Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

In one of the most talked-about episodes of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman dive into the emotional and complicated questions facing Jews today: If you love Israel… why don’t you live there? Listen again or for the first time to Mijal and Noam open up about the cognitive dissonance of loving Israel while living in the Diaspora. Along the way, they reflect on the insights of Jewish g...

What does Chabad have to offer a fractured world in 2025? Mijal Bitton and and Noam Weissman are joined by renowned Chabad scholar and speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson to explore the enduring power of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s legacy. Together, they unpack Chabad’s worldview, its nuanced relationship with Zionism, and its bold answer to antisemitism. Rabbi Jacobson shares how every Jew—religious or secular...

What does it mean to be Jewish in NYC after Zohran Mamdani’s surprising victory in New York's Democratic mayoral primary? In this candid and passionate conversation, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman reflect on fear, populism, and the strategic mistakes and opportunities facing the Jewish community. From public safety to coalition-building, they explore why this moment matters far beyond New York — a...

Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with award-winning author and media entrepreneur Zibby Owens to explore what it means to publicly embrace Jewish identity after October 7th. Zibby shares her journey from a largely secular literary figure to an outspoken Jewish advocate. They discuss cancel culture, Zionism, the challenges Jewish authors face in publishing, and the power of Jewish moms stepp...

What happens when the artists we love express hatred toward Israel—or Jews ? This week, hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman confront this issue, from Bob Vylan leading chants of “Death to the IDF” at Glastonbury to Dave Matthews Band calling for a Gaza ceasefire. Listen to this timely conversation on the emotional and moral dilemmas of supporting artists whose politics feel threatening. The Free...

(Note: this episode was recorded before Mamdani's victory in the Democratic primary of the NYC mayoral election.) Journalist and historian Haviv Rettig Gur returns to Wondering Jews to explore why antisemitism persists across centuries —from medieval Europe to modern American campuses. Together, Haviv, Mijal and Noam unpack how conspiracy theories, religion, and political ideologies fuel hatred of...

Mijal and Noam break down the emotional and spiritual aftermath of the last twelve days of war that mainstream media is missing. Moving beyond geopolitical analysis, they explore what it means to hold space for empathy—toward both Israelis carrying the trauma of October 7th and Iranians suffering under authoritarian rule. Plus, real-time updates from their Israeli team dodging missile warnings whi...

Noam and Mijal pause the punditry and explore how ancient biblical wisdom offers profound guidance for navigating the uncertainty, fear, and complexity of today’s Jewish moment. In this special, bonus episode, they dive into the weekly Torah portion of Shlach—the story of the scouts in the Book of Numbers to help think through the chaos facing Israel today. Michael Walzer's Exodus and Revolution H...

 Mijal and Noam sit down with Rabbi Joe Schwartz in Tel Aviv as Israel faces an unprecedented war with Iran. With missiles falling and sirens wailing, Joe shares what life looks like on the ground—from parenting under fire to the emotional toll of global Jewish silence and solidarity. Together, they explore the theological, political, and deeply personal stakes of this moment, discuss Prime Minist...

In this urgent crossover episode of Wondering Jews and Unpacking Israeli History, Noam Weissman is joined by military analyst and author Yaakov Katz to break down Israel’s unprecedented airstrike on Iranian nuclear and military targets. As events unfold in real time, they explore the historical roots, strategic timing, and existential stakes of the operation—drawing connections to Israel’s past st...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Noam and Mijal are joined by Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. and grieving father of Major Moshe Yedidya Leiter, z”l, who fell in Gaza after October 7th. Together, they confront hard questions: What does it mean to lead while grieving? How does one reconcile faith and sacrifice in wartime? Together, they explore the importance of dis...

Mijal and Noam revisit their conversation about Zionism, anti-Zionism, and Jewish identity—framed by the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington D.C. Together, they debate whether anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic, whether all criticism of Israel qualifies as anti-Zionist, and how to define terms like “Zionism” in different contexts—acad...

Mijal was so inspired by her conversation with Noam on the meaning of Shavuot that she decided to dive even deeper in this bonus episode on the Book of Ruth (Megillat Rut). Mijal is is joined by her original podcast partner, Rabbi Joe Wolfson. Together, they explore the Book of Ruth, its profound relevance for today’s Jewish world—especially in the wake of October 7 and ongoing challenges in Israe...

Mijal and Noam explore why Shavuot often feels like the “forgotten” Jewish holiday. Is it just about cheesecake, or is there a deeper reason it remains overlooked? They dive into the biblical origins of Shavuot, its transformation from an agricultural celebration to the festival of receiving the Torah, and the profound (and countercultural) themes of divine commandment and covenant. Whether you’ve...

In the wake of the antisemitic attack that took the lives of Yaron Lashinsky and Sarah Milgram outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., Noam and Mijal reflect on their heartbreak. They discuss grief, the danger of misplaced blame, and what this moment means for Jews—and allies—around the world. From interfaith solidarity to the language of anti-Zionism, this is a conversation about mourning, c...

Mijal sits down with Rabbi Alex Israel—beloved Tanakh educator, podcaster, and Israeli thought leader—for a sweeping conversation that bridges biblical history with today's geopolitical challenges. Together, Mijal and Rav Alex explore timeless prophetic insights, the dangers of political power, and the enduring call for moral leadership and national unity. If you've ever wondered how ancient Jewis...

What’s with the bonfires, bows and arrows, and mystical vibes of Lag Ba’Omer? In this episode, Noam sits down with Yael Dworkin, a Judaic studies teacher in Jerusalem, to uncover the spiritual depths of one of Judaism’s most mysterious holidays. Together, they explore the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the meaning of the Zohar, and why today’s generation is craving deeper, more soulful expr...

Hey everybody, this is Michael, the new producer for Wondering Jews. There's no new episode today, but tomorrow, we have a brand new one with Noam and a very special guest discussing the upcoming holiday of Lag Ba Omer. So please stay tuned and check your feed. Thanks for your patience. Please check out our brand new Instagram at Wandering Jews. Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews...

Mijal and Noam have asked you to get in touch. This week, they are answering some of your questions, straight from their inbox. From unpacking the layered differences between Zionism, political Zionism, and religious Zionism, to reflecting on how American Jews can honestly and constructively talk to their kids about Israel’s complexities, this episode brings nuance, humor, and intellectual clarity...

Ever wondered how Diaspora Jews help decide the fate of a $1 billion fund in Israel? Join Noam Weissman and special guest Tova Dorfman, President of the World Zionist Organization, for a fast-paced guide to the World Zionist Congress elections—who’s on the ballot, what’s at stake, and why every Jewish voter needs to make their voice heard by May 4th. Link to Vote: https://azm.castiron.votem.net/el...

Celebrate Israel’s 77th birthday, as Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman welcome Times of Israel political correspondent Haviv Rettig Gur for a candid Yom Ha’atzmaut conversation. In this episode, recorded at the close of Yom HaZikaron and on the eve of Independence Day amidst national wildfires and an ongoing conflict, we unpack: What it feels like to honor 59 hostages still held in Gaza while prepari...

In this Yom HaShoah special, Mijal and Noam sit down with Dara Horn, acclaimed author of People Love Dead Jews, to discuss Holocaust education and why it matters more than ever. Dara explores the rise in Holocaust denial, antisemitism post-October 7th, and how Jewish sovereignty challenges popular narratives. They explore why many Holocaust education programs erase Jewish civilization and present...

This week, Wondering Jews is sharing an episode from another great podcast produced by Unpacked: Jewish History Nerds. We hope you'll listen to the premier of season 4: The Star of David-The A Symbol That Means Everything—and Nothing. Hosts Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the history of the Star of David, also known as the Magen David or hexagram. What does the Star of David really mean—a...

In this special Passover episode, Mijal is joined by Rabbi David Wolpe to explore why Pesach continues to resonate so deeply with Jews around the world in 2025. They unpack timeless and timely themes: What makes the Passover seder the most observed Jewish ritual? Can a story be meaningful even if it’s not 100% historical? How do we talk about Israel, Zionism, and Jewish solidarity around the seder...

Mijal and Noam take a deep dive into race, identity, and what it means to be a Jew of color in the United States today. The episode centers on Mijal Bitton's deeply personal essay, "Why I Am Not a Jew of Color," published in Sapir Journal. Mijal opens up about her background as a non-white Sephardic Jew from Argentina and Syria, and why she resists the label “Jew of Color.” Together, she and Noam...