Tablet Studios

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 

Tony Badran, news editor at Tablet Magazine and Middle East expert, discusses the controversial proposal for evacuating Gaza's 1.8 million residents. He critiques traditional peace strategies and highlights the challenging geopolitical dynamics faced by Palestinians. Badran also emphasizes the flawed notions of territorial recovery and the significant impact of deteriorating infrastructure. Addressing refugee acceptance, he illuminates security concerns for neighboring countries and delves into the nuances of Palestinian identity amid shifting political landscapes.

Ben M. Freeman, an author focused on Jewish identity, shares insights from his new book on the Jewish people’s indigenous ties to Israel. He discusses the complexities of Jewish identity in modern society, especially after the October 7th events. Freeman also reflects on his upbringing as a Jewish individual in Glasgow and the cultural richness of Jewish heritage. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing duality in identity, navigating the evolving political landscape, and fostering dialogue within the community.

Not long ago, a prominent Silicon Valley technologist told anyone who would listen that he believed he would never die because Artificial Intelligence was basically a God-like machine that could override all human frailties, including aging. This idea, says author and classicist Spencer Klavan, isn’t new: the history of science is in large part the story of trying to take the Creator out of the picture, only to come back again to the same stirrings described so eloquently in the first chapter of Genesis. Klavan, the author of the new bookLight of the Mind, Light of the World: How New Science is Illuminating Ancient Truths About God, talks to Liel about the future of AI, the arrogance of the new atheists, and the hopeful future that groundbreaking discoveries are ushering in by bridging the gap between faith and science.