The charge of dual loyalty has long been a key weapon in the arsenal of anti-Semites everywhere. But in his new book, The Case for Dual Loyalty: Healing the Divided Soul of American Jews, Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz of Los Angeles’ Valley Beth Shalom argues that it’s time to embrace the idea. He joins Liel to talk about why American Jews should be loyal to Israel and the United States alike, why that is a complimentary rather than contradictory idea, and why it’s time, in the aftermath of October 7th, for Jews to reconsider the way they view their identities

Salvador Litvak, also known as the Accidental Talmudist, is the filmmaker behind the 2005 cult classic When Do We Eat and the author of Let My People Laugh: The Greatest Jewish Jokes of All Time!. He joins us to discuss his new film, Guns and Moses, in which a small-town rabbi becomes an unlikely gunslinger after his community is attacked. Guns and Moses premiered at the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival in 2024 and is expected to release nationwide this summer.Sponsors:The Institute for Jewish Spirituality invites you to Mindfulness for the Climate Crisis: Resilience in a Changing World. Register at  Jewishspirituality.orgJoin the American Technion Society for an exclusive briefing with Technion Professor Brigadier General Jacob Nagel, as he shares key finding from his report to the government on Israel’s defense technology and security needs, and the Technion’s vital role in this evolving strategy. Register at link.ats.org/security

Last Saturday, ICE agents detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian who was one of the leaders behind the year-long Tentifadah in Columbia University. Khalil and his group have repeatedly expressed their support for Hamas and other terrorist organizations, a violation of U.S. immigration law. Ilya Shapiro, senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, joins Liel to explain why the act is completely legal, and why we shouldn’t fall for the bad faith argument that Khalil’s arrest is a free speech issue. 

It’s been a week of fast-paced breaking news, from a bit of Hamas propaganda winning the Academy Award for best documentary to President Trump and Vice President Vance presiding over a heated meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky in the White House. Journalist and podcaster Eli Lake joins Liel to discuss what Trump gets wrong about Ukraine, what he gets right about Israel, and what Israel’s options may be as its ceasefire with Hamas draws to an end. 

Shtisel was a world wide phenomenon, and after the success of the original, co-creator Yehonatan Indursky is back with a new story, Kugel, focusing on Libbi and her dad Nuchem Shtisel during their days in Antwerp. Hadas Yaron, who stars as Libbi, joins us to talk about the difference between Shtisel and Kugel, and what makes them such compelling Jewish television. We also, of course, discuss the foodstuff that inspires the show’s title (are you team savory or sweet?). You can stream both Shtisel and Kugel on Izzy, a new streaming service from Israel. Hosted by Courtney Hazlett, Rabbi Diana Fersko, and Josh Kross, each episode of How to Be a Jew takes a look at a current, cultural topic and what it means for us as Jews, and how we react to it because we are Jews.Want to send us an email? Send it off to podcasts@tabletmag.comFor more podcasts, visit tabletmag.com/podcasts

In this engaging discussion, Dara Horn, a prolific author known for her impactful work on Jewish identity and culture, shares her thoughts on the complex emotions surrounding recent tragedies affecting the Jewish community. She tackles the disparity in global outrage and emphasizes the importance of resilience. Horn also introduces her new Passover-themed graphic novel, 'One Little Goat,' which humorously captures chaotic Seder traditions. The conversation beautifully intertwines personal histories with creative storytelling, making it relevant for both children and adults.

Rabbi Irving "Yitz" Greenberg, a leading theologian in American Jewry and author of "The Triumph of Life," dives deep into the potential for reform within Orthodox Judaism. He tackles controversial topics like gay marriage and the role of women in the clergy. Greenberg reflects on God's presence during the Holocaust and the evolution of Jewish history, emphasizing the shift toward personal responsibility. He advocates for inclusivity, encouraging a balance between tradition and modernity in addressing societal challenges.

AJ Edelman, the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics and pilot of the Israeli bobsled team, shares his thrilling journey through sports. He discusses the unique challenges faced by Orthodox athletes and the importance of representing Israel. The conversation highlights the cultural struggles in Jewish sports, the need for sponsorship, and how personal stories can inspire youth to pursue their dreams. Edelman reflects on the intertwined nature of identity and athletics, emphasizing the responsibility of athletes as representatives of their heritage.

Jennifer Sey was a national gymnastics champion who then won awards for exposing the abuse many female gymnasts suffered at the hands of their male coaches. She was also a celebrated executive with fashion giant Levi Strauss before being canceled for speaking her mind. Now, she’s the founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics, a new brand committed to protecting women in sports from males unduly entering their spaces. She joins Liel to share how she ended up behind the president’s desk at the signing of a recent executive order, what it was like to have J.K. Rowling endorse her ad, and why Nike and every other big brand in sports is now copying her message. 

In today’s hyper-paced, screen-driven world, making—and keeping—new friends has become incredibly challenging. Same goes for nurturing long-lasting friendships. So, what’s a Jew to do?Journalist, author, and unofficial friendship correspondent Anna Goldfarb joins us to talk about modern friendship, a topic she delves into in her book, Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections. During our conversation, we look at how we can keep the friends we want, and successfully build new relationships. Hosted by Courtney Hazlett, Rabbi Diana Fersko, and Josh Kross, each episode of How to Be a Jew takes a look at a current, cultural topic and what it means for us as Jews, and how we react to it because we are Jews.Want to send us an email? Send it off to podcasts@tabletmag.com For more podcasts, visit tabletmag.com/podcasts