Jewish Ideas to Change the World

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Bracha JaffeThe event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion & BMH-BJAbout The Event: Moshe grew up with many mothers; we will learn about each of them and discuss their impact on Moshe, the man, our greatest leader and teacher.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BpeHchB_qMoPzqoGkAp0RywuKFfxhSi5/view?usp=sharingAbout The Speaker: Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe serves as the Associate Rabba at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in Bronx, NY. She is grateful for the opportunity to teach Torah classes, instruct the conversion program, answer Halachic questions, facilitate tefillot, offer pastoral guidance, craft lifecycle events, and connect with families and singles, young and old. She has taught many to leyn, and her voice is featured on the JOFA website reading four Megillot and selected Torah portions. In HIR, the children know her as the rabbi who sings Israeli children’s songs and gives out stickers! Rabbanit Bracha is passionate about bringing mental illness out of the shadows and has spoken about it in different settings. She loves connecting people and encouraging them to be their best selves. Some of her favorite pastimes are kickboxing and reading books to her grandchildren. Rabbanit Bracha lives in Riverdale, NY, with her husband Martin. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Stephen M. Felton Ph.D., M.D.The event was co-sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education and the Phoenix Holocaust Association. EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:About The Event: Join us for a powerful event where Dr. Felton will share his story. He will discuss what it was like to be born into the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto and read excerpts from his mother’s memoirs which are published in the book “I Shall Lead You Through the Nights.” Alongside this, Dr. Felton will recount his journey to America and later return to Poland. He will also discuss the emotional significance of the “Righteous Among the Nations” honor bestowed upon the Matacz family, who risked their lives to save him.About The Speaker: Stephen was born in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942. He came to the U.S. with his mother in 1947. He grew up in Brooklyn, went to Brooklyn College, and obtained a Ph.D. in chemistry at Rutgers University. He then did a postdoctoral fellowship in bio-organic mechanisms at Univ. of California at Santa Barbara. He obtained an M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of N.J. and then did an ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital. He started a practice in Princeton, N.J., which became the Princeton Eye Group. He is now retired, is married to Barbara, and has several children and grandchildren. He published his mother’s holocaust memoirs, “I Shall Lead You Through the Nights”. He has spoken of his holocaust history at schools, synagogues, and clubs. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Elias SacksAbout The Event: Ever since the nineteenth century, it has been common for thinkers to declare that “God is dead”—that it no longer makes sense to believe in a deity (and perhaps never did). However, even as critiques of belief in God have become increasingly prevalent, a wide range of thinkers have challenged this perspective, arguing not only that there are good reasons to believe in God, but also that this type of belief is more important now than ever before. In this session, we will explore these issues, wrestling with diverse Jewish responses to questions such as: Does it make sense to believe in God? Does Judaism require that we believe in some type of deity, or are Judaism and atheism compatible? And what difference—if any—should believing (or not believing) in God make for how we think about ethics, politics, and the decisions we make about how to lead our lives?*Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lpgn2HUAC--4s-gdQuR_MvVUYp5LcN83p4NUap1K-tI/edit?tab=t.0About The Speaker: Elias Sacks is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studies Jewish thought, philosophy of religion, Jewish-Christian relations, religious ethics, and religion and politics. He is the author of Moses Mendelssohn’s Living Script: Philosophy, Practice, History, Judaism (2017), as well as articles on medieval and modern thinkers including Mendelssohn, Moses Maimonides, Baruch Spinoza, Nachman Krochmal, Hermann Cohen, Franz Rosenzweig, and Jacob Taubes. Previously, Sacks served as Director of The Jewish Publication Society. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie SchnytzerAbout The Event:The climate crisis and its challenges need no introduction. But what of medieval kabbalists whose mystical contemplations may be more relevant in the age of the Anthropocene than ever before? Learning how specific kabbalists perceived inanimate objects as hopeful beings will forever change the way we view even a plastic bottle.About The Speaker:Jonnie Schnytzer is probably the only PhD in Jewish Philosophy focusing on medieval kabbalah, who can say that he once beat the head of Israeli Naval Commandos in a swimming race? His dissertation focused on the scientific kabbalah of Rabbi Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi. Jonnie’s forthcoming book is about Ashkenazi’s Kabbalah as well as a critical edition of the Kabbalist’s majestic commentary on Sefer Yesira. Jonnie’s also the author of Mossad thriller, The Way Back, which paints a picture of contemporary Israel. Jonnie also orchestrated the publishing of an English edition of ‘The Hitler Haggadah,’ an important piece of Moroccan Jewish history from the Holocaust. Jonnie has also taken on several leadership roles in the Jewish world, including advisor to the CEO of Birthright and executive manager with StandWithUs. He lectures on a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism and Israel, especially about the untold stories and unspoken heroes of Jewish history. Jonnie is happily married with four gorgeous little kids, lives in Israel, and thinks that Australian Rules Football is the greatest sport ever invented. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Haim OvadiaThe event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJAbout the Event: Sephardic Halakha does not necessarily come from Spain – Sefarad, nor is it practiced solely or by all Sephardic rabbis. It is a way of life that balances religious behavior and knowledge with general sciences and with the necessities of life. It is the product of cross-cultural fertilization with Islam in its early and formative years, and it is markedly different from the Ashkenazi approach, which evolved under Catholic influence and which currently dominates Jewish religious life. This discussion will explore the historical roots and expressions of the Sephardic approach, as well as the potential it holds for a better future for Jews in Israel and abroad.About the Speaker: Rabbi Haim Ovadia was born in Jerusalem. His family has roots in Baghdad and Damascus, with ten generations of rabbis, poets, and authors. He holds a BA in Talmud from Bar Ilan University, MA in Near East Languages and Cultures from UCLA, and is currently a doctoral student at Bar Ilan cept. of Contemporary Judaism. Rabbi Ovadia has been a pulpit rabbi in Israel, South America, and both coasts. A faculty member at AJRCA. Founder of Torah VEahava – Torah with love. Teaching at Ramaz High School in Manhattan. His research focuses on finding practical solutions for halakhic problems, making Judaism accessible to all, and bridging gaps within the Jewish people. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Suzanne SingerThe event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel About the Event: Did Eve tempt Adam to eat the fruit of the tree? Was Hagar a victim or a prophet? Who were the women warriors? Through biblical stories and midrash (rabbinic interpretations), we will uncover how these women challenged the patriarchy.About the Speaker: Rabbi Suzanne Singer served Temple Beth El in Riverside, CA, for 15 years before retiring in 2023. She now serves Congregation Havurim in Temecula monthly, in addition to teaching Introduction to Judaism for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and serving on the board of End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), among other activities.As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, she is keenly aware of the need to make our world a better place. She recently served as a member of the Reform movement’s Commission on Social Action, as President of PARR (Pacific Area Reform Rabbis), as a member of the City of Riverside’s Task Force on Police Reform, and as a commissioner for the City of Riverside’s Human Relations Commission. She has led advocacy efforts through local interfaith organizations and succeeded in helping pass alternatives to jail and aid-in-dying legislation. She was named a Riverside “Champion of Justice” in 2010 and a Riverside “Woman of Distinction” in 2015. In addition to an OpEd in The New York Times re. Rikers Island, her essays have been published in The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, the CCAR Journal: The Reform Jewish Quarterly, and in several CCAR Press collections. Before coming to Riverside, Rabbi Singer served at Temple Sinai in Oakland, CA. She also served both as Director of the Introduction to Judaism Program for the Pacific Southwest Council of the Union for Reform Judaism and as Coordinator of a leadership initiative at Hebrew Union College’s (HUC) Los Angeles campus.Rabbi Singer grew up in New York City and attended the Lycée Francais de New York from elementary through high school. She holds three Master's Degrees: Before attending HUC, Rabbi Singer spent twenty years as a television producer and programming executive, primarily for National Public Television (PBS) and primarily in news and public affairs. As executive producer of a national documentary series, POV, she won two national Emmy awards. She also co-created and produced a national preschool series, The Puzzle Place, designed to help children respect and appreciate diversity. Rabbi Singer is married to actor/acting teacher Jordan Lund. She is also the aunt of seven nieces and nephews with whom she is very close. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz sits down with Rabbi Dov Linzer to explore Jewish laws grounded in core Jewish values.Rabbi Dov Linzer is the President and Rosh HaYeshiva (Rabbinic Head) of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, an Orthodox rabbinical school and Torah center, which promotes a more open and inclusive Orthodoxy. He has written for the Forward, Tablet, and The New York Times and hosted highly popular Torah podcasts. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Abigail Pogrebin and Rabbi Dov LinzerThe event was co-sponsored by Temple SolelAbout the event: Orthodox Rabbi Dov Linzer and Reform Journalist Abigail Pogrebin will be in conversation with Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz about their unlikely journey together through the Five Books of Moses during two of the most turbulent years in American history.About the Speakers: Abigail Pogrebin is the author of the National Jewish Book Award finalist My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew” and “Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish.” She’s written for The Atlantic, the Forward, and Tablet and moderates public conversations for The Streicker Center and the Jewish Broadcasting Service. Rabbi Dov Linzer is the President and Rosh HaYeshiva (Rabbinic Head) of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, an Orthodox rabbinical school and Torah center, which promotes a more open and inclusive Orthodoxy. He has written for the Forward, Tablet, and The New York Times and hosted highly popular Torah podcasts. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Professor Zvi ZoharThe event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or TzionAbout the Event: In ancient times, some rabbis held that since one is commanded to study Torah day and night (Joshua 1:8), other intellectual realms could be acquired only ‘when it is neither day nor night.’ An exception could be made only for learning a practical profession, enabling one to earn a living. (See, e.g., JT Pe’ah 1:1).Following in the spirit of those ancient scholars, many East European Rabbis in recent centuries were against secular studies for boys and men and viewed such studies as antithetical to the true Torah. So, too, some rabbis permitted secular studies as a practical concession enabling one to gain a livelihood.Rabbi Yosef Hayyim was one of the greatest rabbis in the entire world in the half-century leading up to WWI. He was an all-round scholar – Halakhist, Kabbalistic, interpreter of Aggada and Midrash, composer of religious poetry, and famous for his lively and compelling sermons. Nevertheless, many people have not heard of him, as he was a Sephardic/Oriental rabbi who spent his entire life in Baghdad. In addition, many people imagine Sephardic Jews (and rabbis) to be simple, naïve traditionalists – as opposed to the cleverness and sophistication of European/Ashkenazic Jews.However, it was specifically the ‘Sephardic/Oriental’ Rabbi Yosef Hayyim who strongly advocated that Jewish schools offer a curriculum offering both Torah and ‘general’ studies in tandem, not because general studies are needed to earn a living but because of their inherent intellectual and spiritual religious value.In this session, we will study (in translation) the original texts of Rabbi Yosef Hayyim on this topic and discuss the significance of his views.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c0bJtwOQ0FWHA-G_cf8wND9XqiOY2Lyt/view?usp=sharingAbout the Speaker: Zvi Zohar is a senior research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute. He is the Chauncey Stillman Professor of Sephardic Law and Ethics at Bar-Ilan University, where he teaches in the Faculties of Law and Jewish Studies and is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Law, Religion and State. At Shalom Hartman Institute, he heads the Alan and Loraine Fischer Family Center for Halakha.Professor Zohar’s main area of research is the history and development of halakha from the earliest times to the present. He has a special interest in the halakhic writings of Sephardic and Mizrahi rabbis in modern times. Professor Zohar has published more than 100 books and scholarly articles in Hebrew, English, French, and German.His most recent book in English, Rabbinic Creativity in the Modern Middle East, was published in 2013 by the Hartman Institute’s Kogod Library of Judaic Studies in conjunction with Bloomington Academic Press. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Joel GereboffAbout the Event: Although most Jews know that it is traditional to fast on Yom Kippur, the latest Pew Study of American Jews shows that only half of American Jews do fast. In many ways, Jews seek to find reasons to fast or to make fasting a meaningful experience. This presentation will examine guidance provided in contemporary Machzorim (prayer books) regarding the meaning of fasting.About the Speaker: Joel Gereboff is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Arizona State University. His research and publications focus on early Rabbinic Judaism, American Judaism, Jewish ethics and Judaism, and emotions. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Zev FarberAbout The Event: When Israel undergoes a famine, King David learns that the cause is Saul’s slaughter of the Gibeonites “out of zealotry for Israel and Judah” years earlier. This is not the only slaughter we hear about regarding Saul. And yet Saul was the first king of Israel, chosen by God and Samuel, and was the person most responsible for putting Israel on the map as an independent power. How do we understand the fuller picture of the man? The connection between Saul’s successes and his downfall may be his fundamentalism.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x8C3T7JrM5bJj6w_DslTvj3CTT_3h5uD/view?usp=sharingAbout The SpeakerDr. Rabbi Zev Farber is the Senior Editor of TheTorah.com and a Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute. His newest book, The Bible’s First Kings: Uncovering the Story of Saul, David, and Solomon (co-authored with Avi Faust), is forthcoming from Cambridge University Press. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Gila FineThe event was co-sponsored by The New Shul and BMH-BJAbout The Event: “Women in the Talmud are generally marginal and almost always anonymous – the daughters, sisters, and wives of prominent rabbis. The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic explores the stories of the exceptions, the six named heroines of the Talmud: Yalta the shrew, Homa the femme fatale, Marta the prima donna, Heruta the madonna/whore, Beruria the overreacherix, and Ima Shalom the angel in the house. As their epithets suggest, all of these women appear to embody an antifeminist archetype. Yet in each case, a careful rereading reveals that there is a lot more to the story than initially meets the eye, that the heroine is far more complex than she first seems, and that the rabbis had rather surprising – so as not to say proto-feminist – views of marriage, sex, childbirth, and what it means to be a woman in the world. In presenting us with archetypes that systematically break down, the Talmud imparts profound moral teachings about how to read the characters of a text and, ultimately, how to regard the people in our lives.”*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hkPqg6xF8_N6IMGxZF9GFzlmRE9MirEy/view?usp=share_linkAbout The Speaker: Gila Fine is a lecturer in rabbinic literature at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, she explores the tales of the Talmud through the lenses of philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop culture. She is the recipient of the Maimonides Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. She serves on the faculties of the Nachson Project, Amudim Seminary, the Tikvah Scholars Program, and the London School of Jewish Studies. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Elias SacksThe event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel About The Event: We live in an anti-intellectual age—a time of scientific skepticism, doubts about the value of higher education, and hostility toward many forms of expertise and advanced learning. But anti-intellectualism is not an exclusively modern development; on the contrary, it has a long history in religious traditions, including Judaism, where many figures have cast science, philosophy, and other forms of rigorous intellectual inquiry as irrelevant at best and dangerous at worst. In this session, we will explore the history of Jewish anti-intellectualism, wrestling with diverse Jewish responses to questions such as: Do scientific and philosophical studies have a place in religious life? Do Jews have an obligation to pursue such forms of knowledge, or do these disciplines represent threats to religious practice and belief? And what resources—if any—does the Jewish tradition offer to individuals and communities troubled by anti-intellectual attitudes in the United States and worldwide?About The Speaker: Elias Sacks is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studies Jewish thought, philosophy of religion, Jewish-Christian relations, religious ethics, and religion and politics. He is the author of Moses Mendelssohn’s Living Script: Philosophy, Practice, History, Judaism (2017), as well as articles on medieval and modern thinkers, including Mendelssohn, Moses Maimonides, Baruch Spinoza, Nachman Krochmal, Hermann Cohen, Franz Rosenzweig, and Jacob Taubes. Previously, Sacks served as Director of The Jewish Publication Society. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and esteemed scholar Dr. Mehnaz Afridi come together for a virtual conversation on Muslim-Jewish collaboration in support of democracy and tolerance. Dr. Afridi, a respected Muslim expert on genocide, has been a powerful ally to the Jewish community. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Steven WindmuellerThe event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel About The Event: This session will examine the history of Jewish political engagement, explore the types of Jewish political actors, and analyze why American politics has such significant meaning and impact on the Jewish community. As we approach one of this nation’s most critical elections, what should we know about this election and its specific importance to Jewish Americans?About The Speaker: Dr. Steven Windmueller is an Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Studies at the Jack H. Skirball Campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Before coming to HUC, Dr. Windmueller had served on the staff of the American Jewish Committee (1969-1972), directed the Albany (NY) Jewish Federation (1973-1985), and the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Committee) of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation (1985-1995).During his tenure at the College, Dr. Windmueller served for ten years as the Director of its School of Jewish Nonprofit Management and, in 2005, was named to the deanship of the LA campus (2006-2010). In 2009, he was named to an endowed chair, and in 2014 was awarded an honorary doctorate by Hebrew Union College.The author of four books and numerous articles, Professor Windmueller holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania. His research has been primarily focused on Jewish communal trends, Anti-Semitism, and Jewish political behavior. His articles have appeared in several secular and Jewish publications.Currently, Dr. Windmueller is consulting with national agencies, federations, synagogues, and foundations in connection with his current studies on virtual and privatized Judaism, the impact of COVID, and the broader social, economic, and political trends reshaping American Jewish life. In 2014, he had occasion to teach in China, offering lectures on American Jewry, Israel, and Zionism at various universities in the Peoples Republic.He recently served as guest editor for USC’s Casden Institute, producing The Impact of Donald Trump’s Presidency on American Jews and Israel (2021)and is now focused on producing a volume analyzing 21st Century American Judaism and continues to write on Jewish political behavior for the Times of Israel and other publications in advance of the November 2024 elections.Dr. Windmueller serves as a Fellow of the Jerusalem Institute of Public Affairs and as a Board Member of the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State, Los Angeles. For the past eight years, he has been on the faculty of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, teaching across the globe. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Bracha JaffeThe event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJAbout the Event: A Journey from Peshat to DerashFollow the story of Serach, the daughter of Asher. There is a mountain of Midrashim written about her, yet only six words are written in the Torah! We will follow the breadcrumbs and piece together the story of her life as imagined by our sages while finding a textual basis for each piece.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XN2UQqH6jfNoqJpgta6gapy5zcRtCh8q/view?usp=sharingAbout the Speaker: Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe serves as the Associate Rabba at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in Bronx, NY. She is grateful for the opportunity to teach Torah classes, instruct the conversion program, answer Halachic questions, facilitate tefillot, offer pastoral guidance, craft lifecycle events, and connect with families and singles, young and old. She has taught many to learn, and her voice is featured on the JOFA website reading four Megillot and selected Torah portions. In HIR, the children know her as the rabbi who sings Israeli children’s songs and gives out stickers! Rabbanit Bracha is passionate about bringing mental illness out of the shadows and has spoken about it in different settings. She loves connecting people and encouraging them to be their best selves. Some of her favorite pastimes are kickboxing and reading books to her grandchildren. Rabbanit Bracha lives in Riverdale, NY, with her husband, Martin. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion. About The Event: We all know that way back when the Torah was given to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. But was it only given to the Israelites? Was it an event that already happened, or is it an event constantly in the making? Learning from texts spanning across geographies and historical periods, we come to rediscover Mt. Sinai. About The Speaker: Jonnie Schnytzer is probably the only PhD in Jewish Philosophy focusing on medieval kabbalah, who can say that he once beat the head of Israeli Naval Commandos in a swimming race? His dissertation focused on the scientific kabbalah of Rabbi Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi. Jonnie’s forthcoming book is about Ashkenazi’s Kabbalah as well as a critical edition of the kabbalist’s majestic commentary on Sefer Yesira. Jonnie’s also the author of Mossad thriller, The Way Back, which paints a picture of contemporary Israel. Jonnie also orchestrated the publishing of an English edition of ‘The Hitler Haggadah,’ an important piece of Moroccan Jewish history from the Holocaust. Jonnie has also taken on several leadership roles in the Jewish world, including advisor to the CEO of Birthright and executive manager with StandWithUs. He lectures on a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism and Israel, especially about the untold stories and unspoken heroes of Jewish history. Jonnie is happily married with four gorgeous little kids, lives in Israel, and thinks that Australian Rules Football is the greatest sport ever invented. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Steven Windmueller The Event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ. About The Event: The Gaza Conflict has no doubt changed the landscape of the Middle East, redefined Israeli society and culture, and impacted American Jewry. In this presentation, we will be examining these key transformative factors, evaluating the long-term implications of this moment on Zionism, Jewish history, and the Jewish people. About The Speaker Dr. Steven Windmueller is an Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Studies at the Jack H. Skirball Campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Before coming to HUC, Dr. Windmueller had served on the staff of the American Jewish Committee (1969-1972), directed the Albany (NY) Jewish Federation (1973-1985), and the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Committee) of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation (1985-1995). During his tenure at the College, Dr. Windmueller served for ten years as the Director of its School of Jewish Nonprofit Management and, in 2005, was named to the deanship of the LA campus (2006-2010). In 2009, he was named to an endowed chair, and in 2014 was awarded an honorary doctorate by Hebrew Union College. The author of four books and numerous articles, Professor Windmueller holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania. His research has been primarily focused on Jewish communal trends, Anti-Semitism, and Jewish political behavior. His articles have appeared in several secular and Jewish publications. Currently, Dr. Windmueller is consulting with national agencies, federations, synagogues, and foundations in connection with his current studies on virtual and privatized Judaism, the impact of COVID, and the broader social, economic, and political trends reshaping American Jewish life. In 2014, he had to teach in China, offering lectures on American Jewry, Israel, and Zionism at various universities in the People's Republic. He recently served as guest editor for USC’s Casden Institute, producing The Impact of Donald Trump’s Presidency on American Jews and Israel (2021) and is now focused on producing a volume analyzing 21st Century American Judaism and continues to write on Jewish political behavior for the Times of Israel and other publications in advance of the November 2024 elections. Dr. Windmueller serves as a Fellow of the Jerusalem Institute of Public Affairs and as a Board Member of the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State, Los Angeles. For the past eight years, he has been on the faculty of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, teaching across the globe. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Jonah PesnerThe event was co-hosted by Temple Chai and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix About The Event: Kol Kolot – Every Voice, Every Vote – Why the American Jewish Community and our society more broadly needs to work for an Inclusive Democracy, in which all voices are heard and every vote is counted – and what you can do to make it happen.About The Speaker: Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner serves as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is dedicated to building bridges to collectively confront anti-Semitism, racism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate and bigotry.Rabbi Pesner organizes Jewish communities to reach across lines of race, class, and faith in campaigns for social justice. He has led efforts to expand healthcare access, restore voting rights, and for LGBTQ equality, among others. Rabbi Pesner is widely published, including “Moral Resistance and Spiritual Authority: Our Jewish Obligation to Justice.” He teaches all over the world including at Harvard University where he has served as a visiting scholar. He sits on various boards including the NAACP, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council for the Department of Homeland Security, and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Solidarity Council on Racial Equity, among others. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner serves as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is dedicated to building bridges to collectively confront anti-Semitism, racism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate and bigotry.Rabbi Pesner organizes Jewish communities to reach across lines of race, class, and faith in campaigns for social justice. He has led efforts to expand healthcare access, restore voting rights, and for LGBTQ equality, among others. Rabbi Pesner is widely published, including “Moral Resistance and Spiritual Authority: Our Jewish Obligation to Justice.” He teaches all over the world, including at Harvard University, where he has served as a visiting scholar. He sits on various boards, including the NAACP, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council for the Department of Homeland Security, and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Solidarity Council on Racial Equity, among others. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz has a conversation with Rabbis Elie Feder and Aaron Zimmer, hosts of the "Physics to God" podcast. Elie Feder earned a PhD in mathematics from the CUNY Graduate Center and received Rabbinic ordination from his rebbe, Rabbi Yisrael Chait. Since 2004, Elie has been a mathematics professor at Kingsborough Community College and a maggid shiur at Yeshiva Bnei Torah. He has published many papers and delivered numerous talks on graph theory, his mathematical research field. As a teacher, Elie has a passion for simplifying complex topics for his students. Recently, he authored a book, “Gematria Refigured,” which presents a rational, nonmystical approach to gematria to uncover the significance of quantity and fine-tuning in the Torah, life, and the universe. Elie hosts the Gematria Refigured+ and the Physics to God podcasts. He resides in Far Rockaway, New York, with his wife and their four children. After earning a physics degree and receiving rabbinical ordination from his rebbe, Rabbi Yisrael Chait, Aaron Zimmer considered furthering his education through graduate school. However, his intellectual curiosity extended far beyond the realm of physics, encompassing a diverse array of fields, including philosophy, mathematics, and psychology. Capitalizing on his blend of analytical and philosophical skills, Aaron utilized his resources to venture into commodity futures trading. This endeavor involved oil, natural gas, cotton, sugar, and coffee. His strategic approach was deeply rooted in the conceptual frameworks of physics and the intricate Brisker Method for Talmudic analysis. After an eleven-year career marked by success in commodity trading, Aaron decided to retire. In his retirement, Aaron channels his intellectual energy into studying various branches of knowledge, including the Talmud, philosophy, and physics. He co-hosts the Physics to God podcast and resides in Lawrence, New York, along with his wife and their five children. Podcast: https://www.physicstogod.com/3-proofs-of-god-from-science; https://www.physicstogod.com/podcast-episodes Facebook: Physics to God X/Twitter: PhysicsToGod Instagram: physics_to_god ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Josh Feigelson, PhDThe event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel and BMH-BJAbout The Event: Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Jewish spiritual practices like Jewish meditation, Jewish yoga, and contemplative Torah study were becoming increasingly mainstream. The pandemic only accelerated these trends, as record numbers of people sought meaningful Jewish spiritual practices to engage alongside others while remaining at home. What has driven this boom? How is it impacting the present and future of Jewish life?About The Speaker: Josh was appointed Executive Director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality in January 2020 and became President & CEO in April 2022. He received ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School in 2005. He served for six years as the Hillel Rabbi at Northwestern University, where he also earned a PhD in Religious Studies. In 2011, Josh helped found and served as Executive Director of Ask Big Questions, an initiative of Hillel International, which won the inaugural Lippman-Kanfer Prize for Applied Jewish Wisdom. Josh has also been a consultant and Senior Fellow at The iCenter for Israel Education. Most recently he served as Dean of Students at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Josh is a Wexner Graduate Fellow and was the founding co-chair of the Wexner Fellowship Alumni Committee. Author of Eternal Questions: Reflections, Conversations, and Jewish Mindfulness Practices for the Weekly Torah Portion (Ben Yehuda Press, 2022). Josh lives with his wife Natalie and their three sons in Skokie, IL. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Avidan FreedmanAbout The Event: The ideology espoused by the elected representatives of the party called “Religious Zionism” is, understandably, seen to represent Religious Zionist philosophy and the philosophy of the Religious Zionist community. But this is far from accurate, both from an ideological perspective and a historical sociological perspective. In this class, we will encounter texts from various Religious Zionist thinkers that are at odds with what is seen as the current mainstream philosophy, and discuss the nature and significance of the change, and what it means for Religious Zionism and Israeli society.About the Speaker: Rabbi Avidan Freedman completed a Masters Degree in Jewish Education at the Azrieli Graduate School, and received rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and the Israeli Rabbinate. He is an educator at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s high school and post-high school program and an activist who founded Yanshoof, an organization dedicated to establishing moral limits for Israeli weapons exports. Learn more at www.yanshoof.org ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Ariel Evan MayseThe event was co-hosted by Temple SolelAbout The Event: Explore the full range of Jewish literature connected to environmental consciousness and action, from Tanakh, Talmud, and halakhah to mysticism, poetry, and philosophy. We aim to grapple with some of the pressing ecological, social, and theological issues facing us today. Please join us in diving deeply into Jewish sources while putting them in conversation with contemporary questions and the possibilities of communal response.About The Speaker: Ariel Evan Mayse is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University, rabbi-in-residence at Atiq: Jewish Maker Institute, and the senior scholar-in-residence at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and Society where he is the founder of Nahara: Beit Midrash for Environmental Renewal. He holds a Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from Harvard University and rabbinic ordination from Beit Midrash Har’el in Israel. His publications include Speaking Infinities: God and Language in the Teachings of Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritsh (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2020), the two-volume A New Hasidism: Roots and A New Hasidism: Branches, with Arthur Green (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society and University of Nebraska Press, 2019), and Laws of the Spirit: Ritual, Mysticism, and the Commandments in Early Hasidism (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2024). He is currently working on a book about Jewish mysticism and environmental ethics, and another exploring how Jewish spirituality can help us rethink the purpose, aims, and practice of higher education. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Elias SacksThe event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJAbout The Event: For centuries, it has been common for Jews to tell the following story about ancient Jewish and Christian history: while Jesus was a Jew who never intended to break from Judaism, one of his followers, the apostle Paul, was born Jewish but had a conversion experience, abandoned Judaism, and created a new religion known as Christianity. However, in recent decades, a wide range of Jewish thinkers, Christian theologians, and academic historians have challenged this narrative, insisting that Paul was a profoundly Jewish figure who never meant to leave Judaism—and one who offered a vision of Jewish life that is strikingly relevant to contemporary conversations about religion, ethics, and politics. In this session, we will explore these issues, wrestling with questions such as: What did Paul think about Judaism? How did Paul fit into the ancient Jewish world? And what—if anything—do his writings offer twenty-first-century Jews?*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z1uI0ZRwbYJXQ8uZsVMHSYOeP0G36jDc/viewAbout The Speaker: Elias Sacks is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studies Jewish thought, philosophy of religion, Jewish-Christian relations, religious ethics, and religion and politics. He is the author of Moses Mendelssohn’s Living Script: Philosophy, Practice, History, Judaism (2017), as well as articles on medieval and modern thinkers including Mendelssohn, Moses Maimonides, Baruch Spinoza, Nachman Krochmal, Hermann Cohen, Franz Rosenzweig, and Jacob Taubes. Previously, Sacks served as Director of The Jewish Publication Society. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Rabbi Dov Linzer & his Co-Author Abigail Pogrebin about their new book together "It Takes Two to Torah" published by Fig Tree Books. Their book discusses 52 weekly readings of the Torah in this adaptation of their Parsha in Progress podcast. Rabbi Linzer studied for many years at Yeshivat Har Etzion, was a member of Yeshiva University’s Gruss Kollel Elyon, and received his ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. He is a recipient of the Javits Graduate fellowship and a doctoral candidate in Religion at Columbia University. Rabbi Linzer headed the Boca Raton Kollel for the first two-and-a-half years of its existence, giving classes to the rabbis of the Kollel, and lecturing throughout the South Florida communities. He has published Halakha and machshava articles in Torah journals and lectures widely at synagogues and conferences on topics relating to Halakha, Orthodoxy, and modernity. Rabbi Linzer spearheaded the development of the YCT Rabbinical School curriculum into an innovative four-year semikha program. In addition to overseeing the Yeshiva’s Torah curriculum, he teaches advanced Halakha in a broad range of areas across all four sections of the Shulchan Aruch. Rabbi Linzer teaches advanced classes in Talmud and a year-long class in Contemporary Challenges of Modern Orthodoxy. *Jewish Learning Center of New York *Abigail Pogrebin is the author of My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays; One Wondering Jew, which was a finalist for the 2018 National Jewish Book Award. She is also the author of Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk about Being Jewish, for which Abigail interviewed 62 famous American Jews — from Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Steven Spielberg — about their religious identity. Her book, One and the Same delved into every aspect of growing up as a twin — of which Abby is one. (The identical kind.) Her bestselling Kindle Single, Showstopper, chronicled her teenage adventures on Broadway in a rare Sondheim flop. She was an Emmy-nominated producer for Mike Wallace at 60 Minutes, and before that produced for Bill Moyers on PBS. She has moderated conversations at The Streicker Center, The JCC in Manhattan, the UJA Federation, and the Shalom Hartman Institute. Tablet Magazine’s podcast, “Parsha in Progress” features a regular Torah discussion with Abigail and Rabbi Dov Linzer (President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah). Abby received the “Impact Award” from the JCC in Manhattan, and the “Community Leader Award” from The Jewish Week in 2017. She served as President of Central Synagogue from 2015-18 and was Director of Jewish Outreach for Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign.*Abigail Pogrebin website* ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabba Shani GrossThe event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel About the Event: In this class, we will explore what, if anything, Jewish tradition has to say about why we gather. What is the unique potential that can take place in Jewish communal gatherings, and what might be the dangers or pitfalls? Together we will explore the relationship and tensions that surround Jewish expression as individuals and in community with others.*Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LxBpasLuv9kSzSV0RTHOYc3l08A1qAQXVewlDpa77rg/edit?usp=sharingAbout the Speaker: Rabba Shani believes that Jewish texts can serve as a shared language to connect Jews to their tradition and each other. This passion is what drives her work as the Senior Director of Education at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. Before joining Pardes, Shani was the Founding Director of the Silicon Valley Beit Midrash. She earned a rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva Maharat and her Bachelor's Degree from Yeshiva University. Shani is a Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, a Hillel International Fellow for Rabbinic Entrepreneurship, and a fellow of Va’tichtov: a fellowship aimed at elevating Jewish women’s scholarship. Shani has studied at several Batei Midrash including Migdal Oz, the Drisha Institute of Jewish Education, and of course the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. Shani particularly loves teaching Tanakh, Talmud, and Midrash. She lives in Berkeley, California with her husband Chaim, and their three sons, Elan, Navon, and Shalom. ★ Support this podcast ★

Community member and attorney Judy Schaffert talks about judicial integrity, its appearance on this year's ballot, what’s at stake, and what it entails.Judy Schaffert, a longtime member of Temple Solel in Paradise Valley, studied as a member of the Wexner Foundation Heritage Program, mentors with the Women’s Leadership Institute, and has taught at Arizona Limmud and the Arizona Bar Foundation. A retired career civil servant, she served most recently as chief staff attorney of the Arizona Supreme Court. Before that, practiced law as an assistant Arizona Attorney General and clerked for Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice William A. Holohan. A native of New Jersey, she earned a B.A. from Yale in English, and her JD from the UCLA School of Law. Judy is also a past president of the National Association of Appellate Court Attorneys, the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School, the Jewish Tuition Organization, and Temple Solel. She and her husband Mike have two adult sons. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Sarah Bunin BenorThe event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or TzionAbout the Event: Over the past two centuries, migrations and other historical events have led to major changes in the linguistic profile of Jewish communities around the world. Yiddish is thriving in Hasidic communities, even as its use is diminishing elsewhere. Several longstanding Jewish language varieties have become endangered, as they are spoken primarily by older people, including Ladino, Judeo-Arabic, Jewish Neo-Aramaic (Iraq-Iran), and Jewish Malayalam (Southern India). At the same time, Jews are engaging with these languages in postvernacular ways, such as through song and food, and new Jewish language varieties are developing, including Jewish English, Jewish Latin American Spanish, and Jewish Russian. This talk explains these developments and makes the case for the urgent need for documentation and reclamation.About the Speaker: Sarah Bunin Benor is Vice Provost and Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (Los Angeles campus) and Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California Linguistics Department. She received her Ph.D. from Stanford University in Linguistics in 2004. She has published and lectured widely about Jewish languages and names, sociolinguistics, Yiddish, and American Jews. Her books include Becoming Frum: How Newcomers Learn the Language and Culture of Orthodox Judaism (Rutgers, 2012) and Hebrew Infusion: Language and Community at American Jewish Summer Camps (Rutgers, 2020). Dr. Benor co-edits the Journal of Jewish Languages (Brill) and directs the HUC-JIR Jewish Language Project, which features the Jewish Language Website and the Jewish English Lexicon. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Yitz GreenbergThe event was co-sponsored by Arizona State University Jewish Studies About the Event: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, will interview Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg about his latest book, The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism.The Triumph of Life is Rabbi Greenberg’s magnum opus—a narrative of the relationship between God and humanity as expressed in the Jewish journey through modernity, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, and the birth of Judaism’s next era.About the Speaker: In the words of Professor Steven T Katz, chair of the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies at Boston University, “No Jewish thinker has had a greater impact on the American Jewish community in the last two decades than Rabbi Yitz Greenberg.”Rabbi Dr. Irving Greenberg (known affectionately as “Rav Yitz”) is perhaps our time's leading Jewish scholar and theologian. An author of many influential books on Jewish thought, ethics, and philosophy, Rav Yitz is the Past President of CLAL: The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and Past President of Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation. Before these positions, he served as Rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center, was an Associate Professor of History at Yeshiva University, and was the founder, chairman, and Professor in the Department of Jewish Studies of City College of the City University of New York. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard and received ordination from Yeshiva Beis Yosef.Rabbi Greenberg is a singular leader of contemporary American Judaism, having shown leadership on many vital Jewish communal initiatives from the 1960s to the present. He served as Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and has written extensively on the complexity of post-Holocaust theology as well as Jewish pluralism about the theology of Jewish-Christian relations and beyond. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Yisroel JuskowiczThe event was co-hosted By Beth El PhoenixAbout the Event: In this class, we will focus on exploring each person’s unique potential, and learn some inspiring Torah ideas about potential.About the Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Juskowitz is a noted artist, musician, author, and speaker. He has performed for Jews across the country from all walks of life and ages and is best known for his warm engaging style, and inspirational messages. He has produced three CDs of his soulful music, has drawn commissioned artwork, and has three bestselling books on Jewish topics, which drew widespread critical praise. Yisroel received a Bachelor's in Talmudic Law from Ner Israel, and later a Semichat Chaver Degree from RIETS at Yeshiva University. Yisroel is also a licensed Physical Therapist and a Certified Life Coach and focuses on people overcome their obstacles and reach their potential. He received Semicha (Rabbinic Ordination) through Machon Semicha, a Chabad-based program. He has two beautiful children who are the pride and joy of his life. Yisroel lives with his wife and family in Baltimore, MD. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Micah StreifferThe event was co-hosted by Temple Chai About the Event: The solemn fast of Tisha B’Av (the Ninth of Av) commemorates the destruction of the ancient Temple. In this session, we will explore its meaning for modern Jews. What are the lessons to be learned from this ancient Jewish tragedy? How does it relate to our Jewish lives today – especially if we don’t mourn the loss of Temple-based Judaism? What does Tisha B’Av mean in 2024?About the Speaker: Micah Streiffer is a rabbi, teacher, writer, and lifelong student who is known for his engaging style in the classroom and his ability to make Jewish texts and ideas come to life. Micah is the founder of LAASOK a virtual Beit Midrash (“House of Study”) that empowers liberal Jewish learners to deepen their connection with Judaism through study. He also serves Kol Ami, a Reform congregation in the Toronto area, and hosts the popular Seven Minute Torah podcast. Ordained a rabbi at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati 2007), Micah has served as a congregational rabbi for 16 years. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Jewish thought at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Marc GitlerThe event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel About the Event: Each year at the Pesach Seder we state that in every generation our people have experienced hatred. But when did it all start? We will investigate the earliest story of Anti-Semitism in the Torah, and hopefully learn some vital lessons.*Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wJCigsGouE5IWknd4ax1_KQpWrEO-mUb/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118303465191084699356&rtpof=true&sd=trueAbout the Speaker: Marc Gitler serves as the Senior Jewish Educator for Valley Beit Midrash and is the visiting Rabbi of Aish San Diego. A recipient of the Wexner Fellowship, he was ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. The founder of Fast for Feast, he lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabba Sara HurwitzThe event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or TzionAbout the Event: Is anger ever a useful tool to bring about change? Or is anger destructive and unbecoming for leaders? Does gender bias inherently affect the way we experience angry male or female leaders? Finally, can Yalta, one of the few named women in the Talmud, teach us anything about the place of anger and social change?*Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/122lvmLSbfgbvQZKeZe4yulxrEdR1ZrT6/editAbout the Speaker: Rabba Sara Hurwitz, Co-Founder and President of Maharat, the first institution to ordain Orthodox women as clergy, also serves on the Rabbinic staff at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. Rabba Hurwitz completed Drisha’s three-year Scholars Circle Program, an advanced intensive program of study for Jewish women training to become scholars, educators, and community leaders. After another five years of study under the auspices of Rabbi Avi Weiss, she was ordained by Rabbi Weiss and Rabbi Daniel Sperber in 2009.In 2013 Rabba Hurwitz was awarded the Hadassah Foundation Bernice S. Tannenbaum prize and the Myrtle Wreath Award from the Southern New Jersey Region of Hadassah in 2014. In 2016, she was the Trailblazer Award Recipient at the UJA Federation of New York. She was named one of the Forward50 most influential Jewish leaders and Newsweek’s 50 most influential rabbis. In 2017 Rabba Hurwitz was chosen to be a member of the inaugural class of the Wexner Foundation FieldFellows. She received the Rabbi Israel and Libby Mowshowitz Award from the New York Board of Rabbis in 2023.She and her husband, Josh Abraham, are parents to Yonah, Zacharya, Davidi, and Natan. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Marc GitlerThe event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJAbout the Event: As a small people, Jews have always been at the whim of larger empires. We know of the kings who oppressed our people, so let’s spend time familiarizing ourselves with kings who restored our people’s fortunes.*Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14dBke91wnSdl5WfWkl6cRY7Z0Op4UtGZ/editAbout the Speaker: Marc Gitler serves as the Senior Jewish Educator for Valley Beit Midrash and is the visiting Rabbi of Aish San Diego. A recipient of the Wexner Fellowship, he was ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. The founder of Fast for Feast, he lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Russ LindenThe event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel About the Event: January 6.Our polarized society.Oct. 7.The war in Gaza.The impact of climate change.Chaos at our Southern Border …The problems are everywhere, and they seem overwhelming. We Jews are a people of hope. Indeed, Israel’s national anthem – Hatikva – means “the hope.” But many of us find it hard to feel hopeful in this environment. We’ll discuss several ways to maintain a “realistic optimism,” based on Torah examples and modern research findings. You’ll leave the session feeling more confident about your ability to be optimistic.About The Speaker: Russ is a management educator and author of six books. Since the mid-1980s he has taught public and nonprofit executives and managers about leadership, collaboration, the human side of change, resilience, crisis leadership, and related topics.His latest book is Loss and Discovery: What the Torah Can Teach Us about Leading Change. He has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia and the Federal Executive Institute for over 35 years. In 2003 he was the Williams Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the State University of New York (Fredonia) School of Business. He has consulted with numerous government agencies, elected officials, and nonprofits in the U.S. and Israel.Russ is a former president of his congregation, where he sometimes gives the d’var Torah during Shabbat services. He was the president of the local Jewish federation and served on the University of Virginia Hillel board.Russ has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan. He has a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from the University of Virginia. His volunteer activities include leading an organization that makes the community more open and welcoming for refugees and immigrants. He and his wife live in Charlottesville. They have two adult children and three grandchildren. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz sits with Rav Gavriel Reiss to talk about Rav Yehuda Ashkenazi.Rav Gavriel Reiss was born and raised in Los Angeles but moved to Israel as a teenager. He served in elite IDF units before dedicating himself to Jewish education. In 2017, he embarked on a trailblazing initiative to break out of the security fence of Pnei Kedem in southern Judea to create a farm that would not only serve to help Jews learn to live more authentically on the land but also prevent the European Union from usurping land in Area C through its proxies in the Palestinian Authority (if not for this farm, the Jews of southern Judea would have been completely cut off from the Dead Sea). Rav Gavriel holds a triple degree in philosophy, political science & economics from the Hebrew University and a letter of Yoreh Yoreh from Rav Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg zt"l. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rav Gavriel Reiss was born and raised in Los Angeles but moved to Israel as a teenager. He served in elite IDF units before dedicating himself to Jewish education. In 2017, he embarked on a trailblazing initiative to break out of the security fence of Pnei Kedem in southern Judea to create a farm that would not only serve to help Jews learn to live more authentically on the land but also prevent the European Union from usurping land in Area C through its proxies in the Palestinian Authority (if not for this farm, the Jews of southern Judea would have been completely cut off from the Dead Sea). Rav Gavriel holds a triple degree in philosophy, political science & economics from the Hebrew University and a letter of Yoreh Yoreh from Rav Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg zt"l. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Avidan FreedmanAbout the Event: Maimonides writes that one who looks at past tragedies as mere happenstance is acting “cruelly”. Rather, the events of the past must goad us to introspection. Using the writing of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik as a model, we will explore how to suggest directions of introspection that Israeli society needs to consider, and how to do that without claiming to understand God’s plans for the world.About the Speaker: Rabbi Avidan Freedman completed a Master's Degree in Jewish Education at the Azrieli Graduate School, and received rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and the Israeli Rabbinate. He is an educator at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s high school and post-high school program and an activist who founded Yanshoof, an organization dedicated to establishing moral limits for Israeli weapons exports. Learn more at www.yanshoof.org ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Jacob SiegelTemple Solel co-hosted the eventAbout the event: “Business as usual” is leading us to rising economic suffering, societal division, and climate crisis. A new approach promises socially responsible investing by looking at “environmental, social, and governance (ESG)” concerns. Amid the new buzzwords and their ensuing controversy, the question remains: Where should you invest your retirement savings, pension plan, or organization’s endowment? This class will explore Jewish guidance, helping the modern Jewish investor harness ancient wisdom to leverage their investments for good.About the speaker: Rabbi Jacob Siegel has spent years working with individuals and institutions across North America to bring Jewish values and wisdom to bear on investment decisions and to invest in a climate-smart future. He received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and earned his undergraduate in mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis. He lives in Eugene, Oregon with his family, where he serves on the board of his local Jewish Federation and his local credit union. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Yonatan NerilAbout the Event: Rabbi Yonatan Neril will explore Jewish teachings that relate to ecology and why it’s so critical that Jewish communities mobilize to address the climate crisis. We are facing the greatest challenge we have ever faced and Jewish wisdom has a critical role in informing values and environmental behavior. Religion is a fundamental part of many people’s lives and a key motivator. Rabbi Neril, who is visiting Denver from Jerusalem, will also share about the work of his Jerusalem-based NGO in Israel and internationally to promote faith groups inspiring behavioral change for sustainable living.About the Speaker: Rabbi Yonatan Neril founded and directs The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. He speaks internationally on religion and ecology and co-organized thirteen interfaith environmental conferences in Jerusalem, the U.S., and Dubai. He completed an M.A. and B.A. at Stanford University. He lives with his wife, Shana, and two children in Jerusalem. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Elaine LeederThe event was co-sponsored by Temple EmanuelAbout the event: For the last twenty-eight years Elaine Leeder has been working in prisons, first at Elmira Correctional Facility, then San Quentin, and now in prisons all over California. Her teaching, then running self-help groups and now doing Victim/Offender Dialogues, has shown her that there is redemption, remorse, and contrition behind the walls. People can be transformed even in the most oppressive of circumstances.Leeder will discuss the Jewish values like Teshuvah, Chesed, and Tikkun Olam that deeply inform her work. She will describe the forgiveness she sees in victims (or victims’ families) for some of the most horrendous of crimes like murder, kidnapping, rape, and robbery. Her presentation will focus on real situations that will inspire and touch you in profound ways. Her growth has been deeply informed by these powerful stories.About the speaker: Elaine (Sneierson) Leeder is a Professor Emerita of Sociology and the Dean Emerita of the School of Social Sciences at Sonoma State University. Previously she was a Professor at Ithaca College, Ithaca NY. She has 48 years of distinguished accomplishments and experience in academia and public service. Leeder is listed in Who’s Who of America Women, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who of American Teachers. Her awards include a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellowship, Visiting Scholar status at the United States Holocaust Museum, outstanding teaching awards, research and travel grants, and numerous awards from student and community agencies. She is a co-founder of the Jewish Studies program and the producer of the Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Grove and the Anne Frank tree installation at Sonoma State University. Leeder has an MSW from Yeshiva University, an MPH from the University of California at Berkeley, and a PhD from Cornell University, and has published six books and numerous articles. Her book The Family in Global Perspective: A Gendered Journey is based on her Semester at Sea voyages in 1992, 1999, and 2013. One of her books My Life with Lifers: Lessons for a Teacher, Humanity Has No Bars describes her work in prisons in NY and CA where she taught, ran groups, and now does victim-offender dialogues. Her exemplary career encompasses roles as professor/teacher, psychotherapist, consultant, author, and advocate for social justice. Visit her at www.elaineleeder.com ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. David HarbaterCo-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion & BMH-BJ About the Event: Throughout history, billions of people worldwide have studied the biblical account of creation without realizing that there is not one account but rather two separate and competing accounts. Through a careful reading of the text, we will explore these two accounts and the perspectives that emerge from each regarding such fundamental questions as the nature of God, the characteristics that distinguish human beings from other species, the role that God calls upon us to fulfill in the world, and the relationship that God envisions between men and women.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ohi3XGFxoe3Dj_q6lD5G0jaaEnktkrqm/view?usp=sharingAbout the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. David Harbater teaches Bible and Jewish thought at Midreshet Torah v’Avodah, the Amudim Seminary, and the Women’s Beit Midrash of Efrat. He previously served as a lecturer in Jewish education at Herzog College; as a curriculum writer for the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, a project of the Hebrew University; and as a teacher of Bible, Jewish thought, and Talmud in a variety of frameworks, both in Israel and in the United States. He studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion, Yeshiva University, and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg, and earned his PhD in education from the University of Haifa. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler-FellerBeth El Phoenix co-hosted the eventAbout the Event: The current conflict that has seen a revival of the discussion regarding the Jewish right to establish a state in the Land of Israel has occasioned a renewed focus on the dynamics of sovereignty. Beyond a doubt, implementing Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael is the essential dimension of political Zionism. In this seminar, I propose to examine how religion interacts with sovereignty and with the nationalist impulse that it nurtures. Among the questions considered are: Can the mingling of religion and state function constructively or must their interplay always be toxic, resulting in harmful and oppressive outcomes? Can God and religious values curb the excesses of nationalist fervor? How does the seductively alluring nature of power factor into the Zionist expression of Jewish sovereignty? And can there be a Zionism that embraces God, but does not aspire to sovereignty? We will study a variety of sources, ranging from the writings of the Rabbi of Satmar (an avowed anti-Zionist) to the messianic exhortations of the Rabbis Kook (father and son) and the settler rabbis of Gush Emunim (the Bloc of the Faithful) and the pacifist thought of “One of the Passionate Rabbis” – אחד הרבנים המרגישים. We will see how these teachings inform and shape Israeli politics and foment the extremism that is evident today. And we will discover the sober voices of the tradition that promote constraint and a limitation on the unfettered exercise of power.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t0gs9wE3u3yL9Kw7Swc8JNFPbcH91Grj/view?usp=sharingAbout the Speaker: Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller is a faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. He recently celebrated 40 years of working with students and faculty as the Executive Director of the Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA, where he is now Director Emeritus.Chaim was ordained at Yeshiva University where he completed a Masters in Rabbinic Literature. He has lectured in the Departments of Sociology, Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at UCLA, and the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He is a faculty member of the Wexner Heritage Foundation. Chaim was the founding director of the Hartman Fellowship for Hillel Professionals and a founding member of Americans for Peace Now.Chaim was a rabbinic consultant to Barbra Streisand during the film Yentl. He and his wife Dr. Doreen Seidler-Feller, a clinical psychologist, are the parents of two children. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Melanie GruenwaldAbout the Event: Be fully present to what is present, and integrate past and future into this moment - Kabbalah Experience Awareness PracticeImpermanence is a principle of harmony. When we don’t struggle against it we are in harmony with reality - Pema ChodronThese constantly changing times can be disorienting. How might we embrace grounding practices for a mindful approach to living in the present moment? Using this powerful transformative kabbalah awareness practice, we will explore how we integrate past and present so we can live more fully in the present moment.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sMTIFj0aG7mb3EJTneZTUBDvaS5ssoGI/view?usp=sharingAbout the Speaker: Executive Director of Kabbalah Experience, Melanie Gruenwald brings over 25 years of non-profit leadership and community organizing to her position. Engaged with senior citizens, families, college students, and teens, Melanie has extensive professional experience with communal leadership and informal Jewish education.Melanie is energized by building relationships, understanding people’s needs, and finding ways to connect them. She loves the balance of organizational leadership and teaching which she engages daily at Kabbalah Experience. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Binghamton University (S.U.N.Y), a Master's in Social Work, and a Certificate in Jewish Communal Service from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Melanie has pursued additional Judaic and spiritual studies at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, the Conservative Yeshiva, and most recently, the Kabbalah Experience.Melanie is married to Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald, Associate Rabbi at the Hebrew Educational Alliance, and is a mom to three children, Koby (z”l), Hannah, and Micah. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David SandersAbout the event: Have you been curious about your relationship with time? What makes today Wednesday, or 5 o’clock? While we acknowledge that time never stands still, what has made us feel time dragging on or moving quickly? The Counting of the Omer contains many insights about our relationship to and with time. We will discover that we are not passive passengers in time. We are Time Beings–active co-creators of time.About the Speaker: Dr. David Sanders, Founder and Spiritual Director of Kabbalah Experience, combines over thirty years of experience as both a psychologist and Kabbalist helping guide people to deeper awareness and fulfillment in their lives. His transformation from religious studies to mysticism intrigued him to broaden the study of Kabbalah to practical spiritual growth. Transformative Kabbalah combines traditional mysticism, contemporary psychology, and quantum physics.It is David’s joy to help others challenge their views of themselves and the world. Through study and practice, students regularly change their perceptions and choose to alter or modify their behavior – which in turn brings positive change to their relationships and community and find greater and more fulfilling expression of their life purpose. He is the author of 2 books on mysticism and language and is currently writing a book on MASKS, the subject of one of KE’s most popular courses.David maintains an active therapy practice, working with couples and families. He sees psychological and spiritual growth as a continuum of learning and becoming more aware of the self and others. His creation of the Kabbalah Experience is a way to enter people’s lives from a different premise – spiritual learning and guidance that does not have a starting point of “my problem.” Basing the methodology of study at KE on adult-centered learning, everyone is linked in the awareness work together, the teacher becomes the student and the student becomes the teacher.David considers it his fortune to live with and learn from his wife Rita. With two sets of twins and an eldest son, life is rich for the whole family. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Edward BernsteinThe event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJAbout the Event: The fifth of the Ten Commandments is “Honor your father and mother.” It is one of the few commandments in the Torah that attaches a reward for its successful performance: “that your days may be long.” We might think that if we follow the command in our youth, clean our rooms, and do other things that our parents ask, we’ve checked that box. The reality is that honoring our parents is among the most difficult and grows in complexity as children—and their parents—age. Rabbi Bernstein will explore Jewish perspectives on the responsibilities of adult children to their aging parents and the true rewards we gain in fulfilling this mitzvah.*Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/561018.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=biAbout the Speaker: Rabbi Edward Bernstein is a Board Certified Chaplain and serves as Chaplain for Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida. He hosts NeshamaCast, a podcast exploring Jewish spiritual care, produced by Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains. He also hosts the My Teacher Podcast. Rabbi Bernstein edited Love Finer Than Wine: The Writings of Matthew Eisenfeld and Sara Duker, a 2016 National Jewish Book Awards Finalist. Rabbi Bernstein was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He served congregations in New Rochelle, NY; Beachwood, OH; and Boynton Beach, FL. Rabbi Bernstein also served on the faculty of Camp Ramah Darom, Moishe House, and the JTS Florida Office. ★ Support this podcast ★

A hybrid event by Rabbi Mike FeuerThe event was co-hosted by Temple ChaiAbout the event: American Jewry stands at a crossroads. Facing such great risks and real opportunities requires clarity of vision, confidence in identity, and readiness for action. All of these are elements of a heroic stance. Join Rav Mike Feuer in an exploration of what Jewish heroism is, how it can be cultivated in our lives and communities, and what it offers to American Jews today.*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1to-URZWkYMHWK8tdAbUorahw__Fgxdhq/view?usp=sharingAbout the Speaker: Rav Mike Feuer is an educator, content creator, and spiritual counselor. He teaches and inspires people around the world through his Jewish Story History podcast and the newly launched Jewish Heroism Project. Whether working through teaching, content, or narrative therapy. Rav Mike’s mission is always the same – to tell a story of the past that upholds a present identity fit to build the future that we dream. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz sat down with Rabbi Mike Feuer to discuss what victory looks like in today’s Israel-Gaza War.Rav Mike Feuer is an educator, content creator, and spiritual counselor. He teaches and inspires people around the world through his Jewish Story History podcast and the Jewish Heroism Project. Whether working through teaching, content, or narrative therapy Rav Mike’s mission is always the same – to tell a story of the past that upholds a present identity fit to build the future of which we dream. ★ Support this podcast ★

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Gil Gershon Tivon and Dr. Shirli RegevThe event was co-sponsored by Beth El PhoenixAbout the Event: Compassion, kindness & dignity are the three key ingredients needed in most human communications and relationships. They underline emotional intelligence and imply the presence of our soul and heart in human interactions.About the Speakers: Rabbi Dr. Gil Gershon Tivon received his rabbinical ordination from the chief rabbinate of Israel, as well as a Rabbinical judge. He served as a community Rabbi in South Africa, Israel, and Arizona, USA, serving a wide spectrum of religious Jewish observance of all walks of life. He serves as a Rabbi, certified chaplain, and the Spiritual Director at Spiritual Care Hospice. He has a Ph.D. in Holistic Counseling and Pastoral Psychology. He is a certified Mediator, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and book author.Dr. Shirli Regev is a mentor, author, hypnotherapy certified therapist (Transformational Therapy), chaplain, and spiritual care provider with 25 years of experience. She holds two PhDs in Holistic Counseling & Pastoral Counseling Psychology. She holds a Master’s degree in Coaching Education (Ohio University) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business (Touro University) and Special Education (Beth Berel Israel). She has written eight books about self-development, spirituality, and growth, some of which she co-authored with Dr. Rabbi Gil Tivon. Today, she is a Holistic Counseling Doctor. ★ Support this podcast ★