Jewish Actually

In this episode of Jewish Actually, I sat down with Sarah Hurwitz, The Obamas’ former speechwriter, to talk about her journey from the White House to writing her own two books exploring her own Jewish identity re-discovery and passion. We discuss her time crafting speeches at the highest levels of American politics, what she learned about language and power, and how that work eventually led her to a deeper engagement with Jewish texts and tradition through her books: "Here All Along" and "As A Jew". Sarah reflects on how her writing has evolved and how Jewish ideas reshaped her understanding of purpose and identity.

In this episode of Jewish Actually, I'm joined by Dr. Stephen Arnoff, CEO of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, for a wide-ranging conversation on music, meaning, and Jewish life.We talked about Dr. Arnoff's transition from the IDF, to fellowships and experiences that shaped his leadership, to his work today at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center. A major focus of our conversation is music—especially Bob Dylan—and how it can serve as a powerful lens for understanding Judaism, spirituality, and identity.Tune in for an absolutely fascinating conversation with one of the most compelling voices at the intersection of Jewish identity, culture, and music today! 👉 Check Dr. Arnoff's Substack: https://stephendanielarnoff.substack.com/And Dr. Arnoff's book "About Man and God and Law: The Spiritual Wisdom of Bob Dylan".

In this episode of Jewish Actually, Aaron Bregman joins me to discuss the American Jewish Committee’s Leaders for Tomorrow program (which he oversees): an initiative shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders. The conversation explores how young people are building leadership skills, strengthening their Jewish identity, and preparing to engage with today’s most pressing challenges. Aaron shares insights into the program’s impact and why investing in future leaders to combat antisemitism matters now more than ever.

In this episode of Jewish, Actually, we go inside AJC ACCESS Global with Alana Wilck, Assistant Director of the program. Alana shares how ACCESS connects young Jewish leaders around the world, builds global networks, and shapes the future of Jewish advocacy. Tune in for insights on leadership, international impact, and what it really means to take Jewish engagement global.

In this episode of Jewish Actually, I’m joined by actress and producer Alysia Reiner (Orange Is the New Black, Equity), and filmmaker and writer Shaina Feinberg (The New York Times, This American Life).Together, they discuss their short film “We Should Eat,” an absolutely hilarious look at family, identity, and the tensions that surface around the dinner table.We also talked about Alycia and Shaina's incredible careers and fascinating Jewish upbringings and lives.

What happens when history itself is put on trial?In this episode of Jewish Actually, Lila sits down with Dr. Kenneth Stern, the director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, who spent 25 years at the American Jewish Committee, and helped develop the working definition of antisemitism later adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and has testified before the U.S. Congress on hate and extremism.Stern also played a key behind-the-scenes role as a special advisor in one of the most consequential legal battles over truth in modern history: Irving v. Penguin Books and Deborah Lipstadt. In this conversation, Stern takes us inside the case, not just what happened, but how it was fought. From the decision to turn the trial into a case against the denier, to the strategy of relying on expert historians instead of survivors, to the painstaking work of exposing distortions line by line, Stern breaks down the legal and intellectual playbook used to dismantle Holocaust denial in court.Lila and Stern also explore how the IHRA working definition of anti-semitism and how it connects to hate and extremism today. As one of the leading drafters of the definition, Stern explains its significance and potential challenges, too.

In this episode of Jewish Actually, Laura Seltzer-Duny, an Emmy-nominated and PBS award-winning documentary filmmaker, joins to discuss her powerful film Nobody Wants Us. In this conversation, she reflects on the role of film in preserving Jewish history, the responsibility of telling Holocaust stories, and how documentary storytelling can shape public responsibility, understanding, and takeaways. Seltzer-Duny also shares the impact the film has had on audiences and why continuing to tell Jewish stories through film remains so important today.

In this episode of Jewish Actually, we are joined by Allison Norlian, a 3x Emmy-nominanted journalist, filmmaker, and writer. Known for her film "Thirteen", based on her sister's story, Allison talks about her film in addition to some of her writing with Forbes, which includes interviews with women from the Diaspora, Gaza, and Israel. Tune in to hear about her upcoming films and the behind-the-scenes work and thought process for "Thirteen".

On this episode of Jewish Actually, former NFL and Yankees player Gus Ornstein reflects on his journey as a Jewish athlete. From playing at three different colleges--Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Rowan Univeristy--to reaching the NFL, Gus talks candidly about identity, belonging, and what it means to be Jewish in spaces where you’re often one of the only ones.

In this episode of Jewish Actually, we’re joined by Harper Kincaid, a Jewish therapist navigating what it means to show up professionally and personally right now. We talk about therapy, culture, Jewish identity, neutrality, boundaries, and what happens when your job is to hold space while also having very real feelings. It’s thoughtful, honest, and, yes, a little complicated.

In this episode of Jewish Actually, I sit down with artist Baret Boisson for a deeply personal conversation about identity, lineage, and belonging.Baret grew up knowing her mother was Jewish, but believing her father was not. Years later, while searching for her birth father, a DNA test revealed something unexpected — she is 100% Jewish. That discovery didn’t create a new identity. It reframed the one she thought she understood.We talk about what it means to inherit a history you weren’t fully raised inside of, how family truths can reshape self-perception, and how identity evolves over time.Baret is a major contemporary artist whose work has been seen by over 100,000 visitors in a civil rights museum exhibition. She has completed high-profile portrait commissions, including one of Jimmy Fallon and his family. But, this conversation is about something more intimate — the search for belonging.If you’ve ever questioned where you come from or how identity forms, this episode is for you.

Welcome to Jewish Actually. I'm Lila, and this podcast exists because Jewish identity isn’t a headline, a stereotype, or a comment section debate. It’s personal.In this first episode, I talk about why I’m starting this show — what I want to question, what I want to unpack, and why the conversation around Jewish life feels louder and more confusing than ever.This is a space for honest conversations.No scripts. No performative takes.Just nuance, curiosity, and real talk.Because being Jewish right now?It’s complicated.And we’re going there.