Podcast
Jew and Stew
Hosted by Chicago Jewish Alliance · EN
Hosted by Daniel Schwartz & Simona Bogode of the Chicago Jewish Alliance, Jew & Stew dives into what it means to be Jewish on the front lines—whether that's in advocacy, academia, or the ongoing fight against antisemitism in all its forms. This podcast explores the moments where taking a stand matters most, even when it's easier to stay silent. Thought-provoking, honest, and rooted in Jewish identity, Jew & Stew invites you to pull up a chair and join the conversation. Let's get into it.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Rediscovering Biblical Israel w/ Dr Andre Villeneuve
3w ago01:04:42Tap to summarize00:00 — Introduction To Dr. André Villeneuve 00:35 — Growing Up Catholic In Canada 02:02 — Learning Languages Through Music & Travel 03:25 — From Catholic To Agnostic 08:03 — Jazz, Europe & Existential Questions 09:58 — Finding God Through Beauty & Music 12:21 — Volunteering During The Bosnian War 14:49 — Rediscovering Christianity 16:59 — Discovering Israel & Jerusalem 20:29 — Replacement Theology Explained 23:19 — Social Media & Biblical Ignorance 29:46 — Judaism’s Influence On Christianity 37:39 — Israel, Apartheid & Media Narratives 44:32 — Just War Theory & Israel 54:06 — Catholics For Israel & Final Reflections
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Courage Across Faiths w/ Isaac Woodward
Apr 2901:07:36Tap to summarize00:00 – Meeting Isaac & Chicago Protests 03:00 – Standing with Israel Under Threat 05:20 – Faith, Morality & Fighting Evil 10:40 – Growing Up Christian in Georgia 14:00 – Family History & Holocaust Impact 18:00 – Discovering Jewish Community at Rutgers 22:00 – Fighting Antisemitism & Misinformation 27:30 – Gen Z, Social Media & Conspiracy Thinking 33:30 – Christian Identity & Misuse of Scripture 41:30 – Advice for Young Allies & Future Work
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Belonging, Service and Strength - Finding resilience in moments that test us w/ Josh Andre
Mar 2001:09:15Tap to summarize00:00 Live Studio Kick-Off & Why Josh Matters 04:30 Identity Shift After October 7 07:30 First Trip to Israel & Identity Awakening 12:30 Fighting to Join the IDF 17:00 Elite Unit Tryouts & Hell Week 22:30 Serving in an Undercover Unit 27:20 Gaza Border Reality Before October 7 45:30 October 7: The Call 50:30 Loss, Trauma & Aftermath 56:30 Why Jewish Communities Need Training 1:06:30 Final Reflections & Jewish Identity
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From Miniskirt to Hijab: A Girl in Revolutionary Iran w/ Jacqueline Saper
Mar 401:13:21Tap to summarize00:00 Introduction to Jacqueline 00:01 Jacqueline on Growing Up in 1960’s Tehran 01:41 Iran’s “Golden Era” for Minorities 03:49 Jewish Life in Iran (Schools, Community) 06:40 Iran–Israel Ties Before 1979 13:22 Why the Revolution Happened 20:30 Khomeini’s Messaging & Coalition 27:29 Riots, Strikes, and Daily Fear 31:55 The Shah Leaves Iran 33:10 Executions Begin 35:21 Hijab Decree & Women Protest 37:38 Morality Police and Control 45:12 Raising Kids During War & Indoctrination 53:25 Leaving Iran: How Hard It Was 56:09 Iran Today: Protests, Regime, Hope
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Unity Beats Division w/ Pas. Corey Brooks
Feb 1800:53:15Tap to summarize00:00 Introduction and Background of Pastor Corey Brooks06:17 The Call to Ministry and Personal Journey12:00 Overcoming Victimhood Mentality17:25 The Walk Across America Initiative25:40 Challenges Facing the Community31:16 Strengthening Community Relationships41:47 The Importance of Advocacy and Collaboration
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Heroes, Hope & Hard Truths w/ Yuval David
Jan 2801:09:35Tap to summarize00:00 — A Meeting of Minds 01:05 — Raised by Heroes 03:28 — The Power of Jewish Education 05:55 — A Friendship That Changed History 07:56 — Survival Through Purpose 10:18 — Love Born in the Camps 14:03 — Hope in the Darkest Places 15:23 — Judaism Looks Forward 17:09 — Beyond Victim Narratives 19:16 — Who Gets to Define Hatred 21:46 — Drawing the Line 25:46 — Tokenism and False Voices 28:21 — Living Without Sleep Since October 7 33:27 — Becoming Politically Homeless 58:42 — What Comes Next
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Soft Diplomacy in a Hard Moment w/ Dr. Delphine Gamburg
Jan 1400:58:11Tap to summarize00:00 Introduction 02:24 Jewish Identity in France11:06 Making Aliyah and Life in Israel16:25 Diplomatic Career and Family Life18:41 Role of the Consulate in the Midwest20:42 Controversial Street Renaming in Dearborn28:39 The Role of the Consulate in Dearborn34:01 Understanding the Consulate's Mission37:41 The Importance of Community Visibility43:17 Engaging the Jewish Community in Chicago
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Voice of Resilience: Jewish Advocacy & Grassroots Power w/ Pamela Scheinman
Dec 2301:10:49Tap to summarizeRecorded on October 15, this episode of Jew & Stew features Pamela Scheinman, speaking from Netanya, Israel, in the emotional aftermath of a hostage release and amid ongoing concerns about the cost and consequences of negotiated deals with terror groups. Pam reflects on her Orthodox upbringing in Queens, her evolving observance, and the education that deepened her Zionism—especially through the David Project’s framework for understanding how Israel is “framed” physically, historically, and morally. She shares her journey from early advocacy in Boston—counter-protests, rallies, and city hall testimony—to building an Israel Action Committee in Chicago before October 7. Pam also recounts confronting the Chicago ceasefire resolution, and later working with allies to pass an anti-slavery resolution that directly named jihadist violence—underscoring her core message: Jews and allies must be visible, informed, and unafraid to speak truth in the public square. Guest Bio Pamela Scheinman lived in a Boston suburb for 28 years before relocating to Chicago in 2021, during which time she served as Chairperson of her synagogue’s Israel Action Committee in Newton, MA, and sat on the board of the grassroots pro-Israel organization BIAC (Boston Israel Action Committee). A committed advocate for Israel, she organized and participated in numerous pro-Israel responses to anti-Israel events throughout the Boston area, believing deeply in the importance of standing proudly as a Jew in the public square and confronting the lies and modern-day blood libels directed at the world’s only Jewish state. After moving to Chicago, she established an Israel Action Committee at her downtown synagogue to elevate Israel advocacy within the community, and became the sole anti-ceasefire speaker selected by lottery to address Chicago City Hall in January 2024. She was again selected in September 2024 to urge the Council to support Alderman Raymond Lopez’s anti-slavery, anti-jihad resolution, which—after modifications—passed the City Council in February 2025. Guided by the principle of Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Lazeh—that all Jews are responsible for one another—and Rabbi Tarfon’s teaching in Pirkei Avot that “it is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it,” Pamela continues to devote herself to steadfast Jewish advocacy and moral clarity.
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Beyond the Boundary : Alli’s story of speaking up when it’s easier to stay quiet w/ Allison Tombros Korman
Dec 1201:10:46Tap to summarize00:00 – Welcome & Introductions00:33 – Growing Up Jewish in Upstate New York02:02 – Family Heritage & Identity03:31 – Jewish Traditions That Shaped Alli06:13 – Hebrew School & Bat Mitzvah Memories09:24 – The Power of Jewish Summer Camp13:46 – College Years at Michigan15:36 – Discovering Public Health at Johns Hopkins18:27 – First Encounters With Reproductive Healthcare25:11 – How Sex Education Has—and Hasn’t—Progressed28:26 – Processing the Violence of October 733:48 – Inside the DC Abortion Fund During the Crisis40:09 – Why Alli Committed to Abortion Access Work56:53 – Founding the Red Tent Fund01:05:49 – Support, Growth & Impact of Red Tent Fund
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Faith, Feminism & Freedom- Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll on reclaiming women’s voices in Judaism
Nov 2601:00:55Tap to summarize00:00 Introduction to Shoshanna's Activism03:02 Shoshanna's Childhood and Family Background06:04 The Impact of Holocaust Trauma08:39 Cultural Identity and Religious Education11:46 Journey to Israel and Personal Growth14:22 Life in Beit Shemesh and Community Dynamics17:28 Exploring Gender Roles in Judaism20:24 The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity23:19 Shoshanna's Writing and Feminist Perspectives28:49 The Role of the Torah in Protecting Women31:26 Contextualizing Historical Perspectives on Gender32:33 Fighting for Justice in Judaism35:08 The Impact of Extremism on Jewish Women40:29 Addressing Women's Health in Orthodox Communities45:26 Resilience of Women in Captivity51:14 The Current State of Israel and Hostage Situations
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