She's Not Italian, She's Jewish! The Sopranos' Jamie-Lynn Sigler + What is Shavout?!

The Sopranos star Jamie-Lynn Sigler gets brutally honest about Judaism, fame, motherhood, and living with MS in one of her most personal interviews ever.

In one of the podcast’s most open and deeply personal episodes so far Jamie-Lynn Sigler, best known for playing Meadow Soprano on The Sopranos, reflects on growing up Jewish on Long Island, navigating Hollywood at a young age, and finding strength in Jewish identity and community. The two discuss that advocacy doesn't have to be about conflict, but about just sharing your positive experiences with the world. She shares how a transformative Birthright Israel trip deepened her connection to Judaism and Israel especially through experiences in Jerusalem.

Sigler also opens up about living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the emotional toll of hiding her diagnosis for years, and how finally speaking publicly changed her life. The conversation explores marriage, mental health, and the pressure to appear “perfect” while struggling privately. Jamie-Lynn talks about her new memoir, And So It Is: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope, and her podcasts MeSsy with Christina Applegate and Not Today, PAL. Together, she and Jonah connect with each other on their vulnerability, Jewish pride, and the freedom that comes from finally being fully yourself.

Plus, Rabbi David Ingbar returns to the podcast (Three-Timer!!!) to discuss the history and importance of the Jewish Holiday, Shavout. 

Topics discussed:

• Discussion about Jewish visibility, stereotypes about what Jewish people “look like,” and proudly embracing her Cuban, Greek, and Jewish heritage.
• Sigler talks about living with Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) and why going public about her diagnosis changed her life.
• The emotional process behind writing her memoir And So It Is: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope and narrating the audiobook herself.
• How podcasting opened her emotionally 
• Caregiving, marriage, and parenting with her husband Cutter while navigating life with MS. 
• Sigler explains how The Sopranos became a “safe haven” during struggles with eating disorders, MS, and personal insecurities. 
• The Sopranos Executive Producer David Chase and how Meadow Soprano served as Sigler’s “Sasha Fierce” alter ego. 
• The importance of Jewish community, Shabbat dinners, and raising her sons Jack and Beau with pride in their Jewish heritage.
• Sigler shares her perspective on Israel, Holocaust education, and visiting the Holocaust Museum during her Birthright experience. 
• Discussion of disability representation in Hollywood and why productions should hire actors actually living with disabilities and chronic illness. 
• Sigler discusses acting projects including Big Sky and how accommodations on set helped her work comfortably with MS.



Mentioned in the episode:

Rabbi David Ingber

What is Shavuot?

Why Cheesecake on Shavuot?

What Are the Five Books of Moses?

Simon Sinek

Counting Up to Shavuot

The Intrinsic Unity of Israel

Mount Sinai

HEBREW WORD OF THE WEEK —TIKUN 

Dara Horn BJJP Episode

And So It Is: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope

Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Jamie Lynn Sigler Instagram

Jamie Lynn Sigler IMDb

The Sopranos IMDb

Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center

Emmanuel Chriqui Instagram

Hollywood stars boycott Israeli film companies in response to Gaza crisis

Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Lance Bass' whirlwind trip to Israel in photos

A Course in Miracles

MeSsy Podcast

Not Today, PAL with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler (Podcast)

David Chase IMDb

What Jamie-Lynn Sigler Wants You to Know About MS

Who Is Jamie-Lynn Sigler’s Husband? All About Cutter Dykstra

Birthright Israel

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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 Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald,  Production Associate: Rachel Stern, 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