Why I’m Hosting The Inherit Podcast

Sometimes I marvel that as Jewish people, we’re part of an ancient, ongoing conversation. It’s one that’s spanned centuries, crossed continents, and evolved through challenges. For me, that conversation is personal. 

As a sixth-generation Jewish believer in Jesus, I’ve inherited a complex tradition full of healthy tension, lively dialogue, and deep significance. And every day, I get to step into that story as I interact with others in my community—whether we agree or not.

That’s what drew me to Inherit Magazine. When I read the first edition published in 2021, I saw it as a bold, new direction for Jews for Jesus. It was created to explore Jewish heritage, identity, and the issues shaping our broader community, all from within the setting of a virtual living room (something we all needed during a global pandemic). As I read the articles and engaged with the community, I felt an undeniable pull—a sense that this was a community I not only wanted to be part of but also one I was eager to contribute to. 

From the beginning, Inherit’s intent has been clear: to welcome honest conversations and to wrestle with the richness and complexity of Jewish life today. Inherit says, “We’re Jewish. Now what do we do with that heritage?” 

That same spirit of curiosity and dialogue now continues in a new format: The Inherit Podcast. And I couldn’t be more excited to be the host!

When my team launched Upside Down Café in Los Angeles and started a podcast, I saw how this platform allowed for creative freedom, deeper authenticity, and the added texture of voices. That’s why I’m excited to speak with a range of people from the Inherit community: artists and scholars, skeptics and believers in Jesus, longtime contributors and first-time writers. We’ll go beyond the page to hear the experiences that shaped our authors, influenced their perspectives, and created the unique lenses through which they see Jewish life. We’ll hear their personal takes on Torah, antisemitism, Jesus, Israel, the Jewish community, and more. You know, all the light, noncontroversial stuff. 

Each episode is an invitation to go deeper, to think differently, and to find joy in the journey of discourse. Because let’s be honest: echo chambers are boring. As Inherit contributor Garrett Smith wrote in an early Inherit article: “In Jewish culture, arguing is often seen as a way to learn. Though we may come off as opinionated, in reality, we’re often willing to shift positions after a healthy and stimulating bout of discussion.” After all, the Jewish people have been arguing effectively for thousands of years—it’s practically an art form.

I invite you to join the conversation! Email me anytime at inherit@inheritmag.com to share your thoughts or suggest upcoming topics. Let’s expand our understanding of the many expressions of Jewish life today, together!