Adapting Podcast: Why is "doing Jewish" important for Jewish education?

The Jewish world often finds itself divided on issues related to Israel, Jewish practice, and intermarriage. At times, our divisions seem to threaten the very idea of global Jewish peoplehood. On this episode Zack Bodner speaks about the imperative to “do Jewish,” what motivated him to write his new book Why Do Jewish? A Manifesto for 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood, and the way Bodner, CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, California, thinks West Coast Judaism is redefining American Jewish culture for the 21st century.

"I feel like it's really about our next generation and the next 50-100 years is going to define Jewish peoplehood. It's about the tachlis. It's about the doing."

Zack Bodner

Author, Why Do Jewish?

CEO, Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto, California

Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education is a production of The Jewish Education Project. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. 

This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Gabriel Weinstein.  The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media.  If you enjoyed the show please leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released.

To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

Additional Resources:

Zack Bodner’s Website

Pre-order Why Do Jewish? A Manifesto for 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood

Tiffany Shlain — 24/6 The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week

Oshman Family JCC Website

Z3 Project