An Orthodox rabbi on why his synagogue supports the LGBTQ+ community

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412. Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242 Referenced articles, books and music:News of the Week: • “‘They have nowhere to go’: On Maui, a Chabad outpost gives safe harbor to dozens of Jews “ by Louis Keene in the Forward• ”Five things Jews can do to stop climate change” by Rob Eshman in the Forward• ”Bomb threats and ‘swatting’ campaign hits dozens of synagogues” by Arno Rosenfeld and Louis Keene in the Forward• ”MAP: 148 Bomb Threats Strike Jewish Community — And Counting” (from 2017) by Laura E. Adkins in the Forward• ”Former Trump adviser Michael Flynn blamed Jews for boarding trains to Auschwitz — here’s all the offensive comments he’s made about Jews” by Beth Harpaz and Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward Main Interview:• ”Analysis: With an eye to 2024, Biden takes a ‘passive-aggressive’ approach to Israel” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward• ”Biden and Bibi both need a big win. Is a deal with the Saudis their answer?” by Michael Oren in the Forward• “Normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not imminent” by Noa Shusterman Dvir in the Forward Recommendations: Laura: Jared Freid: 37 and Single, on NetflixBenyamin: Painkiller, on Netflix“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412. Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242  “That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction02:25 News of the Week12:10 Interview with Alex Edelman29:35 Recommendations and closing We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412. Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242And follow the Forward onFacebookTwitterInstagram Referenced articles, books and music:News of the Week: RFK Jr.’s antisemitic remarks• “RFK Jr. said COVID-19 was targeted to spare ‘Ashkenazi Jews.’ One rabbi came to his defense” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward• ”We need to talk about RFK Jr.’s antisemitic conspiracy mongering” by Aviya Kushner in the Forward• Kerry Kennedy’s tweet about her brother• “History shows that epidemics can carry dangerous side effects for Jews: deadly anti-Semitism” by Henry Abramson in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Members of Congress skipping Bougie Herzog’s speech: • “Why are Israel supporters so worried about a tiny boycott of Israeli president’s speech to Congress?” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward• “Bernie Sanders boycotted President Herzog’s speech to protest Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward Barbenheimer Shabbat• “Is Barbie Jewish? The complex Jewish history of the doll, explained” by Shira Li Bartov in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Main Interview:“Just for Us” is on Broadway until August 19thAlex and his mailing list can be found at https://www.alexedelmancomedy.com/ Recommendations: Laura: The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds by Benyamin CohenBenyamin: The audiobook version!  “That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction03:00 News of the Week14:00 Interview with R/Judaism32:30 Recommendations and closing We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412. Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242 Referenced articles, books and music:News of the Week: “As Tree of Life trial enters final phase, 6 Jewish scholars on what text and tradition say about the death penalty” in the Forward  “The Tree of Life shooter will likely receive the death penalty. Only one question remains" by Rob Eshman in the Forward“Jonah Hill’s therapy-speak exposes the dark side of the Nice Jewish Boy” by Mira Fox in the Forward“Was Jonah Hill’s ex-girlfriend wrong to share texts showing his abuse?” by Nora Berman in the Forward“New LA Times sports section has Sabbath-observant fans feeling boxed out” by Louis Keene in the ForwardThere’s a new social media platform — Threads! You can follow us there: Benyamin is @benyamin_cohen, Laura is @adkinsdebate, and the Forward is @jdforward. Let’s talk r/Judaism:You can join in on the fun at reddit.com/r/Judaism. Recommendations: LAURA: Finding Q: My Journey into QAnon by Nicky Woolf on Audible BENYAMIN: “The End of the Magic World’s 50-Year Grudge” by David Segal in The New York Times “That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412. Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242 Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newslettersAnd find the Forward on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforwardTwitter: https://twitter.com/jdforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/ Referenced articles, books and music:News of the Week: “Roseanne Barr, in strange tirade, says ‘nobody died in the Holocaust’ but ‘they should have'” by Rebecca Salzhauer in the Forward“Boteach to his friend Roseanne: ‘This is a time for earnestness, not sarcasm’” by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in the Jewish Journal Main Interview:You can follow the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Recommendations: Laura: “Is the ‘antisemitism crisis’ on US college campuses real?” in +972Benyamin: “The underwater search for an alien meteor” in the BBC “That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

Hosts Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward were joined by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, everyone’s favorite sex therapist, in celebration of her 95th birthday. Later in the show, they discussed a neo-Nazi who renounced his ways thanks to MDMA, and the renaming of Wyoming’s “Swastika Lake.”We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242 Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newsletters And find the Forward on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforwardTwitter: https://twitter.com/jdforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/ Referenced articles, books and music:Main Interview:• “Dr. Ruth's Attends Her Granddaughter's Summer Garden Party Wedding in New York” in People • ”Dr. Ruth said if you cheat once, regret it, and are happy in your relationship, you shouldn't tell your partner” in Insider• Dr. Ruth’s post-pandemic life is a lot busier than yours in the Forward News of the Week: • ”How a dose of MDMA transformed a white supremacist” in the BBC• ”MDMA enhances pleasantness of affective touch” in Nature• ”Patriots owner Robert Kraft among backers of successful push to rename Wyoming’s Swastika Lake” in the Forward• ”Jury Convicts Man in Killing of 11 in Pittsburgh Synagogue” in The New York Times Recommendations: Laura: “The Doctor Is In: Dr. Ruth on Love, Life, and Joie de Vivre” by Dr. Ruth WestheimerBenyamin: “Ask Dr. Ruth” on Hulu “That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412. Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newsletters And find the Forward on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforwardTwitter: https://twitter.com/jdforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/ Referenced articles, books and music: News of the Week: “Why are protesters waving swastika flags in front of Disney World?” by Gall Sigler in the Forward“George Soros Gives Control of His $25 Billion Foundation to His Son” by Michael J. de la Merced in The New York Times“Ryanair says flight attendant ‘mistakenly’ called destination ‘Palestine’ on flight to Tel Aviv” by in the ForwardTweet from Rabbi Uri Pilichowski on the Ryanair debacle Main Interview:“Elon Musk is the most dangerous antisemite in America” by Elad Nehorai in the Forward“Ed Sheeran is popular — but not as popular as the Talmud, according to attendance figures at MetLife Stadium” by Jackie Hajdenberg in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency“#Twittertakeover: How the Musk Acquisition Became a Launchpad for Gen-Z Neo-Nazis, Ye, and Widespread Antisemitism“ report by the Network Contagion Research Institute Elad can be found on: Twitter: @EladNehoraiFacebook: @Nehorai    Instagram: @EladNehorai Recommendations: Laura: LEVOIT air purifier (currently $49.99 on Amazon)Benyamin: “The Search for God at Harvard” by Ari Goldman, Penguin Random House “That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction2:25 News of the week10:45 Interview with Rabbi Jonathan Leener25:55 Recommendations and closing We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.That Jewish News Show is hosted and produced by Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward. Our theme music is by The Fly Guy Five.Listen on Spotify:Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newslettersTo ensure you never miss an episode, follow That Jewish News Show onApple PodcastsSpotifyAnd follow the Forward onFacebookTwitterInstagramReferenced articles, books and musicNews of the Week“Prominent law firm partners who made offensive comments about Jews and others resign” by Jacob Kornbluh in the Forward“Taylor Swift fans have amnesia. So did Jews after Sinai.” by Mira Fox in the ForwardMain Interview:Why I, as an Orthodox rabbi, am committed to LGBTQ+ inclusionRecommendations:Laura: Meyer Lemon pasta recipe from The New York TimesBenyamin: Shiny Happy People on Amazon PrimeThat Jewish News Show is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction5:00 The Tree of Life trial in Pittsburgh, the debt ceiling compromise, and … Nazi cocaine?  9:30 Interview with culture reporter Mira Fox27:20 Recommendations and closing On the June 1, 2023 episode of That Jewish News Show, Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward discuss the Pittsburgh trial, the debt ceiling compromise, and packages of cocaine adorned with swastikas and other Nazi insignia. They were joined by Mira Fox, a culture reporter at the Forward, to discuss her reporting on what’s behind the rise of Christian and Jewish highway billboards.Listen on Apple Podcasts:We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.That Jewish News Show is hosted and produced by Laura E. Adkins and Benyamin Cohen of the Forward. Our theme music is by The Fly Guy Five.Listen on Spotify:Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newslettersTo ensure you never miss an episode, follow That Jewish News Show onApple PodcastsSpotifyAnd follow the Forward onFacebookTwitterInstagramReferenced articles, books and musicNews of the Week“That Jewish News Show: Talking Netflix’s ‘Jewish Matchmaking’ with Aleeza Ben Shalom” in the Forward“Zarna Garg: One in a Billion” on Amazon“In Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, Jewish rituals feature as prominently as the carnage of the day” by Ron Kampeas in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency“The debt ceiling compromise reflects deep Jewish wisdom” by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield in the Forward“The $1 Trillion Debt Ceiling Solution” in the Forward“Someone Tried to Ship 50 Bricks of Swastika-Branded Cocaine to Europe” in ViceMain Interview:“Billboards urge people to convert to Christianity — but can they make antisemites see the light?” by Mira Fox in the Forward“Can an all-Mormon cast pull off ‘Fiddler on the Roof’? We traveled to Utah to find out.” by Mira Fox in the ForwardRecommendations:Laura: “The Secrets of Hillsong” on HuluBenyamin: “Einstein's War: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I”That Jewish News Show is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.

0:00 Introduction2:55 The Biden administration’s plan to combat antisemitism  10:30 Interview with Jonathan Freedland35:30 - 29:00 Recommendations and closing On this week's episode of "That Jewish News Show," hosts Laura E. Adkins, the Forward's opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, its news director, talk about the Biden administration's comprehensive new plan to combat antisemitism. Plus: They're joined by Jonathan Freedland, a columnist at The Guardian and co-host of the "Unholy" podcast, to talk about his new book, “The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World,” which won the National Jewish Book Award and recently landed on the New York Times bestseller list.Subscribe to "That Jewish News Show" wherever you get your podcasts.We want to hear from you! Leave a review below and email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You can also text or call us at (201) 228-0412.Listen to “That Jewish News Show” on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FuJ640W1vfg2Y8yCH0XMBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-jewish-news-show/id1684535242Subscribe to the Forward’s free daily newsletters at forward.com/newslettersAnd find the Forward on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewishdailyforwardTwitter: https://twitter.com/jdforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdforward/ Referenced articles, books and music:News of the WeekThe U.S. National Strategy to Counter AntisemitismIsrael ‘mudslinging’ threatens to overshadow White House antisemitism strategy by Arno RosenfeldOur hate crime reporting system is broken by Laura E. AdkinsDoug Emhoff opens up about his Jewishness as he visits his ancestors’ Polish hometown by Laura E. AdkinsPhotos: A somber Holocaust remembrance trip with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff by Laura E. AdkinsThe federal government is now funding Holocaust education, but does it actually work? by Aiden PinkWho won the debate over defining ‘antisemitism’ in new White House report? by Lauren MarkoeMain Interview:‘The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World’ by Jonathan FreedlandThey fled the hell of Auschwitz, but that was not the only catastrophe they faced by Dan FriedmanIn London, an antisemitism scandal has sparked a play by Jonathan Freedland about antisemitism. Is it helping? by Talya Zax‘Unholy: Two Jews on the News’ podcastJonathan Freedland’s columns at The Guardian“That Jewish News Show” is a thoughtful look at the week in Jewish news from journalists at the Forward, which has been driving the American Jewish conversation since 1897. In each episode, hosts Laura E. Adkins, the opinion editor, and Benyamin Cohen, the news director, bring you beyond the headlines and interview the newsmakers behind those stories.