The Jewish Review of Books Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Deborah Lipstadt, Soviet Jewry, and Antisemitism Nov 05, 2025

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Professor Deborah Lipstadt joins the JRB Podcast to discuss the legacy of the movement to free Soviet Jewry, and the stubborn specter of antisemitism.

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Matti Friedman and the Difficult Choices of War Apr 22, 2025

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On today’s episode of the Jewish Review of Books Podcast, Abe Socher was joined by journalist Matti Friedman. Matti is the author of several excellent books about the Arab-Israeli Wars, including Pumpkinflowers, Spies of No Country, and, most recently, Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai. He is also a regular contributor to The […]

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Dara Horn’s Passover Saga Apr 09, 2025

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Dara Horn on the continuous stream of Jewish history, comics, and her own family's unique Seder traditions.

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Shai Held, Judaism, and Love Sep 23, 2024

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Rabbi Shai Held joins the Jewish Review of Books Podcast to discuss his new book, "Judaism is About Love."

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The 1936 Arab Revolt And Our Modern Moment Aug 12, 2024

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On today's episode of the Jewish Review of Books Podcast, Abe is joined by Oren Kessler, author of the Sapir Award-winning book Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict. Oren dives into the history of this nearly forgotten revolt, and the outsized role it played in shaping the dynamics that still exist in the Israel today.

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The Unlikely Jewish Olympian: Sarah Abrevaya Stein on Alfred Nakache Jul 29, 2024

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On today’s episode of The Jewish Review of Books Podcast we’re speaking with Sarah Abrevaya Stein. Sarah is a fantastic scholar of Jewish history, and the Director of the Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies. She teaches Jewish studies at UCLA and her focus on Mediterranean Jewish history has uncovered underappreciated and under-examined figures from the Jewish past.

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Shai Secunda on Israel’s National Library May 14, 2024

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Contributing Editor Shai Secunda joins the Jewish Review of Books Podcast to discuss the new National Library of Israel and the great project of gathering Jewish culture under a roof that mixes the classical Yeshiva with the grand libraries of Europe.

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Benjamin Balint & Matti Friedman: 1973 & 2023 Apr 01, 2024

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On today's episode, Abe spoke with two brilliant Jerusalem-based journalists, Ben Balint and Matti Friedman. Ben's most recent book, Bruno Schulz: An Artist, a Murder, and the Hijacking of History won the 2024 National Jewish Book Award in biography. Matti Friedman is the author, most recently, of Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai.

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