Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

Mijal and Noam explore the pivotal themes shaping Jewish life in 2025, reflecting on monumental events like the Gaza ceasefire and evolving sentiments of peoplehood. They discuss the shift from acute crises to chronic challenges, the merging of political extremes, and the emotional exhaustion many feel. Amidst all this, they find unexpected solidarity and resilience within communities. With hope for 2026, they advocate for unity, joy, and investment in deeper, meaningful questions, drawing on Rabbi Sacks’ guidance to build connections and fortify Jewish identity.

Mitch Julis, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Canyon Partners and a prominent figure in Jewish philanthropy, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of Jewish giving. He discusses the importance of balancing 'hugging and hitting' in philanthropy, emphasizing the need for compassion alongside challenges. Drawing from his Romaniote and Ashkenazi roots, he highlights the role of multicultural identity in philanthropy and the necessity of fostering young Jews’ connections to Israel through experiential programs. Julis also addresses the importance of civic engagement and constructive discourse.

Explore the tantalizing mystery of what Judaism says about the afterlife. The hosts discuss the balance between hope for divine closeness and the teachings that focus on living ethically now. They delve into the reason we care about life after death, from justice to comfort, and examine stories from the Talmud that showcase varied paths to the World to Come. Through conversations on resurrection and the teachings of great thinkers like Maimonides, they reveal how ambiguity in doctrine fuels a deeper commitment to our current lives.

Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: ⁠https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025⁠ Book for the Jerusalem Marathon "Return, Reconnect, and Run for Resilience" tour: ⁠sababatravel.com Mijal and Noam dive into the fraught conversation around tzniut (modesty), blending Jewish sources with personal stories and lived experience. They unpack what Jewish law actually says, debunk common myths about dress codes, oppression, and liberation, and wrestle honestly with how modesty shows up in real communities. Ultimately, they expand tzniut beyond clothing—toward dignity, humility, self-awareness, and agency. 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 Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

A Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach became the site of one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in the diaspora in decades. Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy, who grew up in Sydney and now lives in Jerusalem, joins Noam and Mijal to explain what happened, why many in the community say it was “horrifying but not shocking,” and what this moment demands next. Here's a link to donate to the Bondi terror attack response:  https://donate.thedorfoundation.org.au/bondi-beach-terror-attack-response/donate Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: ⁠https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Book for the Jerusalem Marathon "Return, Reconnect, and Run for Resilience" tour: sababatravel.com In Part 2 of The Battle Over Jewish Storytelling: A Hanukkah Conversation, Mijal sits down with Dr. Tanya White to explore the deeper meaning of Hanukkah—beyond the oil. Together they unpack the three major narratives of the holiday: the historical Maccabee revolt, the rabbinic miracle of the oil, and the Al Hanisim prayer that weaves together human courage and divine presence. Speaking from Israel after October 7, Tanya reflects on a new “renaissance of the spirit” and what Hanukkah can teach us today about Jewish resilience, covenant, and hope. This timely, inspiring conversation reframes Hanukkah as a story of agency, faith, and the light we create together. Here is a link to ⁠ Dr. Tanya White website, where you can learn more about her work and find links to her podcast. https://www.tanyawhite.org/ 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 Weissman will be back next week's episode . Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sarah Hurwitz, a former speechwriter for Michelle Obama and author, joins Mijal for an insightful talk about Hanukkah's deeper meanings. They dive into the complex history of the Maccabees and discuss how the holiday’s themes reflect modern identity struggles within the Jewish community. Sarah emphasizes the importance of inclusion while navigating communal values and critiques contemporary antisemitism. She encourages embracing Jewish history and practices to combat exclusionary pressures and proudly live one's Jewish identity.

Delve into the fascinating world of Jewish law as Mijal and Noam explore its evolution from Sinai to modern practice. They highlight key texts like the Mishnah and Talmud, revealing how oral interpretations shape legal principles. Discover the differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazi customs, and how debates across denominations influence contemporary Jewish life. Personal anecdotes add a lively touch, making the complexities of halacha both engaging and meaningful.

Join Jonah Platt, actor and host of Being Jewish, as he dives into the essence of Jewish identity and activism post-October 7. He shares his journey from a Jewish upbringing to becoming an 'October 8th activist.' The conversation covers Hollywood's portrayal of Jewish stories, the importance of the 'Five C’s' for tough dialogues about Israel, and his reflections on the beauty and challenges of Jewish life. Jonah emphasizes unity and pride in Jewish traditions, while also addressing the need for more voices in the industry.

Dr. Mijal Bitton, a notable researcher at NYU and leader of the first national study on Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the U.S., discusses the rich yet often overlooked stories of these communities. She shares her personal journey of exclusion in scholarship that fueled her research. The conversation explores community identities, diverse experiences, and higher engagement with Jewish life. Mijal also addresses the complexities of how these communities relate to concepts like race and inclusion, advocating for more nuanced understandings of Jewish identity.