Episodios

  • Raw Reflections on 12-Days That Changed Everything

    Raw Reflections on 12-Days That Changed Everything
    Jun 25 2025
    Mijal and Noam break down the emotional and spiritual aftermath of the last twelve days of war that mainstream media is missing. Moving beyond geopolitical analysis, they explore what it means to hold space for empathy—toward both Israelis carrying the trauma of October 7th and Iranians suffering under authoritarian rule. Plus, real-time updates from their Israeli team dodging missile warnings while trying to work.What sparked the most reflection for you during these 12 days? And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews and check us out on Youtube: Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    11 m
  • From Spies to Zionists: What the Torah Teaches us about Courage Today

    From Spies to Zionists: What the Torah Teaches us about Courage Today
    Jun 20 2025
    Noam and Mijal pause the punditry and explore how ancient biblical wisdom offers profound guidance for navigating the uncertainty, fear, and complexity of today’s Jewish moment. In this special, bonus episode, they dive into the weekly Torah portion of Shlach—the story of the scouts in the Book of Numbers to help think through the chaos facing Israel today. Michael Walzer's Exodus and Revolution Here is a link to Mijal's Substack: https://mijal.substack.com/ Yaakov Katz's post on his journey back to Israel: https://x.com/yaakovkatz/status/1934571174060532198 Please get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    30 m
  • On the Ground in Tel Aviv during a Historic Week with Rabbi Joe Schwartz

    On the Ground in Tel Aviv during a Historic Week with Rabbi Joe Schwartz
    Jun 18 2025
    Mijal and Noam sit down with Rabbi Joe Schwartz in Tel Aviv as Israel faces an unprecedented war with Iran. With missiles falling and sirens wailing, Joe shares what life looks like on the ground—from parenting under fire to the emotional toll of global Jewish silence and solidarity. Together, they explore the theological, political, and deeply personal stakes of this moment, discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s surprising shift in tone, and reflect on what this war means for the collective Jewish future. It’s a raw and intimate conversation about fear, resilience, peoplehood, and the existential power of Zionism. Click here to watch the video of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemning cheers over the deadly strike in Tamra (in Hebrew) Here is a translation of Netanyahu's statement. Here are a few links to donate now, including recommendations from OpenDor Media's staff: https://oujlic.org/good-for-the-world/donate/ https://israelrescue.org/donate/ thechesedfund.com https://www.gobidud.com Please get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    50 m
  • Facing an Existential Threat: Why Israel Struck Iran Now with Yaakov Katz

    Facing an Existential Threat: Why Israel Struck Iran Now with Yaakov Katz
    Jun 13 2025
    In this urgent crossover episode of Wondering Jews and Unpacking Israeli History, Noam Weissman is joined by military analyst and author Yaakov Katz to break down Israel’s unprecedented airstrike on Iranian nuclear and military targets. As events unfold in real time, they explore the historical roots, strategic timing, and existential stakes of the operation—drawing connections to Israel’s past strikes in Iraq (1981) and Syria (2007). From Mossad tactics to regional geopolitics, this episode offers crucial insight into a defining moment for Israel, Zionism, and Jewish survival. Update: War with Iran is ongoing, including a wave of ballistic missiles launched at Israel following this recording. Click ⁠here⁠ to read more about Yaakov Katz and his work. Yaakov Katz is the author of books, including: ⁠ Shadow Strike, Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power ⁠ and ⁠ While Israel Slept ⁠with Amir Bohbot. Correction: Ayatollah Khomeini was the revolutionary founder of Iran. Please get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    36 m
  • War, Grief, and Zionism: A Conversation with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter

    War, Grief, and Zionism: A Conversation with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter
    Jun 11 2025
    In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Noam and Mijal are joined by Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. and grieving father of Major Moshe Yedidya Leiter, z”l, who fell in Gaza after October 7th. Together, they confront hard questions: What does it mean to lead while grieving? How does one reconcile faith and sacrifice in wartime? Together, they explore the importance of dissent and ask when does criticism cross a line? And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    52 m
  • Zionism and Anti-Zionism: Defining Our Terms (Re-release)

    Zionism and Anti-Zionism: Defining Our Terms (Re-release)
    Jun 4 2025
    Mijal and Noam revisit their conversation about Zionism, anti-Zionism, and Jewish identity—framed by the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington D.C. Together, they debate whether anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic, whether all criticism of Israel qualifies as anti-Zionist, and how to define terms like “Zionism” in different contexts—academically, personally, or communally. ⁠Herzl's Der Judenstaat Please Note: The updated introduction to this episode was recorded before the antisemitic attack at the hostage rally in Boulder, Colorado. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    37 m
  • BONUS Shavuot Learning: Ruth's Quiet Revolution with Rabbi Joe Wolfson and Mijal

    BONUS Shavuot Learning: Ruth's Quiet Revolution with Rabbi Joe Wolfson and Mijal
    May 29 2025
    Mijal was so inspired by her conversation with Noam on the meaning of Shavuot that she decided to dive even deeper in this bonus episode on the Book of Ruth (Megillat Rut). Mijal is is joined by her original podcast partner, Rabbi Joe Wolfson. Together, they explore the Book of Ruth, its profound relevance for today’s Jewish world—especially in the wake of October 7 and ongoing challenges in Israel and the diaspora. This conversation is a perfect way to kick off Shavuot, a holiday deeply connected to learning and the study of Torah. Here's a link to Mijal and Rabbi Joe's podcast, Downtown Drash: And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    56 m
  • More than Just Cheesecake: Why Shavuot Is the Most Underrated Holiday

    More than Just Cheesecake: Why Shavuot Is the Most Underrated Holiday
    May 28 2025
    Mijal and Noam explore why Shavuot often feels like the “forgotten” Jewish holiday. Is it just about cheesecake, or is there a deeper reason it remains overlooked? They dive into the biblical origins of Shavuot, its transformation from an agricultural celebration to the festival of receiving the Torah, and the profound (and countercultural) themes of divine commandment and covenant. Whether you’ve celebrated Shavuot for decades or are learning about it for the first time, this episode invites you to reframe the holiday as a powerful moment of sacred obligation and spiritual awakening. Here are the links to the books and podcasts discussed in the episode: ⁠Believe: Why Everyone Should be Religious ⁠ by Ross Ross Douthat Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity by Abraham Joshua Heschel Ruth Ch 3 - At the Threshing Floor Alex Israel, The Tanakh Podcast Reading Ruth by Leon Kass And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠
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    29 m