Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Noam and Mijal are joined by Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. and grieving father of Major Moshe Yedidya Leiter, z”l, who fell in Gaza after October 7th. Together, they confront hard questions: What does it mean to lead while grieving? How does one reconcile faith and sacrifice in wartime? Together, they explore the importance of dissent and ask when does criticism cross a line? And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-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 [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/jewish-history-nerds/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/unpacking-israeli-history/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/soulful-jewish-living-mindful-practices-for-every-day/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/stars-of-david-elon-gold/]

Mijal and Noam revisit their conversation about Zionism, anti-Zionism, and Jewish identity—framed by the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington D.C. Together, they debate whether anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic, whether all criticism of Israel qualifies as anti-Zionist, and how to define terms like “Zionism” in different contexts—academically, personally, or communally. ⁠Herzl's Der Judenstaat [https://www.bu.edu/mzank/Jerusalem/tx/herzl.htm] Please Note: The updated introduction to this episode was recorded before the antisemitic attack at the hostage rally in Boulder, Colorado. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-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 [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/jewish-history-nerds/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/unpacking-israeli-history/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/soulful-jewish-living-mindful-practices-for-every-day/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/stars-of-david-elon-gold/]

Mijal was so inspired by her conversation with Noam on the meaning of Shavuot that she decided to dive even deeper in this bonus episode on the Book of Ruth (Megillat Rut). Mijal is is joined by her original podcast partner, Rabbi Joe Wolfson. Together, they explore the Book of Ruth, its profound relevance for today’s Jewish world—especially in the wake of October 7 and ongoing challenges in Israel and the diaspora. This conversation is a perfect way to kick off Shavuot, a holiday deeply connected to learning and the study of Torah.  Here's a link [https://open.spotify.com/show/70NSDa9JVYApl8ldrBypkk?si=28ff595d8c8240dd] to Mijal and Rabbi Joe's podcast, Downtown Drash: And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-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 [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/jewish-history-nerds/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/unpacking-israeli-history/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/soulful-jewish-living-mindful-practices-for-every-day/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/stars-of-david-elon-gold/]

Mijal and Noam explore why Shavuot often feels like the “forgotten” Jewish holiday. Is it just about cheesecake, or is there a deeper reason it remains overlooked? They dive into the biblical origins of Shavuot, its transformation from an agricultural celebration to the festival of receiving the Torah, and the profound (and countercultural) themes of divine commandment and covenant. Whether you’ve celebrated Shavuot for decades or are learning about it for the first time, this episode invites you to reframe the holiday as a powerful moment of sacred obligation and spiritual awakening. Here are the links to the books and podcasts discussed in the episode: ⁠Believe: Why Everyone Should be Religious ⁠ [https://www.kbookpublishing.com/bookstore/nonfiction/believe-why-everyone-should-be-religious/] by Ross Ross Douthat Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374524951/moralgrandeurandspiritualaudacity/]by Abraham Joshua Heschel Ruth Ch 3 - At the Threshing Floor [https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/alex-israel/episodes/Ruth-ch-3---At-the-Threshing-Floor-e2vilge/a-abqctgp] Alex Israel, The Tanakh Podcast Reading Ruth [https://www.pauldrybooks.com/products/reading-ruth] by Leon Kass And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-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 [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/jewish-history-nerds/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/unpacking-israeli-history/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/soulful-jewish-living-mindful-practices-for-every-day/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/stars-of-david-elon-gold/]

In the wake of the antisemitic attack that took the lives of Yaron Lashinsky and Sarah Milgram outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., Noam and Mijal reflect on their heartbreak. They discuss grief, the danger of misplaced blame, and what this moment means for Jews—and allies—around the world. From interfaith solidarity to the language of anti-Zionism, this is a conversation about mourning, clarity, and resolve. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram! instagram.com/wonderingjews Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-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 [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/jewish-history-nerds/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/unpacking-israeli-history/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/soulful-jewish-living-mindful-practices-for-every-day/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠ [https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/stars-of-david-elon-gold/]