Sarah Hurwitz - Reclaiming Jewish Identity and Peoplehood

Episode 70 of What Gives?—the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, our guest is Sarah Hurwitz, former speechwriter for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and the author of two widely discussed books about Jewish life and identity. Her newest book, As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us, challenges us to rethink how centuries of prejudice have shaped Jewish self-understanding, and why now is the time for a more confident and substantive embrace of Jewish tradition and peoplehood. Sarah spoke about what it means to live as a Jew “without apology,” why shallow or self-deprecating Jewish identities aren’t enough in this moment, and how young Jews especially can ground themselves in real content and community. Take a listen.

Episode 69 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Elias Saratovsky, President and CEO of the Birthright Israel Foundation. As Birthright turns 25, we reflect not just on the nearly 900,000 young Jews who’ve visited Israel through this transformative program, but on how immersive travel, identity, and belonging are being reimagined for a new generation. Elias shares his personal story, from growing up in a family of Soviet Jewish immigrants with little Jewish identity, to going on the very first Birthright trip in 1999, to now stewarding the future of the most ambitious Jewish educational initiative of our time. Elias and Andrés explore how Birthright adapted through a pandemic and a war, why pride and not propaganda is its most powerful product, and how a second trip to Israel might be even more important than the first. Take a listen.

Episode 68 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Shai Held, President and Dean of the Hadar Institute and author of the new book Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Shai returns for his second appearance on this podcast to talk about the enduring caricature of the “Old Testament God,” and how that distortion has shaped both Jewish and Christian imaginations. Shai and Andrés explore why many rabbis feel ill-equipped to support spiritual seekers, how the trauma of October 7 has intensified theological yearning, and what role funders can play in revitalizing Jewish conversations about God. You’ll hear why Shai believes that real love, the kind rooted in justice, compassion, and mutual responsibility, is the most powerful force we can bring to a fractured world. Take a listen.

Episode 67 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Josh Miller, Chief Program Officer at the Jim Joseph Foundation. Over the past 17 years, Josh has helped shape some of the most significant philanthropic investments in Jewish education and talent development. In this episode, we talk about how the field of Jewish philanthropy has professionalized, why general operating and multi-year grants are smarter bets, and what it really takes to support meaningful innovation, whether inside legacy institutions or bold new ventures. Josh also reflects on the “accidental” path that led him into Jewish professional life, the critical importance of field experience for funders, and how October 7 has reshaped our sense of urgency, purpose, and possibility. Take a listen.

Episode 66 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Simon Greer, a longtime leader in Jewish philanthropy, former CEO of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, now the driving force behind the Viewpoint Diversity Initiative at the University of North Carolina, and the founder of Cambridge Health Ventures Simon takes us through his three‑part awakening—realizing that America’s crisis is as much spiritual as it is political, recognizing his own part in the problem of tribalism, and discovering that real change happens when we lean into the humanity of “the other.” We’ll explore why “viewpoint diversity” isn’t just an academic buzzword but an urgent practice for our fractured times—from campus debates about Israel and Palestine to retreats that bring correction officers and formerly incarcerated people together to reform our justice system. Take a listen.

Episode 65 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. With decades of experience navigating Washington and Jerusalem, William offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Conference builds consensus across a coalition of 50 diverse Jewish organizations. We explore the delicate balance between public statements and quiet diplomacy, how Jewish communal leaders respond to rising antisemitism on campus, and what it means to represent a politically diverse Jewish community in times of division and crisis. William shares his personal journey from grassroots political campaigns to the highest levels of Jewish leadership, and the lessons he’s learned about relationship-building, advocacy, and the surprising power of passionate moderation. Take a listen.

Episode 64 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Noah Farkas, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Noah’s career has been shaped by crisis leadership: from his time as a Navy chaplain in Iraq, to rebuilding Jewish life in Biloxi after Hurricane Katrina, to guiding his community through the aftermath of October 7th and the devastating California wildfires. We explore how his background in trauma care, disaster response, and Jewish values has informed a bold philanthropic strategy in a time of volatility and uncertainty. You’ll hear how the L.A. Federation evacuated 300,000 residents, reopened early childhood centers, and launched new funds to restore Jewish communal life—from preschools to summer camps to professional pipelines. Noah shares why federations are the Jewish community’s “9-1-1,” and how moral clarity and rapid action can build resilience for the long haul. Take a listen.

Episode 63 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we learn about the intersections of science, spirituality, and community with Dr. Neil Theise. Neil is a professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and a pioneer in the fields of adult stem cell plasticity and the framework of the body's internal support system. In his book Notes on Complexity, Neil explores how complexity theory not only unravels the mysteries of biology and physics but also offers a profound lens through which we can view society, spirituality, and even Jewish communal life. In this conversation, we’ll talk about how complexity theory reshapes our understanding of leadership, community resilience, and the power of relationships, as well as Neil’s personal journey—from considering rabbinical school to becoming a Zen Buddhist and a leading pathologist. This is a conversation that connects atoms to cities, stem cells to spirituality, and Jewish identity to the fabric of the universe.

Episode 62 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jeffrey Solomon, a towering figure in Jewish philanthropy whose impact has shaped the field for decades. As Senior Advisor to Chasbro Investments and former President of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, Jeff’s influence has extended across Canada, Israel, and the United States. He’s played a pivotal role in transformative initiatives like Birthright Israel and has been a trusted partner to some of the most influential funders in Jewish life. Jeff reflects on his remarkable journey—from growing up as the child of Holocaust survivors, to navigating a career that spanned public service, communal leadership, and groundbreaking philanthropy. He talks about the evolution of Jewish communal work, the challenges of funding structures, and the ethical dilemmas philanthropy faces today. Jeff shares candid insights on his partnership with Charles Bronfman, the founding of Birthright Israel, and the leadership lessons he's learned over his prolific career. We also explore the role of elders in community resilience and why innovation remains at the heart of sustainable philanthropy. Take a listen.

Episode 61 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Stephen Bronfman, a leader in Jewish philanthropy with a strong commitment to environmental activism, and Nigel Savage, a pioneer in Jewish environmental education and the founding CEO of the Jewish Climate Trust. Together, we explore how their backgrounds—Stephen’s lifelong connection to the outdoors and family legacy of philanthropy, and Nigel’s journey from finance to Jewish environmental leadership—have shaped their efforts to mobilize Jewish funders and organizations in tackling the climate crisis. We also discuss Israel’s role as a hub for sustainability innovation and how climate action can connect Jewish values with social justice and global impact. Take a listen.