Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

In this episode of 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with longtime Jewish communal leader Jay Sanderson, recently appointed President of American Jewish University (AJU). Sanderson recounts a harrowing childhood marked by intense antisemitic violence while growing up in Boston public housing, including a near-fatal incident in which he was buried alive. That trauma ultimately propelled him toward a life of Jewish leadership after a transformative summer in Israel facilitated by the Jewish Agency, culminating in a pivotal childhood encounter with David Ben-Gurion.

The conversation traces Sanderson’s career running major institutions such as Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and Jewish Television Network, before turning to his vision for the Jewish future. Sanderson critiques the Jewish world’s tendency to focus narrowly on combating antisemitism rather than proactively planning for long-term vitality. This outlook led to the creation of the 2050 Institute, an initiative designed to address the lack of adequate modern training for Jewish professionals and lack of planning for the Jewish future.

Sanderson explains why he came out of retirement after October 7 to lead AJU, outlining an ambitious plan to reimagine rabbinic education, expand the Miller Introduction to Judaism program, and position AJU as a central pipeline for future Jewish leaders. Jay’s challenge for leaders of today to get off the sidelines, bring new blood and ideas forward, and actively shape what the Jewish experience should look like in 25 years.

Topics of the episode include
Jay Sanderson’s childhood trauma and antisemitism in Boston
A near-death experience and its long-term psychological impact
A formative Israel trip through the Jewish Agency
Meeting David Ben-Gurion at a kibbutz
Leadership roles at Jewish Federation of Los Angeles
The founding vision of the 2050 Institute
Sanderson becoming President of American Jewish University
Expanding the Miller Introduction to Judaism program
Reimagining the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies

Mentioned in the episode:

Jewish Federation LA
Jewish Television Network
Jewish Agency
David Ben Gurion Kibbutz
The 2050 Institute
Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University.
Jay Sanderson: President of AJU
Eric D. Fingerhut
Miller Intro to Judaism
Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh
Camp Alonim
BCI
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
Tzomet Games
Aspen Institute
[email protected]

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[email protected]

To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
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Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
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Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Story Producer: Sasha Nelson, Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

In one of the most powerful and singular conversations ever featured on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with Eli Sharabi, a survivor of 491 days in Hamas captivity. Eli joins Jonah for a two-part conversation that moves from public testimony to deeply personal reflection. The episode opens with a live, onstage discussion at a Magen David Adom gala in Miami, honoring Eli and tracing his journey from Kibbutz Be’eri to captivity and eventual freedom. It then shifts to an intimate studio conversation in Los Angeles, where Eli speaks with remarkable clarity, courage, and humanity about survival, resilience, and the inner discipline that sustained him through unimaginable psychological and physical torment. Together, Jonah and Eli explore the writing of Eli’s book Hostage, the healing power of telling his story, and the global impact of his speech at the United Nations. With profound honesty, Eli reflects on the loss of his wife Lianne, his daughters Noiya and Yahel, and his brother Yossi, and shares his ongoing mission to share his story as a testimony against terrorism, confront disinformation, and raise awareness about the truth of what happened to Hamas captives.

Topics discussed include:

Eli takes us back to October 7th, sharing what he remembers from the day his life changed forever
The unimaginable loss of Eli’s family, and how he carries their memory with him
Honoring the courage and ultimate sacrifices of Amit Mann and Avia Hetzroni from Kibbutz Be’eri
What inspired Eli to write Hostage and how putting words on the page became part of his healing
The reality of what food looked like in captivity, and what deprivation teaches you about survival
How Eli became a mentor and source of strength for Alon Ohel while they were held together
Eli reflects on meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
The emotional impact of Itamar Ben Gvir’s comments
Holding onto tradition, faith, and Shabbat rituals under inhumane conditions
Inside Hamas’ psychological warfare, and how Eli resisted being broken
Rebuilding life after captivity, looking ahead, and Eli’s new mission of truth-telling and advocacy

Support the podcast by subscribing to the Kehillah.

Thank you to this episodes sponsors.
Americans for Ben-Gurion University
SAPIR

Links to items mentioned in the episode:
Eli Sharabi Instagram
“Hostage” by Eli Sharabi
Magen David Adom
I Spent 491 Days as a Hostage of Hamas. This Is My Story
Battle of Kibbutz Be’eri
2025 Magen David Adom Miami Gala: From Darkness to Light
Eli Sharabi’s United Nations address
The Heroes in the Battle of Sderot on Oct 7
The Civilian Heroes of Ofakim On Oct 7.
Nova Festival Massacre
The Be’eri Printing Press: Israel’s Print Shop
Paramedic Amit Man, 22: Sacrificed herself to protect patients.
Senior EMT Aviya Hezroni Killed by Terrorists
Hamas Steals Aid
'I choose life:' Ex-hostage Alon Ohel recounts Hamas kidnapping
Jewish Diaspora celebrates release of living hostages
Eli Sharabi’s Brother Sharon Never Stopped Fighting For Him
Eli’s first interview after his release
Eli Sharabi Meets with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Eli Sharabi Visits Australian Parliament
Yossi Sharabi Buried in Kibbutz Be’eri
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunts Palestinian prisoners
Jachnun (Rolled Yemenite Sabbath Bread)
What Is the Kiddush?
Bondi Beach terrorists ‘acted alone’ in attack on Hanukkah event — Australian police
Former Hamas hostage Or Levy brings awareness of captives’ plight to South Africa
The Shehecheyanu Blessing

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:
[email protected]

To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

In this intimate and revealing episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, iconic supermodel and Jewish ally Cindy Crawford sits down for a rare interview with Jonah to discuss family, faith, and allyship. Known worldwide for redefining beauty and celebrity, Cindy opens up about the quieter values that have shaped her life — from her interfaith marriage to Rande Gerber to the loss of her only brother to leukemia at an early age.

Cindy shares personal stories about building a home rooted in Jewish and Protestant tradition, raising her children with an appreciation for Jewish rituals, and why speaking out against antisemitism now feels both urgent and unavoidable. She reflects on her experience working with Holocaust survivors through the Borrowed Spotlight Project, her role in preserving the cultural legacy of Nate and Al’s, and her decision to use her platform for Jewish advocacy (New Year New Voices). Jonah and Cindy also discuss the trajectory of her career, the shifting landscape of beauty standards, and what the future might look like for her.

The episode underscores Cindy's ongoing commitment to cultural empathy, allyship, and what it looks like to stand with the Jewish community not by accident or obligation, but by choice.

In this episode, Cindy and Jonah dive into:
How social media has become “poison”
Why even small acts of Jewish allyship now feel “controversial”
Growing up Protestant in the Midwest
Cindy’s first visit to Israel
Navigating a Jewish/Protestant Interfaith Marriage
Jewish traditions that resonated with Cindy
Cindy’s adult children's relationship to Jewish identity
Cindy’s participation in the Borrowed Spotlight Project
The loss of Cindy’s brother

Links to things mentioned in the episode:
Cindy Crawford Instagram
Cindy Crawford and Noa Tishby Hanukah lighting
Rande Gerber
B’rit Mialh: The Circumcision Ritual
Cindy Crawford Capezio Shoot in Israel
Shabbat Elevator in Israel
Maxwell House Haggadah
Christian Congregationalism
Courtney Platt BJJP Episode
Malibu Pacific Church
Reverend David Worth
Cindy Crawford reflects on 'devastating' loss of her brother to leukemia
Cindy Crawford's 2 Children: All About Models Presley and Kaia Gerber
Rande’s Father passing
Olam Ha-Ba, The World to Come
Breaking the Glass at a Jewish Wedding
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth
Noa Tishby BJJP Episode
Cindy Crawford “New Year New Voices” Video
Chris Caresnone (Campbell) BJJP Episode
Borrowed Spotlight Project
Bryce Thompson
Is “shiksa” a bad word?
Ella Mandel’s Story - Shoah Foundation
Displaced Persons Camps after the Holocaust
Holocaust Museum L.A. honors visionary figures at gala
Holocaust Museum LA
Jewish Global Population Data
Sebastian Maniscalco “Same corporation different divisions” joke
Cindy Crawford (and others) step in to save Nate ‘N Al’s Deli
Nate ‘N Al’s Deli
Langers Deli
Canter’s Deli
Casamigas - Cindy’s Spicy Tequila

Support the podcast by subscribing to the Kehillah.

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:
[email protected]

To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Can we change the world with just ONE dollar? In this inspiring episode of '30 Minute Mensches,' Jonah talks to Dr. Jonathan Donath, founder and president of Daily Giving, the grassroots online platform that has turned daily donations of just $1 into almost $27 million distributed to over 75 Jewish causes worldwide. Dr. Donath shares the epiphany that led him to start Daily Giving, the importance of working the daily giving “muscle”, and the organization’s growth journey. A true mensch, Dr. Donath’s appeal will have you racing to sign up so that you too can feel the joy of philanthropy, unity, and the transformative power of giving.

Discussed topics include:
The Near Death Experience of a Rabbi that Inspired Daily Giving
The Big Impact of Many Small Mitzvahs
Stories of Daily Giving’s Work
Mel Robbins and Why Immediate Action is Important
Chasing Balance in Life
Comedian Elon Gold’s Viral Moment for Daily Giving
Nonprofit Operational Challenges and Growth
Who Are Some Partner Organizations (75+) and Why

A big thank you to Daily Giving

MENTIONS
Joint Effort Chiropractic
Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy
Rabbi Alon Anava and His Near Death Experience
Elon Gold Daily Giving Promo
Daily Giving Beneficiary Organizations
Mel Robbins on taking action
Magen David Adom
United Hatzalah
Chai Lifeline
Ohel
One Mitzvah a Day
JFNA

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:
[email protected]

To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Story Producer: Sasha Nelson, Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

It’s Hanukkah! In this cozy episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah is joined by culinary expert, social media darling, and New York Times-bestselling cookbook author Jake Cohen for a conversation about Jewish food, ritual, and the unifying power of gathering around the table. Known for zhuzhing up traditional Jewish cuisine with a distinctly modern yet reverent flair, Jake reflects on how food has become his spiritual practice and creative outlet for expressing Jewish identity.

Jake shares how hosting Shabbat dinners became his primary avenue to building community and all the celebrity pals he has welcomed to his table, from Benny Blanco to Shoshana Bean to Katie Couric to Isaac Mizrahi. He opens up about his journey from being a self-described “High Holiday Jew” to becoming a leading voice in contemporary Jewish food culture, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, hospitality, and incorporating Jewish values into everyday life.

The conversation also touches on Jake’s three best-selling cookbooks — Jew-ish, I Could Nosh and Dinner Party Animal — which aim to make Jewish cooking accessible, joyful, and inviting to Jews and non-Jews alike. Jonah and Jake explore the intersection of Jewish and queer identity, the importance of inviting dissenting opinions to your dinner table, how to host an epic dinner party, and Jake’s hopes for a more connected and peaceful future. It’s an episode filled with comfort, laughter, and the unmistakable warmth of Hanukkah.

A special thank you to this episode’s sponsor:

American Friends of the Hebrew University and the podcast The View From Mount Scopus

MENTIONS
Dinner Party Animal: Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration
Jake Cohen Instagram
Jake Cohen Tiktok
Jake Cohen Website
The Seleucide Empire
Hanukkah Antisemitism vs. Purim Antisemitism
Hellenism and Judaism
The Surprising Origin of The Dreidel
Jonah @ The Big Shabbat
The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center
The Big Shabbat
Joan Nathan
Adeena Sussman
Ethiopian Jewish Chef and Restaurateur Beejhy Barhany on Her New Cookbook, “Gursha”
Tsion Cafe
Jew-Ish: A Cookbook
Jake Cohen Saveur Articles
Nanny’s Rosh Hashanah Apple Cake
OneTable
Murray’s Cheese
Evan Ross Katz
Adam Eli
Tokin’ Jew Lemon Sumac x Jake Cohen
Quick Challah Recipe Demo in Under 1 Minute!
“The Nanny” Is the Kind of Celebratory, Unabashed Representation Jewish Women Deserve
Watch Curb Your Enthusiasm
I Could Nosh: Classic Jew-ish Recipes Revamped for Every Day―Modern Jewish Recipes for Everyday Noshing
Left Behind – A Project Opening up Little-Known Holocaust Histories as well as New Tools
Jews of Liège under the Occupation (1940-1944)
Jake Cohen and Benny Blanco bagel Instagram post
Curb Your Enthusiasm “Bad Middling” Scene
These New Yorkers were in Israel when the war with Iran began. Here’s how they made it home.
Which three celebrities are living together in New York?
Alex Edelman
Benj Pasek
Shoshana Bean
Judy Gold

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:
[email protected]

To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:
[email protected]

To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt