Congregation KINS presents Daytime Dialogues

Gil Hoffman is an award-winning journalist who now serves as the executive director and executive editor of Honest Reporting, a non-profit watchdog agency that combats inaccuracy and bias in Israel-related reporting. Join Rabbi Matanky in this conversation about the challenges and opportunities that Honest Reporting is facing and what we can do to help.

Jay Tcath is the Executive Vice President of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago and serves as a key figure in the fight against anti-semitism and for the safety and security of the Jewish people. He is a frequent contributor to the media and serves as a key strategist in the Jewish community's response to anti-semitism in the Midwest. Join Rabbi Matanky for a conversation with Mt. Tcath and learn about the rise in threats against Jews and the ways we can combat them.

Rabbi Menachem Penner is the newly appointed Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America. Join Rabbi Matanky in his discussion about the changing role of the rabbinate, the rabbi in politics and the meaning of the Modern Orthodox comunity

Dr. Daniel Polisar is the Executive Vice President and co-founder of Shalem College. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and was a Truman and Fulbright Scholar. Join Rabbi Matanky for a fascinating conversation about anti-Israel protests and lack of moral clarity on American college campuses, the war in Israel, the unity and strength of purpose in Israel and future possibilities.

Rabbi Yosef Blau has been the mashgiach ruchani of Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary for nearly 50 years. During that time, he has touched the lives of tens of thousands of students and served in leadership roles in World Jewry. Join Rabbi Matanky for a conversation with HaRav Blau, about his teachers, the changes he has seen in education and the challenges we continue to face.

Alderman Debra Silverstein has represented Chicago's 50th Ward for thriteen years, but since October 7th she has been in the middle of a maelstrom of anti-Israel/anti-Semitic sentiments. Join Rabbi Matanky in this cnversation about the resolutions presented to Chicago City Council that have been the source of great controversy.

Batya Ungar-Sargon is the opinion editor of Newsweek, an author, and a frequent guest on news programs. Join Rabbi Matanky in wide-ranging conversation from anitsenitism in America to the upcoming elections.

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody is the executive director of Ematai, the Jewish Law comunist for the Jerusalem Post and the newly released book, Judaism Confront War: Jewish Military Ethics for the 21st Century. Join Rabbi Matanky for his conversation with Rabbi Brody about his book and the lessons learned regarding the current Gaza War.

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein is one of the most creative and innovative religious leaders in the world. His leadership of the South African community is legendary and his outspoken criticism of the the President of South Africa and the United Nations has been hailed for its moral clarity and power. Join Rabbi Matanky in conversation with this great Jewish leader.

Yair Ettinger is a journalist and author and a keen analyst of issues of religion and State in Israel. His most recent book is "Frayed: The Disputes Unraveling Religious Zionists." Join Rabbi Matanky in this conversation about the current and future state of Religious Zionists.

Dr. Simcha Chesner has been a practicing psychologist for more than three decades specializing in helping studnets with learning differences. He is the co-author of the new book Kosher ADHD which offers practical advice for parents and teachers in how to empower them to support childrens become successful in shcool, life and Judaism. Join Rabbi Matanky for a fascinating discussion on the challenges and opportunities of ADHD.

Since the war in Israel began, Lema'an Achai chesed has been at the forefront helping soldiers, their families, and evacuees receive much needed supplies. From flashlights and protein bars for soldiers, the financial assistance to evacuees, Lemaan Achai was looked towards to pivot from their classic chesed work. At the helm of Lemaan Achai is Rabbi Avrohom Leventhal. Join Rabbi Matanky for a covnersation with Rabbi Leventhal from Hostage Square in Tel Aviv and learn about the changing needs of Israeli society and the response offered by this important NGO.

Rabbi Dr. Alexander Seinfeld is an educator and author, whose most recent book "Body and Soul: The Torah path to health, fitness and a Holy Life," uses the words of the Rabbis to guide people towards living a helathier lifestyle. Known for his "The Art of Amazement: Judaism's Forgotten Spirituality," Rabbi Seinfeld is a sought after teacher and lecturer. Join us for a fascinating conversation about his books and what led him to write them.

Stuart Schnee is a book shepherd, specializing in helping authors get their books publshed. Based out of Israel, he has worked with all of the major Jerwish publishers ands authors as diverse at Rabbi Chaim Sabato, and cookbook author, Paula Shoyer. Join Rabbi Matanky for a conversation about the process of book publishing and the challenges authors face to bring their books to print.

Dr. Daniel Polisar is the co-founder of Shalem College in Jerusalem. A former Fulbright and Truman Fellow, he is an articulate and insightful observer of Israeli society. Join Rabbi Matanky for this conversation about the Israel's national mood dirung the war, the chalnges that may be coming, and the challenges in academia.

Dr. Norman Blumenthal is a world renowned expert in the treatment of trauma. He is the Director of Trauma Services at Ohel Zachter Family National Traua Center and Adjunct Professor at Yeshiva University RIETS and Ferkauf Graduate School. Join Rabbi Matanky for this conversation that includes a discussion of the trauma resulting form the massacre of October 7th, and the challenges to mental health in the Orthodox community.

Join us for a Virtual Solidarity Mission to Israel with Rav Doron Perez, Rav Ben Menora, Michal Santhouse, and Dr. Yechiel Leiter. Listen to their refelctions on this war, the stories of family who have fallen, or been taken captive, and the hope that persists. This is a special episode that should not be missed.

Rav Binyamin Zimmerman is a currently serving in Israeli Army as a captain (res.) in the IDF Rabbinate, and a member of the halachic team of the IDF Rabbinate. In his civilian life he is the director of World Mizrachi's Musmachim program, the educational director of Zomet Institute of Halakha and Technology, and the founder and director of HESBER (hesber.org). Join Rabbi Matanky for a conversation about the role of rabbis in the IDF, some of the unique challenges they face in this war, and the inspiration they receive that moves them forward.

Zvika Kein is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Jewish World analyst for The Jerusalem Post. Join us for a fascinating conversation about the current situation in Israel, the response of the press and even the recent March for Israel in Washington DC

Haviv Gur is the senior political analyst for Times of Israel. Formerly the spokesman for the Jewish Agency and the World Jewry analyst for the Jerusalem Post, his insights on the current situation in Israel, the political scene and the impact of world Jewry is riveting. Join Rabbi Matanky for this important episode of Daytime Dialogues.

Rabbi Doron Podlashuk is the director of Manhigut Toranit, a five-year post smicha program, training rabbis to serve in leadership posts around the world. His graduates are prepared not only in Torah scholarship but also leadership training and community building. Join Rabbi Matanky in this conversation that also addresses the current crisis in Israel

HaRav Mosheh Lichtenstein is the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion and a leading voice in the Religious Zionist Community. Join Rabbi Matanky for a powerful conversation about the war in Israel, the response in the yeshiva, and rhe conversations he has had with his students, soldiers in the IDF.

Rabbi Dov Kidron is a great-great nephew of HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, ztz"l, the first Chief Rabbi of Modern Israel and he is the host of the popular podcast "Orot MiMizrach," which focuses on the teachings of Rav Kook. Join Rabbi Mtanky in this conversation about Rav Kook's vision for the State of Israel, the interactions he had with the secular Israelis, and even imagining what his response would have been to the recent protests in Tel Aviv

Rabbi Reuven Spolter is an Israel-based Jewish educator who is working with communities around the world via his role at Herzog Global, Kitah and the Moishna Project. In addition, he is one of the key individuals helping couples from around the world access the documentation to prove their Jewish status and be able to be married in Israel. join Rabbi Matanky in learning about his proijects and the impact he has had on the world.

A former journalist and activist for Ethiopian Jewry, Rabbi Micha Odenheimer co-founded Tevel b'Tzedek in 2007 to address the extreme poverty in Third-World countries. Working in Zambia, Haiti and Nepal, Tevel b'Tzedek has not only helped create self-sustaining communities, but has created a kiddush Hashem in the process. Join Rabbi Matanky for this latest edition of Daytime Dialogues and learn about the exciting work Rabbi Odenheim leads.

Herb Keinon is a senior analyst and columnist at the Jerusalem Post. For over 35 years he had reported on Israeli politics, foreign policy and defense. Jpoin Rabbi Matanky in this conversation about the current protest movement, the next steps in the growing divide and role these internal challenges present to Israel's place in the world.

Rabbi David Stav is the Chief Rabbi of Shoham and the Chairman of Tzohar, an organization that works to bridge the gaps between religious and secular Jews in Israel. Join Rabbi Matanky in this conversation about the religious impact of the judicial reform protests, the challenges of the growing divide in Israeli society, but also the opportunities that may be "around the corner."

Rabbi Moshe Taragin is an extraordinary Jewish educator, a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivat Har Etzion ("Gush") and a talmid of HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein, ztz"l. Join Rabbi Matanky for a conversation with Rabbi Taragin about the challenges of Israel society today, the impact upon the year in Israel, and the divisiveness within the Jewish community.

Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein is the Academic Dean of the Women's Institute of Torah Seminary and College and she is one of the foremost scholars on the history of the Bais Yaakov Movement. Join Rabbi Matanky for this conversation about Sarah Schneier, the reasons the Bais Yaakov was created, and how today's Bais Yaakov schools are similar and different from those of Europe.

David Siegel, a former Israeli diplomat is the President of Friends of ELNET (European Leadership Network) an Israel advocacy group that works with European governments, politicians and leaders. Founded fifteen years ago, ELNET has made major inroads bringing dozens of missions to Israel each year, conducting conferences and creating opportunities and papers to strengthen the relationships between Europe and Israel. Join Rabbi Matanky for a fascinating discussion that touches upon the impact of the war in Ukraine, the purchase by Germany of the Arrow-3 missile technology from Israel, and European anti-semitism.

David Curwin is an author, a scholar and blogger - and most importantly he is an expert on the etymology of Hebrew language, a talent which has led to new insights into Torah, and his new book "Kohelet: A Map to Eden." Join Rabbi Matanky as he talks with Mr. Curwin about his journey and about the insights we can gain from appreciating the evolution of Hebrew.

Ambassador Michael Oren served as Israel's Ambassador to the United States (2009-2013) and was a member of Knesset and a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's office. He is a historian, a novelist, a political scientist and a much-sought after analyst of Israeli politics and foreign relations. Join Rabbi Matanky as he speaks with Ambassador Oren about President Herzog's State visit to Washington DC, the current state of US-Israel relations and a host of other timely and important topics.

Rabbi Ari Solomon is one of the leading designer of sneakers and cleats for pro athletes and he is going to be a teacher (rebbe) at Yeshivat Mevasseret Tziyon in Israel. Join in this great conversation that traces Ari's career back to the start and touches upon the opportunities and challenges for observant Jews in the sports world.

John Minster is the Associate Director of Ideas at the Tikvah Fund. In that role he helps to promote and shape the "big ideas" that Tikvah addresses in all areas of Jewish life, from Mosaic Magazine to the classes of Rabbi Meir Soloveichik.

Shani Taragin is one of the leading teachers of Torah to women. She is the educational director of the Matan-Bellows Eshkolot Tanakh Teachers Professional Development Program, and delivers shiurim at many, many seminaries. Join Rabbi Matanky in a conversation with Shani about the boundaries for women's scholarship and leadership, and about the challenges of education in the 21st century.

Batya Ungar Sargon is the opinion editor of Newsweek and the former opinion editor of the Forward. The author of the recently published book "Bad News: How Woke Media Is Undermining Democracy," she is articulate and passionate in her views which include a deep understanding of the political divide in America today. Join Rabbi Matanky for a lively discussion of topics which include former President Trump's appeal, the challenges of the next presidential election and anti-semitisim in America.

Professor Shlomo Engelson is the Chairman of the Department of Computer Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and a leading expert in the fields of Attribution Analysis and Sports Analytics. Join Rabbi Matanky for a fascinating conversation about the use of computer technology to analyze authorship of documents and its use in solving crimes, the impact artificial intelligence will have on our society, and even the use of sports analytics to improve sporting teams.

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag is one of the premier teachers of Tanach. His "Tanach Study Center" www.tanach.org, and his weekly insights into parsha and nach have changed the way Tanach is taught in America and Israel. Join Rabbi Matanky for a discussion about the way to study Tanach, the mistakes people make when approaching the sacred texts, and even how he became the great teacher that he is today.

Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich is the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and the director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at Catholic Theological Union, often the "only Jew on campus." As such she has become an important spokesperson for Jewish-Chrisitan relations and a bridge to greater understanding of Jewish experience. An expert in Second Temple judaism, her research and writing have added to the knowledge of what it was like to be a Jew in those times, and the lessons we can learn from their challenges. Join Rabbi Matanky for a wide-ranging conversation about both modern challenges and their ancient precursors.

Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin is the founder and director of the Biblical Museum of Natural History (Beit Shemesh) and the author of numerous books, articles and the blog RationalistJudaism.com. Nearly twenty years ago several of his books were subject of a much debated rabbinic ban, that brought the debate of rationalist vs. mystical Judaism to the fore. Join Rabbi Matanky is lively discussion of his work at the museum and the challenges/opportunities he faces in presenting rational Judaism to others.

Rabbi David Fine made aliyah in 2008 after service Jewish communities in Milwaukee and Kansas City. Once in Israel he discovered that the structure of Jewish communities in Israel was absent - as synagogues were merely a place of prayer and not of communal support. Together with his rabbi in Israel, Rabbi Fine created the Barkai program that trains Israeli rabbi in the skill necessary to serve their community. From how to engage people around life cycle events, to chaplaincy in hospitals, Barkai has trained over 100 Israaeli rabbis, and even more are in process. Join Rabbi Matanky to learn about this exciting program and the opportunities Barkai has created.

Malcolm Hoenlin has been at the forefront of World Jewry for more than four decades. One of the founders of the Free Soviet Jewry Movement, he was the Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organization from 1986-2020. Mr, Hoenlin is a man who regular speaks with world leadrs and over the past several months has been working behind the scenes to help achieve a compromise in the judicial reform legislation in Israel. Join Rabbi Matanky for this conversation about the recent demonstrations in Israel, the continuing threats of Iran, the role of the Saudis and so much more.

Richard Allen Greene is the newly appointed Jerusalem Bureau Chief for CNN. A native Chicagoan, he is the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for CNN's exploration of antisemitism in Europe and a former journalist with BBC. Politico and the Prague Post. Join Rabbi Matanky for a discussion about the role of CNN in Israel, the role language plays in reporting and even about the rise of antisemitism in Europe.

Rabbi Danny Mirvis is the Deputy CEO of World Mizrachi and the rabbi of the Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Herziliya Pituach. Join Rabbi Matanky in this conversation with Rabbi Mirvis as the discuss the upcoming World Orthodox Israel Congress, the role of Mizrachi, the opportunities of growing up in a rabbinic family (his parents are Valerie and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis of Great Britain), and the political challenges facing rabbis in Israel,

Rabbi Mark Dratch serves as the Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America, the largest organization of Orthodox rabbis with over 1000 members. In addition he is also the founder of JSAFE, an organization that brought abuse prevention to the forfront of the Jewish community. Join Rabbi Matanky as he and Rabbi Dratch talk about the Orthodox rabbinate, about his father-in-law Rabbi Norman Lamm, z"l and of the challenges and opportunities facing American Jewry.

Rabbi Moshe Taragin is an extraordinary Jewish educator, a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivat Har Etzion ("Gush") and a talmid of HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein, ztz"l. Join Rabbi Matanky for a conversation with Rabbi Taragin about HaRAv Lichtenstein and HaRav Amital, the shifts in yeshiva education over the past genreation and even about the impact artificial intelligence may have on our Torah community.

Roz Rothstein is the founder and CEO of StandWithUs, one of the most successful Israel advocacy organizations in the world. Now with offices on 6 continents, StandWithUs works with high school, college and adult audiences in countering anti-Israel and Semitic rhetoric. Mrs. Rothstein has been named to the Jerusalen Post's and the Forward's lists of the 50 most influential Jews in the world. Join Rabbi Matanky as he speak with Mrs. Rothstein about StandWithUs' great successes and the challenges the remain.

For nearly 40 years, Nachum Segal has been the host and disk-jockey of JM on the AM, the most popular Jewish radio show in North America. With over 200,000 listeners, JN in the AM presents both music and interviews with Jewish personalities from around the world. Join Rabbi Matanky in a conversation with Nachum as they talk about his career and the joys of interviewing.

Rabbi David Eliezrie is the Director of the North County Chabad, Beit Meir HaCohen in Yorba Linda, CA and serves on the Board of the Jewish Agency for Israel and many other national institutions, as Chabad's representative. He is the director of Chabad's efforts for international relief, and has been intimately involved in rescue efforts in Ukraine. Join Rabbi MAtanky for a conversation with Rabbi Eliezrie about the growth of Chabad, it's engagement with major Jewish organizations and even some fascinating stories about Chabad and the nascent day school movement in Chicago.

Rabbi Micah Greenland is the International Director of NCSY, the largest Jewish youth group serving over 29,000 teenagers every year. Since assuming his position he has shaped and refashioned NCSY to better addressed the needs of 21st century youth. Join Rabbi Matanky in this conversation which deals with both the nuts and bolts of NCSY and the challenges we face as a community hoping to educate and inspire our next generation of children.

Rabbi Yaakov Glasser is one of the most creative and innovative rabbis and Jewish educators in America. The former Dean of Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future, he now serves as the Managing Director of the Orthodox Union's Department of Communal Engagement. Join Rabbi Matanky as he speaks with Rabbi Glasser about the changes and challenges that face our community, and the opportunities we have to transform the future via innovation, creativity and a willingness to embrace new avenues of engagement.