Judaism

People Jew Wanna Know

Welcome to People Jew Wanna Know, a podcast sharing stories of remarkable Jewish people! Hosted by Margarita Lyadova, each episode features conversations with interesting Jewish guests of today and historical figures who’ve shaped Jewish culture and identity. Together, we seek answers to today’s essential questions facing the Jewish people.

New episodes every Wednesday.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @peoplejewwannaknow for extras, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Support our work here: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

Latest Episodes:

Aleeza Ben Shalom - Finding A Love That Lasts Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Aleeza Ben Shalom joins People Jew Wanna Know Podcast to talk about all things Jewish dating, relationships, and marriage!

Known for Netflix's iconic show, Jewish Matchmaking, Margarita and Aleeza discuss the dating landscape, Aleeza's new book, and Aleeza offers countless pieces of valuable dating advice.

Grab a copy of Aleeza's new book "Matchmaker Matchmaker: Find Me a Love That Lasts" anywhere you get your books, and follow Aleeza on social media @aleezabenshalom.

Check out Aleeza's matchmaking business at www.marriagemindedmentor.com

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:18 What has Aleeza been up to in the last 2 years?

04:50 How has Jewish dating changed since Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking?

08:49 Is chivalry dead? Dating by Jewish values

14:24 Some new Aleeza-isms!

17:00 Spark vs. Slow Grown - you want a Slow Spark

23:22 Aleeza's success stories

28:40 Dating on Reality TV & Margarita's experience

31:38 On Aleeza's new book!

34:05 Is dating about luck?

39:42 Dating advice from Aleeza in the new year

41:48 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Eli Lebowicz - Punchlines, Politics, & Passover Programs Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Jewish comedian, Eli Lebowicz, joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to crack some jokes and talk all things comedy and Jewish life.

Margarita and Eli discuss whether there are Jewish topics that are off-limits in comedy, how Jews are portrayed in the media, and the importance of comedy in difficult times.

Follow Eli on Instagram @elicomedyagram and see his upcoming shows on www.elicomedy.com

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:56 Who is Eli Lebowicz & how did he get into Jewish comedy?

04:03 How Margarita & Eli met

09:22 How is Jewish comedy changing?

13:33 On the parallel between Israel & Ukraine

22:38 What is JSketch?

27:13 Are any Jewish topics off limits for comedy?

35:25 How did Eli learn how to write jokes?

38:07 Jewish Lightning Round!

43:46 A lesson from Eli

44:42 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

1 Year of People Jew Wanna Know Podcast! Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Tune in to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of People Jew Wanna Know Podcast!

Margarita's little brother, Daniel, asks her questions from listeners as she reflects on various milestones of the pod. They talk about:

Will Margarita take the podcast full time?
Who are Margarita's dream guests?
What has she learned in 1 year of doing the pod?
Margarita's dating life
Where the Jews are headed

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

That's Showbiz, Baby - Ari Axelrod Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

On this jolly New Year's Day, Margarita chats with Ari Axelrod - singer, musician and actor. Ari has become known for his award-winning show, A Place For Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway.

Ari is not only a musical theater savant but the loudest Zionist voice in musical theater right now. In this conversation, Margarita and Ari discuss everything from his career to musical theater, and to, of course, his activism.

Learn more about Ari's work at ariaxelrod.com and follow him on Instagram @AriAxelrod

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:47 Ari's background & career in entertainment

06:50 What are theater kids?

08:48 On playing old Jewish men

14:00 Ari's show - A Place For Us

29:14 The story of Ari's great great uncle who was killed by Nazis during his opera performance

31:38 Ari is the loudest Zionist voice in musical theater - what does he have to say to others in show business?

38:20 Was Masada heroic or a shame?

42:57 Ari has one more thing to say!

44:15 Hear Ari sing

46:04 Lightning Round

48:58 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Making Mazel with Rachie Shnay Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

It's the start of Hanukkah and Xmas day which is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy a lighthearted conversation with Rachie Shnay who joins us on the pod this week.

Rachie is known not only as a social media activist, but also as owner and founder of her iconic jewelry brand - Rachie Shnay. Her Mazel rings are worn by numerous Jewish celebrities!

Learn about Rachie's fascinating story, her popular brand and hear Rachie's powerful message on the importance of Jewish education and Jewish continuity.

Check out Rachie's company at rachieshnay.com and follow her on Instagram @rachieshnay

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:44 The Story of Rachie Shnay & what is the Mazel Collection?

12:21 On Rachie's online activism

16:05 People are marrying out & there are Anti-Zionist Jews, what do we do?

22:45 Margarita's experience teaching Hebrew School

28:59 Rachie's visit to Israel & the importance of Jewish continuity

33:27 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Schmuckboys Take The Mic! Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

Margarita welcomes the hosts of Schmuckboys podcast onto People Jew Wanna Know! Libby Shayo and Marla Friedson have been running their pod since 2021 and talk all things Jewish life, dating and relationships.

This episode is full of dating stories, dating disasters and laughter!

Check out Schmuckboys wherever you get your podcasts and follow them on Instagram @schmuckboys official

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

06:14 The Schmuckboys origin story & how the pod has evolved

16:30 How to talk about Oct 7th & the war as a Jewish creator

17:29 1 in 4 Jewish people "marry out" - what's going on with dating?

27:04 The one time Margarita tried branching out to non-Jewish guys

30:06 Highlights of the Schmuckboys podcast

37:00 On dating the same people as your friends

40:31 A moment to appreciate Margarita's brother - Daniel & on who pays for the first date

45:48 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Legacy of A Brilliant Life - Rachelle Unreich Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Rachelle Unreich joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to talk about her career in journalism/writing and her award-winning book - A Brilliant Life. A Brilliant Life is the powerful, true story of Rachelle's mother, Mira - a Holocaust survivor. Spoiler alert: Brilliance runs in the family ;)

This episode will leave you inspired, optimistic and eager to grab a copy.

Check out Rachelle's work at RachelleUnreich.com and follow her on Instagram @rachelleunr

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:14 Rachelle's career & the origin A Brilliant Life

09:55 On the relationship between parents & children

16:42 Does Rachelle believe in ghosts? On life after death

24:20 On psychics

34:10 Does Rachelle see any parallels between Mira's life in the Holocaust & life post Oct-7?

43:30 Rachelle's contribution to On Being Jewish Now

48:06 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Alvah Klempt - The Jewish Drag Queen of Your Dreams Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Alvah Klempt, an iconic Jewish drag queen, joins People Jew Wanna Know Podcast to discuss her career & talk all things drag!

Check out and book Alvah at alvahklempt.com and follow her on Instagram @alvahklempt

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:42 What is Alvah Klempt's story?

06:54 Alvah's favorite kind of drag

08:02 Alvah's Jewish upbringing & how it influenced the creation of Alvah Klempt

11:50 "I am really inspired by the Jewish drag queens that have come before me"

16:20 On the Netflix show Nobody Wants This

20:22 When is drag tribute vs. mockery?

24:28 A quick tangent about Cabaret

27:57 What is it like being a Jewish performer in the drag community?

33:16 Best drag clubs in NYC

36:42 Lessons from Alvah as a new drag queen of the NYC drag scene

39:26 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Chama Mechtaly - Master Class on the Middle East Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

Margarita interviews Chama Mechtaly - a Muslim-Jewish activist, influencer, and founder of the Emma Lazarus Institute of Liberty & Tolerance.

Chama has worked tirelessly on instrumental policy work designed to deradicalize the Middle East and normalize Israel/Arab World relations. One such example is her contribution to the Abraham Accords.

In this episode, Chama offers a refreshing, no bullshit take on the situation in the Middle East and where she thinks we are headed.

Learn more about Chama at chamamechtaly.com and follow her on Instagram @millennialmoor

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:59 Who is Chama Mechtaly? Her work in advocacy, policy & her unconventional upbringing

15:29 On the Emma Lazarus Institute for Liberty & Tolerance

17:24 What do people in the Western world misunderstand about the Middle East?

24:12 On the Abraham Accords & the threats of radicalization

30:45 Positive & Negative Peace

34:54 Chama's take on Israel & one-state or two-state solution

49:20 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Zach of All Trades - Interview with Zach Sage Fox Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Zach Sage Fox joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to discuss his instrumental work as a social media influencer, producer, director and thought leader in the Jewish world. Zach has created some of the most viral content to come out of the Israel/Hamas war including interviews of Palestinian people in the West Bank.

Learn how Zach went from being a Disney star to a media mogul.

Follow Zach Sage Fox on Instagram @zach.sage

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:06 Who is the Zach of all trades? Zach's upbringing & how he got into entertainment

08:39 Fat Camp

9:55 On the Youtube era & how Zach interviewed random people

14:12 How Zach won a talent competition that propelled his career

15:30 On Meghan Trainor & working for Disney

19:37 How Zach ended up at UPenn

27:08 The importance of entrepreneurship in entertainment