Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

Exploring Religious Zionism with Yair Ettinger Feb 27, 2025

Mijal and Noam dive into the complexities of religious Zionism in Israel with renowned journalist, Yair Ettinger. They explore the historical roots of the movement, from the pragmatic vision of Rabbi Reines to the messianic approach of Rabbi Kook and discuss how these ideologies helped shape modern Israeli society. They ask tough questions, including why figures such as Meir Kahane are resurfacing in popular discourse. With the rise of hardline religious Zionist factions, Mijal and Noam delve into what religious Zionism means today, its diversity and its role in Israel’s security, politics, and peace efforts.

Frayed by Yair Ettinger

Click here for Yair Ettinger's full bio.

Yair Ettinger is a former Kogod Research Fellow at Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and an Israeli journalist whose work focuses primarily on religious affairs, the religious and Haredi communities, and their politics. Previously, he covered issues relating to Palestinian citizens of Israel and was a foreign affairs correspondent in Paris. Until 2017, he served as a journalist with Ha’aretz for 20 years.

Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Should Jews Move to Israel?: Zionism, Aliyah, and Jewish Identity Feb 20, 2025

This week, Mijal and Noam dive into the existential question of Diaspora Jews: Should Jews move to Israel? Mijal and Noam engage in a thought provoking conversation about Zionism, Aliyah and Jewish identity. They explore historical, religious, and philosophical debates about Aliyah, which literally means ascent or rise and refers to Jewish immigration to Israel. Mijal and Noam share their personal stories, experiences of cognitive dissonance and insights from great Jewish thinkers. Together, they unpack some of the complexities of living in the Diaspora versus embracing life in Israel.

Here are some of the sources referenced in the episode:

Unpacking Israeli History: Does Israel Represent All Jews?: The Great Debate

Blaustein/Ben Gurion exchange

Lubavitcher Rebbe’s response to Ariel Sharon

Programming note: Next week, Wondering Jews will release its new episode on Thursday.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Is "Zionism" Dead?: Re-Defining Identity in 2025 Feb 12, 2025

Mijal and Noam are back with a provocative conversation about the term Zionism and what it means to be a Zionist today. They explore whether the term itself does more harm than good and discuss why it’s so polarizing. Listen to Mijal and Noam grapple with questions about Zionism's relevance by drawing on research, insight and personal reflections about language, history, and identity.

Report by Matthew Boxer: What is Zionism? Assessing the Diversity of Discourse in a Charged Environment

Programming note: Next week, Wondering Jews will release its new episode on Thursday.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

A Journey through Zionism: Identity, Politics and Faith #1 Listener Pick (Re-release) Feb 05, 2025

This week, we are re-releasing the top episode chosen by Wondering Jews' loyal listeners. 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.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Wondering about Zionism with Haviv Rettig Gur : #1 Staff Pick (Re-release) Jan 29, 2025

Wondering Jews is marking its first birthday with the re-release of the Unpacked staff's all time favorite episode. Mijal and Noam talk to friend and journalist Haviv Rettig Gur in a conversation that illuminates the complexity of the Jewish story and the history of Zionism. Together they explore: What does Zionism mean to you? What does it mean to the Jewish people and the world at large? Haviv delves into Zionism as a means of survival while exploring how it has been misunderstood. Listen again or the first time to this thought-provoking episode about self determination, resilience, and Jewish identity.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Meghan McCain on Antisemitism and Politics: Live from the JFNA: #2 Staff Pick (Re-release) Jan 22, 2025

As we approach our one-year anniversary, we’re counting down the top five episodes from our first year, as chosen by the team at Unpacked. This week, Mijal and Noam revisit episode #2, a special live recording at the Jewish Federation General Assembly (JFNA GA). In this landmark episode, we’re joined by Meghan McCain—New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and former co-host of The View. Meghan, the daughter of the late-US Senator, John McCain, opens up about her experiences standing up against antisemitism, her personal connections to the Jewish community, and the importance of nuanced, bipartisan dialogue.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Campus Encampments and Jewish Identity: #3 Staff Pick (Re-release) Jan 15, 2025

Mijal and Noam are back with the countdown to Wondering Jews' first birthday. In the third staff pick of the year's top episodes, they revisit an intense conversation about the 2024 campus encampments advocating for Palestinian causes. Catch this thought-provoking episode for the first time or listen again to Mijal and Noam's discussion on the backlash, and the strong emotions the encampments evoked in the Jewish community. Noam shares his philosophy on empathy, even for critics, while Mijal challenges the line between understanding and endorsing.

Letter from Columbia students

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Haredim and the Israeli Army: #4 Staff Pick (Re-release) Jan 08, 2025

The countdown to Wondering Jews' first birthday continues with number 4, Haredim and the Israeli Army. In this episode, Mijal and Noam delve into the heated and multifaceted debate over whether Haredim should be mandated to serve in the IDF. This battle is not a new one, but it was brought to the forefront when the Sephardic chief rabbi threatened that Haredim would leave the country rather than serve in the IDF. In their discussion, Mijal and Noam push each other to give generous arguments and ask, how can Israel possibly solve this contentious issue?

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Can ChatGPT replace my Rabbi?: #5 Staff Pick (Re-release) Jan 01, 2025

This New Year's Day, Mijal and Noam introduce our “Top 5 Staff Picks” in a special countdown to Wondering Jews' first birthday. They reflect on 2024 and introduce the re-release of one of Unpacked staff's favorite episodes, "Can ChatGPT replace my Rabbi?" Mijal and Noam discuss the evolving role of rabbis and whether artificial intelligence can replace or supplement these roles. At the same time, they explore various responsibilities of rabbis, such as providing information, teaching, offering care and support, making decisions, and serving as role models. Listen again or for the first time.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Hanukkah: History, Miracles, and the Meaning of Light Dec 25, 2024

Why is Hanukkah so beloved by Jews worldwide? What’s the deeper significance of the miracle of the oil and the fight for Jewish identity? Join Mijal and Noam on Wondering Jews as they explore the layers of Hanukkah—from its historical roots to its modern-day meanings. They explore spiritual and cultural interpretations of Hanukkah, and its role as a celebration of resilience, miracles, and light. Listen now and light up your holiday season!

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram

------------

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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Speaking to the Soul: Yirmiyahu Danzig's Journey Through Identity, Empathy and Dialogue Dec 18, 2024

Hosts Mijal and Noam are joined by educator, storyteller, and influencer, Yirmiyahu Danzig, known as That_Semite. Yirmiyahu has millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Unpacked's YouTube channel. He shares his journey connecting with audiences, embracing the complexities of Jewish and Palestinian identities, and fostering dialogue in a divided world.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

Click hereto follow Yirmiyahu on Unpacked.

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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

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Does Interfaith Dialogue Work After 10/7? Dec 11, 2024

Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, a leader with diverse roles spanning Jewish community engagement, joins Mijal and Noam for a thought-provoking conversation about the role of interfaith dialogue since October 7th. The episode explores Rabbi Sarna’s fascinating journey—from serving as the Executive Director of NYU's Bronfman Center to becoming a global figure in interfaith work in Abu Dhabi. Rabbi Sarna spoke to Mijal and Noam following the tragic murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a Chabad emissary in the UAE.

Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

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