This week on edJEWcation, we sit down with Jay Sanderson — former CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, professional disruptor, accidental chef, and self-described “tail Jew” — to unpack the past, present, and precarious future of Jewish life in America.

From a near-death experience as a teen to a life-changing blessing from David Ben-Gurion, Jay takes us on a journey through his unexpected path to Jewish leadership. We tackle everything from gefilte fish trauma to why Hollywood still can’t figure out TikTok — and why that matters for the Jewish community.

Jay’s latest project, the 2050 Institute at American Jewish University, aims to shake up Jewish institutions, move beyond “1950s Judaism,” and ensure that the next generation doesn’t need a secret decoder ring to care about Jewish life.

Highlights include:

• 🕍 Why the East Coast still thinks it’s the center of Jewish life — and why L.A. begs to differ

• 🐟 Gefilte fish: nostalgic treasure or cultural relic?

• 📲 How the Jewish community can survive (and thrive) in the TikTok age

• 💡 The pitch: How to get CEOs, scientists, and thinkers at the Jewish table — without turning it into a Hollywood afterparty

• 🕎 The problem with episodic Judaism and why Birthright is only the beginning

Join us for a lively, honest conversation about leadership, legacy, and the sometimes-chaotic beauty of Jewish community — plus, why it’s time to double the size of the word Jewish in more than just logos.