Jew Oughta Know
Jason Harris
From ancient history to current events, take yourself on a journey through the story of the Jewish People, from someone who has led hundreds of Jewish young professionals on trips throughout Israel. From the beginning of creation to modern Israel, each short episode is geared to appeal both to someone looking for the Jewish 101, as well as to those looking to go a bit beyond the basic story they already know. Check out the website at https://jewoughtaknow.com/. Enjoy!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 4, 2026 • 24min
204. Re-Release! Unsolved Jewish Mysteries: The Dead Sea Scrolls
Re-releasing Episode 68 about the Dead Sea Scrolls, found two thousand years ago in caves near the Dead Sea. Who wrote them? And where is their billion-dollar buried treasure?
Dec 21, 2025 • 22min
203. Re-Release! Unsolved Jewish Mysteries: The Golem
Re-releasing Episode 61 about the Golem. Something both living and dead has been hiding up in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue in Prague for the last 500 years. What is it? What happened to it?
Dec 14, 2025 • 24min
202. Re-Release! Unsolved Jewish Mysteries: The Lost Menorah
Re-releasing Episode 62 about the Lost Menorah -- just in time for Hanukah to begin tonight. The menorah is one of the most sacred symbols in Judaism, and we know that it really existed in the Second Temple. We know who took it, when, and where. What happened after that remains a mystery.
Oct 15, 2025 • 26min
201. Israel at War, Explained: Day 738
The living hostages are home. An extraordinary cease-fire deal is hopefully bringing this nightmare to a close. What’s next? Who won and who lost? And where do we go from here?
Jul 13, 2025 • 28min
200. Israel at War, Explained: The Changing Middle East, Part 2
Last week we looked at emerging threats. This week we’re going for pie-in-the-sky optimism. Can new ideas and leaders in Saudi Arabia and Syria bring forth a better future? Will Zionism move from an emphasis on security to a focus on developing a model society? Enjoy this milestone episode — #200 for Jew Oughta Know!
Jul 6, 2025 • 27min
199. Israel at War: The Changing Middle East, Part 1
All the dramatic events since October 7 tell us that “it’s a new Middle East.” Countries are realigning their relationships, old threats are giving way to new ones, and new ideologies are rising. Part 1 of 2 examines the threats: Turkey and radical Islam.
Jun 16, 2025 • 26min
198. Israel at War, Explained: War With Iran
Israel launched Operation Lion Rising, a preemptive strike to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Ballistic missiles are raining destruction on Israel in a fight with the Jews’ most committed genocidal enemy. This is a historic, dramatic moment with the potential to upend the world.
May 25, 2025 • 23min
197. Israel at War, Explained: Netanyahu's Middle East Pickle
Why didn’t Trump visit Israel during his trip to the Middle East last week? On multiple issues Trump has left Netanyahu standing on the sidelines, leaving the prime minister struggling to Make Israel Relevant Again.
Mar 23, 2025 • 26min
196. Israel at War, Explained: Trump's Double Game on Antisemitism
Trump attacks antisemitism on the left while encouraging it on the right. Jewish hatred should have consequences. But we shouldn’t use antisemitism as a pretext to erode the rule of law in order to punish political enemies.
Mar 9, 2025 • 23min
195. Israel at War, Explained: Is Trump a Threat to the Jewish State?
What happens to Israel when its most important ally turns away from democracy? When happens when a weakened United States can no longer help Israel defend itself? Where else should Israel turn when the United States allies with autocracies? Is Trump good for Israel — or its biggest long-term threat?
