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What does it mean to reclaim Judaism not in the synagogue — but at the family table? That’s the vision of Rabbi David Bashevkin, author, podcaster, educator and one of today’s most engaging Modern Orthodox voices. In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Rabbi Bashevkin to explore how Judaism can speak authentically to modern life and why Jewish identity is ultimately about integrating our “unchosen” identities with the “chosen” ones.

Rabbi Bashevkin shares:

• Why Jewish life must begin in the home, not in synagogues or textbooks
• How Judaism helps us integrate our unchosen identity (family, history, peoplehood) with our chosen paths in life
• The importance of 1840 — a mystical year that reshaped Jewish thought, technology, and modern identity
• Why Jewish education must instill a love of lifelong learning– not just through graduation
• The urgent need for bridge-building within the Jewish community — and how to turn religious difference into dialogue
• Why teens crave authenticity, and how NCSY empowers them through peer-to-peer mentorship
• The challenge of negative Orthodox representation in the media — and why Judaism is meant for the imperfect among us

Rabbi Bashevkin’s work through his platform 18Forty (essays, podcasts, and conversations at 1840.org) opens the door for “post-institutional Jews” and anyone searching for meaning beyond the classroom. Listen to this episode to find out why Judaism isn’t just about survival or fighting antisemitism — it’s about rediscovering purpose, family, and the sanctity of everyday existence.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo' Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson. Editor: Jacob Kindberg and Kevin Maynard; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

More on Dovid Bashevkin

• 18Forty Website
• Follow Rabbi Bashevkin on X

Mentioned in Episode

• Listen to 18Forty Podcast (Apple Podcasts)
• Watch the 18Forty Podcast on YouTube
• Essays by Rabbi David Bashevkin
• What Makes A Jewish Home?
• What Is The Significance of The Year 1840?
• Understanding The Zohar & The Significance of the Year 1840 for Jews
• The Sixth Millennium & The Age of Moshiach
• What is The Zohar?
• What Jewish Education Means To Me by Rabbi David Bashevkin
• Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz
• Sarah Hurwitz on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt (Season 1)
• Parashat Vayehi: Teach A Child According To Their Way
• Who is Rabbi Moshe Hayim Luzzatto?
• An Appreciation of Rav Yitzchok Hutner
• Who is Martin Buber?
• Phish Rendition of Avinu Malkeinu
• A Brief Biography of The Lubavitcher Rebbe
• Questions & Answers on Moshe & The Angels
• What is NCSY? National Conference of Synagogue Youth

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In this eye-opening episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Leah Soibel, an Argentine-American Jew and the founder and CEO of Fuente Latina, to explore her remarkable journey — from studying across the Middle East during the Second Intifada to becoming a leading voice for Latino-Jewish allyship. Leah spent years immersed in Cairo, Beirut, and beyond, before building the first organization dedicated to connecting Spanish-speaking journalists with accurate, on-the-ground stories from Israel.

Leah shares:

• Her experiences as the only American Jew debating at a “Mock Arab League” in Cairo — and what she learned about misunderstanding vs. hatred
• How traveling solo across Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza shaped her perspective on media, politics, and truth
• Why she founded Fuente Latina — and how it bridges the gap between Israel and over 500 million Spanish speakers worldwide
• The rise of antisemitism in Spain — and the quiet network of allies working behind the scenes
• Why Latin American immigrants to Israel were among the hardest hit on October 7th — and the powerful new docuseries sharing their stories
• Why U.S. Latinos, the fastest-growing voting bloc, may be the strongest future allies for Israel and the Jewish community

Leah’s story is one of courage, strategy, and vision — showing how truth and relationships can combat misinformation and build bridges across cultures. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. Listen now and join the movement for Latino-Jewish allyship.

More On Leah Soibel

• Fuente Latina
• Follow Fuente Latina on Instagram
• Follow Fuente Latina on TikTok
• Fuente Latina on YouTube
• Contact Leah Soibel

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo’ Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère. Editor: Jacob Kindberg and Kevin Maynard; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

Mentioned in Episode

• 710 Testigos Del Terror: A Film About The Latin-Israelis Affected by 10/7
• Rioting Erupts As Ariel Sharon Visits Temple Mount
• Palestinian Population in Chile
• Iran Launches Spanish Network in 2012
• Jonah’s Episode with Stuart Weitzman
• Five Things To Know About Anti-Jewish Hate in Spain
• Latin Population in the United States by the Numbers
• How Latinos Voted in 2024 Election
• Many Latinos Aspire To Visit Israel & The Holy Land
• Israel Recovers Body of Mexican Held Hostage in Gaza
• Latino Jews Grieve, Worry As Attack in Israel Puts Close Family Ties in Focus
• A Latina’s Experience Living Near the Israel-Gaza Border
• Testimony from Alejandra Lopez - A Latina 10/7 Survivor
• What Dave Chapelle’s SNL Monologue Got Right & Wrong About Antisemitism in America

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Melinda Strauss is a modern Orthodox Jewish influencer and food blogger who passionately believes that Jewish joy is resistance and Jewish presence is power. Her digital journey began with a singular mission: to share, educate and enlighten others about the richness of Orthodox Jewish life. Feeling consistently misrepresented and misunderstood, Melinda took it upon herself to authentically showcase Orthodox Jewish identity to the world.

What started with kosher recipe videos quickly grew into a powerful platform that highlights Jewish traditions, such as putting on Tefillin or wearing a Yarmulke. Her content has been met with some hate - but more curiosity and compassion. Today, Melinda Strauss is a vocal advocate for Jewish people, using her voice to increase visibility, fight anti-Jewish bigotry and celebrate Jewish heritage and culture globally — and she’s only just getting started.

In this conversation with Jonah, Melinda discusses:

• The current climate and safety concerns facing the global Jewish community 
• Melinda’s upcoming kosher cookbook Eat Jewish: 100 Recipes That Blend Jewish Heritage, Modern Flavors and Family Traditions 
• Her personal journey living with Type 1 Diabetes
• Her nuanced thoughts on certain Jewish laws, including The Get 
• The rich, diverse, and evolving tapestry of Orthodox Jewish identity 

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Host & Production Team

Host/Creator: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Editor: Kai Patterson; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

More Melinda Strauss

• https://melindastrauss.com/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@therealmelindastrauss

Mentioned in Episode

• Order Melinda’s Cookbook– Eat Jewish: Over 100 Recipes That Blend Jewish Heritage, Modern Flavors and Family Traditions
• Montana Tucker on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt - Season 1
• Baby Ariel on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt - Season 1
• “When They Go Low, We Go Chai” T-Shirt
• Melinda’s Viral Video About Her Nephew Wrapping Tefillin
• What Is A Get? Understanding Divorce Law in The Orthodox Jewish Community
• What is Modern Orthodox Judaism?
• Understanding The “Niddah” or Family Purity Laws of Judaism
• Everything You Need To Know About The Mikvah
• Melinda’s Post-10/7 Video
• Melinda’s Posts About Her Journey with Type-1 Diabetes (Video 1)
• Melinda’s Posts About Her Journey with Type-1 Diabetes (Video 2)
• What Is The Difference Between Type One & Type Two Diabetes?
• Melinda’s Article About Eating Healthy For The Holidays
• Diabetes Barbie
• A Brief Jewish History About The Pickle Business of The Lower East Side
• Irving Naxon, Jewish Inventor of the Slow Cooker
• Melinda Strauss’s Sweet & Sour Tongue Recipe

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In this deliciously inspiring episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with world-renowned Israeli Chef Eyal Shani — the culinary visionary behind Miznon, HaSalon, Malkah, and dozens of other Israeli restaurants around the globe. As a ninth-generation Jerusalemite with no formal culinary training, Chef Eyal has redefined Israeli cuisine and hospitality while carrying out a mission much bigger than food– spreading positive energy, peace, and connection with each bite. Just days after the horrific October 7th attack, Chef Eyal was awarded the coveted Michelin star for his New York restaurant Shmone, but chose not to attend the ceremony. Why? He was busy cooking thousands of meals for soldiers on the Gaza border, embodying his belief that food is truly about people, not prizes.

Together, Jonah and Chef Eyal explore:

• Why he treats every ingredient — from cucumbers to prime rib — as a living “creature” with a will and a story
• The night violent anti-Israel agitators attacked the Melbourne branch of his restaurant Miznon, and how Lebanese neighbors saved his team’s lives
• How his deep connection to the Palestinian women of the Jerusalem markets inspired his earliest dishes
• Why he believes food can reunite Israelis and Palestinians — and create “a new Israel” after war
• His vision for opening a boutique hotel and restaurant on the Gaza border as a symbol of renewal

Chef Shani’s philosophy is radical yet simple: there are no borders in food, only human beings. Don’t miss this extraordinary conversation with a chef whose cooking has become a language of hope. Listen to the full episode now and be part of the conversation.

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All Things Chef Eyal!

• Chef Eyal Shani’s Instagram
• Chef Eyal Shani’s Restaurant Miznon
• Chef Eyal Shani’s Restaurant HaSalon
• Chef Eyal Shani’s Restaurant Malka
• Chef Eyal Shani’s Restaurant Shmoné

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew "MoJo" Jones; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Editor: Kai Patterson; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell; Production Assistant: Emma Webb; Theme Music by Gabriel Mann

MENTIONED IN EPISODE 

• Melbourne’s Minzon Attacked by Pro-Hamas Protestors
• Lebanese Brothers From Minzon’s Neighboring Restaurant Intervene to Protect Minzon
• Iranian Missile Strikes on Israel
• Chef Eyal Shani Receives Michelin Star for Restaurant Shmone
• Chef Eyal Shani Cooks for IDF Troops the Same Day He Wins Michelin Star
• Timeline of The History of Jerusalem
• Chef Eyal Shani Set To Open Restaurant Near Kibbutz Nir Am
• Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy
• Where to find Leroy Borgougne Rouge

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Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

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It’s music meets mishpacha in this heartfelt new episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches! Grammy-winning Jewish children’s music artist Joanie Leeds joins Jonah to share stories about the triumphs and challenges of making Jewish music in today’s climate. They discuss the debut of her 12th studio album Ageless, an ode to multi-generational heritage and Jewish values. Joanie and Jonah also tackle the line between music as political expression and music as the universal language of unity.  They also get into:

• 🎶 How Joanie turned banned children’s books into the protest album Freadom
• ✡️ The challenges of advocating for a Jewish music category at the Grammys
• 🎤 Collaborating with her daughter on song and on the stage
• 📚 The greatness of Jewish hero Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• 🎸 Balancing inclusivity and political messaging in family-friendly music

Press Play and join us for 30 minutes of music, meaning, and Jewish joy!

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 All Things Joanie! 

• Joanie Leeds’ YouTube Channel
•  Joanie Leeds’ Spotify Channel
•  Joanie Leeds on Apple Music
•  Joanie Leeds’ Website
•  Pre Order Joanie’s Album
•  Add your name to Joanie’s Recording Academy Jewish Artists List!

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Editor: Post Relativity & Mike O’ Brien; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

• Joanie’s Petition to Make a Jewish Music Grammy Category
•  What does the Hebrew word “Ruach” mean?
•  How Mister Rogers Tackled Taboo/Difficult Topics for Children
•  Joanie wins her first Grammy
•  Male Acts & Performers Dominate 2018 Grammy Nominations
•  Coldplay’s Chris Martin Welcomes Israelis & Palestinians at Concerts
•  Rise in American Book Burning
•  List of Banned Books
•  Children’s Book: And Tango Makes Three
•  Controversy Around Children’s Book “And Tango Makes Three”
•  “FAUCI OUCHIE” by Joanie Leeds
•  What is Banned Books Week?
•  Who was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
•  Controversy Surrounding RBG’s Reluctance to Retire
•  RBG’s Contributions to Female Financial Freedom
•  Children’s Music Network (CMN)
•  Joanie Leeds & Mikey Pauker Push For Jewish Music Category in The Grammys
•  What is Grandparent’s Day?
•  Joanie’s Upcoming Concert at the Kennedy Center
•  90s Music Legend Lisa Loeb
•  Lisa Loeb’s Instagram
•  Lisa Loeb Dishes on Being A Jewish Mom
•  “Camp Lisa” Lisa Loeb’s Foundation & Song

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What happens when you grow up Catholic in Mexico — and discover you’re secretly Jewish?

In this riveting episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Blanca Carrasco, a descendant of Crypto-Jews who only discovered her family’s secret heritage at age 50. Now the president of the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, Blanca unpacks the unknown history of Crypto-Jews — descendants of Jews who secretly maintained their faith after being forced to convert during the Spanish Inquisition. Blanca shares her extraordinary journey to discover who her true family is. She’s a leader in the global movement helping descendants of forcibly converted Jews reclaim their heritage.

 Blanca opens up about:

• 🕯️ How the Spanish Inquisition forced her ancestors to flee Spain and hide their Judaism for generations
• ✝️ Being raised devoutly Catholic — and the moment she began questioning what she was taught
• 🔯 Her path from Messianic Judaism to a full Jewish conversion
• 📜 The Facebook post that led to the discovery of her secret family tree
• 🎓 Her work with the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, and why their academic research has personal meaning for thousands of “Anusim” around the world
• 🎬 A sneak peek into the Society's upcoming Los Angeles conference, including an opera, film screenings, and a genealogy workshop with Jeannie Milgrom

From Monterrey to El Paso, from the Church to the shul, Blanca’s story is a global tale of discovery, identity, and reconnection. Her life proves that history isn’t just in books — it’s in your blood. Hit play to discover how centuries of hidden history came full circle, and what Blanca’s story means for all of us.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew "MoJo" Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Editor: Post Relativity & Mike O’ Brien; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

• Who Were the Crypto Jews? 
• The Converso History
• The Alhambra Decree
• Ottoman Lands provided Safe Haven for Sephardic Jews Expelled from Spain
• “Anuism” Meaning
• Captain Marcos Alonso de la Garza del Arcón (1551-1634)
• Inquisition on the Canary Islands
• Messianic Jew Jonathan Settel
• Who are Messianic Jews?
• Rabbi Stephen Leon
• Anusim Center of El Paso
• Common Converso Names
• Jewish Mourning Traditions (like Covering Mirrors)
• What is Ladino?
• Somos Primos Facebook Group
• Ashkenazi vs Sephardic Jews
• Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World
• Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies
• HaLapid Magazine
• Crypto-Jews of Brazil
• The Dönmes: Crypto-Jews under Turkish Rule
• Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies Annual Conference in Los Angeles, August 10-12, 2025
• Cuban-Jewish Author/Geneologist Genie Milgrom
• What is a Mikvah?
• A Long Journey: The Hidden Jews of the Southwest
• Dona Gracia Mendes-Nasi
• “La Señora” opera about Dona Gracia by Dr. Michelle Green Willner

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What’s it like to be a gay Lebanese Christian — and proudly Zionist?

In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with international Jonathan Elkhoury, a proud Israeli citizen who is challenging false media narratives and misconceptions about Israel one campus conversation at a time. Born in Lebanon to a father who fought alongside the IDF during Israel’s 1982 intervention in the Lebanese civil war, Jonathan fled Hezbollah rule and found refuge in Israel at age 9. He shares the harrowing story of his family’s escape, his emotional reunion with his father, and how Israel not only gave him safety, but also the freedom to live openly as a gay man — the only Middle Eastern country where that’s possible.

Jonathan also speaks out about:

• 🏳️‍🌈 Israel’s track record on LGBTQ rights — and the lie of “pinkwashing”
• 🎓 How he confronts anti-Israel misinformation on college campuses — even after being spat on, kicked, and targeted for his views
• 🧱 How he combats "Israeli Apartheid Week" with the truth of his lived experiences
• 👤 What it means to be a “minority within a minority within a minority” — and why he still stands with Israel
• 📺 Why mainstream media — including the BBC — continues to fail on the Middle East
• 🔥 The real reasons Israel went into Lebanon in 1982 — and the Palestinian terrorism that sparked a civil war

Jonathan’s story is a living example of intersectionality — and how true human rights work means defending people, not slogans. He is the voice anti-Israel activists try to silence. Don’t miss hearing him on this week’s can’t miss episode.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Emma Webb); Editor: Rainbow Creative Team; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

Follow Jonathan on:

IG: @jon_elk

X: @Jonathan_Elk

MENTIONED IN EPISODE:

• Jonah & Jonathan’s trip with Sharaka for March of the Living
• Jonathan Elkhoury on Defying Stereotypes
• Backgrounder on the 1982 Lebanon War
• Lebanese Civil War
• Anti-Israel “Apartheid Week”
• Israel’s withdrawal from Southern Lebanon (2000)
• Israel’s LGBT Rights Timeline
• How Immigrants Boosted LGBTQ Rights in Israel
• Lebanese Christians under the French Mandate
• Timeline: The Rise, Spread, and Fall of ISIS
• Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum
• Israel’s Population Diversity
• Israel defends Druze in Syria
• Hassan Nasrallah Killed in Israeli Airstrike
• Jonathan’s Post 10/7 Tweet

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In this inspiring episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with acclaimed Disney animator, filmmaker, and motivational speaker Saul Blinkoff for a powerful conversation about Jewish resilience, Disney magic, and living a life of purpose. Together, they explore how timeless Jewish values are embedded in iconic animated films like The Lion King, and Saul speaks passionately about finding meaning in your Jewish identity every day, and the importance of living with responsibility and intention.

Saul reflects on his transformative trips to Israel as a guide with the nonprofit Momentum, and urges Jews worldwide to "LIVE FOR the Jewish people" as Israeli sons and daughters die to defend them. He and Jonah discuss how Jewish resilience, hope, and creativity can be antidotes to despair, even in the face of the horrors of October 7th. They also tackle:

• ⁇ Was Walt Disney really an antisemite?
• 🎬 The hidden Jewish values in your favorite Disney films 
• 🇮🇱 Why Saul insists it’s safe (and necessary) to go to Israel right NOW
• 🌟 The miraculous story of Omer Shem Tov, who kept his hope and Jewish identity alive, even as a Hamas hostage in Gaza
• And much more

If you’re looking for inspiration, wisdom, and practical ways to infuse your life with purpose and Jewish pride, this episode is a must-watch!

Subscribe for more episodes of 30 Minute Mensches and join the conversation about what it truly means to be Jewish today.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Nathan Wheatley, Valerie Patterson); Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

MENTIONED IN EPISODE:

All things Saul Blinkoff:

www.SaulBlinkoff.com

IG: @Saul.Blinkoff 

Life of Awesome Podcast

• Highest Grossing Animated Movies in History
• Who were the Sherman Brothers?
• Was Walt Disney an antisemite?
• “Path of the Just” 
• Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (RaMChaL)
• Momentum Org
• Rabbi Noach Weinberg
• Crave!
• “We Will Dance Again” (Nova Festival Documentary)
• The Battle of Sderot
• Kibbutzim Destroyed on October 7th
• Tragedy at Nahal Oz
• “The Killing Roads” documentary
• Iran lost more Generals in 12 Days than US in Both World Wars
• “Not That There’s Anything Wrong with That!”
• Omer Shem-Tov Kept Shabbat in Captivity

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In the premiere of our new series 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah Platt sits down with Michal Cotler-Wunsh — former Knesset member and Israel’s Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism — for a long-overdue conversation about the eighth front of war: the battle for public opinion. Jonah and Michal discuss how antisemitism has manifested itself today, particularly through using anti-Zionist rhetoric, and how Israelis may feel a disconnect from that. Michal gives her perspective on how institutions such as the UN, Amnesty International, and elite universities have not only tolerated but enabled and normalized antisemitic double standards under the guise of progressive activism. Jonah challenges Michal to help make sense of the widespread moral confusion and media failures that culminate to chants such as “Death to the IDF,” and asks how we can bridge the gap with well-meaning people who have been misled by catchy headlines and ill-informed outrage. This episode answers the question of why antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, but a global one, and what we can do to fight it.

This episode tackles:

• 🧠 Why Michal’s role as Israel’s antisemitism envoy is so crucial today, especially in combating widespread misinformation and harmful rhetoric.
• 🎓 How university presidents and U.S. officials have failed to take a stand in the face of rising Jew-hatred
• 🕍 Why most Israelis don’t understand global antisemitism — and why they need to
• 📖 The 3 R’s: Remember, Reclaim, Renew — a framework for Jewish pride
• 👤How human rights advocacy has been hijacked and weaponized  by anti-Zionists.

—

🎙️ 30 Minute Mensches is a new short-form edition of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt — spotlighting diverse voices doing meaningful work across Jewish and allied communities.

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

• Official Biography of Michal Cotler-Wunsh
• The Story of Queen Esther
• IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
• UN Speech: Michal Cotler-Wunsh Addresses Global Antisemitism
• Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
• Glastonbury Festival
•  Jewish concerns about Mamdani
• Calling Out Glastonbury Festival for Antisemitic Messaging
• The 1948 War against Israel’s Existence
• UN 1975 Resolution Equating Zionism with Racism
• The Story of Raphael Lemkin
• Double Standards & Natan Sharansky’s 3 D’s of Antisemitism
• Iran’s Recent Strikes on Israel
• Anti-Jew bias in Human Right Watch
• Al-Ahli Hospital
• Hamas Terror Tunnels
• Elite University Presidents Criticized for Antisemitism Hearing Responses

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Nathan Wheatley, Valerie Patterson); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

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A VERY special episode!! Julie Platt — lifelong Jewish leader, philanthropist, Chairwoman of Jewish Federations of North America– and Jonah’s mom! — joins Jonah for the highly anticipated Season One finale of Being Jewish. Her tenure as Chairwoman of the Diaspora’s largest philanthropic organization has seen Julie lead the Jewish community through Covid, the war in Ukraine, the horrors of October 7th and its aftermath, Israel’s war with Iran, and more. Through these crises and her decades of leadership, Julie has amassed a lifetime of wisdom and experience that she generously and candidly shares with Jonah and the BJJP community.

If you’ve ever asked, “What can I do to help?” — this is the episode for you. Julie offers rich stories, practical insights, and inspiring advice to power up the leader in each of us.

In this dynamic and heartfelt episode, Jonah and Julie dive into:

• ✡️ Why and how to be a leader
• 🏕️ Why Jewish Summer Camp is more than just fun — it’s formative
• 🌍 All the big Jewish orgs– AJC, ADL, JFNA, FJC, JDC, Hillel, Prizmah, The Jewish Agency– and how they’re trying to work together as never before
• 🇮🇱 When Julie received Israel’s highest civilian honor from President Isaac Herzog
• 🎓 Campus antisemitism in America — and how as interim board president, Julie helped steer the University of Pennsylvania through the most chaotic period in the school’s history
• 😂 A hilarious and personal peek inside Jonah and Julie’s own family dynamic

It’s a finale full of heart, humor, and hope — guaranteed to leave you empowered, emboldened, and inspired to be a leader, even from the comfort of your own home.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editors: Patrick Edwards & Nathan Wheatley); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; Interns: Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb

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MENTIONED IN EPISODE

• Julie Platt’s Legacy at JFNA
• JFNA (Jewish Federations of North America)
• Julie Platt Receives Presidential Medal of Honor in Israel 
• Who is Eric J. Fingerhut: President & CEO of JFNA
• JFNA’s Aid Efforts in Ukraine 
• Hakarat Hatov
• Thanking The River: Moses & The Concept of Hakarat Hatov
• Secure Community Network
• What is LiveSecure? Understanding the Jewish Protective & Security Initiative 
• Birthright Partners with JFNA to Bring Volunteers to Israel 
• AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) 
• Jews Marching For Israeli Hostages Burned & Attacked in Boulder, Colorado 
• Sarah Milgrim & Yaron Lischinsky Murdered By Assailant in DC
• Nearly 300,000 People Rally in D.C. for Israel & Hostages (November 2023)
• Combat Antisemitism Movement
• The Legacy of Robert M. Beren, Julie Platt’s Father 
• Camp Ramah - Jewish Sleepaway Camp 
• The Long Term Impacts of Jewish Summer Camp
• Foundation For Jewish Camp
• One Happy Camper - Program To Help Fund Jewish Summer Experiences 
• Hillel International 
• Prizmah: Center For Jewish Day Schools
• Roughly 15 Percent of Jewish Kids Attend Jewish Summer Camp 
• Jewish Summer Camps Affected by COVID 
• The Jewish Agency For Israel 
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
• Who Is Kathy Manning? Former JFNA Chair/North Carolina Congresswoman 
• Jewish Together & The Covid Relief Effort 
• Conference of Presidents 
• What is ADL? Anti-Defamation League 
• What is AJC? American Jewish Community 
• University of Penn President Liz McGuill Resigns Over Antisemitism Mishandlings 
• Late Texas governor Ann Richards
• Dr. Larry Jameson - Current President of University of Pennsylvania