Father Figures

This week on Unorthodox, we’ve got a special episode to jump start the Father’s Day celebrations—because is there any figure more overlooked and misunderstood than the Jewish father? Dad gets one Hallmark-ified day a year; we figured we’d get a head start.

Liel talks to Tablet’s Gabe Sanders about archetypal father figures, starting with the biblical Abraham, and how their own identities changed when they became fathers. Stephanie sits down with Unorthodox regular Marjorie Ingall to break down the problematic aspects of Father’s Day, as well as the tough rap Jewish dads get—and how that’s wrapped up in the Jewish mother stereotype. Mark sits down with his dad, Tim Oppenheimer, who opens up about everything from his father’s many marriages and divorces to his own depression after his youngest child left for college.

Tell us how you’ll be spending Father’s Day at [email protected]. We may share it on air.

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Unorthodox is a smart, fresh, fun weekly take on Jewish news and culture hosted by Mark Oppenheimer, Stephanie Butnick, and Liel Leibovitz. You can listen to individual episodes here or subscribe on iTunes.