In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Zibby Owens - bestselling author, publisher, bookstore owner, and host of the hit podcast "Totally Booked with Zibby" - which is brought to life before a studio audience in a new series premiering on JBS this Thursday.

Abby Pogrebin welcomes Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author Gayle Kirschenbaum to discuss "Bullied to Besties," her raw and uplifting memoir about transforming lifelong pain into forgiveness and healing in her tumultuous relationship with her mother.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Ronald Leopold, longtime executive director of the Anne Frank House, one of Europe’s most visited museums, which he recreated and brought to New York City for the first time this year.

American-born Israeli journalist, author, and the former Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, Yaakov Katz, joins Abby to discuss his latest book, "While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East."

Donniel Hartman and Yehuda Kurtzer, presidents of the Shalom Hartman Institute, join Abigail Pogrebin to unpack the emotions, implications, and future stakes of the historic ceasefire.  

Abby speaks with acclaimed journalist, author, and former editor-in-chief of The Forward, Jane Eisner about her new biography of Carole King and the Jewish roots that shaped both her identity and her artistry.

Vanessa M. Harper, Reform rabbi and author of "Loaves of Torah", joins Abby to discuss her passion for creating meaningful Jewish experiences for all ages and how she uses challah to interpret and teach Torah and the Jewish year.

Abby speaks with Menachem Z. Rosensaft, attorney, human rights advocate and Second Generation leader, about his book "Burning Psalms," a poetic reckoning with God, memory and moral responsibility in the aftermath of the Shoah.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, spiritual teacher and author Yiscah Smith joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss her new book, Planting Seeds of the Divine. With honesty and grace, Yiscah shares the transformative journey that led her to embrace her truest self — and how that journey is reflected in her spiritual teachings. From reclaiming identity to nurturing inner holiness, Yiscah...

Why Abraham? Why now? In this compelling conversation on In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, acclaimed author and legal scholar Anthony Julius dives into his new book, Abraham: The First Jew. Together, they explore Abraham not just as a biblical figure, but as a prototype of Jewish identity itself — a man who walked away from comfort, challenged power, and pioneered a life of faith, doubt, and...

In this powerful and timely conversation, acclaimed author and thinker Yossi Klein Halevi joins Abigail Pogrebin on In The Spotlight to reflect on the deepening complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. Drawing from his profound personal journey and his bestselling book, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, Halevi explores what it means to seek understanding across painful divides—espec...

What if exile isn't a curse — but a calling? On In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, scholar and author David Kraemer discusses his bold and timely new book, Embracing Exile: The Case for Jewish Diaspora. In a world where connection to Israel is often seen as the centerpiece of Jewish identity, Kraemer makes a powerful case for valuing diaspora as a sacred and enduring part of Jewish life. A de...

In this enlightening episode of In The Spotlight, Abigail Pogrebin sits down with Rabbi Adam Chalom, a leading voice in Humanistic Judaism and the Dean for North America of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. Together, they explore the roots, relevance, and real-world application of Contemporary Humanistic Judaism — a movement that celebrates Jewish culture through a secula...

In this compelling episode of In The Spotlight, journalist and author Yardena Schwartz joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss her powerful new book, "Ghosts of a Holy War". With deep reporting and personal insight, Schwartz explores the generational trauma, religious fervor, and political fault lines that define the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today. A former NBC News and TIME Magazine contributor, Sc...

On this powerful episode of In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, singer, dancer, and social media activist Montana Tucker shares the deeply personal story of her Holocaust survivor grandparents and how their legacy has shaped her identity and purpose. She discusses her rise as a digital voice for Jewish advocacy, the challenges of speaking out online, and why her new short film, The Children of...

In this powerful conversation, Hen Mazzig — Israeli writer, activist, and advocate — sits down with Abigail Pogrebin to share his journey and his crucial role in shaping today's Jewish conversation. As a proud Mizrahi Jew, Hen speaks about amplifying diverse Jewish voices, fighting antisemitism, and building bridges across cultures. Hear how his personal story and public work are helping to redefi...

Join host Abigail Pogrebin for an inspiring conversation with Mishy Harman, creator and host of the acclaimed podcast Israel Story. Often described as "the Israeli This American Life," Israel Story brings to life the extraordinary, surprising, and deeply human stories of people across Israel, revealing the complexities and richness of Israeli society beyond the headlines. In this episode of In The...

In this moving episode of In The Spotlight on JBS, Abigail Pogrebin sits down with Cantor Daniel Mutlu for an in-depth conversation about his brand-new album, Sing A Little More. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the music, the role of Jewish song in today's world, and the power of lifting our voices even — and especially — in challenging times. Daniel opens up about his journey, his c...

On this episode of In the Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, renowned historian Jonathan Sarna explores Abraham Lincoln’s unique relationship with the Jewish community. Discussing his book Lincoln and the Jews: A History, Sarna reveals how Lincoln’s policies, friendships, and actions shaped Jewish life in America. Don’t miss this fascinating look at a lesser-known side of the 16th president. Watch n...

Abby sits with author David Denby to discuss Eminent Jews, his book exploring how deeply Jewish luminaries like Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer transformed American culture in the postwar era.

Abby is joined by author Ruth Franklin to discuss The Many Lives of Anne Frank, her book exploring how Anne’s life and work have been interpreted, adapted, and politicized, and what her legacy means in today’s world.

Abby sits with Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron to discuss her book "10/7: 100 Human Stories," the 2024 National Jewish Book Award winner, which recounts the massacre through victims’ stories and its impact on Israeli society and the Middle East.

Abby Pogrebin sits with Rabbi Marc Katz to discuss Yochanan's Gamble, his book that explores how the pragmatic choices of ancient rabbis offer a framework for navigating modern moral dilemmas with nuance and compromise.

Abby is joined by Jeff Klepper and Dan Freelander, renowned Jewish music leaders whose jazz inflected folk-rock style has defined a new Jewish spiritual sound, influencing generations of Jewish musicians.

Abby sits with politician, lawyer and senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Elliott Abrams, to discuss his strategies for strengthening Jewish identity through education, immersive experiences, and community engagement.