Episode 68 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Shai Held, President and Dean of the Hadar Institute and author of the new book Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Shai returns for his second appearance on this podcast to talk about the enduring caricature of the “Old Testament God,” and how that distortion has shaped both Jewish and Christian imaginations.
Shai and Andrés explore why many rabbis feel ill-equipped to support spiritual seekers, how the trauma of October 7 has intensified theological yearning, and what role funders can play in revitalizing Jewish conversations about God. You’ll hear why Shai believes that real love, the kind rooted in justice, compassion, and mutual responsibility, is the most powerful force we can bring to a fractured world.
Take a listen.
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Josh Miller - How Great Grants Get Made (and What Happens When They Don’t)
Episode 67 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Josh Miller, Chief Program Officer at the Jim Joseph Foundation. Over the past 17 years, Josh has helped shape some of the most significant philanthropic investments in Jewish education and talent development. In this episode, we talk about how the field of Jewish philanthropy has professionalized, why general operating and multi-year grants are smarter bets, and what it really takes to support meaningful innovation, whether inside legacy institutions or bold new ventures.
Josh also reflects on the “accidental” path that led him into Jewish professional life, the critical importance of field experience for funders, and how October 7 has reshaped our sense of urgency, purpose, and possibility.
Take a listen.
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Simon Greer - Viewpoint Diversity
Episode 66 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Simon Greer, a longtime leader in Jewish philanthropy, former CEO of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, now the driving force behind the Viewpoint Diversity Initiative at the University of North Carolina, and the founder of Cambridge Health Ventures
Simon takes us through his three‑part awakening—realizing that America’s crisis is as much spiritual as it is political, recognizing his own part in the problem of tribalism, and discovering that real change happens when we lean into the humanity of “the other.” We’ll explore why “viewpoint diversity” isn’t just an academic buzzword but an urgent practice for our fractured times—from campus debates about Israel and Palestine to retreats that bring correction officers and formerly incarcerated people together to reform our justice system.
Take a listen.
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William Daroff - Building Consensus in a Divided World
Episode 65 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
With decades of experience navigating Washington and Jerusalem, William offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Conference builds consensus across a coalition of 50 diverse Jewish organizations. We explore the delicate balance between public statements and quiet diplomacy, how Jewish communal leaders respond to rising antisemitism on campus, and what it means to represent a politically diverse Jewish community in times of division and crisis.
William shares his personal journey from grassroots political campaigns to the highest levels of Jewish leadership, and the lessons he’s learned about relationship-building, advocacy, and the surprising power of passionate moderation. Take a listen.
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Rabbi Noah Farkas - Responding to Disaster, Rebuilding Jewish Life
Episode 64 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Noah Farkas, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Noah’s career has been shaped by crisis leadership: from his time as a Navy chaplain in Iraq, to rebuilding Jewish life in Biloxi after Hurricane Katrina, to guiding his community through the aftermath of October 7th and the devastating California wildfires.
We explore how his background in trauma care, disaster response, and Jewish values has informed a bold philanthropic strategy in a time of volatility and uncertainty. You’ll hear how the L.A. Federation evacuated 300,000 residents, reopened early childhood centers, and launched new funds to restore Jewish communal life—from preschools to summer camps to professional pipelines. Noah shares why federations are the Jewish community’s “9-1-1,” and how moral clarity and rapid action can build resilience for the long haul. Take a listen.
Acerca de What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast
The issues, stories, and people changing the world in philanthropy and the Jewish community. If you like "What Gives?" be sure to check out "Outside the Tzedakah Box" (https://honeycomb.org/podcast-outside-tzedakah-box/) a podcast on Jewish youth philanthropy from JFN's Honeycomb.
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