What Gives Me Hope and Broadway Legend Seth Rudetsky
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Jonah Platt
4.9 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 18 November 2025
⏱️ 63 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this spirited and emotional episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Broadway legend Seth Rudetsky — actor, pianist, musical director, SiriusXM host (Seth’s Big Fat Broadway, Seth Speaks), comedy writer, and tireless advocate — joins Jonah for an honest conversation about the deep history of Jewish contributions to Broadway. They discuss the rise of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment in the arts world, and the creations of the Jewish Broadway Alliance, a grassroots effort Seth launched in the wake of October 7th.
Drawing from decades on stage and behind the piano, Seth opens up about the challenges of Jewish advocacy, the shock of Broadway’s silence that drove him to speak up, and the emotional weight of organizing initiatives like the Broadway-hosted hostage video and Broadway Shabbat. Seth and Jonah also delve into the highlights from Rudetsky's extraordinary career — from hosting Stars in the House during the COVID-19 pandemic to his concerts for social justice causes — and his dream of creating new educational content celebrating Jewish history through music.
This conversation is a celebration of Jewish creativity and the deep-rooted bond between Jewish artists and the Broadway stage. And if you listen through to the end, you’ll find a special surprise that captures the spirit, heart, and joy that Seth brings to every room he enters.
- The Importance of Jewish Influence on Broadway
- Introducing the Special Episode and Guest
- Seth Advocacy and Jewish Identity
- The Impact of October 7th on Seth
- Forming the Jewish Broadway Alliance
- Challenges and Support in the Broadway Community
- Broadway Shabbat and Jewish Joy
- Concerts and Fundraising for Social Justice
- Stars in the House: A COVID-Time Initiative
- Cameron Crowe's Scaled-Down Broadway Production
- Supporting a One-Man Show: Ariel Stachel's Story
- Jewish Upbringing and Summer Camp Memories
- Five Deep Questions with Seth Rudetsky
- Grand Finale: A Musical Performance
This episode is supported by Berkeley Mosha, a Jewish co-housing community in California.
Mentioned:
Jewish Broadway Alliance YouTube
Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Cruise
Seth’s Posts after October 7th
Broadway community “Bring Them Home” song for the Hostages
Broadway for Orlando “What the World Needs Now”
Broadway for Biden/Harris Inauguration
Julie Benko Sings “Tomorrow” - Hanukkah on Broadway
Everything’s Coming Up Moses by Rachel Shukert: A Biblical Fable based on GYPSY
AJC: 5 Facts About Jewish Connection to Israel
Zionism has become a 'bad' word. It is anything but.
Jewish Broadway Alliance with Roz Rothstein
Jewish Broadway Alliance with Ritchie Torres
Dreamgirls Reunion (Stars In The House)
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Help is on the Way - David Friedman
Grey’s Anatomy on Stars In The House
30 Rock Special Stars In The House
Stars in the House Offers Avenue Q Sing Through August 24 to Raise Funds for Hawaii Wildfire Victims
Ariel Stachel videos about Jewish identity
People Moving Back to Kibbutz Nir Oz
Dr. Noam Wiesman on Being Jewish
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Shalom, Kavarim, Banot, and welcome to another very special episode of the world's number one Jewish podcast. |
| 0:08.1 | I have to ask for a small favor. |
| 0:10.4 | As an independent show, we don't have a massive marketing machine behind us. |
| 0:14.6 | Our growth is purely organic, fueled by dedicated viewers and listeners like you. |
| 0:19.5 | So if you would be so kind, please take 30 seconds, |
| 0:24.0 | head over to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, find this show, and leave me a five-star rating and a short |
| 0:30.0 | written review. I love seeing all of your thoughtful and generous feedback. Some of it has even |
| 0:35.0 | made it onto the show and may again. And as of this recording, |
| 0:38.7 | we are just eight ratings away from hitting 500 on Apple. Crossing that threshold would be a huge |
| 0:44.3 | milestone for us. It's a small mitzvah on your part, but it really is the fuel that allows us to |
| 0:50.0 | keep these amazing conversations going. So thank you in advance. Unless you don't leave a rating, |
| 0:56.1 | in which case you're a butthead. Today's episode is brought to you by Berkeley Moshev, a Jewish |
| 1:02.9 | co-housing community being built in California. Visit berkeleymoshev.org to learn more. |
| 1:08.3 | When I travel the country to speak with different Jewish communities, there are a handful of |
| 1:12.5 | questions I'm usually asked. |
| 1:14.1 | Why did I start this show? |
| 1:15.4 | What was my Jewish upbringing like? |
| 1:17.2 | What have I learned from my guests? |
| 1:18.7 | Stuff like that. |
| 1:19.8 | One question I get often is, what gives me hope for the future? |
| 1:23.6 | And the answer is, a lot. |
| 1:25.5 | But it occurs to me that because of the work I do day in, day out, |
... |
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