In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin

Abby is joined by Argentinian-born Andrés Spokoiny, President of the Jewish Funders Network, to discuss his book Tradition and Transition, and how Jewish communities can balance heritage and modernity in a world that demands it.

Abby is joined by Israeli journalist Amir Tibon to discuss "The Gates of Gaza," his book detailing his family's survival during the October 7th attacks and the deep-seated roots of the conflict.

Renowned scholar, author and theologian Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg joins Abby to discuss The Triumph of Life, his defining work on Judaism’s evolving partnership with God, focused on bringing life, dignity, and compassion into the world through the covenant.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by journalist Joshua Leifer to discuss "Tablets Shattered," his personal exploration of the American Jewish experience and its evolution from mid-20th century pillars of identity to today's multifaceted and divided landscape. 

Abby Pogrebin is joined by Rabbi and author Benjamin Resnick to discuss Next Stop, his dystopian novel about a world in turmoil after Israel disappears into a black hole, sparking questions of faith, survival, and conspiracy on a global scale.

Abby Pogrebin is joined by author and WSJ editor Adam Kirsch to dissect “settler colonialism,” a concept that has become central to public debate, especially since October 7th, and is shaping the way many people think about the history of the U.S., Israel, and identity. 

Abby Pogrebin speaks with Rabbi Dalia Marx about her book "From Time to Time," a rich exploration of the Jewish calendar that weaves together poetry, prayers, songs, and a distinctively Israeli, feminist approach to each Hebrew month and its holidays.

Abby is joined by Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi of New York’s Park Avenue Synagogue and a leading voice in modern Judaism, to discuss his new book, "For Such a Time As This: On Being Jewish Today," which chronicles his response -- on the bimah and off -- to the horrors of October 7th, and his diagnosis of the changed landscaped for Jewish identity and connection.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Arnie Eisen, one of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism and Chancellor Emeritus of The Jewish Theological Seminary and professor of Jewish Thought.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by legal scholar and columnist Noah Feldman to discuss his book To Be a Jew Today, which offers a profound exploration of contemporary Judaism and what it means to be Jewish in a time of global crisis.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Reuven Fenton to discuss "Goyhood," his debut novel that examines destiny and spirituality through the story of a devoutly Orthodox Jewish man who discovers in middle age that he's not, in fact, Jewish.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz to discuss "45 Great Philosophers and What They Mean for Judaism," his book which explores forty-five of the most influential philosophers throughout history and how Jewish ideas might engage with each of the philosophers and their philosophical projects.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz, author of a memoir that recounts his journey to self-discovery and offers insights on how to nurture communities despite today's climate of fractured politics and hostility.

Abby Pogrebin is joined by award-winning author Oren Kessler to discuss "Palestine 1936," his book that looks at the origin story of the world’s most intractable conflict and reveals world-changing events through extraordinary individuals on all sides.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by speaker, activist, former Hasidic rebbetzin, mother of 10 and the executive director of Yaffed, Beatrice Weber, to discuss her organization’s mission of improving secular education in Hasidic and Haredi schools.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by author A.J. Jacobs to hear about his humorous and insightful experience attempting to live according to the original meaning of the U.S. Constitution for a year.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Jewish scholar and author Devora Steinmetz to discuss ideas from her book "Why Rain Comes From Above," which explores how imaginative religious reading can deepen our understanding of life, the world, and God.

Abigail Pogrebin speaks with author and psychologist Roberta Satow about "Our Time Is Up," her part-fiction, part-memory book that offers an intimate look at psychoanalysis as seen through Roberta’s experience as both a patient and analyst.

Sisters Danielle and Galeet Dardashti join Abigail Pogrebin to discuss "The Nightingale of Iran," their documentary podcast ranked the #1 Jewish podcast this week, in which they reveal painful secrets and explore why their family left Iran in the 1960s at the height of national fame.

Abby Pogrebin speaks with Batya Sperling-Milner, the Torah student who made Jewish history when she became the first blind student to chant her bat mitzvah parsha in an Orthodox shul using a braille Torah Scroll.  Batya is also joined by her mother, Rabbanit Aliza Sperling, as well as Livia Thompson (Executive Director of JBI).

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Maurice Samuels, author of a biography which analyzes Alfred Dreyfus’s complex relationship to Judaism and antisemitism and illustrates the profound effect of the Dreyfus Affair on the lives of Jews around the world.

Winner of this year’s top prize for the National Jewish Book Award, Author Jeremy Eichler joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss "Time’s Echo," which was named History Book of the Year by The Sunday Times. It chronicles how four iconic classical composers responded to war, horror, and memory.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by CEO of Project Kesher, Karyn Grossman Gershon, to discuss her programs that build intergenerational Jewish life, advance gender equality, and promote public health and wellness.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by rabbi and author David-Seth Kirshner to discuss his book, "Streams of Shattered Consciousness," that chronicles the first 50 days of the Israel-Hamas War using a blend of history lessons, opinions, and personal reflections.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Shalom Hartman Institute president Rabbi Dr. Hartman to discuss Who Are the Jews—And Who Can We Become, his book that offers a solution to contemporary challenges through the creation of a new “shared” Jewish story.