Daniel Zana &amp; 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!

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/3/6/ede9f2a5-bcc7-4d82-8afc-0665f75c8fb1_garden_state_w-_gila_pffeffer.mp3

Daniel and Harry are joined by Gila Pfeffer, author of Nearly Departed, to discuss Zach Braff&#39;s 2004 indie darling Garden State, directed by and starring Braff alongside Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard.The trio debates whether the film is &#34;actually&#34; Jewish or just Jewish-coded, digging into Ian Holm&#39;s distant Jewish father, the humorous Doctor Cohn, and how two decades of over-prescribed lithium leave Andrew frozen in grief.They talk through the funeral and Shiva scenes as the real emotional catalyst of the film, Portman&#39;s Sam as a defining &#34;manic pixie dream girl,&#34; and Gila&#39;s own perspective on Jewish mourning rituals as an Orthodox writer. As always, they close out with some stretch-of-the-pod theories — mikvah bathtubs and Holocaust reparations included — before rating the film&#39;s Jewishness on their 1 to 5 scale.Gila&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/nearly-departed-a-memoir-adventures-in-loss-cancer-and-other-inconveniences-gila-pfeffer/dd06d7a768e392d4?bkshp-astro=t&ean=9781891011627" rel="nofollow">Buy Gila&#39;s Book Nearly Departed</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gilapfeffer/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">Follow Gila on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://gilapfeffer.substack.com/" rel="nofollow">Subscribe to Gila&#39;s Substack</a></li></ul>﻿Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Garden State w/Gila Pfeffer

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/20/3/f65968c6-f8b7-406d-9a9a-353579cee523_the_breakfast_club_w-_rachel_israel.mp3

Daniel and Harry are stuck in detention with Rachel Israel, director of The Floaters, so they figured they might as well record a podcast about the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, written and directed by John Hughes.Together, they revisit the iconic coming-of-age classic and its five high-school stereotypes—the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, and the criminal—and ask whether those labels really tell us anything about who we are. They discuss the film&#39;s surprisingly earnest exploration of identity, friendship, family and parental pressure, why its 95-minute running time feels almost radical today, and how The Breakfast Club paved the way for generations of teen movies to come.They dig into the film&#39;s unexpected Jewish connections—from synchronized dancing and Jewish joy to the idea of detention as a kind of Shabbat or synagogue experience. They also discuss Rachel&#39;s own film The Floaters, Jewish summer camp, and the influence The Breakfast Club had on her filmmaking.Plus, it&#39;s our favorite question: How Jewish is The Breakfast Club? The answer may involve a little creative stretching—but that&#39;s never stopped us before. Rachel&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://floatersmovie.com/" rel="nofollow">Check out The Floaters in a city near you</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a>

The Breakfast Club w/ Rachel Israel

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/6/6/0855a004-4b21-412a-87ea-1a845d44b008_lenny_with_eli_leibowicz.mp3

Returning guest and comedian Eli Leibowicz joins Harry and Daniel to discuss Bob Fosse&#39;s Lenny (1974), starring Dustin Hoffman as the groundbreaking—and deeply controversial—comedian Lenny Bruce. Together, they explore why Bruce remains one of the most influential figures in stand-up comedy, even decades after his death.The conversation dives into Bruce&#39;s Jewish identity, the role of Yiddish in shaping his voice, and how Jewish humor became a vehicle for challenging authority and exposing hypocrisy. Along the way, Harry, Daniel, and Eli compare Bruce&#39;s legacy to modern comedians, debate the changing boundaries of free speech, and ask whether comedy is at its best when it entertains an audience—or unsettles one. They also discuss Dustin Hoffman&#39;s acclaimed performance, Bob Fosse&#39;s striking filmmaking, and why Lenny remains a fascinating portrait of an artist who refused to stop asking uncomfortable questions.<ul><li>“Lenny” on ImDB - <a href="https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0071746/" rel="nofollow">https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0071746/</a></li><li>“Lenny” Trailer - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqvNOq8kGB8" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqvNOq8kGB8</a></li></ul>Eli&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elicomedyagram/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">Follow Eli Leibowicz on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://www.elicomedy.com/" rel="nofollow">Eli&#39;s Website</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Lenny w/ Eli Leibowicz

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/29/6/4a501e41-7c15-46ca-bdbf-7ee5a7033110_floaters_interview_w-jackie_tohn.mp3

Daniel and Harry are (almost) back for Season 7 of the podcast!In anticipation for the premiere in August, have a listen to an interview with Jackie Tohn, star of the new film &#34;The Floaters&#34;, out now in limited release in theaters across the country.They cover Jackie&#39;s experience at Jewish summer camps growing up, her four favorite Jewish films, how a long tradition of Jewish humor helped inform her acting choices in &#34;The Floaters&#34;, and touching on how the film depicts a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and traditions. Jackie&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jackietohn" rel="nofollow">Follow Jackie Tohn on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://floatersmovie.com/" rel="nofollow">Check out The Floaters in a city near you</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a>

Special Episode: "The Floaters" Interview w/ Jackie Tohn

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/1/18/ea331c72-571c-4bad-a321-70bcc03f3d77_the_prince_of_egypt_w_stephanie_butnick.mp3

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, sibling rivalry, and why this animated epic remains a Seder-season staple for so many Jewish households. Cue the plagues, and press play. This episode originally aired April 6 2025. The Prince of Egypt on IMDb - <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120794/" rel="nofollow">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120794/</a>The Prince of Egypt Trailer - <a href="https://youtu.be/SsGcttNUi9c?si=K8QUKqnBtvHQQTFM" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/SsGcttNUi9c</a> Golda Guide - <a href="https://www.goldaguide.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.goldaguide.com/</a>Stephanie Butnick on Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sbutnick/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/sbutnick/</a>Connect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a>

The Prince of Egypt w/ Stephanie Butnick (Re-Release)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/26/6/73bb3148-f848-4620-b89e-0e397a4138c3_among_neighbors_w-_pamela_lavitt.mp3

Harry and Daniel welcome back Pamela Lavitt, director of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival, to discuss Among Neighbors, the powerful documentary by Yoav Potash that uses animation to explore a haunting Holocaust story about survivors confronting the role their own neighbors played in wartime violence. Together, they examine how animation is reshaping Holocaust storytelling, the challenges of presenting difficult histories, and the film’s themes of memory, identity, and reconciliation.Along the way, the conversation expands to the evolving landscape of Jewish cinema, trends in animated documentaries, highlights from the Seattle Jewish Film Festival, and the enduring question: when films challenge uncomfortable truths, is that ultimately good for the Jews? <ul><li><a href="https://youtu.be/F8vv4UOQJEA?si=86vUk5_Op5zjvTOk" rel="nofollow">Among Neighbors Trailer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7758540/" rel="nofollow">Among Neighbors on IMDb</a></li></ul> <ul><li><a href="https://youtu.be/Y5u1XJHr-UE" rel="nofollow">Papillon Short Film on YouTube</a></li><li><a href="https://seattlejff.org/" rel="nofollow">Seattle Jewish Film Festival</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Among Neighbors w/ Pamela Lavitt

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/19/6/a31e6abe-70a9-43d2-907e-14075d237ad7_99_year_old_man_w-_yuli_masinovsky.mp3

For their 100th (give or take) episode, Harry and Daniel celebrate a major milestone by revisiting where it all began—with their very first guest, Yuli Masinovsky. Together, they keep things loose, reflective, and a little bit meta as they dive into The 99 Year Old Man, the documentary from Judd Apatow chronicling the life and legacy of Mel Brooks.Along the way, the trio looks back on four years of podcasting—how the show has evolved from plot-heavy breakdowns to more thematic, free-flowing conversations—and what it means to build a creative project over time while balancing careers, families, and life changes. They revisit early Jews on Film staples like “the stretch,” the IMDb summary, and the ever-elusive perfect format.On the film side, the conversation explores Brooks as both a comedic pioneer and a complicated cultural figure: his role in shaping Jewish-American humor, his connection to figures like Sid Caesar, and the lineage of comedy that runs from the Borscht Belt to today. The group also digs into the documentary itself—its length, structure, and whether it reveals anything new about a performer who’s always “on.”Most provocatively, the episode wrestles with questions of Jewish identity in Brooks’ work: Is his humor a bridge to mainstream audiences or a performance for an in-group? Does the film sidestep deeper explorations of Judaism in favor of persona and mythmaking? And what does it mean for a Jewish artist to both embrace and satirize his own identity?It’s a celebratory, thoughtful, and occasionally heated conversation about comedy, legacy, assimilation, and storytelling—plus a few looks ahead to the next 100 episodes.Mazel tov to Jews on Film… and here’s to 100 more. <ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKo_urZAm9o" rel="nofollow">The 99 Year Old Man Movie Trailer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33035435/" rel="nofollow">The 99 Year Old Man on IMDb</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

100th Episode Special:  "Mel Brooks The 99 Year Old Man!" w/Yuli Masinovsky

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/4/6/239d7b54-d6f3-49c3-a5ce-f67ae10f18e4_marty_supreme_w_leigh_stein.mp3

Harry and Daniel are joined by writer Leigh Stein, author of the novel If You’re Seeing This, It’s Meant for You, to unpack the ambition, anxiety, and Jewish bravado pulsing through Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie.Rather than simply treating the film as a sports drama, the conversation zeroes in on Marty as a driven artist figure — obsessive, self-mythologizing, hungry for greatness, and constantly performing his own legend. What does it mean to chase excellence not just as an athlete, but as a Jew carrying history, insecurity, and defiant pride on his back (and sometimes around his neck)?Leigh brings her sharp cultural lens to questions of ego, survival, and spectacle — including Marty’s provocative swagger and the ever-lingering communal anxiety: Is this good for the Jews? Is Marty a symbol of resilience, a caricature of excess, or both at once?It’s a lively, searching conversation about ambition, representation, and the thin line between self-invention and self-delusion — with plenty of ping-pong metaphors along the way. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9gSuKaKcqM" rel="nofollow">Marty Supreme Movie Trailer</a><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32916440/" rel="nofollow">Marty Supreme on IMDb</a> Leigh&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/if-you-re-seeing-this-it-s-meant-for-you-a-novel-leigh-stein/6e0e746dde20c1ab" rel="nofollow">If You’re Seeing This, It’s Meant for You</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/leighstein/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">Leigh Stein on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://leighstein.substack.com/" rel="nofollow">Leigh Stein on Substack</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Marty Supreme w/ Leigh Stein

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/19/6/26eb7cfd-85ae-4327-9c64-dd9a35ae01a7_the_princess_bride_w-_michael_lukk_litwak.mp3

Harry and Daniel dive into the swashbuckling fairy tale classic The Princess Bride with filmmaker and special guest Michael Lukk Litwak, director of Molli and Max in the Future.Directed by Rob Reiner and written by legendary screenwriter William Goldman (adapting his own novel), The Princess Bride is a story of fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love—and, yes, miracles. But it’s also something more: a distinctly Jewish-inflected fairy tale wrapped in the rhythms of a grandfather’s bedtime story.Harry, Daniel, and Michael explore Goldman’s wry, self-aware storytelling voice, Reiner’s humanistic direction, and how the film balances sincerity and satire without ever winking too hard. They unpack Mandy Patinkin’s unforgettable turn as Inigo Montoya, the comedic brilliance of Wallace Shawn and Billy Crystal, and the film’s surprising emotional depth beneath all the quotable lines.Together, they ask: What makes this fairy tale feel so grounded? How does Jewish humor shape the film’s tone? And why has The Princess Bride endured as a generational touchstone for audiences who can quote it line for line?As you wish… it’s an episode about storytelling, myth-making, and why true love (and a good screenplay) conquers all. <ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmXptjknRa8" rel="nofollow">The Princess Bride Trailer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/" rel="nofollow">The Princess Bride in IMDB</a></li></ul> Michael&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/michaellitwak" rel="nofollow">Follow Michael on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/molli-and-max-in-the-future/umc.cmc.3ebn16q3waybrij39wt0muhwq" rel="nofollow">Watch Molli and Max in the Future</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

The Princess Bride w/ Michael Lukk Litwak

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/4/22/f9a4ef31-513a-426a-b580-e4429961c900_after_hours-v2.mp3

Daniel and Harry welcome Nabil Ayers - music industry entrepreneur, podcaster, musician, and author to discuss Martin Scorsese&#39;s 1985 dark comedy &#34;After Hours&#34; starring Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, and Linda Fiorentino.They discuss SoHo in the 1980s, Scorsese’s exploration of temptation and punishment, how this film fits into the &#34;Yuppie Nightmare&#34; canon of films alongside others like &#34;Fatal Attraction&#34; and &#34;American Psycho,” and how tough it was to get into a walkup apartment when the buzzer wasn&#39;t working.As always, they end the episode by ranking the film’s Jewishness in terms of its cast &amp; crew, content, and themes.IMDb - <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088680/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk" rel="nofollow">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088680/</a>Trailer - <a href="https://youtu.be/LQRawYZl-ls" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/LQRawYZl-ls</a>Joe Frank&#39;s NPR Monologue that partially inspired &#34;After Hours&#34;- <a href="https://youtu.be/MIG636ri4r8" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/MIG636ri4r8</a>Check out Nabil&#39;s podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identified-with-nabil-ayers/id1747912136" rel="nofollow">Identified</a>Check out Nabil’s book - <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/651853/my-life-in-the-sunshine-by-nabil-ayers/" rel="nofollow">My Life in The Sunshine</a> Connect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - <a href="https://app.redcircle.com/shows/22b4b543-3c1d-4308-a946-a1921c949deb/ep/a8b07d41-2bab-4831-a997-ccddd348b3ed/Instagram%20-%20https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a>YouTube- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a>

After Hours w/ Nabil Ayers (Re-Release)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/1/15/4/1dad0756-f423-47f4-a17d-3feb54f66549_when_harry_met_sally_w_temim_fruchter2026.mp3

This week, Daniel and Harry are joined by Temim Fruchter, author of &#34;City of Laughter&#34; out now! They discuss the classic 1989 film &#34;When Harry Met Sally...&#34; starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan directed by the late Rob Reiner.First, they touch on why the film has sustained as one of the best Rom-Coms, pointing to the improvisation and natural conversations that drive the film&#39;s narrative. Then they discuss coincidence and synchronicity related to Harry and Sally&#39;s run ins throughout the film.They also answer one of the most controversial questions in food lore: What is your bagel order?As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film&#39;s &#34;Jewishness&#34; in terms of its cast &amp; crew, content, and themes. <a href="https://youtu.be/k7utaa1Ify4?si=yau7nojHHdv5MiqI" rel="nofollow">When Harry Met Sally Trailer</a><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/" rel="nofollow">When Harry Met Sally on IMdB</a> Temim&#39;s Links<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/city-of-laughter/19989778" rel="nofollow">City of Laughter on Bookshop.org</a><a href="https://twitter.com/temim" rel="nofollow">Temim Fruchter on Twitter</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/both_and_yes/" rel="nofollow">Temim Fruchter on Instagram</a> Connect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a>

When Harry Met Sally with Temim Fruchter (Re-Release)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/1/8/6/163f4b13-e8d7-483b-992f-ed7ba2f13127_everything_is_illuminated_w-_tanya_singer.mp3

Harry and Daniel are joined by special guest Tanya Singer to explore Liev Schreiber’s 2005 film Everything is Illuminated. Starring Elijah Wood as a young Jewish American traveling to Ukraine in search of his grandfather’s past, the film blends absurd humor with profound reflections on memory, trauma, and the long shadow of the Holocaust.Together, the group discusses the film’s road-trip structure, its use of comedy as a gateway to grief, and what it reveals about diaspora Jews returning to Eastern Europe in search of meaning. As Alex Perchik himself might say, this episode is “very premium discussion… many thinking, much feeling, and not so much crying (maybe little).” Tanya&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://simchattorahchallenge.org/" rel="nofollow">Simchat Torah Challenge</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tanyasingerknits/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">Tanya Singer on Instagram</a></li></ul> Movie Resources<ul><li><a href="https://youtu.be/TXZ5xRQ6owQ?si=UZKBvU2t2TkWD5ys" rel="nofollow">Everything Is Illuminated Trailer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404030/" rel="nofollow">Everything Is Illuminated on IMDb</a></li></ul>

Everything is Illuminated w/ Tanya Singer

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/18/7/1f54fc6e-5ab1-4ff7-931c-8f412649b336_meyerwitz_stories_with_shawn_levy.mp3

Harry and Daniel settle in with a nice luke warm bowl of shark soup and are once again joined by author Shawn Levy to delve into Noah Baumbach’s “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)”, a darkly comic portrait of a fractured Jewish family in New York.With standout performances from Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson, the film explores themes of sibling rivalry, parental expectations, and the burden of legacy. The hosts unpack Baumbach’s signature style, the film’s Jewish sensibility, and what it reveals about art, memory, and the bonds of family. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5536736/" rel="nofollow">Meyerwitz Stories on IMDB</a><a href="https://youtu.be/MYzFieit8dI?si=9C1ZI5QQIL5FelaW" rel="nofollow">Meyerwitz Stories trailer</a> Shawn Levy’s Links<ul><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/clint-the-man-and-the-movies-shawn-levy/94bd2e74bbf3a508?ean=9780063251021&next=t" rel="nofollow">Get Shawn’s latest book, “Clint”</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shawnanthonylevy/" rel="nofollow">Follow Shawn Levy on instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://shawnlevy.com/glitter-might/" rel="nofollow">Listen to the Glitter &amp; Might series about Lew Wasserman</a></li><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Shawn+Levy" rel="nofollow">Find other books by Shawn Levy</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

The Meyerwitz Stories w/ Shawn Levy

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/25/7/3bdb82c7-1f67-402a-ac20-4047c2750d52_barton_fink_with_tim_blake_nelson.mp3

Daniel and Harry step away from their latest Capitol Pictures assignment—something about a wrestling picture?—to dive into the Coen Brothers’ Barton Fink. They are joined by actor, writer, director, and novelist Tim Blake Nelson, whose new book Super Hero adds an extra layer to their exploration of creativity, identity, and the strange, sticky world of Hollywood.Together, they unpack the film’s Jewish themes, its surreal portrait of the “life of the mind,” and why Barton Fink still feels so eerily relevant. From peeling wallpaper to the pressures of writing for “the common man,” this conversation blends film history, industry insight, and classic Jews on Film humor—without the Hotel Earle’s heat. <a href="https://youtu.be/pqT3YqNCrBY?si=byO64owvxyBkU6Z-" rel="nofollow">Barton Fink Movie Trailer</a><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101410/" rel="nofollow">Barton Fink on IMDb</a> Tim&#39;s Links<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/superhero-tim-blake-nelson/f63c2bcac4e71e50?ean=9781961884625&next=t" rel="nofollow">Purchase &#34;Super Hero&#34; by Tim Blake Nelson</a> Upcoming Events<ul><li>12/1 <a href="https://www.strandbooks.com/tim-blake-nelson-superhero.html" rel="nofollow">Tim Blake Nelson in conversation with Elizabeth Marvel at The Strand NYC</a></li><li>12/16 <a href="https://booksoup.com/event/2025-12-16/ticketed-tim-blake-nelson" rel="nofollow">Book Soup Reading &amp; Signing Event in Los Angeles</a></li><li>12/11 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-tim-blake-nelson-tickets-1735828241999" rel="nofollow">An Evening with Tim Blake Nelson at Bnei Emunah in Tulsa, OK</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Barton Fink w/ Tim Blake Nelson

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/13/6/2c18df5b-61d1-4659-8002-0cc1c4cbe307_an_american_tail_w-robin_schwartzman.mp3

Harry and Daniel are joined by caricature artist Robin Schwartzman to revisit Don Bluth and Steven Spielberg’s animated classic An American Tail, the story of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family’s journey from Russia to America. Beneath its colorful animation and unforgettable songs lies a deeply Jewish immigration story, echoing themes of displacement, perseverance, and hope. The hosts explore the film’s historical context, its portrayal of Jewish immigrant life, and the lasting cultural impact of Fievel as a symbol of resilience and belonging. <ul><li>An American Tail on IMDb - <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090633/" rel="nofollow">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090633/</a></li><li>An American Tail Trailer - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTQ0qTubGz8" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTQ0qTubGz8</a></li></ul> Robin&#39;s Links<ul><li>Buy a signed copy of &#34;Drawing Influence&#34; - <a href="https://www.drawinginfluence.com/shop" rel="nofollow">https://www.drawinginfluence.com/shop</a></li><li>Find Robin Schwartzman on Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/robinschwartzman/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/robinschwartzman/</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

An American Tail w/ Robin Schwartzman

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/23/6/a41e33cc-c372-4db3-b815-05449f98c3bd_hester_street_w-_jason_diamond.mp3

🧳 A tale of immigrants, Yiddish, and the struggle between Old World traditions and New World dreams.Jason Diamond, author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/kaplan-s-plot-a-novel-jason-diamond/3b7143058dc1c320" rel="nofollow">Kaplan&#39;s Plot</a>, join Harry and Daniel to revisit Joan Micklin Silver’s 1975 classic Hester Street, a groundbreaking portrayal of Jewish immigrants in turn-of-the-century New York. Starring Carol Kane in an Oscar-nominated performance, the film captures the tensions between assimilation and tradition, Old World and New, as Jewish families navigate the challenges of American life. They explore the film’s authentic use of Yiddish, its role in American independent cinema, and the ways it reflects enduring questions of Jewish identity in America. <ul><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073107/" rel="nofollow">Hester Street on IMDb</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSgPzddoXjM" rel="nofollow">Hester Street Trailer</a></li></ul> Jason&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/kaplan-s-plot-a-novel-jason-diamond/3b7143058dc1c320" rel="nofollow">Get Kaplan&#39;s Plot on Bookshop.org</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/imjasondiamond/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">Jason Diamond on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://www.getthemelt.com/" rel="nofollow">The Melt Substack</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Hester Street w/ Jason Diamond

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/30/5/14fde794-a93c-48af-9431-d1cca417323a_adaptation_w_julie_klausner.mp3

Harry and Daniel are joined by podcaster &amp; writer Julie Klausner to tackle Adaptation, Spike Jonze’s wildly inventive collaboration with screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Starring Nicolas Cage in a dual role as Kaufman and his fictional twin brother, the film bends narrative form to explore writer’s block, creativity, and self-doubt. The hosts discuss Kaufman’s uniquely Jewish lens on storytelling, the blending of comedy and melancholy, and how the film fits into a broader tradition of Jewish metafiction in literature and cinema. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268126/" rel="nofollow">Adaptation on IMDb</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uougMRq-MSo" rel="nofollow">Adaptation Movie Trailer </a> Julie&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-was-your-week-with-julie-klausner/id424991092" rel="nofollow">How Was Your Week Podcast?</a></li><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/double-threat-with-julie-klausner-tom-scharpling/id1503252863" rel="nofollow">Double Threat Podcast w/ Julie &amp; Tom Sharpling</a></li><li>Julie Klausner on Instagram</li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Adaptation w/ Julie Klausner

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/2/5/2b670c18-fbfe-4c8e-8097-09c3854855a6_spaceballs_w-_gil_ozeri.mp3

Daniel and Harry are once again joined by actor &amp; comedian Gil Ozeri to discuss the 1987 classic, Spaceballs.Join them as they uncover the ways Mel Brooks brings his Jewish voice and humor to this parody of Star Wars and the classic tropes it inspired. Listen in as they talk about the power of the Schwartz, the Druish princess Vespa, and the all powerful (and very Jewish) Yogurt! <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094012/" rel="nofollow">Spaceballs on IMDb</a><a href="https://youtu.be/RK0yd4LtLdg" rel="nofollow">Spaceballs Trailer</a> Gil’s Links<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tallgilozeri/" rel="nofollow">Gil Ozeri on instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/friendsdoimprov" rel="nofollow">Gil’s upcoming show at the Elysian Theater with Jon Daly &amp; John Gemberling</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Spaceballs w/ Gil Ozeri

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/2/4/e9c05e3f-18bc-437a-b968-b9b99e13ce43_pee_wee_s_big_adventure_w-michael_schulman.mp3

Daniel and Harry are back for Season Five of the podcast! In this premiere episode, they welcome back writer Michael Schulman to talk about Tim Burton&#39;s 1985 classic, &#34;Pee Wee&#39;s Big Adventure&#34; . They cover the excellent documentary film, &#34;Paul Reubens as Himself&#34; before heading out hitchhiking on the road to uncover what the film has to say about being an outsider, wandering in the desert, and trying their best not to say the secret word of the pod! AHHHH <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbWK0g6XY8s" rel="nofollow">Pee Wee&#39;s Big Adventure Movie Trailer</a><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089791/" rel="nofollow">Pee Wee&#39;s Big Adventure in IMDb</a> Michael&#39;s Links<ul><li><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/pee-wee-herman-and-the-cost-of-dividing-yourself-in-two" rel="nofollow">Read Michael&#39;s article from The New York about Pee Wee Herman</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/michaelschulman/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">Find Michael Schulman on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/oscar-wars-a-history-of-hollywood-in-gold-sweat-and-tears-michael-schulman/18732493" rel="nofollow">Get Michael Schulman&#39;s book, &#34;Oscar Wars&#34;</a></li></ul> Connect with Jews on Film online:<ul><li>Jews on Film Merch - <a href="https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products" rel="nofollow">https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products</a></li><li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/</a></li><li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod</a></li><li>YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm</a></li><li>TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod</a></li></ul>

Pee-wee's Big Adventure w/ Michael Schulman

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/4/6/094f4c0a-9cbf-45b7-bc2b-9c505681c88a_season_5_promo.mp3

Daniel and Harry drop in to let you know what to expect on this season of Jews on Film!

Season 5 Trailer

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!