maharatcast

Miryam Kabakov is the current Executive director of Eshel. In our conversation, she shares a bit about the history of gay frum women, reflects on how an entire community came out of the closet, and what that means for the Orthodox community today. Miryam Kabakov bio: https://www.eshelonline.org/our-team/ Music: Batya Levine Editor: Jude Ephson

Rachael Fried currently serves as the Executive Director of JQY. You can read her full bio here: https://bit.ly/3Ixnj0k. To give a sense of the Stern and YU world that Rachel is coming from, this link might be helpful: The “Gay” panel at YU: https://bit.ly/3ofKkOx Being LGBTQ+ in an Orthodox World: a Panel of YU Undergrad Students & Alumni https://bit.ly/3BLHZOb Here are a few more articles written by (or about) Rachel's important work: -https://bit.ly/45l8VSB -https://bit.ly/42V5nVq -https://bit.ly/3WqbE9e Music: Batya Levine Editor: Jude Ephson Come and join us to learn more about Rachael's inspiring personal journey and life-long professional commitment to supporting and nurturing her own community.

Dr. Gillian Steinberg is an English teacher at SAR High School, and she is also a talented writing coach (https://www.teachingwritingbetter.com/about). She wrote an important article about the use of metaphors in this area of communal discourse for Machon Si'ach (https://www.machonsiach.org/inside-the-conversation/2020/6/15/the-use-of-metaphors-in-discussing-homosexuality). In addition, see here for the paper by Rabbi Ethan Tucker on handedness to which Dr. Steinberg refers: https://www.hadar.org/torah-resource/uniformity-and-diversity-left-handedness-and-halakhah Music: Batya Levine Editor and Producer: Jude Ephson

In order to understand any community, it is important to appreciate a basic timeline of development. Dr. Kathy Peiss is a leading scholar in this field and helps us to understand the history of the gay community in America. (bio: https://bit.ly/3HTKXUi) Resources To get a sense of the way in which things have changed, here are a few links to help give some color to the communal conversation in the 1960's: -Time Magazine 1/21/61 (https://time.com/vault/issue/1966-01-21/page/52/) -The Homosexuals Documentary, CBS News, Youtube (https://cbsn.ws/42kQ7B3) -Wiki, The Homosexuals (https://bit.ly/41kwNCr) -Paul Welch, “Homosexuality in America,” Life, June 26, 1964, pp. 66-80. An article famous for making urban gay life visible to a national audience, with stereotypical popular and scientific views of the dangers of homosexuality. (https://bit.ly/42lF8Y4) The Stonewall riots in 1969 were an important turning point for the Gay community in America. There was a major shift from the counter-cultural community of the 1970's and 1980's as a result of the AIDS crisis and what is known as the lesbian baby-boom. The political activism of the gay community turned its eyes toward same-sex marriage. -In 1989, Andrew Sullivan wrote, “Here Comes the Groom: A (Conservative) Case for Gay Marriage,” in The New Republic, August 28, 1989. This piece is considered the first article to argue for gay marriage published in a mainstream publication. (https://newrepublic.com/article/79054/here-comes-the-groom) To access the materials referred to in the introduction, see this link. (https://bit.ly/3VQ6Vxt) Music: Batya Levine Editor: Jude Ephson

Introduction to Female Same Sex Intimacy in Halakha: A New Approach by maharatcast

In this episode, Adina Roth ('24) discusses immersing in water and teshuva. This episode was produced by Rabba Dina Brawer ('18) ft. vocals by Meytal Blumenthal, musical accompaniment, editing, sound engineering by Ari Oshinsky.

In this episode Rabbanit Schaum Broder shares - through the haunting liturgy of the machzor and her own poetry - her ‘sadeh where she finds God, the starting point of her journey of teshuva, she discovered this place upon entering a hospital room and in holding an individual's pain and brokenness, she encountered the Divine.

Bonus Musical Episode - 'In Relationship with God' by maharatcast

In this episode, Maharat student Yali Szulanski discusses her experience with her 6th grade students, and how at any age we must make a conscious choice to believe in the compassion of g-d. More details can be found at: https://www.yeshivatmaharat.org/podcast-details

In this episode, Miriam Lorie discusses the challenge zone that she encounters when she runs, and how she reframes her connection with God. Looking to God as her coach, as she feels his support and pushes forward in facing all of life's challenges. This episode was produced by Rabba Dina Brawer (‘18), featuring vocals by Rabbanit Leah Sarna (‘18). With musical accompaniment, editing and sound engineering by Ari Oshinsky.

Rabba Dina Brawer shares her Elul ritual journey of return, the moments where she finds Gd most accessible, and symbolically releases the events of the last year at the sea. This episode was produced by Rabba Dina Brawer (‘18), featuring vocals by Rabbanit Leah Sarna (‘18). With musical accompaniment, editing and sound engineering by Ari Oshinsky.

In Season 2, Rabba Dina Brawer explores themes of teshuva and personal journeys of return with Maharat students and graduates. Prepare your mind and soul for the Jewish year to come.

Experience Rabba Sara Hurwitz unplugged. In this episode we will be discussing obstacles she has faced, lessons she has learned along the way, and how she maintains a positive attitude through it all. You won't want to miss the season finale and Rabba Sara like you've never heard her before.

Rabba Rachel Kohl Feingold shares lessons from her journey since graduating in Maharat's inaugural class. We also discuss what it means to bring one's whole self to their role, why we might not do that, and how embracing our whole selves can make us better leaders, professionals, and people.

This episode explores Maharat Rori Picker Neiss's passion for and work in the interfaith community. Learn more about how this important work and some tips for talking and working across difference.

In this episode we talk to Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter about what it means to creat ritual and how she integrates the old and the new

Reb Jeff talks about his journey to the Yeshiva, how his role has evolved, and his experience as the only man in a women's Beit Midrash. Together we explore things like ‘what this has taught him about being a man' and ‘what it has taught him about women'.

Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe explains the role of a life coach and how it has helped her in her work as clergy. She also shares her wisdom on positivity and how it can help us all make difficult decisions as well as find the good around us.

Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn shares lessons she has learned from being a chaplain and working in end-of-life care as well. This uplifting episode shines a light on how one can God into this space, how this work reaches beyond the Orthodox community, and helpful tips for us to support others as they face illness and loss.

Maharat Ruth (The National Synagogue) talks to Rabba Ramie about the experience of being a Maharat and a mom, how the pandemic has added to this challenge, and opening a mikveh in the wake of a national scandal.

This introductory episode features a conversation between host/producer Rabba Ramie Smith and Jen Vegh- Director of Community Engagement and Alumnae Relations about the origins of the podcast and what you can expect from Maharat's new series.