Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

By Jonah Platt // Jewish Identity, Culture, and Current Events

The World's #1 Ranked Jewish Podcast! BJJP is your home for deeply candid conversations that illuminate the vast, beautiful, and often unexplored tapestry of Jewish identity, with notable Jews and all... more

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Best of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

  1. Number 1: The False Premise of "Zionist" (Replay)

    What does it really mean to call yourself a “Zionist” in today’s world? In this provocative monologue, Jonah argues that the term “Zionist” is vastly misunderstood and weaponized against the Jewish people. Jonah says we should ditch the term altogether by breaking down why continuing to defend Israel’s “right to exist” is a pointless debate. Israel already exists. It is the Jewish homeland. It’s not going anywhere. So instead of letting our enemies frame the term Zionism as an evil entity, let’s celebrate the fact that a Jewish state exists. If you’ve ever been confused by the term “Zionist” and don’t understand how it’s been twisted in the media, this monologue is for you. Watch the original monologue on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKO_VGnSNhc More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish: Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: [email protected] Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish CREDITS Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

    11min
    Listen Later
  2. Number 2: BEST OF: The Icons, ft Cindy Crawford, Jason Alexander, and Stuart Weitzman

    What does it take to be a true icon? Stuart Weitzman shares his journey from creating one sketch to building one of today’s most recognizable luxury shoe brands, how Aretha Franklin helped turn him into the “shoemaker to the stars,” and the Jewish values he carries into his philanthropy. He also reflects on what it means to have Jewish pride, and how we can pass it to the next generation. Cindy Crawford talks about authenticity being the key to true beauty, how she’s embraced raising her children in an interfaith household, why she loves celebrating the Jewish holidays, and her memories from her iconic photoshoot in Israel with IDF soldiers. She also explains why speaking out against antisemitism feels like basic humanity, and reflects on meeting Holocaust survivor Ella Mandel when she did the Borrowed Spotlight project. Jason Alexander explains how Jewish identity shapes his humor and values, how Seinfeld helped him realize that acting could be a form of service, and how his children discovered their own paths in Judaism. He also reflects on the moment he pushed back on Larry David over a portrayal he felt crossed the line. Three icons, one shared mission: to use their platforms and icon status for a purpose. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 00:28 – Stuart Weitzman 14:19 – Cindy Crawford 31:46 – Jason Alexander Watch Stuart Weitzman’s full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9L9ONP5zj4 Watch Cindy Crawford’s full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1roVoyCurrY Watch Jason Alexander’s full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOH30l2BcWM More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish: Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: [email protected] Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish CREDITS Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

    35min
    Listen Later
  3. Number 3: BEST OF: Comedians, ft Howie Mandel, Tiffany Haddish, Modi Rosenfeld, and Yohay Sponder

    How do four Jewish comedians find their voice and turn their experiences into comedy? Howie Mandel shares why the stage is where he feels most calm, present, and in control while navigating mental health struggles. He also opens up about being proud of his Jewish identity despite not being highly observant, saying Kaddish for a year while touring by requiring shows to start after sundown so he could pray with a minyan, and the lessons he learned about tzedakah and helping those in need. Tiffany Haddish tells us about how comedy literally saved her life. She also talks about her time working as an “energy producer” at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, studying Judaism with Rabbi Susan Silverman, and celebrating her 40th birthday with a Bat Mitzvah alongside the release of her comedy special Black Mitzvah. Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder explains how performing comedy in English shaped his material about Jewish and Israeli identity, why comedy can communicate what traditional PR cannot, how audiences differ between Israel and the U.S., and why he calls touring his “reserve duty.” Modi Rosenfeld explains why he considers himself a “Jewish comedian,” reflects on being one of the last Catskills comedians, reaching diverse audiences, and knowing his audience. Four comedians. Four comedy styles. One common goal: Spread Jewish joy through laughter. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 00:58 – Howie Mandel 06:50 – Tiffany Haddish 14:33 – Yohay Sponder 22:28 – Modi Rosenfeld Watch Howie Mandel’s full episode: https://youtu.be/DpncSDHfhGk?si=KiD6pRjUHHRE-tWw Watch Tiffany Haddish’s full episode: https://youtu.be/5QccpVosg3A?si=r34pBuRIvhCsDi2j Watch Yohay Sponder’s full episode: https://youtu.be/LaJQSLPoId0?si=aCFLwk2bAKZg8ogo Watch Modi Rosenfeld’s full episode: https://youtu.be/SjqVNuYnxjg?si=dk5dRusF-BeyHMlV More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish: Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: [email protected] Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish CREDITS Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

    33min
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  4. Number 4: Should Jews Proselytize? (Replay)

    Should Jews start recruiting? In this insightful monologue, Jonah Platt asks why Jews don’t proselytize, and whether that long-standing tradition still benefits the Jewish people today. Judaism offers a rich framework of ritual, purpose, and community, and yet does almost nothing to reach the millions of spiritually searching people who might genuinely thrive within it. Meanwhile, the Jewish population remains remarkably small, and the non-Orthodox community continues to shrink. Jonah makes the case that Jewish survival in the 21st century requires us to challenge one of our most deeply ingrained assumptions: that Jews should wait for potential converts to find us, rather than actively inviting them in. This isn't about cheapening Judaism. It's about asking whether our silence is a strategy, or just an outdated tradition. If you’ve ever wondered why Judaism isn’t widespread, this monologue is for you. Watch the original monologue on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUr4WPW0wYQ More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish: Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: [email protected] Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish CREDITS Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

    12min
    Listen Later
  5. Number 5: "The Floaters”: LIVE from the film’s LA Premiere with star Jackie Tohn & special guests!

    What happens when a movie shoot brings its cast and crew to Jewish summer camp – and then throws bears and lightning into the mix? Following the Los Angeles premiere of The Floaters at the Laemmle Royal in Santa Monica, Jonah sits down with stars of the film Jackie Tohn, Ben Krieger, Jillian Jordyn, and Bekah Zornosa, alongside producers Shai Korman and Andra Gordon, for a special Being Jewish crossover event filmed in front of a live audience. The panel gives us a behind the scenes look at the making of The Floaters. They share their personal Jewish experiences that shaped the film, the pleasantly unexpected places they’ve been invited to screen it, and why publicly celebrating Jewish joy is more important than ever. They also reveal what it was really like on set at an actual Jewish summer camp, where the cast and crew became a family, and where encounters with bears, lightning, and other unexpected surprises made the production an adventure of its own. The conversation, like the film itself, is about Jewish storytelling, community and friendship. In today’s world, movies like The Floaters are exactly what the Jewish people, and the world, need. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Why Hollywood Needs to ‘Explore and Highlight Jewish Joy,’ Not Just ‘Suffering or Idiosyncrasies’ by Jonah Platt Why Jewish Screen Stories Need More Joy by Rachel Israel Learn more about The Floaters: The Floaters Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floatersmovie/ Official Website: https://floatersmovie.com/ Official Trailer on YouTube Jackie Tohn: https://www.instagram.com/jackietohn/ Bekah Zornosa: https://www.instagram.com/bekahzornosa/ Jillian Jordyn: https://www.instagram.com/jillianjordynn/ Ben Krieger: https://www.instagram.com/heybenkrieger More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish: Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: [email protected] Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish CREDITS: Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

    41min
    Listen Later

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