Judaism Beyond Bagels and Seinfeld – with Sarah Hurwitz

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to [e-mail].

Former presidential speechwriter and author Sarah Hurwitz joins Dr. Rachel Fish for an honest conversation about Jewish identity, Israel, and how to navigate a post–October 7 world without giving in to simplicity.

Drawing on her new book, As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us, Sarah explains why she avoided Israel in her first book, and why she brought it to the center this time. Together they explore how anti-Judaism’s ancient tropes seep into modern debates, why “contentless” Jewishness can’t withstand today’s anti-Jewish pressure, what real Israel education (not indoctrination) looks like, and how to hold fierce criticism of an Israeli government alongside rock-solid Zionism.

Guest Bio

Sarah Hurwitz served as a White House speechwriter from 2009 to 2017, first as a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama and then as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama. She was also the chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign. Hurwitz is the author of Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life—in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There), which was a finalist for two National Jewish Book Awards and the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. She has been featured throughout the media, from profiles in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, and The Guardian to appearances on the Today show, Morning Joe, and NPR. The Forward twice named her one of 50 Jews who has impacted American life. AS A JEW: Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us (HarperOne) was named the “Natan Notable Book” for Summer 2025 by Natan and the Jewish Book Council. Hurwitz is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and was a 2017 Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard.

Mentioned in This Episode

Sarah Hurtwitz, As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us

Shai Feldman, Abdel Monem Said Aly, and Khalil Shikaki, Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and Peacemaking in the Middle East

Keren E. Fraiman, Barriers to Entry: Why Teachers are Wary to Address the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Ilana Redstone, The Certainty Trap: Why We Need to Question Ourselves More― and How We Can Judge Others Less