What makes a movie Jewish? Is it the creator, the characters, the themes—or something deeper?

In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore the profound influence Jews have had on Hollywood and American culture. Drawing on a recent essay by author and professor David Mikics, they examine how Jewish immigrants helped build the movie industry, why explicit Jewish stories were often absent from early Hollywood films, and how generations of filmmakers shaped America’s cultural imagination.

Together, they discuss iconic figures such as Louis B. Mayer, Samuel Goldwyn, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, and Ben Hecht, while wrestling with larger questions about identity, representation, and artistic responsibility. They also consider the changing cultural climate after October 7, the challenges facing Jewish artists today, and whether Hollywood’s golden age has given way to an algorithm-driven entertainment landscape.

From The Jazz Singer and Casablanca to superhero movies and streaming platforms, this conversation explores how Jewish history, creativity, and values continue to shape the stories we tell—and the stories we choose not to tell.

David Mikics:
https://www.tabletmag.com/contributors/david-mikics

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove:

https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove

https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove

Park Avenue Synagogue:
https://www.pasyn.org

https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#

Jon Frankel:

https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel

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When Daniela Gerson and Talia Inlander met at a Los Angeles picnic, neither expected to uncover a remarkable connection: their families came from the same Polish town and survived World War II through a little-known path eastward into the Soviet Union. That discovery became the foundation for The Wanderers: A Story of Exile, Survival, and Unexpected Love in the Shadow of World War II.

In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore a lesser-known chapter of Holocaust history—the story of the hundreds of thousands of Polish Jews who survived not through concentration camps or hiding, but through deportation, forced labor, and refuge in the Soviet Union. Daniela and Talia share their families' journeys, the challenges of uncovering buried histories, and the surprising ways their personal and professional lives have been shaped by stories of migration, displacement, and resilience.

The conversation also examines how families remember trauma differently, what future generations should inherit from Holocaust memory, and why understanding complex histories may be more important than ever in a world still grappling with refugees, war, and identity.

Daniela Gerson:
https://danielagerson.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dhgerson/

Talia Inlander:

https://zolberginstitute.org/person/talia-inlander/

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove:

https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove

https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove

Park Avenue Synagogue:
https://www.pasyn.org

https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#

Jon Frankel:

https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel

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Technology is reshaping every aspect of modern life, from how we study and worship to how we connect with one another. But as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly powerful, important questions emerge: Can technology deepen Jewish life? What happens when machines begin to replace human connection? And how do we combat the growing spread of hate online?

In the first half of the episode, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel speak with Rabbi Mordechai Lightstone, Director of Social Media at Chabad.org and founder of Tech Tribe. Rabbi Lightstone shares how Jewish tradition embraces innovation while insisting that technology remain a tool in service of humanity. He discusses AI, digital community, the value of Shabbat as a break from constant connectivity, and why preserving authentic human relationships matters more than ever.

In the second half, Daniel Kelley, Senior Director of the ADL’s Center for Technology and Society, examines the darker side of the digital revolution. He explains how antisemitism spreads online, how AI can amplify harmful content, and what technology companies can do to create safer digital spaces. Together, the guests offer a thoughtful look at the opportunities and challenges of living Jewishly in a rapidly evolving technological world.

Rabbi Mordechai Lightstone:
https://www.mytechtribe.org/

https://x.com/mottel

Daniel Kelley:

https://www.adl.org/research-centers/center-technology-society

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove:

https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove

https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove

Park Avenue Synagogue:
https://www.pasyn.org

https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#

Jon Frankel:

https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.