This week, presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg are leaning into their Jewishness (see here and here), and we’re here to analyze their efforts.

Our Jewish guest is Andrew Rehfeld, the new president of Hebrew Union College, the Reform movement’s rabbinic and educational training ground. He tells us how the institution is adapting to face the challenges of the 21st century, targeting three areas: strengthening Jewish education, Jewish engagement, and Jewish identity; as he puts it, “the knowing, the doing, and the being of Jewish.” He also explains the history and theology of Reform Judaism, and shares where he sees the movement today and going forward.

Our Gentile of the Week is Ed Gaskin, a devout Christian who started attending Shabbat services following the Tree of Life shooting in October 2018, to show solidarity with the Jewish community. He’s attended all but four weekly Shabbat services since. He tells us what he’s learned from a year at Temple Beth Elohim in Boston, as well as some of the questions he’s received about his undertaking, both from Jewish congregants and his Christian friends.

Let us know what you think of the show: Email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 914-570-4869.

Come see us on tour!

Feb. 6 – Scotch Plains, NJ: Book talk with Stephanie

Feb. 9 – Wyomissing, PA: Book talk with Mark

Feb. 11– New York, NY: Stephanie moderating Q&A following ‘Latter Day Jew’ screening

Feb. 20 –New York, NY:

Stephanie in conversation with authors Goldie Goldbloom and Abby Chava Stein

Feb. 26 – Naples, FL: Book talk with Stephanie and Mark

March 6 – Amherst, MA: Stephanie @ Yiddish Book Center

March 12 – Boca Raton, FL: Book talk with Stephanie and Liel

March 17 – Long Island, NY: Book talk with Stephanie

March 19 – Virginia Beach, VA: Unorthodox live show

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Sponsors:

“Those Who Were There” is a podcast presented by the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies at Yale University. The Fortunoff Archive holds more than 4,400 testimonies recorded in over a dozen countries, and the first season of the podcast features 10 episodes drawn from the archive. In every episode, a survivor or witness shares their own story. For more visit fortunoff.library.yale.edu/podcast

The Yiddish Book Center’s Great Jewish Books Summer Program brings rising high school juniors and seniors together to read and discuss modern Jewish literature, study with outstanding professors, and meet published authors. Every participant receives a scholarship for the full cost of tuition, room, board, books, and special events. Learn more and apply at www.yiddishbookcenter.org/greatjewishbooks