To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Jewish Journal has curated a list of 18 badass Jewish women who are killing it on social media. They’re breaking barriers, creating original content, and making major waves in their industries.
So in no particular order, 18 Jewish Women To Follow in 2023:
Stefanie Yunger
Get ready to laugh until you cry with the amazing comedy stylings of Stefanie Yunger, the gifted comedian hailing from Illinois. Her sketch comedy videos on Instagram and TikTok are nothing short of uproarious, often hitting a little too close to home with their hilarious takes on everyday life. With her incredible talent for voice impersonations, she can speak fluently in English, Hebrew, Russian, and Spanish, bringing her comedy to a truly global audience. Yunger is also making waves on the big screen. In 2021, she starred as Princess Elena in the film “Royal Blossom”, showcasing her acting chops and comedic timing in a whole new way. And we can’t overlook one of her most beloved characters, Lital, where she shares essential Hebrew words and terms with her audience. So don’t wait – follow Stefanie Yunger now and get ready to laugh until your sides hurt!
Karen Cinnamon
Karen Cinnamon is the mastermind behind Your Jewish Life, a thriving Jewish Instagram page with over 80k followers. She describes her work as simply, “Jewish joy and positivity.” With the motto “helping you feel connected, included and empowered”, her page is a hub of fun commentary on Jewish culture, food, traditions, and more. She is the host of top-rated Jewish podcast, “Your Jewish Life Podcast.” But that’s not all – Cinnamon also runs the Smashing Life Club app for Jewish women, creating a space where members can connect, support each other, and thrive.
Mayim Bialik
From starring in the hit TV shows “Blossom” on NBC from 1990-1995 and “The Big Bang Theory” on CBS from 2010-2019 to co-hosting the popular game show “Jeopardy” for the past two seasons, Mayim Bialik‘s life keeps getting bigger and bigger. In addition to her impressive acting career, Bialik also holds a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA – no big deal. Recently, The Journal featured a cover story on Bialik’s experience co-hosting “Jeopardy” thus far.
Rashida Jones
Actress Rashida Jones is known for her roles on NBC’s “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” Her Netflix documentary “Quincy” about her legendary music producer father “Quincy” won a Grammy Award for Best Music Film. Her Instagram will keep you in the loop about all of the charitable causes she’s passionate about.
Nili Brosh
Rishon LeZion-born guitarist Nili Brosh is one of the most in-demand shredders in music today. In 2022, she made headlines along with the Danny Elfman band for two consecutive weekends at Coachella, and again in the fall at the Hollywood Bowl. You can see her performing live in Las Vegas at the Michael Jackson “ONE” Cirque du Soleil show. If you’re into head-banging riffs and jarring guitar solos, Nili’s Instagram has you covered.
Sheila Nazarian
Sheila Nazarian is a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon known for hosting the reality show, “Skin Decision: Before and After” on Netflix. The Emmy-nominated show was intense, detailing the process of reconstructive plastic surgery after traumatic events. She is also a proud Jew and outspoken Zionist who continues to use her platform to advocate for the Jewish community. She appeared on the cover of the Journal in 2022.
Montana Tucker
Montana Tucker is a triple threat known for her electrifying dance moves, powerful vocals, and captivating acting skills that have earned her a massive following of millions of fans. In 2022, Tucker transcended the limits of social media by breaking from her usual content stream to produce a groundbreaking ten-part TikTok documentary titled “How To: Never Forget.” Montana fearlessly delves into her family’s Holocaust history. She takes viewers on an emotional journey to the sites where her grandparents were imprisoned in Poland, leaving an indelible mark on her fans and cementing her status as a strong and proud Jewish woman.
Sarina and Rachel Rofe
Sisters Sarina and Rachel Rofe are the dynamic duo behind the Board of Directors (the B.O.D.), a fashion brand that creates versatile jumpsuits that effortlessly blend fashion and function, allowing women to confidently conquer their day with ease and style. With adjustable and reversible designs that cater to every mood, a B.O.D. jumpsuit is the perfect addition to anyone’s wardrobe. The sister duo have been featured in Vogue, organized successful pop-ups across Tel Aviv, and recently collaborated with the well-known fashion brand, Free People, adding to their already long list of accomplishments. The Tel Aviv-based company was born out of their love for their late mother Holly, whose legacy lives on through their fashion-forward creations inspired by Holly’s style. It is safe to say their mother would be brimming with pride to witness the significant impact they’ve made in the fashion world.
Jenny Zigrino
Get ready to laugh out loud with the hilarious Jenny Zigrino! This talented comedian has graced the stages of Comedy Central Presents, MTV, and countless late-night TV shows. Her new special comes out on Youtube March 12. But why wait for her next TV appearance when you can follow her on Instagram for a daily dose of comedy gold? From poking fun at Baby Boomers to roasting Gen Z, Jenny’s jokes are sure to keep you entertained. Don’t miss out on the chance to brighten your day with the hilarious Jenny Zigrino!
Libby Walker
Libby Walker‘s lightning-fast wit is on full display in a series of hilarious sketch comedy videos that explore the nuances of Jewish culture, from overbearing mothers to quirky holiday traditions to the elusive Jewish boy. But that’s not all – Libby takes things to the next level with her popular podcast Schmuckboys, where she fearlessly dives into the wild world of dating and the complexities of Jewish identity. If you’re ready for some seriously cool entertainment, look no further than Libby Walker.
Ysabella Hazan
Moroccan Montrealer Ysabella Hazan is a speaker, activist, and law graduate making a big splash on the global Jewish stage. She is currently pursuing her second degree while running Decolonized Judean, an organization dedicated to “empowerment, movement, promoting justice & decolonizing Jewish identity.” Hazan’s thought-provoking content provides valuable insights into some of the most critical and contentious issues impacting the Jewish community globally, making it an engaging and informative resource for all.
Natalie Friedman
Talented comedian Natalie Friedman knows how to bring the laughs whether she’s on tour or performing at her residency in Hollywood’s famous Laugh Factory. With nearly 1 million followers on Instagram, she’s a crowd favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Her hilarious celebrity impressions of icons like Cardi B, Kim Kardashian, Carole Baskin, Bella Thorne, and Mariah Carey are simply unbeatable.
Emily Austin
Emily Austin is a rising star in the sports broadcast world, having already made a huge splash while still in college at Hofstra University. Her talent and hard work have propelled her to the top, she was even selected as a judge at the prestigious 71st Miss Universe Pageant. Be sure to check out her popular “Hoop Chat” videos, where she interviews basketball stars and provides unique insights into the world of sports. Emily is also an outspoken Jew and Zionist consistently using her platform to advocate for her community.
Ariel Elias
Ariel Elias had already established herself as a highly respected comedian in the industry when a Trump-supporting heckler threw a beer at her during one of her live shows. Rather than being fazed by the incident, Elias handled it like a pro, chugging the beer on stage to the delight of the audience. The incident was captured on camera and quickly went viral, catching the attention of none other than Jimmy Kimmel, who invited her to perform on his show in Los Angeles. Her stand-up comedy videos are a guaranteed source of laughs, showcasing her razor-sharp wit and impeccable comedic timing. Don’t miss the chance to experience the hilarity of Ariel Elias!
Adela Cojab
Adela Cojab is not your average lawyer – she’s also a brilliant podcaster who fearlessly tackles current events. As a proud Syrian Jew, she co-hosts the “American-ish Show” alongside Egyptian Christian Mariam Wahba. Together, they delve into controversial topics and provide listeners and followers with a refreshing perspective on the issues that matter most. In a world that can often feel divided and fraught with tension, Adela and Mariam offer a unique discourse that’s both enlightening and entertaining. Tune in to the “American-ish Show” and join the conversation today!
Brittney Hopper
Brittney Hopper has been a TV journalist for 18 years, a decade of those with CBS News Los Angeles covering everything from wildfires, to the Oscars. Hopper will soon graduate with her masters degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy. She is an observant Jew and takes much joy in sharing the chronicles of being a busy mother of a five-year-old girl. At the same time, Hopper is a detailed source of content on Israel and combating antisemitism. Two words to describe her content: prideful and outspoken.
Annabelle Azadé Kajbaf
Annabelle Azadé Kajbaf is a French journalist specializing in sustainable fashion. She has worked as a journalist all over the world, in cities such as Paris, Bangkok, Tel Aviv, London, New York and for the past four years, Los Angeles. Life in Hollywood has only become more exciting for Annabelle, where you will see on her Instagram that she is a frequent on-set fashion consultant, as well an in-demand television reporter on the latest trends in fashion. On top of all of that, Annabelle is also one of the most prominent go-to journalists on the topic of sustainability in fashion.
Sephardic Spice Girls
Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Emquies Sheff, friends since high school, showcase their culinary talents every day on their Instagram. Follow them and you will likely find yourself attempting to emulate their colorful creations. There are new recipes multiple times per week, and they don’t just show you the end product, they explain the science behind the spices and the final product’s Sephardic Jewish history. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the mouth-watering world of one of the most elevated and unique food pages on Instagram, where the stories behind the recipes add a whole new level of depth and meaning to each dish.
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