Hollywood to Holy Land, Screenwriter Turned Orthodox, Rabbi Shmuel Lynn on The Future of Judaism

This week on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah is joined by his former mentor Rabbi Shmuel Lynn, who went from a Hollywood screenwriter to one of the most impactful Jewish educators in America — and his story is unlike anything you've heard. Rabbi Shmuel Lynn led the Maimonides Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania that first sparked Jonah's Jewish journey. Rabbi Lynn grew up largely outside of observant Judaism in Palm Beach, Florida, where he experienced antisemitism firsthand, before making his way to Duke University, NYU Film School, and a career as a Hollywood screenwriter. That all changed when he encountered observant Jewish writers in the industry — and began asking himself the deeper questions. Today, Rabbi Lynn is a leading figure in Jewish education and campus outreach, reaching college and post-college young adults and helping them reconnect with their Jewish heritage, history, and identity. His background outside of Orthodox Judaism gives him a rare relatability — and a calling he never planned for. 00:00 - Rabbi Shmuel Lynn 01:24 - Relatability & The Calling 04:22 - From Hollywood to Observant Judaism 06:41 - The Holocaust Screenplay & Poland Trips 09:26 - The 999 Slovakian Girls Film 15:50 - Post-October 7th Jewish Identity 20:32 - Immersive Theatre & Experiential Learning 25:18 - Energy, Mission & Job Satisfaction 28:31 - Soviet Jewry: The Next Screenplay 26:21 - Closing Words & Farewell In this episode, you will learn: 🎬 How Rabbi Lynn went from screenwriting in Hollywood to Orthodox Judaism ✡️ Why his upbringing outside of religious life became his greatest asset in Jewish outreach 🎓 The Maimonides Leadership Program and reaching Jewish youth on college campuses 🕯️ His Holocaust film about the events leading up to Kristallnacht — and why it matters more than ever - His annual trips to Poland and how immersive theatre is transforming how young Jews connect to their history - His next screenplay — the untold dramatic story of the Soviet Jewry movement 🌍 Why post-October 7th, Jewish identity, history, and pride matter more than ever Whether you're deeply Jewish, Jewish-curious, or just interested in meaning, identity, and the power of a good story — this episode is for you. Follow Rabbi Shmuel Lynn On Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shmuellynn/ #BeingJewishWithJonahPlatt #RabbiShmuelLynn #JewishPodcast #JewishIdentity #JewishEducation #CampusJewishLife #30MinuteMensches #JewishHistory #HolocaustEducation #SovietJewry #JewishYouth #OrthodoxJudaism #JonahPlatt #JewishOutreach #BeJewishlyProud