JewBelong’s Archie Gottesman on Passover, Jewish culture, goals, Steven Weber and more

JewBelong’s mission is to welcome people to Judaism with Jewish readings and rituals that many people can relate to. Helping people who are often disengaged from Judaism to find all the richness, joy and spirituality at the heart of the religion, JewBelong aims to “Jewish outsiders” feel like they belong. “Jewbelong” – get it?

Archie Gottesman carries the title of Co-Chief-Rebrander-of-Judaism – or CCROJ – with JewBelong, which she co-founded with Stacy Stuart. Aside from her work with JewBelong, Gottesman serves on the board of the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the Women’s Board of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). In addition to her work for Jewish causes, Gottesman is a past chairwoman of Animal Haven Shelter in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.

On March 27th and 28th, JewBelong will be hosting “Burning Man-Ischewitz,” a Virtual Passover Seder. There will be “live showing” at 4:00 PM PST on both dates. It is free to RSVP.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Archie Gottesman via Zoom on March 18, 2021, as embedded below. We discussed JewBelong’s past, present and future, her history with Judaism and plenty more. An inspirational, fun and thought-provoking conversation with a wonderful human being, to say the least.

More on JewBelong can be found here and here.