Abigail Pogrebin

Abigail Pogrebin is the author of Stars of David and My Jewish Year. She moderates an interview series for JBS—Jewish Broadcasting Service called In the Spotlight.

Talking Torah
What two people from different backgrounds discovered about each other—and themselves—by studying the weekly parsha together
byAbigail PogrebinandDov Linzer
‘Having Children Just Didn’t Make Sense to Me’
A roundtable discussion with Jews who are child-free by choice, about how they’ve been pressured to have children, how their decisions have affected their participation in the Jewish community, and how they’ve found ways to connect to future generations
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘We Have Our Own History, Our Own Trauma, and Our Own Experience’
A roundtable discussion with Jews from the former Soviet Union about their experience as immigrants, where they fit into the American Jewish community, how they view rising antisemitism after Oct. 7, and which customs and recipes they’re passing down to the next generation
byAbigail Pogrebin
Norman Lear, Pioneering Television Producer, Dies at 101
An excerpt from ‘Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish’
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘We Are Forging Our Own Jewish Path and That Path Is Part of Jewish History’
A roundtable with Black Jews about racism, antisemitism, questions of belonging, and the problem with the term ‘Jews of color’
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘When I Found Authentic Torah, It Was Like Electricity’
A roundtable with ‘baal teshuvah’ Jews—who grew up non-Orthodox but later chose Orthodoxy—about why they started their journeys, what they had to leave behind, and which aspects of religious life they love the most
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘I Speak English, but I Don’t Speak American’
A roundtable discussion with Israeli expats living in the U.S. about why they came to America, how they feel about leaving Israel, the differences in Jewish life between the two countries, and what Americans get wrong about Israelis
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘I’m a Jew. If That’s a Problem, That’s Your Problem.’
A roundtable discussion with converts to Judaism about why they chose to become Jews, where they have and haven’t felt welcome, and what they think about everything from brisket to Zionism to wearing a Star of David
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘Ritual, Even as an Atheist, Has Enormous Power’
A roundtable discussion with Jewish atheists about observing religious traditions, maintaining cultural attachments, and even praying—without a belief in God
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘The Holocaust and Genocide Don’t Start With Bombs, They Start With Words’
A roundtable discussion with Holocaust survivors about the rise of antisemitism in America, the importance of education, and who will pass on the lessons of the Shoah when the last survivors are gone
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘I Don’t Need to Be Taken Care Of. I Want to Be Equal, to Be Included.’
A roundtable discussion with Jews with disabilities about physical barriers, attitude adjustment, and how to be more welcoming as a community
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘We Chose the Chosen People’
A roundtable discussion with non-Jewish spouses about interfaith marriages, raising Jewish children, navigating Jewish and non-Jewish holidays, and where people do—and don’t—feel welcome
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘I Want to Serve God in All the Ways That I Can’
A roundtable discussion with Orthodox women about women’s religious and cultural roles, the dangers of social media, and the value of modesty
byAbigail Pogrebin
‘If You’re Not Ready for Us, Get Ready for Us’
A roundtable discussion with LGBTQ Jews about making progress in the Jewish community, the barriers that remain, and the problem with ‘inclusion’
byAbigail Pogrebin
Marilyn and Alan Bergman on ‘Yentl,’ Israel, and What It Means to ‘Feel Jewish’
An excerpt from ‘Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish’ about the legendary husband-and-wife songwriting duo—after Marilyn’s death last weekend
byAbigail Pogrebin
Stephen Sondheim on West Side Jews, Israel, and Cole Porter
An excerpt from ‘Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish’ about the legendary composer, who died Friday at age 91
byAbigail Pogrebin
Larry King: ‘I’m a Classic Agnostic, But I’m a Jewish Agnostic’
An excerpt from ‘Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish’
byAbigail Pogrebin
Hal Prince, Broadway Producer Who Brought ‘Fiddler’ to the Stage, Dies at 91
An excerpt from ‘Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish’
byAbigail Pogrebin