GOLDA Girls
A podcast for Jewish women with a lot to say.GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick sits down with journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko each week to talk culture, community, identity, and the everyday moments shaping modern Jewish life.
Jewish Magic in Detroit
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk about Stephanie’s recent trip to Metro Detroit to interview Dara Horn at an event for the local Jewish community. Plus the state of Jewish humor, Nathan Fielder’s new movie You Can See Everything, and a “Type A challah baking” listener update.
Recommendations:
Dara Horn’s new book: bookshop.org/a/110357/9781668090169 The Talmud Daily from Dovid Bashevkin: talmuddaily.org/Good for the Jews:
Stephanie: Grandpa Al’s 95th bir...Spooky Season with Jamie Denbo
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk Jews and Halloween. This week’s guest is writer and comedian Jamie Denbo of The Beverly Podcast.
Good for the Jews picks:
Stephanie: Lin Manuel Miranda performing “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” at the 30 Rock 20th anniversary celebration.
Esther: Jerry Seinfeld telling hecklers he’s donating their ticket sales to Israel.
Diana: Hearing a subway saxophonist play Jewish music.
Jamie Denbo/Beverl...
When Life Gives You Etrogs with Iddo Gefen
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko discuss the grand finale of the High Holiday season—Simchat Torah—plus a new survey that says Americans aren’t inviting each other over for dinner anymore. They also commemorate the third anniversary of Oct. 7 and explore how to talk to kids honestly and age-appropriately about it.
This week's guest is Israeli writer Iddo Gefen, author of Jerusalem Beach, Mrs. Lilienblum’s Cloud Factory, and the Substack Neuron Stories.
Send in your GOLDA Gram...
American Dream with Jessica Siskin
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko discuss the Sunkist Fruit Gem drama and the new Hanukkah sweater Barbie doll, and answer a listener’s “Type A challah question.” This week’s guest is Jessica Siskin, author of the new novel Looks Perfect.
Recommendations:
The Balloon Museum
Looks Perfect, by Jessica Siskin
Good for the Jews:
Stephanie: Challah Back Girls
Esther: Shul bonnets
Dian...
GOLDA Interviews: Ron Segal, Author of ‘Delicate’
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick talks to Ron Segal, the Israeli-born, Berlin-based author of Delicate, the latest pick from our presenting sponsor Nu Reads, the Jewish subscription series that brings remarkable literature straight to your door.
Delicate is a brilliant and haunting novel about memory, and the Holocaust, and the stories we leave behind. The book is officially out in English next year, but Nu Reads subscribers have early access to it, along with exclusive experiences with authors, and a community built on a shared passion for Jewish...
2 Break-Fast 2 Furious
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko break through their post-break-fast delirium to discuss fasting for Yom Kippur while parenting, the tri-state-area run on rainbow bagels for break-fast, and Sotheby’s upcoming Magnificent Judaica sale (aka the new Met Gala).
Chef and recipe developer Arielle Nir joins the GOLDA Girls to share how she updates the Persian, Moroccan, and Israeli recipes she grew up with for a new generation—and offers two Sukkot-ready recipes that Esther swears by. Subscribe to GOLDA to ge...
Back to Basics
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko are joined by Mamaleh Jewelry founder Dara Katz to kick off 5787. The Girls talk about the behind-the-scenes stress of the High Holidays, the Macklemore drama, and more.
They also go back to basics and dig into the Shema prayer, with some help from the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative. And of course, there’s jewelry involved: join the Shema Initiative and enter to win a Shema bracelet by Oriya Jewels. Sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda.
T...
Ringing in 5787
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko welcome the new Jewish year the GOLDA Girls way: by saluting the “temple dress” wardrobe staple, breaking down why some Jews avoid leather shoes on Yom Kippur, and wondering how the shofar blower trains for the High Holidays, aka the shofar Super Bowl.
The GOLDA Girls also say farewell to co-host Gabby, who will be joining the Atlantic as a staff writer later this month. We love you, Gabby! Follow along with Gabby’s work by subscribing to her Substack at gsdeutch.substack.com. <...
Bageling and Beyond
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko break down their High Holiday hosting prep, continue the “bageling” discussion with a moving listener letter, and sound off about John Galliano bowing out of his Met Costume Institute honor. We also get our heads in the game for the Jewish New Year with some inspiration from the Simchat Torah Challenge.
Good for the Jews picks:
Stephanie: Gal Gadot’s appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast
Gabby: Adon Olam to the t...
High Holiday Chic with Elisa Solomon Jewelry, Feldi Studios, and Challah Back Girls
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk Jewish henna ceremonies, our favorite Jewish wedding traditions, and Esther’s response to New York Magazine’s Habibi City article. (For more on the Syrian Jewish community in New York City, check out Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune. You can find the Crusty Sisters, who emceed Esther’s recent rager, on Instagram.)
As part of GOLDA’s annual High Holidays Shopping Guide, Stephanie interviews the women behind three of the businesses...
Mahjong vs. Canasta and Tennis vs. Pickleball with Matthew Futterman
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk mahjong vs. canasta, Sephora products coming to Israel, and the challah wars unfolding in the GOLDA Girls groupchat.
Sportswriter Matthew Futterman, whose new book is The Cruelest Game: Chasing Greatness in Professional Tennis, joins the hosts to break down tennis vs pickleball, Novak Djokovic’s dinner order, and how tennis tells the story of post-war American Jewish life.
Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at [email protected]. You can al...
Galliano Gall with Rabbi Arielle Stein
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk deviated septums, Jewish nose jobs, and why “ENT” is an important Jewish acronym. Rabbi Arielle Stein, the high-fashion rabbi featured in Vogue, joins the group to discuss the controversial decision by the Met’s Costume Institute to honor disgraced fashion designer John Galliano.
Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at [email protected]. You can also send us a voicenote; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from.
Good for...
Challah Baking and Reverse Bageling
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk challah and “reverse-bageling,” and help a listener step up her Shabbat practice in our Ask GOLDA segment.
Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at [email protected]. You can also send us a voicenote; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from.
Good for the Jews picks:
Stephanie: Phish’s cover of “Avinu Malkeinu” at Madison Square Garden this week.
Diana: Tu B’Av, this week's Jewish holiday of love...
Catskills, Torah, and Defying Gravity with Talia Suskauer
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, and Rabbi Diana Fersko are joined by Talia Suskauer, star of the new Off-Broadway musical A Walk on the Moon, to talk Jewish theater, playing Elphaba on Broadway, and learning to play mahjong for her role in the 1960s Catskills-set musical.
With the High Holidays around the corner, the Girls set some Jewish New Year’s resolutions, which this year include getting into regular Torah study—with help from our friends at the Simchat Torah Challenge.
Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at [email protected] (voicenotes are best...
GOLDA Interviews: Portia Elan, Author of ‘Homebound’
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick talks to author Portia Elan about her novel, Homebound, which is the latest selection from Nu Reads, the Jewish book subscription series (and our show’s sponsor!). This ambitious, multi-timeline novel features interwoven stories from 1983, 2078, and 2586 that navigate identity and belonging. Homebound manages to be both futuristic and deeply human—and also incredibly Jewish.
GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, the Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Use code NuGolda at checkout for 15% off. Visit www.NuReads.org to get start...
Tribe Vibes with Ariel Elias and Olga Namer
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk mahjong, Deal Delights, and the old-school kind of influencing.
Comedians Ariel Elias and Olga Namer join the show to talk about mining their personal experiences in their comedy (Ariel is from Kentucky and Olga is from Brooklyn’s Syrian community) and help a listener figure out the online dating scene for our Ask GOLDA segment. You can catch Ariel and Olga performing at Borscht Belt Fest 2026 on July 25 and 26 in the Catskills.
Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at hi@gold...
Mazel Tov, Taylor! with Jackie Tohn
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick and novelist Esther Chehebar are joined by guest host Mark Oppenheimer, Stephanie’s former co-host on Unorthodox and the author of Judy Blume: A Life, to break down how Jewish—or not—the mega-wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce was. Plus, Stephanie sits down with Nobody Wants This actress Jackie Tohn to discuss her new Jewish summer camp film, The Floaters.
Events:
Join GOLDA for an NYC opening weekend screening of The Floaters on Sunday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at Quad Cinema. After the screening Stepha...
Stars, Stripes, and Sha-BBQ with Jake Cohen
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko are joined by cookbook author Jake Cohen to talk all things 4th of July, from being Jewish in America as the country turns 250 to kosher-friendly BBQ prep.
Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at [email protected] (voice notes are best; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from).
This week’s Good for the Jews picks:
Stephanie: America!
Gabby: Jews representing at Pride 🌈
Diana: The...
Summer Camp Ready with Molly Yeh
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, and Rabbi Diana Fersko are joined by Food Network star Molly Yeh to discuss all things Jewish summer. Check out today’s GOLDA newsletter to get Molly’s summer essentials.
They also answer a listener question about matchmaking. Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at [email protected] (voicenotes are best; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from.)
This week’s Good for the Jews picks:
Stephanie: voting, especially with little kids.
Gabby: Ey...
Jewish Father's Day with Ted Deutch
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, and Rabbi Diana Fersko chat with a special guest for Father’s Day: Former U.S. Congressman, current American Jewish Commitee CEO, and dad-of-the-pod Ted Deutch.
This week’s Father’s Day-themed Good for the Jews picks:
Stephanie: A (free) subscription to Sapir for Father’s Day
Gabby: Jewish servicemen and women, especially Gabby’s Pa Bernie.
Diana: The fathers in the Torah, especially Jacob.
Ted Deutch: Jewish summer camp.
GOLDA is a Jewish life...
Everything with Chive, Knicks in Five
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko chat about the Tony Awards, Gabby’s recent Jewish insider article on AI’s implications for Jewish life, and the bagel-fueled excitement over the Knicks’ NBA Finals run.
The hosts also share their summer wedding gift recommendations in response to a listener who wrote in looking for some inspiration:
GOLDA Girls' wedding gift picks:
Crystal candlesticks from Happy Kangaroo
Cherry blossom challah board from Happy Kangaroo
Eye tray from ABC Carpet & Home
Travel...
Temple Dues and Hunky Jews with Noam Ash
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko break down two hot topics: the rising cost of Jewish life in America, and Sacha Baron Cohen and Brett Goldstein’s unlikely turn as the summer’s leading men—and what it means when our funny guys are also the hunks.
Our guest is Noam Ash, the screenwriter and star of Bookends, which premiered this week in New York City and is heading to film festivals across the country. He tells us about working alongside Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham and The Marvelous Mrs. Ma...
Good Hair, Good Books with Zibby Owens
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick and her co-hosts—journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko—untangle our Jewish relationship with our hair: from the flat-ironing to the chemical straightening and the embrace of natural curls. “Totally Booked” podcaster and publisher Zibby Owens joins the GOLDA Girls to share her summer reading picks and help answer a listener question.
Zibby’s Summer Reading Picks:
Forty Love, by Jane Costello https://go.shopmy.us/p-61258518
The End of My Life Is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker...
Cheesecake, Congress, and Joan Rivers with Julie Klausner
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick and her co-hosts—journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko—discuss how Shavuot became all about cheesecake and explore the Jewish implications of the race to replace longtime New York Congressman Jerry Nadler. Special guest Julie Klausner joins the show to answer a listener question in Ask GOLDA.
This week’s Good for the Jews picks:
Stephanie: Zabars and JCC Manhattan’s Literie candle collab.
Gabby: The musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Diana: Mabel’s Labels for camp packing.
Esther: Cos...
Who Speaks for Us?
This week, GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick and her co-hosts, journalist Gabby Deutch, Rabbi Diana Fersko, and novelist Esther Chehebar discuss what Jewish leadership looks like today. Reflecting on the death of Abe Foxman and the fractured moment in Jewish life, the GOLDA Girls spotlight people who have stepped up to offer meaningful, clear-eyed leadership in different ways. They include:
Sarah Hurwitz, speechwriter and author of As a Jew and Here All Along. (Gabby pick)
Mijal Bitton, spiritual leader and writer of the Committed Substack. (Esther pick)
Rachel Goldberg Polin, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin a...
GOLDA Interviews: Fran Fabriczki, Author of 'Porcupines'
On this special episode of GOLDA Girls, Stephanie Butnick talks to author Fran Fabriczki about her novel Porcupines, which is the latest selection from Nu Reads, the Jewish book subscription series (and our show’s sponsor!). The novel tells the story of Sonia, a Jewish immigrant from Budapest, and her 5-year-old daughter Mila, a Los Angeles native looking to piece together her mom’s mysterious past.
GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Use code NuGolda at check...
Jewish Mother's Day with Jill Kargman
Stephanie Butnick, founder of GOLDA and former host of the hit podcast Unorthodox, brings together an all-star group of Jewish women to discuss culture, identity, and the everyday moments shaping our modern Jewish lives.
This week, Stephanie and her co-hosts, journalist Gabby Deutch, Rabbi Diana Fersko, and novelist Esther Chehebar, discuss Jewish Mother’s Day, bageling, and more. Influenced writer and star Jill Kargman joins the show to tackle an “Ask GOLDA” listener question about banning phones at bat mitzvahs.
GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewi...
Welcome to GOLDA Girls
GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, former host of the hit Jewish podcast Unorthodox, is back with a brand new show that brings together an all-star group of Jewish women to discuss the issues facing our community each week: from the headlines dominating their feeds to the dramas lighting up their group chats. GOLDA Girls is a show about culture, community, identity, and the everyday moments shaping our modern Jewish lives.
Stephanie is joined by Jewish Insider reporter Gabby Deutch, Rabbi Diana Fersko of The Village Temple, and novelist Esther Chehebar.
This week, the GOLDA Girls dive i...
