Best Jewishstudies Podcasts (2025)

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Anti-Zionism with James Loeffler 16:33

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1M ago16:33

16:33

Guest scholar James Loeffler looks at the different forms of anti-Zionism and its overlapping relationship with antisemitism, and considers how the past can remind us that it is possible to have a principled and logical critique against Zionism.By AJS

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American Antisemitism with Pamela Nadell 20:13

2M ago20:13

20:13

Guest scholar Pamela Nadell talks about antisemitism in America. She looks at how the definition of antisemitism has changed over time, how antisemitism has been always threaded throughout the American Jewish experience, and how this current moment is an explosion of something that had been lying fairly dormant.…

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Medieval Antisemitism with Sara Lipton 17:37

2M ago17:37

17:37

Guest scholar Sara Lipton discusses antisemitism in medieval Europe. From the Nazis in the 20th century to current alt-right movements, many of history's and modernity's most prominent antisemitic groups have drawn on beliefs and motifs that first emerged during the Middle Ages. But conspiracies and caricatures didn't emerge overnight – they were a…

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Structural Antisemitism with Magda Teter 15:19

2M ago15:19

15:19

Guest scholar Magda Teter discusses structural antisemitism, or the laws, policies, institutional practices and entrenched norms which single out Jews and discriminate against them. These restrictive practices, which date back to Roman times, have served to remind Jews of their place in society and in religious structures.…

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The World of Sephardic Food 28:44

5M ago28:44

28:44

Jewish food is no longer confined to what you'd find on a deli menu. Bourekas, shakshuka, adafina, jachnun, and harira have claimed their place on the Jewish dining table right alongside blintzes, cholent, kugel, borscht, and matzoh ball soup. Join guest scholars Ari Ariel, Hélène Jawhara Piñer, and Noam Sienna, along with host Avishay Artsy as the…

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When Life's a Drag: A Look into the History of Jews & Cross-Dressing 36:49

10M ago36:49

36:49

Every year on Purim, Jews around the world stage shpiels, or plays, that not only feature people in costumes, but cross-dressing as well. These Purim events have allowed Jews to participate in drag throughout history, and have opened the door for other traditions like cross-casting in theater. In this episode, we'll hear from scholars Golan Moskowi…

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Death & Community: Jewish Burial Societies 26:17

11M ago26:17

26:17

The Jewish life cycle includes rituals and customs to mark major rites of passage – birth, coming of age, marriage and parenthood. Likewise, there are traditions of how to navigate death and mourning, including how to care for the deceased and comfort the living, which is where we find Jewish burial societies. In this episode, guest scholars Cornel…

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Around the World with Jewish Newspapers 42:08

1y ago42:08

42:08

In this episode, host Erin Phillips and guest scholars Zachary Baker, Philip Keisman, and Devin E. Naar discuss four Jewish newspapers from across the 19th and 20th centuries. Every detail in their pages provides clues about Jewish life in a particular time and place - from the advertisements in their margins, to letters to the editor, to even the …

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Alternative Zions: The Jewish Territorialist Movement 26:28

1y ago26:28

26:28

The quest for a homeland, to journey from bondage and persecution, has been inherent to Jewish history for as long as it's been told. In this episode, join scholars Laura Almagor and Adam Rovner and guest host Devan Schwartz in exploring the Jewish Territorialist Movement. We'll travel back in time and across the globe to explore proposed alternati…

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What Makes Someone Jewish? 36:08

1+ y ago36:08

36:08

In this episode, host Avishay Artsy and guest scholars Noah Feldman, Susannah Heschel, and Shaul Magid consider what makes someone Jewish by asking three questions: What are the Jews exactly? What do Jews believe, and how central is religion to Jewish identity? Where does the Jewish state fit into Jewish identity?…

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Jewish Head Coverings: A Blessing On Your Head 38:43

1+ y ago38:43

38:43

The yarmulke has become an almost universal symbol of Judaism; however, Jews around the world cover their heads and hair in many different ways, including hats, wigs, and scarves. This custom isn't Jewish law, but was developed over centuries as a community norm that continues on in a variety of ways today. In this episode, guest scholars Eric Silv…

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Introducing the AJS Critical Sources Podcast 1:30

2y ago1:30

1:30

As a listener of Adventures in Jewish Studies, we hope you'll also listen to the new AJS podcast, Critical Sources. Critical Sources features Jewish studies scholars discussing a source that matters to them, offering a window into how scholars seek evidence, ask questions, and interpret the past and present. Host Avinoam Patt asks five different sc…

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Yiddish Socialists and the Garment Industry 38:51

2y ago38:51

38:51

A century ago, Jews were at the center of the American garment industry and at the forefront in the battle for those workers' rights. In this episode, host Avishay Artsy speaks to Daniel Katz and Caroline Luce about how Yiddish-speaking immigrants fused class and culture to empower generations of garment workers.…

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Rethinking Holocaust Education 33:07

2y ago33:07

33:07

A sharp rise in antisemitic incidents has led to increased calls for mandatory Holocaust education. In this episode, host Avishay Artsy speaks with educators Sarah Ellen Zarrow and Jody Spiegel about the use and misuse of Holocaust memory for combating antisemitism.By AJS

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Jews in Colonial America 38:17

2y ago38:17

38:17

This episode of Adventures in Jewish Studies explores the lives of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews who settled in what are now the states of Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina as far back as the late seventeenth century. These early settlers, who came escaping religious persecution and seeking trade opportunities, reflec…

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Jewish Pilgrimages 39:12

2+ y ago39:12

39:12

Throughout the world, Jewish diaspora communities set out on pilgrimages to visit holy sites in search of wisdom, healing, and blessings. But these pilgrimage journeys, no matter where or why they take place, are about much more than the physical destination. In this episode, host Erin Phillips and guest scholars Adane Zawdu-Gebyanesh, Chris Silver…

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The Many Lives of Kabbalah 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

Kabbalah, one of Judaism's most sacred schools of thought, has served as a wellspring of Jewish faith, a portal to mystical knowledge, and a bridge for intercultural and interreligious exchange. In this episode, host Avishay Artsy speaks with guest scholars Clémence Boulouque and Hartley Lachter about the many lives of Kabbalah.…

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Do Jews Believe in Magic? 46:04

3y ago46:04

46:04

While the Talmud famously forbids sorcery, Jewish history is full of examples of what many today might refer to as "magic." In this episode, host Erin Phillips and guest scholars Sara Ronis, Marla Segol, and Michael Swartz take us on a spellbinding journey to discover magic's role in Jewish history as they discuss Jewish magical rituals and artifac…

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The Many Genders of Judaism 41:34

3y ago41:34

41:34

In this episode, host Erin Phillips and guest scholars Max Strassfeld and S.J. Crasnow explore how gender is constructed in Judaism. They critically examine what many refer to as the "seven genders of the Talmud;" discuss the experiences of transgendered and non-binary Jews today; and share how gender creativity is helping Judaism become more acces…

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Kol Nidre: Yom Kippur's Most Famous Melody 26:38

3+ y ago26:38

26:38

Kol Nidre is recited at the beginning of evening Yom Kippur services, and serves as an emotional and dramatic opening to the Day of Atonement. However, over the centuries, this legalistic text has been maligned, ridiculed, banned – and even used to justify anti-Semitic attacks. In this episode, guest scholars Laura S. Lieber and Judah Cohen, along …

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Disability & Inclusion in Judaism 33:21

3+ y ago33:21

33:21

In this episode of Adventures in Jewish Studies, we're looking at the intersection of Jewish studies and disability studies. Guest scholars Julia Watts Belser and nili Broyer, along with host Avishay Artsy, talk about everything from the story of Moses to the founding of the Jewish state through a disability lens. They also consider current efforts…

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The Future of Kosher Food 40:11

3+ y ago40:11

40:11

Are bugs kosher? What about CBD/THC edibles or Impossible Pork? Can entirely new substances - like lab grown meat - be categorized and certified? How does social justice interact with kosher restrictions? In this episode, join host Erin Phillips and guest scholars Roger Horowitz, David Zvi Kalman, and Jordan D. Rosenblum as they seek answers to the…

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Jewish Honor Courts 35:31

4y ago35:31

35:31

Following World War II, Jewish Honor Courts in Europe and criminal courts in Israel handled accusations of collaboration by Jews who were believed to have assisted the Nazis in some way. These trials were meant to heal communal wounds and rebuild trust, meting out social punishments. In this episode, guest scholars Dan Porat and Laura Jockusch disc…

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5782: A Shmita Year 21:28

4y ago21:28

21:28

We are currently in a sabbath, or shmita year, a biblically-mandated year of rest where fields lay fallow and debts are forgiven. From nearly the beginning, however, shmita has been more of an ideal, rather than a fully-observed year, and any practice was limited to Israel. In this episode, guest scholars Adrienne Krone and Hava Tirosh-Samuelson co…

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Israeli Pop Music 44:24

4+ y ago44:24

44:24

The story of Israeli pop music is a story of constant evolution, a reflection of Israel's complex and ever-changing history. From its pre-state origins, to music outside of the mainstream music industry, to its current more cosmopolitan and international feel, in this episode guest scholars Uri Dorchin and Daniel Stein Kokin look at the songs and m…

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Rethinking Intermarriage 19:25

4+ y ago19:25

19:25

For decades, the rate of intermarriage among American Jews has been rising. Among many traditionally-minded Jews and Jewish organizations, the number of Jews marrying outside the faith is cause for concern, calling into question the long-term viability of American Jewry. However, according to the recent Pew Research Center "Jewish Americans in 2020…

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America's First Bat Mitzvah 32:12

4+ y ago32:12

32:12

The first American bat mitzvah took place on March 18, 1922. As the 100th anniversary of this first bat mitzvah nears, guest scholars Carole Balin, Melissa R. Klapper, and Deborah Waxman consider the history of the bat mitzvah and its evolution over time. They also explore how the bat mitzvah helped pave the way for greater inclusion of women in pu…

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The Protocols, Henry Ford, & the International Jew 33:36

5y ago33:36

33:36

For this episode, we joined forces with Theatre Dybbuk to co-produce a special episode exploring Henry Ford's publication of The International Jew: The World's Foremost Problem, a four volume series containing newspaper articles which were originally published from 1920-1922. These writings were based on – and included elements of – the notorious, …

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The Jews of Persia 30:50

5y ago30:50

30:50

If most of what you know about the history of Jews in Persia comes from the Book of Esther, when the wicked Haman (boo!) tried to massacre the Jewish population, you might get the idea that Persia was a place of great danger for Jews. And given the modern Iranian government's vehement anti-Israel rhetoric and support of Hezbollah, Hamas, and other …

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Is There a Jewish Environmental Ethic? 13:09

5y ago13:09

13:09

"If you harm the environment, you harm yourself." This mini-episode of the Adventures in Jewish Studies podcast series asks the question "Is there a Jewish environmental ethic?" Guest scholar Tanhum Yoreh considers the "New Year of the Trees" holiday Tu Bishvat, and the concept of "bal taschit," which prohibits wastefulness and destruction, with re…

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Why Most American Jews Are Democrats 24:19

5y ago24:19

24:19

Since the 1930s, around 70% of American Jews have consistently voted Democrat. However, in earlier decades, the Jewish vote was spread widely across the American political spectrum. In this episode, we explore why the overwhelming majority of American Jews have come to support the Democrats. Featured guests include Kenneth Wald and Beth Wenger.…

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Rethinking Black-Jewish Relations 30:44

5+ y ago30:44

30:44

For many people, the narrative about Black-Jewish relations goes something like this: In the 1960s, there was a strong alliance between the two groups, perfectly encapsulated by the image of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel walking arm-in-arm on the civil rights march from Selma, Alabama. Then, with the rise of black nationa…

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Camp! 30:27

5+ y ago30:27

30:27

Since the 1920s, American Jewish kids have spent many summers at Jewish summer camp. But how and why did sleepaway camp become such a staple of American Jewish life? In this episode we explore the history of American Jewish summer camp and its promise of providing an immersive Jewish experience. This episode features guests Sandra Fox and Nicole Sa…

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The Conversion Episode 26:36

5+ y ago26:36

26:36

On Shavuot, a Jewish holiday celebrating the people of Israel receiving the Torah from God at Mt. Sinai, we the read the Book of Ruth, the story of a Moabite woman, Ruth, who marries an Israelite man and, when he dies, remains loyal to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and returns with her to Judea. So, why do we read this story on Shavuot? It may have som…

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The History of the Passover Haggadah 23:23

5+ y ago23:23

23:23

The Passover Haggadah is among the most popular and fascinating texts in the Jewish liturgy. There's a Haggadah for every for sensibility and persuasion, from those steeped in orthodox tradition to seder celebrants wanting to craft a ritual reflecting modern times. But where did the Haggadah come from? Why do we ask four questions? What's the origi…

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The World of Jewish Languages 29:06

6y ago29:06

29:06

By AJS

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The Marvelous Mrs. Carroll 28:57

6y ago28:57

28:57

Do you love The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? Our latest podcast episode focuses on the life of 1950s Jewish American female comedian Jean Carroll, the Mrs. Maisel of her day. Learn about this trailblazing performer in this episode filled with lively comedic routines and scholarly insight.

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(False) Messiahs: Messianism in Jewish History & Thought with David Berger, Laura Arnold Leibman & Kenneth Seeskin 31:39

6y ago31:39

31:39

Since the period of the late 2nd Temple, starting in the 2nd century BCE, messianic figures began appearing in Roman-controlled Judea. The idea of the messiah, a divinely annointed person who will arrive and redeem the world and restore the lost tribe of Israel to the promised land, has been a central part of traditional Judaism since the time of M…

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Are Jews White? 33:43

6+ y ago33:43

33:43

The season one finale of Adventures in Jewish Studies tackles the challenging and complex issues of Jewish identity, whiteness, and anti-Semitism in America. This episode traces the history of Ashkenazi Jews in the U.S. from the turn of the century to the present day, looking at how Jews have been on the margins of whiteness, often victims of anti-…

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Portnoy's Complaint at 50 featuring Brett Ashley Kaplan, Warren Hoffman, Josh Lambert & Jeremy Shere and produced by the Association for Jewish Studies 30:21

6+ y ago30:21

30:21

50 years ago, Philip Roth's wildly controversial and hugely successful novel Portnoy's Complaint was published. A bestseller, the novel – written as the confession of a patient to his psychoanalyst – tells the story of Alexander Portnoy, a thirty-something American Jew. Portnoy is struggling to break free from his overbearing Jewish mother and the …

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The Yemenite Children Affair & the Story of the Mizrahi Jews in the Development of the State of Israel featuring Vincent Calvetti-Wolf, Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber, Yaacov Lozowick, Bryan K. Roby Avi Shilon ... 40:25

6+ y ago40:25

40:25

Between 1948 and 1954, several thousand babies born to Mizrahi immigrants to Israel were separated from their parents and were claimed by Ashkenazi authorities to have mysteriously and suddenly died. Was this really the case or was this part of a larger conspiracy affecting Mizrahi Jews from Yemen, Iraq, and other parts of Africa, Asia, and the Mid…

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The Origins of the Jews featuring Cynthia Baker, Ofri Ilany, Beth Alpert Nakhai, Steven Weitzman, David Wolpe, and Jeremy Shere and produced by the Association for Jewish Studies 30:47

7y ago30:47

30:47

Where do Jews come from? That's the big question we're asking in the second episode of the Adventures in Jewish Studies podcast, and we're turning to the fields of history, archaeology, linguistics, and genetics in our search to solve the mystery of Judaism's roots. Join host Jeremy Shere and his Jewish Studies experts as they discuss the intriguin…

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Appetizing: An American New York Jewish Food Tradition featuring Eve Jochnowitz, Hasia Diner, Mark Russ Federman, Norma Joseph and Jeremy Shere and produced by the Association for Jewish Studies 24:42

7y ago24:42

24:42

Download the transcript. In the inaugural episode of Adventures in Jewish Studies, host Jeremy Shere explores the New York Jewish food tradition of "appetizing" with guests culinary ethnographer Eve Jochnowitz, NYU history professor Hasia Diner, former 3rd generation owner of the appetizing store Russ & Daughters Mark Russ Federman, and Concordia U…

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Introduction to Adventures in Jewish Studies Podcast with Jeremy Shere and Warren Hoffman from the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS) 4:07

7y ago4:07

4:07

Adventures in Jewish Studies is a podcast produced by the Association for Jewish Studies, the largest learned society and professional organization representing Jewish Studies scholars worldwide. The episodes take listeners on a journey, exploring a wide range of topics, from the contemporary to the ancient, in a way that's informative, engaging, a…