Is Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman Living the Persian Jewish American Dream?
Being Jewish with Jonah PlattShow Notes
Can a CEO speak out against antisemitism without becoming the story?
Sweetgreen co-founder and CEO Jonathan Neman reflects on his Persian Jewish family's escape from Iran to Los Angeles and the entrepreneurial spirit and contributions of the Persian Jewish community. He talks about his mother’s arrival in Los Angeles in 1979 for what was supposed to be a summer visit and never returned to Iran, and growing up feeling like an outsider. Jonathan also discusses his evolving pride in his Persian Jewish identity, and the values that shaped his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Jonathan tells us about the backlash to his public comments about antisemitism after October 7, 2023, including his viral response to a letter from Harvard student groups blaming Israel for the attacks. He shares what he learned about using his platform to educate rather than provke, and why he believes the best response to Jew-hatred is to lead by example, celebrate Jewish culture, and invite others in through traditions like Shabbat.
Plus, Jonathan opens up about Sweetgreen's business challenges, the company's farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, and why he believes creativity and craft are essential to its future. He shares how his nearly 1,000-day meditation streak helps him navigate the pressures of leadership, how meditation has deepened his connection to Jewish prayer, and whether kosher Sweetgreen could one day become a reality.
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Speaking Up as a Jewish CEO After October 7 00:50
Fighting Antisemitism Through Jewish Pride and Connection 10:50
The Persian Jewish Experience: Immigration, Resilience, and Entrepreneurship 22:00 The Sweetgreen Crisis? Food Safety, Media Panic, and Building a Business 33:20
Kosher Sweetgreen, Jewish Traditions, and Rapid-Fire Questions 43:00
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CREDITS: Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Chief of Staff: Abbe Feder, Production Intern: Tova Benarroch, 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
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