Cartoonist and editor Sammy Harkham, author of the recent and critically acclaimed graphic novel Blood of the Virgin , joins hosts Harry and Daniel to discuss the 1973 cult classic horror film, Messiah of Evil, co-directed by Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz. A 70s era stylized West Coast horror, the movie has acquired a cult following and is credited as one of the conceptual forbearers of the modern zombie film. They discuss the movie's aesthetic successes in spite of, or perhaps because of, its e...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Writer and critic Matthew Specktor, author of the new novel The Golden Hour , joins hosts Harry and Daniel to discuss Joseph Losey’s haunting 1976 film Mr. Klein . Set in Nazi-occupied France during the lead-up to the infamous Vel d’Hiv roundup of Jews, the film follows Alain Delon as an art dealer who becomes ensnared in a chilling case of mistaken identity with another man who may be Jewish—and may not even exist. Together, they first talk about real life cases of mistaken identities of their ...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Just in time for Passover, hosts Harry and Daniel are joined by Stephanie Butnick—creator of Golda , the Jewish culture guide—for a spirited conversation about The Prince of Egypt (1998), DreamWorks’ dazzling and dramatic take on the Exodus story. The trio dives into the film’s stunning animation, unforgettable music, and deeply Jewish themes, while also paying tribute to the late, great Val Kilmer—who voiced both Moses and God (talk about range!). Along the way, they unpack midrashic moments, s...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Daniel and Harry welcome director Sandi Dubowski to talk about his new documentary film, Sabbath Queen . They discuss what it was like to film Amichai Lau-Lavie and his life over the course of 21 years and how does someone know when a film is finished? In addition they cover the depictions of the various expressions of Judaism onscreen and how Amichai sought to create his own path after wrestling with his families legacy. Finally, Sandi shares some thoughts around weaving more current events int...
Mar 27, 2025•31 min
Daniel and Harry welcome back DIrector of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival Pamela Lavitt to chat about the festival and Jewish cinema at large. She shares memories of exciting and notable moments from its 30 year history and talk about this year's slate of films and events. Then the group discusses how audiences are looking for Jewish joy and unique in-person experiences in cinema. Check out the Seattle Jewish Film Festival Here - https://seattlejff.org/ Connect with Jews on Film online: Jews on...
Mar 21, 2025•30 min
In this special bonus episode of Jews on Film , hosts Harry and Daniel sit down with director Lisa D’Apolito to discuss her new documentary, Shari & Lamb Chop . The film explores the life and legacy of Shari Lewis, the beloved puppeteer, children’s entertainer, and creator of the iconic Lamb Chop. Lisa shares insights into Lewis’s groundbreaking career, her impact on generations of viewers, and the challenges of bringing her story to the screen. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about n...
Mar 19, 2025•21 min
Harry and Daniel are joined by special guest Richard Bernstein, author of Only in America , to explore the groundbreaking yet controversial 1927 film The Jazz Singer . As the first feature-length "talkie," The Jazz Singer revolutionized Hollywood, but its themes of assimilation, the American Dream, and generational conflict remain just as compelling today. The conversation delves into Al Jolson’s electrifying performance, the film’s cultural impact, and the complicated legacy of both the movie a...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Daniel & Harry catch up with director & co-writer Daniel Robbins to talk about his new film, Bad Shabbos. They talk about the origins of the film, authentically portraying a Shabbat meal on the Upper West Side, and discuss working with the film's incredible cast. Finally, they pitch a few stretches to him about aspects of the film and manage to get the answers straight from the source! The film is playing at the 30th Annual Seattle Jewish Film Festival on April 5th as part of its closing...
Mar 06, 2025•28 min
In this special episode, Harry and Daniel brush off their tuxedos and gather their past episode show notes to discuss some of the current year's Academy Award picks. Then they move on to the eagerly anticipated "Oyscars" and highlight Jewish excellence in cinema in categories like "Best Onscreen Food", The Most Coded Jewish Non-Explicitly-Jewish Character, The Favorite “Stretch” Of The Year and many more. Congratulations to all the films that were nominated, a special thank you to all of our gue...
Feb 26, 2025•44 min
In this Director's Cut length episode of the pod, Harry and Daniel explore Sergio Leone’s epic crime saga, Once Upon a Time in America (1984), examining its portrayal of Jewish gangsters, memory, and the American Dream. They are joined by Margalit Fox, author of The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss , and veteran film critic George Robinson, author of Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs, and Rituals . Together, they discuss the fi...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 41 min
Daniel & Harry dive into "A Real Pain" with guest Sam Ostroff. Jesse Eisenberg’s latest film takes two bickering cousins on a Holocaust-themed road trip through Poland—what could go wrong? They explore how the film navigates inherited trauma, the many ways a “Jewish experience” can look on screen, and what Martin Buber’s "I & Thou" has to do with family dysfunction. Plus, a stop in Lublin, where history looms large. Tune in for laughs, existential musings, and just the right amount of Je...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 19 min
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, we’ll dive into Portland’s connection to the film and take questions from our live audience. Join us for an adventurou...
Jan 30, 2025•47 min
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 Pinocchio parallels to existential crises, this episode asks: Can artificial beings find meaning? What does it mean to...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 14 min
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 Jewish representation on screen. Is this movie pure absurdity, or does it sneak in some profound commentary between the...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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, laughs, and a fresh take on this cinematic classic. Marathon Man on IMDb Marathon Man Trailer Purchase Sam Lipsyte Books Friends of...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 17 min
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 is a selfless individual on a mission to help others, and despite our age, some of us never figure things out. As always, t...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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 dance of love in the digital age. Together, they discuss the film’s iconic scenes, the cultural nostalgia of ‘90s New Yor...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 12 min
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 relatable. Expect a lively discussion about Susan’s undeniable chutzpah, the film’s nuanced portrayal of female friendship, and fin...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 11 min
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 a God-fearing Jew is uniquely equipped to survive in an overly-observed world. Finally, they discuss the shlemiel and shlimazel ar...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 20 min
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 Holocaust survivor to the X-Men's historical role as stand-ins for marginalized members of the Jewish, LGBTQ+, and Black communities ....
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 16 min
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 – English, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, Greek, Spanish, French, Japanese and more – but never any songs in Persian. This seems odd t...
Jul 30, 2024•35 min
Daniel and Harry are joined by Danielle Dardashti, co-creator and producer of "The Nightingale of Iran" podcast to discuss "Persepolis," the 2007 animated film co-directed by Marjane Satrapi. They discuss Marjane’s split sense of identity throughout the film, and Danielle shares parallel stories of her grandfather that reflect the experience of living in Iran during the fall of the Shah and rise of the Islamic Fundamentalism during the late 1970s. Then the three talk about religious as well as n...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Daniel and Harry are joined by Adam Lisagor, commercial director and founder of Sandwich, to discuss the 1977 film “Kentucky Fried Movie” directed by ZAZ. Adam first shares how the film had a profound impact on his directing tone & style. Then he shares a few Zucker stories from past family gatherings, rates the commercial parodies in the film, and the three even welcome legendary producer Samuel J Bronkowitz! As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms ...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Daniel and Harry are joined by comedian and co-host of the Yenta podcast, Raye Schiller to discuss the 2023 film "Bottoms" directed by Emma Seligman. First, they unravel how PJ and Josie's sarcasm and lies unwittingly sow chaos among their classmates. Then, they dissect the tribalism between school cliques, revealing subtle Jewish undertones. Finally, they explore Rachel Sennot’s knack for portraying Jewish-coded characters and her standout role in this film. As always, they close out the episod...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Join Daniel & Harry on an exhilarating adventure as they welcome acclaimed writer and podcaster David Tuchman to unearth the Jewish treasures buried within Steven Spielberg's iconic 1981 masterpiece, "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." Prepare to delve into the thrilling world of archaeology, exploring how it sets out to preserve ancient traditions, artifacts, and customs. Discover the fascinating accuracy behind the depiction of the Ark of the Covenant and uncover the hidden de...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Daniel and Harry welcome actress, performer, and host of the podcast " Too Stupid to Live " to discuss the 2023 Hallmark film "Made For Each Other". After tracing the mythological roots of the Golem, they discuss the notion of doing what you truly want versus what's expected of you, imperfection as positive trait rather than something to shy away from, and finally they settle the score the best flavor of babka and how to pronounce kugel . As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Batter Up! Daniel & Harry welcome film maker Daniel Robbins to discuss the 2011 film, "Moneyball" directed by Bennet Miller and starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. They discuss the notions of tradition vs progress in baseball as well as Judaism, the use of statistics and negotiating depicted in the film, and discuss which biblical figures Billy Beane and Peter Brand most resemble. Finally, they end the episode by selecting their most Jewish scenes, “stretches of the ...
May 09, 2024•56 min
In honor of 4/20, Daniel and Harry are joined by friend of the podcast, Meir Zwanziger, to discuss the 2015 film Dough starring Jonathan Pryce and Jerome Holder. Before diving into the movie, they share their experiences with cannabis and explore the possible historical connections between Judaism and cannabis. Then the trio discusses the depiction of Jewish and Muslim religious traditions in the film, as well as the portrayal of socio-economic and generational divides among the various characte...
Apr 21, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Daniel and Harry don their chef whites and sharpen their kitchen knives as they welcome food writer Leah Koenig for their biggest meal yet: a hearty discussion of 1996's "Big Night" co-directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci. Join them as they go on a spiritual journey through the film and celebrate the divine nature of a great meal. Leah's Links Buy Leah's cookbook Portico The Jewish Table (Leah's Substack) Leah Koenig on Instagram Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQhoYLsoHI...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Join Harry, Daniel, and their guest Jason Zinoman, critic at large for The New York Times, as they share a plate of ginger prawns (Kosher of course) at their favorite Chinese Restaurant and unpack the Jewishness of Barbet Schroeder’s “Reversal of Fortune,” starring Glenn Close, Ron Silver, and Jeremy Irons in an Oscar winning performance. Tune in to hear them discuss the way protagonist Alan Dershowitz is faced with positive and negative stereotypes of his Jewishness, debate Judaism’s perspectiv...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 15 min
