Podcasts about am yisrael chai

Join me on Parsha and Prose for a dynamic conversation with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara, as we explore vital issues facing the Jewish people, Israel, and our community through the lens of Torah and literature. In this episode, we dive into the Torah portion Behalotcha, discussing the Haredi community's role in the Israel Defense Forces, with Rabbi Gemara emphasizing the unity of all Jews in defending our people during challenging times. We also reflect on important issues within the parsha including: Miriam and Aaron's lashon hara (gossip) against Moshe;, exploring how guarding our speech fosters moral integrity. Rabbi Gemara illuminates the menorah as a symbol of Jewish light, alongside the trumpet and manna, weaving a tapestry of spiritual resilience and meaning. This action-packed episode is a call to pride and purpose—Am Yisrael Chai! Subscribe, comment, and join us in celebrating Jewish wisdom and our beautiful peoplehood.

Join me on Parsha and Prose for a dynamic conversation with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara, as we explore vital issues facing the Jewish people, Israel, and our community through the lens of Torah and literature. In this episode, we dive into the Torah portion Behalotcha, discussing the Haredi community's role in the Israel Defense Forces, with Rabbi Gemara emphasizing the unity of all Jews in defending our people during challenging times. We also reflect on important issues within the parsha including: Miriam and Aaron's lashon hara (gossip) against Moshe;, exploring how guarding our speech fosters moral integrity. Rabbi Gemara illuminates the menorah as a symbol of Jewish light, alongside the trumpet and manna, weaving a tapestry of spiritual resilience and meaning. This action-packed episode is a call to pride and purpose—Am Yisrael Chai! Subscribe, comment, and join us in celebrating Jewish wisdom and our beautiful peoplehood.

In 2014, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks stood on the AJC Global Forum stage and delivered a powerful call to action: “We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy… We never defined ourselves as victims. We never lost our sense of humor. Our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God.” Over a decade later, at AJC Global Forum 2025, AJC's Director of Jewish Communal Partnerships, Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman, revisits that message in a special crossover episode between People of the Pod and Books and Beyond, the podcast of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy. She speaks with Dr. Tanya White, one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and host of Books and Beyond, and Joanna Benarroch, Global Chief Executive of the Legacy, about Rabbi Sacks's enduring wisdom and what it means for the Jewish future. Resources: The State of the Jewish World Address: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks The Inaugural Sacks Conversation with Tony Blair Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the Pod:  Latest Episodes:  “They Were Bridge Builders”: Remembering Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky AJC's CEO Ted Deutch: Messages That Moved Me After the D.C. Tragedy Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman: On this week 16 years ago, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks published Future Tense, a powerful vision of the future of Judaism, Jewish life, and the state of Israel in the 21st Century. Five years later, he delivered a progress report on that future to AJC Global Forum.  On the sidelines of this year's Global Forum, my colleague Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman spoke with two guests from the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, which was established after his death in 2020 to preserve and teach his timeless and universal wisdom. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   In 2014, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks addressed our Global Forum stage to offer the state of the Jewish world. Modeled after the US President's State of the Union speech given every year before Congress and the American people, this address was intended to offer an overview of what the Jewish people were experiencing, and to look towards our future. The full video is available on AJC's website as well as the Sacks Legacy website. For today's episode, we are holding a crossover between AJC's People of the Pod podcast and Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. On Books and Beyond, each episode features experts reflecting on particular works from Rabbi Sacks. Channeling that model, we'll be reflecting on Rabbi Sacks' State of the Jewish World here at AJC's 2025 Global Forum in New York. AJC has long taken inspiration from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and today, AJC and the Rabbi Sacks legacy have developed a close partnership. To help us understand his insights, I am joined by two esteemed guests. Dr. Tanya White is one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and the founder and host of the podcast Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. Joanna Benarroch is the Global Chief Executive of the Rabbi Sacks legacy. And prior to that, worked closely with Rabbi Sacks for over two decades in the Office of the Chief Rabbi.  Joanna, Tanya, thank you for being with us here at AJC's Global Forum.  Tanya White:   It's wonderful to be with you, Meggie. Joanna Benarroch:   Thank you so much, Meggie.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   I want to get to the State of the Jewish World. I vividly remember that address. I was with thousands of people in the room, Jews from different walks of life, Jews from around the globe, as well as a number of non-Jewish leaders and dignitaries. And what was so special is that each of them held onto every single word.  He identifies these three areas of concern: a resurgence of antisemitism in Europe, delegitimization of Israel on the global stage, and the Iranian regime's use of terror and terror proxies towards Israel.  This was 2014, so with exception of, I would say today, needing to broaden, unfortunately, antisemitism far beyond Europe, to the skyrocketing rates we're living through today, it's really remarkable the foresight and the relevance that these areas he identified hold.  What do you think allowed Rabbi Sacks to see and understand these challenges so early, before many in the mainstream did? And how is his framing of antisemitism and its associated threats different from others? And I'll let  Tanya jump in and start. Tanya White:  So firstly, I think there was something very unique about Rabbi Sacks. You know, very often, since he passed, we keep asking the question, how was it that he managed to reach such a broad and diverse audience, from non Jews and even in the Jewish world, you will find Rabbi Sacks his books in a Chabad yeshiva, even a Haredi yeshiva, perhaps, and you will find them in a very left, liberal Jewish institution. There's something about his works, his writing, that somehow fills a space that many Jews of many denominations and many people, not just Jews, are searching for. And I think this unique synthesis of his knowledge, he was clearly a religious leader, but he wasn't just uniquely a religious leader.  He was a scholar of history, of philosophy, of political thought, and the ability to, I think, be able to not just read and have the knowledge, but to integrate the knowledge with what's going on at this moment is something that takes extreme prowess and a very deep sense of moral clarity that Rabbi Sacks had. And I would say more than moral clarity, is a moral imagination. I think it was actually Tony Blair. He spoke about the fact that Rabbi Sacks had this ability, this kind of, I think he even used the term moral imagination, that he was able to see something that other people just couldn't see.  Professor Berman from University of Bar Ilan, Joshua Berman, a brilliant Bible scholar. So he was very close to Rabbi Sacks, and he wrote an article in Israeli, actually, an Israeli newspaper, and he was very bold in calling Rabbi Sacks a modern day prophet.  What is a prophet? A prophet is someone who is able to see a big picture and is able to warn us when we're veering in the wrong direction. And that's what you see in the AJC address, and it's quite incredible, because it was 11 years ago, 2014. And he could have stood up today and said exactly the same thing. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  But there is nonetheless a new antisemitism. Unlike the old it isn't hatred of Jews for being a religion. It isn't hatred of Jews as a race. It is hatred of Jews as a sovereign nation in their own land, but it has taken and recycled all the old myths. From the blood libel to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.  Though I have to confess, as I said to the young leaders this morning, I have a very soft spot for antisemites, because they say the nicest things about Jews. I just love the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Because, according to this, Jews control the banks, Jews control the media, Jews control the world. Little though they know, we can't even control a shul board meeting. Tanya White:  So what's fascinating is, if you look at his book Future Tense, which was penned in 2009.The book itself is actually a book about antisemitism, and you'll note its title is very optimistic, Future Tense, because Rabbi Sacks truly, deeply believed, even though he understood exactly what antisemitism was, he believed that antisemitism shouldn't define us. Because if antisemitism defines who we are, we'll become the victims of external circumstances, rather than the agents of change in the future.  But he was very precise in his description of antisemitism, and the way in which he describes it has actually become a prism through which many people use today. Some people don't even quote him. We were discussing it yesterday, Joanna, he called it a mutating virus, and he speaks about the idea that antisemitism is not new, and in every generation, it comes in different forms. But what it does is like a virus. It attacks the immune system by mutating according to how the system is at the time.  So for example, today, people say, I'm not antisemitic, I'm just anti-Zionist. But what Rabbi Sacks said is that throughout history, when people sought to justify their antisemitism, they did it by recourse to the highest source of authority within that culture. So for example, in the Middle Ages, the highest recourse of authority was religion. So obviously we know the Christian pogroms and things that happen were this recourse the fact, well, the Jews are not Christians, and therefore we're justified in killing them.  In the Enlightenment period, it was science. So we have the and the Scientific Study of Race, right and Social Darwinism, which was used to predicate the Nazi ideology. Today, the highest value is, as we all know, human rights.  And so the virus of antisemitism has mutated itself in order to look like a justification of human rights. If we don't challenge that, we are going to end up on the wrong side of history. And unfortunately, his prediction we are seeing come very much to light today. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  I want to turn to a different topic, and this actually transitioned well, because Tanya, you raised Prime Minister Tony Blair. Joanna, for our listeners who may have less familiarity with Rabbi Sacks, I would love for you to fill in a larger picture of Rabbi Sacks as one of the strongest global Jewish advocates of our time. He was a chief rabbi, his torah knowledge, his philosophical works make him truly a religious and intellectual leader of our generation.  At the same time, he was also counsel to the royal family, to secular thought leaders, world leaders, and in his remarks here at Global Forum, he actually raised addressing leading governing bodies at the European Union at that time, including Chancellor Merkel. These are not the halls that rabbis usually find themselves in. So I would love for you to explain to our audience, help us understand this part of Rabbi Sacks' life and what made him so effective in it.  Joanna Benarroch:  Thanks, Meggie. Over the last couple of weeks, I spent quite a bit of time with people who have been interested in learning more about Rabbi Sacks and looking at his archive, which we've just housed at the National Library in Israel. Then I spent quite a significant amount of time with one of our Sacks Scholars who's doing a project on exactly this.  How did he live that Judaism, engaged with the world that he wrote so eloquently about when he stepped down as chief rabbi. And a couple of days ago, I got an email, actually sent to the Sacks Scholar that I spent time with, from the gifted archivist who's working on cataloging Rabbi Sacks' archive. She brought our attention to a video that's on our website.  Rabbi Sacks was asked by a young woman who was a student at Harvard doing a business leadership course, and she asked Rabbi Sacks for his help with her assignment. So he answered several questions, but the question that I wanted to bring to your attention was: what difference have you sought to make in the world?  The difference that he sought to make in the world, and this is what he said, “is to make Judaism speak to people who are in the world, because it's quite easy being religious in a house of worship, in a synagogue or church, or even actually at home or in the school. But when you're out there in the marketplace, how do you retain those strong values?  And secondly, the challenge came from University. I was studying philosophy at a time when there were virtually no philosophers who were religious believers, or at least, none who were prepared to publicly confess to that. So the intellectual challenges were real. So how do you make Judaism speak to people in those worlds, the world of academic life, the world of economy?  And in the end, I realized that to do that credibly, I actually had to go into the world myself, whether it was broadcasting for the BBC or writing for The Times, and getting a little street cred in the world itself, which actually then broadened the mission. And I found myself being asked by politicians and people like that to advise them on their issues, which forced me to widen my boundaries.” So from the very beginning, I was reminded that John–he wrote a piece. I don't know if you recall, but I think it was in 2005, maybe a little bit earlier. He wrote a piece for The Times about the two teenagers killed a young boy, Jamie Bulger, and he wrote a piece in The Times. And on the back of that, John Major, the prime minister at the time, called him in and asked him for his advice.  Following that, he realized that he had something to offer, and what he would do is he would host dinners at home where he would bring key members of either the parliament or others in high positions to meet with members of the Jewish community. He would have one on one meetings with the Prime Minister of the time and others who would actually come and seek his advice and guidance.  As Tanya reflected, he was extremely well read, but these were books that he read to help him gain a better understanding into the world that we're living in. He took his time around general elections to ring and make contact with those members of parliament that had got in to office, from across the spectrum. So he wasn't party political. He spoke to everybody, and he built up. He worked really hard on those relationships.  People would call him and say so and so had a baby or a life cycle event, and he would make a point of calling and making contact with them. And you and I have discussed the personal effect that he has on people, making those building those relationships. So he didn't just do that within the Jewish community, but he really built up those relationships and broaden the horizons, making him a sought after advisor to many.  And we came across letters from the current king, from Prince Charles at the time, asking his guidance on a speech, or asking Gordon Brown, inviting him to give him serious advice on how to craft a good speech, how long he should speak for? And Gordon Brown actually gave the inaugural annual lecture, Memorial Lecture for Rabbi Sacks last in 2023 and he said, I hope my mentor will be proud of me.  And that gave us, I mean, it's emotional talking about it, but he really, really worked on himself. He realized he had something to offer, but also worked on himself in making his ideas accessible to a broad audience. So many people could write and can speak. He had the ability to do both, but he worked on himself from quite a young age on making his speeches accessible. In the early days, they were academic and not accessible. Why have a good message if you can't share it with a broad audience? Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  What I also am thinking about, we're speaking, of course, here at an advocacy conference. And on the one hand, part of what you're describing are the foundations of being an excellent Jewish educator, having things be deeply accessible.  But the other part that feels very relevant is being an excellent global Jewish advocate is engaging with people on all sides and understanding that we need to engage with whomever is currently in power or may who may be in power in four years. And it again, speaks to his foresight.  Joanna Benarroch:  You know, to your point about being prophetic, he was always looking 10, 15, 20 years ahead. He was never looking at tomorrow or next week. He was always, what are we doing now that can affect our future? How do I need to work to protect our Jewish community? He was focused whilst he was chief rabbi, obviously on the UK, but he was thinking about the global issues that were going to impact the Jewish community worldwide. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Yes. I want to turn to the antidote that Rabbi Sacks proposed when he spoke here at Global Forum. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  I will tell you the single most important thing we have to do, more important than all the others. We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy.  Do you know why Judaism survived? I'll tell you. Because we never defined ourselves as victims. Because we never lost our sense of humor. Because never in all the centuries did we internalize the disdain of the world. Yes, our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So he highlights the need to proudly embrace the particularism of Judaism, which really in today's world, feels somewhat at odds with the very heavy reliance we have on universalism in Western society. And underpinning this, Rabbi Sacks calls on us to embrace the joy of Judaism, simchatah, Chaim, or, as he so fittingly puts it, less oy and more joy. How did both of these shape Rabbi Sacks's wider philosophy and advocacy, and what do they mean for us today? Tanya White:  Rabbi Sacks speaks about the idea of human beings having a first and second language. On a metaphorical level, a second language is our particularities. It's the people, it's the family we're born. We're born into. It's where we learn who we are. It's what we would call today in sociology, our thick identity. Okay, it's who, who I am, what I believe in, where I'm going to what my story is. But all of us as human beings also have a first language. And that first language can be, it can manifest itself in many different ways. First language can be a specific society, a specific nation, and it can also be a global my global humanity, my first language, though, has to, I have to be able to speak my first language, but to speak my first language, meaning my universal identity, what we will call today, thin identity. It won't work if I don't have a solid foundation in my thick identity, in my second language. I have nothing to offer my first language if I don't have a thick, particular identity.  And Rabbi Sacks says even more than that. As Jews, we are here to teach the world the dignity of difference. And this was one of Rabbi Sacks' greatest messages. He has a book called The Dignity of Difference, which he wrote on the heels of 9/11. And he said that Judaism comes and you have the whole story of Babel in the Bible, where the people try to create a society that is homogenous, right? The narrative begins, they were of one people and one language, you know, and what, and a oneness of things. Everyone was the same. And Rabbi Sacks says that God imposes diversity on them. And then sees, can they still be unified, even in their diversity? And they can't.  So Rabbi Sacks answers that the kind of antidote to that is Abraham. Who is Abraham? Abraham the Ivri. Ivri is m'ever, the other. Abraham cut this legacy. The story of Abraham is to teach the world the dignity of difference.  And one of the reasons we see antisemitism when it rears its head is when there is no tolerance for the other in society. There is no tolerance for the particular story. For my second language. For the way in which I am different to other people. There's no real space for diversity, even when we may use hashtags, okay, or even when we may, you know, proclaim that we are a very diverse society. When there is no space for the Jew, that's not true dignifying of difference. And so I think for Rabbi Sacks, he told someone once that one of his greatest, he believed, that one of his greatest novelties he brought into the world was the idea of Torah and chochma, which is torah and wisdom, universal wisdom. And Rabbi Sacks says that we need both.  We need to have the particularity of our identity, of our language, of our literacy, of where we came from, of our belief system. But at the same time, we also need to have universal wisdom, and we have to constantly be oscillating and be kind of trying to navigate the space between these two things. And that's exactly what Rabbi Sacks did.  And so I would say, I'll actually just finish with a beautiful story that he used to always tell. He would tell the story, and he heard this story from the late Lubavitcher, Menachem Schneerson, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who was a very big influence on Rabbi Sacks and the leader of the Chabad movement.  So in the story, there's two people that are schlepping rocks up a mountain, two workers, and one of them just sees his bags that are full of rocks and just sees no meaning or purpose in his work. The other understands that he's carrying diamonds in his bag.  And one day they get a different bag, and in that bag there's rubies, and the person who carries the rocks sees the rubies as rocks, again, sees that as a burden. But the person who's carrying the rubies and understands their value, even though they may not be diamonds, understands the values of the stones, will see them in a different way.  The Lubavitcher Rebbe said, if we see our identity, our Judaism, as stones to carry as a burden that we have to just schlep up a mountain, then we won't see anyone else's particular religion or particular belief system or particularity as anything to be dignified or to be valued.  But if we see our religion as diamonds, we'll understand that other people's religions, though for me, they may be rubies, they're still of value. You have to understand that your religion is diamonds, and you have to know what your religion is, understand what it is. You have to embrace your particularity. You have to engage with it, value it, and then go out into the world and advocate for it. And that, to me, was exactly what Rabbi Sacks did. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So much of what you're outlining is the underpinning of being a successful engager in interfaith and inter religious work. And Rabbi Sacks, of course, was such a leader there. At  AJC, we have taken inspiration from Rabbi Sacks and have long engaged in interfaith and inter-religious work, that's exactly a linchpin of it, of preaching one's own faith in order to engage with others. Tanya White:  That's the oy and the joy. For Rabbi Sacks, it's exactly that, if I see it as the oy, which is schlepping it up the mountain, well, I'm not going to be a very good advocate, but if I see it as the joy, then my advocacy, it's like it shines through. Joanna Benarroch:  It's very interesting, because he was interviewed by Christian Amanpour on CNN in 2014 just after he stepped down, as she she quoted the phrase “less oy and more joy” back to him, referring to his description of the Jewish community. When he came into office in 1991 he was worried about rising assimilation and out-marriage. And she said: How did you turn it around?  He said, “We've done the book of Lamentations for many centuries. There's been a lot of antisemitism and a lot of negativity to Jewish identity. And if you think of yourself, exactly as you're describing, as the people who get hated by others, or you've got something too heavy to carry, you're not going to want to hand that on to your children.  If you've got a very open society, the question is, why should I be anything in particular? Being Jewish is a very particular kind of Jewish identity, but I do feel that our great religious traditions in Judaism is the classic instance of this.  We have enormous gifts to offer in the 21st century, a very strong sense of community, very supportive families, a dedicated approach to education. And we do well with our children. We're a community that believes in giving. We are great givers, charitably and in other ways.  So I think when you stay firm in an identity, it helps you locate yourself in a world that sometimes otherwise can be seen to be changing very fast and make people very anxious. I think when you're rooted in a people that comes through everything that fate and history can throw at it, and has kept surviving and kept being strong and kept going, there's a huge thing for young people to carry with them.” And then he adds, to finish this interview, he said, “I think that by being what we uniquely are, we contribute to humanity what only we can give.” What Rabbi Sacks had was a deep sense of hope. He wore a yellow tie to give people hope and to make them smile. That's why he wore a yellow tie on major occasions. You know, sunshine, bringing hope and a smile to people's faces. And he had hope in humanity and in the Jewish people.  And he was always looking to find good in people and things. And when we talk about less oy and more joy. He took pleasure in the simple things in life. Bringing music into the community as a way to uplift and bring the community together.  We just spent a lovely Shabbat together with AJC, at the AJC Shabbaton with the students. And he would have loved nothing more than being in shul, in synagogue with the community and joining in.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Thank you Joanna, and that's beautiful. I want to end our conversation by channeling how Rabbi Sacks concluded his 2014 address. He speaks about the need for Jewish unity at that time. Let's take a listen.  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  We must learn to overcome our differences and our divisions as Jews and work together as a global people. Friends, consider this extraordinary historical fact: Jews in history have been attacked by some of the greatest empires the world has ever known, empires that bestrode the narrow world like a colossus. That seemed invulnerable in their time. Egypt of the pharaohs, Assyria, Babylonia, the Alexandrian Empire, the Roman Empire, the medieval empires of Christianity and Islam, all the way up to the Third Reich and the Soviet Union. Each one of those, seemingly invulnerable, has been consigned to history, while our tiny people can still stand and sing Am Yisrael Chai. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  In Rabbi Sacks' A Letter in the Scroll, he talks about the seminal moment in his life when he most deeply understood Jewish peoplehood and unity. And that was 1967, the Six Day War, when the Jewish people, of course, witnessed the State of Israel on the brink of existential threat. To our AJC audience, this may ring particularly familiar because it was evoked in a piece by Mijal Bitton, herself a Sacks Scholar, a guest on our podcast, a guest Tanya on your podcast, who wrote a piece about a month after 10/7 titled "That Pain You're Feeling is Peoplehood'.  And that piece went viral in the Jewish world. And she draws this parallel between the moment that Rabbi Sacks highlights in 1967 and 10, seven, I should note, Tanya, of course, is referenced in that article that Mijal wrote. For our audiences, help us understand the centrality of peoplehood and unity to Rabbi Sacks' vision of Judaism. And as we now approach a year and a half past 10/7 and have seen the resurgence of certain communal fractures, what moral clarity can we take from Rabbi Sacks in this moment? Tanya White:  Okay, so it's interesting you talked about Mijal, because I remember straight after 7/10 we were in constant conversation–how it was impacting us, each of us in our own arenas, in different ways. And one of the things I said to her, which I found really comforting, was her constant ability to be in touch. And I think like this, you know, I like to call it after the name of a book that I read to my kid, The Invisible String. This idea that there are these invisible strings. In the book, the mother tells the child that all the people we love have invisible strings that connect us. And when we pull on the string, they feel it the other side.  1967 was the moment Rabbi Sacks felt that invisible pull on the string. They have a very similar trajectory. The seventh of October was the moment in which many, many Jews, who were perhaps disengaged, maybe a little bit ambivalent about their Jewish identity, they felt the tug of that invisible string. And then the question is, what do we do in order to maintain that connection? And I think for Rabbi Sacks, that was really the question. He speaks about 1967 being the moment in which he says, I realized at that moment every, you know, in Cambridge, and everything was about choice. And, you know, 1960s philosophy and enlightenment philosophy says, at that moment, I realized I hadn't chosen Judaism. Judaism had chosen me.  And from that moment forth, Rabbi Sacks feels as if he had been chosen. Judaism had chosen him for a reason. He was a Jew for a reason. And I think today, many, many Jews are coming back to that question. What does it mean that I felt that pull of the string on the seventh of October?  Rabbi Sacks' answer to that question of, where do we go from here? I think very simply, would be to go back to the analogy. You need to work out why Judaism is a diamond. And once you understand why Judaism is a diamond and isn't a burden to carry on my back, everything else will fall into place.  Because you will want to advocate for that particularity and what that particularity brings to the world. In his book, Future Tense, which, again, was a book about antisemitism, there was a picture of a lighthouse at the front of the book. That's how Rabbi Sacks saw the antidote for antisemitism, right? Is that we need to be the lighthouse. Because that's our role, globally, to be able to be the light that directs the rest of the world when they don't know where they're going. And we are living in a time of dizziness at the moment, on every level, morally, sociologically, psychologically, people are dizzy. And Judaism has, and I believe this is exactly what Rabbi Sacks advocated for, Judaism has a way to take us out of that maze that we found ourselves in. And so I think today, more than ever, in response to you, yes, it is peoplehood that we feel. And then the question is, how do we take that feeling of peoplehood and use it towards really building what we need to do in this world. The advocacy that Judaism needs to bring into the world. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  We all have a role, a reason, a purpose. When Rabbi Sacks spoke to us a decade ago, more than a decade ago, at this point, those who were in the room felt the moral imperative to stand up to advocate and why, as Jews, we had that unique role.  I am so honored that today, now with Rabbi Sacks not here, you continue to give us that inspiration of why we are a letter in the scroll, why we must stand up and advocate. So thank you, Tanya and Joanna, for joining us at Global Forum and for this enlightening conversation. Tanya White:  Thank you so much for having us. Thank you. Joanna Benarroch:  Thank you so much.  Manya Brachear Pashman: If you missed last week's episode, please be sure to listen as two AJC colleagues pay tribute to their friends Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky who were brutally murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in May.   

Join us for an engaging episode of Parsha & Prose with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara as we explore the Torah portion of Bamidbar through the lens of the iconic 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont and adapted from Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. In Bamidbar, God instructs Moses to conduct a census of the Jewish people, assessing their numbers and strength as they prepare to enter Canaan. Rabbi Gemara masterfully connects this parsha to The Shawshank Redemption, drawing parallels between the structured organization of the Israelite camp and the enduring hope of the film's protagonist, Andy Dufresne, who clings to hope in the face of an oppressive prison environment. Through lively discussions, heartfelt stories, and moments of laughter and reflection, Rabbi Gemara and I (Avrum) uncover the profound themes of hope and purpose that resonate in both the parsha and the film. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation! Am Yisrael Chai.

Join us for an engaging episode of Parsha & Prose with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara as we explore the Torah portion of Bamidbar through the lens of the iconic 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont and adapted from Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. In Bamidbar, God instructs Moses to conduct a census of the Jewish people, assessing their numbers and strength as they prepare to enter Canaan. Rabbi Gemara masterfully connects this parsha to The Shawshank Redemption, drawing parallels between the structured organization of the Israelite camp and the enduring hope of the film's protagonist, Andy Dufresne, who clings to hope in the face of an oppressive prison environment. Through lively discussions, heartfelt stories, and moments of laughter and reflection, Rabbi Gemara and I (Avrum) uncover the profound themes of hope and purpose that resonate in both the parsha and the film. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation! Am Yisrael Chai.

Welcome to 'The Avrum Rosensweig Show', and our series, 'PARSHA & PROSE' with RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA, where we dive into the timeless wisdom of the Torah, weaving its teachings with insights from literature, culture, and human experience. In this episode, we explore the Torah portion Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1–15:33) through the lens of William Shakespeare's King Lear. At first glance, these texts seem worlds apart—one a sacred exploration of ritual purity and affliction, the other a tragic drama of betrayal and redemption. Yet, both grapple with profound questions about human vulnerability, isolation, and the search for meaning amidst suffering. AM YISRAEL CHAI!

Welcome to 'The Avrum Rosensweig Show', and our series, 'PARSHA & PROSE' with RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA, where we dive into the timeless wisdom of the Torah, weaving its teachings with insights from literature, culture, and human experience. In this episode, we explore the Torah portion Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1–15:33) through the lens of William Shakespeare's King Lear. At first glance, these texts seem worlds apart—one a sacred exploration of ritual purity and affliction, the other a tragic drama of betrayal and redemption. Yet, both grapple with profound questions about human vulnerability, isolation, and the search for meaning amidst suffering. AM YISRAEL CHAI!

 426 Constitutional CrisisIs Israel headed into a Constitutional Crisis? What is happening and what are the stakes? How does this relate to Israel's security situation? As the podcast heads into a hiatus for the indeterminate future, join us as we address that state of the State. With over 100,000 downloads, hundreds of episodes and almost a decade of posts, we thank our subscribers and listeners!Calev hosts this discussion with Liel, Matt and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

If you want to enhance your pride in being a Jew, and a Canadian watch this interview with three leaders in small Jewish communities across the nation. Here, I interview Heidi Coleman from Kamloops, British Columbia; Howard Slepkov, of St. Catharines, Ontario and Marilyn Kaufman from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Listen to these three powerful Jewish leaders who talk about the history of their communities, leadership, extensive programming, relationship with the State of Israel and their relationship with non-Jews where they live. Hear too their views on the larger Jewish communities across Canada and the potential to create stronger and advantageous relationships with them. I am from Kitchener, Ontario where my father was rabbi, and therefore have a special place in my heart for the smaller Jewish communities. It is for this reason I embrace my guests and am honored to interview them. Am Yisrael Chai. Proud to be a Jew.

If you want to enhance your pride in being a Jew, and a Canadian watch this interview with three leaders in small Jewish communities across the nation. Here, I interview Heidi Coleman from Kamloops, British Columbia; Howard Slepkov, of St. Catharines, Ontario and Marilyn Kaufman from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Listen to these three powerful Jewish leaders who talk about the history of their communities, leadership, extensive programming, relationship with the State of Israel and their relationship with non-Jews where they live. Hear too their views on the larger Jewish communities across Canada and the potential to create stronger and advantageous relationships with them. I am from Kitchener, Ontario where my father was rabbi, and therefore have a special place in my heart for the smaller Jewish communities. It is for this reason I embrace my guests and am honored to interview them. Am Yisrael Chai. Proud to be a Jew.

Watch/listen to this powerful interview with Igal Hecht, a documentarian who created, 'The Killing Roads', about Route 232 and Highway 32 in southern Israel where marauding gunmen from Gaza mowed down 250 people in cold blood on OCTOBER 7th. Igal discusses the process of filming this most difficult footage, with mothers, sons and daughters, wives and friends who lost their loved ones during this day of carnage. Igal expresses his passion for Israel and the Jewish people. He encourages the Jewish people In Canada and around the world to fight against anti-Semitism and stand tall and proud as Jews. The documentarian can be found at: www.thekillingroads.com. Please watch it and share it far and wide, so nobody will be able to deny the atrocities that happen to our people and others on OCTOBER 7TH. Am Yisrael Chai!!!

This week's "PARSHA & PROSE" offers some deeply meaningful reflections. Rabbi Shlomo Gemara's discussion of the Torah portion, Pikudei through the lens of 'The Emperor's New Clothes', is highly intriguing. The rabbi ties the intricate beauty of the Tabernacle to a more spiritual perspective, and that is emphasizing the importance of seeing God clearly through the magnificence of the structure and what lies within it.

This week's "PARSHA & PROSE" offers some deeply meaningful reflections. Rabbi Shlomo Gemara's discussion of the Torah portion, Pikudei through the lens of 'The Emperor's New Clothes', is highly intriguing. The rabbi ties the intricate beauty of the Tabernacle to a more spiritual perspective, and that is emphasizing the importance of seeing God clearly through the magnificence of the structure and what lies within it.

Watch/listen to this powerful interview with Igal Hecht, a documentarian who created, 'The Killing Roads', about Route 232 and Highway 32 in southern Israel where marauding gunmen from Gaza mowed down 250 people in cold blood on OCTOBER 7th. Igal discusses the process of filming this most difficult footage, with mothers, sons and daughters, wives and friends who lost their loved ones during this day of carnage. Igal expresses his passion for Israel and the Jewish people. He encourages the Jewish people In Canada and around the world to fight against anti-Semitism and stand tall and proud as Jews. The documentarian can be found at: www.thekillingroads.com. Please watch it and share it far and wide, so nobody will be able to deny the atrocities that happen to our people and others on OCTOBER 7TH. Am Yisrael Chai!!!

If you would like to understand Israeli Jews, to get to know someone who made aliyah from Queens, New York (move to Israel) close to thirty years ago, then have a listen to this schmooze with Rashi Rosenzweig. He lives in Raanana, Israel, is married with four boys, and just yesterday found himself, like all other Israelis in the region, running down to a bomb shelter once again, as a ballistic missile made its way from Yemen. In this interview, we learn about the genesis of his first name (Rashi was a famous rabbi found in the Talmud and the Torah), the spelling of his last name (which is different than mine), his passion for acting and knowledge of the city he made aliyah to. Rashi is your classic Israel citizen who share a small country and is deeply in love with the Jewish people. This is an hour and half spent with a man who decided to make Israel his home, and despite the wars and Intifadas never once thought about leaving it. Am Yisrael Chai.

If you would like to understand Israeli Jews, to get to know someone who made aliyah from Queens, New York (move to Israel) close to thirty years ago, then have a listen to this schmooze with Rashi Rosenzweig. He lives in Raanana, Israel, is married with four boys, and just yesterday found himself, like all other Israelis in the region, running down to a bomb shelter once again, as a ballistic missile made its way from Yemen. In this interview, we learn about the genesis of his first name (Rashi was a famous rabbi found in the Talmud and the Torah), the spelling of his last name (which is different than mine), his passion for acting and knowledge of the city he made aliyah to. Rashi is your classic Israel citizen who share a small country and is deeply in love with the Jewish people. This is an hour and half spent with a man who decided to make Israel his home, and despite the wars and Intifadas never once thought about leaving it. Am Yisrael Chai.

 425 Rabbi Meir KahanaLately, the controversial Jewish leader Rabbi Meir Kahana has been “discussed” on social media. Who was he? Why was he so controversial? How did he die? Why does he still play such a powerful role in Israeli life? I social media really the best environment for nuanced political discourse? Or is it best suited for sharing nice pictures of your vacation? Matt hosts this discussion with Calev and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

Just FUCK it.....Global Jewish Grief surreally painful & actually if you have an ounce of a soul and a functioning braincell you should be absofuckinglutely appalled by what a group of sub-human TERRORISTS have done and continue to do to Jews. No pass for the Palestinians by blaming Hamas. Not a single solitary Gazan with a soul. ZERO. Not an if and or but....and if you continue to remain silent you are complicit and can join them all in fucking all the way off. The world will be better off when they are all gone. Unless of course you want raping, murdering, torturing, EVIL living next to you. Exactly. May all of their memories be for a revolution. Am Yisrael Chai. K. Thanks. Yalla. Bye. For Shiri, Ariel, Kfir, and Oded z"l

 424 What is Wrong with Peter Beinart?It took a while for Peter Beinart to come out with his book blaming Israel for the post October 7th world. Its an impressively anti Jewish document, masquerading as a moral cri de cœur. How do we explain Jewish antizionism in general? And how do we explain it when the Jew is an educated, and ritually observant, former Zionist? Can the guys get through this without losing their tempers? Which of them has a personal history with this controversial figure? Join us to find out! Calev hosts this discussion with Matt and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

 424 Trump Statement on GazaWhat just happened? During the Netanyahu visit to The White House President Trump announced the residents of Gaza would willingly relocate to better places. America would then take over the region and turn the Gaza Strip into the Riviera of the Middle East for all of the world to enjoy. What will actually happen? What does this mean? What will change? What won't? What are the implications of this jaw dropping statement? Matt hosts this discussion with Calev and Mike. Join us! Am Yisrael Chai!

 422 The Hostage DealWhat is the actual content of the deal? What is the pro and con debate? How are most Israelis processing these events? What will happen next? Join us for a complicated and difficult conversation. Calev hosts this discussion with Matt and Mike. It was recorded the morning before the first three hostages were released.Am Yisrael Chai!

Incoming US Ambassador to Israel Gov. Mike Huckabee and incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz have recently uttered some very powerful words of support that, if implemented, highlight a true policy direction that will be amazing. As President Trump begins his Presidency, we all wait for a solid policy based on truth, justice and peace through strength, praying that he listens to the correct advisors, so that America is blessed, not just Israel. Am Yisrael Chai!

Listen to this very insightful interview with Nir Maman, 48-year-old IDF reservist, based in Toronto, who has been deployed to fight in Gaza and the West Bank, five times, since October 7th. In this interview, Nir is in DC preparing to protect the incoming president of the United States, Donald Trump, during the inauguration. You'll hear this father of five thoughts: on today's return of three Israeli hostages; how he arrived at playing a significant role in guarding the president during the inauguration and the support he and the IDF receive from his security colleagues throughout the United States. (There are some technical problems with my voice. We apologize for that). Am Yisrael Chai.

n to this very insightful interview with Nir Maman, 48-year-old IDF reservist, based in Toronto, who has been deployed to fight in Gaza and the West Bank, five times, since October 7th. In this interview, Nir is in DC preparing to protect the incoming president of the United States, Donald Trump, during the inauguration. You'll hear this father of five thoughts: on today's return of three Israeli hostages; how he arrived at playing a significant role in guarding the president during the inauguration and the support he and the IDF receive from his security colleagues throughout the United States. (There are some technical problems with my voice. We apologize for that). Am Yisrael Chai.

My cherished friend Rabbi Uri Zohar zatza"l, left an awesome legacy, the "Lev L'achim" organization, which does humongous Torah outreach all over Israel. As a team player, I love cooperating with them. Lev L'achim has a waiting list of soldiers and young people who need and want tefillin but can't afford them. Most of the time, they get donations of old tefillin that are seldom reliably kosher. As part of our Emuna Beams Tefillin Project, we donated 5 brand new pairs of tefillin to Lev L'Achim. I wanted to make sure that our the soldiers and young people who get them are well-protected, so I personally oversaw the production of these tefillin. If you're worried about the situation in the world, don't. Five new tefillin-wearing warriors are now in Hashem's army, so whatever happens will be successful. Am Yisrael Chai!

Managing Mental Health in Difficult TimesBeing under stress isn't a new condition for Jews. But with decades of Israeli power and relative diaspora security, our people have gotten used to a historically unusual state of calm. As the last few years have shown, political and even physical insecurity may be the new normal. While there's no need to panic, that kind of chronic stress takes a physical and mental toll. Some are in combat on Israel's front lines, and some have loved one's who are. Some are on campus or city streets confronting rising antisemitism. We decided to record this unusual episode to address that issue. How do we manage to take care of ourselves when we don't control the external forces that are causing us stress? What is the basic biologically of stress? What steps can we take, and what habits can we develop, that will help us navigate these difficult times? Mike and Alan host our guest expert Dina Kessler. Am Yisrael Chai!

Rivky sits down with Adina Mintz PA-C who practices functional medicine to talk about her work. They discuss the difference between the quacks and real medical professionals in Adina's space, why she's an uber generalist, the aspects of personal medical history she's really interested in and the cost of this type of care. Adina Mintz PA-C is passionate about helping women feel their best, whatever their stage in life. With over 15 years of medical experience, she graduated as a PA from SUNY and received specialized training at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She believes that every woman can live a pain-free, energetic life, and would love to teach you how. You can find out more about her and sign up for her email list at njfunctionalmed.com. Click here to see the new Side Vent Top Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection of dresses. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Rivky goes solo to talk about the new Side Vent Top. She share why it felt important to elevate  “throw on clothes” and vents about some production snafus she encountered along the way. Click here to see the new Side Vent Top Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection of dresses. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Rivky sits down with food blogger and recipe developer Amy Planjian of Yummy Toddler Food to talk about feeding toddlers. They discuss how their own insecurities show up in the way they feed their kids, why Amy didn't stress when her son didn't eat dinner for two years, and forming their children's relationship with food. Amy Planjian has a decade-and-a-half working in media. She's served as the Lifestyle Director of FamilyFun magazine, as a food editor with Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Media, and as the Deputy Editor of ReadyMade magazine. She's also been a contributing editor for AllRecipes magazine and trained for a year in the Better Homes and Gardens test kitchen learning how to properly develop, test, and refine recipes. Amy has been running Yummy Toddler Fodd for five years full-time and is also the author of the cookbooks Dinnertime SOS and Busy Little Hands: Food Play. You can find her running the YTF Community newsletter, too. You can find Amy on social media on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Pinterest. Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection of dresses. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

On this special anniversary episode Rivky celebrates the fifth birthday of this podcast! She share her thoughts on this milestone , and the topics she's now more willing to explore. You'll also hear some of her favorite and the most important bits of the episodes from this past year. Thank you to everyone who came on the show and listened over this past year. Without you, I'd just be a girl talking to her computer. Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection of dresses. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

When one looks at the modern soldiers of the Jewish people today, it is just unfathomable, on so many levels. Do not miss hearing how Israel is unlike any other country, or people, in the world. Am Yisrael Chai!!!

Rivky sits down with a marketing executive and entrepreneur Laura Nguyen to discuss career breaks. They discuss how Laura rapidly climbed the corporate ladder while sacrificing herself, how the death of a colleague led to her resignation, the phases of her measured career break and how she reintegrated herself into the workplace. LAURA NGUYEN is an experienced marketing executive and entrepreneur with an extensive background in data-driven marketing, digital marketing and communications for Fortune 500 companies. She is the founder of Solle Solutions, a marketing consultancy. Laura is also a certified executive coach, helping mid-career, high-achieving leaders go from burned out to balanced through her coaching program and online community.   Laura received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science at Truman State University, and her Master in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her family.   https://www.lauranguyen.co/ Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection of dresses. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

My son, Yakir, took part in a very special Sukkot prayer service hours before going into Lebanon with his unit. You do not want to miss the powerful message he posted publicly after that prayer service. Be inspired by our next generation of proud Jews growing up in the land of Israel today. Am Yisrael Chai!!!

Rivky sits down with a Rachel Heinemann, LMHC, to talk about disordered eating. They discuss the socially acceptable nature of disordered eating, where it differs from an eating disorder, and a different frame of mind for when a doctor wants to prescribe weight loss. Plus they talk about Ozempic. Rachelle Heinemann is a licensed mental health counselor (NY), licensed professional counselor (NJ). She specializes in working with individuals with disordered eating and eating disorders as well as depression, anxiety and relationship issues. In addition to her practice, Rachelle is an educator and speaker. She has taught courses in eating disorders and body image at undergraduate programs and as continuing education for clinicians. She is the host of the podcast Understanding Disordered Eating. Rachelle is part of executive leadership at IAEDP NY (International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals).  @rachelleheinemann rachelleheinemann.com Click here for an episode of Understanding Disordered Eating on GLP-1 medications. Click here for an episode of Be Impactful with Elyse Resch. Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection of dresses. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Rivky sits down with Rachie Shnay, a proudly Jewish jewelry designer, to talk about her brand and mission. Rachie shares why it was important to her to have Jewish theme jewelry in her collection from the outset, her special connection to holocaust survivors and how her pieces got in the hands of celebrities. Rachie Shnay was born and raised in NYC. After making a few shifts in her career path, she started her fine jewelry business ‘Rachie Shnay' in 2019 and has quickly built a massive following around her world renowned, “Mazel Collection.” Thousands of women internationally form her “Mazel Club,” wearing her pieces with Jewish pride including Gal Gadot, Rachel Zoe, Amy Schumer, Julianna Margolies, Debra Messing, Lizzy Savetsky, Noa Tishby, Emmy Rossum, Selma Blair, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Miss Universe and so many more! As a grandchild of four Holocaust survivors, Rachie has always been extremely passionate about spreading Holocaust education and awareness and inspiring others about the beauty of Judaism. She is a co-founder of, ‘The Healer's Collection,' a fashion accessory and wellness brand and continues to grow in new entrepreneurial ventures. She is all about spreading positivity and light and feels very lucky that through her business platform she has been able to create a network of women who are excited to embrace their Jewish identities in the most sparkly of ways and be their proudest and most fulfilled selves. Rachieshnay.com @rachieshnay Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection of dresses. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Send us a textIn this year's Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath addresses the profound impact of last October's events, emphasizing the collective trauma and unity that emerged in the Jewish community. He reflects on how this tragedy forced the Jewish people to confront their shared identity and essence. Despite differences in ideology, last year's adversity brought a glimpse into the unity that binds the Jewish people at their core. Rabbi Bernath urges the community to actively sustain this unity—not just instinctively, but consciously, each day. He shares stories and teachings illustrating the importance of maintaining unity, tapping into our core truths, and reconnecting with our infinite light. Through deliberate effort, we must continue to live by our collective truth and open the doors to unity, strength, and peace for the year ahead.Key Takeaways:Unity from Tragedy: October 7th changed the Jewish world forever. The tragedy united Jews worldwide, transcending ideologies and backgrounds, and revealed a deeper connection rooted in our shared essence.Conscious Effort for Lasting Unity: Rabbi Bernath reminds us that while unity came instinctively after October 7th, it is up to us to maintain it. If unity does not naturally arise, we must "open it ourselves" with our own hands, ensuring it endures as part of our daily lives.Lessons from the Rebbe: By sharing the story of Eliyahu Amikam and Meir Vilner, Rabbi Bernath emphasizes that every Jew, regardless of outward beliefs, harbors an inner core that connects them to G-d and the Jewish people. This core truth is what binds us and calls us to unity.Remembering October 7th: Rabbi Bernath stresses the importance of keeping the memory of October 7th fresh, using it as a reminder to continue living with a heightened sense of unity, purpose, and connection to one another and G-d.Our Responsibility: Like the young man with the tulips, if unity does not manifest naturally, we must take action to bring it forth. It is within our power to foster this connection, and with G-d's help, we can transform pain into strength and division into unity.A Year of Strength and Peace: In concluding, Rabbi Bernath prays for a year filled with security, peace, and revealed goodness, urging the Jewish people to stand united, channeling their core strength and unity toward collective prosperity and blessing.Keywords:Rosh Hashanah, unity, Jewish identity, October 7th, collective memory, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, shared essence, Am Yisrael Chai, infinite light, Jewish unity, conscious unity, G-d's blessing, year of peace, lasting connection, Jewish resilience.Support the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

  A Visit to the Gaza BorderThis past June, Liel took Alan, Matt, Calev and Mike to the sites that were devastated by the October 7th invasion. As a licensed tour guide, Liel wanted to share insights with her colleagues about what happened in the “Gaza Envelope” on, and since, that day. As they went from location to location, they recorded Liel speaking, as well as some of their thoughts and observations along the way. On the one year anniversary of October 7th, we thought it would be meaningful to share the experience with our listeners. Liel, Mike and Calev sat with our engineer Ben in his studio, to choose what to include in this episode. We also added narration to explain and contextualize each of the clips. While we were doing that, we also reflected on our thoughts since the visit, and about this difficult year in general. For those interested to see what we saw, here is a link to our shared photo album of the visit. Wishing you, our listeners, and all of our Nation a year of peace, healing and renewal.Shana tova. Am Yisrael Chai!

Exactly one year ago, journalist Amir Tibon waited in his safe room with his wife and two young daughters. For help. For the army. Someone. Hamas terrorists rampaged through his kibbutz, yelling “Allahu Akhbar” ceaselessly. They fired their machine guns constantly. They burned homes and threw grenades into rooms where they knew civilians took shelter. They murdered wantonly. And they took hostages. They tried, several times, to shoot open the door to the Tibon house. For some reason they were unable to open it. Amir and I discuss that black sabbath, his family's life today, returning to live on the kibbutz and the continued captivity of his neighbor and friend, Tzachi Idan.We then speak with Adam Ma'anit and Heidi Bachram, a couple living in Brighton, U.K. They are both prominent activists for the hostages and combatting antisemitism. Adam is also Tzachi Idan's cousin. They share with State of Tel Aviv their battle to bring Tzachi home and the indescribable Jew hatred that they have encountered, unabated, in the U.K. and online. You can hear the anguish in Adam's voice, as he speaks of his cousin, who watched his eldest daughter murdered before his eyes, helpless to do anything to save her. Tzachi was then force marched, barefoot, covered in his firstborn's blood, to the Hell of Hamas tunnels.Following the introduction, I speak with Amir Tibon and at approximately 23:00 the interview with Adam and Heidi begins.Am Yisrael Chai.Podcast NoteState of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

In this episode of Israeli Trailblazers, we spotlight the fearless innovators and disruptors propelling Israel forward, even as they face relentless threats from Iran and the deep sorrow of hostages still held in Gaza. Israel not only has the right to defend itself—it has the right to win. Tune in as we uncover how these Israeli visionaries rise above adversity, maintain unwavering optimism, and continue to shape a brighter, better future for the entire world. Don't miss these stories of resilience and triumph. Am Yisrael Chai. https://www.podpage.com/going-for-greatness-show/https://findinginspiration.substack.com/https://linktr.ee/goingforgreatnesspodcast#grit #podcast #inspire #resilency #challenge #entreprenuer #lifeskill

Rivky goes solo to talk about The Ruffle Overlap Dress and her summer of doing less, while also having the busiest summer in a really long time. She also shares how she gave myself permission to do so and some thoughts on turning 30 at the end of this year. Click here to book your private in studio shopping appointment. Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

  Is Israel Handling its Problems? Everyone agrees that Israel is beset with problems. Some of them can be managed, and many of them must be solved for Israel to survive and have a healthy future. Is there a danger of reaching a tipping point where Israel has too many problems to succeed? Is whatever is right about Israel in danger of being destroyed by what's wrong with it? Or is whatever is wrong with Israel going to be fixed by what's right with it? Liel hosts this debate with Matt taking the position that our problems are out of control, and Calev arguing that we have reason to be optimistic. Am Yisrael Chai!

Rivky sits down with author Anika Pavel to talk about her life. She shares what it was like growing up under communism and how she was able to get out, why she doesn't believe in age when you're too young or too old and why she wanted to write a book you could easily put down. ANIKA PAVEL was born Jarmila Kocvarova in Czechoslovakia. What was intended as a one-year stay in England turned her into a refugee when the Soviet Union invaded her homeland, writing a bloody end to the Prague Spring. She received a crash course in life that took her from sleeping in a telephone booth at the Victoria railway station in London to waitressing, to the lights of the fashion runway, and on to magazine covers, even a James Bond appearance, under the more pronounceable moniker, Anika Pavel. When the lights had dimmed, she returned to her first love, writing. Her work has been published in print, online and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Anikapavel.com  Click here to book your private in studio shopping appointment. Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Are We in the 1920s or 1930s? It is always interesting and helpful to learn from history. And so it's very natural to look to our recent past to find parallels to our current era. With the astonishing global rise of antisemitism many are looking at the previous century and seeing troubling signs for our future. But what part of 20th Century is the clearest precedent? In between the two World Wars, antisemitism rose and shook Jewish security in the Western world. Are we at an early stage like the 20s? Or in a later danger zone like the 30s? Are the analogies even accurate at all? Liel hosts this debate with Alan taking the position that our time is more similar to the 1920s, and Matt arguing that it is like the 1930s. Am Yisrael Chai!

In this special live episode Rivky talks with Rachel, a licensed mental health counselor, about the harms of diet culture and it prevalence during the holidays. They cover the basics & address your questions. Rachel Tuchman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over ten years of experience. She has worked with many diverse populations including incarcerated women at Riker's Island Correctional Facility, kids and adults with developmental delays, kids with behavior issues, overwhelmed parents looking for skills and support, teens struggling with the pressures of adolescence and life in general, adults going through difficult life circumstances (divorce, infidelity, phase of life challenges) and women experiencing infertility. Currently, she offers services in her Cedarhurst, NY office for kids and teens ages 5-18, adults, and women experiencing infertility, pregnancy loss and post hysterectomy. Rachel also does speaking engagements for schools, synagogues and various community organizations. You can reach her at Rachel@LILMHC.com @rachel_tuchman_lmhc Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Rivky sits down with Dr, Elissa Hellman, OBGYN to talk about misconceptions around starting a healthy sex life. We discuss the role of the kallah teacher, and how to know whether a question is medical or halachik. Plus she explains the fertility awareness method for contraception, and how a little knowledge goes a long way. Dr. Elissa Hellman is an experienced board-certified OBGYN.  She received her medical degree from NYU School of Medicine and completed her residency at Northshore University Hospital in Long Island in OBGYN.  Dr. Hellman has been in clinical practice for over thirteen years in Milwaukee, WI and now lives in Israel.  She is also the physician at her self-named telemedicine gynecology practice focused on the health needs of Jewish women.  Throughout her career, she noticed a gap in women's health awareness and knowledge.  This developed into a special interest in patient education and being a resource for the Jewish community in relation to body awareness and women's preventative health. @drelissahellmanmd Drelissahellmanmd.com Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Mass ProtestsWe live in an era when mass protests are just a normal part of weekly life in Israel. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Do they even make a difference? What changes have occurred because of them? And overall, do they create a positive or negative effect on Israeli life, politics and culture? Jordana hosts this debate with Calev taking the position that the protests create positive change, and Alan taking the position that they are problematic.. Am Yisrael Chai!

It's almost a year since October 7th, and in that year there have been many ups and downs. The news that came over the weekend of the IDF getting so close to rescuing six hostages from Gaza, only to find they had been murdered, hit all of Klal Yisrael especially hard.  Still, Am Yisrael Chai - as we've said, we know how the story ends, and so we keep the faith - always. We will not break! We also delve in this episode into other world events, including the latest from Russia - Ukraine, as well as Venezuela, and move into Asia. Of course our coverage of the election also continues with some fresh new clips.   Whatever your graphic, development, or any other need - use what we use here at the Podcast - Fiverr! https://fiverr.com   Help us continue creating content! Visit http://buymesomeherring.com   We have a call-in number where you can hear the cast! Tell your friends and family who may not have internet access! 605-417-0303 To Call In From Israel: +053-243-3287   Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiddushclubpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kiddushclubcast Join our WhatsApp chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HTWhnT1WiVFCioXjatEFi6 Send us you thoughts comments and suggestions via email: hock@kiddushclubpodcast.com

Rivky sits down with  journalist and podcast host Stephanie Butnick to discuss what it means to be Jewish today. We discuss tapping into our Jewishness in the current moment, what it means to be “visibly Jewish” and Stephanie sets the blueprint for a great Jewish debate. Stephanie Butnick co-hosts the popular Jewish podcast Unorthodox, produced by Tablet Magazine, where she has worked for more than a decade in various writing and editing roles. She is the co-author of The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia: From Abraham to Zabar's and Everything in Between, and has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and New York Post. She travels the country speaking to Jewish audiences about all aspects of Jewish life today. Tabletmag.com Click here for The Unorthodox Podcast, I'm linking to my episode and be sure to check out the rest- it's a great show! @sbutnick Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Rivky sits down with stylist and designer Talya Bendel to chat about her collaboration with Haas Bridal. We discuss why she doesn't see her teenage experimentations with modesty as rebellious, why the team wanted to do a mainstream collection, and how the collection shows their point of view as modest dressers. Talya Bendel is a 3x New York Times best dressed designer, film, editorial and event wardrobe stylist. Having launched her namesake brand with her partner Esty Haas the Talya Bendel - Haas Bridal collection was welcomed with rave reviews thanks to a Women's Wear Daily debut feature and a momentous show during NYBW at the Woolworth building in NYC. Talya has been working in the fashion industry for 15 years and has worked for Christian Siriano, designed for Luis Miranda, styled Titus Burgess and worked with Netflix, Warner Brothers, ROC Nation, Paramount and even the Teletubbies, among others. Talya has been featured in Elle France, Women's Wear Daily, Refinery 29, the knot. Talya has been quoted in The Daily Beast and has had her bridal sketch featured in Brides magazine. You can currently see Talya's work on the west side highway on a billboard for Columbia NYPB. Recently Talya, her partner Esty Haas and the Talya Bendel - Haas Bridal brand was nominated for an FGI Rising Star award in the evening wear category. Talya also recently worked on the Uzi Vert pink tape album trailer. This is just the beginning.  https://www.talyabendel-haasbridal.com/ @talyabendel_haasbridal @carpefashiondiem Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Rivky sits down with trauma therapist Esther Goldstein to discuss healing from child sexual abuse. They discuss how confusion and trauma get processed in the body, the prison of attention, how what happens to victims after they come forward is so much more important than the abuse itself, and tips for parents whose children come forward to them. Esther Goldstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trauma specialist and founder of a group practice, Integrative Psychotherapy, where she and a team of therapists provide cutting edge treatment to those seeking relief from anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms.   Esther also runs an online trauma training for therapists and educators around the world who are committed to deepening their knowledge, skill and confidence in supporting those on their healing journey. www.traumatherapists.co   Esther has sprouted a community initiative, Integrative Community Care, where she and her group practice provide resources and mental health tools to surrounding communities. She is fiercely committed to raising awareness about health and collaborating with leaders in supporting our communities to keep thriving emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically.   integrativepsych.co  Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks