Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema
Daniel Zana & Harry Ottensoser
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 G...
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 "choose life" in a world built for humans? And most importantly, does the robot bear count as an honorary mensch? Plug in, power up, and join us for a lively and insightful discussion that’s sure to leave your circuits buzzing.AI: Artificial Intelligence Movie TrailerAI: Artificial Intelligence on IMDBArnon's LinksRead Arnon's book WayfarersConnect with Jews on Film IRL!Jan 18- Jews on Film Live Podcast in Portland Oregon @EJCPDXConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod
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1:13:41
Revisiting "You Don't Mess with The Zohan" w/Jake Gillis: Is it a Jewish film or just an Israeli film?
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 falafel jokes?Grab your hummus, cue the disco, and join us for a lively discussion about one of the wildest Jewish comedies ever made!"You Don't Mess with the Zohan" on IMDb"You Don't Mess with the Zohan" trailerCheck out Jake's podcast SababooshConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod
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1:03:03
Exploring Jewish Identity & Trust in Marathon Man w/ Sam Lipsyte
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 IMDbMarathon Man TrailerPurchase Sam Lipsyte BooksFriends of the Pod from Gagosian GalleryConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod
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1:17:19
Finding Your Purpose & Selfless Acts of Kindness in "Cha Cha Real Smooth" w/ Shoval Tshuva
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, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes."Cha Cha Real Smooth" Trailer"Cha Cha Real Smooth" on IMDbShoval Tshuva on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod
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1:03:03
Bookstores, Romance, and Identity in "You’ve Got Mail" w/ Ilana Kaplan
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 York, and how Ephron’s unique perspective as a Jewish storyteller shines through.Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on identity, community, and romance in this rom-com classic!You've Got Mail TrailerYou've Got Mail on IMdBBuy Nora Ephron at the MoviesIlana Kaplan on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod
About Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema
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!
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