ABOUT THIS EPISODE Liel Leibovitz is a man of many hats: author of several books, ranging from “The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia,” to biographies of Stan Lee and Leonard Cohen; podcaster, video game scholar; the list goes on. A senior writer for “Tablet” magazine, he also co-hosts “Unorthodox,” the “World’s Leading Jewish Podcast”. Liel was born in Israel, and has lived in the United States since 1999. Join him and host Ari Koretzky for a fascinating and thought provoking discussion on topics ranging from Jewish tradition and identity, to the value of higher education in modern society. -------------------- EPISODE TIME STAMPS  2:40  Introduction – Liel discusses coming from a family with nine generations in Israel to New York  3:59  Liel’s origin story  7:13  Family religious background, and Liel’s formal upbringing  11:41 A discussion of the impact of one’s formative background on their own values 16:09 What are the forces, internal and external, that can bring about a personal reckoning on faith? 20:51 Liel discusses his time in the IDF, and early career aspirations 28:35 A conversation about reaching those with differing viewpoints, and the constraints of higher education 34:49 Writing for “Tablet”; the role of the magazine in connecting to the Jewish world and beyond 40:11  All about the “Unorthodox” podcast 55:52 What’s next for Liel Liebovitz?   CONNECT WITH Liel Liebovitz Liel can be found at Tablet magazine, where he is a senior writer.  The “Unorthodox” podcast can be found on Tablet’s website, or on Apple Podcasts.  Liel is also the author of several books, which can be found on Amazon. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Jews You Should Know introduces the broader community to interesting and inspiring Jewish men and women making a difference in our world. Some are already famous, some not yet so. But each is a Jew You Should Know. The host, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, is Executive Director of MEOR Maryland (www.meormd.org), a premier Jewish outreach and educational organization. MEOR operates nationally on twenty campuses and in Manhattan; visit the national website at www.meor.org. Please visit www.JewsYouShouldKnow.com follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or on Facebook. Have feedback for the show, or suggestions for future guests? E-mail us at JewsYouShouldKnow@gmail.com. Want to support this podcast? Visit Patreon.com. A small monthly contribution goes a long way!!