In this energetic and wide-ranging episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with comedy and television icon HowieMandel (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.
Topics Discussed Include:
- Howie’s Jewish upbringing in Toronto
- How comedy became a creative outlet and coping mechanism for anxiety and OCD
- The influence of Howie’s father on his Jewish values and identity
- Howie’s early years doing stand-up
- Howie’s opinion on tzedakah
- Why Israel struggles with public perception
- Jewish identity and visibility in a time of rising antisemitism
- Howie speaks out about injustice and intolerance
- Pro-Palestinian vs. Anti-Israel movements: understanding the difference
- Howie on NBC, Hollywood, and Jewish representation
- Jews being targets for their appearance outside of NY and LA
- Howie’s goal, “I just wanna do the right thing.”
Thank you to this episode's sponsors The Dream Raffle and SAPIR.
Mentioned In The Episode:
Ultimate Nite Out Featuring Debra Messing and Jonah Platt
Watch America’s Got Talent (NBC)
Howie Mandel Does Stuff (YouTube)
What You Need to Know About Israel's The Iron Dome
Qatar’s Investments in the US Education System
Russia’s Interference in US Elections Continues to Get More Brazen
China’s Potential Use of TikTok Is A National Security Threat
Yuri Bezmenov and his Stages of Ideological Subversion
Israel Recognizes Somaliland as an Independent Country
“I Have a Tough Time Being with Myself.” Howie Mandel on living with OCD, ADHD, and anxiety
B’rit Mialh: The Circumcision Ritual
Howie Mandel discusses saying the Kaddish for his father
Everything You Need to Know About the Jewish Custom of Shiva
Minyan: The Congregational Quorum
Are the Jews the Chosen People?
Meet Howie Mandel's 3 talented kids with his wife of 45 years
—2 options with regard to his in-laws being holocaust survivors—
A survivors’ love story, and a game-changing secret
Howie Mandel to Appear at Malibu Film Society
The Role of Doctors and Nurses
Myth: Jews Have Too Much Power
Why Israel is losing the PR war
Collecting German Air-dropped Leaflets on Britain
Israeli film on Oct. 7 premieres at Toronto film festival after initially being dropped
Bondi Beach terrorists ‘acted alone’ in attack on Hanukkah event
Howie Mandel Ari Shaffir clip on antisemitism.
Demonstrators rally across the U.S. in response to violent conflict between Israel and Hamas
Watch Little Monsters (Pluto TV)
Howie Mandel Become ESports Team Owner
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Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
