This week, GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick and her co-hosts, journalist Gabby Deutch, Rabbi Diana Fersko, and novelist Esther Chehebar discuss what Jewish leadership looks like today. Reflecting on the death of Abe Foxman and the fractured moment in Jewish life, the GOLDA Girls spotlight people who have stepped up to offer meaningful, clear-eyed leadership in different ways. They include: 

Sarah Hurwitz, speechwriter and author of As a Jew and Here All Along. (Gabby pick)

Mijal Bitton, spiritual leader and writer of the Committed Substack. (Esther pick)

Rachel Goldberg Polin, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the author of When We See You Again. (Diana pick)

Avital Chizik-Goldschmidt, writer and cofounder/rebbetzin of The Altneu. (SB pick) 

GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Use code NuGolda at checkout for 15% off your subscription. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.

This episode is also sponsored by: 

• The Mindich Fellowship for Jewish Fiction, part of Miami Book Fair’s Emerging Writer Fellowship. If your novel or fiction project centers Jewish life, culture, or themes, this is an incredible year-long opportunity to develop that work in community. Apply by May 31, 2026 at miamibookfair.com/program/emerging-fellows/.
• Joyva, a fourth generation family business that crafts tahini, halvah and confections in Brooklyn, NY. Get your today.

GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. Our executive producer is Ariel Shapiro. Editing by POLDHU. 

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