We’re kicking off 2025 with a very special, first-ever LIVE episode of Being Jewish! Filmed in front of a studio audience at the iconic CBS Television City, Jonah sits down with Tony nominee Josh Gad, TV/film star Ginnifer Goodwin and Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin in a must-see, brilliantly honest conversation on a wide array of Jewish and personal topics. From their very different Jewish upbringings, to interfaith marriages, to fighting anti-Jew bigotry, to the silence of Hollywood post October-7th, these Hollywood stars open up about their real lives and Jewish journeys like never before. There are lots of laughs, some tears, a few major revelations, and many deep insights into the Jewish experience we all can relate to. Don’t miss this supersized showbiz episode of Being Jewish that’s sure to leave you feeling energized and inspired!Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcast: https://beingjewishwithjonahplatt.transistor.fm/subscribe Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@JonahPlattOfficial Follow Jonah on Instagram @jonahplatt :https://www.instagram.com/jonahplatt/ Follow the Show on Instagram @beingjewishpodcast: https://www.instagram.com/beingjewishpodcast/ Join the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comConnect with Josh Gadhttps://www.instagram.com/joshgad/‘In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some’ Book Connect with Ginnifer Goodwinhttps://www.instagram.com/ginnifergoodwin/Connect with Marlee Matlinhttps://www.instagram.com/themarleematlin/Host & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell, and Executive Assistant, Josie Rothschild.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeJewish Federation LACBS Television CityMarlee’s upcoming PBS documentaryWhat is Kol Nidrei?Gutenberg! The Musical Josh Gad’s Instagram Post After October 7th Marlee Matlin’s Instagram Post After October 7th Ginnifer Goodwin’s First Post After 10/7Bret Stephens on Becoming 10 Percent More Jewish Ginnifer Goodwin’s Speech at Temple Israel Congregation Bene Shalom (Deaf & Hearing Congregation) Deaf Presence in the IDF Josh Gad plays Tevye in High SchoolJosh Gad’s Post on Antisemitism The Shoah FoundationMarlee’s Hannukah postGinnifer Goodwin Speaks on Behalf of 4-Year-Old Israeli HostageJosh Gad’s Comic “The Writer”Ginnifer Goodwin Bat Mitzvah PicRabbi Sharon Brous

David Lichtenstein, a Haredi podcaster and billionaire real estate mogul, dives into the complexities of Jewish identity and Halacha. He discusses navigating life as an ultra-Orthodox individual in a secular world, touching on topics like intermarriage, technology's impact, and the balance between spirituality and business. Lichtenstein emphasizes community engagement, moral responsibility, and the importance of addressing sensitive subjects within Judaism. His insights shed light on the challenges faced by the Orthodox community while advocating for meaningful conversations about faith and identity.

Watch this episode on YouTube @JonahPlattOfficial Broadway director and arts activist Zhailon Levingston has been making waves in the New York theater scene through his ability to challenge audiences emotionally at the same time he is entertaining them. In this episode, Zhailon, who is not Jewish, describes his love of the very Jewish practice of “Havruta,” a collaborative method of rigorously debating ideas with a single partner over a long period of time, and how this intense intellectually wrestling is a far more productive method of bringing folks together than trying to get everyone to agree on the same positions. As artistic director of The Inheritance Theater Project, Levingston reveals deep insight into how collaborative playmaking can be a powerful technology for bringing disparate communities together. In this week’s episode, Levingston joins Jonah for an illuminating conversation on a number of deep and difficult topics, from Jewish and Black identity, to the Israel/Gaza war, to Gen Z’s struggles with social media, to the ideas of “Black Aliveness”. Don’t miss this complex, thought-provoking discussion you can only find right here, on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt!Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcastSubscribe to the video podcastFollow Jonah on Instagram @jonahplatt Follow the Show on Instagram @beingjewishpodcastJoin the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comHost & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; and Executive Assistant, Josie Rothschild.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeInheritance Theater ProjectJon Adam RossDr. Rebecca Schorsch Havruta Meaning & Definition The Story of The ExodusJames Baldwin Text About Black/Jewish Relations in 1968 Kevin Quashie on How to Read & Interpret Black Text Through “Aliveness”Juneteenth Seder Jonah Platt Speaks About Undiagnosed ADHD Douglas Lyons Chicken & Biscuits PlayTable 17 Play The Normal Heart Play by Larry Kramer

Michael Solomonov, a five-time James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur known for his innovative Israeli cuisine, shares his journey of embracing his dual identity. He candidly discusses overcoming addiction while building his culinary empire, the profound impact of food on family and cultural identity, and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian culinary landscape. As he reflects on personal loss and recent challenges, Solomonov emphasizes food's unifying power in times of conflict, blending heartfelt storytelling with expert culinary insights.

Watch this episode on YouTube here!3-time Emmy-winning actress and longtime activist Patricia Heaton found a new calling 15 months ago - leading the Christian charge to stand with Israel and the Jewish community in the wake of October 7th. In this week’s episode, Jonah and Patricia explore why her faith demands her to stand for truth and justice, and how she is using her platform to garner solidarity with Jews worldwide. From rallies at Columbia University, to visiting hostage families in Israel, to starting the October 7th Coalition non-profit,  the beloved “Everybody Loves Raymond” star highlights the urgency around her advocacy and the importance of rising to meet the moment. Patricia and Jonah also talk about the no-no’s of conservative politics in Hollywood, Heaton’s Irish Catholic upbringing, and her unwavering sense of faith in this no-holds-barred episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcast: https://beingjewishwithjonahplatt.transistor.fm/subscribe Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@JonahPlattOfficial Follow Jonah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jonahplatt/ Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingjewishpodcast/ Join the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comConnect with Patricia Heaton & The October 7th Coalitionhttps://www.instagram.com/patriciaheaton/https://www.instagram.com/TheOfficialO7C/Host & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Designer Noah Bell Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel).Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeChris Rock (On Taking Care of Your Kids) (warning - explicit content)Patricia Heaton Presents at Jewish Media AwardsOctober 7th Coalition (Patricia Heaton’s Non-Profit) “The Promise Sessions” bringing Israeli musicians to NashvillePatricia talks Unity Dinner & Nova Exhibit (Section in video: 2:29-6:37)Nova ExhibitionRegistration for Patricia’s “Deborah Rising” Womens’ Trip to IsraelPaul’s Scripture (Put on the Armor of God) Jewish Girls Attacked in LondonJewish Man Shot While Walking to Synagogue in ChicagoLone Jew Arrested at Anti-Israel Rally in TorontoPolice Tell Jewish Man to Leave Downtown Montreal During Anti-Israel RallyJonah discusses Availability HeuristicMenachem Begin “Jew with Trembling Knees” speechJewish Federation of ClevelandJewish Nobel Prize WinnersApproximately 22% of Nobel Prize Winners/Laureates Are JewishMalcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point Lord of The Rings Speech (About Goodness in a Dark World) MyZuzahYourZuzahBillings, Montana: How A Town Banded Together to Fight Jew-HatredMagen David Adom 

Watch the show on YouTube @JonahPlattOfficial NFL Vikings co-owner and philanthropist Mark Wilf opens up about his family’s American rebuild in the wake of the Holocaust, the importance of Israel, and the “family business” approach that has led to so much success for the Vikings franchise.. As a child of Holocaust Survivors, Wilf discusses the resilience and values his parents imparted to him, and how building a strong community is the antidote to trauma. He and Jonah also discuss numerous critical Jewish + Holocaust focused organizations such as The Jewish Agency, Jewish Federations of North America, March of the Living, and Yad Vashem. Wilf emphasizes the importance of teaching Jewish history to each new generation and how sports can be a meaningful vehicle for bringing people together around shared values. Don’t miss this eye-opening and inspirational conversation on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt! Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the podcast: https://beingjewishwithjonahplatt.transistor.fm/subscribe Follow Jonah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jonahplatt/ Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingjewishpodcast/ Join the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comConnect with Mark Wilfhttps://www.vikings.com/team/front-office-roster/mark-wilfHost & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Designer Noah Bell Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel).Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeAJU’s Millter Introduction to Judaism program Rabbi Pinchas TeitzJaroslaw, PolandLvov GhettoHolocaust Survivor Gathering in Israel Wilf Family FoundationMarch of The LivingYad Vashem Lack of Holocaust Education Among Young PeopleJewish Federation of North America The Jewish Agency For Israel (Where Mark Wilf is the Chairman of the Board of Governors)Nearly 30,000 People Immigrate to Israel in the Midst of Ongoing WarsOctober 7th Commemoration Post - 2024October 7th Post - 2023 Nova Exhibition "All statistics from the opening monologue were obtained directly from internal data via the institutions themselves”00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Reflection00:50 The Surge in Jewish Identity Post-October 7th01:36 Remarkable Statistics of Jewish Community Engagement04:00 Impact of the Podcast and Community Feedback06:16 Interview with Mark Wilf: Jewish Values and Sports10:33 Family Legacy and Holocaust Stories21:16 The Importance of Jewish Education and Philanthropy24:36 Hope and Resilience in the Jewish Community24:54 Legacy of a Holocaust Survivor25:44 Yad Vashem: A Beacon of Memory and Education27:32 Challenges in Holocaust Education29:10 Commitment to Jewish Advocacy29:58 Support for Terror Victims and Community Building31:27 Global Jewish Support: Ukraine and Ethiopia33:21 Jewish Advocacy in Sports36:44 Reflections on Recent Trips to Israel39:52 Community Involvement and Philanthropy42:22 Final Thoughts and Audience Q&A

Museum-represented artist and feminist advocate Zoe Buckman dives deep into the politicization of Jewish identity, sharing her experiences with anti-Jewish bigotry on both sides of the Atlantic. She reflects on her past in progressive movements and how they've altered since October 7th. Buckman also discusses her unique artistic process, channeling grief into vibrant works of art. The conversation touches on mending community ties and navigating complex relationships strained by political ideologies, offering insights on resilience and unity.

Watch the show on YouTube @JonahPlattOfficialGail Simmons has captured our hearts and stomachs as a judge on Bravo’s Emmy and Peabody-winning series Top Chef for more than 18 years! Today, she joins Jonah to discuss her connections to food and family through the lens of her Jewish identity. A Canadian native, she reflects on her Jewish upbringing in Toronto and Montreal and how those Jewish communities persevere today in the face of immense anti-Jew hate. Additionally, she shares her concerns for the future as a Jewish mother, goes deep on all things Top Chef, and of course, sprinkles in some culinary wisdom on Jewish specialties like latkes, kosher pickles, and most importantly, Mom’s Brisket. Together, Jonah and Gail tackle a wide breadth of topics with hope, humor and heart. Mentioned in EpisodeNefesh - Rabbi Susan GoldbergChef Sara BradleyTom ColicchioHen MazzigGail Simmons’ Brisket RecipeInstagram Post by Gail SimmonsChef Birthright TripFranco-Turkish Relationship during First EmpireThe Great PowersStay ConnectedSubscribe to the podcast: https://beingjewishwithjonahplatt.transistor.fm/subscribe Follow Jonah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jonahplatt/ Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingjewishpodcast/ Join the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comConnect with Gailhttps://www.instagram.com/gailsimmonseats/ Host & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards);, Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Designer Noah Bell Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel).Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!00:00 Introduction and Context00:27 The Power of Social Media03:39 Historical Reflections and Call to Action05:34 Practical Steps for Jewish Advocacy07:10 Guest Introduction: Gail Simmons09:01 Gail's Jewish Culinary Heritage12:28 Gail's Career Journey23:52 Top Chef and Cultural Impact29:59 Jewish Food Challenge Ideas31:17 Support and Community Post-October 7th35:04 Social Media Advocacy and Reactions42:05 Memories of Israel and Kibbutz Life46:39 Contemporary Jewish Food and Deli Culture48:55 Thanksgiving Traditions and Preferences50:39 Audience Questions and Reflections56:26 Closing Remarks and Credits

Isaac Saul, founder of the independent newsletter Tangle and former Yeshiva student, discusses his evolving relationship with Judaism, touching on the impact of cultural identity and community. He delves into journalistic integrity and the need to bridge the political divide, advocating for respectful dialogue on contentious issues. Isaac addresses the complexities of Zionism amidst current Israeli-Palestinian conflicts while sharing insights on the upcoming elections and the importance of understanding different perspectives. The conversation wraps up with humor and nostalgia.

In this enlightening discussion, Van Jones, CNN analyst and activist known for his work in criminal justice reform, dives into the vital relationship between Black and Jewish communities. He highlights shared histories, the importance of solidarity in the face of rising hate, and the current political landscape ahead of the presidential election. Van also touches on personal identity, activism's challenges, and the concept of Tikkun Olam, advocating for community support and understanding as essential tools for social change.