Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

What do you do when millions of people have been taught by teachers, influencers, and even professors, that Zionism is a form of evil?

In this searing and personal monologue, Jonah analyzes thousands of hateful messages he’s received to uncover important truths: How millions have been brainwashed to believe Zionism is evil, how social media erases Jewish voices and spreads misinformation about Israel, and why the Jewish community must act now to invest in education, allyship, and cultural resilience.

From understanding the difference between intentional antisemitism and brainwashed ignorance, to explaining how algorithms create false realities and fuel division, Jonah delivers an unflinching look at today's challenges, and offers a path forward for building a stronger Jewish future.

Watch the original monologue on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZAnMb5AMgY

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:
Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.
To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com
Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast
Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter
For Sponsorships, please email:
partnerships@jonahplatt.com
Merchandise
https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch
Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt
Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS
Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

What happens when a movie shoot brings its cast and crew to Jewish summer camp – and then throws bears and lightning into the mix?

Following the Los Angeles premiere of The Floaters at the Laemmle Royal in Santa Monica, Jonah sits down with stars of the film Jackie Tohn, Ben Krieger, Jillian Jordyn, and Bekah Zornosa, alongside producers Shai Korman and Andra Gordon, for a special Being Jewish crossover event filmed in front of a live audience.

The panel gives us a behind the scenes look at the making of The Floaters. They share their personal Jewish experiences that shaped the film, the pleasantly unexpected places they’ve been invited to screen it, and why publicly celebrating Jewish joy is more important than ever. They also reveal what it was really like on set at an actual Jewish summer camp, where the cast and crew became a family, and where encounters with bears, lightning, and other unexpected surprises made the production an adventure of its own.

The conversation, like the film itself, is about Jewish storytelling, community and friendship. In today’s world, movies like The Floaters are exactly what the Jewish people, and the world, need.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

Why Hollywood Needs to ‘Explore and Highlight Jewish Joy,’ Not Just ‘Suffering or Idiosyncrasies’ by Jonah Platt

Why Jewish Screen Stories Need More Joy by Rachel Israel

Learn more about The Floaters:

The Floaters Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floatersmovie/
Official Website: https://floatersmovie.com/
Official Trailer on YouTube
Jackie Tohn: https://www.instagram.com/jackietohn/
Bekah Zornosa: https://www.instagram.com/bekahzornosa/
Jillian Jordyn: https://www.instagram.com/jillianjordynn/
Ben Krieger: https://www.instagram.com/heybenkrieger

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:
Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.
To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com
Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast
Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter
For Sponsorships, please email:
partnerships@jonahplatt.com
Merchandise
https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch
Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt
Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS:
Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Why won’t people call antisemitism what it really is?

In this powerful monologue, drawing from personal experience, Jonah shares why the word "antisemitism" is outdated, misunderstood, and often ineffective at calling out real, harmful bigotry. Jonah breaks down the urgent need for clarity in how we talk about hate toward Jews.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by the muddled debates around antisemitism, then this monologue is for you. It’s time to stop being polite, and to start getting real about Anti-Jew hate.

Watch the original monologue on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV2vAirnQm4

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:
Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.
To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com
Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast
Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter
For Sponsorships, please email:
partnerships@jonahplatt.com
Merchandise
https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch
Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt
Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS
Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Are Jews safer in Uganda than in America?

Jonah interviews Shoshana McKinney Kirya Ziraba, a Southern California-born Black Jewish woman, now living in Eastern Uganda among the Abayudaya Jewish community. Shoshanah tells us about the nonprofit she runs called Tikvah Chadasha Uganda, Hebrew for "New Hope for Uganda," which provides women in Uganda with sustainable chicken farms, vocational and rehabilitation support for children with disabilities, and educational programs.

Shoshana discusses the origins of the Abayudaya Jewish community, and how those who converted about 100 years ago are not the same kinds of converts we think of today. She explains their Sephardic influences, distinctive music, and persecution under Idi Amin when Judaism was outlawed, followed by a public resurgence.

Shoshana also compares antisemitism in America with Uganda, and describes Uganda as a healing place where her Black and Jewish identities are normalized. She tells us how Ugandan Synagogues don’t need security the way most diaspora Synagogues do. Shoshanah explains Tikvah Chadasha Uganda’s programs: repairing wheelchairs, supporting children with disabilities and medical needs, providing glasses, building chicken farms to help women earn income, and selling challah covers and kippot on their website. She shares funding challenges and ways to support via tikvahuganda.org and on their YouTube channel.

MENTIONS:

1:30 – The History of the Abayudaya Community in Uganda
Shoshana discusses how the Abayudaya community came to be, and its roots and connection to Judaism.
The Abayudaya and “All of Us”: Partners in Tikkun Olam

3:35 – Music in the Abayudaya Community
Shoshana discusses music in the community, and its Grammy-nominated album
Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda

3:55 – Judaism Outlawed in Uganda
Shoshanaa discusses the period in Uganda where Judaism was outlawed.
https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/2019/12/04/the-abayudaya-the-jews-of-uganda/

5:50 – Christian Ugandan Pro-Israel Rally
Shoshana tells us about the Christian pro-Israel rally that occured in Uganda after the October 7th attacks.
https://www.jns.org/israel-news/african-christians-hold-prayer-rally-for-israel-in-uganda

11:54 – Discussion about Tikvah Chadasha Uganda
Shoshana describes the non-profit organization she formed in Uganda to support women, girls, and the Jewish community.
https://jwa.org/blog/7-questions-shoshana-mckinney-kirya-ziraba

16:21 – Ohr Torah Stone
https://ots.org.il/

Learn More About Shoshana

Shoshana McKinney Instagram
Abayudaya Communities in Uganda
Tikvah Uganda Website
Tikvah Chadsha Uganda Youtube

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

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

For Sponsorships, please email:
Jonah@JonahPlatt.com

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

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

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

CREDITS

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Is antisemitism the music industry's open secret?

Scooter Braun, the man behind icons such as Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and pre-Nazi Kanye West, joins Jonah for a conversation about his journey of taking the Nova Music Festival Exhibition outside of Israel and showing it to the world. Braun connects his family’s Holocaust story to his decision to become one of the only voices in the music industry to speak up after October 7th. To him, a music festival is an untouchable sacred place. After visiting Israel to meet the Nova survivors, he saw peace-seeking kids whose stories had to be told.

Braun talks about turning Nova into an immersive exhibition in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and London, and why he sees that work as “hand-to-hand combat” in a world consumed by social media. He also tells stories of how seeing the exhibit has actually opened minds. He explains why he’d rather call Jew-hatred racism, and how words like “antisemitism” and “Zionist” are masks for racism.

Braun also reflects on raising proud Jewish children by passing down his grandparents’ Holocaust survival stories. His work, both professional and personal, is guided by the Nova survivors’ message: “We will dance again.”

MONOLOGUE: Jonah argues that we could be entering a Jewish Golden Age, and tells us why unity – or JEWnity – is how we’ll get there.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

00:24:15 – Antisemitism as Racism
Scooter explains why he thinks “antisemitism” can alienate Jews from other minority experiences, and why calling Jew-hatred “racism” creates more common ground.

00:28:45 – Speaking Up After October 7
Scooter opens up about feeling like the “wrong person” to speak publicly, then realizing that too few people with platforms were standing up for the Nova victims.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-895318

00:36:30 – The Nova Exhibit
Scooter describes using business meetings to bring artists and executives through the Nova Music Festival Exhibition, where figures like Ryan Tedder, Usher, and Jermaine Dupri were deeply moved.
Nova Exhibition

00:43:15 – Palestinians and Israelis Finding Common Ground at Nova
Scooter recalls private events with Palestinian and pro-Palestinian visitors, including a Palestinian friend in a keffiyeh being embraced by an Israeli inside the exhibit.
Israeli and Palestinian Men Embrace at the Nova Exhibit

00:51:15 – In-Person Conversations Change Minds
Scooter argues that online outrage cannot build understanding, and that real change happens through one-on-one conversations, friendships, and small tables.
Digital Antisemitism: The Largest Propaganda Machine Since the Holocaust - The Israel Democracy Institute

01:04:15 – “We Will Dance Again”: The Nova Survivors’ Message of Hope
Scooter explains why the Nova survivors’ slogan means more to him than defiance alone: tell people what happened, then choose life, joy, and dancing again.

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:
Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.
To contact us & all things BJJP:
www.BeingJewishPodcast.com
Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast
Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:
bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter
For Sponsorships, please email:
partnerships@jonahplatt.com
Merchandise
https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch
Follow Jonah on:
Instagram - @JonahPlatt
X - @JonahPlatt
Follow Being Jewish on:
Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast
TikTok - @BeingJewish

Learn more about Scooter Braun:
Scooter Braun’s Website
Scooter Braun’s X Account
Scooter Braun’s Instagram

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt