing terrorists from the Gaza envelope on Oct 7th — a single WhatsApp group of 20-somethings bypassed the entire military bureaucracy to fly 12 tons of tactical gear directly to the frontlines on a private El Al flight? In this unforgettable episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance sits down with Bucky Apisdorf, the CEO and president of Let’s Do Somethi...

In this captivating continuation of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance sits down for Part 2 of his conversation with Marcell Kenesei, Executive Director of the JCC Budapest. After exploring 1,000 years of history in their first episode, Brad and Marcell dive into the raw, complex reality of post-WWII Hungary—from the trauma-induced silence of the Communist era to a modern-day Jewish cultural re...

In this gripping episode of "Can Jew Believe," Host Brad Pomerance sits down with Marcell Kenesei, Executive Director of the JCC Budapest, to unravel the epic and often paradoxical history of Hungarian Jewry. Spanning over a millennium, the story of Jews in Hungary is one of grand success, cultural integration, and sudden, heartbreaking tragedy. From the welcoming decrees of Hungary'...

In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," Brad Pomerance talks with Yoni Heilman, CEO of TAMID Group, an organization connecting the next generation of business leaders on college campuses to Israel’s "Startup Nation." With a ten-fold increase in antisemitic incidents on university campuses since October 7th, the climate for Jewish students is more challenging than ever. But while headlines focus on...

In this eye-opening episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance is joined by Dillon Hosier, CEO of the Israeli American Civic Action Network (ICAN). Together, they pull back the curtain on the massive, coordinated political strategy to undermine Israel: the radicalization of local governments, often through local Democratic Party elected officials and activists. While most eyes are on D.C., a...

In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, Host Brad Pomerance sits down with Canadian Lawyer David Matlow, who has amassed the largest private collection of Theodore Herzl memorabilia in the world, with over 6,000 pieces. Explore the life and legacy of the father of Political Zionism, his origins, pivotal life moments, the significance of Zionism in today's context, and see some of David’s favorite...

Join us on this episode of "Can Jew Believe?" as Dr. Andrei Schwartz shares his insights on the history of and resilience of the once large Romanian Jewish community, from its early 20th century vibrancy, through World War II, and finally to its post-Communist challenges and the current landscape. Discover the fascinating stories of survival, community, and the ongoing fight against antisemitism....

Would You have guessed there have been thriving Jewish communities in the "Stan" countries—Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and beyond—for over two millennia? In this elucidating episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with professor Manashe Khaimov and dives deep into the rich, untold history of Bukharian Jews. -- Key Topics: - Historical origins of Buk...

Why do Evangelical Christians support Israel at a higher rate than almost any other group in America? In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," Host Brad Pomerance speaks with Evangelical Theologian Dr. Richard Liverance, who also serves as the Director of Marketing for Israeli Ministry of Tourism in the Western United States.  They explore the deep, often misunderstood bond between Evangelical Chris...

This episode of "Can Jew Believe?" features a thought-provoking conversation between host Brad Pomerance and Benji Rosenzweig, a commercial real estate executive and public speaker who identifies as a "proud Jewish atheist." Although he is the son of an Orthodox Rabbi and spent years in traditional Yeshiva education, Benji explains how he "unplugged from the matrix" o...

In this engaging episode of "Can Jew Believe?," Amy Albertson shares her unique perspective as a Chinese-Jewish American woman, exploring her identity, experiences with antisemitism and anti-Asian hate, and the cultural nuances of being part of diverse communities. The conversation delves into the complexities of heritage, intersectionality, and the shared immigrant experience that shape...

Think you know Jewish history? Think again. Most of us grew up learning about Hebrew and maybe Yiddish, but did you know there are over 25 distinct Jewish languages that have existed throughout history? In this episode of Can You Believe?, Host Brad Pomerance dives deep into the fascinating world of Jewish languages with Professor Sarah Benor from the Jewish Language Project, exploring the Jewish...

In this provocative interview, Brad Pomerance interviews Benjamin Kerstein about the urgent need for organized Jewish self-defense networks in the U.S., the history of Jewish activism, and the importance of a proactive stance against antisemitism. Kerstein emphasizes the dangers facing American Jews and advocates for a reimagining of Jewish self-assertion inspired by Israeli resilience. -- Click H...

Brad Pomerance chats with Fabrice Sapolsky, a French-American comic book creator and publisher, about growing up Jewish in France in the late 20th century, and the broader context of Jewish identity and antisemitism in modern-day France. Brad and Fabrice discuss the history of Jews in France, the impact of traditional and more modern antisemitism, personal stories of resilience, and what the futur...

In this engaging conversation, Brad Pomerance interviews Kylie Ora Lobell, author of 'Choosing to be Chosen.”  In her book, Kylie explores the journey from her non-Jewish home in Baltimore, Maryland, to her Orthodox Jewish home in Los Angeles, California. Their discussion covers Kylie's early life, her many interactions with members of the Jewish community, the challenges she faced in diff...

In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?" Host Brad Pomerance interviews John Ondrasik, the renowned singer-songwriter and Israel advocate known as 'Five For Fighting.' Here, they discuss John's activism through music, the societal impact of his career-defining song 'Superman' in the wake of global events such as 9/11 and the October 7th massacre, and his commitment to ra...

Please join Host Brad Pomerance and Marcos Metta Cohen, who has been a leader in Mexico’s Jewish community for decades.  In this conversation, Brad and Marcos explore the rich history and current state of the Mexican Jewish community, highlighting its origins, cultural contributions, educational achievements, and the challenges it faces today, including political representation and rising anti-Sem...

In this episode of "Can Jew Believe? With Brad Pomerance," Brad speaks with James Pasch, the vice president of litigation for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), about the rise of antisemitism in the United States, particularly on college campuses. They discuss the initiatives being led by Brad's former law firm Gibson Dunn and the ADL to combat this issue, including the establishment...

Host Brad Pomerance and scholar Dalya Arussy Di Veroli dive into the rich and complex history of the Jewish community in Libya, exploring their experiences from ancient times through the Italian colonial period, World War II, and the ascension of Muammar Gaddafi that ultimately led to the subsequent collapse of the community. Dalya shares her knowledge insights into the cultural integration of Lib...