Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema

Jan 29 2025 83 ep. 70 mins 16
Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema Podcast artwork

Daniel Zana & Harry Ottensoser discuss films of all types to investigate what truly makes a film Jewish. Covering everything from Fiddler on the Roof to Uncut Gems, they finish each episode by ranking the film’s production, content, and themes on a scale of 1 to 5 Jewish stars. Listen each week to find out!

  TV & Film  Education
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The Goonies w/ Liz Asch Greenhill (Live at EJC in Portland)

Jan 29 2025 47 mins  
Recorded live at the Eastside Jewish Commons in Portland, Oregon, this special episode of Jews on Film explores the beloved 1985 classic The Goonies! We’re joined by writer, artist, and acupuncturist Liz Asch Greenhill for a lively discussion on how the film’s themes of treasure hunting, outsider camaraderie, and family legacy resonate with Jewish storytelling traditions. Plus,

AI: Artificial Intelligence w/Arnon Shorr

Jan 15 2025 73 mins  
Daniel and Harry are joined by writer and filmmaker Arnon Shorr to dive into the futuristic, heart-wrenching world of A.I.: Artificial Intelligence. Together, they explore Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi masterpiece, its ambitious take on humanity, and some surprisingly resonant Jewish themes—because even robot boys can wrestle with questions of identity, longing, and belonging.From

Revisiting "You Don't Mess with The Zohan" w/Jake Gillis: Is it a Jewish film or just an Israeli film?

Dec 18 2024 63 mins  
This week on Jews on Film, we’re diving deep into the outrageous, hummus-packed world of Adam Sandler’s You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.Our special guest, Jake Gillis, host of the podcast Sababoosh, joins us to break down the film’s over-the-top portrayal of Israeli culture, its unlikely existence as a major Hollywood studio film, and where it lands in the broader spectrum of

Exploring Jewish Identity & Trust in Marathon Man w/ Sam Lipsyte

Nov 27 2024 77 mins  
Harry and Daniel are joined by acclaimed writer Sam Lipsyte for a deep dive into Marathon Man (1976), a gripping thriller packed with espionage, dental horror, and Dustin Hoffman at his best. Together, they explore the film's Jewish themes, its iconic villain Dr. Szell, and the cultural impact of that unforgettable question: "Is it safe?" Tune in for sharp insights, lau

Finding Your Purpose & Selfless Acts of Kindness in "Cha Cha Real Smooth" w/ Shoval Tshuva

Nov 13 2024 63 mins  
Daniel and Harry are joined by film maker Shoval Tshuva to take trip down memory lane to reminisce about wax hands, Shirley temple drinks, line dancing and other classic bar & bat mitzvah memories through the lens of Cooper Raiff's 2022 film Cha Cha Real Smooth.They talk about Raiff's depiction of Bar Mitzvah life based on his childhood of attending parties, how Andrew

Bookstores, Romance, and Identity in "You’ve Got Mail" w/ Ilana Kaplan

Oct 30 2024 72 mins  
In this season four premiere of Jews on Film, Daniel & Harry are back to dive into the timeless charm and nuanced layers of Nora Ephron's beloved romantic comedy, You’ve Got Mail.Joining them is Ilana Kaplan, author of Nora Ephron at the Movies, to explore how Ephron’s witty writing and sentimental storytelling capture Jewish identity, New York City, and the intricate d

Finding Your Chutzpah: Breaking Boundaries in Girlfriends (1978) with Jessie Kahnweiler

Sep 10 2024 70 mins  
Join Harry and Daniel as they dive into the world of Girlfriends—the groundbreaking 1978 film by Claudia Weil that some have called "the Jewish Frances Ha."This week, they’re joined by filmmaker and actress Jessie Kahnweiler to unpack the story of Susan, played by Melanie Mayron, as she navigates life, friendship, and independence in a way that’s as bold as it is rela

Documentary or Satire? Decoding Albert Brooks' "Real Life" with Eddie Schmidt" | Jews on Film

Aug 21 2024 80 mins  
Harry and Daniel welcome acclaimed director Eddie Schmidt to the pod to discuss Albert Brooks’ pioneering meta-documentary “Real Life,” released in 1979. Join them as they track the film’s exploration of truth and reality, and Brooks’ repeated meddling in the “reality” of his subjects. They then consider the different modes of performance in the film, and discuss how

Jewish Themes in 'X-Men: First Class' – A Deep Dive with Yacov Freedman | Jews on Film

Aug 07 2024 75 mins  
In this electrifying episode of Jews on Film, Daniel and Harry are thrilled to be joined by Yacov Freedman, Sr. Producer of TCM's acclaimed series The Plot Thickens. Together, they dive into the dazzling world of 2011's X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn. 🦸‍♂️💥This action-packed discussion covers everything from Magneto's poignant backstory as a

BONUS: The Nightingale of Iran Episode One - The Time Machine

Jul 30 2024 34 mins  
Daniel and Harry had Danielle Dardashti on last week to discuss the film Persepolis, and this week they are sharing the first episode of Danielle's series, "The Nightingale of Iran", enjoy!____________________________Sisters Danielle and Galeet Dardashti grew up in a Jewish American family band: The Dardashti Family. They sang international folk music in 12 languages �