BEST OF: Journalists, ft. Van Jones, Dana Bash, Jake Tapper, Erin Molan, and Bernard-Henri Lévy
Being Jewish with Jonah PlattShow Notes
What does it actually cost to tell the truth about Jews and Israel?
Erin Molan discusses Israel's controversial decision to withhold some of the most horrific October 7th footage, why a 30-second radio soundbite can shape public opinion more than a protest, and the letter from an Australian miner that changed how she measures impact.
Bernard-Henri Lévy draws on his reporting from Rwanda and Darfur to explain what genocide actually looks like, why he believes Hamas must be defeated militarily, and why he sees anti-Zionism as inseparable from the question of Israel’s existence.
Van Jones talks about the connection between the Jewish and Black communities, how the Palestinian cause has been hijacked by a bunch of Nazis, and the uncomfortable truth about who paid the price for the civil rights movement.
Dana Bash takes us inside the newsroom on October 7th, tells us about the harassment her and her family experienced, and what it means to find community with fellow Jewish journalists under pressure.
Jake Tapper opens up about protesters outside his home and why antisemitism on the right deserves just as much scrutiny as antisemitism on the left.
Five journalists. Five perspectives. One very delicate and nuanced topic.
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
1:18 - Erin Molan
8:04 - Bernard-Henri Lévy
15:02 - Van Jones
27:09 - Dana Bash
39:05 - Jake Tapper
Watch Erin Molan’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4zAynWP2II
Watch Bernard-Henri Lévy’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4wcg28NEwQ
Watch Van Jones’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR0qUIUGAKM
Watch Dana Bash’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo5fFkBni-s
Watch Jake Tapper’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtHLHgmfXt0
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: [email protected]
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, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, 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
More from Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
In the first episode of our Jewish American Summit series, Jonah sits down with Steve Hilton, Republican candidate for California governor, for a candid conversation about antisemitism, Jewish safety, and the future of the Golden State.
What does it mean to be unapologetically Jewish in an industry that has often encouraged people to hide their identity?
NEW SEGMENT! In the first installment of our new segment “Being Jewish In…” we explore the hostile environment facing Jewish authors, agents and editors in the world of Publishing with acclaimed author and digital publisher Meg Keene, newly appointed editor of the eponymous Meg Keene Books, a new imprint focused on publishing Jewish stories by Jewish authors.
Can a CEO speak out against antisemitism without becoming the story?
On the third anniversary of October 7th, Jonah delivers a powerful and deeply personal open letter to his non-Jewish friends, colleagues, and allies about what it means to stand with the Jewish people. In this special solo episode of Being Jewish, Jonah reflects on the past three years of rising antisemitism, fractured friendships, and the growing isolation of Jewish communities. He addresses the dangerous normalization of anti-Jewish rhetoric, the misunderstanding of Zionism and Jewish identity, and the painful silence of those who have chosen to look away.