The Bagel Report: The Podcast: The Series w/ Julia Lester!

[additional-authors]

Erin Ben-Moche

March 12, 2021

The Bagels welcome Julia Lester, one of the stars of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” After some getting-to-know-you conversations and Jewish geography, we talk about her character Ashlyn on the Disney+ reboot and what it’s like to be a part of the 15-year-old franchise. Erin geeks out with Julia over a cappella connections and Esther does her best to understand nostalgia for a show she never watched. Plus, a speed round of questions delving into favorite Broadway shows, bat mitzvah themes and beyond!!

Relevant Links:

“Wondering” Music Video

“HSMTMTS” Season 1 Trailer

Hanukkah Medley from “High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special”

Follow Julia Lester on Instagram and Twitter!

Follow Erin, Esther and The Bagel Report on Twitter!

Did you enjoy this article?

You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review

Marion Haberman

The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC

Tabby Refael

What Ever Happened to the LA Times?

Dan Schnur

Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?

Ryan Torok

You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House

Marion Haberman

No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center

Larry Greenfield

Latest Articles

What Will Bibi Do?

Shmuel Rosner

Don’t Forget the People: The Iran Ceasefire Must Protect Civilians

Felice Friedson, The Media Line

A Holocaust-Era Heroine for the Ages in ‘The Goddess of Warsaw’

Paul Starr

Trump’s Civilizational Moment

Melanie Phillips, JNS

Trump’s New Iran Deal Leaves Israel to Confront Old Dangers Alone

Fiamma Nirenstein

When ‘Peace’ Breaks Out

Eran Shayshon

Benjamin Franklin, Korah, and the Battle for the Constitution

June 17, 2026

Just as Moses and Aaron had proven their God-approved mettle, “the new federal constitution,” which, in Franklin’s view, had “been unreasonably and vehemently opposed,” would ultimately prevail by God’s grace.

We Need a Long-Term Strategy to Deal with Iran

June 17, 2026

In handing Tehran the keys to lock up the region without a fight, Trump would become the first American president to sign away his country’s right to ply international waters freely.

Hope Is Not a Foreign Policy

June 17, 2026

The “deal,” as far as is known right now, is simply a 60-day extension of the ceasefire. The can will be kicked down the road.

A Heavenly Service

June 17, 2026

During these days when it is so easy to succumb to despair, religious services can serve as a wonderful antidote to hopelessness. Especially this one.

What My Soul Knows Before I Do

June 17, 2026

Sometimes the soul arrives before the explanation does. And sometimes, just before dawn, the world becomes quiet enough for us to notice the first light.

Jewish Caucus Stands Up

June 17, 2026

One of the best-kept secrets in California politics is the effectiveness and growing influence of the Legislative Jewish Caucus.

The ‘On’ Button. You Can Only Get There from the ‘Off ‘Button.

June 17, 2026

AZM’s Herbert Block on Staying Proudly Zionist in a Difficult Time

June 16, 2026

Despite the anti-Israel, anti-Zionist sentiment poisoning so many institutions and people, Herbert Block, executive director of the American Zionist Movement, is optimistic about the Jewish community’s response it.

Did Trump and Bibi Lose to a Strait Flush?

June 15, 2026

There’s no bigger sign of failure than to consider a return to the status quo at Hormuz a “great deal.” Never mind that Iran will no doubt use the Strait as leverage in the future.

Pasadena Magazine: Sailing Tahiti in Style on Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze

June 15, 2026

Regime Change, Interrupted

June 14, 2026

Signing an agreement with the remnants of this crumbling regime is tantamount to no agreement at all. This cast of sorry diplomats is duplicity incarnate.

An Israeli Leftist Gets Mugged by Reality

June 13, 2026

These Palestinian filmmakers didn’t need any excuse to crush an artist. All they needed to know was that Lapid was Israeli. Never mind that he supports boycotting the country they hate.

Sinai Temple Gala, Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance, ‘Jewish Tomorrow’ Podcast

June 12, 2026

Notable people and events in the Jewish LA community.

Have You Found Your Mission?

June 12, 2026

Life demands that we find meaning, and with it comes a sense of purpose that gives us the strength to endure.

Artificial Everything: The More AI Grows, the Blander it Becomes

June 12, 2026

Only humans can create things from scratch. Machines are brilliant at taking that “scratch” and running with it, but if there’s no human content in its digital brain, a machine is useless in front of a blank page.

Small Eyes – A poem for Parsha Sh’lach

June 11, 2026

So they knew where it was this whole time…

A Bisl Torah — A Real Graduation Message

June 11, 2026

We are meant to be learners. Our values guide our path, and our curious, thoughtful questions lead to a greater understanding of who we are meant to become.