Jeff Garlin Says He’s Pro-Israel, ‘Proud Jew’ in New Podcast Interview

Shiryn Ghermezian

Jeff Garlin arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures’ ‘Nobody 2’ held at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States. Photo: Image Press Agency via Reuters Connect

American comedian and actor Jeff Garlin opens up in a new interview about being a proud Jew and what he loves and dislikes about the Jewish culture and religion.

The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” cast member and executive producer, 64, talks in depth about his Jewish identity in an upcoming episode of the podcast “People Jew Wanna Know,” hosted by Margarita Lyadova. A teaser clip for the upcoming episode featuring Garlin was released on Tuesday and shows the Chicago native saying, “I am pro-Israel. I am a Zionist. I am proud to be a Jew.”

During the podcast interview, Garlin says he asked God for help in finding a Jewish woman weeks before he met his partner, Sari Tracht, and addresses other topics such as antisemitism and anti-Zionist sentiments. The former star of “The Goldbergs” also explaina why he does not enjoy going to synagogue.

“I’d be a lot more religious if there wasn’t all this sitting and standing in temple. It makes me insane,” he says. “‘We just sat down! What are you doing?’ I swear that’s my inner monologue.” He previously joked with comedian Elon Gold that he would go to synagogue if they had a cot where he could lay down.

Garlin has talked about his Jewish identity very openly in the past. He discussed lighting candles for Hanukkah during an interview with Ted Danson and in April. “The Goldbergs” former cast member also appeared in a video for the End Jew Hatred initiative and talked about antisemitism “getting out of control.”

“I don’t hate them. So why are they hating me and my people?” he said at the time.