Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Religion & Spirituality
About
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt is the hit weekly podcast that illuminates the vast, beautiful, and often unexplored tapestry of Jewish identity, through deeply honest and personal conversations with notable Jews and non-Jewish allies alike. Hosted by actor & advocate Jonah Platt, a trusted expert in contemporary Jewish culture, identity, and politics, Being Jewish seeks to engage, educate, and empower listeners to take full ownership of their identities and live as their proudest, most authentic selves. 2025 Webby Honoree | Podcasts - Best Indie Podcast 2025 Wilbur Award Winner
Episodes
- Epistemic Antisemitism and Black Conservative Influencer Xaviaer DuRousseau
Jonah Platt interviews conservative activist Xaviaer DuRousseau about his political shift, his trips to Gaza, and his views on Jewish and Black communities. The episode also explores the concept of epistemic antisemitism.
- Shopify President Harley Finkelstein & The Jews of Thessaloniki
Shopify President Harley Finkelstein joins host Jonah Platt to discuss his Jewish identity, entrepreneurship, and his experiences with antisemitism. They also discuss his podcast Big Shot, while Jonah reflects on his own recent trip to The…
- The KKK vs. Antizionism and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (Dem, NJ-5)
Host Jonah Platt interviews U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer about his experience as a Jewish lawmaker, U.S.-Israel relations, and current concerns regarding rising antisemitism. The discussion covers foreign policy, bipartisan cooperation…
- Should Jews Proselytize? & Dueling Rabbis PART 2 with Sharon Brous & David Ingber
Host Jonah Platt leads a discussion between Rabbis Sharon Brous and David Ingber on current challenges facing Jewish communities. The rabbis debate balancing moral critique of Israel with addressing antisemitism, the role of liberal democr…
- Jewish Queer Youth (JQY) Executive Director Rachael Fried
Jonah Platt interviews Rachael Fried, Executive Director of Jewish Queer Youth (JQY), about her work supporting LGBTQIA+ youth from Orthodox and other religious communities. They discuss the organization's outreach, mental health initiativ…
- LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO! Rabbis Sharon Brous (IKAR) & David Ingber (Romemu/92NY)
In this live episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, rabbis Sharon Brous and David Ingber discuss the evolution of synagogue life, the challenges of leading diverse communities, and navigating religious leadership amidst political polari…
- The Ms. Rachel Monologue & The 22-Hour Jew, Trans TV Writer Our Lady J
Jonah Platt interviews transgender activist and writer Our Lady J about her recent conversion to Judaism. They discuss her 12-year spiritual journey, the impact of her Mennonite background, the intersection of antisemitism and queer histor…
- Jonah Does CNN and KIND Founder Daniel Lubetzky
Jonah Platt interviews Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND, about his philanthropic efforts, his upbringing, and the influence of his father. They discuss social enterprises like PeaceWorks, the OneVoice Movement, and his current initiative,…
- On Location with Ethiopian-Jewish Chef and Restaurateur Beejhy Barhany
Jonah Platt interviews chef and restaurateur Beejhy Barhany at her Harlem restaurant, Tsion Café. They discuss Ethiopian Jewish (Beta Israel) culture, her family's immigration history, the mission of her restaurant, and the challenges of r…
- Is Israel an Ethnostate? And the 2026 Israeli Olympic Bobsled Team
Jonah Platt speaks with members of the Israeli Bobsled Team about their transition from other sports to elite bobsledding. They discuss the challenges of representing Israel internationally, funding the team, and their goal of competing in…
- L’Dor V’adorable is Back! And American-Israeli Cookbook Author Adeena Sussman
Jonah Platt talks with cookbook author Adeena Sussman about her life in Tel Aviv, Israeli food culture, and her cookbooks, including her upcoming "Zuriz." They discuss culinary storytelling, recipe development, and living in Israel amidst…
- The Genocide Libel and Comedian Modi Rosenfeld
Comedian Modi Rosenfeld joins host Jonah Platt to discuss his career, Jewish identity, and the role of comedy in bringing people together. They cover his experiences in the comedy world, his personal journey, and his perspectives on curren…
- EMERGENCY MINI-POD! Behind Robert Kraft’s Blue Square Super Bowl Ad with Org President Adam Katz
Host Jonah Platt interviews Adam Katz, president of the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, about the organization's Super Bowl commercial and their campaign to combat antisemitism. They discuss the data-driven creative process, target audi…
- Antizionist Libels & Iranian-Jewish Activists Mandana Dayani, Matthew Nouriel & Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh
Jonah Platt speaks with Iranian-Jewish activists Mandana Dayani, Matthew Nouriel, and Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh about the Iranian regime, the IRGC, and their personal experiences with persecution. They discuss the regime's ideology, human rig…
- Jewish Values + Reproductive Rights with The Red Tent Fund CEO Allison Korman
Host Jonah Platt speaks with Allison Tombros Korman, founder of the Red Tent Fund, about the organization's mission to support abortion access through a Jewish perspective. They discuss Korman's professional experiences, reproductive justi…
- My Most Important Monologue, Part 3 of 3 (The Jeremiah Effect) and Bishop Michael J. Fisher
Jonah Platt interviews Bishop Michael J. Fisher about his work fostering Black-Jewish solidarity, his family's history with the Holocaust, and his efforts to build interfaith connections. They also discuss responding to antisemitism, the m…
- My Most Important Monologue, Part 2 of 3 (Antizionism) & Israeli Oz Party Leader Dr. Einat Wilf
In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah talks with former Knesset member and political strategist Dr. Einat Wilf about Israel's political future after October 7th. They discuss the necessity of shifting from diaspora consci…
- My Most Important Monologue (Part 1 or 3) and Entertainment Icon Howie Mandel
Jonah Platt interviews icon Howie Mandel about his four-decade career in comedy and television, his Jewish upbringing, and his perspective on faith and identity. They also discuss current events, including the rise of antisemitism and the…
- Disrupting Jewish Institutions with AJU President Jay Sanderson
AJU President Jay Sanderson joins Jonah Platt on this episode of Being Jewish to discuss his career in Jewish leadership, his vision for the future, and his work with the 2050 Institute. Sanderson shares details about his personal history,…
- HOSTAGE (2-Part Special): Eli Sharabi on Surviving 491 Days in Hamas Captivity
Eli Sharabi, a survivor of 491 days in Hamas captivity, joins Jonah Platt for a two-part conversation. They discuss his experiences during and after the October 7th attacks, his book 'Hostage', and his mission to share his story and advoca…
- Cindy Crawford: Supermodel, Super Ally
Supermodel Cindy Crawford joins host Jonah Platt for a discussion on her interfaith marriage, raising children with Jewish traditions, and her commitment to Jewish advocacy and fighting antisemitism. They also discuss her career and the im…
- One Mitzvah A Day with Daily Giving Founder Dr. Jonathan Donath
Jonah Platt interviews Dr. Jonathan Donath, founder of Daily Giving, about how his organization leverages small, daily donations to support dozens of Jewish charities. They discuss how the platform was founded and the impact of consistent,…
- Unwrapping Hannukah & Food Personality Jake Cohen
Jonah Platt is joined by cookbook author Jake Cohen to discuss the intersection of Jewish food and identity. They explore Cohen's approach to modernizing traditional Jewish cuisine, his experience hosting dinner parties, and the role of ho…
- The Black American Playbook and Philosopher-journalist Bernard-Henri Lévy
In Being Jewish, Jonah Platt speaks with Bernard-Henri Lévy about Jewish solidarity after October 7th, the West's declining moral reasoning, and the themes in Lévy's book "Israel Alone," including Israel's isolation and the rise of antisem…
- Jewish Traumatic Invalidation with Israeli Psychologist Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern
Host Jonah Platt speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern about her work on "traumatic invalidation" within the Jewish community, particularly after October 7th. They also discuss the importance of mental health support in pr…
- Updated! The 5 C’s of Difficult Conversation and Superstar Dancer/Wife Courtney Platt
In this 50th episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, his wife Courtney Ann Platt shares her experience converting to Judaism, balancing traditions in their family, motherhood, and her advocacy for those with MS, reflecting on identity an…
- I Read Peter Beinart’s Book So You Don’t Have To and “Ace of Cakes” Duff Goldman
In this Thanksgiving episode of Being Jewish, host Jonah Platt talks with Duff Goldman. The celebrity chef shares his personal experiences with anti-Jewish bigotry, his connection to Jewish culture and food, career highlights, and his upco…
- Jewish Values in Action, Helping Rwandan Genocide Orphans with JC Nkulikiyimfura
Jonah Platt interviews Jean-Claude Nkulikiyimfura, Executive Director of Rwanda's Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV). Founded on Jewish principles like Tikkun Olam, ASYV provides holistic education for genocide orphans, with recent studie…
- What Gives Me Hope and Broadway Legend Seth Rudetsky
In this episode of Being Jewish, Jonah Platt hosts Broadway legend Seth Rudetsky for a discussion on the significant history of Jewish artists on Broadway. They address the increase in anti-Jewish sentiment within the arts and the formatio…
- L’Dor V’adorable Returns! and 3x Academy-Award Nominated Producer Lawrence Bender
Producer Lawrence Bender joins Jonah Platt to discuss the film industry
- Jew on Jew Hate and CNN’s Anchor Jake Tapper
Jake Tapper joins Jonah Platt on Being Jewish to discuss politics, identity, and truth-telling. They cover journalism ethics, antisemitism, Tapper's books, and current political events.
- Navigating Comedy, Antisemitism, and the Gaza/Israel War with Impressionist Ami Kozak
In Being Jewish, Jonah Platt interviews comedian and impressionist Ami Kozak. They discuss how Kozak
- LIVE FROM PHILLY! Jewish & Native actress Sarah Podemski & activist Lani Anpo (Live from The Weitzman Museum in Philadelphia)
In this live episode from Philadelphia, Jonah Platt speaks with actress Sarah Podemski and activist Lani Anpo about their experiences navigating dual Jewish and Native American heritage. They discuss cultural practices, challenges of accep…
- Soulful Dating Advice with Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom
Aleeza Ben Shalom, star of Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking, shares dating advice with Jonah Platt on Being Jewish Podcast. They discuss common dating mistakes, finding a life partner, and the importance of compatibility, covering topics like…
- Making the Implicit Explicit and bestselling author Sarah Hurwitz
Sarah Hurwitz rejoins Jonah Platt on Being Jewish to discuss her book "As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us." They explore themes of Jewish identity, empowerment through education, and the multifa…
- Being Trans & Jewish with CoverGirl model Madison Werner
Madison Werner, the first transgender CoverGirl model, shares her journey as a Jewish and transgender woman, discussing identity, faith, and belonging. She addresses the complexities faced by LGBTQ+ Jews, particularly since October 7th, an…
- Bullsh*t Behavior & Central Synagogue’s Rabbi Angela Buchdahl
Jonah Platt interviews Rabbi Angela Buchdahl about her book
- Unpacking Better Israel Education with OpenDor Media’s Dr. Noam Weissman
Dr. Noam Weissman, Executive Vice President of OpenDor Media, joins Jonah Platt on "Being Jewish" to discuss a new approach to Israel education that prioritizes curiosity and intellectual honesty over pure advocacy. They explore the import…
- Remembering October 7th with Israeli Artist Tomer Peretz
Jonah Platt interviews Israeli artist Tomer Peretz about The 8 Project, which uses art to help survivors of the October 7th attacks heal. Peretz, who witnessed the attacks firsthand and volunteered with ZAKA, found art to be a personal sou…
- Wisdom from Beyond the Veil with Jewish Psychic & Energy Healer Jana Stern
Jana Stern, a Jewish psychic and energy healer, discusses her near-death experience, her connection to ancestral wisdom, and how Jewish identity, Kabbalah, and metaphysics inform her healing work. She also shares her insights on divine coo…
- Self-Inflicted Doomscrolling and Seinfeld Star Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander discusses his Jewish identity, distinguishing between cultural and religious Judaism, and his activism, particularly in light of October 7th. He also shares insights from his time on Seinfeld and explains his stage name cha…
- WE’RE BACK, BABY! All-New Season 2 of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Season 2 of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt premieres Tuesday, September 30th, with new 30-minute episodes every Thursday. This season features guests like Jason Alexander, Tomer Peretz, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Sarah Hurwitz, Sarah Podemski &…
- Living as a Proud, Public New York Jew with “Boy With No Job” Ben Soffer
Jonah Platt interviews Ben Soffer about his modern Orthodox Jewish identity, navigating public life in NYC with Jewish pride amidst rising antisemitism, and the impact of current events on his faith.
- What is the Purpose of Judaism? Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin Has The Answer… And It’s Not What You Think!
Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin discusses the purpose of Judaism, emphasizing its role in integrating chosen and unchosen identities, starting Jewish life in the home, and fostering lifelong learning. He explores how Judaism offers meaning beyond su…
- Anti-Jew Propaganda in the Hispanic World with Fuente Latina CEO Leah Soibel
Jonah Platt talks with Leah Soibel, CEO of Fuente Latina, about her journey combating anti-Jewish propaganda in the Hispanic world. They discuss her experiences in the Middle East, the founding of Fuente Latina to connect Spanish speakers…
- There’s No One Way to Orthodox with Jewish TikTok Star Melinda Strauss
Melinda Strauss, an Orthodox Jewish influencer, shares her journey of educating others about Orthodox Jewish life through her content. She discusses her experiences with online representation, her upcoming cookbook, and her advocacy for th…
- Israeli Michelin Chef Eyal Shani - Uniting Humanity Through Food
Chef Eyal Shani joins host Jonah Platt to discuss his culinary philosophy, his commitment to service during the conflict in Israel, and his belief in food as a means of connecting people and fostering peace.
- Should Music Be Political? With Grammy-Winning Jewish Musician Joanie Leeds
Grammy-winning artist Joanie Leeds joins Jonah Platt to discuss her latest album
- The Secret History of Crypto-Jews with Mexican-American Jew Blanca Carrasco
Blanca Carrasco, a descendant of Crypto-Jews, shares her personal story of discovering her hidden Jewish heritage at age 50 after being raised Catholic. Now president of the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, she discusses the history of C…
- The Truth about Israeli Minorities with Lebanese Christian activist Jonathan Elkhoury
In this episode of Being Jewish, host Jonah Platt speaks with Lebanese Christian activist Jonathan Elkhoury. Elkhoury shares his personal story of escaping Hezbollah, finding refuge in Israel, and living openly as a gay man. He also addres…