SEASON 1 FINALE! My Inspiration & Jewish Federation Chairwoman Julie Platt
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Securing Our Communities
This chapter reflects on leadership transitions within the Jewish Federation network and emphasizes the critical need for enhanced security in Jewish communal spaces. It discusses ongoing fundraising efforts and new initiatives aimed at addressing community safety amidst rising anti-Semitism and geopolitical tensions.
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A VERY special episode!! Julie Platt — lifelong Jewish leader, philanthropist, Chairwoman of Jewish Federations of North America– and Jonah’s mom! — joins Jonah for the highly anticipated Season One finale of Being Jewish. Her tenure as Chairwoman of the Diaspora’s largest philanthropic organization has seen Julie lead the Jewish community through Covid, the war in Ukraine, the horrors of October 7th and its aftermath, Israel’s war with Iran, and more. Through these crises and her decades of leadership, Julie has amassed a lifetime of wisdom and experience that she generously and candidly shares with Jonah and the BJJP community.
If you’ve ever asked, “What can I do to help?” — this is the episode for you. Julie offers rich stories, practical insights, and inspiring advice to power up the leader in each of us.
In this dynamic and heartfelt episode, Jonah and Julie dive into:
- ✡️ Why and how to be a leader
- 🏕️ Why Jewish Summer Camp is more than just fun — it’s formative
- 🌍 All the big Jewish orgs– AJC, ADL, JFNA, FJC, JDC, Hillel, Prizmah, The Jewish Agency– and how they’re trying to work together as never before
- 🇮🇱 When Julie received Israel’s highest civilian honor from President Isaac Herzog
- 🎓 Campus antisemitism in America — and how as interim board president, Julie helped steer the University of Pennsylvania through the most chaotic period in the school’s history
- 😂 A hilarious and personal peek inside Jonah and Julie’s own family dynamic
It’s a finale full of heart, humor, and hope — guaranteed to leave you empowered, emboldened, and inspired to be a leader, even from the comfort of your own home.
Host & Production Team
Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editors: Patrick Edwards & Nathan Wheatley); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; Interns: Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb
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MENTIONED IN EPISODE
- Julie Platt’s Legacy at JFNA
- JFNA (Jewish Federations of North America)
- Julie Platt Receives Presidential Medal of Honor in Israel
- Who is Eric J. Fingerhut: President & CEO of JFNA
- JFNA’s Aid Efforts in Ukraine
- Hakarat Hatov
- Thanking The River: Moses & The Concept of Hakarat Hatov
- Secure Community Network
- What is LiveSecure? Understanding the Jewish Protective & Security Initiative
- Birthright Partners with JFNA to Bring Volunteers to Israel
- AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee)
- Jews Marching For Israeli Hostages Burned & Attacked in Boulder, Colorado
- Sarah Milgrim & Yaron Lischinsky Murdered By Assailant in DC
- Nearly 300,000 People Rally in D.C. for Israel & Hostages (November 2023)
- Combat Antisemitism Movement
- The Legacy of Robert M. Beren, Julie Platt’s Father
- Camp Ramah - Jewish Sleepaway Camp
- The Long Term Impacts of Jewish Summer Camp
- Foundation For Jewish Camp
- One Happy Camper - Program To Help Fund Jewish Summer Experiences
- Hillel International
- Prizmah: Center For Jewish Day Schools
- Roughly 15 Percent of Jewish Kids Attend Jewish Summer Camp
- Jewish Summer Camps Affected by COVID
- The Jewish Agency For Israel
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
- Who Is Kathy Manning? Former JFNA Chair/North Carolina Congresswoman
- Jewish Together & The Covid Relief Effort
- Conference of Presidents
- What is ADL? Anti-Defamation League
- What is AJC? American Jewish Community
- University of Penn President Liz McGuill Resigns Over Antisemitism Mishandlings
- Late Texas governor Ann Richards
- Dr. Larry Jameson - Current President of University of Pennsylvania
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