Hat Radio is home to intimate and magical interviews about life’s many shared experiences, hosted and produced by highly curious veteran radio personality, Avrum Rosensweig
THIS EPISODE IS GRACIOUSLY SPONSORED BY MEL COHEN & CAROL PICART. WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT! There are people who spend their lives trying not to be noticed. There are others who are noticed before they are ever truly known. And then there are those rare individuals who transform the very thing that once made them feel exposed into a source of wisdom, courage, and purpose. Today, I am deeply honoured to welcome Kris Nolan, author of Visible—a powerful memoir about identity, resilience, self-love, and what it truly means to be seen. Kris was born with a prominent port-wine stain birthmark on his face. From childhood, he learned what it meant to walk into a room and be looked at before being understood. He endured bullying, loneliness, cruel names, and the exhausting pressure of feeling different. For years, he entered spaces bracing himself for the reactions of others. But Kris's story is not simply about surviving judgment. It is about transformation. Through the love of his parents, the belonging he found among skateboarders, the relationships that helped him recognize his own worth, and the inner work that taught him to stop hiding, Kris came to see his birthmark in an entirely new way—not as an obstacle, but as a teacher. It trained his awareness. It deepened his empathy. It sharpened his ability to read people. And eventually, it gave him the courage to walk into a room, stand tall, and look back. Today, Kris no longer asks the world for permission to be visible. He uses his story to help others release shame, embrace their differences, and understand that self-love is not vanity—it is the foundation from which all other love can grow. This conversation reaches far beyond visible differences. It is for every person who has ever felt judged, overlooked, excluded, or defined by something beyond their control. Please join me in welcoming a man who turned staring into awareness, pain into empathy, and struggle into purpose—the remarkable Kris Nolan. 1. "My Birthmark Became My Teacher" ⏱ Timestamp: 43:36 – 48:22 This is the emotional and philosophical centerpiece of the interview. Kris explains how the very thing he once viewed as a burden became the greatest source of wisdom in his life. Powerful Quote: "It taught me empathy, it trained my awareness, it taught me discernment... That's when I realized my birthmark had become my teacher." 2. "Would You Choose Your Birthmark Again?" ⏱ Timestamp: 55:08 – 56:34 Perhaps the most unforgettable exchange of the entire interview. When asked whether he would choose to be born with his birthmark again, Kris answers without hesitation. Powerful Quote: "Absolutely... but only if I could choose the same parents." 3. "The Moment I Stopped Hiding" ⏱ Timestamp: 46:07 – 47:55 Kris recounts the night he walked into a nightclub and consciously chose not to brace himself against the world's judgment. Powerful Quote: "What if this time we don't brace? What if we walk in, stand tall, and look back?" 4. "Removing Fifty Years of Makeup" ⏱ Timestamp: 1:01:44 – 1:09:26 Kris tells the remarkable story of Mandy, who removed the makeup she had used to hide her birthmark every day for fifty years—live during his podcast. Powerful Quote: "She got to be a version of herself that she'd wanted to be for so long." 5. "I Would Rather Be Seen Than Hidden" ⏱ Timestamp: 49:03 – 52:44 Kris explains how he went from fearing every glance to actually welcoming people looking at him. Powerful Quote: "Now I love my birthmark being exposed... I love the looks that I get from people." ——
THIS EPISODE IS GRACIOUSLY SPONSORED BY MEL COHEN & CAROL PICART. WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT! There are people who spend their lives trying not to be noticed. There are others who are noticed before they are ever truly known. And then there are those rare individuals who transform the very thing that once made them feel exposed into a source of wisdom, courage, and purpose. Today, I am deeply honoured to welcome Kris Nolan, author of Visible—a powerful memoir about identity, resilience, self-love, and what it truly means to be seen. Kris was born with a prominent port-wine stain birthmark on his face. From childhood, he learned what it meant to walk into a room and be looked at before being understood. He endured bullying, loneliness, cruel names, and the exhausting pressure of feeling different. For years, he entered spaces bracing himself for the reactions of others. But Kris's story is not simply about surviving judgment. It is about transformation. Through the love of his parents, the belonging he found among skateboarders, the relationships that helped him recognize his own worth, and the inner work that taught him to stop hiding, Kris came to see his birthmark in an entirely new way—not as an obstacle, but as a teacher. It trained his awareness. It deepened his empathy. It sharpened his ability to read people. And eventually, it gave him the courage to walk into a room, stand tall, and look back. Today, Kris no longer asks the world for permission to be visible. He uses his story to help others release shame, embrace their differences, and understand that self-love is not vanity—it is the foundation from which all other love can grow. This conversation reaches far beyond visible differences. It is for every person who has ever felt judged, overlooked, excluded, or defined by something beyond their control. Please join me in welcoming a man who turned staring into awareness, pain into empathy, and struggle into purpose—the remarkable Kris Nolan. 1. "My Birthmark Became My Teacher" ⏱ Timestamp: 43:36 – 48:22 This is the emotional and philosophical centerpiece of the interview. Kris explains how the very thing he once viewed as a burden became the greatest source of wisdom in his life. Powerful Quote: "It taught me empathy, it trained my awareness, it taught me discernment... That's when I realized my birthmark had become my teacher." 2. "Would You Choose Your Birthmark Again?" ⏱ Timestamp: 55:08 – 56:34 Perhaps the most unforgettable exchange of the entire interview. When asked whether he would choose to be born with his birthmark again, Kris answers without hesitation. Powerful Quote: "Absolutely... but only if I could choose the same parents." 3. "The Moment I Stopped Hiding" ⏱ Timestamp: 46:07 – 47:55 Kris recounts the night he walked into a nightclub and consciously chose not to brace himself against the world's judgment. Powerful Quote: "What if this time we don't brace? What if we walk in, stand tall, and look back?" 4. "Removing Fifty Years of Makeup" ⏱ Timestamp: 1:01:44 – 1:09:26 Kris tells the remarkable story of Mandy, who removed the makeup she had used to hide her birthmark every day for fifty years—live during his podcast. Powerful Quote: "She got to be a version of herself that she'd wanted to be for so long." 5. "I Would Rather Be Seen Than Hidden" ⏱ Timestamp: 49:03 – 52:44 Kris explains how he went from fearing every glance to actually welcoming people looking at him. Powerful Quote: "Now I love my birthmark being exposed... I love the looks that I get from people." ——
SPONSORSHIP: FROM DR. GORD ARBESS: Mazel Tov to Josh Arbess and Georgia Gardner on their upcoming wedding. And to Sharon Neiss-Arbess on her latest book "How I learned to pee in the Forest" available at Indigo, Type Books and on Amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/How-Learned-Pee-Forest-life-changing/dp/B0FY5ML1K6 ELI RUBENSTEIN: 'Thank you to my synagogue, Congregation Habonimi, for being so supportive of efforts that also benefit the wider community." DR. MICHAEL SILVERMAN: For Marcy Silverman who always had a wonderful sense of adventure, courage and bravery to follow her dreams." _____________________________________________________________________ Hello, and welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are scholars who preserve history by writing about it. There are adventurers who search the world for hidden treasures. And then there are those extraordinary individuals who do both—turning ancient mysteries into living reality and ensuring that entire chapters of Jewish civilization are never forgotten. Today, I am deeply honored to welcome Dr. Ari Greenspan. By profession, he is a dentist. By calling, an educator. But by passion, he is something far more unusual: what he describes as a halachic adventurer. For more than four decades, Dr. Greenspan has crossed deserts, climbed mountains, explored forgotten synagogues, scuba-dived beneath the Mediterranean, and traveled to some of the world's most remote Jewish communities—from Morocco and Yemen to Ethiopia, India, Portugal, Tunisia, Central Asia, and beyond. He has searched for disappearing customs before they vanish forever, preserved ancient kosher traditions, documented endangered Jewish communities, and helped revive one of Judaism's greatest mysteries: the rediscovery of the biblical techelet, the sacred blue dye absent from Jewish life for nearly 1,300 years. As co-founder of the Ptil Tekhelet Association, Dr. Greenspan has combined Torah scholarship with archaeology, biology, chemistry, linguistics, and history to breathe new life into commandments many believed had been lost forever. Dr. Ari is also a mohel, a shochet, a sofer, an international lecturer, and the creator of legendary kosher dinners featuring birds and traditions preserved from Jewish communities scattered across the globe. His personal museum houses artifacts collected over forty years of travel—each one telling a story of a people who refused to disappear. During today's conversation, you'll hear astonishing stories from Ethiopia, where he trained Jewish communities in kosher slaughter; from Croatia, where ancient menorahs hidden in stone still whisper of forgotten Jewish craftsmen; from Portugal, where Crypto-Jewish traditions survived centuries of persecution; and from the depths of the Mediterranean, where the search for the elusive chilazon became one of the most remarkable adventures in modern Jewish history. Yet beneath every journey lies a deeper question. As Dr. Greenspan himself has shown through his life's work: Every forgotten synagogue, every ancient manuscript, every disappearing custom asks the same question: "Will anyone remember us?" 1. 00:04:45 – Dr. Greenspan's Extraordinary Mission in Ethiopia "Teaching a Jewish Community to Keep Kashrut Alive" Dr. Greenspan recounts returning to Ethiopia to teach Jewish leaders the ancient laws of shechitah and nikur (removing forbidden fats and the sciatic nerve), ensuring that isolated Jewish communities could once again prepare kosher meat according to halachah. 2. 00:15:52 – The Emotional Bond with Jews Across the Centuries "I Feel Like They Were My Brothers" One of the interview's most moving moments. Dr. Greenspan explains how handling centuries-old manuscripts, praying in forgotten synagogues, and retracing the journeys of medieval Jewish travelers creates a profound connection with Jews who lived hundreds of years ago. 3. 00:39:38 – Rediscovering the Lost Blue Thread of the Torah "The Search for Techelet After 1,300 Years" Dr. Greenspan tells the remarkable story of scuba diving for the elusive chilazon snail and helping revive the biblical techelet—one of Judaism's greatest lost mitzvot after thirteen centuries. ——
SPONSORSHIP: FROM DR. GORD ARBESS: Mazel Tov to Josh Arbess and Georgia Gardner on their upcoming wedding. And to Sharon Neiss-Arbess on her latest book "How I learned to pee in the Forest" available at Indigo, Type Books and on Amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/How-Learned-Pee-Forest-life-changing/dp/B0FY5ML1K6 ELI RUBENSTEIN: 'Thank you to my synagogue, Congregation Habonimi, for being so supportive of efforts that also benefit the wider community." DR. MICHAEL SILVERMAN: For Marcy Silverman who always had a wonderful sense of adventure, courage and bravery to follow her dreams." _____________________________________________________________________ Hello, and welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are scholars who preserve history by writing about it. There are adventurers who search the world for hidden treasures. And then there are those extraordinary individuals who do both—turning ancient mysteries into living reality and ensuring that entire chapters of Jewish civilization are never forgotten. Today, I am deeply honored to welcome Dr. Ari Greenspan. By profession, he is a dentist. By calling, an educator. But by passion, he is something far more unusual: what he describes as a halachic adventurer. For more than four decades, Dr. Greenspan has crossed deserts, climbed mountains, explored forgotten synagogues, scuba-dived beneath the Mediterranean, and traveled to some of the world's most remote Jewish communities—from Morocco and Yemen to Ethiopia, India, Portugal, Tunisia, Central Asia, and beyond. He has searched for disappearing customs before they vanish forever, preserved ancient kosher traditions, documented endangered Jewish communities, and helped revive one of Judaism's greatest mysteries: the rediscovery of the biblical techelet, the sacred blue dye absent from Jewish life for nearly 1,300 years. As co-founder of the Ptil Tekhelet Association, Dr. Greenspan has combined Torah scholarship with archaeology, biology, chemistry, linguistics, and history to breathe new life into commandments many believed had been lost forever. Dr. Ari is also a mohel, a shochet, a sofer, an international lecturer, and the creator of legendary kosher dinners featuring birds and traditions preserved from Jewish communities scattered across the globe. His personal museum houses artifacts collected over forty years of travel—each one telling a story of a people who refused to disappear. During today's conversation, you'll hear astonishing stories from Ethiopia, where he trained Jewish communities in kosher slaughter; from Croatia, where ancient menorahs hidden in stone still whisper of forgotten Jewish craftsmen; from Portugal, where Crypto-Jewish traditions survived centuries of persecution; and from the depths of the Mediterranean, where the search for the elusive chilazon became one of the most remarkable adventures in modern Jewish history. Yet beneath every journey lies a deeper question. As Dr. Greenspan himself has shown through his life's work: Every forgotten synagogue, every ancient manuscript, every disappearing custom asks the same question: "Will anyone remember us?" 1. 00:04:45 – Dr. Greenspan's Extraordinary Mission in Ethiopia "Teaching a Jewish Community to Keep Kashrut Alive" Dr. Greenspan recounts returning to Ethiopia to teach Jewish leaders the ancient laws of shechitah and nikur (removing forbidden fats and the sciatic nerve), ensuring that isolated Jewish communities could once again prepare kosher meat according to halachah. 2. 00:15:52 – The Emotional Bond with Jews Across the Centuries "I Feel Like They Were My Brothers" One of the interview's most moving moments. Dr. Greenspan explains how handling centuries-old manuscripts, praying in forgotten synagogues, and retracing the journeys of medieval Jewish travelers creates a profound connection with Jews who lived hundreds of years ago. 3. 00:39:38 – Rediscovering the Lost Blue Thread of the Torah "The Search for Techelet After 1,300 Years" Dr. Greenspan tells the remarkable story of scuba diving for the elusive chilazon snail and helping revive the biblical techelet—one of Judaism's greatest lost mitzvot after thirteen centuries. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are politicians who simply occupy office. There are politicians who shape legislation. And then there are those uncommon leaders who choose conviction over convenience—who speak when silence would be easier, who defend principle when compromise would be politically safer, and who understand that leadership is measured not by applause, but by courage. Today, I am honoured to welcome Melissa Lantsman—Member of Parliament, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and one of the most influential voices in Canadian public life. Melissa's story is, in many ways, the Canadian story. She is the daughter of Jewish immigrants who fled the oppression of the Soviet Union in search of liberty, opportunity, and a nation where freedom was not merely promised—it was protected. Raised in Thornhill, Ontario, by parents whose sacrifices shaped every opportunity she would later receive, Melissa learned early that democracy is precious, freedom is fragile, and success is never handed to you—it is earned. Today, she stands at the highest levels of Canadian politics, becoming the first openly lesbian woman and the first Jewish woman ever elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament—a milestone that reflects not only her own determination, but the remarkable promise of Canada itself. Inside Parliament, Melissa has become one of the country's most outspoken advocates on affordability, public safety, individual liberty, and democratic accountability. Following the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, she emerged as one of Canada's clearest voices in condemning terrorism, defending Israel's right to exist, and confronting the disturbing rise of antisemitism that has appeared on our streets, university campuses, and even outside Jewish schools and synagogues. At a time when Canada's political landscape continues to evolve, questions surrounding freedom of expression, social cohesion, public safety, and the protection of minority communities have become increasingly urgent. Recent decisions by the federal government—including the creation of a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion to address rising antisemitism and other forms of hate—have sparked significant national discussion about the best way to confront this growing challenge. But this conversation goes far beyond politics. It is about family. It is about faith. It is about identity. It is about the responsibility of public service. And ultimately, it is about what it means to lead when the stakes are high and the pressures are greater than ever. Today, we will discuss Canada's future, the Conservative movement, affordability, democracy, leadership, the rise of antisemitism, Israel, public service, and the values that continue to guide Melissa Lantsman's remarkable career. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming one of Canada's most compelling political leaders— Member of Parliament, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and a powerful voice for conviction, courage, and public service... Melissa Lantsman. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are politicians who simply occupy office. There are politicians who shape legislation. And then there are those uncommon leaders who choose conviction over convenience—who speak when silence would be easier, who defend principle when compromise would be politically safer, and who understand that leadership is measured not by applause, but by courage. Today, I am honoured to welcome Melissa Lantsman—Member of Parliament, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and one of the most influential voices in Canadian public life. Melissa's story is, in many ways, the Canadian story. She is the daughter of Jewish immigrants who fled the oppression of the Soviet Union in search of liberty, opportunity, and a nation where freedom was not merely promised—it was protected. Raised in Thornhill, Ontario, by parents whose sacrifices shaped every opportunity she would later receive, Melissa learned early that democracy is precious, freedom is fragile, and success is never handed to you—it is earned. Today, she stands at the highest levels of Canadian politics, becoming the first openly lesbian woman and the first Jewish woman ever elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament—a milestone that reflects not only her own determination, but the remarkable promise of Canada itself. Inside Parliament, Melissa has become one of the country's most outspoken advocates on affordability, public safety, individual liberty, and democratic accountability. Following the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, she emerged as one of Canada's clearest voices in condemning terrorism, defending Israel's right to exist, and confronting the disturbing rise of antisemitism that has appeared on our streets, university campuses, and even outside Jewish schools and synagogues. At a time when Canada's political landscape continues to evolve, questions surrounding freedom of expression, social cohesion, public safety, and the protection of minority communities have become increasingly urgent. Recent decisions by the federal government—including the creation of a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion to address rising antisemitism and other forms of hate—have sparked significant national discussion about the best way to confront this growing challenge. But this conversation goes far beyond politics. It is about family. It is about faith. It is about identity. It is about the responsibility of public service. And ultimately, it is about what it means to lead when the stakes are high and the pressures are greater than ever. Today, we will discuss Canada's future, the Conservative movement, affordability, democracy, leadership, the rise of antisemitism, Israel, public service, and the values that continue to guide Melissa Lantsman's remarkable career. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming one of Canada's most compelling political leaders— Member of Parliament, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and a powerful voice for conviction, courage, and public service... Melissa Lantsman. ——
Professor Paul Finlayson was one of Canada's most respected marketing professors. Today, he is at the center of one of the country's most controversial debates over free speech, academic freedom, and the cost of speaking one's conscience. After publicly condemning Hamas following the October 7 terrorist attacks and expressing support for Israel, Finlayson says his career changed overnight. A professor for fifteen years with outstanding student evaluations and multiple textbooks to his name, he was suspended, investigated, and ultimately dismissed from the University of Guelph-Humber. In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Paul shares his story for nearly an hour—describing what he says happened behind closed doors, the emotional and financial toll of losing his career, and why, despite everything, he has never regretted taking a public stand. Together, we discuss the growing tensions surrounding free expression on university campuses, the resurgence of antisemitism, the responsibilities of educators, and the moral courage required to defend deeply held convictions when the personal cost is enormous. Whether you agree with Paul's conclusions or not, this interview raises profound questions every Canadian should consider: What is the price of speaking your conscience? If universities are meant to be places of open inquiry, what happens when controversial opinions carry professional consequences? And perhaps most importantly: What would you do if telling the truth cost you everything? Five Riveting Moments 1. 12:30 — The LinkedIn Post That Changed Everything Paul explains why he responded to a Pakistani academic following October 7 and how a single social media comment ultimately led to complaints against him. 2. 18:19 — Suspension, Gag Orders, and Public Humiliation Paul describes being removed from campus, prohibited from speaking with students or colleagues, and learning that damaging rumours were allegedly spreading about him. 3. 26:55 — "Kafkaesque": The Human Cost One of the interview's most emotional moments, as Paul discusses the psychological impact on himself and his family, describing sleepless nights, betrayal, and the collapse of the career he loved. 4. 41:35 — "I'm Just Some Stubborn Irish Guy" Despite being compared to prominent defenders of Israel, Paul rejects the label of hero and explains why he simply refused to apologize for condemning terrorism. 5. 47:35 — "I've Never Had Regret" The interview reaches its emotional peak as Paul recalls visiting Dachau as a young man, reflects on the victims of October 7, and explains why—even if given the chance—he would never take back what he said. This conversation is about much more than one professor. It is about freedom, conscience, moral courage, and whether democratic societies still make room for people who refuse to remain silent. ——
Professor Paul Finlayson was one of Canada's most respected marketing professors. Today, he is at the center of one of the country's most controversial debates over free speech, academic freedom, and the cost of speaking one's conscience. After publicly condemning Hamas following the October 7 terrorist attacks and expressing support for Israel, Finlayson says his career changed overnight. A professor for fifteen years with outstanding student evaluations and multiple textbooks to his name, he was suspended, investigated, and ultimately dismissed from the University of Guelph-Humber. In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Paul shares his story for nearly an hour—describing what he says happened behind closed doors, the emotional and financial toll of losing his career, and why, despite everything, he has never regretted taking a public stand. Together, we discuss the growing tensions surrounding free expression on university campuses, the resurgence of antisemitism, the responsibilities of educators, and the moral courage required to defend deeply held convictions when the personal cost is enormous. Whether you agree with Paul's conclusions or not, this interview raises profound questions every Canadian should consider: What is the price of speaking your conscience? If universities are meant to be places of open inquiry, what happens when controversial opinions carry professional consequences? And perhaps most importantly: What would you do if telling the truth cost you everything? Five Riveting Moments 1. 12:30 — The LinkedIn Post That Changed Everything Paul explains why he responded to a Pakistani academic following October 7 and how a single social media comment ultimately led to complaints against him. 2. 18:19 — Suspension, Gag Orders, and Public Humiliation Paul describes being removed from campus, prohibited from speaking with students or colleagues, and learning that damaging rumours were allegedly spreading about him. 3. 26:55 — "Kafkaesque": The Human Cost One of the interview's most emotional moments, as Paul discusses the psychological impact on himself and his family, describing sleepless nights, betrayal, and the collapse of the career he loved. 4. 41:35 — "I'm Just Some Stubborn Irish Guy" Despite being compared to prominent defenders of Israel, Paul rejects the label of hero and explains why he simply refused to apologize for condemning terrorism. 5. 47:35 — "I've Never Had Regret" The interview reaches its emotional peak as Paul recalls visiting Dachau as a young man, reflects on the victims of October 7, and explains why—even if given the chance—he would never take back what he said. This conversation is about much more than one professor. It is about freedom, conscience, moral courage, and whether democratic societies still make room for people who refuse to remain silent. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are stories that belong to history books. There are stories that belong to families. And then there are those rare stories that bridge both worlds—stories that help us understand not only where we come from, but who we are. Born in the Landsberg Displaced Persons Camp in Germany shortly after the Holocaust, Ettie's life began where one of history's darkest chapters was ending. Her parents survived ghettos, concentration camps, death marches, and unimaginable loss. Yet they also carried forward something equally powerful: the determination to rebuild, to love, to create family, and to ensure that memory would never die. In this compelling conversation, we discuss the intergenerational transmission of trauma—the fears, anxieties, and emotional burdens that can travel across generations. But we also examine something equally profound: the transmission of resilience, courage, gratitude, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to life. Drawing from her own experiences as a second-generation child of survivors, her work interviewing survivors for the USC Shoah Foundation, and her acclaimed book A Holocaust Memoir of Love & Resilience: Mama's Survival from Lithuania to USA, Ettie offers extraordinary insight into how memory shapes identity, purpose, and responsibility. This is a conversation about trauma. This is a story about a remarkable person, Etti Zilber. 00:14:28 — Born in Landsberg Displaced Persons Camp Ettie reflects on how being born in a displaced persons camp after the Holocaust shaped her identity and life mission. 00:16:31 — How Trauma Travels Across Generations The conversation turns to intergenerational trauma and how Holocaust survivors passed fear, anxiety, strength, and memory to their children. 00:20:44 — The Many Faces of Holocaust Survival Ettie explains that there is no single “profile” of a Holocaust survivor, and that survival took many different forms. 00:23:21 — Growing Up as a Child of Survivors Ettie shares how her parents' Holocaust memories entered family life, sometimes through conversation, sometimes through silence, and often through stories overheard as a child. 00:30:20 — The Legacy of Resilience Beyond trauma, Ettie discusses the gifts survivors passed on: courage, education, perseverance, family loyalty, gratitude, and Jewish continuity. 00:58:21 — Teaching the Warning Signs of History Ettie explains how Holocaust education helps students understand that hatred develops step by step, beginning with words, separation, laws, and silence. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are stories that belong to history books. There are stories that belong to families. And then there are those rare stories that bridge both worlds—stories that help us understand not only where we come from, but who we are. Born in the Landsberg Displaced Persons Camp in Germany shortly after the Holocaust, Ettie's life began where one of history's darkest chapters was ending. Her parents survived ghettos, concentration camps, death marches, and unimaginable loss. Yet they also carried forward something equally powerful: the determination to rebuild, to love, to create family, and to ensure that memory would never die. In this compelling conversation, we discuss the intergenerational transmission of trauma—the fears, anxieties, and emotional burdens that can travel across generations. But we also examine something equally profound: the transmission of resilience, courage, gratitude, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to life. Drawing from her own experiences as a second-generation child of survivors, her work interviewing survivors for the USC Shoah Foundation, and her acclaimed book A Holocaust Memoir of Love & Resilience: Mama's Survival from Lithuania to USA, Ettie offers extraordinary insight into how memory shapes identity, purpose, and responsibility. This is a conversation about trauma. This is a story about a remarkable person, Etti Zilber. 00:14:28 — Born in Landsberg Displaced Persons Camp Ettie reflects on how being born in a displaced persons camp after the Holocaust shaped her identity and life mission. 00:16:31 — How Trauma Travels Across Generations The conversation turns to intergenerational trauma and how Holocaust survivors passed fear, anxiety, strength, and memory to their children. 00:20:44 — The Many Faces of Holocaust Survival Ettie explains that there is no single “profile” of a Holocaust survivor, and that survival took many different forms. 00:23:21 — Growing Up as a Child of Survivors Ettie shares how her parents' Holocaust memories entered family life, sometimes through conversation, sometimes through silence, and often through stories overheard as a child. 00:30:20 — The Legacy of Resilience Beyond trauma, Ettie discusses the gifts survivors passed on: courage, education, perseverance, family loyalty, gratitude, and Jewish continuity. 00:58:21 — Teaching the Warning Signs of History Ettie explains how Holocaust education helps students understand that hatred develops step by step, beginning with words, separation, laws, and silence. ——
There are Holocaust stories that leave us heartbroken. There are others that leave us inspired. And then there are those rare stories that somehow accomplish both at once—stories that remind us of the depths of human evil, but also of the extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination of the human spirit. Today, I am deeply honored to welcome Dr. Mark Olsky and Dr. Hana Berger Moran. Their lives are living miracles. Their remarkable story is chronicled in the New York Times bestselling book, 'Born Survivors', by acclaimed author Wendy Holden. It is the astonishing true account of three pregnant Jewish women who concealed their pregnancies from the Nazis while imprisoned in Auschwitz and other concentration camps. Against every conceivable odd, they survived long enough to give birth—and their babies survived as well. Those babies were Mark Olsky, Hana Berger Moran, and Eva Clarke (My interview with Eva can be found in a previous podcast). In this unforgettable conversation, we explore not only the unimaginable courage of their mothers, but also what it means to carry such a profound legacy into the modern world. We discuss survival, memory, faith, gratitude, family, and the triumph of life over death. Five Riveting Moments from This Interview: 07:37 — The Last Goodbye Hanahana recounts the final conversation between her parents through the barbed wire of Auschwitz as her father pleaded, “Just think good thoughts.” Days later, he was murdered. 12:04 — A Warm Bath in a Concentration Camp After her pregnancy was discovered, Hana's mother made a remarkable request of the guards: “I've been standing ten hours a day. I would love a warm bath for my feet.” What happened next is astonishing. 16:00 — Born on a Cattle Train Mark describes the unimaginable conditions under which his mother gave birth to him on a seventeen-day transport train packed with over one hundred prisoners. 19:25 — Do You Believe in Miracles? Mark reflects on surviving when so many others perished and offers a deeply moving perspective on luck, loss, and the meaning of survival. 35:35 — Meeting the Man Who Saved His Life Hana shares the emotional story of meeting one of the American liberators who rescued her as a newborn—and why she called him “Daddy Pete.” This is more than a Holocaust story. It is a story about mothers who refused to surrender hope. It is a story about babies who became witnesses to history. And it is a story about the enduring power of life, even in humanity's darkest hour. Please join me for this extraordinary conversation with Dr. Mark Olsky and Dr. Hana Berger Moran. ——
There are Holocaust stories that leave us heartbroken. There are others that leave us inspired. And then there are those rare stories that somehow accomplish both at once—stories that remind us of the depths of human evil, but also of the extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination of the human spirit. Today, I am deeply honored to welcome Dr. Mark Olsky and Dr. Hana Berger Moran. Their lives are living miracles. Their remarkable story is chronicled in the New York Times bestselling book, 'Born Survivors', by acclaimed author Wendy Holden. It is the astonishing true account of three pregnant Jewish women who concealed their pregnancies from the Nazis while imprisoned in Auschwitz and other concentration camps. Against every conceivable odd, they survived long enough to give birth—and their babies survived as well. Those babies were Mark Olsky, Hana Berger Moran, and Eva Clarke (My interview with Eva can be found in a previous podcast). In this unforgettable conversation, we explore not only the unimaginable courage of their mothers, but also what it means to carry such a profound legacy into the modern world. We discuss survival, memory, faith, gratitude, family, and the triumph of life over death. Five Riveting Moments from This Interview: 07:37 — The Last Goodbye Hanahana recounts the final conversation between her parents through the barbed wire of Auschwitz as her father pleaded, “Just think good thoughts.” Days later, he was murdered. 12:04 — A Warm Bath in a Concentration Camp After her pregnancy was discovered, Hana's mother made a remarkable request of the guards: “I've been standing ten hours a day. I would love a warm bath for my feet.” What happened next is astonishing. 16:00 — Born on a Cattle Train Mark describes the unimaginable conditions under which his mother gave birth to him on a seventeen-day transport train packed with over one hundred prisoners. 19:25 — Do You Believe in Miracles? Mark reflects on surviving when so many others perished and offers a deeply moving perspective on luck, loss, and the meaning of survival. 35:35 — Meeting the Man Who Saved His Life Hana shares the emotional story of meeting one of the American liberators who rescued her as a newborn—and why she called him “Daddy Pete.” This is more than a Holocaust story. It is a story about mothers who refused to surrender hope. It is a story about babies who became witnesses to history. And it is a story about the enduring power of life, even in humanity's darkest hour. Please join me for this extraordinary conversation with Dr. Mark Olsky and Dr. Hana Berger Moran. ——
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO: JOEY FRIED CORP AND FOGLER, RUBINOFF FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP! Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are some books that inform. There are others that inspire. And then there are those rare books that have the power to change the way we see other people—and ourselves. In this moving and deeply personal conversation, Avrum Rosensweig sits down with renowned educator, speaker, and author Michal Horowitz to discuss her remarkable new book, 'Abled: Living With a Disability, A Torah View.' Born and raised in Toronto and trained as an audiologist, Michal began experiencing severe hearing loss as a young adult. What could have become a story defined by limitation instead became a life of extraordinary purpose, faith, resilience, and Torah teaching. Together, Avrum and Michal explore what it means to live in a hearing world while navigating profound hearing impairment, how Judaism understands disability and human dignity, and why every person—regardless of ability—reflects the image of God. This is a conversation about courage. It is a conversation about faith. And ultimately, it is a conversation about what it truly means to live an abled life. Riveting Moments from This Interview 08:35 — "I felt like my body had betrayed me." Avrum shares the emotional aftermath of his first heart attack, leading to a profound discussion about illness, loss, and identity. 15:40 — The Moment Michal Realized She Was Losing Her Hearing Michal recounts the frightening early signs of hearing loss and the long journey toward diagnosis and acceptance. 24:15 — What Hearing People Don't Understand About Hearing Loss A powerful conversation about loneliness, stigma, exclusion, and the hidden struggles of living with hearing impairment. 36:50 — Can Disability Become a Spiritual Gift? Michal explains how Torah transformed her understanding of suffering, purpose, and human dignity. 49:20 — The Cochlear Implant Debate Michal speaks candidly about her son's success with cochlear implants and why she remains hesitant to undergo the procedure herself. In This Episode • Living with severe hearing loss • The emotional realities of disability • Torah perspectives on dignity and inclusion • Faith, resilience, and personal growth • Tinnitus and speech discrimination • Cochlear implants and medical technology • Parenting, teaching, and inspiring others • Seeing God's image in every human being If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. #MichalHorowitz #HearingLoss #Disability #AbleBook #Torah #Judaism #Faith #HumanDignity #CochlearImplants #AvrumRosensweigShow #MichalHorowitz #HearingLoss #HearingImpairment #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityInclusion #CochlearImplants #HumanDignity #JewishLife #TorahWisdom #Judaism #FaithAndResilience #SpiritualGrowth #JewishAuthor #JewishEducation #InvisibleDisability #LivingWithDisability #InspirationalStories #ImageOfGod ——
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO: JOEY FRIED CORP AND FOGLER, RUBINOFF FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP! Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are some books that inform. There are others that inspire. And then there are those rare books that have the power to change the way we see other people—and ourselves. In this moving and deeply personal conversation, Avrum Rosensweig sits down with renowned educator, speaker, and author Michal Horowitz to discuss her remarkable new book, 'Abled: Living With a Disability, A Torah View.' Born and raised in Toronto and trained as an audiologist, Michal began experiencing severe hearing loss as a young adult. What could have become a story defined by limitation instead became a life of extraordinary purpose, faith, resilience, and Torah teaching. Together, Avrum and Michal explore what it means to live in a hearing world while navigating profound hearing impairment, how Judaism understands disability and human dignity, and why every person—regardless of ability—reflects the image of God. This is a conversation about courage. It is a conversation about faith. And ultimately, it is a conversation about what it truly means to live an abled life. Riveting Moments from This Interview 08:35 — "I felt like my body had betrayed me." Avrum shares the emotional aftermath of his first heart attack, leading to a profound discussion about illness, loss, and identity. 15:40 — The Moment Michal Realized She Was Losing Her Hearing Michal recounts the frightening early signs of hearing loss and the long journey toward diagnosis and acceptance. 24:15 — What Hearing People Don't Understand About Hearing Loss A powerful conversation about loneliness, stigma, exclusion, and the hidden struggles of living with hearing impairment. 36:50 — Can Disability Become a Spiritual Gift? Michal explains how Torah transformed her understanding of suffering, purpose, and human dignity. 49:20 — The Cochlear Implant Debate Michal speaks candidly about her son's success with cochlear implants and why she remains hesitant to undergo the procedure herself. In This Episode • Living with severe hearing loss • The emotional realities of disability • Torah perspectives on dignity and inclusion • Faith, resilience, and personal growth • Tinnitus and speech discrimination • Cochlear implants and medical technology • Parenting, teaching, and inspiring others • Seeing God's image in every human being If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. #MichalHorowitz #HearingLoss #Disability #AbleBook #Torah #Judaism #Faith #HumanDignity #CochlearImplants #AvrumRosensweigShow #MichalHorowitz #HearingLoss #HearingImpairment #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityInclusion #CochlearImplants #HumanDignity #JewishLife #TorahWisdom #Judaism #FaithAndResilience #SpiritualGrowth #JewishAuthor #JewishEducation #InvisibleDisability #LivingWithDisability #InspirationalStories #ImageOfGod ——
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of THE AVRUM ROSENSWEIG SHOW, Avrum sits down with his dear friend HARVEY BROWNSTONE — Canada's first openly gay judge, celebrated interviewer, proud Jew, and author of the extraordinary memoir Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge. Harvey's story is one of remarkable courage. From a bullied child and rejected young man to a pioneering lawyer, distinguished judge, national bestselling author, and beloved media personality, his life is a testament to resilience, truth, ambition, forgiveness, and the refusal to disappear. In this conversation, Harvey speaks with humour, honesty, and moving vulnerability about the pain of parental rejection, the drive that came from being underestimated, the mentors who saved him, the barriers he faced as an openly gay man in the legal world, and the extraordinary second act that made him one of the most respected interviewers on the internet. This is not only an interview about law, celebrity, identity, or success. It is a conversation about becoming fully oneself after years of being told to hide. It is about turning rejection into fuel, pain into purpose, and personal truth into public courage. Six poignant moments in the interview: 00:03:25 — Avrum introduces Harvey's life as a story of courage, truth, resilience, and what becomes possible when a human being refuses to hide who they are. 00:12:45 — Harvey explains how writing his memoir forced him to relive painful memories, and why telling the story required taking the reader back into the most difficult moments of his life. 00:14:00 — Harvey describes recording the audiobook as a cleansing, cathartic, and redemptive experience — saying his story out loud allowed him to feel a new level of healing. 00:15:43 — Harvey reflects on “success as the best revenge,” explaining that the people who bullied, rejected, and underestimated him were never going to apologize — so he chose to validate himself through achievement. 00:18:40 — Harvey speaks powerfully about the two gifts his parents gave him: self-esteem and rejection. One gave him strength; the other gave him drive. 00:32:40 — Harvey remembers Mrs. Jarrett, the teacher who protected him from bullies, believed in him, and helped change the direction of his life. In the fall, a feature film about Harvey will be released called "Without Prejudice", a Hollywood biographical drama adapted from his memoir, 'Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge'. The film chronicles his turbulent, tempestuous, and often triumphant journey from being a severely bullied child and a rejected outcast to becoming Canada's first openly gay judge, a landmark civil rights champion, and a celebrated celebrity interviewer. David Arquette stars as Harvey in his later adult life, while David Mazouz plays the young adult. Through it all, Harvey Brownstone emerges as a person of extraordinary wit, toughness, sensitivity, and heart. His story reminds us that a life can be wounded and still become magnificent, that rejection does not have to define us, and that sometimes the very thing meant to break us becomes the force that carries us forward. ——
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of THE AVRUM ROSENSWEIG SHOW, Avrum sits down with his dear friend HARVEY BROWNSTONE — Canada's first openly gay judge, celebrated interviewer, proud Jew, and author of the extraordinary memoir Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge. Harvey's story is one of remarkable courage. From a bullied child and rejected young man to a pioneering lawyer, distinguished judge, national bestselling author, and beloved media personality, his life is a testament to resilience, truth, ambition, forgiveness, and the refusal to disappear. In this conversation, Harvey speaks with humour, honesty, and moving vulnerability about the pain of parental rejection, the drive that came from being underestimated, the mentors who saved him, the barriers he faced as an openly gay man in the legal world, and the extraordinary second act that made him one of the most respected interviewers on the internet. This is not only an interview about law, celebrity, identity, or success. It is a conversation about becoming fully oneself after years of being told to hide. It is about turning rejection into fuel, pain into purpose, and personal truth into public courage. Six poignant moments in the interview: 00:03:25 — Avrum introduces Harvey's life as a story of courage, truth, resilience, and what becomes possible when a human being refuses to hide who they are. 00:12:45 — Harvey explains how writing his memoir forced him to relive painful memories, and why telling the story required taking the reader back into the most difficult moments of his life. 00:14:00 — Harvey describes recording the audiobook as a cleansing, cathartic, and redemptive experience — saying his story out loud allowed him to feel a new level of healing. 00:15:43 — Harvey reflects on “success as the best revenge,” explaining that the people who bullied, rejected, and underestimated him were never going to apologize — so he chose to validate himself through achievement. 00:18:40 — Harvey speaks powerfully about the two gifts his parents gave him: self-esteem and rejection. One gave him strength; the other gave him drive. 00:32:40 — Harvey remembers Mrs. Jarrett, the teacher who protected him from bullies, believed in him, and helped change the direction of his life. In the fall, a feature film about Harvey will be released called "Without Prejudice", a Hollywood biographical drama adapted from his memoir, 'Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge'. The film chronicles his turbulent, tempestuous, and often triumphant journey from being a severely bullied child and a rejected outcast to becoming Canada's first openly gay judge, a landmark civil rights champion, and a celebrated celebrity interviewer. David Arquette stars as Harvey in his later adult life, while David Mazouz plays the young adult. Through it all, Harvey Brownstone emerges as a person of extraordinary wit, toughness, sensitivity, and heart. His story reminds us that a life can be wounded and still become magnificent, that rejection does not have to define us, and that sometimes the very thing meant to break us becomes the force that carries us forward. ——
There are some interviews that inform. And then there are interviews that leave a permanent imprint on the soul. In this profoundly emotional episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, I sit down with acclaimed journalist, author, and cultural commentator Danielle Crittenden for one of the most intimate and moving conversations I have ever had. Danielle speaks with breathtaking honesty about the sudden death of her beloved 32-year-old daughter, Miranda, and the unbearable journey through grief that followed. Drawing from her extraordinary memoir Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable, Danielle opens the deepest chambers of motherhood, loss, memory, marriage, Jewish ritual, and the enduring power of love. This is not simply an interview about death. It is an exploration of what it means to remain human after devastation. Together, we discuss the surreal reality of losing a child, the sacred wisdom within Jewish mourning rituals, the transformation of marriage under grief, and the mysterious ways love continues even after death. Danielle's courage, vulnerability, and wisdom make this one of the most powerful conversations ever featured on this channel. ⸻ MAJOR MOMENTS IN THIS INTERVIEW: 00:01:16 — Danielle speaks about the sudden death of her daughter Miranda and how life permanently split into “before” and “after.” 00:07:13 — Danielle explains why she began writing Dispatches from Grief as a reporter documenting her own unimaginable pain from inside what she calls an “alternative universe.” 00:14:53 — Danielle recounts the devastating moment she saw Miranda after her passing and recognized her instantly by the crown of her head — the place she kissed throughout her life. 00:23:24 — Danielle shares the powerful advice her husband David Frum gave her: “We cannot disappear into different silos of grief.” 00:31:23 — A profound discussion about Jewish mourning rituals, Shiva, parental grief, and the Torah's timeless understanding of loss. ⸻ CONCLUSION: This conversation is ultimately about love — the kind of love that survives even death itself. Danielle Crittenden does not offer easy answers, clichés, or simple healing. What she offers instead is something far rarer: truth. Raw, painful, beautiful truth. In speaking openly about grief, motherhood, memory, marriage, Judaism, and the unbearable ache of losing a child, she gives voice to countless people suffering silently around the world. There are moments in this interview that will break your heart. There are moments that may leave you in tears. But there are also moments of extraordinary humanity, tenderness, courage, and spiritual depth. If you have ever loved deeply… if you have ever lost… if you have ever wondered how human beings continue after tragedy… this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Thank you for watching The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Please subscribe, share this interview, and leave a comment below. Your support helps bring meaningful human conversations into the world. #DanielleCrittenden #DispatchesFromGrief #AvrumRosensweig #Grief #Motherhood #JewishLife #Loss #DavidFrum #MirandaFrum #Shiva #Judaism #Healing #Podcast #TheAvrumRosensweigShow #DanielleCrittenden #DispatchesFromGrief #AvrumRosensweig #TheAvrumRosensweigShow #Grief #Motherhood #LossOfAChild #JewishLife #Shiva #DavidFrum #MirandaFrum #Healing #Podcast #JewishPodcast #MentalHealth #LoveTranscendsDeath #Parenting #TraumaAndHealing #Humanity #PowerfulConversations ——
There are some interviews that inform. And then there are interviews that leave a permanent imprint on the soul. In this profoundly emotional episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, I sit down with acclaimed journalist, author, and cultural commentator Danielle Crittenden for one of the most intimate and moving conversations I have ever had. Danielle speaks with breathtaking honesty about the sudden death of her beloved 32-year-old daughter, Miranda, and the unbearable journey through grief that followed. Drawing from her extraordinary memoir Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable, Danielle opens the deepest chambers of motherhood, loss, memory, marriage, Jewish ritual, and the enduring power of love. This is not simply an interview about death. It is an exploration of what it means to remain human after devastation. Together, we discuss the surreal reality of losing a child, the sacred wisdom within Jewish mourning rituals, the transformation of marriage under grief, and the mysterious ways love continues even after death. Danielle's courage, vulnerability, and wisdom make this one of the most powerful conversations ever featured on this channel. ⸻ MAJOR MOMENTS IN THIS INTERVIEW: 00:01:16 — Danielle speaks about the sudden death of her daughter Miranda and how life permanently split into “before” and “after.” 00:07:13 — Danielle explains why she began writing Dispatches from Grief as a reporter documenting her own unimaginable pain from inside what she calls an “alternative universe.” 00:14:53 — Danielle recounts the devastating moment she saw Miranda after her passing and recognized her instantly by the crown of her head — the place she kissed throughout her life. 00:23:24 — Danielle shares the powerful advice her husband David Frum gave her: “We cannot disappear into different silos of grief.” 00:31:23 — A profound discussion about Jewish mourning rituals, Shiva, parental grief, and the Torah's timeless understanding of loss. ⸻ CONCLUSION: This conversation is ultimately about love — the kind of love that survives even death itself. Danielle Crittenden does not offer easy answers, clichés, or simple healing. What she offers instead is something far rarer: truth. Raw, painful, beautiful truth. In speaking openly about grief, motherhood, memory, marriage, Judaism, and the unbearable ache of losing a child, she gives voice to countless people suffering silently around the world. There are moments in this interview that will break your heart. There are moments that may leave you in tears. But there are also moments of extraordinary humanity, tenderness, courage, and spiritual depth. If you have ever loved deeply… if you have ever lost… if you have ever wondered how human beings continue after tragedy… this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Thank you for watching The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Please subscribe, share this interview, and leave a comment below. Your support helps bring meaningful human conversations into the world. #DanielleCrittenden #DispatchesFromGrief #AvrumRosensweig #Grief #Motherhood #JewishLife #Loss #DavidFrum #MirandaFrum #Shiva #Judaism #Healing #Podcast #TheAvrumRosensweigShow #DanielleCrittenden #DispatchesFromGrief #AvrumRosensweig #TheAvrumRosensweigShow #Grief #Motherhood #LossOfAChild #JewishLife #Shiva #DavidFrum #MirandaFrum #Healing #Podcast #JewishPodcast #MentalHealth #LoveTranscendsDeath #Parenting #TraumaAndHealing #Humanity #PowerfulConversations ——
here are musicians. And then there are musicians who carry an entire civilization in their voice. On this episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, Avrum sits down with the extraordinary Mark Rubin — bassist, folk singer, storyteller, defender of Jewish dignity, and the self-described “Jew of Oklahoma.” This is not simply a conversation about music. It is a journey through Jewish identity in the American South, generational memory, anti-Semitism, bluegrass culture, Native American solidarity, Yiddish resistance songs, and the moral courage required to stand openly as a Jew in a changing world. Mark speaks candidly about growing up Jewish in Oklahoma, swastikas painted on his family home, his father's warnings about history repeating itself, and the shocking anti-Semitism he encountered inside the bluegrass world that ultimately redirected his life toward Yiddish music and Jewish cultural activism. Woven throughout the interview is music itself — as resistance, memory, survival, humor, and defiance. A deeply soulful, provocative, funny, painful, and inspiring conversation. Major Moments in the Interview 03:17 — Mark explains his identity as a Southern American Jew and the unique fusion of Oklahoma roots culture and Jewish consciousness. 13:42 — A powerful discussion about Oklahoma, Native American history, genocide, and how Mark's father connected Holocaust consciousness to Indigenous suffering in America. 21:19 — Mark shares the haunting lesson his father taught him: “Every hundred years or so, the world turns its back on the Jews.” 34:01 — Mark recounts the devastating anti-Semitic moment inside the bluegrass world that changed the course of his musical life forever. 42:08 — Mark explains why he created “The Jew of Oklahoma” and why he refuses to surrender either his Jewish identity or his Southern roots. 44:32 — A moving conversation about Yiddish poet Mordechai Gebirtig, Holocaust memory, and the role of Jewish music as prophecy, warning, and resistance. Watch this fascinating interview with a very special Jew from Oklahoma, who stands courageously with our people. Am Yisrael Chai. The Nation of Israeli Lives!!! ——
On this episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, Avrum sits down with the extraordinary Mark Rubin — bassist, folk singer, storyteller, defender of Jewish dignity, and the self-described “Jew of Oklahoma.” This is not simply a conversation about music. It is a journey through Jewish identity in the American South, generational memory, anti-Semitism, bluegrass culture, Native American solidarity, Yiddish resistance songs, and the moral courage required to stand openly as a Jew in a changing world. Mark speaks candidly about growing up Jewish in Oklahoma, swastikas painted on his family home, his father's warnings about history repeating itself, and the shocking anti-Semitism he encountered inside the bluegrass world that ultimately redirected his life toward Yiddish music and Jewish cultural activism. Woven throughout the interview is music itself — as resistance, memory, survival, humor, and defiance. A deeply soulful, provocative, funny, painful, and inspiring conversation. Major Moments in the Interview 03:17 — Mark explains his identity as a Southern American Jew and the unique fusion of Oklahoma roots culture and Jewish consciousness. 13:42 — A powerful discussion about Oklahoma, Native American history, genocide, and how Mark's father connected Holocaust consciousness to Indigenous suffering in America. 21:19 — Mark shares the haunting lesson his father taught him: “Every hundred years or so, the world turns its back on the Jews.” 34:01 — Mark recounts the devastating anti-Semitic moment inside the bluegrass world that changed the course of his musical life forever. 42:08 — Mark explains why he created “The Jew of Oklahoma” and why he refuses to surrender either his Jewish identity or his Southern roots. 44:32 — A moving conversation about Yiddish poet Mordechai Gebirtig, Holocaust memory, and the role of Jewish music as prophecy, warning, and resistance. Watch this fascinating interview with a very special Jew from Oklahoma, who stands courageously with our people. Am Yisrael Chai. The Nation of Israeli Lives!!! ——
There are few works in the history of theatre that have entered the emotional bloodstream of humanity quite like Fiddler on the Roof. More than a beloved Broadway musical, it is a profound meditation on family, faith, exile, resilience, identity, love, and the fragile balancing act between tradition and change. Since its debut in 1964, the story of Tevye the milkman, his wife Golde, and their daughters in the tiny shtetl of Anatevka has transcended culture, religion, language, and geography — because beneath its deeply Jewish story lies something universally human: the longing to hold onto one another while the world shifts beneath our feet. Now, in a remarkable and internationally celebrated production presented by the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Fiddler on the Roof returns to the language and cultural heartbeat from which it was born — Yiddish. Performed entirely in Yiddish with English subtitles, this historic production arrives at Toronto's legendary Elgin Theatre from May 25 to June 7 under the direction of Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey. What began in New York as a six-week theatrical experiment became an 18-month sensation, earning major awards, standing ovations, and more than 500 performances. Critics called it revelatory. Audiences described it as hauntingly beautiful, deeply human, and emotionally transformative. At the center of this extraordinary artistic achievement stands Zalmen Mlotek — one of the world's foremost authorities on Yiddish theatre and song, Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, and one of the great guardians of Jewish cultural continuity. Born into one of the most important Yiddish cultural families in North America, Mlotek grew up immersed in the language, music, and memory of Ashkenazi Jewish civilization. His father, Joseph Mlotek, edited the legendary Forverts (Yiddish Forward), while his mother, Eleanor Chana Mlotek, became one of the great archivists of Yiddish folk music. Zalmen himself studied at Juilliard and worked under the legendary Leonard Bernstein before dedicating his life to preserving and revitalizing Yiddish culture through theatre and song. Under his artistic leadership, the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene — founded in 1915 and the world's longest continuously operating Yiddish theatre company — has become internationally celebrated for reviving classic Yiddish works and bringing Jewish theatrical history into the modern cultural imagination. Tonight, on The Avrum Rosensweig Show, we explore the enduring power of Fiddler on the Roof, the emotional resonance of hearing it performed in Yiddish, and why this language still carries what Joel Grey calls “history, humour, sorrow and resilience all at once.” For centuries, Yiddish became the emotional heartbeat of Jewish life — the language of storytelling, humour, commerce, lullabies, argument, heartbreak, and survival. Together, we also explore the great Yiddish literary and theatrical tradition shaped by figures such as Sholem Aleichem, I.L. Peretz, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Theo Bikel, Sheldon Harnick, and Itzhak Perlman — and how Yiddish theatre helped shape Broadway itself. But perhaps most importantly, this conversation asks why Fiddler on the Roof continues to unite audiences across generations, faiths, and backgrounds. Why a story rooted in one tiny Jewish village somehow speaks to all humanity. This is not merely an interview about theatre. It is a conversation about memory. About identity. About exile and belonging. About resilience. About family. And about the extraordinary power of language, music, and storytelling to keep a civilization alive. Ladies and gentlemen — Zalmen Mlotek. ——
There are few works in the history of theatre that have entered the emotional bloodstream of humanity quite like Fiddler on the Roof. More than a beloved Broadway musical, it is a profound meditation on family, faith, exile, resilience, identity, love, and the fragile balancing act between tradition and change. Since its debut in 1964, the story of Tevye the milkman, his wife Golde, and their daughters in the tiny shtetl of Anatevka has transcended culture, religion, language, and geography — because beneath its deeply Jewish story lies something universally human: the longing to hold onto one another while the world shifts beneath our feet. Now, in a remarkable and internationally celebrated production presented by the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Fiddler on the Roof returns to the language and cultural heartbeat from which it was born — Yiddish. Performed entirely in Yiddish with English subtitles, this historic production arrives at Toronto's legendary Elgin Theatre from May 25 to June 7 under the direction of Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey. What began in New York as a six-week theatrical experiment became an 18-month sensation, earning major awards, standing ovations, and more than 500 performances. Critics called it revelatory. Audiences described it as hauntingly beautiful, deeply human, and emotionally transformative. At the center of this extraordinary artistic achievement stands Zalmen Mlotek — one of the world's foremost authorities on Yiddish theatre and song, Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, and one of the great guardians of Jewish cultural continuity. Born into one of the most important Yiddish cultural families in North America, Mlotek grew up immersed in the language, music, and memory of Ashkenazi Jewish civilization. His father, Joseph Mlotek, edited the legendary Forverts (Yiddish Forward), while his mother, Eleanor Chana Mlotek, became one of the great archivists of Yiddish folk music. Zalmen himself studied at Juilliard and worked under the legendary Leonard Bernstein before dedicating his life to preserving and revitalizing Yiddish culture through theatre and song. Under his artistic leadership, the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene — founded in 1915 and the world's longest continuously operating Yiddish theatre company — has become internationally celebrated for reviving classic Yiddish works and bringing Jewish theatrical history into the modern cultural imagination. Tonight, on The Avrum Rosensweig Show, we explore the enduring power of Fiddler on the Roof, the emotional resonance of hearing it performed in Yiddish, and why this language still carries what Joel Grey calls “history, humour, sorrow and resilience all at once.” For centuries, Yiddish became the emotional heartbeat of Jewish life — the language of storytelling, humour, commerce, lullabies, argument, heartbreak, and survival. Together, we also explore the great Yiddish literary and theatrical tradition shaped by figures such as Sholem Aleichem, I.L. Peretz, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Theo Bikel, Sheldon Harnick, and Itzhak Perlman — and how Yiddish theatre helped shape Broadway itself. But perhaps most importantly, this conversation asks why Fiddler on the Roof continues to unite audiences across generations, faiths, and backgrounds. Why a story rooted in one tiny Jewish village somehow speaks to all humanity. This is not merely an interview about theatre. It is a conversation about memory. About identity. About exile and belonging. About resilience. About family. And about the extraordinary power of language, music, and storytelling to keep a civilization alive. Ladies and gentlemen — Zalmen Mlotek. ——
Watch/listen to this fascinating interview with Phyllis Karas, New York Times bestseller, who speaks about her latest book, 'THE CURSE OF THE BLUMENTHALS', a book about tragedy and violence that struck this Jewish family, and how love was able to stop the curse. 1. Jewish Families Often Buried Painful Secrets Timeline: 04:35 – 06:45 Karas discusses how Jewish immigrant families frequently concealed shameful or painful truths. Divorce, alcoholism, crime, prison, and violence were hidden from children and outsiders. She describes uncovering long-buried family secrets through research and writing. Major revelations: She discovered her mother had been previously divorced Family never discussed who caused the fatal crash Relatives whispered about crime and prison in secrecy 2. Writing the Book Became an Act of Truth-Telling and Healing Timeline: 08:07 – 10:00 and 32:35 – 36:30 Karas explains that writing Curse of the Blumenthals required courage. She feared hurting relatives or exposing painful family wounds. Yet the book ultimately became an attempt to preserve memory, honor the dead, and confront truths honestly. Important themes: Librarians and archives helped reconstruct hidden history Cousins encouraged her to publish the story She rejected family shame and secrecy 3. Generational Trauma Defined the Family Story Timeline: 13:55 – 23:40 One of the central themes is the catastrophic 1935 drunk-driving crash that killed six members of the Blumenthal family, including children. Karas explains her family history was psychologically divided into “before the accident” and “after the accident.” The trauma shaped generations afterward. Key moments: Six family members killed instantly in 1935 Drunk driver served less than a year Family members never emotionally recovered 4. Ronnie Blumenthal's Murder Case Haunted Everyone Timeline: 25:05 – 32:15 The interview's darkest section centers on Ronnie Blumenthal, who at age 18 murdered a seamstress connected romantically to his father. Karas explains how the family minimized the crime for years, calling it “the incident” rather than a murder. Critical points: Ronnie strangled and brutally killed the woman Family continued loving and supporting him No one directly asked Ronnie if he committed the murder Ronnie later claimed he “took the wrap” for his father” This section explores guilt, ambiguity, denial, and moral complexity. See www.pylliskaras.com The book is available at Amazon.com and all major book outlets ——
Watch/listen to this fascinating interview with Phyllis Karas, New York Times bestseller, who speaks about her latest book, 'THE CURSE OF THE BLUMENTHALS', a book about tragedy and violence that struck this Jewish family, and how love was able to stop the curse. 1. Jewish Families Often Buried Painful Secrets Timeline: 04:35 – 06:45 Karas discusses how Jewish immigrant families frequently concealed shameful or painful truths. Divorce, alcoholism, crime, prison, and violence were hidden from children and outsiders. She describes uncovering long-buried family secrets through research and writing. Major revelations: She discovered her mother had been previously divorced Family never discussed who caused the fatal crash Relatives whispered about crime and prison in secrecy 2. Writing the Book Became an Act of Truth-Telling and Healing Timeline: 08:07 – 10:00 and 32:35 – 36:30 Karas explains that writing Curse of the Blumenthals required courage. She feared hurting relatives or exposing painful family wounds. Yet the book ultimately became an attempt to preserve memory, honor the dead, and confront truths honestly. Important themes: Librarians and archives helped reconstruct hidden history Cousins encouraged her to publish the story She rejected family shame and secrecy 3. Generational Trauma Defined the Family Story Timeline: 13:55 – 23:40 One of the central themes is the catastrophic 1935 drunk-driving crash that killed six members of the Blumenthal family, including children. Karas explains her family history was psychologically divided into “before the accident” and “after the accident.” The trauma shaped generations afterward. Key moments: Six family members killed instantly in 1935 Drunk driver served less than a year Family members never emotionally recovered 4. Ronnie Blumenthal's Murder Case Haunted Everyone Timeline: 25:05 – 32:15 The interview's darkest section centers on Ronnie Blumenthal, who at age 18 murdered a seamstress connected romantically to his father. Karas explains how the family minimized the crime for years, calling it “the incident” rather than a murder. Critical points: Ronnie strangled and brutally killed the woman Family continued loving and supporting him No one directly asked Ronnie if he committed the murder Ronnie later claimed he “took the wrap” for his father” This section explores guilt, ambiguity, denial, and moral complexity. See www.pylliskaras.com The book is available at Amazon.com and all major book outlets ——
Some conversations entertain. Others inform. And every so often, a conversation opens a window into an entire generation — into culture, identity, memory, and the evolving story of a people. Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Today's guest is Ralph Benmergui — one of Canada's most recognizable broadcasters, interviewers, and cultural voices. For decades, Ralph lived in the public square — first through the halls of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and later through the warm, intimate airwaves of JazzFM91. But what made Ralph unforgettable was never simply his talent. It was something rarer. Humanity. Curiosity. Vulnerability. Soul. He was not merely a broadcaster asking questions. He became a voice Canadians trusted to ask them honestly. But behind the microphone is a deeper story. The story of a Jewish boy growing up in Toronto. The son of Moroccan Jewish immigrants. A man shaped by questions of belonging, creativity, ambition, spirituality, and identity. Over the years, Ralph has spoken openly about success and struggle, about mental health. cancer and reinvention, about fame, fatherhood, aging, and what it means to remain emotionally awake in a world that often rewards performance over authenticity. This is not merely a conversation about media. It is a conversation about what happens to a person who spends a lifetime listening deeply to others — and then turns inward to ask difficult questions of himself. We will explore his powerful memoir, I Thought He Was Dead — a title as haunting as it is revealing. We'll schmooze about spirituality, Jewish Renewal, his work as a Mashpi'ah, his ordination as a spiritual director, and his deeply thoughtful approach to God — not as a fixed object, but as a verb… a flow that never stops creating. Today, Ralph serves as Executive Director of Aleph Canada, guiding individuals through spiritual coaching and leading Aging to Sageing workshops that ask one of life's most difficult questions: How do we grow older without growing smaller? Today's conversation explores broadcasting, Jewish identity, Canada, culture, creativity, pain, resilience, masculinity, memory, and the search for meaning in a noisy age. This is a conversation about voice. And perhaps even more importantly — about finding one's own. Welcome to my conversation with husband, father of four boys, citizen of Hamilton, broadcaster, spiritual seeker, and storyteller — Ralph Benmergui. ——
Some conversations entertain. Others inform. And every so often, a conversation opens a window into an entire generation — into culture, identity, memory, and the evolving story of a people. Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Today's guest is Ralph Benmergui — one of Canada's most recognizable broadcasters, interviewers, and cultural voices. For decades, Ralph lived in the public square — first through the halls of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and later through the warm, intimate airwaves of JazzFM91. But what made Ralph unforgettable was never simply his talent. It was something rarer. Humanity. Curiosity. Vulnerability. Soul. He was not merely a broadcaster asking questions. He became a voice Canadians trusted to ask them honestly. But behind the microphone is a deeper story. The story of a Jewish boy growing up in Toronto. The son of Moroccan Jewish immigrants. A man shaped by questions of belonging, creativity, ambition, spirituality, and identity. Over the years, Ralph has spoken openly about success and struggle, about mental health. cancer and reinvention, about fame, fatherhood, aging, and what it means to remain emotionally awake in a world that often rewards performance over authenticity. This is not merely a conversation about media. It is a conversation about what happens to a person who spends a lifetime listening deeply to others — and then turns inward to ask difficult questions of himself. We will explore his powerful memoir, I Thought He Was Dead — a title as haunting as it is revealing. We'll schmooze about spirituality, Jewish Renewal, his work as a Mashpi'ah, his ordination as a spiritual director, and his deeply thoughtful approach to God — not as a fixed object, but as a verb… a flow that never stops creating. Today, Ralph serves as Executive Director of Aleph Canada, guiding individuals through spiritual coaching and leading Aging to Sageing workshops that ask one of life's most difficult questions: How do we grow older without growing smaller? Today's conversation explores broadcasting, Jewish identity, Canada, culture, creativity, pain, resilience, masculinity, memory, and the search for meaning in a noisy age. This is a conversation about voice. And perhaps even more importantly — about finding one's own. Welcome to my conversation with husband, father of four boys, citizen of Hamilton, broadcaster, spiritual seeker, and storyteller — Ralph Benmergui. ——
Some lives follow a straight line. Others move through worlds—searching, questioning, breaking, and rebuilding. Dyan Liora's journey is one of those rare paths. Born in the Philippines and raised Catholic, she began asking difficult questions early—questions that led her away from organized religion and into a deep, often turbulent search for truth. From yoga practiced with urgency, to Kundalini spirituality, to a period of immersion in Islam, her path took her across spiritual traditions and into radically different ways of living—from the Amazon jungle to a hippie commune. But this wasn't just a search for meaning. It was a journey inward. As Dyan herself reflects through a Native teaching often attributed to the Sioux tradition: “The longest journey you will ever take is from your head to your heart.” Along the way, surrounded by voices that were deeply critical of Israel, she absorbed those views almost by default—never imagining they would one day be challenged. Until a moment she couldn't ignore. A man she deeply respected broke down in tears while speaking about Israel. That moment cracked something open. It triggered a wave of cognitive dissonance—and a relentless pursuit of truth. Dyan began researching. Studying history. Listening—deeply—to voices on all sides. And slowly, the narrative she once accepted began to unravel. What emerged was a radically different understanding: a small nation of Jews, living under constant threat in a complex and often hostile region. A reality far more layered—and far more human—than she had been led to believe. Then came October 7th. From Mexico, she watched in shock as people in her own circles didn't just criticize—but, at times, justified or even celebrated violence. In that moment, everything converged: her spiritual search, her commitment to truth, and her willingness to stand apart from the crowd. She began to speak. Today, Dyan Liora is a quantum healer, a former Sufi, and a guide for those seeking what she calls soul sovereignty—helping people break free from limiting beliefs and inherited narratives. Her work challenges not only spiritual assumptions, but also political ones—especially where history is blurred, simplified, or reshaped through ideology. Her voice has brought backlash. Suspensions. And controversy. But it has also drawn something else: People searching for clarity. For nuance. For truth. Having traveled to Israel herself, she describes a society far more complex and open than many imagine—a place where diversity, tension, freedom, and contradiction all exist side by side. Through it all, Dyan continues to ask the question that defines her journey: What happens when you are willing to question everything you thought you knew? Ladies and gentlemen— Dyan Liora. ——
Some lives follow a straight line. Others move through worlds—searching, questioning, breaking, and rebuilding. Dyan Liora's journey is one of those rare paths. Born in the Philippines and raised Catholic, she began asking difficult questions early—questions that led her away from organized religion and into a deep, often turbulent search for truth. From yoga practiced with urgency, to Kundalini spirituality, to a period of immersion in Islam, her path took her across spiritual traditions and into radically different ways of living—from the Amazon jungle to a hippie commune. But this wasn't just a search for meaning. It was a journey inward. As Dyan herself reflects through a Native teaching often attributed to the Sioux tradition: “The longest journey you will ever take is from your head to your heart.” Along the way, surrounded by voices that were deeply critical of Israel, she absorbed those views almost by default—never imagining they would one day be challenged. Until a moment she couldn't ignore. A man she deeply respected broke down in tears while speaking about Israel. That moment cracked something open. It triggered a wave of cognitive dissonance—and a relentless pursuit of truth. Dyan began researching. Studying history. Listening—deeply—to voices on all sides. And slowly, the narrative she once accepted began to unravel. What emerged was a radically different understanding: a small nation of Jews, living under constant threat in a complex and often hostile region. A reality far more layered—and far more human—than she had been led to believe. Then came October 7th. From Mexico, she watched in shock as people in her own circles didn't just criticize—but, at times, justified or even celebrated violence. In that moment, everything converged: her spiritual search, her commitment to truth, and her willingness to stand apart from the crowd. She began to speak. Today, Dyan Liora is a quantum healer, a former Sufi, and a guide for those seeking what she calls soul sovereignty—helping people break free from limiting beliefs and inherited narratives. Her work challenges not only spiritual assumptions, but also political ones—especially where history is blurred, simplified, or reshaped through ideology. Her voice has brought backlash. Suspensions. And controversy. But it has also drawn something else: People searching for clarity. For nuance. For truth. Having traveled to Israel herself, she describes a society far more complex and open than many imagine—a place where diversity, tension, freedom, and contradiction all exist side by side. Through it all, Dyan continues to ask the question that defines her journey: What happens when you are willing to question everything you thought you knew? Ladies and gentlemen— Dyan Liora. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Some lives are shaped by ideas. Others by moments. And then there are the rare lives shaped by decision — by a refusal to drift, by the choice to live with intention. This is one of those stories. This is the story of Eliav Dickstein — a man who asks not, what can Israel do for me, but what can I do for Israel? But his story doesn't begin on a battlefield. It begins in a small wooden treehouse in Ra'anana… Where a sixteen-year-old boy sat alone, looking out over a eucalyptus tree — and wrote down three dreams: To walk the length of the Land of Israel. To serve in one of its most elite units. And to step beyond its borders… to understand the world. Most people dream. Very few live their dreams forward. Eliav did. His path would take him from that quiet treehouse… into the heart of one of Israel's most elite undercover counterterrorism units — the Duvdevan Unit. A life of pressure. Of split-second decisions. Of leadership under fire. And then — a moment almost impossible to comprehend: He helped coordinate the rescue of a wounded soldier… Only to discover later — it was his own brother. What does that do to a person? How does it change the way you love… the way you fear… the way you lead? But this conversation doesn't stop at war. Because after years of service, something shifts. The soldier begins to ask new questions: Not only what have I done? — but what still needs to be built? Eliav steps into a new arena — as an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, the builder of a political party… still driven by that same force: Movement. Pressure. Purpose. “I need to be in constant motion,” he says. “Like an odometer on a bike.” So today, we go deep. Into the mind of a man who thrives under pressure. Into the story of a brother saved in war. Into the evolution — from fighter to visionary. This is not just a journey. It's a calling. Ladies and gentlemen… a father of four, a man of courage, and an Israeli through and through — Eliav Dickstein. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Some lives are shaped by ideas. Others by moments. And then there are the rare lives shaped by decision — by a refusal to drift, by the choice to live with intention. This is one of those stories. This is the story of Eliav Dickstein — a man who asks not, what can Israel do for me, but what can I do for Israel? But his story doesn't begin on a battlefield. It begins in a small wooden treehouse in Ra'anana… Where a sixteen-year-old boy sat alone, looking out over a eucalyptus tree — and wrote down three dreams: To walk the length of the Land of Israel. To serve in one of its most elite units. And to step beyond its borders… to understand the world. Most people dream. Very few live their dreams forward. Eliav did. His path would take him from that quiet treehouse… into the heart of one of Israel's most elite undercover counterterrorism units — the Duvdevan Unit. A life of pressure. Of split-second decisions. Of leadership under fire. And then — a moment almost impossible to comprehend: He helped coordinate the rescue of a wounded soldier… Only to discover later — it was his own brother. What does that do to a person? How does it change the way you love… the way you fear… the way you lead? But this conversation doesn't stop at war. Because after years of service, something shifts. The soldier begins to ask new questions: Not only what have I done? — but what still needs to be built? Eliav steps into a new arena — as an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, the builder of a political party… still driven by that same force: Movement. Pressure. Purpose. “I need to be in constant motion,” he says. “Like an odometer on a bike.” So today, we go deep. Into the mind of a man who thrives under pressure. Into the story of a brother saved in war. Into the evolution — from fighter to visionary. This is not just a journey. It's a calling. Ladies and gentlemen… a father of four, a man of courage, and an Israeli through and through — Eliav Dickstein. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Every so often, we meet someone whose life forces us to confront uncomfortable questions — about truth, about identity, and about the quiet pressures that shape what we are allowed to believe… and what we are not. This conversation does exactly that. This is the story of Charlotte Carmel Geva — a woman who did not simply cross borders, but who crossed lines most people are too afraid to even acknowledge. Born in Frankfurt, educated in the language of ideas — political science, Semitic studies — Charlotte could have remained in the safety of theory. Instead, she stepped into the real world, into Yemen, into the fragile, often dangerous reality of the Middle East — working with youth, with women, with communities living on the edge of uncertainty. And then, history moved. When the Arab Spring erupted, Charlotte was forced out — evacuated, displaced — yet she chose not to walk away. She stayed engaged, committed to human dignity in a region unraveling in real time. But the deepest rupture in her life did not come from war zones. It came from something quieter… and in many ways, more disturbing. In 2018, Charlotte was pushed out of her work — not because she failed, but because she was seen as too aligned with Israel in environments where antisemitism, often unspoken, shaped professional and social boundaries. That moment — painful, disorienting — could have silenced her. Instead, it clarified everything. What followed was not just a move. It was a transformation. Charlotte chose to go to Israel. She chose to convert to Judaism. She chose to align her outer life with her inner truth — at a cost that many would not be willing to pay. And that is where this conversation begins. Because this is not just a story about geography. It is a story about courage. About the tension between belonging and exclusion. About what happens when your values are no longer theoretical — when they demand something of you. Today, Charlotte continues her humanitarian work, bringing together Jewish ethical tradition and global responsibility — but her journey raises questions that reach far beyond her own life: What does it mean to stand firm when the world pushes back? What does it mean to choose identity — rather than inherit it? And what is the true cost of living honestly? This is not an easy conversation. But it is an important one. Please welcome… Charlotte Carmel Geva. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Every so often, we meet someone whose life forces us to confront uncomfortable questions — about truth, about identity, and about the quiet pressures that shape what we are allowed to believe… and what we are not. This conversation does exactly that. This is the story of Charlotte Carmel Geva — a woman who did not simply cross borders, but who crossed lines most people are too afraid to even acknowledge. Born in Frankfurt, educated in the language of ideas — political science, Semitic studies — Charlotte could have remained in the safety of theory. Instead, she stepped into the real world, into Yemen, into the fragile, often dangerous reality of the Middle East — working with youth, with women, with communities living on the edge of uncertainty. And then, history moved. When the Arab Spring erupted, Charlotte was forced out — evacuated, displaced — yet she chose not to walk away. She stayed engaged, committed to human dignity in a region unraveling in real time. But the deepest rupture in her life did not come from war zones. It came from something quieter… and in many ways, more disturbing. In 2018, Charlotte was pushed out of her work — not because she failed, but because she was seen as too aligned with Israel in environments where antisemitism, often unspoken, shaped professional and social boundaries. That moment — painful, disorienting — could have silenced her. Instead, it clarified everything. What followed was not just a move. It was a transformation. Charlotte chose to go to Israel. She chose to convert to Judaism. She chose to align her outer life with her inner truth — at a cost that many would not be willing to pay. And that is where this conversation begins. Because this is not just a story about geography. It is a story about courage. About the tension between belonging and exclusion. About what happens when your values are no longer theoretical — when they demand something of you. Today, Charlotte continues her humanitarian work, bringing together Jewish ethical tradition and global responsibility — but her journey raises questions that reach far beyond her own life: What does it mean to stand firm when the world pushes back? What does it mean to choose identity — rather than inherit it? And what is the true cost of living honestly? This is not an easy conversation. But it is an important one. Please welcome… Charlotte Carmel Geva. ——
QUESTIONS: 1. It is hard to believer Eva was born in Mauthhausen; hard to understand how her Mom's pregnancy was able to come to the point of delivery? 2. Does Eva's journey in life, compare to anything in your life? Does her narrative compel you to consider your own life? How? ______________________________________________________________________________ Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Every so often, we encounter a storyteller whose work does more than inform — it bears witness. It reaches into the deepest places of human experience and returns with something rare: truth shaped by courage, memory, and extraordinary lives. My guest on this show is Wendy Holden — an internationally acclaimed author of more than 47 books, many of them bestsellers. For nearly two decades as a journalist, and throughout her writing career, she has devoted herself to stories that live at the very edge of human experience — where history presses hardest, and where the human spirit reveals itself most clearly. But today's conversation goes beyond the page. We are also joined, in presence and in spirit, by Eva Clarke — one of the most extraordinary living links to one of history's darkest chapters. Eva is one of the babies born out of the unimaginable reality captured in Born Survivors — the true story of three young mothers, Priska, Rachel, and Anka, who defied death in Nazi concentration camps to bring life into the world. Eva's mother, Anka Bergman, was one of those women. In places designed for annihilation — in camps such as Auschwitz concentration camp and Mauthausen concentration camp — Anka made a decision that defies comprehension: she chose life. Pregnant, starving, and under constant threat — even from figures like Josef Mengele — she hid her pregnancy, endured forced labor, and carried her child forward day by day. An act not only of survival — but of resistance. And then, at the very edge of liberation, Eva was born — on April 29, 1945 — at the gates of Mauthausen. Her mother weighed less than 35 kilograms. The machinery of death was collapsing. And yet, life emerged. Today's conversation is not only about history. It is about memory. It is about moral courage. And it is about the fragile, unbreakable thread that connects one human life to another across generations. As Friedrich Nietzsche wrote — words later carried forward by Viktor Frankl — “Those who have a ‘why' to live can bear almost any ‘how.'” Today, we explore the story, the storyteller, and the living legacy of both. Welcome to the show. ——
QUESTIONS: 1. It is hard to believer Eva was born in Mauthhausen; hard to understand how her Mom's pregnancy was able to come to the point of delivery? 2. Does Eva's journey in life, compare to anything in your life? Does her narrative compel you to consider your own life? How? ______________________________________________________________________________ Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. Every so often, we encounter a storyteller whose work does more than inform — it bears witness. It reaches into the deepest places of human experience and returns with something rare: truth shaped by courage, memory, and extraordinary lives. My guest on this show is Wendy Holden — an internationally acclaimed author of more than 47 books, many of them bestsellers. For nearly two decades as a journalist, and throughout her writing career, she has devoted herself to stories that live at the very edge of human experience — where history presses hardest, and where the human spirit reveals itself most clearly. But today's conversation goes beyond the page. We are also joined, in presence and in spirit, by Eva Clarke — one of the most extraordinary living links to one of history's darkest chapters. Eva is one of the babies born out of the unimaginable reality captured in Born Survivors — the true story of three young mothers, Priska, Rachel, and Anka, who defied death in Nazi concentration camps to bring life into the world. Eva's mother, Anka Bergman, was one of those women. In places designed for annihilation — in camps such as Auschwitz concentration camp and Mauthausen concentration camp — Anka made a decision that defies comprehension: she chose life. Pregnant, starving, and under constant threat — even from figures like Josef Mengele — she hid her pregnancy, endured forced labor, and carried her child forward day by day. An act not only of survival — but of resistance. And then, at the very edge of liberation, Eva was born — on April 29, 1945 — at the gates of Mauthausen. Her mother weighed less than 35 kilograms. The machinery of death was collapsing. And yet, life emerged. Today's conversation is not only about history. It is about memory. It is about moral courage. And it is about the fragile, unbreakable thread that connects one human life to another across generations. As Friedrich Nietzsche wrote — words later carried forward by Viktor Frankl — “Those who have a ‘why' to live can bear almost any ‘how.'” Today, we explore the story, the storyteller, and the living legacy of both. Welcome to the show. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are teachers who deliver lessons… and then there are educators who transform the very experience of learning — who understand that education is not only about information, but about awakening curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young people. Today's guest is one of those rare educators. Daniella Robicsek Botnick is the Director of Curriculum for the boys' general studies junior high division at the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. With more than twenty-five years in the classroom, she brings not only deep experience, but something less common — a relentless commitment to growth. In 2020, she was selected for the prestigious Brandeis Teacher Leadership Program on a full scholarship, a reflection of her dedication not just to teaching, but to leading and rethinking education itself. What makes Daniella's work so compelling is her belief that even after decades in the classroom, a teacher must remain a student. Her approach draws on creativity, multiple modalities of learning, and the evolving demands of 21st-century education — always searching for new ways to reach the child in front of her. And the results speak for themselves. Students who once felt disengaged become energized. Classrooms once marked by behavioral challenges begin to shift. Young people who struggled elsewhere start to discover something powerful — confidence, curiosity, and even joy in learning. Her work is a reminder that education, at its best, is not about transmitting knowledge. It is about unlocking human potential. It is about seeing the student who feels unseen — and finding the path that allows them to believe in themselves. In this conversation, we explore Daniella's journey, the ideas she has developed over a quarter century, and what today's educators — and parents — can do to cultivate deeper engagement, creativity, and growth. We'll also ask some essential questions: What truly defines a great teacher across generations? How has education evolved in the last decade — and where is it heading? What did the COVID era reveal about technology, learning, and the irreplaceable role of the human teacher? And how do we reach the students who too often fall through the cracks? This is a conversation about the art of teaching, the science of learning, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to thrive. I'm Avrum Rosensweig — and this is a conversation you won't want to miss. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. There are teachers who deliver lessons… and then there are educators who transform the very experience of learning — who understand that education is not only about information, but about awakening curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young people. Today's guest is one of those rare educators. Daniella Robicsek Botnick is the Director of Curriculum for the boys' general studies junior high division at the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. With more than twenty-five years in the classroom, she brings not only deep experience, but something less common — a relentless commitment to growth. In 2020, she was selected for the prestigious Brandeis Teacher Leadership Program on a full scholarship, a reflection of her dedication not just to teaching, but to leading and rethinking education itself. What makes Daniella's work so compelling is her belief that even after decades in the classroom, a teacher must remain a student. Her approach draws on creativity, multiple modalities of learning, and the evolving demands of 21st-century education — always searching for new ways to reach the child in front of her. And the results speak for themselves. Students who once felt disengaged become energized. Classrooms once marked by behavioral challenges begin to shift. Young people who struggled elsewhere start to discover something powerful — confidence, curiosity, and even joy in learning. Her work is a reminder that education, at its best, is not about transmitting knowledge. It is about unlocking human potential. It is about seeing the student who feels unseen — and finding the path that allows them to believe in themselves. In this conversation, we explore Daniella's journey, the ideas she has developed over a quarter century, and what today's educators — and parents — can do to cultivate deeper engagement, creativity, and growth. We'll also ask some essential questions: What truly defines a great teacher across generations? How has education evolved in the last decade — and where is it heading? What did the COVID era reveal about technology, learning, and the irreplaceable role of the human teacher? And how do we reach the students who too often fall through the cracks? This is a conversation about the art of teaching, the science of learning, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to thrive. I'm Avrum Rosensweig — and this is a conversation you won't want to miss. ——
Welcome to the show. Some creative people tell stories. Others build entire worlds with language — worlds that allow us to see ourselves, our history, and our moral struggles with greater clarity. Today's guest is one of those rare builders. Jeff Meschel is a playwright, author, and lifelong student of music whose work lives at the intersection of literature, history, and the Jewish experience. Living in Israel, he writes with a perspective shaped by both the ancient pulse of Jewish civilization and the urgent complexities of modern life in the Jewish state. His work spans an extraordinary range — from theater to journalism, from blogging to music criticism — always circling the same enduring questions: Who are we? What shapes us? And what does it mean to create something that lasts? His remarkable novel, The Greatest Band That Never Was, is a deeply imaginative journey into music, memory, and missed possibility. It explores a haunting idea — that history is filled with brilliance that almost happened. Through humor, insight, and cultural reflection, Jeff captures not only the romance of music, but the deeper human longing to leave something behind that endures. As a playwright, Jeff understands that the stage is more than performance — it is a space where ideas breathe, where characters wrestle with truth, and where audiences are invited into conversations that linger long after the curtain falls. Beyond the page, Jeff's life reads like a cultural tapestry. He has interviewed a young Simon and Garfunkel, written about music since the days of Rubber Soul, and even shared a moment — a kiss — with Janis Joplin. His lifelong devotion to music has earned him his own title: Music Promulgator. Today, we'll explore his passion for storytelling, his obsessive love of music, his reflections on identity, and what it means to create art in Israel during deeply consequential times. A husband, a father, a saba, and a truly original voice — Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jeff Meschel. Baruch ha'bah. Welcome! ——
Welcome to the show. Some creative people tell stories. Others build entire worlds with language — worlds that allow us to see ourselves, our history, and our moral struggles with greater clarity. Today's guest is one of those rare builders. Jeff Meschel is a playwright, author, and lifelong student of music whose work lives at the intersection of literature, history, and the Jewish experience. Living in Israel, he writes with a perspective shaped by both the ancient pulse of Jewish civilization and the urgent complexities of modern life in the Jewish state. His work spans an extraordinary range — from theater to journalism, from blogging to music criticism — always circling the same enduring questions: Who are we? What shapes us? And what does it mean to create something that lasts? His remarkable novel, The Greatest Band That Never Was, is a deeply imaginative journey into music, memory, and missed possibility. It explores a haunting idea — that history is filled with brilliance that almost happened. Through humor, insight, and cultural reflection, Jeff captures not only the romance of music, but the deeper human longing to leave something behind that endures. As a playwright, Jeff understands that the stage is more than performance — it is a space where ideas breathe, where characters wrestle with truth, and where audiences are invited into conversations that linger long after the curtain falls. Beyond the page, Jeff's life reads like a cultural tapestry. He has interviewed a young Simon and Garfunkel, written about music since the days of Rubber Soul, and even shared a moment — a kiss — with Janis Joplin. His lifelong devotion to music has earned him his own title: Music Promulgator. Today, we'll explore his passion for storytelling, his obsessive love of music, his reflections on identity, and what it means to create art in Israel during deeply consequential times. A husband, a father, a saba, and a truly original voice — Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jeff Meschel. Baruch ha'bah. Welcome! ——
There are people who live loudly… and people who live thoughtfully. And then there are those who spend a lifetime helping others shape their message — only to discover, later in life, that they have a powerful voice of their own. Today's guest is one of those people. David Eisenstadt has spent decades at the center of Canadian public life — not on the stage, but just behind it. A highly respected public relations consultant, he began his career in the PR division of Goodis, Goldberg & Soren, working under legendary advertising figure Jerry Goodis. Later, with his wife Rhoda, he co-founded The Communications Group — tcgPR — helping build one of Canada's leading communications firms specializing in technology and real estate. For years, David helped companies and leaders tell their stories. And then, at the age of seventy-six, he did something remarkable. He became an author. His first book, Under the Radar, profiled 30 notable Canadian Jewish musicians. His second, Musicians Under the Radar, expanded the project to 36 performers — thirty-six, a number that resonates deeply in Jewish tradition: double chai, double life. And perhaps that's fitting. After a lifetime helping others communicate, David has given these artists — and perhaps himself — a second life through memory, music, and recognition. His work shines a light on performers who shaped Canadian culture from jazz stages to concert halls, and from synagogues to rock venues — artists who contributed enormously, often without the recognition they deserved. Today we'll talk about reinvention at seventy-six. About Jewish creativity and contribution in Canadian culture. About the cantors and composers who brought sacred music to life in synagogues across the country. And about David's newest book — Rock Musicians Under the Radar — which highlights eighteen notable Canadian Jewish performers whose music helped shape the sound of a generation. So let's begin. David Eisenstadt, welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. ——
There are people who live loudly… and people who live thoughtfully. And then there are those who spend a lifetime helping others shape their message — only to discover, later in life, that they have a powerful voice of their own. Today's guest is one of those people. David Eisenstadt has spent decades at the center of Canadian public life — not on the stage, but just behind it. A highly respected public relations consultant, he began his career in the PR division of Goodis, Goldberg & Soren, working under legendary advertising figure Jerry Goodis. Later, with his wife Rhoda, he co-founded The Communications Group — tcgPR — helping build one of Canada's leading communications firms specializing in technology and real estate. For years, David helped companies and leaders tell their stories. And then, at the age of seventy-six, he did something remarkable. He became an author. His first book, Under the Radar, profiled 30 notable Canadian Jewish musicians. His second, Musicians Under the Radar, expanded the project to 36 performers — thirty-six, a number that resonates deeply in Jewish tradition: double chai, double life. And perhaps that's fitting. After a lifetime helping others communicate, David has given these artists — and perhaps himself — a second life through memory, music, and recognition. His work shines a light on performers who shaped Canadian culture from jazz stages to concert halls, and from synagogues to rock venues — artists who contributed enormously, often without the recognition they deserved. Today we'll talk about reinvention at seventy-six. About Jewish creativity and contribution in Canadian culture. About the cantors and composers who brought sacred music to life in synagogues across the country. And about David's newest book — Rock Musicians Under the Radar — which highlights eighteen notable Canadian Jewish performers whose music helped shape the sound of a generation. So let's begin. David Eisenstadt, welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show, one of the internet's most thoughtful conversations, where we explore the lives, ideas, and stories of remarkable people whose work shapes the world around us. Cities are not merely collections of buildings and roads. They are living organisms — breathing through their neighborhoods, pulsing with ambition, creativity, and memory. They inhale through the hopes of their residents and exhale through the dreams of millions who call them home. Few places embody that living complexity more than Toronto — a remarkable city where hundreds of languages echo through the streets, where cultures meet and mingle, and where possibility has long been the unofficial civic religion. Around the world, Toronto is admired as a beacon of diversity, openness, and opportunity. Yet today, many Torontonians feel something shifting in the civic atmosphere. Housing that once represented opportunity now feels increasingly unreachable. Grocery bills climb, poverty grows, infrastructure strains under the weight of a rapidly expanding metropolis, and traffic makes the simple act of getting home harder each day. Perhaps most troubling is the subtle erosion of social trust — the sense that the kind, easygoing Toronto many remember is becoming harder to find. At the same time, the city faces a troubling rise in antisemitism — now one of the fastest-growing categories of hate crimes — raising urgent questions about safety, dignity, and belonging for Jewish Torontonians and about the responsibility of civic leadership to confront hatred wherever it appears. These are not small challenges. They require thoughtful leadership and a renewed vision for what Toronto can become. Brad Bradford is the Toronto City Councillor for Beaches–East York, a community known for strong civic engagement and vibrant neighborhood life. Before entering politics, Brad worked as an urban planner, focusing on how thoughtful development and infrastructure shape the everyday experience of residents. At City Hall, he has spoken frequently about housing affordability, responsible growth, public safety, and the need for municipal government that listens — truly listens — to the people it serves. Now, Brad Bradford is entering the race to become Mayor of Toronto. His connection to the city began long before politics. Raised by a single mother in Hamilton, he remembers visiting Toronto as a thirteen-year-old boy for his birthday. After arriving by GO Train and stepping into the vast hall of Union Station, he saw the skyline rising above Front Street — and in that moment, Toronto felt like a “shining city on the hill,” a place filled with possibility and promise. That moment stayed with him. Today, as a father, Brad believes the city stands at a crossroads. The Toronto he once saw as a symbol of aspiration feels further away to many families. But he believes it can be rebuilt — by restoring the basics: safety, affordability, mobility, and a civic culture that allows people to build lives, families, and businesses here again. In this conversation, we explore the future of Toronto — its challenges, its promise, and the leadership required to shape the next chapter of this extraordinary city. Because the future of a city is never inevitable. It is built — decision by decision, leader by leader, and citizen by citizen. Brad Bradford, welcome to the show. ——
Welcome to The Avrum Rosensweig Show, one of the internet's most thoughtful conversations, where we explore the lives, ideas, and stories of remarkable people whose work shapes the world around us. Cities are not merely collections of buildings and roads. They are living organisms — breathing through their neighborhoods, pulsing with ambition, creativity, and memory. They inhale through the hopes of their residents and exhale through the dreams of millions who call them home. Few places embody that living complexity more than Toronto — a remarkable city where hundreds of languages echo through the streets, where cultures meet and mingle, and where possibility has long been the unofficial civic religion. Around the world, Toronto is admired as a beacon of diversity, openness, and opportunity. Yet today, many Torontonians feel something shifting in the civic atmosphere. Housing that once represented opportunity now feels increasingly unreachable. Grocery bills climb, poverty grows, infrastructure strains under the weight of a rapidly expanding metropolis, and traffic makes the simple act of getting home harder each day. Perhaps most troubling is the subtle erosion of social trust — the sense that the kind, easygoing Toronto many remember is becoming harder to find. At the same time, the city faces a troubling rise in antisemitism — now one of the fastest-growing categories of hate crimes — raising urgent questions about safety, dignity, and belonging for Jewish Torontonians and about the responsibility of civic leadership to confront hatred wherever it appears. These are not small challenges. They require thoughtful leadership and a renewed vision for what Toronto can become. Brad Bradford is the Toronto City Councillor for Beaches–East York, a community known for strong civic engagement and vibrant neighborhood life. Before entering politics, Brad worked as an urban planner, focusing on how thoughtful development and infrastructure shape the everyday experience of residents. At City Hall, he has spoken frequently about housing affordability, responsible growth, public safety, and the need for municipal government that listens — truly listens — to the people it serves. Now, Brad Bradford is entering the race to become Mayor of Toronto. His connection to the city began long before politics. Raised by a single mother in Hamilton, he remembers visiting Toronto as a thirteen-year-old boy for his birthday. After arriving by GO Train and stepping into the vast hall of Union Station, he saw the skyline rising above Front Street — and in that moment, Toronto felt like a “shining city on the hill,” a place filled with possibility and promise. That moment stayed with him. Today, as a father, Brad believes the city stands at a crossroads. The Toronto he once saw as a symbol of aspiration feels further away to many families. But he believes it can be rebuilt — by restoring the basics: safety, affordability, mobility, and a civic culture that allows people to build lives, families, and businesses here again. In this conversation, we explore the future of Toronto — its challenges, its promise, and the leadership required to shape the next chapter of this extraordinary city. Because the future of a city is never inevitable. It is built — decision by decision, leader by leader, and citizen by citizen. Brad Bradford, welcome to the show. ——
On this episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, I'm delighted to welcome author Sharon Neiss, whose newest book carries one of the most unforgettable titles you'll hear this year: How I Learned to Pee in the Forest. Some lessons in life arrive with ceremony — classrooms, lectures, and careful instructions. Others arrive unexpectedly, under open sky, when the ground is uneven, the air smells of pine and earth, and dignity suddenly feels negotiable. Sharon's story begins with what sounds like a small, almost humorous challenge, but quickly opens into something far more meaningful. In this warm, honest, and often very funny conversation, Sharon explores how moments of discomfort in the natural world can become powerful teachers. What begins as a practical problem in the wilderness becomes a reflection on resilience, humility, adaptability, and the courage to step beyond familiar comforts. The forest, in Sharon's telling, becomes more than scenery — it becomes a teacher, a mirror, and sometimes even a mischievous companion on the journey toward self-confidence. This is Sharon's fourth book, the result of two years of creativity, reflection, and perseverance. In our discussion we talk about the writing journey itself — the joy of the first draft, the challenge of feedback, the crucial role of editors and design, and the courage it takes to finally press “publish” and send a book out into the world. We also explore the deeper themes behind the story: • Why goals require both commitment and flexibility • How visualization and steady effort make daunting dreams achievable • And why it is never too late to begin something new Sharon is a friend, a mom, a wife, a daughter — and clearly a gifted storyteller whose voice reminds us that growth often hides inside the awkward, the unexpected, and even the slightly embarrassing moments of life. Join us for a thoughtful and engaging conversation about writing, resilience, nature, and the surprising wisdom found in the most human experiences. Welcome to the show, Sharon. ——
On this episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, I'm delighted to welcome author Sharon Neiss, whose newest book carries one of the most unforgettable titles you'll hear this year: How I Learned to Pee in the Forest. Some lessons in life arrive with ceremony — classrooms, lectures, and careful instructions. Others arrive unexpectedly, under open sky, when the ground is uneven, the air smells of pine and earth, and dignity suddenly feels negotiable. Sharon's story begins with what sounds like a small, almost humorous challenge, but quickly opens into something far more meaningful. In this warm, honest, and often very funny conversation, Sharon explores how moments of discomfort in the natural world can become powerful teachers. What begins as a practical problem in the wilderness becomes a reflection on resilience, humility, adaptability, and the courage to step beyond familiar comforts. The forest, in Sharon's telling, becomes more than scenery — it becomes a teacher, a mirror, and sometimes even a mischievous companion on the journey toward self-confidence. This is Sharon's fourth book, the result of two years of creativity, reflection, and perseverance. In our discussion we talk about the writing journey itself — the joy of the first draft, the challenge of feedback, the crucial role of editors and design, and the courage it takes to finally press “publish” and send a book out into the world. We also explore the deeper themes behind the story: • Why goals require both commitment and flexibility • How visualization and steady effort make daunting dreams achievable • And why it is never too late to begin something new Sharon is a friend, a mom, a wife, a daughter — and clearly a gifted storyteller whose voice reminds us that growth often hides inside the awkward, the unexpected, and even the slightly embarrassing moments of life. Join us for a thoughtful and engaging conversation about writing, resilience, nature, and the surprising wisdom found in the most human experiences. Welcome to the show, Sharon. ——
Winter Light — A Daughter of Holocaust Survivors Tells Her Story On this episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, we are honored to welcome Grace Feuerverger — Professor Emerita at the University of Toronto, award-winning author, and a scholar whose work explores identity, culture, language, and peace education. Grace's powerful memoir, Winter Light: Memoir of a Child of Holocaust Survivors, tells the story of growing up in Montréal as the daughter of parents who survived Nazi persecution in Poland. In this deeply moving conversation, Grace reflects on the legacy of trauma passed down through generations, the search for inner refuge, and the surprising moments of grace that shaped her life. Praised for its lyrical writing and profound humanity, Winter Light explores how a child of survivors navigates the shadows of history while moving toward healing, meaning, and hope. In this episode, we discuss the legacy of the Holocaust, the resilience of survivor families, Grace's journey through many cultures and languages, and the enduring power of education and human connection. Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about memory, identity, and the courage to keep walking toward the light. #GraceFeuerverger #WinterLight #HolocaustLegacy #ChildOfSurvivors #HolocaustMemory #JewishHistory #HolocaustEducation #AvrumRosensweigShow #HolocaustStories #JewishPodcast #HolocaustSurvivors #Resilience #HumanSpirit #JewishAuthors #HistoryAndMemory ——
'Winter Light — A Daughter of Holocaust Survivors' tells Her Story. On this episode of The Avrum Rosensweig Show, we are honored to welcome Grace Feuerverger — Professor Emerita at the University of Toronto, award-winning author, and a scholar whose work explores identity, culture, language, and peace education. Grace's powerful memoir, 'Winter Light: Memoir of a Child of Holocaust' Survivors, tells the story of growing up in Montréal as the daughter of parents who survived Nazi persecution in Poland. In this deeply moving conversation, Grace reflects on the legacy of trauma passed down through generations, the search for inner refuge, and the surprising moments of grace that shaped her life. Praised for its lyrical writing and profound humanity, Winter Light explores how a child of survivors navigates the shadows of history while moving toward healing, meaning, and hope. In this episode, we discuss the legacy of the Holocaust, the resilience of survivor families, Grace's journey through many cultures and languages, and the enduring power of education and human connection. Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about memory, identity, and the courage to keep walking toward the light. #GraceFeuerverger #WinterLight #HolocaustLegacy #ChildOfSurvivors #HolocaustMemory #JewishHistory #HolocaustEducation #AvrumRosensweigShow #HolocaustStories #JewishPodcast #HolocaustSurvivors #Resilience #HumanSpirit #JewishAuthors #HistoryAndMemory ——
Welcome to the show. There are moments in history when leadership is not ceremonial — it is existential. When uncertainty spreads, when fear rises, and when moral clarity feels obscured, the question is no longer who speaks the loudest, but who carries the deepest responsibility. This week we turn to Parshat Tetzaveh — Leadership When the World Is Unsteady, a portion that speaks directly into such moments. Unlike narratives of plagues or revelation, Tetzaveh turns inward. It speaks of garments. Of oil. Of light. Of the Kohen Gadol, Aaron, clothed “for glory and for splendor.” Yet beneath the gold threads and precious stones lies something far more demanding: he must carry the names of the twelve tribes over his heart. Leadership, the Torah teaches, is not about prominence — it is about bearing people. Their pain. Their hope. Their dignity. Close to one's chest. The parsha opens with the command: וְאַתָּה תְּצַוֶּה — “And you shall command.” Moses' name does not appear in this entire portion, yet it begins by addressing him directly. The message is profound. True leadership does not require the spotlight. The greatest leaders are sometimes most powerful when they step back. We are commanded לְהַעֲלֹת נֵר תָּמִיד — “to raise up a continual light.” Not merely to ignite a flame, but to kindle it until it rises on its own. Light is not self-sustaining. It requires tending. It requires pure oil. It requires constancy. In times of crisis, moral leadership functions the same way — disciplined, steady, luminous, even when the surrounding world feels dark. And Aaron is told: וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת שְׁמוֹתָם עַל לִבּוֹ — “And Aaron shall carry their names upon his heart.” On his shoulders — responsibility. On his heart — compassion. Leadership is both weight and love. Today we will explore the enduring questions of this parsha: Why begin with pure olive oil before speaking of sacred garments? What does a continual flame teach about spiritual responsibility in unstable times? Why are the garments described as “for glory and for splendor”? What is the difference between carrying a people on one's shoulders and carrying them on one's heart? Why is Moses' name absent — and what does that teach about humility, sacrifice, and essence beyond ego? Tetzaveh reminds us: when the world trembles, the answer is not louder noise. It is steadier light. Leadership is not loudness — it is the disciplined commitment to sustain illumination and hold a people together when history grows dark. Let's begin. ——
Welcome to the show. There are moments in history when leadership is not ceremonial — it is existential. When uncertainty spreads, when fear rises, and when moral clarity feels obscured, the question is no longer who speaks the loudest, but who carries the deepest responsibility. This week we turn to Parshat Tetzaveh — Leadership When the World Is Unsteady, a portion that speaks directly into such moments. Unlike narratives of plagues or revelation, Tetzaveh turns inward. It speaks of garments. Of oil. Of light. Of the Kohen Gadol, Aaron, clothed “for glory and for splendor.” Yet beneath the gold threads and precious stones lies something far more demanding: he must carry the names of the twelve tribes over his heart. Leadership, the Torah teaches, is not about prominence — it is about bearing people. Their pain. Their hope. Their dignity. Close to one's chest. The parsha opens with the command: וְאַתָּה תְּצַוֶּה — “And you shall command.” Moses' name does not appear in this entire portion, yet it begins by addressing him directly. The message is profound. True leadership does not require the spotlight. The greatest leaders are sometimes most powerful when they step back. We are commanded לְהַעֲלֹת נֵר תָּמִיד — “to raise up a continual light.” Not merely to ignite a flame, but to kindle it until it rises on its own. Light is not self-sustaining. It requires tending. It requires pure oil. It requires constancy. In times of crisis, moral leadership functions the same way — disciplined, steady, luminous, even when the surrounding world feels dark. And Aaron is told: וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת שְׁמוֹתָם עַל לִבּוֹ — “And Aaron shall carry their names upon his heart.” On his shoulders — responsibility. On his heart — compassion. Leadership is both weight and love. Today we will explore the enduring questions of this parsha: Why begin with pure olive oil before speaking of sacred garments? What does a continual flame teach about spiritual responsibility in unstable times? Why are the garments described as “for glory and for splendor”? What is the difference between carrying a people on one's shoulders and carrying them on one's heart? Why is Moses' name absent — and what does that teach about humility, sacrifice, and essence beyond ego? Tetzaveh reminds us: when the world trembles, the answer is not louder noise. It is steadier light. Leadership is not loudness — it is the disciplined commitment to sustain illumination and hold a people together when history grows dark. Let's begin. ——
History does not whisper in our lifetime — it thunders. Nations are tested, alliances are strained, and the moral weight of leadership settles on those called to stand in the storm. In such moments, diplomacy is no longer ceremony. It is strategy. It is conviction. It is the voice of a nation carried across oceans. Today, we are honored to sit at one of the most consequential crossroads of our era with Michael 'Yechiel' Leiter, Israel's Ambassador to the United States. His appointment in January 2025 is not the result of a single moment, but the culmination of a life shaped by intellect, policy, and public service. He has served in senior advisory roles to Israel's leadership, including as chief of staff to Benjamin Netanyahu during his tenure as finance minister, and in key positions across government ministries and national institutions — from national education policy to strategic infrastructure oversight. In every arena, his work has required one essential quality: the ability to translate vision into reality. Yet Ambassador Leiter is not only a practitioner of statecraft — he is a scholar of it. Holding a Ph.D. in political philosophy from the University of Haifa, with advanced training in international relations and law, he has written and lectured extensively on democracy, governance, and the moral foundations of power. His book, John Locke's Political Philosophy and the Hebrew Bible, argues that modern democratic ideals are not merely products of secular Enlightenment thought, but are deeply rooted in biblical covenantal ideas — that authority is conditional, morally bound, and entrusted rather than absolute. Few diplomats arrive with both the academic depth to interpret history and the practical experience to help shape it. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and forged in Israel's public life, Ambassador Leiter stands as a bridge between worlds — scholarship and strategy, conviction and diplomacy, heritage and unfolding history. His earlier advocacy work on behalf of the Jewish community of Hebron positioned him as a key voice explaining one of Judaism's oldest cities — home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs — to international audiences, framing its story not only through conflict, but through history, faith, and continuity. And he carries something more — something deeply personal. His firstborn son, Lt. Col. Moshe Yedidya Leiter, an elite Israeli combat officer, was killed in action in Gaza following the war that erupted after October 7. That loss is inseparable from his public voice. When he speaks about Israel's security, democracy, and moral responsibility, he does so not only as a diplomat, but as a father who has borne the cost of national defense. Michael Leiter brings together three rare callings: senior government practitioner, trained political philosopher, and diplomatic representative. His career bridges theory and policy, scholarship and statecraft, faith and democracy. This is not merely an interview. It is a conversation at the fault line of our times. Ambassador Michael Leiter — welcome to the program. ——
History does not whisper in our lifetime — it thunders. Nations are tested, alliances are strained, and the moral weight of leadership settles on those called to stand in the storm. In such moments, diplomacy is no longer ceremony. It is strategy. It is conviction. It is the voice of a nation carried across oceans. Today, we are honored to sit at one of the most consequential crossroads of our era with Michael 'Yechiel' Leiter, Israel's Ambassador to the United States. His appointment in January 2025 is not the result of a single moment, but the culmination of a life shaped by intellect, policy, and public service. He has served in senior advisory roles to Israel's leadership, including as chief of staff to Benjamin Netanyahu during his tenure as finance minister, and in key positions across government ministries and national institutions — from national education policy to strategic infrastructure oversight. In every arena, his work has required one essential quality: the ability to translate vision into reality. Yet Ambassador Leiter is not only a practitioner of statecraft — he is a scholar of it. Holding a Ph.D. in political philosophy from the University of Haifa, with advanced training in international relations and law, he has written and lectured extensively on democracy, governance, and the moral foundations of power. His book, John Locke's Political Philosophy and the Hebrew Bible, argues that modern democratic ideals are not merely products of secular Enlightenment thought, but are deeply rooted in biblical covenantal ideas — that authority is conditional, morally bound, and entrusted rather than absolute. Few diplomats arrive with both the academic depth to interpret history and the practical experience to help shape it. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and forged in Israel's public life, Ambassador Leiter stands as a bridge between worlds — scholarship and strategy, conviction and diplomacy, heritage and unfolding history. His earlier advocacy work on behalf of the Jewish community of Hebron positioned him as a key voice explaining one of Judaism's oldest cities — home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs — to international audiences, framing its story not only through conflict, but through history, faith, and continuity. And he carries something more — something deeply personal. His firstborn son, Lt. Col. Moshe Yedidya Leiter, an elite Israeli combat officer, was killed in action in Gaza following the war that erupted after October 7. That loss is inseparable from his public voice. When he speaks about Israel's security, democracy, and moral responsibility, he does so not only as a diplomat, but as a father who has borne the cost of national defense. Michael Leiter brings together three rare callings: senior government practitioner, trained political philosopher, and diplomatic representative. His career bridges theory and policy, scholarship and statecraft, faith and democracy. This is not merely an interview. It is a conversation at the fault line of our times. Ambassador Michael Leiter — welcome to the program. ——
In every community, there are people who volunteer. And then there are people who quietly become part of the community's infrastructure — the ones who notice what's missing, gather others, and build what's needed. In this podcast, we'll meet one of those people: Shayna Rehberg-Paquin of Tzfat. Shayna is a mother of seven — including children with special needs — and she somehow holds the many moving pieces of family life, leadership, and volunteerism with a rare blend of strength, sensitivity, and organizational mastery. Her days are a tapestry: caring for her children, mentoring, guiding projects, responding to urgent needs, and still carrying a spirit of creativity and optimism. Whether she's leading a foraging hike, running a support circle for mothers, or helping women through moments of crisis, Shayna shows up with purpose — grounded in service. Her path to Tzfat has been as multifaceted as her work. She's lived in four countries, visited fifteen, and moved twenty-eight times — and for the past eleven years, she's been proud to call Tzfat home. Professionally, she began in real estate, then shifted into nonprofit leadership — working with the Jewish Federation and Livnot U'Lehibanot, later becoming a grant writer and development strategist who helped secure support for organizations like the Safed English Library and the HUB, now Klika. She co-founded Sparks to Life, served as Project Director in Tzfat's Immigration Absorption Department, and has hosted Nefesh B'Nefesh pilot-trip participants since 2010. And in a city with deep history and spiritual resonance — one of Judaism's four holy cities, and today the poorest Jewish city in Israel — Shayna is helping shape a stronger future: from a five-year strategic aliyah plan, to transforming bomb shelters into therapeutic spaces for children, to founding a clothing gemach that restores dignity to families in need. Some people build programs. Others build communities. Shayna is doing both — with vision, compassion, and an uncommon capacity for action. This is a conversation about leadership that isn't about titles — it's about responsibility, love, and what it means to keep building, even when life is full. Welcome to the show. ——
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