For this episode, we joined forces with Theatre Dybbuk to co-produce a special episode exploring Henry Ford's publication of The International Jew: The World's Foremost Problem, a four volume series containing newspaper articles which were originally published from 1920-1922. These writings were based on – and included elements of – the notorious, fraudulent text "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion."

Guest scholars Pamela Nadell and Lisa Leff examine the ways in which The International Jew intersected with historical antisemitism and the political forces of the time, and how its legacy is still having an impact today.

If most of what you know about the history of Jews in Persia comes from the Book of Esther, when the wicked Haman (boo!) tried to massacre the Jewish population, you might get the idea that Persia was a place of great danger for Jews. And given the modern Iranian government's vehement anti-Israel rhetoric and support of Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups that regularly attack the Jewish State, you might conclude that Jews and Persians are and always have been mortal enemies.

But the truth is more complex! In this episode guest scholars Lior Sternfeld and Galeet Dardashti explore the rich history of Jews in Persia from its ancient roots to the present day, helping bring to light to the ways in which Jewish and Iranian life and culture have been and remain so deeply intertwined.

"If you harm the environment, you harm yourself."

This mini-episode of the Adventures in Jewish Studies podcast series asks the question "Is there a Jewish environmental ethic?" Guest scholar Tanhum Yoreh considers the "New Year of the Trees" holiday Tu Bishvat, and the concept of "bal taschit," which prohibits wastefulness and destruction, with regard to Jewish environmentalism and ethics.

Since the 1930s, around 70% of American Jews have consistently voted Democrat. However, in earlier decades, the Jewish vote was spread widely across the American political spectrum. In this episode, we explore why the overwhelming majority of American Jews have come to support the Democrats. Featured guests include Kenneth Wald and Beth Wenger.

For many people, the narrative about Black-Jewish relations goes something like this: In the 1960s, there was a strong alliance between the two groups, perfectly encapsulated by the image of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel walking arm-in-arm on the civil rights march from Selma, Alabama. Then, with the rise of black nationalism, that relationship started to break down. But what if that isn't the whole story? In this episode, host Jeremy Shere and guest scholars Marc Dollinger and Lewis R. Gordon complicate that narrative, tracing the history of Black-Jewish relations from the early 20th century to today.

Since the 1920s, American Jewish kids have spent many summers at Jewish summer camp. But how and why did sleepaway camp become such a staple of American Jewish life? In this episode we explore the history of American Jewish summer camp and its promise of providing an immersive Jewish experience. This episode features guests Sandra Fox and Nicole Samuel, along with host Jeremy Shere.

On Shavuot, a Jewish holiday celebrating the people of Israel receiving the Torah from God at Mt. Sinai, we the read the Book of Ruth, the story of a Moabite woman, Ruth, who marries an Israelite man and, when he dies, remains loyal to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and returns with her to Judea. So, why do we read this story on Shavuot? It may have something to do with Ruth the Moabite being considered (however erroneously) the first ever convert to Judaism.

This episode of the Adventures in Jewish Studies podcast explores the world of Jewish languages, and features guests Sarah Bunin Benor, Alanna Cooper, and Vitaly Shalem, along with host Jeremy Shere.

Do you love The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? Our latest podcast episode focuses on the life of 1950s Jewish American female comedian Jean Carroll, the Mrs. Maisel of her day. Learn about this trailblazing performer in this episode filled with lively comedic routines and scholarly insight.