When you see Matt Gutman reporting from a war zone or standing in the middle of a wildfire, he’s usually the coolest guy in the room. Or at least he looks like it. If you’ve read his recent book, No Time to Panic, you know that’s not always the case internally. But lately, people have been digging into a different kind of personal detail: his heritage. Specifically, everyone wants to know is Matt Gutman Jewish? It's a question that pops up a lot, probably because he spent so many years reporting from the Middle East and has a surname that’s common in certain communities. Honestly, the answer isn't just a simple yes or no—it’s wrapped up in his family history, his time living in Tel Aviv, and even his wife’s career.
Why Everyone Asks: Is Matt Gutman Jewish?
Basically, the curiosity isn't coming out of nowhere. Matt’s connection to Jewish culture and Israel is pretty deep, even if he doesn't spend his time on ABC World News Tonight or CBS News talking about his Friday night plans.
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Gutman actually lived in Israel for about seven or eight years. That’s a long time. He moved to Tel Aviv in 2001, right during the Second Intifada. He wasn't just a visitor; he was a working journalist for The Jerusalem Post. If you’re a reporter covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for a major English-language Israeli paper, you’re naturally going to be part of the cultural fabric there.
But there’s more to it than just a resume. Matt is married to Daphna Venyige Gutman. If you look her up, you’ll find she isn't just "Jewish-adjacent." She is a Cantorial Soloist and a Jewish music educator. She literally leads prayer and song in Jewish religious settings. They have two kids, Libby and Benjamin, and given Daphna’s role in the community, it’s safe to say the family is very much involved in Jewish life and traditions.
The Name and the Roots
The surname "Gutman" is a classic Ashkenazi Jewish name, though it has German roots meaning "good man." While names don't always tell the whole story, Matt’s family history in the Northeast U.S. fits the profile. He was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in the Westfield area.
His childhood wasn't easy. When Matt was only 12, his father, Paul, died in a small plane crash. That kind of trauma stays with a person. In his writing, Matt has been incredibly vulnerable about how his father’s death contributed to the panic attacks that nearly derailed his career. He often talks about his "tribe" and his support system, which includes a lot of deep-rooted connections to the Jewish community in both the U.S. and Israel.
Reporting from the Front Lines
You’ve probably seen him recently covering the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. Matt was on the ground in Israel almost immediately. He stayed there for months, reporting on the conflict with a level of nuance that usually only comes from someone who actually knows the streets of Tel Aviv and Gaza.
Some people try to use his background to claim he’s biased, but that’s kind of the "internet expert" trap. In reality, his time living in the Middle East—reporting from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Afghanistan—gave him a perspective that most "parachute journalists" just don't have. He speaks the language of the region, literally and figuratively.
A Big Move to CBS
If you haven't heard the latest industry gossip, Matt recently made a massive career jump. After about 20 years at ABC News, where he was the Chief National Correspondent, he headed over to CBS News in early 2026.
He was actually the first big hire under Bari Weiss, who took over as Editor-in-Chief at CBS. This move is huge. He’s now a chief correspondent based in Los Angeles, contributing to 60 Minutes and 48 Hours. It’s a new chapter for him, but it also means we’re going to be seeing a lot more of his face on Sunday nights.
What Really Matters About His Identity
At the end of the day, when people ask is Matt Gutman Jewish, they’re usually looking for a way to categorize his reporting or understand his "vibe."
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Matt identifies with the culture and has spent a significant portion of his life embedded in the Jewish world, both professionally in Israel and personally through his marriage and family life. However, he’s always been a "reporter first" type of guy. Whether he’s being detained in Venezuela or covering a Thai cave rescue, his focus is usually on the story, not himself.
He’s been open about his struggles with anxiety, his love for his dogs, and his life in L.A., but he keeps his specific religious practices mostly private. That’s fair. You don't get to be an award-winning correspondent by making the story about your own Sunday school attendance.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re following Matt Gutman’s career or just curious about the man behind the microphone, here is how you can stay updated:
- Read his book: If you want the real Matt, read No Time to Panic. It’s not a religious text, but it explains the psychology of a man who spends his life in high-stress environments.
- Watch the transition: Since he’s now at CBS, keep an eye on 60 Minutes. His style of deep-dive reporting is a perfect fit for that format.
- Follow the reporting, not the rumors: When major events happen in the Middle East, look for his byline. Regardless of his heritage, his years of living in the region make him one of the most informed voices on TV.
Matt Gutman’s identity is a mix of Jersey roots, Israeli experience, and a very modern, vulnerable approach to being a "tough" reporter. He’s a guy who has seen the worst of the world but still finds a way to talk about the "good man" (the literal meaning of his name) inside everyone.
Next Steps: To get a better sense of his reporting style, you can check out his podcast Devil in the Desert or look for his archives at ABC News before his 2026 move to CBS. Understanding his past reporting from the Middle East will give you a lot more context than just knowing his religious background.