Best Hirt Podcasts (2025)

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In the Spotlight: Aron Hirt-Manheimer 27:11

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26d ago27:11

27:11

Author Aron Hirt-Manheimer joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss "Sons of Survivors: Making Peace with Inherited Trauma," his moving dual memoir tracing two friends’ journeys to confront their parents’ Holocaust past and transform a legacy of trauma into one of love and understanding.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Ari'el Stachel 29:01

7d ago29:01

29:01

Abigail Pogrebin speaks with Tony Award–winning actor Ari’el Stachel about his Off-Broadway solo show Other, in which he explores identity, anxiety, and the complexities of being an Arab JewBy Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Miriam Udel 26:32

14d ago26:32

26:32

Abigail Pogrebin meets with author Miriam Udel, whose new book ("Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Children's Literature") reveals how contemporary Yiddish stories give voice to new forms of Jewish identity.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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Rabbi Ed Feinstein: Every Sermon Tells a Story 29:02

16d ago29:02

29:02

For Rabbi Ed Feinstein meaning-making is story-telling, and the rabbi’s business. Biography: Rabbi Ed Feinstein came to Valley Beth Shalom in 1993 at the invitation of the renowned Rabbi Harold Schulweis z"l, and succeeded Rabbi Schulweis as the congregation’s senior rabbi in 2005. He now serves on the faculty of the Ziegler Rabbinical School of th…

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Aron Hirt-Manheimer: Story, Silence, and the Story of Silence 31:35

1M ago31:35

31:35

A second generation of Holocaust survivors re-examine their lives through the lens of their parents. Aron Hirt-Manheimer (he/him) is the Union for Reform Judaism's former editor-at-large, the former editor of Reform Judaism magazine (1976-2014) and founding editor of Davka magazine (1970-1976), a West Coast Jewish quarterly. His books include Jagen…

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In the Spotlight: Jonathan Freedland 25:46

1M ago25:46

25:46

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by bestselling author, podcast host ("Unholy") and British journalist Jonathan Freedland to discuss his real-life thriller- "The Traitors Circle: The True Story of a Secret Resistance Network in Nazi Germany- and the Spy Who Betrayed Them."By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Zibby Owens 26:11

1M ago26:11

26:11

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Zibby Owens - bestselling author, publisher, bookstore owner, and host of the hit podcast "Totally Booked with Zibby" - which is brought to life before a studio audience in a new series premiering on JBS this Thursday.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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Rabbi Rachel Timoner: God Trumps Politics 20:30

1M ago20:30

20:30

Description: Spiritual and political dynamics that motivate and shape the pulpit of Rabbi Rachel Timoner. Biography: Rabbi Rachel Timoner is grateful and proud to serve as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, Brooklyn. She is honored to stand with families at the moments of greatest joy and deepest sorrow in their lives, and she …

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In the Spotlight: Gayle Kirschenbaum 26:06

2M ago26:06

26:06

Abby Pogrebin welcomes Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author Gayle Kirschenbaum to discuss "Bullied to Besties," her raw and uplifting memoir about transforming lifelong pain into forgiveness and healing in her tumultuous relationship with her mother.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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Jordan D. Rosenblum: You Are What You Eat 31:41

2M ago31:41

31:41

When it comes to pigs, however, maybe you are what you don’t eat… Maybe… Jordan D. Rosenblum is the Belzer Professor of Classical Judaism and Director of Religious Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His most recent book, Forbidden: A 3,000-Year History of Jews and the Pig (New York University Press, 2024), won a 2024 National Jewish Bo…

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In the Spotlight: Ronald Leopold (Anne Frank Exhibit) 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Ronald Leopold, longtime executive director of the Anne Frank House, one of Europe’s most visited museums, which he recreated and brought to New York City for the first time this year.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Yaakov Katz ("While Israel Slept") 30:15

2M ago30:15

30:15

American-born Israeli journalist, author, and the former Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, Yaakov Katz, joins Abby to discuss his latest book, "While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East."By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Hartman Presidents on This Historic Moment 56:20

2M ago56:20

56:20

Donniel Hartman and Yehuda Kurtzer, presidents of the Shalom Hartman Institute, join Abigail Pogrebin to unpack the emotions, implications, and future stakes of the historic ceasefire.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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Hannah Pollin-Galay: Yiddish, Vibrant among the Ashes 33:46

2M ago33:46

33:46

Description: Hannah Pollin-Galay reveals the Yiddish of destruction, and its capacity to bring life and meaning. Biography: Hannah Pollin-Galay is a scholar of East European Jewish culture, with a focus on the Holocaust. Drawing on both historical and literary methods, her work explores themes such as cultural production under catastrophic conditio…

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In the Spotlight: Jane Eisner (Carole King) 28:21

3M ago28:21

28:21

Abby speaks with acclaimed journalist, author, and former editor-in-chief of The Forward, Jane Eisner about her new biography of Carole King and the Jewish roots that shaped both her identity and her artistry.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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Joshua Leifer: The Jigsaw Puzzle of American Judaism and its Future 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

Description: Complicated contours and tortuous fissures emerge as a picture of the American Jewish experience in Tablets Shattered. Biography: Joshua Leifer is a journalist and historian. He is a columnist for Haaretz. His essays and reporting have also appeared in The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, The Guardian, and elsewhere. His f…

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Ayelet Tsabari: “If music be the food of love, play on” 23:44

3M ago23:44

23:44

Love of family, culture, and home, set to the music of Yemenite Jews in Songs for the Brokenhearted: A Novel. Ayelet Tsabari is the author of Songs for the Brokenhearted, winner of a National Jewish Book Award for Fiction and the Association of Jewish Libraries Fiction Award and A Globe and Mail Best Book of 2024. Her memoir in essays The Art of Le…

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In the Spotlight: Vanessa Harper 28:29

3M ago28:29

28:29

Vanessa M. Harper, Reform rabbi and author of "Loaves of Torah", joins Abby to discuss her passion for creating meaningful Jewish experiences for all ages and how she uses challah to interpret and teach Torah and the Jewish year.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Menachem Rosensaft 27:49

4M ago27:49

27:49

Abby speaks with Menachem Z. Rosensaft, attorney, human rights advocate and Second Generation leader, about his book "Burning Psalms," a poetic reckoning with God, memory and moral responsibility in the aftermath of the Shoah.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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Howard Langer: A Lost World in a New World 20:05

4M ago20:05

20:05

Novelist Howard Langer transplants a fictional Hasidic Dynasty to the heart of segregated America, to discover a truly New World. Biography: Howard Langer was born in New York and brought up on the west side of Manhattan. His father served on the U.S.S. Missouri and was present at the Japanese surrender in 1945. His mother taught reading in Spanish…

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Rabbi Yitz Greenberg: Judaism’s Teaching for Repairing the Universe 30:31

4M ago30:31

30:31

Rabbi Yitz Greenberg takes us on a majestic odyssey of religious purpose and Covenant. Biography: Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg serves as the President of the J.J. Greenberg Institute for the Advancement of Jewish Life (JJGI) and as Senior Scholar in Residence at Hadar. Rabbi Greenberg was ordained by Beth Joseph Rabbinical Seminary of Brooklyn, Ne…

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Danielle Sharkan: Culture Is a Crossroads 12:17

5M ago12:17

12:17

Author Danielle Sharkan finds cultural identity in multicultural community, in her picture book Sharing Shalom. Biography: Danielle grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has since had the privilege of living in Canada, Israel, and Argentina. As an educator and a proud mother of two wonderful children, she is deeply committed to both …

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In the Spotlight: Yiscah Smith - Planting Seeds Of The Divine 24:40

5M ago24:40

24:40

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, spiritual teacher and author Yiscah Smith joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss her new book, Planting Seeds of the Divine. With honesty and grace, Yiscah shares the transformative journey that led her to embrace her truest self — and how that journey is reflected in her spiritual teachings. From recla…

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In the Spotlight: Anthony Julius - Abraham: The First Jew 25:00

5M ago25:00

25:00

Why Abraham? Why now? In this compelling conversation on In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, acclaimed author and legal scholar Anthony Julius dives into his new book, Abraham: The First Jew. Together, they explore Abraham not just as a biblical figure, but as a prototype of Jewish identity itself — a man who walked away from comfort, challenge…

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Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: The Pulpit Isn’t a Pedestal 31:42

5M ago31:42

31:42

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl disentangles the power of the pulpit from the stature of its holder, by sharing the vulnerability, musicality and ethical of sermons. Biography: Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl serves as the Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City and is the first woman to lead Central’s Reform congregation in its 180-year history. Ra…

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Lihi Lapid: “In the End, It’s Family That’s Important” 15:32

5M ago15:32

15:32

Author and activist Lihi Lapid follows characters who yearn for each other across space, time and even cognition. Biography: Lihi Lapid is a writer, journalist, lecturer and performer, symbolizing the voice of the contemporary Israeli woman. Her activity in various media has earned her a following that sweeps through social media with thousands of …

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In the Spotlight: Yossi Klein Halevi - Letters To My Palestinian Neighbor 50:22

6M ago50:22

50:22

In this powerful and timely conversation, acclaimed author and thinker Yossi Klein Halevi joins Abigail Pogrebin on In The Spotlight to reflect on the deepening complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. Drawing from his profound personal journey and his bestselling book, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, Halevi explores what it means …

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Lee Yaron: Weaving the Threads of October 7th 34:28

6M ago34:28

34:28

Author Lee Yaron resists the simplification of politics, people, and, most of all, of October 7th — in favor of nuance and humanity. Biography: Lee Yaron is an award-winning Israeli journalist. Her new book, "10/7: 100 Human Stories," won the 2024 National Jewish Book Award Book of the Year — and the 2025 Natan Notable Books award. At 30, Yaron is …

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In the Spotlight: David Kraemer - Embracing Exile 25:46

7M ago25:46

25:46

What if exile isn't a curse — but a calling? On In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, scholar and author David Kraemer discusses his bold and timely new book, Embracing Exile: The Case for Jewish Diaspora. In a world where connection to Israel is often seen as the centerpiece of Jewish identity, Kraemer makes a powerful case for valuing diaspora …

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In the Spotlight: Adam Chalom - Contemporary Humanistic Judaism 27:54

7M ago27:54

27:54

In this enlightening episode of In The Spotlight, Abigail Pogrebin sits down with Rabbi Adam Chalom, a leading voice in Humanistic Judaism and the Dean for North America of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. Together, they explore the roots, relevance, and real-world application of Contemporary Humanistic Judaism — a moveme…

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Rabbi Marc Katz: A Civilization’s Inflection Point 39:30

7M ago39:30

39:30

Rabbi Marc Katz uses the historical imagination to plumb the depths of Judaism’s greatest choice for survival.By [email protected] (HUC-JIR)

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In the Spotlight: Yardena Schwartz - Ghosts Of A Holy War 27:52

7M ago27:52

27:52

In this compelling episode of In The Spotlight, journalist and author Yardena Schwartz joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss her powerful new book, "Ghosts of a Holy War". With deep reporting and personal insight, Schwartz explores the generational trauma, religious fervor, and political fault lines that define the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today. A…

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Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: A New Era for Judaism and Israel 29:39

8M ago29:39

29:39

Rabbi Elliot asks us to approach difficult times with depth of mind and spirit.By [email protected] (HUC-JIR)

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In the Spotlight: Montana Tucker - Social Media Activism 28:31

8M ago28:31

28:31

On this powerful episode of In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, singer, dancer, and social media activist Montana Tucker shares the deeply personal story of her Holocaust survivor grandparents and how their legacy has shaped her identity and purpose. She discusses her rise as a digital voice for Jewish advocacy, the challenges of speaking out o…

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In the Spotlight: Hen Mazzig - Diverse Jewish Voices 28:12

8M ago28:12

28:12

In this powerful conversation, Hen Mazzig — Israeli writer, activist, and advocate — sits down with Abigail Pogrebin to share his journey and his crucial role in shaping today's Jewish conversation. As a proud Mizrahi Jew, Hen speaks about amplifying diverse Jewish voices, fighting antisemitism, and building bridges across cultures. Hear how his pe…

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In the Spotlight: Mishy Harman - Israel Story 27:03

8M ago27:03

27:03

Join host Abigail Pogrebin for an inspiring conversation with Mishy Harman, creator and host of the acclaimed podcast Israel Story. Often described as "the Israeli This American Life," Israel Story brings to life the extraordinary, surprising, and deeply human stories of people across Israel, revealing the complexities and richness of Israeli socie…

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Rabbi Joshua Weinberg: What do We Even Mean by “Liberal Zionism”? 29:10

9M ago29:10

29:10

Rabbi Joshua Weinberg tackles both the complexity and the clarity of vision embedded in the idea of Liberal Zionism.By [email protected] (HUC-JIR)

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In the Spotlight: Daniel Mutlu - Sing A Little More 28:00

9M ago28:00

28:00

In this moving episode of In The Spotlight on JBS, Abigail Pogrebin sits down with Cantor Daniel Mutlu for an in-depth conversation about his brand-new album, Sing A Little More. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the music, the role of Jewish song in today's world, and the power of lifting our voices even — and especially — in challengi…

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In the Spotlight: Jonathan Sarna - Lincoln And The Jews 25:42

9M ago25:42

25:42

On this episode of In the Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, renowned historian Jonathan Sarna explores Abraham Lincoln’s unique relationship with the Jewish community. Discussing his book Lincoln and the Jews: A History, Sarna reveals how Lincoln’s policies, friendships, and actions shaped Jewish life in America. Don’t miss this fascinating look at …

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In the Spotlight: David Denby - Eminent Jews 28:27

9M ago28:27

28:27

Abby sits with author David Denby to discuss Eminent Jews, his book exploring how deeply Jewish luminaries like Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer transformed American culture in the postwar era.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Ruth Franklin (The Many Lives of Anne Frank) 26:15

10M ago26:15

26:15

Abby is joined by author Ruth Franklin to discuss The Many Lives of Anne Frank, her book exploring how Anne’s life and work have been interpreted, adapted, and politicized, and what her legacy means in today’s world.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Lee Yaron ("10/7: 100 Human Stories") 26:14

11M ago26:14

26:14

Abby sits with Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron to discuss her book "10/7: 100 Human Stories," the 2024 National Jewish Book Award winner, which recounts the massacre through victims’ stories and its impact on Israeli society and the Middle East.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Rabbi Marc Katz 26:35

11M ago26:35

26:35

Abby Pogrebin sits with Rabbi Marc Katz to discuss Yochanan's Gamble, his book that explores how the pragmatic choices of ancient rabbis offer a framework for navigating modern moral dilemmas with nuance and compromise.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Kol B'Seder (Cantor Jeff Klepper and Rabbi Dan Freelander) 58:01

11M ago58:01

58:01

Abby is joined by Jeff Klepper and Dan Freelander, renowned Jewish music leaders whose jazz inflected folk-rock style has defined a new Jewish spiritual sound, influencing generations of Jewish musicians.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Elliott Abrams 26:47

1y ago26:47

26:47

Abby sits with politician, lawyer and senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Elliott Abrams, to discuss his strategies for strengthening Jewish identity through education, immersive experiences, and community engagement.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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Menachem Rosensaft: Burning Psalms 42:02

1y ago42:02

42:02

Poet Menachem Rosensaft transforms the Psalms into a search for God who permitted the Holocaust.By [email protected] (HUC-JIR)

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In the Spotlight: Andrés Spokoiny 27:56

1y ago27:56

27:56

Abby is joined by Argentinian-born Andrés Spokoiny, President of the Jewish Funders Network, to discuss his book Tradition and Transition, and how Jewish communities can balance heritage and modernity in a world that demands it.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Amir Tibon 19:11

1y ago19:11

19:11

Abby is joined by Israeli journalist Amir Tibon to discuss "The Gates of Gaza," his book detailing his family's survival during the October 7th attacks and the deep-seated roots of the conflict.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Yitz Greenberg 57:12

1y ago57:12

57:12

Renowned scholar, author and theologian Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg joins Abby to discuss The Triumph of Life, his defining work on Judaism’s evolving partnership with God, focused on bringing life, dignity, and compassion into the world through the covenant.By Jewish Broadcasting Service

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In the Spotlight: Joshua Leifer 1:01:28

1y ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by journalist Joshua Leifer to discuss "Tablets Shattered," his personal exploration of the American Jewish experience and its evolution from mid-20th century pillars of identity to today's multifaceted and divided landscape.By Jewish Broadcasting Service