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In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin and historian Malka Simkovich discuss the future of technology, AI, and the Jewish People. This episode was recorded live at the Moise Safra Center as 18Forty celebrated its Fifth Anniversary with our community.We begin with words from Sruli Fruchter and Mitch Eichen delivered at the program, as well as questions from the audience to conclude. In this episode we discuss: What is the point of academia and asking questions?Will AI replace rabbinic authority or the conversations we have on 18Forty? Is there any topic that 18Forty will never take on? Tune in to hear a conversation about what we've learned through the seismic shifts we've experienced over the past half-decade.Interview begins at 17:26.Dr. Malka Simkovich is the director and editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society and previously served as the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and Director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She earned a doctoral degree in Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism from Brandeis University and a Master's degree in Hebrew Bible from Harvard University. She is the author of The Making of Jewish Universalism: From Exile to Alexandria (2016), Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories That Shaped Early Judaism (2018), and Letters From Home: The Creation of Diaspora in Jewish Antiquity, (2024). She has been a three-time guest on the 18Forty Podcast and led our Book Journey on the essence of antisemitism. David Bashevkin is the founder and host of 18Forty. He is also the director of education for NCSY, the youth movement of the Orthodox Union, and the Clinical Assistant Professor of Jewish Values at the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. He completed rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, as well as a master's degree at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies focusing on the thought of Rabbi Zadok of Lublin under the guidance of Dr. Yaakov Elman. He completed his doctorate in Public Policy and Management at The New School's Milano School of International Affairs, focusing on crisis management. He has published four books: Sin·a·gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought, a Hebrew work B'Rogez Rachem Tizkor (trans. In Anger, Remember Mercy), Top 5: Lists of Jewish Character and Character, and Just One: The NCSY Haggadah. David has been rejected from several prestigious fellowships and awards.References:“18Forty: Exploring Big Questions (An Introduction)”18Forty Podcast: “Philo Judaeus: Is There a Room for Dialogue?”18Forty Podcast: “Daniel Hagler and Aryeh Englander: Can Jews Who Stay Talk With Jews Who Left?”The Nineties: A Book by by Chuck KlostermanEinstein's Dreams by Alan LightmanTime Must Have a Stop by Aldous Huxley“Laughing with Kafka” by David Foster WallaceThe Most Human Human: What Talking with Computers Teaches Us About What It Means to Be Alive by Brian ChristianGödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter"Failure Comes To Yeshivah" by David BashevkinFor more 18Forty:NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/joinCALL: (212) 582-1840EMAIL: info@18forty.orgWEBSITE: 18forty.orgIG: @18fortyX: @18_fortyWhatsApp: join hereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.
Shevuot 37 – Shabbat – 11 SivanBy Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, Managing Director of NCSY, Rebbe at Reishitשבועות דף לז, דף יומי
In this episode, the host, Talia Mashiach, converses with Bluma Broner, the managing director and head of healthcare at CIBC Bank, USA. They delve into Bluma's dynamic career in banking, discussing its lucrative and flexible nature. Bluma, who is also deeply involved in community service through mentoring and board memberships, offers insights on leading a fulfilling career, staying true to one's principles, and managing societal expectations. She shares personal stories from her life in Israel, transitioning to her banking career, the challenges of being a working Orthodox Jewish woman, and the evolution of women's roles in professional and community settings. Bluma emphasizes the importance of doing what is right, building a supportive family structure, and finding fulfillment in one's work. The conversation also touches on the significance of women's representation on boards and mentoring future generations. 00:00 Introduction to Inspire to Lead Podcast 00:29 Meet Bluma Broner: Career and Community 01:27 Bluma's Early Life and Family Background 03:06 Challenges and Triumphs in Israeli Education 07:06 Navigating Career and Family in Israel 12:18 Transition to Banking and Gender Challenges 15:34 Balancing Career and Family in the U.S. 18:00 Insights on Commercial Lending and Healthcare 23:15 Support Systems and Outsourcing for Success 26:00 Corporate America: Balancing Faith and Career 27:26 Team Size and Structure 27:42 Career Trajectory and Job Satisfaction 29:45 Volunteer Work and Board Memberships 30:36 Women on Boards: Challenges and Progress 31:58 Balancing Career and Community 33:28 The Importance of Representation and Mentorship 36:01 Career Advice and Personal Reflections 50:59 Final Thoughts and Messages About Our Guest: Bluma Broner, Managing Director at CIBC, is responsible for client relationships and new business origination nationwide. She heads one of the bank's health care groups focused on providers of skilled nursing and senior housing. Broner has more than 22 years of banking experience and has spent the past 15 years as a lender to the health care industry. Before joining CIBC in 2007, she was vice president in health care at LaSalle Bank. She started her banking career in 1995 at Bank Leumi in Israel and has held a variety of positions, with a focus on middle-market entrepreneurial businesses. Broner holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is a Leadership Greater Chicago 2019 fellow. Community leadership: Broner is a board member of Shalva, Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago and NCSY, an Orthodox Jewish youth group. She also serves on the Community Building & Jewish Continuity Commission of the Jewish Federation in Chicago. Powered By Roth & Co The JWE For guest suggestions, please email Talia: podcast@thejwe.org
Yaakov Fein, better known as @theturntjew and @frumfitness, hails from Seattle, Washington, and has earned a reputation as both the king of Jewish memes and a dedicated fitness coach.In this episode, Yaakov opens up about his life's journey, reflecting on his religious evolution, his career in fitness, and his experiences navigating the Orthodox Jewish community as a single man.He shares the pressures he faced growing up, the transformative role Jewish education played in his life, and how his popular meme page came to be.Yaakov also offers meaningful insights into his fitness journey, the importance of investing in yourself, overcoming peer pressure, and handling the weight of societal expectations.This is one episode not to be missed. So, tune in now and get ready to think, laugh, and be inspired!01:12 - Growing Up Jewish in Seattle02:55 - High School Journey: From Conservative to Orthodox07:10 - The Influence of NCSY and Choosing Yeshiva08:49 - Aliyah18:23 - Starting the Turnt Jew: A Meme Page Success26:57 - Balancing Humor and Faith29:13 - Becoming a Fitness Instructor 36:23 - Fitness Philosophy and Accountability42:03 - Personal Journey and Challenges44:27 - Dating and Community 01:03:20 - Advice for the Younger Generation*For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram. You can also reach out to Tamar@tales-of.com with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do. If you would like to donate to continue the initiative, please send money via Zelle to tberg93@gmail.comThank you for listening!
Shevuot 18 – Monday – 21 IyarBy Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, Managing Director of NCSY, Rebbe at Reishitשבועות דף יח, דף יומי
Moishe Bane is the president emeritus of the Orthodox Union and was senior partner for almost 17 years at Ropes & Gray LLP. He's also been the national chairman for NCSY, started Kayama, and held a variety of other communal roles. Hear about his influences, experiences, and thoughts from decades of helping and advancing all areas of Jewish life.-----To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543
Makkot 17 – Friday – 27 NissanBy Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, Managing Director of NCSY, Rebbe at Reishitמכות דף יז, דף יומיToday's Daily Dose is sponsored in honor of the recovery from the recent hospitalization of Baruch Avner ben Sarah Feigel
The hardest chapters of your life often become the clearest mirror of your values. When Rabbi Jonathan Cohen woke up one Shabbat (Saturday) morning unable to move, he had no idea he was facing a life-altering medical emergency. What followed - emergency brain surgery, a cancer diagnosis, and a whirlwind of hospital visits - could have broken his spirit. Instead, it clarified his purpose. In this raw and deeply human conversation, Jonathan - affectionately known as "JoCo" - shares how he continues to show up with purpose during hard times, for his family, his community, and himself, even in the midst of fear, fatigue, and the unknown. With humor, wisdom, and an unmistakable warmth, he invites us to rethink what it means to live meaningfully when life turns upside down. This isn't just a story about illness. It's a story about resilience, presence, and the power of showing up with purpose, even when everything else falls away. In this conversation about showing up with purpose during hard times, you'll hear: The Shabbat (Saturday) morning that changed everything for Jonathan How he stayed grounded in his values through a health crisis and what helps him through the hard times What it meant for him to suddenly be a patient What makes a visit meaningful when someone is seriously ill Caring for others and visiting communities affected by October 7, even as he confronts his own health challenges Jonathan's reflections on vulnerability, community, and setting boundaries And many more insights TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction to Jonathan Cohen's Journey 01:37 – Life Before the Cancer Diagnosis 07:27 – The Morning Everything Changed 13:59 – Emergency Brain Surgery and Hospitalization 21:03 – Adjusting to Life as a Patient 26:50 – Support from Family and Friends 32:09 – Navigating Visits and Staying Positive 36:12 – What Makes a Visit Truly Meaningful 40:10 – Balancing Illness with Family Life 40:57 – Creative Ways Visitors Made an Impact 42:44 – Community Engagement as a Healing Practice 45:44 – The Therapeutic Power of Getting Outside 47:37 – Supporting Others Through Small Gestures 50:28 – Seeing Life Differently Through Illness 55:42 – Fighting vs. Managing Illness 59:33 – Finding Strength Through Support and Positivity 01:02:44 – Final Reflections and Life Lessons ABOUT THE GUEST Rabbi Jonathan Cohen (affectionately known as "JoCo") is a dynamic force of inspiration within the Jewish community. He works with Yeshiva University (YU) recruiting gap-year students to continue their education at YU, while also serving with NCSY (a division of the Orthodox Union) to help young couples find their place in Jewish communities across the United States. Beyond his professional roles, Rabbi Cohen is renowned for his exceptionally warm and open home, where he and his family have hosted countless students for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. Recently diagnosed with cancer, Rabbi Cohen faces this challenge with remarkable resilience and positivity. Despite undergoing intensive treatment, he remains steadfast in his mission to serve others. He continues to travel across Israel, leading impactful trips and providing support to communities affected by the events of October 7th, turning his personal struggle into an opportunity to spread kindness and connection to those in need. QUOTES “Being a hero also means going through challenges and creating opportunities.” - Jonathan Cohen “What I've learned most importantly is that we have to be there more for each other.” - Jonathan Cohen “That first week, there were certain people [who] weren't even thinking about themselves. They were thinking about ‘what can we do to put a smile on your face?'” - Jonathan Cohen “Communication is still a hard thing in the generation that we live.” - Jonathan Cohen ABOUT THE HOST Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and former faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. SEE ALL SHOW NOTES http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast LEARN MORE at http://www.transcendingx.com and http://www.schneiderspeech.com
Rabbi Arieh Friedner is the COO of Daily Giving, a platform uniting tens of thousands of Jews through the power of $1-a-day tzedaka. A seasoned Jewish educator and community builder, he previously led NCSY in Cleveland and founded Torah Institute Beyond Campus. Rabbi Friedner is also the author of "Common Ground: Unlocking the Secret of Jewish Unity", and brings a fresh, relatable voice to conversations around Jewish identity, giving and connection. ---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @ShlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: @levexperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose-The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs You can order a copy on Amazon or in your local Jewish bookstore.
Sanhedrin 108 – Friday – 6 NissanBy Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, Managing Director of NCSY, Rebbe at Reishitסנהדרין דף קח, דף יומיToday's Daily Dose is sponsored in honor of the recovery from the recent hospitalization of Baruch Avner ben Sarah Feigel
Nachum Segal presents David Cutler, Executive Director of NCSY Summer, great Jewish music, the latest news from Israel and Morning Chizul with Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser.
Subscribe to our email list here. In this Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin talks about what Saturday Night Live has taught him about life, creativity, and running an organization. Prompted by the show's 50th anniversary, we're reflecting on lessons from five decades of laughter. In this episode we discuss: How did Lorne Michaels's unique vision and insights help him “invent” SNL?What are the top five lessons about Jewish life that David has learned from the life of the SNL creator, born as Lorne David Lipowitz?What are David's three favorite Jewish sketches from SNL?Tune in to hear a serious analysis of a comedic show. David Bashevkin is the founder of 18Forty. He is also the director of education for NCSY, the youth movement of the Orthodox Union, and the Clinical Assistant Professor of Jewish Values at the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. He completed rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, as well as a master's degree at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies focusing on the thought of Rabbi Zadok of Lublin under the guidance of Dr. Yaakov Elman. He completed his doctorate in Public Policy and Management at The New School's Milano School of International Affairs, focusing on crisis management. He has published four books, Sin·a·gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought, a Hebrew work B'Rogez Rachem Tizkor (trans. In Anger, Remember Mercy), Top 5: Lists of Jewish Character and Character, and Just One: The NCSY Haggadah. David has been rejected from several prestigious fellowships and awards.References:Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live by Susan MorrisonLive From New York by Tom Shales and James Andrew MillerBossypants by Tina FeyToo Funny to Fail: The Life & Death of The Dana Carvey Show (2017)Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: “Lorne Michaels: Everybody Likes to See the Monkeys”Tikkunei Zohar 57b“Weekend Update: Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy on the Story of Hanukkah”“Weekend Update: Adam Sandler on Hanukkah”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.
"How come there is no NCSY for the Marranos?" Frum complaints from Venetian Gedolim of the 17th century
A few weeks ago, this podcast featured a conversation between Rabbi Meir Soloveichik and the New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, moderated by Mosaic's editor Jonathan Silver. The subject was Douthat's new book, Believe, a work of monotheistic apologetics, which argues that everyone should be religious. Among the many topics discussed was the remarkable revival of spiritual energy in America. At present we are living through a kind of religious awakening, one that shares some features with the Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th centuries, despite some fundamental differences. Previous surges in American religious life were, to put it plainly, much more conventionally Christian. This one is a great deal more complicated, and it is fractured in the same way that our culture is fractured. Some forms of Christianity are indeed growing, while many traditional Christian confessions continue to shrink. A good deal of the spiritual energy in America is not channeled into any recognizable Christian form: wellness culture, identity politics, occultism, and other phenomena have all taken on some aspects of religion, and are accorded sanctity by their devotees. This week, we turn that general question to the Jewish community, and in particular, to American Orthodox Judaism. To what extent do the trends of American religious life and American spiritual dynamics affect Orthodox communities? What are some of the sociological, communal, liturgical, and institutional changes that are taking place there? How has October 7 affected the religious consciousness of American orthodoxy? To explore these questions, Jonathan Silver speaks with Rabbi David Bashevkin, the director of education for NCSY, the youth movement of the Orthodox Union; a professor at Yeshiva University; and the founder and host of the Jewish media company and podcast, 18Forty. American Orthodoxy is itself remarkably diverse, and this conversation focuses mostly on modern or centrist Orthodox institutions, whose limits and contours Rabbi Bashevkin helps to dimension.
Another inspirational conversation, this time with Moshe Isenberg, whose career pivoted from nonprofit work to founding a multimillion-dollar insurance company, and then back to nonprofit. Moshe shares insights on the valuable lessons, including an emphasis on the importance of empathy, community service, and strategic thinking. This episode is filled with personal anecdotes, professional revelations, and advice on finding fulfillment and success in various career paths. Moshe Isenberg:https://www.linkedin.com/in/moshe-isenberg-749a8b31/ NCSY: https://midwest.ncsy.org/ Noah Mishkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahmishkin/ Tim Ferriss Billboard Answers: https://shorturl.at/wrYCy Bob Mullenbach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-mullenbach-966b245/ The Power of Ritual: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Ritual-Everyday-Activities-Practices/dp/0062881817 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cacklemedia/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cacklemedia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CackleMedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cacklemedia/ 00:00 Introduction to Transferable Skills 00:06 Meet Moshe Isenberg: From Nonprofit to Multimillion Dollar Insurance Company 01:38 The Importance of Empathy and Community Service 02:52 Volunteering and Its Impact on Personal Fulfillment 07:33 Moshe's Journey into Nonprofit Work 10:33 Climbing the Ranks in Nonprofit Management 13:44 Realizations and Career Aspirations 25:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Fundraising 29:42 Exploring Career Paths: Nonprofit vs. Business 30:10 The Natural Fit: Sales and Fundraising 31:53 Passion and Belief: Key to Success 32:27 Venturing into Insurance 32:55 Building an Insurance Business 37:40 Transitioning Back to Fundraising 41:41 The Power of Strategic Partnerships 46:29 Connecting with the Next Generation 49:17 The Importance of Personal Connections 54:26 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Donna Blackburn, a long-serving trustee on the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, has been formally censured by her peers and must take antisemitism training. The vote came on Nov. 26, following an official complaint accusing Blackburn of using slurs about Jews being powerful bullies. While the OCDSB stopped short of suspending Blackburn outright, as others in similar situations have been, Jewish leaders are applauding the school board's somewhat unexpected stand against antisemitism. The OCDSB has long been accused of treating Jewish students and staff differently than other equity-seeking groups. In this latest example, Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, a trustee on the board, lodged a complaint this summer after a dispute over the Capital Pride Parade. She and Blackburn, a long supporter of the parade, clashed when the school board pulled out of the event after organizers openly supported the Palestinian cause, blamed Israel for a “genocide” in Gaza, said Israel was pinkwashing the war, and called for a boycott of sponsors who were Zionists. On today's episode of The CJN Daily, we hear reaction from Jewish leaders in Ottawa: Kaplan-Myrth; Stacey Freedhoff of the new Jewish Parents of Ottawa Students Association; Rabbi David Rotenberg, who runs twenty NCSY student clubs in Ottawa public schools; and Ariel and Ethan Podolsky, Grade 12 students at Sir Robert Borden High School, where many recent incidents targeting Jewish students have taken place. Related links Learn more about Jewish Parents of Ottawa Students Association, and Ottawa's NCSY clubs. Read a student's perspective on antisemitism in Ottawa schools, by Talia Freedhoff, in The CJN. When two students from Sir Robert Borden High school were charged in 2023 after making antisemitic gestures at a Jewish classmate, in The CJN. Read the consultant's official findings on the code of conduct complaint levelled by trustee Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth about trustee Donna Blackburn's antisemitic comments and texts during the lead up to Capital Pride. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Dov Beck-Levine Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to The CJN Daily (Not sure how? Click here)
Dr. Edo Lavi is an orthodontist based in Baltimore (for now). He is also the host of the Dafsplaining podcast. We spoke about the perks of being an orthodontist, finding meaning at work, and his plans for coming back to Israel. If you enjoy Shtark Tank, make sure to check out or Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, bonus content and more. Click Here to join. Guest Bio Dr. Edo Lavi joins this episode of "Shtark Tank" to share his remarkable journey, blending professional expertise with a deep dedication to Torah values. A graduate of HANC, KBY, and Yeshiva University, Dr. Lavi went on to complete dental school in New Jersey in 1999 and specialized in orthodontics at NYU by 2003. He and his family made aliyah on one of the early Nefesh B'Nefesh flights and established a successful private orthodontic practice in Israel, serving the community until 2019. Dr. Lavi's roots in NCSY and experience as one of the first madrichim in NCSY Kollel reflect his commitment to community and growth. Now based in Baltimore, he shares insights on balancing Torah ideals with professional success, and his aspirations to return to Israel in the future.
This is episode rerun with Rabbi Steven Burg from Episode 159 When Rabbi Steven Burg took over the Aish HaTorah institutions, the organization had accumulated serious debt and was three months behind in payroll. Now, eight years later, Aish has become a massive success story, with new ventures, increasing numbers of students, a bigger budget, and positive cash flow. How did he do it - and what lessons can you learn from his experience in turning Aish and other failing organizations around? Listen to this episode of Let's Talk Business as Meny asks Rabbi Burg about his management philosophy, how to hire the right employees, why you need to learn how to delegate, the importance of ignoring the noise, the difference between vision and implementation, how you can revamp your business while simultaneously keeping it open, and more. Rabbi Steven Burg is the Director General of Aish HaTorah. Before joining this internationally renowned institution, Rabbi Burg held senior leadership roles in other prominent Jewish organizations, with a focus on outreach. In our episode, Rabbi Steven Berg emphasizes the necessity of accountability and having a supportive network when pursuing new goals or personal development. Our conversation highlights the need for balanced growth across spiritual, financial, health, and family aspects to sustain long-term success. We discuss Rabbi Berg's journey through various leadership roles in Jewish organizations and the techniques he uses for transforming struggling nonprofits into thriving entities. Rabbi Berg shares insights on setting visionary goals, including his mission to connect 3 million Jews with Jewish wisdom. 0:02:15 - Turning Around Failing Jewish Organizations 0:05:30 - Importance of Organizational Structure 0:09:23 - Shifting from Chaos to Structure 0:11:45 - Self-Funded Projects and Their Challenges 0:14:20 - Implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) 0:18:43 - Overcoming Obstacles with Hard Work 0:19:30 - Importance of Delegation in Leadership 0:20:10 - Unique Challenges in Nonprofit Organizations 0:22:47 - Trusting Talented Individuals for Success 0:24:05 - Inspiring Story of Family Reconnecting with Heritage 0:27:15 - Books and Mentors Influencing Rabbi Berg 0:30:50 - Essential Strategies for Business Success 0:31:30 - Combining Vision with Effective Implementation 0:32:45 - Hiring Humble and Relentless Employees Want to connect with Rabbi Steven? Follow him on LinkedIn. Visit his Aish Global to live more thoughtful, spiritual, and impactful lives! Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!