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Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Published by Unpacked
- Religion & Spirituality
- Society & Culture
- Judaism
Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman are two of the most dynamic, interesting, and thought-provoking Jewish leaders today. Two seasoned educators who love to talk, listen, laugh, challenge, and grow, Mijal and Noam are the Wondering Jews, leading us through thought-provoking discussions that are as serious as they are entertaining. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or just curious about Jewish culture, this show offers a refreshing perspective that's both enlightening and enjoyable. It's not just a podcast; it's a thoughtful conversation that invites everyone to wonder about the rich tapestry of Jewish ideas in the context of our daily lives. Brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
Listen on Apple PodcastsRecent episodes
- Matthew Nouriel Always Had Shabbat from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! There are many words to describe influencer and activist Matthew Nouriel: Persian, Jewish, Gay, Zionist... But when you belong to so many different communities, do you really belong anywhere at all? As Mijal discovers, Matthew's answer is an emphatic "yes." His Mizrahi family may have struggled to accept him, but they never left him behind. Now, Matthew is using his voice to encourage Jews of all kinds to make that same embrace.Learn more about JIMENA by visiting https://www.jimena.org/Mijal's study for JIMENA is at https://sephardicstudy.org/ Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- The Meaning of Love with Rabbi Shai Held from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! How do you even begin to define love? How are we supposed to balance love of family with “love thy neighbor?” These are the kinds of questions Rabbi Shai Held tries to tackle in his latest book, Judaism Is About Love. Shai is President and Dean of Hadar and host of the podcast Answers WithHeld. Together with Mijal and Noam, he wonders about how to balance the needs of our Jewish family with the biggest family of all: humanity. For more on Shai’s book visit https://hadar.org/torah-tefillah/books/judaism-about-love And be sure to check out Shai's podcast, Answers WithHeld: https://www.hadar.org/torah-tefillah/podcasts/welcome-answers-withheld Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- The Family Cycle Moran Atias Had To Break from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! Actress and philanthropist Moran Atias was raised in a Moroccan Jewish home that expected her to marry young and have children, just like the generations before her. Her mother married at 18. Her grandmother was wed at the age of 12. When Moran broke from that tradition, it threatened to tear her family apart. In this deeply personal conversation, Moran shares her unforgettable journey towards motherhood with Noam and Mijal. To check out Moran's TED Talk, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO1CBhA67Hs And don't miss Moran's latest TV credit, Joseph of Egypt, when it drops on Amazon Prime! Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Revisiting The Question: What Is Judaism? from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! As Mijal and Noam explore the idea of "family" through the Jewish lens, it's necessary to step back and wonder if the Jewish people are an extended family of their own. We're off this week, so we're revisiting an episode from last fall, where are hosts start with a basic question: What is Judaism? Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Nas Daily: The Identity Crisis October 7 Forced Me to Face from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! Does identity define us or limit us? In this crossover episode with Unpacking Israeli History, Noam searches for answers with Nuseir Yassin, better known as internet personality Nas Daily. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Learning To Swim: How Jews Build Resilient Families from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! What does it mean for parents to act as priests? Does teaching a child to swim mean more than just laps in a pool? In our first episode exploring family through the Jewish lens, Noam and Mijal are tackling profound, meaningful questions about Judaism within our four walls. Our hosts break down the reciprocal obligations between parents, children, and siblings, with plenty of personal anecdotes to illuminate their significance.Mijal's article on the priestly blessing can be found here: https://open.substack.com/pub/mijal/p/4500-blessings?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Telling The Jewish Story with Jennifer Tepper and Etai Benson from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! Can a musical teach Torah? Why is Fiddler on the Roof beloved in Japan? The answers to these questions could have implications for the future of the Jews and their place in the world. Noam sits down with Jennifer Tepper, a theatre historian, and Etai Benson, a Broadway actor, to discuss the art of crafting stories, and the innovative ways in which Judaism has intersected with the stage. If you’re interested in bringing Etai’s new show, The Book of Steve, to your synagogue or Jewish space, write to MountCarmelProductions@gmail.com Jennifer Tepper’s new book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out is available here: https://a.co/d/00JNs0AJ Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Mijal and Noam Answer Your Questions About Denominations from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! Mijal is back, and this week we're responding to your comments! Spurred on by awesome listeners like you, our reunited hosts ponder the dynamic relationship between Zionism and Reform Judaism, the question of Jewish continuity, the hot-button issue of affordability, and more. We have the best audience in the world, and we hope you'll keep commenting and writing to us at wonderingjews@unpackedmedia.org for the next Q&A episode. Mijal's article "The Future Is Sephardic" can be read here: https://sapirjournal.org/aspiration-ii/2026/the-future-is-sephardic/ Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Stars Of David: Jews at Carnegie Hall with Kathleen Sabogal from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! Jews have left an indelible mark on the fabric of America, impacting activism, music, and religion. One venue holds so many inspiring examples of these contributions: Carnegie Hall. For this episode celebrating the end of Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam joins Kathleen Sabogal (Director, Rose Archives and Museum) on-location at the famous venue. On the corner of 57th Street and 7th Avenue, great names like Leonard Bernstein, Rabbi Stephen Wise, and Isaac Stern advocated for education, women's suffrage, racial equality and more. Is there inspiration here for the next chapter of Jewish American history? The answer will be music to your ears.To learn more about Carnegie Hall's story and view their digital archives, go to https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Matbucha And Mishpucha: Life As An Israeli-American Chef with Michael Solomonov from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! For years, the famous Philly chef Michael Solomonov has grappled with his American and Israeli identities. What can his journey teach us about American Jews and their relationship with the Jewish state? In this episode exploring Jewish American Heritage Month, Michael shares his remarkable family history, how his restaurants tell the Israeli story in America, and his take on ranch dressing. To learn more about Zahav--and the rest of Michael's restaurants--visit https://www.zahavrestaurant.com/cns-family This episode is sponsored by RootOne. Join thousands of North American Jewish teens for a life-changing experience in Israel! Find out more about RootOne trips: rootone.org Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Revisiting Chabad with Rabbi YY Jacobson from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
In the wake of our Denominations series, many of you wrote to us asking "what about Chabad?" As a leading resource for all Jews, it makes perfect sense to consider how Chabad fits into the denominational puzzle of America. We're off this week, but Noam kicks us off with a fresh greeting and a few words about Chabad before re-introducing our episode from last summer with Rabbi YY Jacobson. We're getting ready to respond to more of your letters about the denominations series (as well as some other recent episodes). If you'd like to have your question considered for a special mailbag episode, don't forget to write to us at wonderingjews@unpacked.media or comment on our Instagram/YouTube pages. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- What's So Funny About Antisemitism? With Raanan Hershberg from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
America has enjoyed a golden age of Jewish comedy: Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, and Amy Schumer are just some of the luminaries that have graced our stages and televisions. But with antisemitism on the rise and Israel becoming more divisive than ever, can Jewish comedians still thrive? For our second episode honoring Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam is in conversation with Raanan Hershberg, a brilliant comedian who tackles questions of identity and ideology in his latest special, Morbidly Jewish. With Noam, Raanan opens up about his childhood as a Conservative Jew in Kentucky, his concerns about antisemitism masquerading as anti-zionism, and why the Old Testament might explain Jewish humor. Be sure to check out Raanan's latest special, Morbidly Jewish, here: https://youtu.be/2Kc6151SE1U?si=KCetUPtHiGtJUWsgFor more on Raanan, visit https://www.raananhershberg.com/ Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Is the Zabar's Story A Jewish Story? With David Zabar from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! The story of Zabar's--a NYC foodie fixture--is bigger than bagels: it includes a horrifying pogrom, a narrow escape to America, and success in the face of countless setbacks. For Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam asks: what does does this story mean to American Jews, and America at large? In a rare interview, David Zabar, a senior executive and third-generation family member, tells us the incredible story of Louis and Lilly Zabar, how Zabar's sees itself in the American tapestry, and yes... his bagel order. To check out Zabar's (they ship!) go to zabars.comYou can order Zabar's: A Family Story With Recipes here: www.zabars.com/zabars-a-family-story-with-recipe-book-by-lori-zabar/ Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Is the Future Non-Denominational? With Rabbi Avi Killip from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Do the words that once categorized Jews--reform, conservative, orthodox--still matter today? And if they don't... then what's next? To answer these questions and close out our series on denominations, Noam and Mijal speak with Rabbi Avi Killip, the executive vice president of Hadar. In this can't-miss conversation, Rabbi Killip makes the case for Hadar as a movement that is ready to meet the the challenges of contemporary Jewish life. Learn more about Hadar at https://www.hadar.org/ To hear Hadar's podcasts, including Ta Shma and Responsa Radio, check out https://www.hadar.org/torah-tefillah/podcasts Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Is Reform Judaism About Modernity Or Tradition? With Rabbi Rick Jacobs from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Will Reform Judaism be defined by the past, or the future? Does it emphasize the Jewish community, or the community at large? Does it feature personal choice, or obligation? Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, joins Noam to explore these queries, and the meaningful tension they create. Plus: Reform Judaism's evolution on Zionism, and uplifting stories from congregations that were attacked in Mississippi and Michigan. Learn more about the URJ by visiting urj.org Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Will Conservative Judaism Survive? With Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
What is Conservative Judaism? Why is its share of American Jews shrinking? Can you take a Waymo to Shabbat services? Here to explore these questions is a married rabbi team: Erez Sherman and Nicole Guzik, from Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Together with Mijal and Noam, they discuss the beautiful nuances of Conservative Judaism, and what its future might mean for all Jewish denominations. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Why Does Judaism Have Denominations? With Zev Eleff from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist... where do these religious practices come from? What do they even mean? Zev Eleff, the president of Gratz College, is here to lay out the fascinating origins of denominations, and how they intersect with Protestantism and American culture. Plus: Zev, Mijal, and Noam reflect on the rich tapestry of Orthodox Judaism, and what its future might be. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- Straight Outta Egypt with Michael Rapaport from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
For this special Passover episode, Mijal and Noam open their door to actor and comedian Michael Rapaport (Friends, Only Murders In The Building, The Traitors). If the conversation had only been about the holiday, dayenu. But there's plenty more on the seder plate, including that viral meal from The Traitors and Michael's campaign to become the next mayor of New York City. Careening between moments that are funny, irreverent, wistful, and poignant, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- The Greatest Rabbi Of All Time? With Jenna Weissman Joselit from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
In this episode, Noam and Mijal begin their multi-part exploration of Jewish denominations in America with one of the most influential rabbis in history: Mordecai Kaplan. Kaplan is known as a trailblazer who emphasized community over kashrut and gave the very first bat mitzvah to his own daughter. But what was Kaplan's inner life? The conversation becomes a joyous family affair as Noam welcomes in his aunt, Jenna Weissman Joselit, author of the new book Mordecai M. Kaplan: Restless Soul. This episode is sponsored by Jewish Lives, a prize-winning series of biographies from Yale University Press. To learn more about Mordecai Kaplan's life, identity, and legacy, you should check out Mordecai M. Kaplan: Restless Soul by Jenna Weissman Joselit at www.jewishlives.org. Use the special promo code KAPLAN to get 25% off. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History
- What The Headlines Mean For American Jews with Bret Stephens from Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
An anti-semitic attack in Michigan. War with Iran. The news cycle is spinning so rapidly that it’s hard to make sense of it all. This week, Noam and Mijal turn to Bret Stephens (New York Times Opinion columnist and Editor-In-Chief of Sapir) to help them understand the big picture. How should Jews—and Americans in general—be responding to conflicts at home and abroad? Plus: Bret discusses his latest article for Sapir, and how academia can set the record straight on Israel. Read Bret’s latest article in Sapir: https://sapirjournal.org/aspiration-ii/2026/israel-studies-can-redeem-academia/ Program note: this episode was taped on March 13th, 2026 Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on YouTube. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4 For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History