Broadcasting from the Soul

Broadcasting from the Soul: Nachum Segal on Faith, Israel, and Jewish Identity in a Tumultuous Time

For those unfamiliar with Nachum Segal, he is one of the most enduring and influential voices in Jewish broadcasting. For over four decades, he has hosted JM in the AM. This beloved morning radio show blends news, music, interviews, and heartfelt commentary on Jewish life in America and Israel. Based primarily in the New York/New Jersey area, his reach has extended far beyond those borders, creating a virtual Jewish town square each morning for thousands of listeners worldwide.

What makes Nachum unique isn’t just the longevity of his show or its impeccable timing—it’s the soul behind the microphone. He has an uncanny ability to blend Jewish pride with musical joy, political insight with spiritual reflection, and personal stories with national concerns.

During his recent visit to Israel, I had the chance to sit down with him for what I thought would be a short conversation. Instead, I found myself swept into an emotional, insightful, and deeply human dialogue. In what follows, I share the highlights of our time together. This blog post isn’t a typical interview—it’s a personal reflection shaped by the ideas and values Nachum and I both hold dear.

We also discussed his recently published memoir, 1.8 Million Minutes and Counting: My First 40 Years, which he graciously arranged to share with me. The book is not only a behind-the-scenes look at his broadcasting career but also a heartfelt chronicle of Jewish communal life from 1980 to today. And just like Nachum’s radio presence, it’s full of soul.

Jerusalem Mornings, Smoked Salmon with Bob Dylan’s Best Friend

“Today was one of those days,” Nachum begins, glancing down at his phone to recall a listener’s message. “You never know what you’re going to get on live radio.”

He had just wrapped a whirlwind morning show from Jerusalem featuring three vastly different guests: Louis Kemp, the man who grew up alongside Bob Dylan and once ran a massive fish business; Ariel Kahana from Israel Hayom, weighing in on Israeli politics; and the beloved Jewish songwriter Miriam Israeli, whom I admit in my ignorance had never heard of. Nachum assured me that we all had heard her music without knowing the person behind. I recall on travels when I listened to Nahum’s Show, the variety of Israeli artists he featured, many of which I was unaware of.

“One listener wrote,” he chuckles, “that only on my show could you go from lox to Sandy Koufax to Gaza security to Jewish music—all before 9 a.m.” That sums up Live Radio (as opposed to current recorded Podcasts).

That’s the magic of Nachum Segal’s brand of broadcasting: live, unscripted, unfiltered, and always, somehow, quintessentially Jewish.

Yom HaShoah: From Mourning to Mission

As our conversation shifts to Yom HaShoah, Nachum reveals a deliberate change in tone this year.

“In the past, we’ve brought Holocaust survivors on the air. This time, we’re looking forward,” he says. “There’s a new exhibit in Manhattan featuring celebrities photographed with survivors—reminding the world, especially the deniers, that this still matters.”

The decision isn’t about softening the memory of the Shoah—it’s about reframing it. “We’re not just commemorating the past,” he adds. “We’re using it as a call to act for the future.”

Is Holocaust Memory Enough?

When asked if Jewish identity in the diaspora is overly defined by Holocaust memory, Segal doesn’t flinch.

“It’s not just memory anymore,” he says. “The enemy has made it real again. Antisemitism is rising in America. Even the least observant Jews are feeling it.”

He reflects on the post-October 7th wave of hatred and confusion, especially among celebrities. “Some Jewish performers stepped up. Others went silent—or worse. We’re seeing who’s who.”

Shlomo Carlebach and the Spiritual Blueprint

At the heart of Segal’s work is his deep admiration for Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. For Nachum, Carlebach’s music isn’t just melody—it’s mission. And he was blessed to know the man behind the legend.

“He was always holding a sefer,” Nachum recalls. “He believed that love could heal the deepest rifts in our people. He once told me, if Israel just kept the cafés open on Friday nights and sent him and his chevra to sing, he could bridge the religious-secular divide.”

It’s hard to argue with the sincerity in his voice.

Bridging the Gap—One Show at a Time

For Nachum, his life’s work has evolved from radio host to connector of worlds.

“In the early years, it was about doing what I loved. But over time, it became a mission: keeping Israel alive in the hearts of Jews in the diaspora.”

He does this not through lectures but through stories—conversations, music, and live reporting from places like Efrat, where he recently spoke to Shlomo Katz and finally, after years of planning, recorded a long-anticipated segment.

Link to this interview

Broadcasting in a Post-October 7th World

“The war changed everything,” he says. “Not that I’m giving Hamas credit, God forbid. But it made my mission easier to understand. People want to connect. They’re searching for meaning.”

Every day, Segal reminds his listeners how many days the hostages have been in captivity. Every week, he marks the number of Shabbats since October 7th. “In America, people care,” he says. “But it’s a different level here in Israel. You’re living it. You’re sending your own kids to war.”

He believes American Jews should feel this more tangibly. “Send someone from your community to Israel. Let them visit, feel it, and report back. That’s what I do. That’s what changes hearts.”

Legacy, Hope, and the Future of Media

Nachum recently published a memoir titled 1.8 Million Minutes and Counting. His son’s reaction: “I had no idea all this was happening while we were growing up.”

The book is more than a career recap. It’s a personal lens into modern Jewish history. “Jewish music, Zionism, politics—it’s all there,” he says. “It’s a record of what mattered and why.”

And while the media landscape has shifted with podcasts and social media, Segal remains committed to live broadcasting. “It’s unpredictable. It’s daily. It’s real. That’s what built my audience.”

Conclusion: Trust the Future

As our conversation winds down, Segal shares the daily sign-off of his show—words that have come to define his message:

“Remember the past. Live the present. Trust the future.”

“It’s from Beit HaTefutzot,” he says, smiling. “My father loved it. And so do I.”

In a world increasingly fractured and fearful, Nachum Segal stands behind a microphone reminding us—one show at a time—that hope, heritage, and the Jewish story are very much alive. It’s not always easy. But it’s essential. And if Nachum has anything to say about it, it will always be live.

Postscript: The Airwaves Ahead

As the conversation drew to a close, one thing became undeniably clear: Nachum Segal’s voice is not just needed—it belongs in Israel. In a country bustling with vibrant Jewish life and intense daily realities, there remains a profound gap in English-language radio—a platform that doesn’t just deliver news but captures the spirit, debates, music, and soul of the people.

Nachum, always forward-looking, isn’t just aware of that need—he’s answering it. With plans to make Aliyah in December 2026, he is already laying the groundwork. He’s begun contributing to Radio Kol Play with a nightly English music and culture show, and the energy is building.

There’s a growing chorus of Anglos in Israel—young families, students, retirees—who crave meaningful, quality Jewish broadcasting in their mother tongue. As someone who’s built a community through consistency, warmth, and depth, Nachum Segal is uniquely positioned to lead that charge.

Yalla, let’s do it. The airwaves of Israel are waiting.

Link to: Nachum Segal Network website

https://nachumsegal.com/

All photos courtesy of Nachum Segal