The Jewish Review of Books Podcast

Last week I saw Marty Supreme, the new Josh Safdie film loosely based on Marty Reisman, a Jewish table tennis player. And I left the movie with one question: Is there anything actually Jewish about it?

Take a listen at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or here on Substack.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

Another Hanukkah has passed, and Nittel Nacht approaches. We’ve got a great podcast for you today about Christmas time for the Jews. But before we ring in the next part of 5786, don’t miss your final chance for our incredible 8 dollar Hanukkah deal!

In the early twentieth century, Christian influence in the non-sectarian public school system was widespread—especially during Christmas time, causing discomfort and outrage among American Jews. In his new book, The Great Christmas Boycott of 1906, author Scott D. Seligman traces the history of this outrage, and how American Jews organized (successfully and unsuccessfully) for the safety of Jews in public schools.

Seligman is an award-winning author, and his two previous books are The Great Kosher Meat War of 1902, and The Chief Rabbi’s Funeral. His work frequently explores the origins of Jewish political organizing in America, and he hones in on the ways Jews learned to flex their political muscles—with lasting effect on the entire country.

Take a listen at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or here on Substack.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

This Hanukkah, give the perfect gift to a lover of Jewish culture with a full year of the magazine for just 8 dollars—or two years for 16.

Today’s episode of the Jewish Review of Books Podcast is a two-parter.

In part one of the episode, editor Abe Socher chats with contributing editor Shai Secunda and associate editor Akiva Schick about the new indie film Bad Shabbos. Akiva wrote a review of the film in the Fall issue of the magazine, and it inspired spirited staff debate about whether or not the film is any good for the Jews.

In part two, Abe sits down with Jon D. Levenson to talk about the joy of Shabbos. Professor Levenson is the Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies at Harvard University, and he has a new book out: Israel’s Day of Light and Joy: The Origin, Development, and Enduring Meaning of the Jewish Sabbath. They talk about ancient moon festivals, Abraham Joshua Heschel, tech Sabbaths, and more.

Take a listen at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or here on Substack.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

In the current issue of JRB, we ran an excellent review from David Mikics about Steven J. Zipperstein’s new biography of Philip Roth. Zipperstein’s book does what might seem impossible by now: it breaks new ground on the life and work of Philip Roth. Abe Socher had the opportunity to talk to Zipperstein last week at the Lehrhaus Tavern in Boston about Roth’s anger, his scandals, and secrets in old storage boxes.

Take a listen at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or here on Substack.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

Professor Deborah Lipstadt joins the JRB Podcast to discuss the legacy of the movement to free Soviet Jewry, and the stubborn specter of antisemitism.

The post Deborah Lipstadt, Soviet Jewry, and Antisemitism appeared first on Jewish Review of Books.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

On today’s episode of the Jewish Review of Books Podcast, Abe Socher was joined by journalist Matti Friedman. Matti is the author of several excellent books about the Arab-Israeli Wars, including Pumpkinflowers, Spies of No Country, and, most recently, Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai. He is also a regular contributor to The […]

The post Matti Friedman and the Difficult Choices of War appeared first on Jewish Review of Books.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

Dara Horn on the continuous stream of Jewish history, comics, and her own family's unique Seder traditions.

The post Dara Horn’s Passover Saga appeared first on Jewish Review of Books.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

Rabbi Shai Held joins the Jewish Review of Books Podcast to discuss his new book, "Judaism is About Love."

The post Shai Held, Judaism, and Love appeared first on Jewish Review of Books.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

On today's episode of the Jewish Review of Books Podcast, Abe is joined by Oren Kessler, author of the Sapir Award-winning book Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict. Oren dives into the history of this nearly forgotten revolt, and the outsized role it played in shaping the dynamics that still exist in the Israel today.

The post The 1936 Arab Revolt And Our Modern Moment appeared first on Jewish Review of Books.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com

On today’s episode of The Jewish Review of Books Podcast we’re speaking with Sarah Abrevaya Stein. Sarah is a fantastic scholar of Jewish history, and the Director of the Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies. She teaches Jewish studies at UCLA and her focus on Mediterranean Jewish history has uncovered underappreciated and under-examined figures from the Jewish past.

The post The Unlikely Jewish Olympian: Sarah Abrevaya Stein on Alfred Nakache appeared first on Jewish Review of Books.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jewishreviewofbooks.substack.com