In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin

In the Spotlight: Adam Kirsch

Abby Pogrebin is joined by author and WSJ editor Adam Kirsch to dissect “settler colonialism,” a concept that has become central to public debate, especially since October 7th, and is shaping the way many people think about the history of the U.S., Israel, and identity. 

In the Spotlight: Rabbi Dalia Marx

Abby Pogrebin speaks with Rabbi Dalia Marx about her book "From Time to Time," a rich exploration of the Jewish calendar that weaves together poetry, prayers, songs, and a distinctively Israeli, feminist approach to each Hebrew month and its holidays.

In the Spotlight: Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove

Abby is joined by Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi of New York’s Park Avenue Synagogue and a leading voice in modern Judaism, to discuss his new book, "For Such a Time As This: On Being Jewish Today," which chronicles his response -- on the bimah and off -- to the horrors of October 7th, and his diagnosis of the changed landscaped for Jewish identity and connection.

In the Spotlight: Arnie Eisen

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Arnie Eisen, one of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism and Chancellor Emeritus of The Jewish Theological Seminary and professor of Jewish Thought.

In the Spotlight: Noah Feldman

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by legal scholar and columnist Noah Feldman to discuss his book To Be a Jew Today, which offers a profound exploration of contemporary Judaism and what it means to be Jewish in a time of global crisis.

In the Spotlight: Reuven Fenton ("Goyhood")

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Reuven Fenton to discuss "Goyhood," his debut novel that examines destiny and spirituality through the story of a devoutly Orthodox Jewish man who discovers in middle age that he's not, in fact, Jewish.

In the Spotlight: Shmuly Yanklowitz

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz to discuss "45 Great Philosophers and What They Mean for Judaism," his book which explores forty-five of the most influential philosophers throughout history and how Jewish ideas might engage with each of the philosophers and their philosophical projects.

In the Spotlight: Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz, author of a memoir that recounts his journey to self-discovery and offers insights on how to nurture communities despite today's climate of fractured politics and hostility.

In the Spotlight: Oren Kessler - "Palestine 1936"

Abby Pogrebin is joined by award-winning author Oren Kessler to discuss "Palestine 1936," his book that looks at the origin story of the world’s most intractable conflict and reveals world-changing events through extraordinary individuals on all sides.

In the Spotlight: Beatrice Weber

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by speaker, activist, former Hasidic rebbetzin, mother of 10 and the executive director of Yaffed, Beatrice Weber, to discuss her organization’s mission of improving secular education in Hasidic and Haredi schools.