Ask a Jew

Chaya Leah Sufrin and Yael Bar tur are two of the most influential Jewish women in America. Known for their compassionate and thoughtful discussions, they discuss topics ranging from antisemitism to The Social Security Act of 1935. Their guests include luminaries such as Barbara Bush, Oprah Winfery, Bill Cosby, and whatever that guy’s name is who was married to Kim Kardashian for like two weeks. Seriously, AI is dead. It was a bubble and always will be. It’s headed to the garbage bin of history with My Space, Ivy League Universities, and democracy. Unfiltered word vomit is the new intelligence. If typos could talk, this is what they would sound like. Please enjoy 1 hour and 2 minutes of it. 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

Today is a heartbreaking and terrifying day for Jews in America—and for anyone who cherishes the values of decency, freedom, and civilization itself.The cold-blooded murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim last night in Washington, D.C., has shattered any illusion that the hate-filled rhetoric we’ve been hearing was just talk. It wasn’t. For those of us who have been warning that this kind of incitement would spill into violence, this is our worst nightmare come true. And yet we still hear people whispering, some quite loudly, that the Zionists had it coming. This was not random. This was the deadly consequence of a climate that has normalized antisemitism under the guise of politics. Some people think violent antisemitism is the result of the the war in Gaza. We know it's the other way around - the war in Gaza is the result of violent antisemitism. In this episode, which we recorded a few days ago before these horrific events, we sat down with Jonah Platt—actor, podcast host, and passionate Jewish advocate—to talk about Judaism, Israel, generational disconnects, and what it means to be a vocal Jew in today’s climate. Check out his excellent podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt.We cover the following topics:* From Hollywood to Jewish Advocacy* The Role of Family in Jewish Identity* What’s Going Wrong with Jewish Education?* Jewish Students and the New Face of Antisemitism* Chabad, Cheese Plates & Jewish Hospitality* Why Aren’t More Jews in Hollywood Speaking Up?* Fighting Disinformation & Misguided “Allies”In the end, Jonah reminds us: don’t wait for celebrities to save us. We are done staying silent about this, and hope you can join us. Don't worry about being on the right side of your favorite Instagram influencer, worry about being on the right side of humanity. 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

We got the top Jew everyone! Eric D. Fingerhut is the President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), previously the President and CEO of Hillel International, and also a former congressman for the great state of Ohio. Take that resume to your Jewish mother!In case you don’t know, the Jewish Federations of North America is the umbrella organization for the different Jewish organizations, and they respond to the needs of Jews in the US, Israel and around the world. The Federation raises about 2 billion annually, which is enough for a couple of Air Force Ones I reckon.Eric was kind enough to sit with us for over an hour to discuss the state of Jews in America today, why 80% of Jews support Israel, and why we can't afford to be divided. He patiently answered all our dumb questions including: do the Jewish organizations bear any responsibility for he outbreak of antisemitism? Should we care what the world thinks? And how should we save the Jews with a million, ok a billion, dollars. 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 Mother’s Day! This week, we invited the women who have been listening to us blabber for over 40 years — our biggest fans and fiercest critics: our own moms!Please enjoy our conversation with Chanie Perelmuter and Liora Bar tur. We talk childhood, community, Holocaust (of course) and bra shopping. And please, call your mother! Want to help us grow? Rate us 5 starts and review us on Apple or Spotify 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

Today is the specialest day in Israel. We just exited Memorial Day for soldiers and victis of terror, the saddest day of the year by far, and went straight — and I mean straight, within minutes — into Independence Day, the happiest. 24 hours of pain and heartbreak, followed by a short ceremony that throws us into a celebration of what we have gained thanks to those we lost. It’s a rollercoaster, like most things here. Here’s a video I took today at the market during the national moment of silence for the fallen. It’s chilling and frankly pretty cool to watch an entire country stop in their tracks to remember. We do this 3 times a year: once on holocaust memorial day (last week) and twice on memorial day. On other days if you hear a deep siren, you should run for shelter.In this episode, Chaya Leah invites listeners who are her children to complain about her, Yael reviews the cafeteria at the Holocaust museum in Poland, and we debate the merits of uphill battles, as recommended by Douglas Murray. Special thanks for our genius editor Mickey for removing as many sniffles, coughs and in general as much auditory grossness as he could find from this one. It was a lot worse before he got involved, trust me.Good for the Jews is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.By the way, you know the show is called Ask A Jew, right?? So send us your questions, big or small, offensive and funny, to: askajewpod@gmail.com.Ready for some visual stimulation? First off, here;s CL’s favorite Tel aviv dogwalker doing his morning roll call:And released hostage Agam Berger blowing our minds at the Holocaust ceremony in Auschwitz:Did someone say Poland? here are the photos from my trip of my family’s home, factory and places of burial.Oh wait, I also traveled all around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Sea of Galilee. Want to see?Thanks for reading Good for the Jews! This post is public so feel free to share it. 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 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