Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

What does it mean to be a person of faith in Judaism, especially if you're not fully observant of Jewish law? Mijal and Noam tackle the question: Does spirituality require halacha (Jewish law)? From the idea of halacha as an evolving moral system, to the belief that it's a divine command, Mijal and Noam challenge assumptions about faith, practice, obligation, and freedom. They also explore the rol...

In the latest episode in the miniseries, “Faith on Faith,” Mijal Bitton sits down with special guest, speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz, to explore the many layers of Jewish faith, identity, and text-based tradition. Sarah, a former White House speechwriter and author of Here All Along,  shares insights from her journey from political speechwriting to passionate advocate for Jewish learning and spiritual...

This week, host Mijal Bitton kicks off a new mini-series, “Faith on Faith,” by diving deep into Jewish theology, post-Holocaust faith, and the story of Purim with renowned educator and theologian Dr. Tanya White. Together, they explore profound questions: What does it mean to believe when God seems hidden? How do we make sense of divine absence in the face of suffering, from the Holocaust to today...

Mijal and Noam sit down with barrister and legal expert Natasha Hausdorff to explore the weaponization of international law, the ICC and UN's stance on Israel. They discuss the challenges of lawfare in the modern world. In their conversation, Natasha breaks down complex legal frameworks, debunks myths about genocide allegations and proportionality in war, and clarifies misconceptions surrounding t...

Mijal and Noam dive into the complexities of religious Zionism in Israel with renowned journalist, Yair Ettinger. They explore the historical roots of the movement, from the pragmatic vision of Rabbi Reines to the messianic approach of Rabbi Kook and discuss how these ideologies helped shape modern Israeli society. They ask tough questions, including why figures such as Meir Kahane are resurfacing...

This week, Mijal and Noam dive into the existential question of Diaspora Jews: Should Jews move to Israel? Mijal and Noam engage in a thought provoking conversation about Zionism, Aliyah and Jewish identity. They explore historical, religious, and philosophical debates about Aliyah, which literally means ascent or rise and refers to Jewish immigration to Israel. Mijal and Noam share their personal...

Mijal and Noam are back with a provocative conversation about the term Zionism and what it means to be a Zionist today. They explore whether the term itself does more harm than good and discuss why it’s so polarizing. Listen to Mijal and Noam grapple with questions about Zionism's relevance by drawing on research, insight and personal reflections about language, history, and identity. Report by Ma...

This week, we are re-releasing the top episode chosen by Wondering Jews' loyal listeners. Mijal and Noam are joined by special guest Rabbi Joe Schwartz, director of Makom, the Israel Education Laboratory of the Jewish Agency. They explore the complexities of Jewish identity, Zionism, and the evolving relationship between Israel and the global Jewish community, particularly in light of the events o...

Wondering Jews is marking its first birthday with the re-release of the Unpacked staff's all time favorite episode. Mijal and Noam talk to friend and journalist Haviv Rettig Gur in a conversation that illuminates the complexity of the Jewish story and the history of Zionism. Together they explore: What does Zionism mean to you? What does it mean to the Jewish people and the world at large? Haviv d...

As we approach our one-year anniversary, we’re counting down the top five episodes from our first year, as chosen by the team at Unpacked. This week, Mijal and Noam revisit episode #2, a special live recording at the Jewish Federation General Assembly (JFNA GA). In this landmark episode, we’re joined by Meghan McCain—New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and former co-host of The View....

Mijal and Noam are back with the countdown to Wondering Jews' first birthday. In the third staff pick of the year's top episodes, they revisit an intense conversation about the 2024 campus encampments advocating for Palestinian causes. Catch this thought-provoking episode for the first time or listen again to Mijal and Noam's discussion on the backlash, and the strong emotions the encampments evok...

The countdown to Wondering Jews' first birthday continues with number 4, Haredim and the Israeli Army. In this episode, Mijal and Noam delve into the heated and multifaceted debate over whether Haredim should be mandated to serve in the IDF. This battle is not a new one, but it was brought to the forefront when the Sephardic chief rabbi threatened that Haredim would leave the country rather than s...

This New Year's Day, Mijal and Noam introduce our “Top 5 Staff Picks” in a special countdown to Wondering Jews' first birthday. They reflect on 2024 and introduce the re-release of one of Unpacked staff's favorite episodes, "Can ChatGPT replace my Rabbi?" Mijal and Noam discuss the evolving role of rabbis and whether artificial intelligence can replace or supplement these roles. At the same time,...

Why is Hanukkah so beloved by Jews worldwide? What’s the deeper significance of the miracle of the oil and the fight for Jewish identity? Join Mijal and Noam on Wondering Jews as they explore the layers of Hanukkah—from its historical roots to its modern-day meanings. They explore spiritual and cultural interpretations of Hanukkah, and its role as a celebration of resilience, miracles, and light....

Hosts Mijal and Noam are joined by educator, storyteller, and influencer, Yirmiyahu Danzig, known as That_Semite. Yirmiyahu has millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Unpacked's YouTube channel. He shares his journey connecting with audiences, embracing the complexities of Jewish and Palestinian identities, and fostering dialogue in a divided world. Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewis...

Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, a leader with diverse roles spanning Jewish community engagement, joins Mijal and Noam for a thought-provoking conversation about the role of interfaith dialogue since October 7th. The episode explores Rabbi Sarna’s fascinating journey—from serving as the Executive Director of NYU's Bronfman Center to becoming a global figure in interfaith work in Abu Dhabi. Rabbi Sarna spoke t...

Hosts Mijal and Noam sit down with Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and former U.S. Congressman, for an insightful discussion on some of the Jewish world's most pressing issues. Ted shares his experiences from decades of advocacy. The conversation touches on the future of bipartisan support for Israel, the rising threats of antisemitism, and personal reflections on Jewish ide...

Hosts Mijal and Noam explore themes of gratitude along with Jewish and American identity. As Thanksgiving approaches, they share personal reflections, listener questions, and cultural insights while emphasizing the importance of gratitude in everyday life. ------------ Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a divi...

Comedian and actor Elon Gold joins Mijal and Noam to talk about Jewish identity, cultural pride, and the impact of antisemitism on Jewish life today. Known for his appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm and his comedy specials, Elon shares personal reflections on balancing his career with a deep connection to Judaism and Israel. Elon, Mijal and Noam also discuss Elon's new podcast, Stars of David, wh...

In their first live episode, hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman talk to Meghan McCain—author, former co-host of The View, and podcast host. The conversation was recorded live in front of a packed audience at the Jewish Federation of North America's General Assembly in Washington, DC. Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, brings an insightful perspective on antisemitism, Am...

Hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman welcome Lauren Markoe, news editor of The Forward, to discuss polls and trends among Jewish voters, many of whom live in swing states. The conversation touches on how Jewish communities navigate political divides, the challenges of public opinion, and cultural identity. Lauren highlights the heightened concern for democracy within Jewish communities, the comple...

Hosts Mijal and Noam explore the podcast's mission: to discuss and try to understand the complexities within the Jewish world. They talk about an ongoing challenge for parents; how to talk about antisemitism and Israel with children. Mijal and Noam also reflect on how their beliefs have changed over the past year. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Medi...

Hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with journalist and friend, Haviv Rettig Gur to talk about what lies ahead for Israel. They discuss the many challenges Israel faces, including a regional war with new technologies, the fate of the hostages still in Gaza, an uncertain geopolitical future and deep internal divisions. Haviv, Mijal and Noam address Israel's relationship with American Jews...

In this episode of Wondering Jews, Noam and Mijal dive into the themes of joy and happiness through the lens of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. They explore the paradox of a festival centered on joy amidst life’s impermanence, discussing how the temporary structure of the sukkah reminds us of what truly brings happiness: relationships, community, and purpose. Along the way, they share personal confe...

Hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with Israeli journalist and survivor of October 7th, Amir Tibon, in a special episode commemorating the anniversary of the Hamas attack. Tibon is the author of a new book, The Gates of Gaza, that tells the story of the attack on kibbutz Nahal Oz. In their conversation, Tibon reflects on the harrowing experience hiding in a safe room with his wife and t...