The Orthonomics Podcast

Ruthie Braffman Shulman is passionate about the importance of women's roles in Torah Leadership positions, and she currently serves as the Director of Women's Torah Leadership at Micah Philanthropies, where she develops and supports women in Torah leadership positions at shuls. Simultaneously, she is the Yoetzet Halacha and community scholar at Young Israel of West Hartford CT.   Ruthie studied at Sha'alvim for Women and Yeshiva University's Stern College and earned an M.A. in Talmud at Yeshiva University's Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women (GPATS). She is also trained and certified as a Yoetzet Halacha.   Ruthie has nearly twenty years of experience in community leadership and Torah education, having worked at institutions such as United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston, Manhattan Jewish Experience, OU-JLIC at University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.   She resides in Philadelphia with her husband and four children.   Here is the link to our Survey of Orthodox Jewish Family Life, Marriage & Divorce, available online through June 18, 2025: http://bit.ly/marriage-divorce-2025. 

Rabbi Weinberg is a distinguished Jewish educator, relationship coach, and speaker, renowned for his expertise in fostering healthy relationships and guiding personal development. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, he holds a master's degrees in marriage and family therapy, secondary education, and school administration; and a doctorate in education with a focus on adolescent religious development. He has over 25 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator, including serving as the principal at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck, New York. He currently lives in Israel, and conducts seminars, webinars, and speaking engagements focused on enhancing relationships between couples, parents and children, teachers and students, and more. Check out his website at https://www.rabbidrnoamweinberg.com/  

 In this episode, our wide-ranging discussion covers the size of the Orthodox and Modern Orthodox community, how and why the Orthodox have become a minority, the cost and standards of living of Orthodoxy, some under-valued benefits, and even some sport trivia! Our guest, Rabbi Zev Eleff received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. At Yeshiva University, Eleff graduated from Yeshiva College and received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a past Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, a prestigious program for Jewish leaders and professionals. Zev Eleff is the president of Gratz College. One of the youngest presidents in American higher education, Eleff, at 35 years-old, was elected by the College's Board of Governors in 2021. He was previously chief academic officer of Hebrew Theological College and vice provost of Touro College Illinois. A prolific scholar, Eleff holds an international reputation for academic rigor and sophistication. He is the author or editor of 14 books and more than 120 articles in the fields of Jewish Studies and American Religion. Eleff's research in American Jewish history has received numerous awards, including the American Jewish Historical Society's Wasserman Prize and the Rockower Award for Excellence by the American Jewish Press Association. He is also a two-time finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, a member of the Academic Council of the American Jewish Historical Society, and one of the youngest faculty members promoted to full professor in Touro College's history. Eleff resides in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Melissa, and their three children. In this episode, we mention community feedback on a very wide range of Jewish topics that people want to learn. Here is a LINK to the community feedback on this topic.   

Frieda Vizel was raised in the Satmar Hasidic community. At age 25, she left that community and pursued higher education, culminating in a master's degree at Sarah Lawrence College. Since 2013, she has been offering walking tours of Hasidic Williamsburg. Her tours provide insights into the community's traditions and daily life, and are noted for their educational, respectful and balanced approach. And they are lots of fun. Her work offers a unique perspective, bridging her deep-rooted background in the Hasidic community with her academic pursuits and personal journey. She continues to foster understanding and dialogue about Hasidic life through her tours, writings, and her YouTube channel. Website: https://friedavizel.com YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@FriedaVizelBrooklyn   If you want to chime in on our upcoming survey dealing with divorce, check out this link: http://bit.ly/orthodox-divorce-2025  

Betzalel Rothstein is a Certified Divorce Coach and Mediator who is highly regarded and has been involved in hundreds of divorce cases over the past 10 years either as Mediator, Coach, Parenting Coordinator or Consultant. He has extensive experience in dealing with difficult topics such as parental alienation, blended families, relocation, and what to do when parents differ about hashkafah. Betzalel has personal experience with many of these topics and he has learned from many of the leading experts in high-conflict divorces. Betzalel's Contact Information: Website: www.shalomfamilymediation.com Email: Betzalel@shalomfamilymediation.com Phone: 646.493.9783 As noted in this episode, we plan to soon do a broad communal survey on the topic of divorce. We are giving all of our listeners the opportunity to chime in on issues they would like us to explore, as well as to sign up to get the survey form as soon as it is released. Just go to this link to participate: http://bit.ly/orthodox-divorce-2025

In this episode, we have a wide-ranging discussion, touching on such topics as: •  Significant differences between US and Canadian Jewry/Orthodoxy • Interactions and public conversations across among various denominations • The evolving role of women in Modern Orthodoxy  • Has politics become a “Jewish issue” (and/or divisive), including attitudes toward Israel and Zionism • Struggles with faith and rationality  • What factors lead to Orthodox couples getting divorced Steven Gotlib is Associate Rabbi at Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue in Philadelphia.  A graduate of Rutgers University, he received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University (RIETS), a certificate in mental health counseling from the Ferkauf School of Psychology in partnership with RIETS, and a START Certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship from the Glean Network in partnership with Columbia Business School. He also manages the marketing at RIETS, A popular guest speaker throughout the US and Canada, Rabbi Gotlib has written for various websites and publications.  He strongly believes in making Jewish theology, philosophy, and law as accessible as possible to all who seek guidance and comfort within our tradition. He can be reached at rabbisgotlib@mekorhabracha.org.  

Aliza Bulow is an author, educator and mentor to Jewish women around the world, who founded CORE, an organization that empowers and connects Orthdox Jewish women.  Core connects, develops and sustains women who engage in klal (the collective community) work. Core supports women in three main ways: 1) MMC (Mashpia-Mentor-Counselor) Program: Core offers 2.5 years of training to develop women who are pillars of spiritual support within our communities 2) Communities of Practice: Core connects women who share a field of Jewish service and offers continuing inspiration and education 3) Core Circles: Core supports women who facilitate Core Circles, small groups that strengthen relationships in local communities, and networks those Circles both regionally and internationally For more information, see http://coretorah.org. ---------- Before founding Core she directed Ner LeElef's North American Women's Program for 11 years where she coached rebbetzins and provided strategic development for outreach organizations in Canada, the US and Mexico.  Her love of Jewish texts and philosophy was developed at Michlelet Bruria, Hebrew University and Hunter College where she graduated with honors in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. In her early career, she worked for Partners in Torah and The Jewish Experience. Even before entering college, Aliza's passion for strengthening Jews and the Jewish community led her to campaign on behalf of Soviet Jewry and build settlements in Israel while serving in Nachal. That early passion has only grown with time. Over the past four decades, Aliza has worked with hundreds of women in over 50 cities and 5 continents, strengthening the social fabric of Klal Yisroel.   A few of the terms used in this episode: Mekarvot - Women involved in Jewish outreach Ratzon - Will; and Bitachon – Faith Kallah – Bride Hashkafah - Overall religious guiding philosophy / worldview Taharat Ha'Mishpacha – Jewish Halachic laws relating to marital relations  Kedushah - Holiness; and Tahara – Spiritual clanliness Chevra Kadisha - Jewish Burial Society Kavanah - Religious understanding and purpose

In this episode we present some surprising facts about Modern Orthodoxy and the Orthodox community as a whole, based upon Nishma Research surveys between 2016 and 2024. We explore the size and growth of the community, religious beliefs and practices, political views, the finances of living an Orthodox Jewish life, the role of women in Modern Orthodoxy, and the levels of optimism vs. pessimism among several denominations across the American Jewish community.        Did any of this surprise you? Do you have questions or suggestions for future research or podcast episodes? Would you like a follow-up episode sharing additional factoids? Contact us at orthonomics@nishmaresearch.com. All of the research cited may be found at this LINK.

Dina Goldman is at the frontier of researching and understanding the Chasidish and Yeshivish communities. She has spent over a decade working in marketing and advertising within the Orthodox Jewish community. Seeing how many businesses really lack solid information that they need, she founded Mispar – The Jewish Community, a Story of Numbers, a company focused on providing rich, timely data to help businesses and non-profits make informed decisions. Dina and her team conduct all kinds of studies, and she often uses creative methods to reach the Orthodox community … and that can be challenging. Mispar has also Orthodox Jewish research panel, giving researchers and businesses access to authentic voices within this community. In this episode we discuss how Orthodox and Charedi businesses and non-profit organizations can better understand their customers and the public, to develop and sell products, and meet their need. We also discuss some of the really fascinating issues she has explored, such as Orthodox finances, the businesses that Orthodox people are involved in and the related challenges, Shidduchim, and lots more. Raised in a Chasidish family, Dina now lives in Monsey with her husband and their happily blended family of four. In the episode closing we discuss some of our political research, which can be found in our 2023 Study and 2024 Study.  

Middot (and we're talking mainly about interpersonal behaviors) are so important, especially in these stressful days. So we are pleased to present this as a dual-platform episode, being released on both Orthonomics and The Franciska Show … both covering important issues in the Orthodox Jewish world, and both available at all podcast platforms. Much of this episode deals with findings from the recent survey: The Middot “Report Card”: How We See Our Community and How We See Ourselves Across 19 Middot “Bein Adam L'chavero.”   This episode is being co-hosted by Mark Trencher of Orthonomics, and David Sheril, a member of the Franciska Show Discussion Group. (Thanks to Franciska for recommending David to participate.)    David Sheril grew up in Chigwell, a suburb of London. His family became baalei teshuvah when he was nine years old.  When David was eleven, his family moved to the Bayit Vagan in Jerusalem. He moved to the U.S. at age 22, in 2005. David's yeshivah education includes Mir Yerushalayim and Ner Yisroel. He served as a rebbe at a Russian-American Jewish high school in Brooklyn for several years before going to law school. He is currently General Counsel for a privately-held real estate transactional, management, and lending company. David resides in Clifton, New Jersey, with his wife Miriam (formerly an officer at the Federal Reserve Bank and now Head of Product at an international fintech startup) and their three children. 

Ruchi Koval is a parenting coach and motivational speaker who has inspired personal transformation in thousands of people. She is the co-founder and Associate Director of JFX (Jewish Family Experience), an innovative community in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Jewish educator for two decades, leading self-development groups for adults and teens, and mentoring educators around the world. Ruchi is also a musician, author, mother of 7, and grandmother. She is a Momentum Educator, inspiring thousands of women on their journeys in Israel. She is also the author of three books: "Conversations with God," “Soul Construction,” and her newest book, “Soul Purpose: Your Daily Dose of Wisdom from Pirkei Avot.”    Find Ruchi on Facebook and Instagram; on her blog at outoftheorthobox.com; and her two podcasts. Download her “Ruchi Koval” app to listen to many of her lectures online.

Dr. Chaya Lieba Kobernick is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Founder and Director of The CBT/DBY Center (https://www.thecbtdbtcenter.com/ … email  DrK@TheCBTDBTCenter.com), with clientele in both Israel and the U.S. She received her doctorate at Long Island University, and also trained at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Northwell Health, and Rutgers University.   Among the topics discussed are her services and types of clients within the Orthodox community, attitudes toward getting mental health treatment (stigma?), how she melds her personal Orthodoxy with her treatment and the value that brings to the table, the rise in mental health issues among teenagers, the impact of the war, and more.

Dovid Lichtenstein is the founder and host of the Halacha Headlines podcast, an amazing and very popular podcast with a huge listenership that is indeed "The most listened to Torah Program in the world.”   Halacha Headlines delves into contemporary issues and current events through the lens of Torah and Halacha (Jewish law). Each episode features discussions with Rabbis, lay leaders, and professionals from around the world, covering a wide range of topics, and the lineup of personalities interviewed includes both Haredi and Modern Orthodox leaders. Those with a deeper background in Jewish text study will gain more from the podcast but I believe everyone will find it interesting.  Just a few examples from its 476 episodes to date include dealing with traumatic times, raising unspoiled children in a spoiled world, Alexa and electronics on Shabbat, assassinations and targeted killings in Halacha, Shemirat Einayin – including issues of young people and access to pornography, the issue of Israeli Haredim serving in the military, people frum on the outside and struggling on the inside, and much much more! He has also authored several volumes of a series titled "Mishna Acharonah" on the "Mishna Berura" as well as the "Headlines" book series based on the podcast, and is involved in many charitable projects and organizations​. In our conversation, you'll get a taste of his huge Jewish knowledge. Finally, Dovid Lichtenstein is the founder and CEO of the Lightstone Group, one of the largest privately-held real estate companies in the United States, and he is a highly respected business and civic leader.   Here is a link to an article “Nishma v'Naaseh?” which was published in early 2023, and discusses some of the issues mentioning in this podcast episode.

Joseph Kaplan is perhaps the most prolific writer anywhere on topics relating to Modern Orthodoxy. He has written hundreds of articles in The Baltimore Jewish Times, The Jewish Week, Edah Journal, Sh'ma Magazine, New Jersey Jewish Standard, and the Times of Israel. He has written many letters-to-the editor of many publications including 19 that were published in the New York Times. He recently released a book titled “A Passionate Writing Life,” (https://www.judaicahouse.net/passionate-writing-life) and it starts with the two sentences: “I'm a Modern Orthodox Jew. And a feminist.” He writes extensively about those two topics, and also about politics, the Covid and Trump years, the culture wars, church/state legal issues, Jewish divorce law, liturgy, ritual and much more. Joseph is a retired lawyer, who practiced as a commercial litigator in New York for 46 years. He and his wife Sharon live in Teaneck, NJ, and have been blessed with four daughters and five grandchildren.

Rabbi Yehuda Albin grew up as a Reform Jew in Scarsdale, NY. He was exposed to Judaism and his father ran several secular Jewish camps for youth. He became religious in Jerusalem, after graduating Bowdoin College with the highest honors.  Then he studied the Torah and the Talmud for nearly a decade in Jerusalem, before returning to the states, and moving to Chicago. In Chicago he established a Torah teaching and counseling practice, focused on successful businesspeople and professionals. He has been doing this for 30 years wearing two different hats in the process.    He melds the best of two worlds … Torah learning and personal coaching … providing a unique perspective to help people manage business, family and every type of unique  problem, and to improving themselves and living a happier, more spiritual, life. To get a feel for his engaging approach and command of subject matter, you can listen to him at https://www.theemberfoundation.org/.   ——   In our “What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we talk about six distinct and important groups within the Jewish and Orthodox community that are very much under-researched and where significant thought and creativity is needed to better understand them. Let me know what you think, at mark@nishmaresearch.com.   I wish you all a Pesach Chag Kasher v'Sameach.

Jacob Kornbluh is the senior political reporter for the Forward. Kornbluh, a member of the Hasidic community in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, covers politics with a Jewish angle and regularly interviews government officials, political commentators and security experts on issues that matter to the broader Jewish American community. He previously worked as a national politics reporter for Jewish Insider, covered the 2013 NYC mayoral race for the Yeshiva World News, and was featured by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency as one of the top Jews to follow on Twitter. In this episode, we discuss his unique role in Jewish/Orthodox world reporting and some of the seminal issues he has covered, including the Orthodox world's political views, reactions to coronavirus restrictions, secular education mandates in yeshivas, and more. ----- The Nishma Research Pesach Survey! And now, for something completely different: we're undertaking a timely broad survey dealing with Pesach … the first such survey ever conducted. If you would like to participate in the survey, it will be online through April 9, at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7774034/The-First-Ever-Pesach-Survey. Results will be available before Pesach at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html.

Baruch Lytle is an African American Orthodox Jew from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and he identifies as a Satmar Chasid.  He describes his conversion to Judaism as the defining moment of his life and greatest accomplishment.  He is also an award-winning journalist, having written nearly 200 articles for the largest Jewish newspaper in America, The Jewish Press.    In 2023, he won the Simon Rockower Award – the Jewish journalism version of the Pulitzer – for Excellence in Journalism. His favorite writing assignments deal with self- improvement, and he has worked extensively with the developmentally disabled at agencies throughout New York State.  In this episode we discuss his personal religious journey, and some of the interesting issues in the Orthodox community that he has covered.  Baruch and I also discussed our recent Orthodox Political survey, and I discussed the variations within Modern Orthodoxy and the “silo effect”:  Report – A Survey of Orthodox Jewish Political Attitudes and Behaviors: Haredi and Modern Orthodox Sectors  Article – Despite What Some Want to Believe, Modern Orthodoxy is Indeed Politically Split   Some of Baruch Lytle's Jewish Press articles referenced in this podcast:  Study Finds Frum Jews Financially Secure – And Stretched  The State of Orthodox Singles: It's Complicated  Interview with Middle East Intelligence Expert Avi Melamed  Book Review: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Antisemitism 

Michael Feldstein is a keen observer and commentator on all aspects of the Orthodox Jewish community, and his weekly columns in the Jewish Link newspaper draws an enthusiastic readership. His upcoming (January 2024) book, "Meet Me in the Middle," is a collection of 75 of his essays and, in this episode, we discuss five of them: • Prayer, Politics and the Pulpit • The Changing Geographic Face of Orthodoxy in America • The Culture of Fear in Orthodoxy • Time for a Jewish Vocational School • Seven Things I Would Change about Jewish Weddings In our "What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we expand on our brief conversation about living in a smaller Orthodox community. Here is a LINK to our study of the cost of Orthodoxy, and check out page 46, where get into the smaller town cost data. We want to hear from you, so you can contact us at this link to offer comments and questions about the Jewish community: http://bit.ly/areas-of-interest Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com).

This episode is an exploration of a pioneering study of people who have left the Orthodox community, as we examing  journeys, practices, beliefs, identity, community and relationships, across Chasidic, Yeshivish and Modern Orthodox segments of the population. In this episode, we review many highlights of this study, including: 1. Why People Leave Orthodoxy 2. How Do They Now Identify Jewishly? What Have They Held Onto? 3. What About “Double-Lifers”? 4. How Are Their Family Relationships? What are their Levels of Acceptance? 5. How Widespread Is This Phenomenon? 6. Final Thoughts and Reflections … In Their Own Words: – a) Many people don't well understand those who have left, or may leave, their Orthodox community of origin. What do you want to tell people about this group? – b) Looking back at your experiences, what if anything would you have done differently? – c) In conclusion, what advice would you give to others who are considering leaving their Orthodox community, for a more modern lifestyle? The full report and many of its contents are available at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the section of files dealing with “Survey of Those Who Have Left Orthodoxy.”

In this episode, we first look at how Covid affected a shul and community, and we discuss with Rabbi Brander the creativity, innovations, and possible lasting changes that took place.  We then discuss with a leading demographer the impact that Covid had on the Jewish community in terms of actual mortality and death statistics. While we are typically aware of things that happen within our community and within our families, there is only speculation as to how the community as a whole did. Dr. Staetsky will disclose his ground-breaking research on this topic.    We want to hear from you, so you can contact us at this link to offer comments and questions about the Jewish community: http://bit.ly/areas-of-interest  Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). 

In this episode, we speak with Benyamin Cohen, news director at The Forward, author of “My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith,” named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly, “The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds,” and a man of diverse and fascinating interests and explorations.   In our brief film discussion, I recommended “Fill the Void” as my favorite Jewish movie of the past decade. Check it out and let me know what you think.   In our "What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we discuss some findings from our just-released report “The Nishma Research 2023 Jewish Community Profile” - Beliefs, Practices, Attitudes and Priorities Across the Jewish Community With a Focus on U.S. Modern Orthodox and Haredi (Chasidish and Yeshivish) Sectors. Specifically, we discuss how some communal priorities have shifted significantly in recent years, and how there are some significant priority differences between the Modern Orthodox and Haredi sectors.    We want to hear from you, so you can contact us at this link to offer comments and questions about the Jewish community: http://bit.ly/areas-of-interest Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). 

In this episode, we speak with the noted Jewish world demographer Dr. Daniel Staetsky about population trends, particularly in the Haredi world. Dr. Staetsky is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (London), and has published widely on Jewish, Israeli and European demography and social statistics. He has written many popular columns in the Times of Israel.  Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html.  These include our recent article “Nishma V'Naaseh?” and our just-released report “The Nishma Research 2023 Jewish Community Profile” - Beliefs, Practices, Attitudes and Priorities Across the Jewish Community With a Focus on U.S. Modern Orthodox and Haredi (Chasidish and Yeshivish) Sectors.  In our "What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we answer a listener question that has been posed a few times, and we suggest that the question needs to be more nuanced if we were to pursue research on the issue raised. As presented to us: “Why does the Chasidic community refuse to provide a proper education for its students?”  What Do You Want to Know? – We want to hear from you, so you can contact us at this link to offer comments as well as letting us know what questions you suggest we explore in future research: http://bit.ly/areas-of-interest   Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support.  Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). 

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Naomi Seidman about people leaving Orthodoxy and the related stories, experiences and misconceptions. She shares what she personally learned in leaving her Haredi community, as well as the insights of many others.   We also draw upon the 2016 study “Starting a Conversation: A Pioneering Survey of Those Who Have Left the Orthodox Community,” in which 885 people recounted their experiences, and we include some verbatim quotes from some of these people, explaining what motivated them and what they want the Orthodox community as a whole to know about their leaving.   Recommended: Prof. Seidman's excellent limited (four episodes) podcast series, Heretic in the House, from the Shalom Hartman Institute.   A couple of very worthwhile books are:   Shulem Deen's All Who Go Do Not Return, a National Jewish Book Award winner.  Prof. Schneur Zalman Newfield's Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism.   In our "What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we answer a question we are often asked … how many people are leaving Orthodoxy. We cite Rabbi Zvi Grumet's 2018 study of high school graduates.  Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html.   Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support.  Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). 

In this episode, we speak with Keshet Starr about the agunah (“chained wife”) problem and what is being done to resolve it. Hot off the press (from a large-scale survey that had not yet been released as we recorded this episode), we have new data on the agunah situation and some fascinating verbatim comments from women and men about their divorce difficulties, which we will read and discuss. Link to ORA to find out more, at http://getora.org. In our "What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we answer a question we are often asked … why do we do research? Why do we even get into “these issues”? Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. The document we referred to (things people most love, and those that cause unhappiness, relating to Orthodoxy) is located at this LINK. The infamous and often debated quote alluded to, by Rebbitzen Blu Greenberg, is: “Where there's a rabbinic will, there's a halachic way.” Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com).

Elana Silber is CEO of Sharsheret (https://sharsheret.org), a national non-profit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer, through personalized support and educational outreach. We address such issues as: which Orthodox groups are at higher risk, what advances are being made, and how can people be helped in facing health, emotional, financial and family impacts? The Sharsheret website has much valuable information and informative links. In our "What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we examine the cost of an Orthodox life in New York City as compared to the Midwest … and is there a difference in how Orthodox households perceive their overall financial situation? The report "Finances of Orthodox Jewish Life (December 2021)” is downloadable at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com.

In this episode, we speak with Prof. David Myers, co-author (with his wife) of the fascinating book "American Shtetl: The Making of Kiryas Joel, a Hasidic Village in Upstate New York,” and founder of the new Haredi Research Group, a multi-disciplinary group that is aiming to help us all better understand the American Haredi (Chasidic and Yeshivish) community. Information on this fascinating book is at https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691199771/american-shtetl.   "The Haredi Moment Has Arrived” by Eli Spitzer – https://mosaicmagazine.com/essay/jewish-world/2022/01/the-haredi-moment-has-arrived/   Link to the newly created Haredi Research Group.   In our "What Do You Want to Know?” segment, we hear back from a Haredi attorney who tells us that our research is flawed due to an inability to properly reach his community. So we offer an explanation and it seemed that he was reasonably satisfied. You be the judge!   Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html.   Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support.   Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com).

In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Shimmy Trencher, MSW, who has been an Orthodox Jewish high school dean of students and principal for the past 15 years, has had leadership positions at NCSY, and is the founder of a Jewish high school student self-development program that has positively affected the lives of hundreds of teens. Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free, at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. We cited some of this research in this episode: click on “REPORT - The Successes, Challenges, and Future of American Modern Orthodoxy (2019)” (page 24) and “REPORT - 2017 Nishma Research Profile of American Modern Orthodox Jews” (pages 56-57) for more information on how the community sees its day schools.   The survey data assessing day schools may be found on pages 55-58 at this link: http://nishmaresearch.com/assets/pdf/Report%20-%20Nishma%20Research%20Profile%20of%20American%20Modern%20Orthodox%20Jews%2009-27-17.pdf   Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com

In this episode we explore key issues that intrigue us, with an emphasis on hearing what people think in their own words. Let's turn the microphone over to you, our listeners!    We will hear people's thoughts on such questions as: What are the things in your Orthodox community that most bother you … the “pain points”? Is there someone you go to for spiritual guidance? Who and how is this working out for you? Are you and your spouse “on the same page” religiously? Thinking broadly, do you have any questions, issues, or thoughts relating to sexual attitudes, behaviors, practices, halachot, etc. as they affect you? Are there aspects of Orthodox practice where you find yourself being more machmir/ stringent or more meikil/lenient compared to other people in your religious community, and what are they? And more. This episode is also being presented on the Franciska Podcast. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Sam Heilman, who has been studying all sectors of Orthodoxy for almost 50 years. We talk about major shifts that have been taking place and speculate about future directions. Voice of the Kehilla – Tell us what you think about key issues facing Orthodoxy. We will be doing a joint podcast with The Franciska Show and will report back to you on what we hear back from the community. Take our 6-minute confidential survey at http://bit.ly/Franciska-Orthonomics and you might hear us share your comments. Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free, at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo and for giving me (as a birthday present?) a great framed print of the logo; and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com.    

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Sylvia Barack Fishman about her wealth of research in the Orthodox community, and especially her just-released report: “Responding to the Realities of Single Modern Orthodox Jews”; as well as a new survey of 300+ Orthodox (Modern and Haredi) singles, exploring various aspects of their lives. What do you want to know about the Orthodox community? Each episode includes listener questions and answers. Email us at orthonomics@nishmaresearch.com to let us know what areas of the Orthodox community you'd like us to explore. You ask the questions … we'll try to come up with answers. In this episode we respond to a question about demographic growth rates: Is American Modern Orthodoxy growing? If so, how quickly? What about a Haredi Jewry? Are they growing more rapidly than Modern Orthodoxy, suggesting that the balance between the two branches of Orthodoxy is shifting? Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free, at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Research discussed in this episode is also available at http://poratonline.org. Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com.

In this episode, we speak with shul rabbi, former shul president, outreach leader and generally super-engaged Orthodox Jew, Rabbi Elly Krimsky. Our conversation touches on many issues, including the “comings and goings” of today's Orthodox community. What do you want to know about the Orthodox community? Each episode includes listener questions and answers. Email us at orthonomics@nishmaresearch.com to let us know what areas of the Orthodox community you'd like us to explore. You ask the questions … we'll try to come up with answers. Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free, at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com.

In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer. Rabbi Gordimer is a rabbinic coordinator at OU Kosher, where he specializes in the dairy industry. Rabbi Gordimer is the chairman of the OU Dairy Committee, and he manages the OU kashrus programs of over 100 certified dairy companies. He is the Chairman of the Rabbinic Circle at Coalition for Jewish Values, a member of the Rabbinical Council of America, and a member of the New York Bar. Rabbi Gordimer's articles about Torah topics and issues in contemporary Orthodoxy are featured in many publications, including Israel National News, Cross-Currents, Times of Israel and Yated Neeman. Rabbi Gordimer has also been an enthusiastic and helpful advisor to several of Nishma Research's communal studies.  

In this episode, we speak with the Honorable Rabbi Dr. Dov Zakheim, a former very high level government official, involved in many key government programs as well as the CFO for the largest budget in the country, consultant, author and rabbi. In a wide-ranging conversation, we will discuss the state of Modern Orthodoxy and how well we are melding our religious observance with participation in secular society. What do you want to know about the Orthodox community? Each episode includes listener questions and answers. Email us at orthonomics@nishmaresearch.com to let us know what areas of the Orthodox community you'd like us to explore. You ask the questions … we'll try to come up with answers. Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free, at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com.

In this introductory episode, we speak with Jewish Orthodox world podcasting host and producer Scott Kahn about his experiences as an Orthodox world podcaster. Scott is a native of Massachusetts, and has lived in Israel for 26 years. We look at a few interesting differences between U.S. Modern Orthodox and Israeli Dati Le'Um in a few areas of Orthodox observance (shul attendance, learning) and the issues each group sees as the most significant challenges facing them. We touched the surface of this issue, which deserves and will get deeper coverage in a future episode. What do you want to know about the Orthodox community? Each episode includes listener questions and answers. Email us at orthonomics@nishmaresearch.com to let us know what areas of the Orthodox community you'd like us to explore. You ask the questions … we'll try to come up with answers. Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this podcast are available and downloadable free, at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Thanks to Leora Trencher for designing our logo, and to Elana Trencher and Aliza Levy for their audio support. Orthonomics is produced by Scott Kahn of JCH Podcast Productions (http://jchpodcasts.com). Music: “Rumble” by bensound.com.

The Orthonomics Podcast explores issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish community, through the dual lenses of data – drawn from a wide range of sources – and informed conversations with knowledgeable and often opinionated experts. Each episode also includes a segment titled “What do you want to know about the Orthodox community?” in which our guest, as well as our listeners, get to pose their questions on issues that intrigue them, and we answer your questions.