Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Watch this episode on YouTube @JonahPlattOfficial Broadway director and arts activist Zhailon Levingston has been making waves in the New York theater scene through his ability to challenge audiences emotionally at the same time he is entertaining them. In this episode, Zhailon, who is not Jewish, describes his love of the very Jewish practice of “Havruta,” a collaborative method of rigorously debating ideas with a single partner over a long period of time, and how this intense intellectually wrestling is a far more productive method of bringing folks together than trying to get everyone to agree on the same positions. As artistic director of The Inheritance Theater Project, Levingston reveals deep insight into how collaborative playmaking can be a powerful technology for bringing disparate communities together. In this week’s episode, Levingston joins Jonah for an illuminating conversation on a number of deep and difficult topics, from Jewish and Black identity, to the Israel/Gaza war, to Gen Z’s struggles with social media, to the ideas of “Black Aliveness”. Don’t miss this complex, thought-provoking discussion you can only find right here, on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt!Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcastSubscribe to the video podcastFollow Jonah on Instagram @jonahplatt Follow the Show on Instagram @beingjewishpodcastJoin the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comHost & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; and Executive Assistant, Josie Rothschild.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeInheritance Theater ProjectJon Adam RossDr. Rebecca Schorsch Havruta Meaning & Definition The Story of The ExodusJames Baldwin Text About Black/Jewish Relations in 1968 Kevin Quashie on How to Read & Interpret Black Text Through “Aliveness”Juneteenth Seder Jonah Platt Speaks About Undiagnosed ADHD Douglas Lyons Chicken & Biscuits PlayTable 17 Play The Normal Heart Play by Larry Kramer

Watch this episode on YouTube @JonahPlattOfficial 5-time James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Michael Solomonov is famous for his groundbreaking & wildly popular Israeli cuisine for American palates, all of which he dishes on with Jonah in this week’s episode. A child of both Israel and America, Solomonov has made it his mission to bring Israeli culture to the fore by showcasing its diverse and delicious food, a quest that’s grown more complex since October 7th and the anti-Israel sentiments that have followed - even from his own staff. In this raw and heartfelt conversation, Solomonov also opens up about the death of his younger brother while serving in the IDF, overcoming addiction, the unifying power of food, and expert culinary tips you’ll only find here, on this week’s episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcastSubscribe to the video podcastFollow Jonah on Instagram @jonahplatt Follow the Show on Instagram @beingjewishpodcastJoin the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comConnect with Michael Solomonovhttps://www.instagram.com/mikesolomonov/ https://www.instagram.com/zahavfoodshttps://www.instagram.com/jaffabar_philly/ Aviv Restaurant at 1 Hotel Southbeach https://www.instagram.com/1hotel.southbeach Host & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel).Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeThe ADHD Effect on Marriage by Melissa OrlovDr. Ned Hallowell / https://www.tiktok.com/@drhallowellDavid Solomonov ObituaryRuss Cowan’s Deli: Radin’s DelicatessenPho 75 Restaurant Vetri Restaurant Philadelphia Zahav RestaurantFederal Donuts Laser Wolf DizengoffKfar Goldie Philadelphia Protests Outside of Goldie Restaurant United HatzalahAvi-Cue Shwarma Saffy’s Los Angeles Jaffa Bar PhiladelphiaAviv Restaurant MiamiSeed & Mill HalvaSpice C Philadelphia Hawaij Mixed Spice Blend Chef Aliza SokolowZahav Home Cookbook GefilteriaCourage BagelsDel Rossi’s Cheesesteak09:11 Interview with Chef Michael Solomonov34:26 Struggles and Support: Overcoming Addiction35:21 Exploring the Culinary Ventures37:32 Introducing Jaffa: A New Culinary Concept40:27 Navigating Political Challenges44:16 Reflecting on October 7th52:24 Comfort Food and Culinary Tips57:42 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Watch this episode on YouTube here!3-time Emmy-winning actress and longtime activist Patricia Heaton found a new calling 15 months ago - leading the Christian charge to stand with Israel and the Jewish community in the wake of October 7th. In this week’s episode, Jonah and Patricia explore why her faith demands her to stand for truth and justice, and how she is using her platform to garner solidarity with Jews worldwide. From rallies at Columbia University, to visiting hostage families in Israel, to starting the October 7th Coalition non-profit,  the beloved “Everybody Loves Raymond” star highlights the urgency around her advocacy and the importance of rising to meet the moment. Patricia and Jonah also talk about the no-no’s of conservative politics in Hollywood, Heaton’s Irish Catholic upbringing, and her unwavering sense of faith in this no-holds-barred episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcast: https://beingjewishwithjonahplatt.transistor.fm/subscribe Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@JonahPlattOfficial Follow Jonah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jonahplatt/ Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingjewishpodcast/ Join the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comConnect with Patricia Heaton & The October 7th Coalitionhttps://www.instagram.com/patriciaheaton/https://www.instagram.com/TheOfficialO7C/Host & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Designer Noah Bell Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel).Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeChris Rock (On Taking Care of Your Kids) (warning - explicit content)Patricia Heaton Presents at Jewish Media AwardsOctober 7th Coalition (Patricia Heaton’s Non-Profit) “The Promise Sessions” bringing Israeli musicians to NashvillePatricia talks Unity Dinner & Nova Exhibit (Section in video: 2:29-6:37)Nova ExhibitionRegistration for Patricia’s “Deborah Rising” Womens’ Trip to IsraelPaul’s Scripture (Put on the Armor of God) Jewish Girls Attacked in LondonJewish Man Shot While Walking to Synagogue in ChicagoLone Jew Arrested at Anti-Israel Rally in TorontoPolice Tell Jewish Man to Leave Downtown Montreal During Anti-Israel RallyJonah discusses Availability HeuristicMenachem Begin “Jew with Trembling Knees” speechJewish Federation of ClevelandJewish Nobel Prize WinnersApproximately 22% of Nobel Prize Winners/Laureates Are JewishMalcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point Lord of The Rings Speech (About Goodness in a Dark World) MyZuzahYourZuzahBillings, Montana: How A Town Banded Together to Fight Jew-HatredMagen David Adom 

Watch the show on YouTube @JonahPlattOfficial NFL Vikings co-owner and philanthropist Mark Wilf opens up about his family’s American rebuild in the wake of the Holocaust, the importance of Israel, and the “family business” approach that has led to so much success for the Vikings franchise.. As a child of Holocaust Survivors, Wilf discusses the resilience and values his parents imparted to him, and how building a strong community is the antidote to trauma. He and Jonah also discuss numerous critical Jewish + Holocaust focused organizations such as The Jewish Agency, Jewish Federations of North America, March of the Living, and Yad Vashem. Wilf emphasizes the importance of teaching Jewish history to each new generation and how sports can be a meaningful vehicle for bringing people together around shared values. Don’t miss this eye-opening and inspirational conversation on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt! Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the podcast: https://beingjewishwithjonahplatt.transistor.fm/subscribe Follow Jonah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jonahplatt/ Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingjewishpodcast/ Join the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish  Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplattAll things Jonah:www.JonahPlatt.comConnect with Mark Wilfhttps://www.vikings.com/team/front-office-roster/mark-wilfHost & Production TeamHost: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Designer Noah Bell Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel).Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish!Mentioned in EpisodeAJU’s Millter Introduction to Judaism program Rabbi Pinchas TeitzJaroslaw, PolandLvov GhettoHolocaust Survivor Gathering in Israel Wilf Family FoundationMarch of The LivingYad Vashem Lack of Holocaust Education Among Young PeopleJewish Federation of North America The Jewish Agency For Israel (Where Mark Wilf is the Chairman of the Board of Governors)Nearly 30,000 People Immigrate to Israel in the Midst of Ongoing WarsOctober 7th Commemoration Post - 2024October 7th Post - 2023 Nova Exhibition "All statistics from the opening monologue were obtained directly from internal data via the institutions themselves”00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Reflection00:50 The Surge in Jewish Identity Post-October 7th01:36 Remarkable Statistics of Jewish Community Engagement04:00 Impact of the Podcast and Community Feedback06:16 Interview with Mark Wilf: Jewish Values and Sports10:33 Family Legacy and Holocaust Stories21:16 The Importance of Jewish Education and Philanthropy24:36 Hope and Resilience in the Jewish Community24:54 Legacy of a Holocaust Survivor25:44 Yad Vashem: A Beacon of Memory and Education27:32 Challenges in Holocaust Education29:10 Commitment to Jewish Advocacy29:58 Support for Terror Victims and Community Building31:27 Global Jewish Support: Ukraine and Ethiopia33:21 Jewish Advocacy in Sports36:44 Reflections on Recent Trips to Israel39:52 Community Involvement and Philanthropy42:22 Final Thoughts and Audience Q&A