In preparation for Hanukkah, Mijal sits down with her friend and bestselling author Sarah Hurwitz to rediscover the holiday’s deeper meaning. Together they explore the grown-up story of the Maccabees, the complexities of assimilation and resistance, and how Hanukkah’s themes echo the identity struggles facing Jews today. Drawing on insights from Here All Along and As a Jew, Sarah reflects on courage, community, and what it means to live proudly and unapologetically Jewish in 2025.
Here is Sarah Hurwitz's website with links to her books and bio:
https://www.sarahhurwitz.net/
Here All Along
As a Jew
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Note: Noam was traveling at the time of this recording.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
