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Jewish Learning
A Wide-Open Conversation with Jonah Platt and Joe Alterman
Join Jonah Platt for a wide-open conversation about growing up Jewish and the influence it has had on his career,
How can Jewish communities–and Judaism–thrive in our tumultuous age? with Andrés Spokoiny and Nadine Epstein
Andrés Spokoiny and Nadine Epstein discuss what Spokoiny calls “hyper-empowered” individuals seeking new ways to connect and come together, and discuss what Jewish leaders must do to ensure a Jewish future.
Sabbath Queen with Amichai Lau Lavie, Sandi DuBowski and Aimee Ginsburg Bikel
Amichai Lau-Lavie and Sandi DuBowski are in conversation with Lau-Lavie’s longtime friend, journalist and writer Aimee Ginsburg Bikel, author of Theodore Bikel’s The City of Light, about the Sabbath Queen and what it means to be in the “messy middle.”
It Takes Two to Torah with Abigail Pogrebin, Dov Linzer and Letty Cottin Pogrebin
What happens when a renowned Torah and Talmud expert and a rigorous journalist and “relatable every-Jew in America” sit down and discuss the Torah? They write a book to help others engage with the Five Books of Moses.
The Covenant Between God and Humanity with Rabbi Irving Greenberg and Amy E. Schwartz
A sweeping reimagination of the covenant between God and humanity
Jewish Identity in a Post October 7 World with Sarah Hurwitz and Amy E. Schwartz
Join Sarah Hurwitz for a wide-open conversation about her Jewish journey, what she has learned from Jewish students on college campuses and what she thinks Jewish tradition can teach us in this moment.
My Life in Recipes with Joan Nathan and Robert Siegel
Joan Nathan talks about her life, family history, and her many adventures discovering Jewish cuisine from around the world.
Nightingale of Iran with Danielle and Galeet Dardashti and Jennifer Bardi
Danielle and Galeet Dardashti, born and raised in the United States, knew very little about the lives of their father Farid and grandfather Younes in Iran when both were singing sensations and beloved by Iran’s Muslim community in the 1950s and 1960s.
The Many Sounds of MATISYAHU with Matisyahu and Joe Alterman
Matisyahu talks about his religious and musical journeys.
Connecting Jewish Identity with Jewish Values with Donniel Hartman and Sarah Breger
Are these two types of Jewish identity pulling in opposite directions today? Are there issues, such as Israel-Palestine, where they feel incompatible? Who are Jews today and who do we want to be? A wide-ranging conversation with Donniel Hartman.
For the Love of Judaism with Shai Held and Amy E. Schwartz
Join Shai Held for a conversation about why he believes that “love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity.”
The Spirituality of Showing Up when it Matters with Sharon Brous and Amy E. Schwartz
Rabbi Brouse talks about the wisdom, relevance and creativity of Jewish practice and community, and the importance of showing up for one another.
How Theater Transforms the World with Mandy Patinkin, Kathryn Grody and Gail Merrifield Papp
Join Merrifield Papp, author of the memoir Public/Private: My Life with Joe Papp at The Public Theater, and longtime friends Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody for a conversation about “how The Public Theater became a transformative beacon for social change and of the couple who created it,” and the Yiddishkeit that bonded Papp, Patinkin and Grody.
Ecological Judaism with Ellen Bernstein, Natan Margalit and Noah Phillips
Join Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, founder of the first national Jewish environmental organization Shomrei Adamah, and author of the forthcoming book Toward a Holy Ecology: Reading the Song of Songs in the Age of Climate Crisis and Rabbi Natan Margalit, founder of Organic Torah, and author of The Pearl and the Flame: A Journey into Jewish Wisdom and Ecological Thinking for a conversation about “eco-theology” and the radical new ways Jewish leaders are using ancient teachings of Judaism to address today’s environmental and social problems.
From Barbie to Artificial Intelligence and Everything in Between: A Wide-Open Conversation with Tiffany Shlain and Nadine Epstein
Tiffany Shlain is an artist, feminist, internet pioneer, founder of the Webby Awards, and national bestselling author.
Great Women Yiddish Writers (You Never Heard About) with Anita Norich and Lisa Newman
Beyond Bagels and Lox: Writing about Jewish Lives in the 21st Century with Allegra Goodman and Amy E. Schwartz—in celebration of the Moment-Karma Short Fiction Contest
We discuss how Judaism is and is not portrayed in fiction today and about the influence of religion, spirituality, community and assimilation on today’s Jewish author
Asian AND Jewish: An Insider & Outsider Perspective with Maryam Chishti, Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin and Michael Krasny
Join Maryam Chishti, Co-Executive Director of The LUNAR Collective and Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, the first Chinese-American rabbi and senior rabbi at Temple Sinai in Oakland, CA, for a frank conversation with former public radio host Michael Krasny about the joys and struggles of being both Jewish and Asian.
Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century with Michael Strassfeld and Amy E. Schwartz
Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, talks about his new book, Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century, which offers new insights on how Judaism can, will and must continue to change and adapt as a toolkit to help people bring meaning to every aspect of their lives.
If All the Seas Were Ink with Ilana Kurshan
If All the Seas Were Ink is a memoir of a young, recently divorced American-Israeli, living in Jerusalem, whose personal struggles lead her to take on the practice of Daf Yomi, reading a page from the Talmud every day for seven years. Kurshan’s inspiring memoir about learning how to put one foot in front of the other is a winner of the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. In conversation with Moment book review editor Amy E. Schwartz.
The Changing Relationship Between American Jews and Israel with Eric Alterman and Dan Raviv
Join Eric Alterman, author of We Are Not One: A History of America’s Fight Over Israel, for a look back at the early years of this important relationship, how support for the Jewish state has changed with each new generation of Jews in America.
Hanukkah: The Festival of Cheese with Vered Guttman
Potato latkes aren’t the only tradition on Hanukkah, there’s actually another-cheese! Join Israeli chef and food writer Vered Guttman to learn about the bravery of Judith, how she saved the Jewish people with salty cheese and why Hanukkah has become a Jewish celebration with a feminist angle for some. Guttman demonstrates how to make Polish syrniki cheese latkes, Moroccan sfinge doughnuts and Ukrainian pampushki (fried potato balls filled with cheese)
Is There Such a Thing as a Bad Jew? The Confluence of American Jewish Politics and Identity with Emily Tamkin and Dan Raviv
Should Jews be considered “Good Jews” or “Bad Jews” based on their level of observance of Jewish holidays or their feelings about Israel or their political stance? Emily Tamkin, author of the new book Bad Jews: A History of American Jewish Politics and Identities, discusses how these terms have been weaponized against members of the community, what it means to be Jewish and the ever-changing American Jewish identity. In conversation with former CBS News correspondent and Moment contributor Dan Raviv.
Shanda! Shameful Family Secrets with Letty Cottin Pogrebin and Abigail Pogrebin
The Intersection of Music and Prayer with David Broza and Amy E. Schwartz
To internationally renowned Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza, music is a platform for dialogue and tolerance. Themes of social justice and peace are embedded in his music and are integral to his humanitarian work. Now Broza, known for his dynamic guitar performances, has put his prodigious talents to work creating new music for the Shabbat service. He is in conversation with Moment books and opinion editor Amy E. Schwartz about his new album, Tefila—prayer in Hebrew—which reimagines the service with genres such as pop, jazz, gospel, folk and classical for a fresh and engaging Shabbat experience.
The Wonderful World of Anita Diamant. Period!
Anita Diamant’s latest book, Period. End of Sentence, which “explores the cultural roots of menstrual injustice,” goes boldly where no writer has gone before. The New York Times bestselling author of The Red Tent is in conversation with Amy E. Schwartz, Moment’s Book and Opinion editor, about misogyny, her books—both fiction and nonfiction, her writing process, as well as her connection to Judaism that led to her founding the Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh.
Why 1973, 1977, 1989 & 1993 are Critical Years at the end of the 20th Century with Deborah Dash Moore and Robert Siegel
From Watergate, the assassination of Allende in Chile and the Yom Kippur War to the election of Menachem Begin, the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, the march for Soviet Jewry and the signing of the Oslo Accords, a lot happened in the world in 1973, 1977, 1989 and 1993. Join American Jewish historian, Deborah Dash Moore, editor-in-chief at The Posen Library for a discussion about these events and the impact they had on the Jewish community. Moore is in conversation with Robert Siegel, Moment special literary contributor and former senior host of NPR’s All Things Considered.
This program is a continuation of Moment’s time symposium where we explored the most important years in Jewish history and is cosponsored with The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization.
Rosh Hashanah in an Instant with Cookbook Author Paula Shoyer
Known as the “Kosher Baker,” Paula Shoyer goes beyond desserts in her new book, The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook. Paula demonstrate how to prepare beet and quinoa salad as well as tzimmes, using an instant pot. Don’t have an instant pot? No worries! Paula also share how to make these dishes the traditional way. Perfect for prepping for the upcoming Jewish holidays.
A Tale of a Niggun by Elie Wiesel with Elisha Wiesel and Mark Podwal
After Elie Wiesel died, a little-known narrative poem that he wrote in the 1970s, A Tale of a Niggun, was rediscovered. Based on an actual event during the Holocaust, the poem was so moving that it was turned into a book. Join Elie’s son Elisha—who pays tribute to his father with the book’s introduction— and Elie’s dear friend—award-winning artist Mark Podwal—who illustrated the book, as they discuss how the poem was discovered, why it is so important and the power of wordless Jewish melodies. With Moment Editor-in-Chief Nadine Epstein, editor of Elie Wiesel: An Extraordinary Life.
Held in observance of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Charoset From Around the World
There’s more to charoset than just apples, walnuts and sweet red wine. Chef Vered Guttman demonstrates how this symbolic Passover food is prepared around the world. She also makes homemade horseradish and other Passover specialties.
Yiddish Storytelling for a New Generation
Yiddish has a rich legacy of storytelling for children, including both global classics and works that originated in the mother tongue of Ashkenazi Jewry. Join Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone translator Arun Viswanath and Miriam Udel, editor and translator of Honey on the Page: A Treasury of Yiddish Children’s Literature for a wide-ranging conversation with Moment Deputy Editor Sarah Breger about how they are helping to bring the legacy of Yiddish into the twentieth century, their work in relation to broad developments in Jewish history and how it intersects with their own family narratives.
The Great Latke Topping Debate: Oral Arguments on Behalf of Applesauce, Sour Cream, Ketchup and More!
When it comes to celebrating the Festival of Lights, eating latkes (fried pancakes) is almost as important as lighting the menorah. The hard question is: Which topping belongs on them? Whether you are Team Applesauce, Team Sour Cream, Team Ketchup or on some other team, join us as our great thinkers weigh in on why their favorite topping is best—in the spirit of the popular Latke-Hamantash Debate.
Moderated by C-SPAN Director of Communications Howard Mortman.
Panel:
* Sarah Breger, Moment deputy editor
* Barry Friedman, comedian, author
* Dahlia Lithwick, writer, journalist
* Rabbi Douglas Sagal, Congregation B’nai Israel, Rumson, NJ
* Alan Silberberg, author, cartoonist, screenwriter
Can Robots be Jewish? And Other Pressing Questions of Modern Life
Amy E. Schwartz, in conversation with New York Times best-selling author Laura Blumenfeld, discusses whether robots can be Jewish and other perennial questions, such as what Judaism has to say about love, miracles, the afterlife and so much more from Amy’s new book, Can Robots Be Jewish? And Other Pressing Questions of Modern Life , a selection of questions and answers drawn from Moment’s ever-popular Ask the Rabbis column. This smart and provocative talk is perfect for anyone interested in the rich diversity of Jewish thought on contemporary questions.
The State of Jewish Journalism with Andrés Spokoiny, Philissa Cramer and Sarah Breger
President and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network Andrés Spokoiny, Editor in Chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Philissa Cramer and Moment Deputy Editor Sarah Breger discuss the role Jewish journalism plays inside and outside the Jewish community, how COVID-19 has changed the media landscape and the future of Jewish media.
Prison, Politics and the Jewish People with Activist Natan Sharansky and Historian Gil Troy
Natan Sharansky and Gil Troy, coauthors of their recently released book Never Alone: Prison, Politics and My People are in conversation with Moment Deputy Editor Sarah Breger. Sharansky is a former political prisoner in the Soviet Union who went on to become an Israeli politician. Troy is an American presidential historian and leading Zionist activist.
A Wide-Open Conversation with Historian Simon Schama and Journalist Robert Siegel
Historian and documentarian, Sir Simon Schama, author of The Story of the Jews, joins Robert Siegel, former NPR host of All Things Considered, for a wide-open conversation about history, Jewish culture, art and more.
Seven Species Salad & other Shavuot Specialties with Vered Guttman
Chef Vered Guttman shows viewers how to make feta and eggplant burekas pie, seven species salad, Romanian malai and Israeli cheesecake while discussing the harvest holiday of Shavuot.
Virtual Passover Seder with Amy E. Schwartz
Join Moment’s Ask the Rabbis, Opinion and Book editor, Amy E. Schwartz, as she explores readings and meditations to accompany your Passover seder–whether virtual or in-person. She’ll also be discussing Moment’s new virtual Haggadah supplement.