Ask a Jew

Happy Good Friday! Shh, we have a serious guest, everyone behave please in the comment section. Today we welcome Jacob Mchangama. Jacob is the author of the breezy beach read “Free Speech – A History from Socrates to Social Media”, research professor at Vanderbilt University where he is also the founder and Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech institute, and a Senior Fellow at The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression theFIREorg.JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON SUBSTACK! ASKAJEW.SUBSTACK.COMHere’s what we cover:* Anne Frank is from Denmark, right?* Free Speech in the ancient world* When is speech actual violence?* The optimistics and pessimistic case for free speech* Back when the ACLU was cool* Immigration and speech* Can’t we just make antisemitism illegal* The vibe shift* Mahmoud Khlalil* The future of free speechHere’s your feel-good story for the week: An IDF reservist found this sweet pup in Gaza, who apparently ran over when he heard the soldiers speaking Hebrew. The soldier quickly discovered that this is no other than Billy, a dog that was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. He belonged to Rachel Dancyg, the ex-wife of hostage Alex Dancyg who was murdered in Gaza. Rachel’s brother, Itzik Elgarat, was also abducted from the kibbutz and murdered in Gaza. Some sweetness in the midst of it all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Rabbi Gavriel Bellino, a modern NYC Rabbi known for his engaging community approach, dives into a vibrant conversation about Jewish identity and contemporary challenges. He explores the balance between tradition and modernity, touching on inclusivity and women in Judaism. With a humorous take, he shares anecdotes about family dynamics during Passover Seder and quirky tales from his life, including his encounter with actor David Schwimmer. Expect insights into navigating faith in today’s tech-driven world along with a dash of comedic debates!

Blake Flayton, a dynamic author and commentator on campus antisemitism, joins the conversation to highlight his new book, which outlines essential insights for Jewish students heading to college. He discusses the rising antisemitism on campuses and the emotional struggles Jewish students face. Blake also critiques the current portrayal of Jewish identity in the media, advocating for a shift towards celebrating contemporary Jewish culture rather than focusing solely on historical tragedies. The importance of Zionist education and a more inclusive narrative for Gen Z is also emphasized.

G’day from the Land Down Under! Promise this is our first and last Australia joke in these show notes. Today we welcome the Jewish Hugh Jackman (ok, I lied), Josh Szeps to Ask A Jew! Josh is the host of Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps, and host of Szeps Live on Substack every Tuesday at 9pm (that’s normal time, not whatever they use in Australia). We loved having Josh on, even though he’s a lefty and that makes us feel unsafe. But it’s hard not to love him, and you will too. Also it doesn’t hurt that he’s kind of a hottie.Aside from a 40 minute standard chit-chat about aviation, we cover:* Do they even have months in Australia??* We forgive you, Mel Gibson* Shabbas Gay* Why don’t people fall in Australia?* The moon looks different in Australia* How much money does Elon Musk have in Australia* Ok Josh, spill it - what happeend to the Malaysian Airline??* Aviation Today - with Josh Szeps* Can you introduce us to the cast of Love on The Spectrum?* The Princess Bride 2* Australia replaced its Prime Minister with a paper straw* 39 minutes in and we’re still talking about planes* Josh’s grandmoother’s amazing holocaust story (sorry we mocked her for it)* Antisemitism in Australia* WHERE’S THE JEWS??* Oh look a bunch of Jews disagreeing about Israel* Josh is wrong about Israel and french fries This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

The world needs to stop talking about Jews and the only way that will happen is if Barak Obama and Jennifer Aniston have a baby.PHOTOS, CONVO, AND MORE ON SUBSTACK! askajew.substack.comAlso:* Chaya Leah makes a stunning confession* Purim Hangover* Covid anniversary* Hasidic fashion and the horrors of Brandy Melville* The strange life of supermodels* Save us, Barak Obama and Jennifer Aniston!* Shitty Columbia students* You don’t hate the universities enough* Not all slopes are slippery* CL book recommendation: Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

You demanded, we supplied! This week we are honored to have Prof. Russ Roberts join us on Ask A Jew. Russ is the host of the wildly successful podcast EconTalk (where he talks about everything from tariffs to the Opera), president of Shalem College in Jerusalem, and a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. He’s also the author of many books, including How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness , and the economics-based novel, The Price of Everything. It is only natural that this internationally renowned economist and influential podcaster sit down with us to explain, like, what is economics anyway.We discuss tariffs, AI, Jerusalem, incentives, empathy, and prayer, among other things. We also dive into whether or not being a Jew and a Zionist makes sense from an economics stand point, and which careers we should all invest in when the robots come for our jobs.Make sure to check out “EconTalk: Conversations for the curious” wherever you get your podcasts, follow Russ right here on Substack Russ Roberts, and take a sneak peak at his new book currently titled The Agnostics Guide to Jewish Prayer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Who’s this, disprespecting us on our podcast?? It’s our very own rare earth mineral, The Free Press columnist and host of the wonderful Breaking History podcast, Eli Lake! Did he even say thank you once? I don’t know. Probably at the end. Does it even matter? We hope you enjoy the episode. If you didn’t, it’s because Chaya Leah didn’t bring her translator.Want more AAJ fun? Join the conversation on Substack! askajew.substack.comHere’s what we cover:· Yael learns something astonishing about how Chaya Leah views Volodymyr Zelenskyy and J.D Vance· You’re not a Russian agent, you’re just stupid.· Trump is playing 4D Uno· This wouldn’t have happened under King David· Eating s**t is the bed rock of diplomacy· The axis of idiocy - people who love Gaza and Putin· A digression into terrorist rectums· Go prove you don’t have a sister· Ugh, have you even heard of traveling medicine shows?· Truth is for losers· Plato Vs. the Torah· What to tell an ugly bride?· A great story whose details Yael can’t remember· How antisemitic does someone have to be for you to cut them off?· The Oscars pissed us off, even though they haven’t started yet· A ray of stupid sunshine· Let’s dig into Meir Kahane because none of this has upset people enoughWant to help us grow? Share this episode and give us a 5 star rating or comment wherever you get your podcasts! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Look. The words are done. They have just run out. So we filled the void with various mouth noises, about everything from the orthodox child labor, Meir Kahane, the Grand Canyon and Apple Cider Vinegar. Listen, some weeks are so icky, it’s ok to order a 7-11 Big Gulp on Uber Eats in the middle of a recording. Or is it? Anyway, please excuse our mess, but you get it, right?* The story of Ariel Bibas’s best friend from kindergarten* The new Hollyowod Jews who are punching back. Don’t you just love to see it?* Friend of the pod talking Kahane with Israelis This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

This week we welcome our pals and confidants, Kat Rosenfield and Phoebe Maltz Bovy, co-hosts of Feminine Chaos!Kat is a novelist, culture writer, and frequent contributor to the Free Press, where you should read whatever she writes, no matter the topic.Phoebe is the opinion editor of the Canadian Jewish News, contributor to The Globe and Mail, author of the book The Perils of “Privilege” and a Canadian-American patriot.We talk Kosher Superbowl halftime shows, beauty and aging, The Golden Girls, and more! Don’t forget to check out Feminine Chaos on Substack, and wherever you get your podcasts.JOIN US ON SUBSTACK TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING! askajew.substack.com⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WANT TO HELP US GROW? CONSIDER GIVING US A 5 STAR REVIEW ON APPLE OR SPOTIFY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Links:A very Kosher halftime showKat’s piece in the Free Press about Men and pregnancy lossGolden year: What I learned watching The Golden Girls for the first time in 2024Some Jewish unaothorized covers of Austalian hits from the 80sBonus: The piece Kat was working on when we recorded about the show Apple Cider Vinegar, titled “Why Women Fall for Wellness B******t”. Have you watched it? Discuss! I ended up binging it over the weekend and thought it was great. The trailer doesn’t do it justice in my opinion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Valentines Day! That’s a Jewish holiday right? Well, we’re celebrating Rebbe Saint Valentine anyway.In this festive episode we get all googly-eyed over our guest Aleeza Ben Shalom, a matchmaker and relationship coach who you all know from Netflix’s “Jewish Matchmaking”, and author of the new book Matchmaker Matchmaker: Find Me a Love That Lasts, which you should buy at least 2 copies of.We dive into Aleeza's advice to "date ‘em til you hate ‘em", untangle love and values, and hear why Chaya Leah’s grandfather (who was himself a matchmkaer) would force men to stare into the mirror as they described their ideal girl.The interview with Aleeza starts around 41 minutes in, but first, you have to sit through our thoughts on Trump’s plan for Gaza, travel tips for Somaliland, and a pitch for a new reality show to find the next palestinian leader.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Want to help us grow? Give us a five star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Also:* Gaz-a-Lago* Somaliland and Puntland, see you at the beach!* Some TV recommendations, old and new* Who is Ian Sommerholder?* Love doesn’t care about your feelings* Down with Disney!* Indepndence is overrated* The Jewish ick* Unrealistic expectations, and Chaya Leah’s grandfather’s advice for men (I’m not a pimp, I’m a shadchan!)* Skip the dinner dateCheck out Jewish Matchmaking on Netflix, and follow Aleeza on Youtube and Instagram, Did you know w’ere on Instagram too? Sometimes we forget. But check us out. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe