Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

Hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with journalist and friend, Haviv Rettig Gur to talk about what lies ahead for Israel. They discuss the many challenges Israel faces, including a regional war with new technologies, the fate of the hostages still in Gaza, an uncertain geopolitical future and deep internal divisions. Haviv, Mijal and Noam address Israel's relationship with American Jews at a time when American Jewish identity is also evolving. On this Simchat Torah, which marks one year since the Hamas attack according to the Jewish calendar, they reflect on the role of Jewish tradition after October 7th and the need to embrace difference to foster Jewish unity.

Books by Micah Goodman

Jonathan Haidt The Righteous Mind

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

In this episode of Wondering Jews, Noam and Mijal dive into the themes of joy and happiness through the lens of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. They explore the paradox of a festival centered on joy amidst life’s impermanence, discussing how the temporary structure of the sukkah reminds us of what truly brings happiness: relationships, community, and purpose. Along the way, they share personal confessions from their high school reading lists, memories of joyful moments, and reflections on how to balance joy with the realities of the modern world. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about how Jewish traditions offer timeless lessons on finding joy, even in challenging times.

Mijal Bitton: Committed by Mijal Bitton  | Substack

Martin Seligman: Pursuit of Happiness

Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (Harvard study on happiness): The Good Life

Noam Weissman's Jewish Journal article about Sukkot: Living in the Joy of Sukkot

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

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Hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with Israeli journalist and survivor of October 7th, Amir Tibon, in a special episode commemorating the anniversary of the Hamas attack. Tibon is the author of a new book, The Gates of Gaza, that tells the story of the attack on kibbutz Nahal Oz. In their conversation, Tibon reflects on the harrowing experience hiding in a safe room with his wife and two young children and their incredible rescue aided by Tibon's 62-year-old father. The discussion focuses on the importance of storytelling to preserve the memory of October 7th, the ongoing challenges Israel faces and the need to bring back the hostages. Tibon's story inspired Mijal and Noam to reflect on grief, courage, and a renewed commitment by Jews to support one another.

The Gates of Gaza

One Day in October

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

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Hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman are back to reflect on the emotional complexity of this year’s High Holidays. They explore the tension between joy and grief during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and share insights from Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig. Mijal and Noam discuss how moments of collective solidarity, faith, and love for the Jewish people coexist with the pain and theological questions that arise during times of crisis. Join Mijal and Noam for a deeply thoughtful and heartfelt conversation in the first episode of the new season.

Rabbi Rosensweig's letter can be found here.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Unpacking Israeli History

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Since Oct. 7, the Jewish world has been collectively mourning — especially for the hostages still held captive in Gaza. Last week, we received the tragic news that six hostages had been cruelly murdered after surviving for nearly 11 months in captivity. In this episode of Wondering Jews, Mijal reflects on this deep loss and explores her personal feelings surrounding faith and loss, touching on tough questions of justice and divine intervention, wondering how such suffering can occur to those who loved and fought for their families. 

The article that Mijal references in this episode can be found here.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Wondering Jews is on a short hiatus. We’re taking off for the rest of August and September and coming back for the High Holidays. We love hearing from you so be sure to email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail, at (833) WON-JEWS.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

In this episode, Mijal and Noam are joined by special guest Rabbi Joe Schwartz, director of Makom, the Israel Education Laboratory of the Jewish Agency. They explore the complexities of Jewish identity, Zionism, and the evolving relationship between Israel and the global Jewish community, particularly in light of the events of October 7th. The discussion includes the challenges of bridging the gap between American Jewry and Israel, the implications of Israel's rightward political shift, and personal reflections on what it means to be a Zionist today.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Unpacking Israeli History

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Join Noam and Mijal as they explore the significance of Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning for the Jewish people. They discuss its historical roots, including the destruction of the two Temples and other calamities that befell the Jewish people on this day. Through personal reflections and discussions, they address how internal divisions within the Jewish community played a role in these tragedies and share their thoughts on the current state of Jewish unity. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about mourning, introspection, and the importance of fostering unity within the Jewish community.

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In this episode, Noam and Mijal are joined by returning guest Haviv Rettig Gur to discuss current events unfolding in Israel. The conversation dives into the recent Hezbollah attack that killed 12 Druze children, the potential escalation in the north, Ismail Haniyeh's assassination, and the internal turmoil in Israel, including an incident involving alleged abuse by IDF soldiers.

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Unpacking Israeli History

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If you had to pick just one educational experience, would it be... camp? Join Mijal and Noam as they chat with Mac Lindner, Director of Camp Young Judaea - Texas, about how Jewish summer camps shape identity. They'll explore whether camps should be considered a key part of education and how they've changed recently, especially since October 7th.

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In this week's episode, Mijal and Noam discuss the growing polarization and hostility between Republicans and Democrats. With the two sides feeling more divided than ever before, join us as we wonder on how we can use Jewish wisdom to bridge the gap, moving away from the hostility of today and working towards a future of reunification and respect.

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Join us for a special conversation with Chloe Valdary, founder of Theory of Enchantment, a New York-based organization that has arisen as an alternative to the DEI model, and fights against racism and bigotry by teaching love. Chloe delves into her respectful approach to societal conflict as it relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, antisemitism and social media. Chloe, Noam and Mijal dive into a thought provoking discussion about paths to peace - and whether or not Chloe believes it is even possible to achieve.

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This Fourth of July, Mijal reflects on what America means to her as an immigrant from Uruguay. Through her personal history, she delves into the powerful ideals that make America a beacon of hope for millions: liberty, equality, and democracy. Reflecting on the current political landscape and the troubling rise of antisemitism, Mijal examines the discrepancy between America's foundational ideals and its present realities.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Judaism impacts each and every person differently. Embark on a heartfelt journey with Mijal and Noam as they delve into the heart of Jewish tradition and explore what makes Judaism so special to them. From Jewish law and Shabbat to the supportive bonds of community, they reveal the enduring beauty and significance of Judaism in their lives.

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Can ChatGPT answer Jewish legal questions? Can Siri provide spiritual guidance? Will AI replace rabbis? Mijal and Noam discuss the evolving role of rabbis and whether artificial intelligence can replace or supplement these roles. They explore various responsibilities of rabbis, such as providing information, teaching, offering care and support, making decisions, and serving as role models. 

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What does your cultural heritage mean to you? Join Mijal and Noam for a personal discussion about the differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish communities. They explore topics like prayer, religious traditions, and the unique experiences of Sephardic Jews in America and Israel while addressing the challenges of maintaining a strong sense of identity while integrating into wider communities.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Unpacking Israeli History

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Few holidays in Israel are as complex as Yom Yerushalayim. Mijal and Noam explore the significance of Yom Yerushalayim, reflecting on the Six-Day War, the reunification of Jerusalem, and its complex personal and national meanings. They discuss the celebrations, the diverse perspectives within Israeli society, and the ongoing impact on Jewish identity and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

What does Zionism mean to you? What does it mean to the Jewish people and the world at large? Noam and Mijal welcome special guest journalist Haviv Rettig Gur to delve into the history of Zionism as a means of survival for the Jewish people while pondering Western and Palestinian misunderstandings of Zionism. Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode about self determination, resilience, and Jewish identity.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Unpacking Israeli History

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Faith is a complicated topic — one that many people struggle with. But what do Jewish philosophers say about faith? And how does Judaism approach belief in God? In this thought-provoking episode, Mijal and Noam discuss the challenges of maintaining faith with questions such as “Can you be Jewish and not believe in God?” and “What is the meaning of emunah”?

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

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Mijal and Noam delve into the complexities of the Pro-Palestinian student encampments, student activism, the emotional and social dynamics within these movements, and the broader implications for Jewish identity and community.

Letter from Columbia students

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living