Podcasts most popular in the United States●Judaism

Go behind the scenes of Israeli history with self-confessed history nerd Noam Weissman. Each week, he offers a fresh perspective on some of the most controversial and interesting events in the country’s history. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about what Israel is all about -- from multiple angles and viewpoints -- this is the podcast for you.

Release date: 2023-03-15

Comments

1. Oh my - By the time you mentioned a synagogue board meeting I about lost it. I am a Buddhist with a jewish wife, and two of my four children are jewish. Until years ago I had little concept of what being jewish was, but I knew the history. I am Romanyi and have learned a strong kinship, even with differences in faith. I highly recommend this for those who who want to understand a bit more that is on the surface. Well done brother. Shchasty Arkadi
2022-05-21

2. My go-to podcast for historical information, clarity - Fantastic podcast. Unpacks myths and misinformation while providing clarity, background information, analysis and balance. I just finished listening to the Kishinev episode and I LOVED the personal story in the introduction and how Noam related it to the subject of this episode. As a psychotherapist I help clients to go back to the origins of their childhood stories which created their present reactivities because the haven’t been refreshed! These stories stayed as whole and sacred truths to live by, though the child had grow into an adult. The retelling of the Kishinev massacre was horrifying, while the greater historical impact of recovery and (some healing) are inspiring. Thank you for putting it all in perspective. It really helps to understand things more fully. Keep up this excellent work. יישר כוח!!! Dita Teitelbaum
2022-05-20

3. Fantastic Show for Anyone (..even if you aren’t Jewish!) - I am probably not your typical listener (as I am not Jewish) but I have come to really enjoy this podcast. I wanted to learn more about Israel after reading Daniel Gordis’ book on Israeli history (Concise History of a Nation Reborn) and this podcast really delivers. Noam is a superb and engaging host who continually provides context and detail beyond the history that is books. Thanks again for this and look forward to many more seasons! Rob Franson
2022-04-25

4. Great Podcast to learn world history - Wonderful way to learn about Jewish history. The podcast is very informative. I learned so much and on topics I never knew. Great production and picks on interesting topics. At this time of revisionist history i it refreshing to have an honest and fair representation of the history. Keep up the Great work!!!
2022-04-18

5. Informative and factual - I came across episode and ended up binge listening for episodes. As an Israeli and American, it’s hard not to feel singled out with anti-zionist rhetoric that is a form of todays modern antisemitism to delegitimize the pursuit of being Jewish. The episodes were interesting, factual and human. Great work, I look forward to more episodes and topics!
2022-01-24

6. Clear and Objective - Ever found yourself listening to someone speaking about a subject you are passionate about but wondering if that person is pursuing a specific agenda and giving you only the facts pertaining to that agenda, exaggerating certain events while minimizing others. This is the first podcast about Israel I have ever heard that is giving you the facts just the way they are! No exaggeration or minimization! And you get ALL the facts about a particular subject! Truly Exceptional Research work! Well Done!
2021-10-14

7. Was excited but left disappointed - I was eager to listen to the pod so that I could listen to crash courses of Israeli history throughout my day and learn some lesser known historical events. It was marketed as a podcast that teases out the grey areas and gives a respectful look into each side of the Palestinian Israeli conflict so I was disappointed after listening to five episodes that the host does not offer the same apologies to Palestinians as he does to the state of Israel. I don’t think there is anything wrong with being apologetic to certain difficult decisions Israel has had to make in its short history, but you cannot do this without offering the same thing to Palestinians. I was particularly off put by the fake news diatribe at the end of the Deir Yassin massacre episode. The host literally said that in the end Palestinians were murdered and then quickly segwayed into a hot take about how horrible this was for Israeli press and how he was confused/thought it was a shame that the media role out of one massacre could leave a legacy of distrust? Like babe…read that back first? Listening to this podcast is exhausting which is a shame because I genuinely wanted to learn more about Israeli history.
2021-09-29

8. Great Listen - I am not Jewish, but I’ve recently developed a strong interest in Israeli history and have been working to teach myself Hebrew. This podcast has been a great overview of history for anyone new to the major subjects. I’d suggest it to anyone looking for a straight forward take on Israel.
2021-07-13

9. Should be stars - Great content. Loved Episode -. Loving and but the background music is killing me nearly makes it impossible to listen to. I hope that I can make it through Episode because I am enjoying the content. Please stop with the low quality background music. Maybe if it was good background music and helped the telling of the story then great but the music you have is a distraction. Please consider changing it or removing it. Thanks for the great writing and performance.
2020-12-13

Living the life of an Orthodox Jew in the 21st Century often necessitates a very significant income. Unfortunately, many are struggling to keep up. The Problem Is Bigger Than We Realize The cost of life for an Orthodox family with children can range from $150,000 to $350,000 or more, depending on city and schools of choice, lifestyle choices and number of children. The median income in America is $68,000 per family. This means that a family would potentially need to be in the top 5% of all incom...

Release date: 2023-03-15

Comments

1. New listener - The ideas in these podcasts are very informative, a very good outcome would be if people listening from different communities were too take them to heart, and spread them actively. Not just personally but collectively. For example I just listened to the one about tuition and he spoke about group funding. It would be wonderful if people in different communities got together and formed local organizations that would group fund from all of the Jews in the community for all of the yeshivas and Jewish Schools in the area. The way I see it, is that this voluntary local taxation would inevitably make everyone’s financial situation easier to deal with. Person who read this review until this point, take the message and try to get a few people together and make this change just in your area. Your impact should be a major zechus for your entire community and for all of klal yisrael. And if you live in a diverse community thinking about the amount of ahavas yisrael this would cause is mind boggling. In that merit we should all soon see the coming of mashiach Speedly and in our days!
2022-04-19

2. So on the money! - This podcast is exactly what this generation and our community needs. Keep it up! I can’t get enough, your guest choices have been amazing and your casual but direct questioning has the guests giving some of their best insights right here on the podcast. What’s a chessed you guys are doing!
2022-02-25

3. Enriching - I'm not Jewish, but I have always been open to growth and learning. I ran across an episode on Youtube, and now tune in and revisit past episodes. The conversations are candid, and offer much value. There is so much to learn in these candid conversations beyond money. I enjoy learning about the culture and its principles. (Also enjoy the humor). The video is much better than just audio, but of course the podcast is great on the go. Thank you Kosher Money!
2022-02-17

4. Necessary - For some reason the school curriculum consists of a lot of history and science but nothing about regular day to day life. As you get older you sort of have to figure out that you should be getting life insurance, saving for retirement, budgeting, paying a mortgage and you need to figure it out on your own. This podcast is so necassary on a practical level and it's pretty funny too. Check it out!!
2022-02-07

5. So validating - Im only min into the first episode and I just want to scream, cry and laugh all at the same time! This info is soooo flippin validating!! My husband and I went to college, have good jobs and life is still a struggle. Bh we discovered dave ramsey a number of years ago and we have turned our life around but again frum life is beautiful and so extremely expensive. Thank you for speaking about this critical topic openly-yes it’s boring but we need to learn this so we can tell our money where it goes- not the opposite. Thank you!!!
2022-01-24

6. Great discussions, Great Host - This podcast covers super important topics in an interesting and compelling way. Host Eli Langer has a great Everyman approachability that really welcomes the listener, talking with them instead of to them, which can be tricky with a topic like money. Looking forward to more episodes :)
2021-11-02

Unorthodox is the world’s leading Jewish podcast - but you don’t have to be Jewish to love it! Hosted by Mark Oppenheimer, Stephanie Butnick, and Liel Leibovitz of Tablet Magazine, each episode we bring you interesting guests, News of the Jews, and so much more.

Release date: 2023-03-16

Comments

1. Love this podcast! - I look forward to listening every Friday, while I am making my Shabbos dinner! Mark, Liel and Stephanie are the best! Super interviews, interesting and very current topics and the dynamics between the of them and the rest of the staff is dynamic. Thanks for keeping me company each week!
2023-03-14

2. Something for everyone - I don’t think it matters where on the Jewish spectrum you are, or even if you’re Jewish at all. This is for everyone: religious or secular. They have a Jew and a gentile guest of the week. They cover spirituality, academics, culture, and much more. I always learn something.
2023-03-09

3. לשון הרע - Lacking journalistic integrity- I DO NOT recommend - I listened to the Unorthodox podcast and was disappointed with its lack of journalistic integrity. The group spread lies and Lashon hara without interviewing both sides fairly and failed to do adequate research on the Seattle Sephardic orthodox community. While the podcast claimed that both synagogues were declining since the s, the truth is that they are now trending up again. They declined due to poor leadership now, both synagogues have strong, vibrant boards, and very smart educated presidents who are doing both great job growing both EB & SBH. The issue is not that the synagogues are dying, but rather that Seward Park as a whole is facing housing and economic challenges. Both synagogues have plenty of members who live outside of the Seward Park community . Furthermore, both synagogues have plenty of money in reserves and decently-sized endowments, which were not mentioned in the podcast. This makes the institutions financially stable and unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon. It's essential to consider all aspects of a community before making assumptions or spreading misinformation. Unfortunately, this podcast failed to do so. Therefore, I cannot recommend this podcast as their journalism is not truthful, and they spread lies and lashon harrah.
2023-03-01

4. The Connection - Can’t remember how I tripped onto Unorthodox. But I’m so glad I did. I moved to CA, in , from a small town in Ohio, with a moderately small Jewish community. Today that community is essentially non-existent. There were about kids my age most were B’nai Mitzvah’d and all were Confirmed. The camaraderie with these kids, our adventures with NFTY - visiting other Jewish communities in the tri-state area, then culminating those experiences at Jew Camp in Zionsville Indiana was the best Jewish connection ever. Your podcast brings me the same feeling of community I had back in Ohio without having to live there! Plus, today I get to live in the beautiful Bay Area. Thank You – Thank You – Thank You- Stephanie, Mark, Liel, Josh, Robert, and Quin Alan Bay Area
2023-01-17

5. Makes my week. Every week. - These guys are the best. I’m embarrassed to be such a shill, but if you want a laugh, a touch of Jewyness, some current events, and some grounding with what’s important, tune in every week. If nothing else, Liel makes me LOL every week. There’s no one more clever on a podcast!
2023-01-16

6. Quintessential Jewish Podcast - Unorthodox is a must listen. The “Jew of the week” and a “gentile of the week” interviews have taught me so much and exposed me to some phenomenal work. For example, Mark just interviewed African American Jewish writer and culinary historian, Michael Twitty. What is a culinary historian?!?! I know now!
2022-12-15

7. Fantastic podcast over the years - This review is long overdue. I’ve been listening for several years to UnOrthodox and every Thursday feels like a book club/wine night/fieldtrip/ great conversation with some of my smartest friends. I’ve grown to know and love these three and their very different personalities and talents as well as the mastermind crew behind the show. Thanks for s and s of thought-provoking episodes.
2022-11-26

8. Daf yomi - I have been reading and listening to take one. I love take one. It’s my morning listening to start the day. I keep thinking how this will go on for “” years and will I be alive until then. I am one of your older listeners. Also I love unorthodox. It makes me laugh and learn new interesting info. Thanks so much for being on. Binnie Goldhirsch The mothership episode was your best show. It was so informative and moving. I am a grandmother now & still hoping my granddaughters grow up and be able to take care of themselves. Thank you again for a great show . I Love gatecrashers . Read the article in the Wall Street Journal The Campaign Against Our Yeshives // It’s under Houses of Worship by Sheba Tauby It explains why they chose Yeshiva Learing & why it’s good for their children. . I love the podcast Binnie
2022-09-16

9. Good podcasts for road - Me and my son almost always listen to these podcasts on our way to hockey games. By the way, Liel, Jews play hockey too especially in the DC metro area. Love news for the Jews. Most interviews are really interesting especially those with armin rosin, my former student. However, could you stop interviewing Hollywood types-most aren't the most interesting people. Please interview the Jewish farmer network if possible. Keep up the great podcasts, Marc Grossman Rockville MD
2022-06-18

10. Five stars - I started listening to Unorthodox in or so. I was dating a yid and as a culturally-Catholic agnostic from the Midwest I was looking for insight into the secret sauce that was so important to my boo. years later I’m still listening. It’s no longer my only connection to the tribe (I’ve since converted and married said boo), Mark, Stephanie, and Liel feel like my distant relatives that I check in with once a week. The nuances that they espouse in their conversations help me feel at home on days when I feel too progressive for my modern orthodox affiliation, and when I feel more frum than my unaffiliated friends. especially lovely while making Shabbat food.
2022-06-07

11. Wonderful addiction - I became addicted to these amazing co hosts when I found the podcast early in the pandemic. I have discovered so many authors, books, organizations and heard the kind of interesting information and views that I have never before come upon. I am indebted to these folks for keeping me going and even smiling during these troubled times. I am grateful to them all for their humor, wisdom and insights. Our long car trips are not complete until we listen to many episodes of Unorthodox. This is my opportunity to thank you all for your integrity and friendship. It is a joy to hear you week after week. Ellen Light. Albuquerque NM
2022-05-31

12. Best part of the week - I have been listening to this podcast for years and always look forward to each new episode. The discussions and topics are always lively, interesting, and informative. The three hosts have delightful discourse, each expressing their own distinct perspectives shared with respect and humor.
2022-05-23

13. Excellent, but - I absolutely love this podcast. As the other reviewers state, it truly makes one proud to be a Jew. The diversity of topics, the creativity of the producers, the honesty are superior. There is one major problem - the overuse of fillers…like…um…like…like…like… I know that others have remarked on this and it has been downplayed and ridiculed. However, these unnecessary verbal interjections jar me from listening to the truly outstanding content. Please, editors, do some sound editing. Hosts, please just PAUSE instead of ‘filling’ with these disturbing interjections.
2022-05-23

14. They got me through the pandemic. - I was turned onto this show by Rabbi Vered Harris of Temple B’nai Israel when I asked if she had any recommendations for Jewish podcasts. I’d been taking classes and attending services, trying to decide whether to convert or not when covid shut everything down. This podcast, with its weekly dose of humor, info, interviews, regular segments, community, and personality, kept me sane during the worst of toilet-paper-hoarding lockdown. The dynamic between the hosts (and the occasional crew members who speak up) is perfect. I love the banter, their distinct personalities, and the conversation that ranges from reverent to irreverent, from ludic to profound. While I’m a professor myself, I would have enjoyed taking a class from Mark, who is well spoken, thoughtful, and has managed to make me reconsider of my dismissal of corduroy. I enjoy disagreeing (and even agreeing!) with Liel who is a philosopher in bear’s clothing. Stephanie is a gift to the show who balances out the other two and keeps them from devolving into nostalgic old grumps bemoaning “the world today.” The show is intelligent without taking itself too seriously, and it has a wonderful Facebook group that is well managed and fun to participate in. Even though I’ve not converted, I’m delighted to be a listener of this show and can’t recommend it highly enough.
2022-05-21

15. Love this podcast - As an orthodox jew I was pleasantly surprised to find how well rounded this podcast is. I look forward every week to your podcast. You always bring a smile to my face and help me connect to the entire jewish community. I love the serious as well as the playful discussions. Keep up the great work
2022-05-19

16. Seriously wonderful - Pandemics, variants, economic, political and social collapse have not kept me down. But when a cream cheese shortage took hold of the nation I knew I needed professional support. You guys are amazing, thanks for keeping my spirits up during these tough times. Amazing podcast!!!!
2021-12-15

17. Why do I bother? - I wish I had a shekel for every time I hope to enjoy this podcast but then I stop it / fast forward. The content is just not … great. Or even good. Or truly funny. Especially for a podcast claiming to be the world’s largest Jewish podcast I wish the content celebrated actual Judaism and what makes being Jewish so spiritually and culturally special. Instead, each episode highlights that special breed of diaspora Jewish men who think self-deprecation is a good thing. It is not. Please rethink your purpose and content and reboot accordingly.
2021-08-05

18. Narcissistic blather w an occasional f-bomb to try and seem hip - I am always happy to see Jewish content about contemporary culture instead of YouTube Bar Mitzvah lessons. So I had high hopes for this podcast. But...blech. It’s like being trapped at a terrible dinner party because your ride home wants to stay through dessert. The hosts constantly make inane self-referential commentary, pretending that bong-smoke remarks are deep philosophy (freshman dorm, anyone?), occasionally letting a curse word drop in a desperate attempt to be cool. Ugh. So, so, so bad. The topics are often pretty good, if only there was a completely different slate of hosts to say something nominally memorable or worthwhile!
2021-01-05

19. World’s Leading Jewish Podcast? Confirmed! - This is by far the best Jewish podcast available. The three hosts each bring a different Jewish experience to the table so there’s never a monolithic “this is the way it is” POV. Each week we hear from amazing guests and again, with diverse religious, political, and even ethical viewpoints. I actually enjoy that I don’t always like or agree with the guests, that means the show is making me think. It makes me strengthen my own thoughts and beliefs by offering me a window into the thoughts of others. Many of the guests are people I would never have thought about, or sought out. I have read several excellent books from authors interviewed on the show and I have listened to people I vehemently disagree with, but whom I now more fully understand. This is an all-around excellent show, for Jew or Gentile, and you’re wasting your time if you’re not listening each week.
2020-10-20

Helping you find meaning in life through the exploration of Jewish thought and ideas.

Release date: 2023-03-14

Comments

1. Wonderful podcast!!! - I cannot thank you enough for putting out such amazing thought provoking content! This podcast has helped guide me on my journey and has enriched my Judaism in profound ways! I highly recommend it to everyone, especially to those grappling with their faith. May hashem continue to give you and your team the ability to carry on in your holy work for many years to come!!! Thank you
2022-11-07

2. So Glad I Found This - What a unique and awesome podcast! Rabbi Dovid is an amazing host, asking some really insightful questions and bringing up conversation that is fascinating and informative at the same time. His enthusiasm for his guests and their discussions is infectious. The show also dives in to really unique and wonderful topics. I was recommended the podcast by two different people in the same day which is what prompted me to listen to it and now I’m hooked as well.
2022-05-16

3. Innovative Intersectionality - It takes true creative boldness and courage to create a podcast that meets at the intersection of Judaism and the modern world/academia/any topic ever. The nuance in this podcast is on a top tier level like I’ve never seen before. As a common consumer of Jewish podcasts, this one satisfies my intellectual and emotional desires that I constantly look for in my podcast consumption, which I often find to be lacking in modern discourse. And, of course, it always gives me something to tweet about. THANK YOU!
2022-02-11

4. Listener podcast - Dear David, My name is Ulli Rotzscher. I met you when you were visiting us in Oakland at Beth Jacob Congregation. Ever since I am a great fan of . I love your pation and inside you bring to the podcast. BTW, you can have book darts, I love them myself, personalized from the maker. They are very likeable. Great yasher koach to you and your team. Chodesh tov, Ulli
2022-02-02

5. Best podcast out there - I cannot recommend this podcast enough!! R. Bashevkin provides an amazing resource for Jewish thought, philosophy and dialogue that is incredibly thought provoking. I really enjoyed the episodes with R Judah Mischel, Leah Forster and Zohar Atkins. This podcast has genuinely provided so much more depth to my spiritual and philosophical Judaism and has truly enhanced my daily commutes :). Each episode gets straight to the point and wastes no time providing knowledge to the listener.
2021-12-17

6. Pt - How can you give legitimacy to people who are off the derech and support and hope for people to do the same. I used to respect David Bashevkin and his work but after hearing some of these podcasts it’s disturbing how he could go ahead and preach about his religion and then show his support who forfeit it.
2021-12-14

7. Changing the Game - Orthodox Judaism was in desperate need for a new medium to communicate the richness, complexity, and beauty of Torah, Jews, and God. Rabbi Bashevkin and the Forty team are doing that oh so successfully. I know Hashem is beaming, and I can tell you that I, too, love all the work you do. Thank you
2021-09-17

8. Thought provoking and resonant - I’m enjoying listening to the podcasts on family divergence. The conversations are well structured with thoughtful articulation of the issues that arise and the challenging give and take that occurs in challenging situations. I find this provides realistic and optimistic perspectives and methods to navigate the differences we encounter in life. Keep up the good work!
2021-04-15

9. Thank you! - I just listened to two special podcasts: one with Rabbi Penner and one with Rachelle Fraenkel. They were two of the most touching, and soul searching podcasts I’ve ever heard and they stand with the best in over podcast that I’ve listen to over the years.I look forward to being a new fan! Thank you Dovid Bashevkin.
2021-03-26

10. Amazing Podcast - This is a phenomenal Jewish podcast. It’s amazing how it brings in family ties and Jewish values throughout all the different lessons. The conversations are great and Rav Bashevkin is the man. A man with a plethora of knowledge and extremely enjoyable to listen to. Respectfully, Max Kenigsberg
2021-03-09

11. Entertaining and informative - Dovid fearlessly engages with people from all across the Jewish spectrum discussing topics rarely found on other Orthodox Jewish media. Nothing is off limits, including different approaches to the Torah, going off the derech, and Jewish comedy. Dovid has vast knowledge of Jewish texts and secular philosophy. Combined with his empathy and sense of humour the podcast is the most engaging on I have ever heard. -YB
2020-09-30

There are so many Jewish personalities and big people in the world. They all have a story on how they became who they are today. Deep, unboundedly interesting, fun and uplifting, Meaningful People Podcast is a weekly opportunity for Nachi & Momo to talk to the Jewish world's meaningful people.

Release date: 2023-03-18

Comments

1. Big Fan! - I’m a huge fan of ur podcasts! I listened to nearly all of them. I gotta say one of my favorite episodes was the one with rivka shotkin. It was sooo inspiring! It’s so amazing how a) we Shld never take anything for granted, every bone every limb… and b) how much of a difference it can make to just be happy! To just look at the positive-Hashem gives us so much! I think I watched/listened to that episode like times! (Ok not quite, more like times) but anyways, thanks so much for ur episodes! They’re so inspiring!
2023-03-24

2. Thank you and important constructive critique - I have listen to basically all of your podcasts. They are very often insightful, inspirational, and informative. Thank you for all that you do. Recently, however, I listened to Rabbi Haimoff’s podcast. His his story was very moving, but there was one point that he reiterated several times that really bothered me. I too am a mother who lost a child. And I just want to say that I think it is extremely harmful to tell people generally that therapy does not work. Every person grieves differently, and every person needs different support systems in their lives. For some it is their family, their friends, or their rabbi. And yes, for others, such a loss demands consultation with a mental health professional, such as a therapist. I personally have found a therapist who has helped me through the hardest of times. I do not know where I would be without her. It is erroneous to say that therapist look to explain tragedies or solve your problems. That is completely incorrect. Therapist give you healthy tools to be able to manage and cope with your grief. It is extremely important that people hear this, so they do not feel there is a stigma behind seeing a therapist if they choose to do so. Professional mental health treatment, when done right, can enhance someone’s life and even save lives. It would be so important to get this message across to your many listeners. Thank you for reading this, and keep doing great work!
2023-02-23

3. Love your podcast! - I grew up in Yeshiva. I went to Ezra Academy. Rabbi Weinberger was one of my Rebbeim. I’m not religious. But I do believe in Hashem with my whole heart and I do pass Jewish values to my children. Your podcast is refreshing. You cover very in depth topics and mix in humor and keep it light and deep when it needs to be. Keep up your great work. Can you guys try to get Rabbi Weinberger of Aish Kodesh to do a podcast? That would be awesome!!!!! Thanks, Ben
2023-02-15

4. Wonderful - This podcast knocks it out of the park every time. The content is varied and interesting. The hosts are top notch and everything is done in a way that just seems right. There is no cutting corners, no controversy. Just really good content from a really genuine place. Thanks for bringing us good kosher entertainment that is not mind numbing. There are podcasts on here that make me cry, those that make me laugh, and those that make me really think. Just wanted to let you know that your work is really appreciated! Keep it up :) also especially loved the most recent one w Ari
2023-02-08

5. Great podcast! - My pre-teen/teen kids love to listen to this podcast, we learn something every time we listen! It gives them and me a broader perspective about Jewish life and opens our eyes to a new perspective/challenge in our own yiddishkeit! I’d love to have an old school way to access the podcast for my boys on kosher flip phones at Yeshiva ! Please let me know!!
2022-11-07

6. Amazing podcast - especially rivky morel - I enjoy all of the podcasts but I have to give a special shout out to the podcast with rivky morel- what a beautiful, honest and raw episode. I really appreciate when the people you’re interviewing are “regular” people living their daily life. Her story is beautiful and such an inspiration for all
2022-09-19

7. Best Jewish Podcast - This podcast deserves way over stars, but since that’s unavailable I’ll do with just for now I’ve been listening to this podcast for quite some time, and it never ceases to amaze me how Nachi and Momo always find relatable, inspirational, and meaningful topics to discuss. My favorite one so far was the one w Rabbi Bensoussan cuz hey, who’s not a Bensoussan fan Keep em coming, MM!
2022-09-18

8. Great podcast - Amazing podcast, I listen to it every week. No need to "double click" or "shout-outs" it's spoiling it, kepp it entertaining and mature. Thank you והוא ישלח במעשה ידיכם ברכה והצלחה. I'm changing my review to five stars. Thank you for improving the show. And now "bridge credit solutions" ad is a lot more tolerable. Thank you Momo!
2022-09-12

9. Super good like amazing - I love your podcast a lot even it gives me chizuk and then some more But here’s the problem I don’t have a smartphone on me all the time due the fact that my yeshiva doesnt allow it so I would appreciate if it would be on a phone number like you know inspiration for the nation has it on sry
2022-08-21

10. Excellent Interviews - The last couple of Podcasts featuring R’ Naftoli Miller and R’ Bensoussan were arguably of the best you guys have done yet. The one with R’ Bensoussan made me laugh and cry sometimes all at the same time. He was definitely your wittiest guest to date. Keep up the good work and thank you for the great content.
2022-08-18

11. SUCH A GOOD PODCAST - Thank you for giving it to us! I’m such a fan! Online shiurim are incredible and do so much for the Jewish community! Sometimes though it’s difficult to get yourself to sit down for a shiur, and let’s say in the car, an online Shiur often requires more concentration than driving allows you. But what this Meaningful People Podcast uniquely offers is a light, fun, and meaningful outlet... You’ll always learn something new! It’s not dry and it’s not intense... They’re a pleasure to listen to! It’s fun to hear all these cute anecdotes and cool/inspiring stories about a so many of different Jewish people. Every Jew has something to share and it’s awesome to hear a bit!
2022-08-14

12. Inspiring episode ! - As always you deliver amazing content, your guests are so real and relatable , I listen to your episodes every Sunday @ : am on my morning walk. The story about Rabbi Miller’s mom reminding their sons to call their father on his birthday it’s truly heroic and above human nature . Thank you both for all that you do for the Klal and also for every single individual who listens to your interviews , your are truly a power machine !
2022-07-31

13. / - This podcast is somehow both an easy listen and so touching n influential. Seriously could not ask for a better balance of authenticity, on-point questions, humor, natural flow of conversation, and lightness with insanely influential hidden jems of our nation. The speakers spread across a wide range of communities and interests so there’s something to listen to for everyone. I’m loving this podcast more n more with each episode that comes out. Can’t wait for the next one!
2022-05-23

14. Meaningful Review from the Holy Land - I’m, admittedly, not a huge podcast/vlog (or whatever it’s called!) guy and so I haven’t heard EVERY one of these interviews/pieces of content. What I can say with absolute certainty and clarity is that the stuff I have heard is soulful, sincere, original, inspirational and extremely insightful. Not every guest will “speak to” every listener (how can it?!) but the production, professionalism and, if I’m being honest - the holy man behind the entire brand, Reb Nachi - is so incredibly wholesome. Loving what they do across all of their platforms and highly recommend that everyone - honestly, it doesn’t matter the age or background - checks out what MM is doing and on their other channels. There’s a lot of consumable content out there but I find Meaningful Minutes to be the most authentic and well-intentioned. B’Hatzlacha!
2022-05-20

The Hebrew Bible is every bit America’s moral founding document as the Constitution is our political founding document. Every week, Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, speaks with thinkers, writers, artists, and faith leaders to explore how the Bible continues to inform our lives today, from politics to psychology to pop culture, bringing Americans of different traditions and persuasions closer together as so much else threatens to pull us apart.

Release date: 2023-03-08

Comments

1. If only - If only I had a shul with this admixture of erudition and zeal. I’d love to think that I’d defend Masada to the last, but I am more of an armchair tactician than a literal Zealot. Would that they had an outpost of Jewish learning in Los Angeles where I could find a true salon like the ones Ari hosts.
2023-03-15

2. Vet your guests - I’ve been listening to this podcast for some time and it has truly opened my mind to a different faith from my own. I came to the podcast for this very reason: to learn and to grow, and to understand other viewpoints with an open heart. Listening to the most recent podcast, however, I was very disheartened to hear hostile rhetoric towards so-called “woke culture” which is at best ill-defined and certainly below any sort of scholarly interpretation. The interview in this episode devolved into very contemporary political speculation with regard to American history with no pushback from the host which led me to question whether I was listening to an unbiased podcast. Listen with an open mind but keep an eye out toward what is being sold to you.,
2023-03-01

3. Dennis D. Karpf - Rabbi Ari is a deep thinker. Support for G-dly belief in the public square of America is fundamental for a good society. No doubt secularism is corrosive. Yet halakah and mashava require Rabbi Ari to confront essential difference over the invisibility and oneness of HaShem with Pastor Anderson. Creation, revelation, redemption, G-d, Torah and Israel under Judaism do not overlap with Christianity. Inescapable differences should not be glossed over with Christians no matter how well meaning. Stick with common public policy visions under R. Soloveitchik’s caution in his essay, “Confrontation”.
2022-10-25

4. Brilliant - Listened to a first GFE episode weeks ago and have been binge listening since. Love it Ari Lamm is an incredible thinker, asks spot on questions and is brilliant. My fav is the jaw dropping mind blown reaction from each guest after he eloquently lays out the episodes theme and proceeds to introduce them; work of art!
2022-07-28

5. It’s fun and so refreshing and thoughtful! - The host knows how to engage an eclectic array of impressive guests to best mine their thinking on important religous topics. The podcast is like a model for the kind of conversations you want to be enjoying at your Shabbat table. It makes for the most enjoyable commute to work (or workout) of the week!
2022-02-16

6. Defining what is right together - This discussion was like making a spectacular lasagna; it took time to shop for the ingredients, prepare the layers and for it to cook in the oven but then it just came out with delicious ideas; better yet, as the flavours melded over the next hours and days, it has Promised to be that much more remarkable to taste, Thank you.
2021-03-03

7. Big Ideas for a Big Book - To the uninitiated, the Bible is a dense book relevant to past times. But not so, Ari Lamm brings these timeless treasures to life for our time. These are not apologetics, they are contemporary and relevant insights into the genius of the Divine. Bravo! I look forward to each podcast.
2020-12-04

8. Smart and attractive—with substance! - “Good Faith Effort” take a serious subject—the Bible—and makes engaging this wise and holy text an attractive and winsome experience. Host Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm is an ideal interlocutor for both The Book and his impressive, smart guests and the background music and pop culture references feel more natural than forced. Kudos on the debut of this quality program—thoughtful audiences will want to add the program to their playlist!
2020-10-20

Israel Story is an award-winning podcast that tells true stories you won't hear on the news. Hosted by Mishy Harman, the bi-weekly show brings you extraordinary tales about ordinary Israelis. The show is produced in partnership with The Jerusalem Foundation. For Hebrew episodes, see סיפור ישראלי, or go to our website: israelstory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Release date: 2023-03-13

Comments

1. Really diverse stories - I like this podcast very much. Started by going to the beginning of the episodes and working my way forward each morning during my daily workouts. I’ve been to Israel many times and this show has taught me a lot- I want to visit some of the sites mentioned on my next visit. Thanks!
2022-11-27

2. Imitation Highest Form of Flattery - After listening to all of “This American Life” episodes at least twice, I have been thirsty for more. This podcast openly acknowledges it’s a copy replacing America with Israel. The stories are equally interesting but the host does lack the charm Ira Glass brings. Still it is worth the listen!
2021-12-20

3. Wonderful! - For any Israelphile or anybody at all that loves a good story, this podcast rises above others. I can’t believe how good it is: interesting, engaging and at times inspiring. Every aspect of it is highest quality: sound, production, but most of all story-telling and lack of politicization (which for me would ruin the whole thing. ) Thank you thank you thank you for filling a need in my podcast appetite I didn’t know existed. Highly recommend.
2021-04-23

4. This by far is one of the best podcasts there is! - I listen to a number of podcasts daily, Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper, The Morning Show, Chris Cuomo, The Takeout, while I get ready for work, commute, walk the dog, bike ride cook and do dishes, you name it and I am almost always on a podcast. This is my total favorite. I laugh out loud, I have cried...the subject matter is always interesting, the way the stories are told so artistic and creative...these folks out so much humanity and soul into each production. Thank you!!
2021-02-20

5. The Only Podcast - I generally don’t listen to podcasts. I don’t have a commute really, and I like listening to music when I exercise. However, there is one podcast that I am continually drawn to - obsessed with, actually - and that’s Israel Story. I’ve spent a lot of time in Israel, and I cherish the nuances, the variety, the continually surprising and fascinating subjects that Mishi Harmon and his crew bring to light. But for people that know nothing about the country, its history or its people, the series is a doorway to a fascinating part of the world with all of its beauty and its faults. The stories are truly unforgettable and I am so grateful to be able to hear them. If there were stars I’d give it that.
2021-01-25

6. Just amazing - This podcast is the best. I discovered it only recently, and I’m binge-listening to past episodes because I just can’t stop! It’s compelling and uplifting, and it gives an incredible window into the Israel you don’t see in the headlines, and indeed into the human condition as a whole. Do yourself a favor and listen!
2021-01-04

7. Stunning podcast - I am a podcast person. Like many people, I had to take a break from political podcasts. A friend recommended this podcast and I decided to give it a try. Nearly every episode leaves me speechless. Unique stories that always uplift or make me think long and hard after they’re over. Highly recommend.
2021-01-03

8. Each episode is a gift. - I never quite know when to expect a new episode or special section, but when they appear I can’t wait to go take a walk and listen. Does not matter your political, religious or ideological perspective. This is about humans. The only thing I dislike about this podcast is that there are not more!
2021-01-03

9. Just great - Ok, so it’s a ripoff of TAL. But as the parent of an Israeli and a frequent visitor to that country, I can’t think of any other form of media that expresses Israel’s nature, history, and culture as well as Israel story. Nothing even comes close. I can’t wait until you start doing live shows in the US again and I hope you come to to Boston, my home town.
2020-12-13

10. My First Time - I had to let you know that I am thrilled to discover you tonight. This is the beginning of a close relationship. Intelligent yet entertaining, historical yet contemporary in re-imagining the Hebrew language, and your love of Israel and our people brings me great pleasure. Thanks to all of you for having such a high standard of your profession. Sababa!
2020-10-04

11. Every episode brings us closer to the REAL Israel! - We discovered Israel Story at the beginning of a long trip to Israel, and had listened to most of the then-available episodes (it was mid ) by the end of the trip. The most interesting Israel Stories of that trip were the “ and Counting” collection of Independence Day celebrations, highlighting every th year since ‘. We returned home with a much richer and more complete appreciation of our Jewish National Homeland and its evolution since achieving statehood. Every single episode makes us more informed lovers of Israel. The episodes dealing with experiences or Israeli features that have already touched our lives always end up changing our perspective, and the episodes that introduce us to new aspects of Israel make us want to explore the relevant topic in depth from a far, and in person on our next trip to Israel, which is never soon enough. THANK YOU Mishy, Yochai, Zev and your entire team of collaborators for creating this absolute favorite of our numerous podcasts. And to anyone who has the opportunity to see one of their live shows, DON’T MISS IT!
2020-10-02

12. Every episode moves me - If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this podcast- drop everything and stream or download an episode. The stories are so moving- I have such a range of emotions each and every episode, laughing, crying and feeling rejuvenated. The stories are thoughtful and have a new spin each and every episode. Listen in Hebrew or English- these stories are about human beings at their core.
2020-09-15

13. So varied a tapestry - Each episode — and I have listened to them all — provides a glimpse into another aspect of Israel. From falafel to walls that tell stories or separate, these tightly edited pieces are spellbinding or funny or sometimes heartbreaking. You will not agree with every viewpoint. Neither did I. But you will learn and marvel. And the current “alone together“ series about COVID- is an incredible document for our times.
2020-08-28

14. The Israel not on the news - While it may not be the reality that the news gives you, and it may not be the reality that you will see on the street every day, The BRILLIANCE of The Israel Story Team is a wonderful experience "behind the curtain" of so much that truly is Israel. THANK YOU MISHY AND TEAM!!!!
2020-08-28

As Jews around the world engage in a seven-and-a-half year cycle of Daf Yomi, reading the entire Talmud one page per day, Tablet Magazine's new podcast, Take One, will offer a brief and evocative daily read of the daf, in just about 10 minutes. New episodes will be released daily Monday through Friday.

Release date: 2023-03-23

Comments

1. Daf yumi - I listen everyday and learn so much. I hope this pod cast never ends Binnie I tried the welcome to the tent .com but I’m not finding it. Is it under gmail. Podcast, where Thanks for helping me Binnie I am having trouble downloading Robert Scaramuccia newsletter. Please help me. Can you send me the site Binnie
2023-01-05

2. Thank you Reb Leibowitz - So grateful for this podcast. It reminds me of my learning experience at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. I’ve missed this type of engagement with texts from Jewishly literate yet compassionate and critically thinking teachers. Thank you Reb Leibowitz for all of you efforts
2022-11-22

3. Fantastic for newbies and the well-read alike! - Truth be told, this is the only Tablet-produced content I can stand to take in anymore. Unlike Tablet’s—and Liebowitz’s own—print content, Take One is happy, non-controversial, and non-reactionary. I recommend it to all the folks I meet interested in wading into Talmud!
2022-11-17

4. Starting to fade - At the start of the Daf cycle the pod cast was strong. Now I feel there are a couple of issues: . Sound quality from a majority of the callers is very poor and I cannot even listen to the episode. . Self promotion of the “guest” speakers. They are promoting their new book, their podcast ect. Let’s get back to the heart of the Daf and focus on making each day aka podcast the best it can with the best sound quality from the callers.
2021-04-09

5. Often judgemental - An example is the post thanksgiving podcast where Josh cross is discussing his anger regarding people that travel - maybe he’s right maybe he’s wrong - however even the lawmakers that tell The populations not to travel-are traveling! He should just worry about him and his family doing what they feel is right.
2020-11-30

6. Wow, giving birth to ideas - I have not missed an episode of this Podcast. Sometimes an episode is an okay, that is interesting; sometimes, you get one that is a well I guess he needed to say something; but then you get one like today with Sarah Telushkin (sp?) that surpasses good and gives birth to ideas. Bring her back, the pace and the exciting thoughts about the other apples on Adam’s tree were provocative and fresh. This episode was Super, and flowed naturally.
2020-08-27

7. For the goyim, too. - I'm not Jewish, not even religious, but I am a big fan of Liel Leibovitz. I would listen to any podcast he hosts, and I thoroughly enjoy Take One. Not only is it a five-day-a-week insight into how Liel thinks, his many well-chosen guests offer fascinating takes on a wide range of topics. For me, Talmud is a springboard to consider any number of issues germane to all our lives. I don't know that I'll stick with it for / years—or even whether Liel and producer extraordinaire Josh Kross will see it through—but for now I welcome its presence in my podcast feed.
2020-08-22

A Book Like No Other (BLNO) is a podcast about approaching the Torah on its own terms to reveal the symmetry, beauty, and insight that can emerge from open learning without expectations. Come along each season for an in-depth learning journey with Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah. Together, we'll unwrap the remarkable patterns and surprising connections that lie beneath the Torah's surface and truly make this a book like no other. A Book L...

Release date: 2023-03-13

Comments

1. Blown Away - As usual, I’m absolutely blown away by Rabbi Fohrman and Emu’s analyses. I usually start off skeptical, but somehow almost always end up being totally invested in their interpretation of the Torah. Can’t wait for the next episode! (Also, I totally think the Tree’s reappearance is the burning bush– “v’hasneh einenu ukal: and the tree was not consumed/eaten…”
2023-02-17

2. I LOVE This Book Like No Other!! - I am a Bema Podcast listener. It was there I first heard about Rabbi Forhman. I quickly picked up his book “The Exodus You Almost Passed Over”. His book “Sin Crouching at Your Door” is on its way to my home. I have been hoping he would do a podcast and this is, even just one episode in, exactly, as awesome, as I thought it would be! Thank you for making Mondays so fun!! Here in this podcast is where I believe so many of those question marks in my Bible will finally be addressed if not answered. Not with pat answers of: Well because He is The LORD He can do whatever He wants to do. Which never felt satisfying and never felt like they fit for a supposedly loving and logical God. This is exciting and I’m already telling my friends to tune in with me!
2023-02-07

3. A teacher like no other - Rabbi Fohrman is a teacher like no other, able to take complicated questions and provide answers that seem so obvious and true after he explains them that you wonder why you didn’t see them before. I love his thought process and the way he presents evidence. He frequently provides analogies across multiple disciplines (history, science, literature, poetry, movies, etc) that help deepen my understanding of the biblical text. He and Imu are a team like no other, and so far, the podcast A Book Like No Other is living up to its name.
2023-01-31

4. Excited for this podcast! - I’m a huge fan of Rabbi Fohrman and I’m beyond excited for this podcast. Only reason I gave this stars instead of is due to formatting. Less narrating and more conversation please! You don’t need all the cute music and narrative inserts. Either way I’ll be a devote listener, what an incredible opportunity to learn from Fohrman’s years of research and experience in the Torah.
2023-01-31

Every week, Ravi and Mara set aside quality time for learning the weekly parashah together. They call it “Torah Time” -- and you’re invited to learn along with them!

Release date: 2023-03-06

Welcome to Chutzpod! -- ancient texts for modern times. Chutzpod! is a weekly podcast in which Rabbi Shira Stutman, Joshua Malina, and honored guests bring a Jewish lens to life's toughest questions: Who do I want to be in this one life? How do we work to heal this broken world? And how, dear G-d, did gefilte fish become a thing? It's a podcast for people of all or no faiths; Hebrew school truants and proud yeshiva graduates; those who want to be inspired but don't want to schlep to synagogue; b...

Release date: 2023-03-03

Comments

1. Outstanding podcast - I started listening to this show about days ago, // and found the content to be extremely interesting, funny, knowledgeable, in lighting, uplifting and revenant. I’m years old, reform Jew in Michigan, I have two boys, and , my year old celebrated his Bar Mitzvah last January, we live in a fairly new neighborhood, one of our Rabbi’s is our neighbor and will turn her on to this show. I sent the shoe to my cousin in DC, friend in Chicago and another in Michigan, keep podcasting. I’ll try to listen to all, some days recent others when you started but I really love the way you two feed off one another. Thank you, Michael
2023-02-01

2. Wonderful - I’m not Jewish, just a big religion nerd and Joshua Malina fan. This podcast has deepened my understanding of my own religious texts, and the beliefs of my Jewish friends and neighbors. I have become better at my job as a Lutheran Christian Educator by listening to a Jewish podcast. If only we all took more time to learn from each other.
2023-01-06

3. A great way to end the week…or really anytime - R. Shira and Josh do a wonderful job addressing the weekly Torah portion and other relevant topics to Jews and truly anyone concerned with the bigger questions of life. Very often deeply insightful and always humorous, their back and forth banter is a weekly delight. And their interviews are simply delicious, like a perfectly sweet hamentashen (sorry, much better latkes) available year round. Give them a listen. Am sure you’ll be pleased.
2023-01-06

4. Love this podcast… mostly. - I mostly love this podcast very much. It’s funny and thoughtful and educational and irreverent, all at the right amount. But I was very out off by the conversation about Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haazmaut. To be clear, the guests were incredible and their insights and perspectives are important. But the approach to this conversation, the idea that it is controversial for Israelis to mourn their fallen or celebrate their independence and existence in our ancestral and indigenous homeland was infuriating. It’s frustrating that Jews, and Israelis in particular, are alone held to such an impossible high standard, that everything they do is criticized. And while I expect it from the outside world, to find it here from fellow Jews was heartbreaking. Give us these hours to mourn, honor and rejoice. Why is that so terrible?
2022-06-14

5. Josh Told Me To Say “It’s Pretty Good, And It’s Free” - Having loved “The West Wing Weekly”, and knowing the quality of conversation I could expect, I dived right into this podcast even though I am as goyish as it gets. I have to admit I know little about Judaism (beyond what I learned from Christian Old Testament when I was a kid at a UCC church), so this podcast serves as a unique educational experience for me. I love how the content and the conversations do more than just inform; they enlighten. This podcast reaffirms my belief that good people can exist anywhere, that open and kind conversation can do more than we think, and that god (lower case on purpose) isn’t exclusive. To date, the episode that opened my mind the most was about the golden calf. If you haven’t listened to that one yet, you’re in for a brain-melt. Thank you, Chutzpod!, for the excellent podcast!
2022-05-05

6. Needs to be longer! - I enjoy both the breadth and depth of the podcast. Rabbi Shira is, well, a Rabbi, complete with the knowledge and the teaching mindset that go with it. Josh is intelligent and articulate and pretty darn knowledgeable himself. (He did attend a yeshiva as a child, before he went to Yale). I just wish the episodes were a little bit longer, so that they could spend some time digging a little deeper.
2022-04-15

7. TuB’Shvat episode - If the holiday is a giant “sweep,” one holiday covering all the blessings needed for all the trees, why didn’t the rabbis devise this for other aspects of Jewish life? How about one holiday for food where all the brachot are taken care of at once for all the food we will eat all year? Thank you for the podcast!
2022-02-10

8. Funny and fulfilling!!! - I LOVE this podcast! I highly recommend it to everyone!! I am learning about Jewish teachings, looking at what I have learned from a different perspective. Josh Malina, as always, makes me laugh throughout and it’s just a feel good experience. My only gripe (not really a gripe) is with the name, although clever and very on point, Alexa doesn’t recognize it when I tell her to play the latest episode of Chutzpod! Nonetheless, it’s way worth manually playing it and I plan to be doing so for many, many episodes to come!
2022-02-07

9. LOVE this show! - It's funny, educational, soulfuo and heart felt. It's everything! I wasn't raised Jewish but my mother's family is, so I really appreciate learning about this fiath, which is part of my heritage, but also about another faith tradition that I've lived along side all my life but never took the time to delve deeper. I also enjoy the different segments and viewpoints and they way the hosts are willing even eager to go into contreversy. It is a valuable addition to the podcast universe.
2022-01-26

Whoever said history was boring clearly never heard these stories…Welcome to Jewish History Unpacked! Join hosts Yael and Schwab each week as they take a dive into some deep cuts of Jewish history. From the Jewish Da Vinci Code to mass suicide pacts, explore true stories that feel larger than life.

Release date: 2023-01-19

Comments

1. Great Listen - I love the format. I listen to this podcast when walking at : am and the discussion keeps me engaged and putting one foot in front of the other. I wish there was a more bulky library and look forward to more episodes. Makes me dig a little deeper after a listen and as a convert in progress, I definitely love the opportunity to absorb more on history and cultures.
2023-02-15

2. Not Jewish but I’d do enjoy the show. - I’m Hispanic and learning to live / worship very close to an orthodox Jew. Having come from the root of Christianity (no longer considering myself one ) I spend my worship as a Jew looking for the true meaning of the teachings of Yeshua ( Jesus) and rabbi Shaul (paul) Lots of questions on that episode could have brought insight into the true story but we all have to choose the path of seeking those answers vs telling a story for entertainment purposes. Keep up the work but if at all interested on the qs asked by the lady host they can point to the true and unfailing Jewish faith in the God of Israel by both Yeshua and Shaul. The answers can be heresy from the tails taught against them in Judaism and Christianity as well or a true enlightenment once understood from the historical cultural biblical and halackic Judaism perspective Blessings
2023-01-06

3. Hosts not experts - The hosts explain that they alternate researching different topics in history every week and their solid lack of knowledge on the topic they choose to discuss certainly reflects only - weeks worth of research. They comment on each other’s information in a trendy, breezy, style, but there is no substance to these comments - they don’t further the conversation or add depth to the conversation. I like the topics they have chosen so far, but if I’m spending my free time learning about history, I’ll get more information from an expert rather than from these two. I think their style would appeal to teenagers.
2022-12-07

Listen in as Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg analyze pressing issues for 21st century American Judaism. Mixing their own analysis with interviews of leading thinkers, practitioners, and even "regular Jews," Dan and Lex look to push past the bounds of what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century. You can support Judaism Unbound at www.JudaismUnbound.com/donate.

Release date: 2023-03-24

Comments

1. Educating and Liberating - As a “Jewishly inclined” person who has hesitated to formally convert only because of my less-than-traditional ideas, this podcast has taught me so much and helped me see that yes, there is ample room for divergent thinkers within Judaism. I am indebted to the Judaism Unbound team (and guests!) for enriching my understanding of many facets of Judaism and solidify my decision to convert. Looking forward to many more episodes!
2022-10-17

2. This podcast is so important - I found Judaism Unbound a couple years ago and have been desperately trying to catch up since then, I wish I had known about it sooner. Not because I am behind, but because it brings so much life and vibrancy to my thinking on such a broad range of topics and ways of being in the world. I notice that when I don’t listen to JU for a while, I often fall into old traps of “not Jewish enough” or “not doing Jewish right” or “don’t know enough to be really Jewish.” But as comes to a close I am reflecting on how my belief in those claims directly decreases in proportion to how much I listen to this podcast, and how frequently I can remember that exists as a place to validate such a myriad of ways of being Jewish. I strongly recommend this podcast to anyone feeling the least bit curious, fired up, alienated by, enraged by, in love with, despondent about, indifferent to, etc etc, the Judaisms you have come across, and want to explore a new way in. Thank you Dan and Lex for making a space for so many important conversations.
2021-12-27

3. My aha moment… - I have danced around the idea of Judaism/converting for years. It’s never been completely earnest, in all honesty. Nevertheless, my curiosity has been on the upslope as of late, and then..this. I inadvertently listened to episode , and in walks my aha moment. I wasn’t looking for this class or anything, but it found me right on time. This particular podcast really shines a spotlight on the broad depth of Judaism, and now I have that “itch” to want to know more, immerse myself, ingest more, etc., and I am very appreciative for this. Hidden gems!
2021-11-19

4. So pumped for shmita!! - I returned to this podcast a few weeks ago and I’ve been loving listening to the backlog. I’ve especially connected to the unit on trans Jews. It was really cool to hear several of my role models talk about trans experience and Judaism in such empowering and healing ways. I’m really excited for the seasonal units on Elul and Shmita!!
2021-08-16

5. A Jewish Lifeline - I’ve had negative family experiences related to Judaism. I’ve had family members tell me I was too Jewish and others reject me for being not being Jewish enough. As a year old man, I still feel very anxious around my identity. But this podcast highlights that I’m not alone. Thank you.
2021-05-07

6. Jewish adaptations - Still wanted to leave a comment that you are my favorite Jewish podcast still! Love how in-depth your team is going into each subject. My second reason for leaving a review is because I’m finding the need for adaptation within Jewish practice very relevant right now with the spread of the corona virus. My shul just shut down Saturday Shabbat services, sent out a video of our shpiel and other unusual practices. Perhaps you guys are thinking about this but thought I would bring it up. Thanks for al the work you do!
2020-03-13

7. Suddenly my favorite podcast - Such inspiring and provocative conversations that touch on what it is to be a person, to form intentional community, to brave a changing world with an understanding of the past that envisions a future both intentional and flexible. I’m glad I started listening late in the game because any day I want to be inspired to new thoughts and action, I have hundreds of episodes to choose from. I’m a two-years-in-the-making Jewish convert, and of all the material I’ve sought out in this time (books, podcasts, and more), Judaism Unbound shines brightest. Not only do I learn so much about the Jewish world and Jewish ways of thinking both cultural and spiritual - I feel welcome to participate and engage with these ideas and communities. Everything Dan, Lex, and their guests discuss truly inspires me and I hungrily listen every chance I get.
2019-09-11

8. I’m in/amen - Really appreciated the last four episodes on disorganized Judaism, and especially the unit wrap. Such a fascinating conversation. As a day school head in SF, this is literally my community—the vanguard of Jewish identity in so many ways. I’m grateful for the thought-provoking engagement.
2019-08-29

9. Wow I am loving Judaism Unbound! - This podcast gives you an insight into modern Jewish thought. For me it has opened my mind up to what it means to be Jewish and it has given me hope that Judaism is going to continue to be a faith that shapes our world. Keep doing what you're doing guys. I love this podcast!
2018-11-05

10. Engaging Dvars from Reform Jewish Leader - Rabbi Rick Jacobs is the president of the Reform Jewish movements preeminent organization the URJ. He is both an intellectual powerhouse and a gifted communicator. The next best thing to hearing him in person is this podcast series. He discusses the moral and ethical issues that are raised in each week's Torah portion. Not only does he make them relevant for today, but Rabbi Jacobs easily calls upon the history of Jewish thought from the Talmud through Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. And if that were not enough, each podcast is a concise to minutes long. Few deep thinkers are able to deliver so much in a short time.
2018-10-27

11. Boundless imagination and insight - I have been listening to this podcast for a few months now -- and going back to listen to some of the many episodes I missed. The guests cover a wide spectrum within the Jewish world, from well-known writers and rabbis to lesser- or unknown mavericks and seekers. The hosts are intelligent and curious, searching for meaning and depth in the Jewish heritage as we collectively recreate it anew (as it has been recreated many times before), moving forward now in the st century, diverse Jews among the gloriously diverse streams of world humanity. No political or spiritual topic is off-limit for discussion, from Israel/Palestine to the nature of God. Critiques enter and have their needed place but the focus is on vision and pathways forward, with questions (the Jewish way), and wonder, and love.
2018-09-05

12. Big-hearted Jewish love - I started out this podcast tentatively but I've listened to every episode. These guys crack open the reality that none of us Jews really know what the hell is going on, and we're not really cool with that. Their guests are at the top of their game for Jewish innovation, and I feel newly liberated to shake up my own alienated dissatisfaction with Judaism as it is by creating new ways of being and doing. Keep up the good work, guys. This podcast is the closest to the synagogue that I have.
2018-06-06

13. Wonderful! - I’ve been listening to Judaism Unbound since episode one, and it has aged like a fine wine, getting more complex and delicious with the passing time. I often pull ideas for sermons and teachings out of the episodes, and have been so excited about some episodes (like the most recent series on Reform Judaism), that I feel compelled to share the links from Congregation Ner Shalom’s Facebook page and encourage more regular listeners. As Judaism and Jewish communities continue to evolve in the st century, it is clear that Judaism Unbound will help lead Jewish media into this new era!
2017-11-16

14. Share these podcasts with friends - These are superb podcasts that should be required listening for Jews of all hues. We put our money where our mouth is by linking to the Judaism Unbound homepage from our homepage at FigTreeBooks.net. We urge all to share on FB and post on Twitter. They are tackling the most important Jewish issues of the day and the relevance for younger audiences cannot be overestimated.
2017-07-11

15. Thumbs up from this Jew by Choice - As a Jew by choice I am always looking for ways to connect, to learn and to integrate Judaism into my somewhat secular life. This podcast is key for me. I find it stimulating on both a spiritual and intellectual level. I'm grateful for the conversations had here and the manner in which they are had!
2017-06-23

16. My Judaism unbound is a realized Messianic Experience - I've been listening for over a year. I always hear you guys get halfway there "people are leaving Judaism because ....." and for me I'm always yelling out "because you don't see our Jewish messiah, the one on the cross who liberated us from the chains of the oral law and traditions" listen I'm not talking about Christianity and their pagan roman Hellenistic cultural system. I'm talking messianic Judaism, it's so liberating. I wish you would cover this as a legitimate form of Judaism - a Judaism that was unbound years ago. I personally do not do Christmas or Easter, we follow the biblical high holy days and embrace you all as our brothers with love. Come to us and we will come to you and together we can unbind the millions out there where Judaism has failed for them. I believe Christianity is experiencing the same exodus, I believe people are leaving Judaism and Christianity and coming to the middle holding up the Torah and holding up the cross
2017-06-09

17. Essential - This podcast is required listening for anyone exploring how to maintain and enliven Judaism as we move through thest century. A listening group for synagogue members or boards of directors of Jewish organizations would be a great use of the podcast though I just listen while walking the dog!
2017-03-05

18. Just what I've been looking for - This podcast is exactly what I've been looking for. It asks beautiful, deep and important questions. All surrounding the theme of "why/how to be Jewish today". It has illuminated to me so many new and people, companies and programs that share my same interest and investigation of Jewish identity, ritual and culture. Simply the best. Also, if you listen to it at "x" speed it makes it even better!
2017-01-22

Thoughtful debate elevates us all. In For Heaven’s Sake, Donniel Hartman, Yossi Klein Halevi, and Elana Stein Hain revive the Jewish art of constructive discussion on topics related to political and social trends in Israel, Israel-Diaspora relations, and the collective consciousness of being Jewish.

Release date: 2023-03-15

Comments

1. What a special chevra - As an Orthodox Jew I feel truly blessed to be a listener. And while I may not agree with everything the thoughts expressed are genuine and informative. I reco this podcast to all serious Jewish thinkers and not so serious!! The last episode, ‘Pogrom in Hawara’ is over the top with emotion. All speakers are incredibly poignant. But, oy vey, what a problem we Jews have gotten ourselves in!
2023-03-08

2. Democracy? - How can it be said that the Israeli government was elected by a majority of the people? Did the current PM win a majority of the vote, did his party win a majority of the vote, did the coalition win a majority of the vote? My understanding is that the answer is no to all three questions. Wait until the next election? If the government’s plan is to eliminate the role of the courts then they could pass a law to end elections.
2023-01-21

3. Intelligent - I find this podcast filled with intelligent conversation about varying subjects that are happening in the world and Judaism - the two are separate. I do not always agree with the various opinions that are presented, but I find it important to allow the dialogue to take place. For some it will enlighten their perspective, for others it will confirm their beliefs and for others it will prove why they disagree with such thoughts from their fellow Jews. However the most important part of the podcast is that a discussion is taking place and each listener is growing in his or her viewpoint.
2022-11-26

4. Even the music hit a chord! - The discussion about the future of Liberalism in Israel did more than “tap” my left chord. It allowed me to consider the inner voices in a coherent manner; a deep melancholy as to the ability of Israel to seek notes of commonality. This podcast, the institute, is more important than ever. Amidst despair, I have a heard a glimmer of hope that Israel will begin to seek an essential dialogue on ideas (not idolised personalities) wherever moderation….whatever that means…exists. My optimism has not been extinguished just significantly dampened.
2022-11-23

5. on “the antisemitism we tolerate” edition - While I do appreciate your coverage of the attack on two Bar and one Bat Mitzvah celebrants at the wall by Haredim, you leave out misogyny! The haredim have been violent toward women praying at the wall for decades. You cannot analyze the problem and not mention women in an hourlong discussion.
2022-07-15

The world is made up of a lot of people. Follow this podcast for conversations with some of the most amazing individuals. We discuss how they face challenges, how they got to where they are now and what makes them tick.

Release date: 2023-03-18

Comments

1. Yaakov is really special - The Langers in general are super talented, as someone who grew up a block from them- I just never knew just how gifted they are. Yaakov is really unbelievable, I started traveling a lot and I make sure not to get on a plane without ensuring his podcast is downloaded. I really enjoy his guests and the questions are super smart. Kudos!
2022-09-14

2. Yaakov Langer Does it Again - I discovered this podcast a few weeks ago and am hooked. Yaakov does a great job finding highly inspiring and impressive people, and facilitating the conversation in the right way to draw out lessons and anecdotes in a real way. I’ve learned so much already and am excited to see what else is down the pike.
2022-09-08

3. Keep on inspiring and making us Smile!! - Yaakov… Much continued success in all your creativity Together with your wife Gitta & adorable son!! You’re talented and so enjoy watching & listening to all your podcasts!! Best of all… A close friends of our boys are close friends of ours… And you called me MOM…WOW!!
2022-08-30

4. INCREDIBLE - This podcast is really inspirational! A friend of mine recommended this show, so I listed to one episode, and ever since I don’t miss a single episode. The episodes are so informative, inspirational, and get me thinking all the time. The speakers are always someone to be admired, and the host really keeps thing entertaining. I truly feel this podcast has strengthened my spirituality and connection to Hashem! Thank you!
2022-08-26

5. Phenomenal Podcast - Yaakov Langer is a master interviewer, and chooses fantastic guests! I was sad when I saw that he left the Meaningful People Podcast (though his replacement, Momo Bauman, is also fantastic), but super excited when I found out why! Could not recommend this podcast more. Also, a recommendation for a guest: Rabbi Tovia Singer is someone who is absolutely changing the world and bringing Mashiach. He’s super entertaining and funny, but also someone who deeply cares about all human beings, and spreading the truth of yiddishkeit. His main goal is fighting against the teachings of Christianity, and their distortion of the Torah, but he does so with such love and genuine concern for Christians and all other people, not out of hate. Many people have become either Jewish or b’nei Noach because of him. I highly recommend getting him on the show!
2022-07-28

An inside view of how Israel can warm your heart and make your blood boil. It’s a show by a journalist, a professor and an NGO professional who live in and love Israel even though it drives them crazy, and who each week discuss the latest in Israeli politics, culture, and society.

Release date: 2023-03-23

Comments

1. Just A Newbee - I just started to listen to this podcast, but I already shared some of it with my friends and family, a good sign. I like it very much and will continue to listen to it and share my reaction to it in future episodes. Every episode is clever, so articulate, funny, just pure delight. I listen to it while taking my morning mile walk and mile walk with my lovely dog, Max. This podcast makes my walks a delight, something to look forward to, rather than dread. I love you guys. Keep on being the way you are on this terrific program. Loved the Dana International edition. Would love more of the same. I rate it AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
2023-03-03

2. The Best - By far my favorite podcast, and not just those about Israel or Judaism or Jewishness. My favorite of all. There is heart, humor, thoughtfulness, sadness, joy, indignance, love — every episode is an exploration of the incredible tapestry of politics, personalities, art, culture, history, religion, and humanness that makes Israel the country it is. I learn something, I laugh, I roll my eyes, and I usually cry at least once while listening, which I’ve realized is the ultimate compliment. Thank you to Noah Efron and his cohosts for keeping me tethered to the home of my heart in such an honest and warm way. A thousand stars!
2022-07-11

3. Excellent Show - I feel like i am listening to thoughtful friends talking about what its like to live in Israel. Topics are politics, culture, and personal small pleasures of of living in Israel. I started listening to this show after having visited Israel. It helps flesh out the pain and pleasure of being a Jewish citizen of this complicated country.
2022-06-21

4. for the children who no longer read - someone needs to translate this obscure phrase for the government: Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.
2022-06-16

5. You’re just too good to be truuuueee - Can’t take my ears off of youuuuuuu You are like heaven to heaaaar Won’t be back next week, I feeeaaar This week’s new show has arriiiived And I thank G-d I’m aliiiive You’re just too good to be truuuee Can’t take my ears off of youuuu Buhhh dah buhhh dah buhhh dah dah dahhhh baduhhhh dah buhhhh dah DAAHHHH Ok, though. Honestly it’s an amazing podcast (and I listen to a lot of podcasts so boy would I know). Noah is the glue that holds it all together. I love his unabashedly pointless verbal pyrotechnics, his zany on-air persona. It reminds me of Kinbote from Pale Fire. And the other side of Noah: sincere, humble (that’s just how he was raised), intellectually rigorous, willing to give the benefit of the doubt, always willing to engage with someone who disagrees deeply with him, and willing to stand by his opinion even if he’s outnumbered just because he thinks it is morally right (and always able to reconsider and change of it is warranted). The man deserves his own show! And then there’s the rest of the crew, bringing contrasting personalities, experiences, and different perspectives in. I’m always excited about I see who will be on. That said, there is no voice from the exact center or right of center. They’re all leftists (sometimes off the deep end), so just know what to expect when you turn on an episode. The podcast might actually benefit and grow with some intellectuals from the other side. Just sayin’! The rhythm of the show, with all the lines and in-jokes that repeat from episode to episode always make it feel like joking with an old friend. Noah knows what he is doing! Keep it up!
2022-05-13

6. Only five stars? - Anyone who has listened to this remarkable podcast may wonder, like me, why only five stars can be awarded when the podcast deserves at least twice as many. If you aren’t able to immigrate to Israel but want to learn an insider’s view of what it’s like to live in the the country, you’ll welcome the erudite and thoughtful voices that give listeners of this show the depth and understanding of some of the most complex issues facing the country today. It’s like attending a graduate seminar with discussions and debates on Israeli history and culture, literature, Middle East politics, Palestinian relations, Zionism and often includes heartwarming personal stories of life in Israel, family histories, and even the reasons why Tel Aviv is the best city in the world to live in. Thank you Noah and Alison, Miriam, Don, Ohad and Sally for bringing Israel to those of us who aren’t able to live there but who love it all the same. -Bruce Black
2022-03-15

7. Inspiring - I'm not particularly interested in Judaism or Israel but I look forward to this podcast each week. I always listen to it as soon as it comes out because I so enjoy the atmosphere, the musical writing, and the respectful debate among intelligent friends. Most amazingly, it's inspired me to start writing myself, about my own interests but in -hopefully- the wordplayful style that Noah's prose has taught me. Thank you for the work that goes into making this art.
2022-01-09

8. there are million stories in the sacred country - An intelligent, informative, and engaging podcast that, in each episode, tells a few of the millions of stories of Israel, with a regular dose of dad humor courtesy of the host (he might not like to brag, but he is a dad). The stories are often fascinating and ones you would not know about from the mainstream media. The musical interludes between segments are a great way to learn about new musical talents. And the end notes inform about odd annual celebrations you probably never imagined existed. The podcast does lean strongly left, as some critics have noted, and includes occasional absurdly nasty screeds by guest hosts (though even they have stories worth hearing). Thus, it's not surprising to see positive reviews of the podcast's politics from members of far-left Israel-hating orgs like IfNotNow. Thankfully, Noah respects the humanity of all, not just of like-minded Leninists, and, as a yeshiva-educated an observant person, feels the millenia-old indesctructible bond between Jews and the land of Israel; a pity he doesn't express it more.
2021-11-08

9. My favorite podcast - Listening to this podcast has motivated me to get out of bed for my long runs early on Sunday mornings for over a year now (Like Noah, I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve listened to the show now over hundreds of miles across DC and suburban Maryland). Its nuanced and informative take to Israel is what I most look forward to in podcasts each week and I always learn new things about the country and its culture — especially its music!
2021-08-22

10. Getting better and better each week - I know Noah, the main host, would like me to say something pedantically and intellectually profound here. Instead I will offer basic praise that The Promised Podcast is my most welcomed podcast each week - I always, always learn new perspectives that shape my own viewpoint about living in Israel as an Oleh Chadsash. You see, I do live here and it can be beautiful. And I live among Israelis and they can be beautiful. And the news and the politics and the food and the culture - it’s all around me and it’s obviously non stop. But it’s % in Hebrew and that my friends is a wee problem. Solution? This podcast which helps me decipher what I see and what I hear but cannot understand. Thank you team. Highly recommend this podcast whether you live in Israel or abroad, whether you’re Jewish or not. Highly enjoyable if you simply enjoy and appreciate fine, nuanced, intelligent banter about a usually always exciting roster of current events and sometimes, “Oh what a country” segments that honestly, have the power to make you weep. Side note: can the young guy contributor please stop being such an angry young man and stop being so contrarian ? Life would be nicer for all of us :).
2021-08-05

11. Engaging & Balanced View of Israel - I would not paint this podcast as liberal or conservative. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the nuanced approach this team of thinkers takes. They are knowledgeable, thoughtful and passionately concerned with the details and technical aspects of reality. Identity politics Americans will struggle with this, as they need paint everyone with a L or C brush. Not so the promised podcast which is actually interested in reality over ideology. I’m loving this podcast, I’m sorry I only heard about it recently!
2021-08-03

12. Comforting Chatter - As a guy who used to live in Tel Aviv, this podcast is a wonderful bridge back to my favorite city by the sea. For some reason I can now recite Alison Kaplan Sommers biography by heart (Simon Rockower award) and have grown to love the host’s (humble guy, doesn’t like to boast) border-line ‘Micro Machines guy’ voice and podcasting style. Until the pandemic eases - and I’m allowed back to the promised land - The promised podcast is a wonderful way to feel connected with Israel.
2021-07-29

13. Building community now! - I’ve been listening to this podcast for or years from Chicago. I’m eternally grateful for the insight, humor and friendship shared with us living outside of Israel. When I listen I feel so connected to my community, my Israel- progressive and thoughtful Israelis. Especially now I am deeply grateful!!
2021-05-18

14. Review - Used to look forward every week to the podcast. Has become difficult to listen to since inviting Sally to the group of talking heads. I thought that Allison offered enough of the liberal incendiary agenda, that there was no need for another to balance the mainstream viewpoints. Sally’s angry diatribes add nothing to the podcast. I will be unsubscribing.
2021-05-13

15. Love this podcast! - I look forward every week to the new episode dropping. The balance of information and opinion, delivered with humor and compassion, always provides insight into the issues of the day in Israel. And then there’s the hidden gem at the end of each episode - the “What a Country” segment that provides a personal look into the lives of the hosts.
2021-03-13

16. Must Subscribe - Astronomers estimate that there are ten billion billion stars in the universe…and if Apple Podcasts didn't limit the number of stars to five, I would give the Promised Podcast a ten billion billion star rating. The Promised Podcast is a Must Subscribe for anyone interested in keeping up with what's going on in Israel. I follow the news from Israel very closely and my appetite for current information on Israeli culture, politics, religion, science, and numerous other topics would not be satisfied without my weekly dose of The Promised Podcast!
2020-10-27

17. Enigmatic - I don’t mean to boast, that’s not how I was raised, but my partner and I have a spreadsheet with Ohad’s contradictory views on it. We love and are fascinated by him. How can he so easily believe something one week and another thing the next? He’s fascinating. Obviously Noah, Don, Allison, and now Miriam are incredible, but Ohad is an enigma, impossible to pin down. And thus I listen to the Promised, to try and make sense of my conspiracy cork-board titled Ohad Zeltzer-Zubida.
2020-10-24

18. Promise podcast - Your history lesson in a style of prose that is so very you. My daughter is now an Israeli citizen, she has serve in the IDF. Like you she shares the love of her new country yet at the same time she feels the sense of dispair that you are experiencing. I long for the songs of peace I long for the voice of peace. I hear the faint voice of peace in the distance I hope In my lifetime the , strong in what is now Rabin Square will create the movement needed to make change To make peace.
2020-08-09

19. The promised podcast - I listen to this podcast regularly though not religiously. I don’t mean to boast, that’s not how I was raised, but I do know Noah and Don from our youth in YJ together. Unlike them, I live in the States and enjoy their prognostications about all that goes wrong or makes them smile weekly in Israel. Just listened to Noah’s story of Shir L’Shalom. I assume it was just a way to manage August vacations for Don and Alison. It was very different than typical episode and a great change of pace. Very well written and delivered. Loved it.
2020-08-08

20. Song of Peace show August best yet - I’ll be honest. As an American expat I listen to this pod regularly while walking my dog in Tel Aviv. I rarely finish it because I find it a bit annoying. The info is fine, it just rambles on. All this to say that the single story show about the famous Shir Hashalom song was extremely well done and beautifully written. The show about the song did the song justice. For those of us who were at the famous peace now rally, who listened to the voice of peace, there were many illuminating moments. I for one suggest more of these shows. Standing O is in order.
2020-08-07

21. Israel, heartstrings tugging, and some of the best wordplay on the web - Now, I don’t mean to brag- that’s not how I was raised- but I’ve been listening to “The Promised Podcast” for five years now, well ahead of peak podcast popularity. After listening for so long I already know that no matter how much I may look forward to hearing a new episode as soon as it drops every Thursday, listening in public runs a high risk of making a fool of myself by laughing loudly, crying, or even doing both at the same time. Today’s episode (//), through, really broke me down - nothing else really gets at the guts of our glorious but infinitely complicated country like this podcast does. Thank you חברה
2020-06-05

22. Wonderful insights on Israeli life and politics - Noah and team help us in the Diaspora understand what Israeli's are thinking about in Israel and elsewhere. The topics are always carefully laid out with needed context. Always whimsical and fun, and a great source of interesting Israeli music. Only wish is to tighten the discussions and keep the show under an hour.
2020-02-10

23. Best. Podcast. Ever. Get the heartbeat of TLV! - I’m a Jewish American who wants to keep an ear to the heartbeat of Israel and this podcast is, simply put, the best way. It not only delivers the heartbeat of Tel Aviv and Israel generally very well, but does so in a fun, entertaining and intelligent way! It gives a real sense of the week-to-week in Israeli life. Hearing what is happening in Israel or related to Israeli politics/the biggest - items this week, plus a good conversation around what to think around that news from really smart TLV individuals, mostly left-leaning (just a little ;) ) but always giving as balanced of an opinion as possible. Noah (the main host & preparer of content) brings in great music every week, and anecdotes that make my heart smile.(I try not to laugh out loud when in public ). Every episode has perfect cute starts and ends, and the of the cohosts share with us all special windows into their world from the week that they want to take into the next, onward and upward. As so, I hope this podcast continues, every week, onward and upward. Thanks!!
2020-02-07