This month we discuss a new survey on Millennials and their knowledge of Jewish History, a fascinating conversation on LGBTQ rights in Israel with three representatives from the organization Israel Gay Youth, and the surprising Jewish history of a summertime staple: the classic American hot dog. And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with Philadelphia Orchestra Interim President Ryan Fleur to discuss his family's Jewish history and his experience in Israel with the recent successful Philadelphia Orchestra tour and patron mission.

This month we discuss the joys and complexities of our recent public Israel celebrations; talk with Rabbi Rachel Kobrin about domestic abuse through a Jewish lens; and we pay tribute to the first Jewish person ever elected to public office in the U.S. – in 1774. In honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we also sat down with politician and lawyer Gov. Ed Rendell to talk about his connections to Judaism, bringing Israeli businesses to Philadelphia, and of course, the Eagles Superbowl win.

It’s April 2018, and for this episode we’re talking about the Quaker City String Band and their internationally acclaimed “Fiddling with Tradition” performance, followed by a conversation with politician turned documentary film producer Sam Katz on his next project dedicated to Philadelphia’s Jewish history and finally we’ll travel back to 1894 to document the journey of the first female Jewish international sports sensation, Annie Kopchovsky.

And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with the renowned Israeli chef and philanthropist Michael Solomonov to talk about his Grandmother’s famous borekas, his love of Israel in all of its contradictions and the tragedy that lead him to find his life's path.

It’s March 2018, and for our inaugural episode we’ll be discussing Jewish teens in the age of the Me Too movement, followed by an eccentric Purim story straight from the Eagles playbook with Jewish Exponent editor Joshua Runyan, and finally a commemoration of a revered Jewish composer and conductor who’s 100th birthday is being celebrated all over Philadelphia.

And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with former US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro to talk about family life in the Tel Aviv embassy and his views on the future of the two state solution. Thanks for tuning in and welcome to Jewish Philly!