In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by producers Daniel Finkelman and Chaya Amor of the acclaimed HBO Max series One Day in October, which recreates powerful stories of the nightmare that changed Jewish history, as they talk about how the real-life subjects helped make every moment as truthful as possible.

Abigail Pogrebin interviews Rabba Dr. Anat Sharbat, a Talmud scholar who founded a weekly prayer group in Tel Aviv's hostage square, turning it from a place of sorrow into one of healing.

Abigail Pogrebin meets author Laura Katzman to discuss her new book on Ben Shahn, the Lithuanian-born immigrant artist whose socially engaged work championed civil rights, confronted injustice, and shaped modern American political art.

Abigail Pogrebin meets with IsraAID CEO Yotam Polizer to discuss the NGO’s global work and its role as Israel’s largest humanitarian organization, including its relief efforts in Gaza.

Sam Sussman joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss his debut novel, "Boy from the North Country," inspired by the memoir "The Silent Type: On (Possibly) Being Bob Dylan’s Son," and his role as a featured author in the Jewish Book Council’s "Nu Reads" subscription series.

Abigail Pogrebin speaks with Tony Award–winning actor Ari’el Stachel about his Off-Broadway solo show Other, in which he explores identity, anxiety, and the complexities of being an Arab Jew

Abigail Pogrebin meets with author Miriam Udel, whose new book ("Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Children's Literature") reveals how contemporary Yiddish stories give voice to new forms of Jewish identity.

Author Aron Hirt-Manheimer joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss "Sons of Survivors: Making Peace with Inherited Trauma," his moving dual memoir tracing two friends’ journeys to confront their parents’ Holocaust past and transform a legacy of trauma into one of love and understanding.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by bestselling author, podcast host ("Unholy") and British journalist Jonathan Freedland to discuss his real-life thriller- "The Traitors Circle: The True Story of a Secret  Resistance Network in Nazi Germany- and the Spy Who Betrayed Them."

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Zibby Owens - bestselling author, publisher, bookstore owner, and host of the hit podcast "Totally Booked with Zibby" - which is brought to life before a studio audience in a new series premiering on JBS this Thursday.

Abby Pogrebin welcomes Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author Gayle Kirschenbaum to discuss "Bullied to Besties," her raw and uplifting memoir about transforming lifelong pain into forgiveness and healing in her tumultuous relationship with her mother.

Abigail Pogrebin is joined by Ronald Leopold, longtime executive director of the Anne Frank House, one of Europe’s most visited museums, which he recreated and brought to New York City for the first time this year.

American-born Israeli journalist, author, and the former Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, Yaakov Katz, joins Abby to discuss his latest book, "While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East."

Donniel Hartman and Yehuda Kurtzer, presidents of the Shalom Hartman Institute, join Abigail Pogrebin to unpack the emotions, implications, and future stakes of the historic ceasefire.

Abby speaks with acclaimed journalist, author, and former editor-in-chief of The Forward, Jane Eisner about her new biography of Carole King and the Jewish roots that shaped both her identity and her artistry.

Vanessa M. Harper, Reform rabbi and author of "Loaves of Torah", joins Abby to discuss her passion for creating meaningful Jewish experiences for all ages and how she uses challah to interpret and teach Torah and the Jewish year.

Abby speaks with Menachem Z. Rosensaft, attorney, human rights advocate and Second Generation leader, about his book "Burning Psalms," a poetic reckoning with God, memory and moral responsibility in the aftermath of the Shoah.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, spiritual teacher and author Yiscah Smith joins Abigail Pogrebin to discuss her new book, Planting Seeds of the Divine. With honesty and grace, Yiscah shares the transformative journey that led her to embrace her truest self — and how that journey is reflected in her spiritual teachings. From reclaiming identity to nurturing inner holiness, Yiscah and Abigail explore what it means to live a life rooted in authenticity and connection to the Divine. This episode is a must-watch for seekers of all kinds — and for anyone curious about the intersection of faith and personal growth. Planting Seeds of the Divine is available at https://www.yiscahsmith.com/   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! ** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

Why Abraham? Why now? In this compelling conversation on In The Spotlight with Abigail Pogrebin, acclaimed author and legal scholar Anthony Julius dives into his new book, Abraham: The First Jew. Together, they explore Abraham not just as a biblical figure, but as a prototype of Jewish identity itself — a man who walked away from comfort, challenged power, and pioneered a life of faith, doubt, and moral courage. Julius brings both philosophical insight and historical sharpness to the enduring question: what does it mean to be a Jew — and why does Abraham still matter?   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

In this powerful and timely conversation, acclaimed author and thinker Yossi Klein Halevi joins Abigail Pogrebin on In The Spotlight to reflect on the deepening complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. Drawing from his profound personal journey and his bestselling book, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, Halevi explores what it means to seek understanding across painful divides—especially in this fraught moment of history.   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!