Episodes

  • The Anniversary of October 7th with Amir Tibon

    The Anniversary of October 7th with Amir Tibon
    Oct 7 2024
    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 ------------ 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
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    47 mins
  • Rosh Hashanah Reflections: Joy, Grief, and Solidarity

    Rosh Hashanah Reflections: Joy, Grief, and Solidarity
    Oct 2 2024
    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. ------------ 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
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    33 mins
  • Remembering Carmel, Ori, Hersh, Eden, Alexander, and Almog

    Remembering Carmel, Ori, Hersh, Eden, Alexander, and Almog
    Sep 11 2024
    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. ------------ 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
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    10 mins
  • New episodes coming soon!

    New episodes coming soon!
    Aug 21 2024
    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 wonderingjews@jewishunpacked.com or leave us a voicemail, at (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
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    1 min
  • A Journey Through Zionism: Identity, Politics, and Faith

    A Journey Through Zionism: Identity, Politics, and Faith
    Aug 14 2024
    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. ------------ 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
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    40 mins
  • Tisha B'Av: A reflection of Jewish history and unity

    Tisha B'Av: A reflection of Jewish history and unity
    Aug 7 2024
    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. ------------ 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
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    32 mins
  • Haviv Rettig Gur Emergency Episode: The Druze, Hezbollah, and Ismail Haniyeh

    Haviv Rettig Gur Emergency Episode: The Druze, Hezbollah, and Ismail Haniyeh
    Jul 31 2024
    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. ------------ 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
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    59 mins
  • Can Summer Camp Complete Your Education?

    Can Summer Camp Complete Your Education?
    Jul 24 2024
    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. ------------ 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
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    35 mins