A Bintel Brief
The Forward’s classic Jewish advice column, A Bintel Brief, is now a podcast. Our co-hosts, two Jewish mothers, dish on the dilemmas of Jewish-American life, identity, culture and politics. New episodes every Thursday.
Bonus · Fri, January 13, 2023
TRAILER: Playing Anne Frank
Coming Jan. 24. Listen to the trailer for "Playing Anne Frank," a seven-episode series from the Forward about one of America's most iconic cultural works, "The Diary of Anne Frank," and how it shapes all those involved in it. From the original Broadway show, which debuted in 1955 and won Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize; to the Oscar-winning 1959 film; to high school students putting it on today, journalist and novelist Adam Langer takes you deep into the cultural history of the play that introduced millions to the Holocaust. Subscribe to "Playing Anne Frank" wherever you get your podcasts.
Thu, October 06, 2022
Bonus: Jodi Rudoren One-on-One with Deborah Lipstadt
At the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, Jodi Rudoren interviewed Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. special envoy to combat and monitor antisemitism, about her recent travels to the Middle East, why hate is on the rise around the world, and Ken Burns’ latest documentary.
Bonus · Wed, October 05, 2022
[Rerun] S2, Episode 4: Grumpy Gifter
For the High Holidays, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes of "A Bintel Brief." Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Grumpy Gifter,” a listener writes with a quintessentially mid-30s vexation: she can no longer tolerate the endless gifts required of her by the litany of weddings and babies. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Bonus · Tue, October 04, 2022
[Rerun] S2, Episode 2: Heartbroken Bubbe, Part 2
For the High Holidays, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes of "A Bintel Brief." Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In this episode, Ginna and Lynn read and react to listener responses to one of our most popular episodes from last season, “Heartbroken Bubbe.” Recurring guest Chana Pollack drops by with some wisdom from the archive, and “Heartbroken Bubbe” herself comments on her experience trying to help foment a sense of Jewish identity in a beloved grandchild of mixed-faith parents.
Bonus · Thu, September 29, 2022
[Rerun] S2, Episode 1: D for Denial
For the High Holidays, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes of "A Bintel Brief." Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In this episode, Ginna and Lynn advise a listener who believes a close friend might be a Holocaust denier. They are joined by recurring guest Chana Pollack, who offers wisdom from Bintel’s past via a letter from the archive, and Boaz Dvir, Founder and Director of the Holocaust Education Initiative.
Thu, September 22, 2022
S2, Episode 10: The Ghost of Blackface Past
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In the season finale, “The Ghost of Blackface Past,” an executive wants to know what to do after discovering a photo of one of his employees in blackface — from 40 years ago. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Bonus · Tue, September 20, 2022
[Rerun] S2, Episode 5: Unbrotherly Love
For the High Holidays, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes of "A Bintel Brief." Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Unbrotherly Love,” a listener wonders whether he should attend a wedding at which he would meet a half-brother his father had through an affair. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Bonus · Thu, September 15, 2022
Introducing: Can We Talk?
Each month on Can We Talk? , the Jewish Women’s Archive features stories and conversations centered around gender and being Jewish. Alternating between a documentary style and a roundtable format, this show includes profiles of historical and contemporary Jewish women, frank discussion of culture, politics, and current events, and little-known stories from our past and present. In advance of our season 2 finale, we're sharing one of our favorite episodes of theirs with you.
Bonus · Tue, September 13, 2022
[Rerun] S2, Episode 6: Dungeons and Dealbreakers
For the High Holidays, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes of "A Bintel Brief." Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Dungeons and Dealbreakers,” a listener in high school writes in wondering whether or not to cut ties with her friends who had her enact a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid during a Dungeons & Dragons game. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Thu, September 01, 2022
S2, Episode 9: Secrets of the Bintel
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In this special episode, “Secrets of the Bintel,” Lynn interviews the Forward's archivist, Chana Pollack, about the Bintel Brief of yore. Plus, in Bintel Blitz, Lynn tries to guess the English meaning of three Yiddish words.
Thu, August 18, 2022
S2, Episode 8: For Richer? Or Poorer
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Richer or Poorer,” a listener writes in wondering whether she can consider a man who earns much less than she does as a potential life partner. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Thu, August 04, 2022
S2, Episode 7: Sick & Tired
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Sick & Tired,” Lynn and Ginna hear from a COVID-cautious listener who contracted the virus at a family reunion from a relative who appears to have a more cavalier attitude toward the pandemic. She asks how to handle the resentment she feels toward the relative. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Thu, July 21, 2022
S2, Episode 6: Dungeons and Dealbreakers
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Dungeons and Dealbreakers,” a listener in high school writes in wondering whether or not to cut ties with her friends who had her enact a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid during a Dungeons & Dragons game. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Trailer · Thu, July 14, 2022
A Brief Bintel Brief Bulletin
Bintel is on break this week, but we'll be back soon!
Thu, June 30, 2022
S2, Episode 5: Unbrotherly Love
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Unbrotherly Love,” a listener wonders whether he should attend a wedding at which he would meet a half-brother his father had through an affair. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Thu, June 23, 2022
A Brief Bintel Brief Break
Bintel is on break this week, but we'll be back soon!
Thu, June 09, 2022
S2, Episode 4: "Grumpy Gifter"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In “Grumpy Gifter,” a listener writes with a quintessentially mid-30s vexation: she can no longer tolerate the endless gifts required of her by the litany of weddings and babies. Bintel responds with wisdom, humor, and tasteful advice.
Thu, May 26, 2022
S2, Episode 3: "On the Fence"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This episode takes us to a town with a hot real estate market, and a listener whose neighbor plans to sell his home. Two acquaintances have asked for a leg up getting in touch with the seller, and “On the Market” is torn about how best to respond. Listen to Ginna and Lynn’s advice, plus a letter from the archive and real estate advice from the Talmud.
Thu, May 12, 2022
S2, Episode 2: “Heartbroken Bubbe, Part 2”
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In this episode, Ginna and Lynn read and react to listener responses to one of our most popular episodes from last season, “Heartbroken Bubbe.” Recurring guest Chana Pollack drops by with some wisdom from the archive, and “Heartbroken Bubbe” herself comments on her experience trying to help foment a sense of Jewish identity in a beloved grandchild of mixed-faith parents.
Thu, April 28, 2022
S2, Episode 1: "D for Denial"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In this episode, Ginna and Lynn advise a listener who believes a close friend might be a Holocaust denier. They are joined by recurring guest Chana Pollack, who offers wisdom from Bintel’s past via a letter from the archive, and Boaz Dvir, Founder and Director of the Holocaust Education Initiative.
Trailer · Thu, April 07, 2022
Coming Soon: A Bintel Brief, Season 2
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to Season 2 of “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This season, hosts Lynn Harris and Ginna Green will be joined regularly by The Forward’s archivist, Chana Pollack, who brings a historical perspective to our reader’s modern questions. Check back in April to begin streaming Bintel’s next season.
Bonus · Thu, October 14, 2021
A Bintel Brief Live!
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. In this bonus episode, Ginna and Lynn chat live, with help from the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief, Jodi Rudoren, and archivist, Chana Pollack. Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Bonus · Mon, October 11, 2021
Featuring: Israel Story
What many of us missed most during the pandemic was a sense of community. In this feature episode from Israel Story, host Mishy Harman visits a place which is all about community - in fact, it's even called a community center - to find out what it feels like when a diverse community tries to regroup.
Thu, October 07, 2021
Episode 10: "Heartbroken Bubbe"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, in the tenth and final episode of the season, the hosts advise a grandmother struggling to form a relationship to her new granddaughter, who will be raised in an interfaith family. Ginna and Lynn are joined once again by Tema Smith of 18Doors and Sharon Goldtzvik of Uprise . Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, September 30, 2021
Episode 9: "Family Affair"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts help a writer who learned a cousin’s wife is using a dating app, and is struggling to decide how to respond. Ginna and Lynn are joined once again by Chana Pollack, the Forward’s archivist, who shares wisdom from letters past. Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, September 23, 2021
Episode 8: "Unhappy Camper"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts advise a mother struggling to respond to her children’s frustration over their Israel education. Ginna and Lynn are joined by Yona Shem-Tov and Leah Solomon of Encounter Programs . Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Bonus · Thu, September 16, 2021
A Quick Yom Kippur Message
The Forward won't release a new episode of "A Bintel Brief" this week because of Yom Kippur. But we're always accepting new question. Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, September 09, 2021
Episode 7: "Qualified Applicant"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts advise a listener who recently learned that a mentor’s negative job reference likely cost the listener a job. Lynn and Ginna are joined by Morra Aarons-Mele, host of “ The Anxious Achiever .” Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, September 02, 2021
Episode 6: "Frustrated and Sad"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts respond to a question from a mother who wants to speak more regularly to her children. Lynn and Ginna are joined by Jordana Horn and Shannon Sarna, hosts of “ Call Your Mother .” Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, August 26, 2021
Episode 5: "O Brother Where Art Thou"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts answer a listener’s question about engaging with a loved one who has fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole. Lynn and Ginna are joined by Jason Kander and Ravi Gupta, hosts of “ Majority 54 .” Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, August 19, 2021
Episode 4: "Cautious Caretaker"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts answer a listener’s question about caring for aging relatives. Lynn and Ginna are joined by Carol Silver-Elliott, President and CEO of the Jewish Home Family. Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, August 12, 2021
Episode 3: “Fear of FOMO”
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts answer a listener’s question about friendship and community in the wake of the past year’s suppressed social life. Lynn and Ginna are joined by the Forward’s archivist, Chana Pollack, who offers wisdom from the paper’s past. Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, August 05, 2021
Episode 2: "Aunt Enemy"
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, the hosts answer a listener’s question about political ideology and boundaries. Lynn and Ginna are joined by the Forward’s archivist, Chana Pollack, who offers wisdom from the paper’s past. Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728. Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Thu, July 29, 2021
Episode 1: “Mr. Not-Dad”
Starting in 1906, the editors of the Forward answered reader questions in a column called “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters.” Now, we're bringing Bintel into a new era. Welcome to “A Bintel Brief,” the Jewish advice podcast. This week, hosts Lynn Harris and Ginna Green answer a listener’s question about relationships and fatherhood. Send your dilemmas about Jewish-American life, identity, culture, politics or your personal hopes and dreams to bintel@forward.com, or leave a voicemail at (201) 540-9728 Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss an episode. And sign up for our Bintel newsletter to hear more from our hosts about making the show. Follow the Forward on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
Trailer · Thu, July 22, 2021
A Bintel Brief Trailer
In 1906, the Forward started A Bintel Brief, Yiddish for “A Bundle of Letters.” Now our classic Jewish advice column is a podcast. Our co-hosts, two very different Jewish mothers, dish on the dilemmas of Jewish-American life, identity, culture, and politics. New episodes every Thursday.
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