Ask a Jew

Reclaiming our Confidence, with Dr. Mijal Bitton

*No International Laws were broken during the recording of this episode.* Dr. Mijal Bitton [https://www.mijalbitton.com/] is a spiritual leader at the Downtown Minyan [https://www.thedowntownminyan.com/], an NYU sociologist, a scholar-in-residence at the Maimonides Fund [https://maimonidesfund.org/], co-host of the Wondering Jew [https://unpacked.media/podcast-series/wondering-jews/] podcast AND she’s right here on Substack at Committed by Mijal Bitton [https://open.substack.com/pub/mijal]. We discuss being a sephardic, south American Jew, orthodox feminism, dirty words in the bible, and even some TV recommendations (Pluribus anyone??) Good for the Jews is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Also ICYMI, Van Jones had a dream come true this week….I don’t want to embarass the happy couple even more, but let me just say that AI is a wonderful tool and you can do many fun things with it and share here, if you are inclined. To end on an even more positive note, last week over a thousands Jews and friends stood outside the Park East Synagogue in the freezing cold to show their support after the congregation was attacked by a bunch of losers in Keffiyah’s and masks. A Holocaust survivor Rabbi told us not to be afraid. Matisyahu sang songs about peace. An adorable kids choir sang their hearts out. Every single speaker talked about their love of NYC, America, and thanked the NYPD to the cheers of the crowd. Fam, you’re in good company. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Peter Beinart and the Case of the Missing Spine

Chaya Leah is back from Vegas, and boy does she have some stories to tell (not the kind you think, though. They are much, much worse). Also, are orthodox Jews allowed to celebrate Thanksgiving? Was Yael disappointed when she met hostages in real life? And what did Chaya Leah say to make an Uber driver pull over because he was laughing so hard? If you love our show, please consider becoming a subscriber on askajew.substack.com [https://askajew.substack.com/]. It's free! For now... EMBARRASSING - I confuse Chaim Herzog and Chaim Weizmann I guess, so ignore everything I said about him. Ireland still sucks though, that part has been fact-checked. We cover: * Slot machines are life. * Looking for a Minyan at The Venetian, * Chaya Leah loved the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show, especially the part about Israel. * Two very special guests for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. * These hostages have some dark humor, and we’re here for it. * The antisemites are sometimes right. * Netanyahu is asking for a pardon. We have nothing to add. * Ireland still sucks, but our listeners from there are the best. * I gets Chaim Herzog and Chaim Weizmann confused, SORRY. * The truth about the Hannibal Directive is that you’re all idiots. * The IDF killed everyone on October 7th and also it was a good thing. * What’s the most normal country? * The Australian World War 1 memorial [https://www.worldjewishtravel.org/listing/anzac-memorial-centre/] in Israel. * Normalize Normalization. * Who is worse, Peter Beinart or Mandy Patinkin? * How do we fix Israel’s image? By doing nothing. * Mamdani’s transition team is just as bad as you think it is. Questions? Concerns? Want to tell Chaya Leah she is “lanky”? Email us at askajewpod@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Viva La Revolution of Common Sense With Scott Jennings

Happy Thanksgiving! Today on Ask A Jew, CNN Political Contributor and author of the new book “A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization” [https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Common-Sense-Washington-Civilization/dp/B0F85TM11P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KPKXGX06PADL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9DLKM9YIeyAhCdnFWEfe1-eE3DEx4yA6lQJX1KNE2q1eAO7YWQHG_ffjtA-7ReoJRn4L_aOn7UZCZ-I1bx34gC7BatuIKWLJ47eYzPBT4hd9pwy3T-Mi42sj0k24NJkvQvyeWsIRU9AFsBBnMlO8oMasbKbqoOEKPXKpfS9MespOeKGoPOHvsM0rHZ-PSssi4_N6FzGCwnJioVZv_K7OoseS0fFbSnpRN6gmDjFFoeA.BANo8JALFV-ve_c8qNG8k19KK2otfCZGZLMXhaRkajE&dib_tag=se&keywords=revolution+of+common+sense&qid=1764082320&sprefix=%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1], Scott Jennings [https://runswitchpr.com/scott-jennings/]!. You know Scott as the “spokesperson for common sense” on the CNN panel, and may recognize him as the guy who wore the hostage pin every day for two years on air, along with his progressive BFF Van Jones. (Scott, tell Van Chaya Leah says “hey”). He’s also a writer [https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Common-Sense-Washington-Civilization/dp/B0F85TM11P/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9DLKM9YIeyAhCdnFWEfe1-eE3DEx4yA6lQJX1KNE2q1eAO7YWQHG_ffjtA-7ReoJRn4L_aOn7UZCZ-I1bx34gPKIewpPCubJffTqpySwFh1mx1tZh0jy8RKpbax9DXEJC3Tom-5iDUrBjloH6Zif_VH9tiiScjg804opew0v6aJOeKGoPOHvsM0rHZ-PSssi4_N6FzGCwnJioVZv_K7OoseS0fFbSnpRN6gmDjFFoeA.k3aRkdtndn4BAKyogqxpC2iBna0sLkwrdxZeGNqFmzU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=580694197093&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9060351&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1106105723790001745--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1106105723790001745&hvtargid=kwd-2418496370102&hydadcr=20589_13321856&keywords=revolution+of+common+sense&mcid=240425cd1bdc3d24a58f8658d8ce6136&qid=1764081019&sr=8-1], a veteran of national political campaigns, host of the Scott Jennings Show on the Salem Radio Network [https://scottjenningsshow.com/] and a million other things we didn’t have time to talk about because we were too busy asking him about raising chickens and whether he ever stole anything from the White House (the answer is Yes! You have to listen to find out what though..) We did talk about being a lone conservative on a panel of liberals, how America is awesome, friendships across the aisle, why the only negative responses he got to wearing the hostage pin were on the air and not in real life, and his passionate, administration-defying crusade to make soccer illegal. We even let him talk about his book for a little bit! The bestseller “A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization” [https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Common-Sense-Washington-Civilization/dp/B0F85TM11P/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9DLKM9YIeyAhCdnFWEfe1-eE3DEx4yA6lQJX1KNE2q1eAO7YWQHG_ffjtA-7ReoJRn4L_aOn7UZCZ-I1bx34gPKIewpPCubJffTqpySwFh1mx1tZh0jy8RKpbax9DXEJC3Tom-5iDUrBjloH6Zif_VH9tiiScjg804opew0v6aJOeKGoPOHvsM0rHZ-PSssi4_N6FzGCwnJioVZv_K7OoseS0fFbSnpRN6gmDjFFoeA.k3aRkdtndn4BAKyogqxpC2iBna0sLkwrdxZeGNqFmzU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=580694197093&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9060351&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1106105723790001745--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1106105723790001745&hvtargid=kwd-2418496370102&hydadcr=20589_13321856&keywords=revolution+of+common+sense&mcid=240425cd1bdc3d24a58f8658d8ce6136&qid=1764081019&sr=8-1] is out now and you should buy it as a holiday gift for all your friends as well as your enemies. It’s a great read with some wild access and fun stories! Make sure to follow Scott on X [https://x.com/ScottJenningsKY], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/scottjenningsky], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/scottjenningsky/#] and check out his radio show/podcast, [https://srnonline.com/show/the-scott-jennings-show] which you can catch weekdays at 2pm EST Live on X. Also: * Writing a book about President Trump, with President Trump, while President Trump is being President Trump. * Wearing the yellow hostage pin every day over the last two years in solidarity with the hostages in Gaza, and finally taking it off. * Growing up as a blue-collar Kentuckian with a little briefcase. * “Everyone is Hitler” except Hitler. * This podcast has gone one zero episodes without mentioning Mandy Patinkin. * Is it fair that Scott is the lone conservative voice on the CNN panel fending off the liberals? Na, it’s not fair…to them. * Scott Jennings, Van Jones, David Axelrod - we’d pay for someone to make this buddy comedy. * Stop resisting the west. * Is being an antisemite good politics? Strongly recommend taking the time to watch Scott address the Republican Jewish Coalition last month. Chills: * Scott was on a nice vacation in Israel when Iran ruined it. * The Iron Dome is a freaking miracle (and fun to watch!) * 250 years of America F*** Yea!!! * Is Scott the most Meme-d guy on CNN? * Scott thinks soccer should be banned. * Raising 4 boys and the Abraham Accords in the Jennings household. * Oh wait Scott has a book?? * What did Scott steal from the White House? * The Best Christmas movie is not the one Scott said. * We make him thank us for Jesus If you’ve come this far, consider subscribing! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Live From the Kosher Table - With Periel Aschenbrand

Periel Aschenbrand is a writer, comedian, author [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Periel-Aschenbrand/author/B001K88X5K?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=11607b3b-0cb8-4cb6-8338-9109155b1997], and producer of the Comedy Cellar podcast “Live From the Table” [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjMSOsp3P38jA5SuUpuqIyz4C3fBmf8uc]. We discuss her life in comedy, post-October 7th stand up, and the irony of hiding in a baker’s oven during the holocaust. Find Periel on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/perielaschenbrand/?hl=en], catch her show “Hysterical [https://punchup.live/show/a2c0b210-a656-4ec2-bf05-31338554b211]” at the West Side Comedy Club. and check out her clothing line Henrietta [https://wearehenrietta.com/], a tribue to an OG Jewish female hero. Do you love Ask A Jew? Do you at least like us? If so, we have exciting news! Stay tuned on Substack for some announcements on new stuff coming your way in January 2026. And no, unfortunately it’s not a new cohost instead of Chaya Leah. Make sure to subscribe on askajew.substack.com [https://askajew.substack.com/] so you don’t miss out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Zohran Mamdani is Making us Fat

Join the conversation on Substack askajew.substack.com [https://askajew.substack.com/] Hello from NYC, where everything is going juuuussstttt grrreeaaat. Don’t worry though, we’ll protect you. What really was great was our Shabbat dinner with our friends at the Six Street Synagogue! About 60 of you showed up to eat, drink, cry, laugh and drink some more. It was truly uplifting and fun to meet everyone, we really could all use some community now. Special shout out to those of you who came alone and left with many new friends. Please keep the conversation going in our Substack chat or wherever you like. We don’t have many photos but if you took any please send them over to askajewpod@gmail.com! In this episode we discuss the future of New York City, why the UN needs to investigate our post-war weight gain, the progressive Judaism movement - plus we answer two questions from listeners: one about whether or not you should give your child an Israeli name, and how to talk to your Israeli-skeptic kid. No questions is too big or too small, so if you have one please send it to askajewpod@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]