Getting Jewy with the LEGEND Howie Mandel - Jewish Pride, Fighting Hate & the Meaning of “Tzedakah”

This week on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with comedy and television icon Howie Mandel (America’s Got Talent, Deal or No Deal, Gremlins, St. Elsewhere) for a conversation that moves effortlessly between laughter and reflection. From his early days as a stand-up comic to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in television, Howie reflects on a career that has spanned more than four decades, and the values that have grounded him throughout it. With trademark honesty and humor, Howie opens up about his Jewish upbringing, family life, and how Jewish values have shaped his worldview both onstage and off. The conversation also takes a more serious turn as Howie speaks candidly about the resurgence of antisemitism, the aftermath of October 7th, and what it has felt like to navigate Jewish identity in an increasingly hostile global climate. Thoughtful, funny, and unexpectedly moving, this episode offers a rare glimpse into how one of comedy’s most familiar figures navigates faith, fear, and responsibility to show up when it matters most. Thank you to this episode's sponsors: The Dream Raffle - https://thedreamraffle.com/?utm_source=jonahplatt&utm_med… SAPIR.- http://sapirjournal.org/BeingJewish 00:00 - Howie Mandel and Hebrew School Memories 02:31 - Jewish Identity and Observance 05:40 - Howie Saying Kaddish on Tour Stories 09:05 - Chosen People and Charity 13:17 - Legacy and Making Impact Now 16:50 - Understanding Hatred and October 7th 22:10 - Israel's PR Problem 25:39 - Pro-Palestine vs Anti-Israel 28:01 - Antisemitism and Visibility 33:22 - Canadian Jewish Community Struggles 35:17 - Hollywood and Jewish Representation 42:52 - Jewish Guilt and Cultural Pride 45:25 - Howie Mandel Does Jewish Stuff Game #HowieMandel #BeingJewish #JonahPlatt #Antisemitism #Israel #October7th #JewishIdentity #AmericasGotTalent #JewishPodcast #IsraelPalestine