A Black Man’s Journey to Converting to Judaism & Fighting Bigotry, Kenny Hamilton!

In this eye-opening episode of BEING JEWISH, Jonah Platt discusses the complexities of the term “antisemitism” with guest Kenny Hamilton, a music mogul and former Justin Bieber bodyguard. The conversation dives deep into Kenny's journey towards converting to Judaism, his experiences working with Bieber and Scooter Braun, and how his identity as a Black Jew shapes his perspective on the current social climate. They also reflect on the shared cultural experiences between Black and Jewish communities, and the significance of Shabbat in fostering deeper connections. Kenny emphasizes the importance of speaking up against anti-Black and anti-Jew bigotry, and fostering a community of understanding and support. Join us for an enlightening discussion on breaking barriers and building a more inclusive world. Stay Connected Subscribe to the podcast: https://beingjewishwithjonahplatt.transistor.fm/subscribe Follow Jonah on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jonahplatt/ Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingjewishpodcast/ Join the conversation on Twitter: https://x.com/JonahPlatt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjewish Threads: www.threads.net/@jonahplatt All things Jonah: www.JonahPlatt.com Connect with Kenny! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennyhamilton/ Host & Production Team Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards);, Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Designer Noah Bell Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel). Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of Being Jewish! 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Introducing Kenny Hamilton: A Unique Journey 01:25 From Radio to Bodyguard: Kenny's Career Path 02:48 Discovering Judaism: Kenny's Conversion Story 03:55 Experiencing Israel: A Life-Changing Trip 09:46 Cultural Connections: Black and Jewish Experiences 18:01 Systemic Racism and Jewish History 20:50 Jewish Contributions to Civil Rights 21:45 Personal Journey to Judaism 23:58 Conversion Process and Reflections 28:06 Challenges and Reactions 35:35 Social Media and Public Perception 38:38 Finding Joy in Jewish Traditions #kennyhamilton #jonahplatt #beingjewish #beingjewishpodcast #jewishidentity #jewishvoices #zionism #podcast