18Forty Podcast9 Sep 2025

Sarah Hurwitz: Reclaiming Judaism from Shame and Blame [Teshuva 3/6]

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with writer Sarah Hurwitz—author of the new book As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us—about what it means to be a “knowing Jew.”

In a time when we often feel compelled to justify our Judaism to the world, being Jewishly educated is no longer a luxury but a necessity. In this episode we discuss:

What does a proud Jew professionally associated with the Democratic Party make of the state of contemporary politics?
Where should one begin in trying to be an educated and involved Jew with a strong Jewish home?
How can the mussar literature be a great starting point to people looking to deepen their practice?

Tune in to hear a conversation about claiming for ourselves the tradition that so many try to take from us.

Interview begins at 11:14.

Sarah Hurwitz served as a White House speechwriter from 2009 to 2017, first as a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama and then as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama. She is the author of Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) and As A Jew: Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try To Erase Us.

References:

As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us by Sarah Hurwitz

Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) by Sarah Hurwitz

The Mighty Ducks

Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar by Alan Morinis

Mesillat Yesharim by Moses Chaim Luzzatto

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