In this spirited and emotional episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Broadway legend Seth Rudetsky — actor, pianist, musical director, SiriusXM host (Seth’s Big Fat Broadway, Seth Speaks), comedy writer, and tireless advocate — joins Jonah for an honest conversation about the deep history of Jewish contributions to Broadway. They discuss the rise of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment in the arts world, and the creations of the Jewish Broadway Alliance, a grassroots effort Seth launched in the wake of October 7th. 

Drawing from decades on stage and behind the piano, Seth opens up about the challenges of Jewish advocacy, the shock of Broadway’s silence that drove him to speak up, and the emotional weight of organizing initiatives like the Broadway-hosted hostage video and Broadway Shabbat. Seth and Jonah also delve into the highlights from Rudetsky's extraordinary career — from hosting Stars in the House during the COVID-19 pandemic to his concerts for social justice causes — and his dream of creating new educational content celebrating Jewish history through music. 

This conversation is a celebration of Jewish creativity and the deep-rooted bond between Jewish artists and the Broadway stage. And if you listen through to the end, you’ll find a special surprise that captures the spirit, heart, and joy that Seth brings to every room he enters.

• The Importance of Jewish Influence on Broadway
• Introducing the Special Episode and Guest
• Seth Advocacy and Jewish Identity
• The Impact of October 7th on Seth
• Forming the Jewish Broadway Alliance
• Challenges and Support in the Broadway Community
• Broadway Shabbat and Jewish Joy
• Concerts and Fundraising for Social Justice
• Stars in the House: A COVID-Time Initiative
• Cameron Crowe's Scaled-Down Broadway Production
• Supporting a One-Man Show: Ariel Stachel's Story
• Jewish Upbringing and Summer Camp Memories
• Five Deep Questions with Seth Rudetsky
• Grand Finale: A Musical Performance

This episode is supported by Berkeley Mosha, a Jewish co-housing community in California.

Seth Rudetsky Instagram

Seth Rudetsky Career

Jewish Broadway Alliance YouTube

SiriusXM On Broadway 

Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Cruise

Entertainment Community Fund

Seth’s Posts after October 7th

Broadway community “Bring Them Home” song for the Hostages

Broadway for Orlando “What the World Needs Now”

Broadway for Biden/Harris Inauguration 

Black Theater United

Stars in the House YouTube

Jack Plotnick

Shabbat on Broadway

Amanda Lipitz

Julie Benko Sings “Tomorrow” - Hanukkah on Broadway

Everything’s Coming Up Moses by Rachel Shukert: A Biblical Fable based on GYPSY

United Voices For Change

AJC: 5 Facts About Jewish Connection to Israel

Zionism has become a 'bad' word. It is anything but.

Jewish Broadway Alliance with Roz Rothstein

Jewish Broadway Alliance with Ritchie Torres

Defining Antizionism

Dreamgirls Reunion (Stars In The House)

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

Help is on the Way - David Friedman

Concert for America

Cornell Brooks

Grey’s Anatomy on Stars In The House

30 Rock Special Stars In The House

Maui Wildfires of 2023

Stars in the House Offers Avenue Q Sing Through August 24 to Raise Funds for Hawaii Wildfire Victims

Ari’el Stachel

Ari’el Stachel’s play, Other

Ariel Stachel videos about Jewish identity

Camp Hillel

USDAN Summer Camp 

Duck Sauce - Barbra Streisand

Varla Jean Merman’s Stonewall

Birthright Israel

People Moving Back to Kibbutz Nir Oz

Dr. Noam Wiesman on Being Jewish

Van Jones on Being Jewish

Neshama App

What I’ve Learnt Podcast

Trybal Gatherings

Magen David Adom

Testigos Del Terror

Leah Soibel on Being Jewish

Fuente Latina_

BBYO Mountain Region

The Big Shabbat

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