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A Classic RISK! episode from our early years that first ran in December of 2013, when Alex Edelman, Jude Treder-Wolff and Danielle Kramer all shared Yuletide tales.
Over the past two years, many filmmakers have hesitated or refrained from bringing their films to Israeli film festivals as part of cultural boycott of Israel over the Gaza war. But for Joshua Zeman, the decision to bring his powerful new documentary “Checkpoint Zoo” to the Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival was “merely part and parcel of the whole experience of making a film about something that's been politicized that shouldn’t be politicized.” Zeman’s film tells the dramatic story of the 2022 rescue of nearly 5,000 animals from the Feldman Ecopark zoo in Ukraine located on the Russian border outside the city of Kharkiv – on the front lines of the war – lovingly built and maintained by an animal-loving Orthodox Jewish oligarch, Oleksandr Feldman. “There has been a lot of backlash against Ukraine here in the States, even though the film is just about people rescuing animals, so the film was already complicated for me in terms of getting distribution,” Zeman said on the Haaretz Podcast. “Checkpoint Zoo” chronicles the efforts of Feldman, a handful of zoo workers who did not flee Kharkiv during the war and four idealistic volunteers as they risked their lives under fire from drones and bombs to remove lions, tigers, monkeys, ostriches and other animals out of from harm’s way in a modern-day Noah’s Ark. “War by definition is brutality created to strip away your humanity. But in rescuing these animals, these volunteers not only refound their humanity, but found this unbelievable well of courage.” Zeman sees Feldman – who allowed his luxurious mansion to be taken over by the rescued animals – as “a Schindler-esque character.” After Feldman’s businesses in Kharkiv were destroyed by the war, he was forced to “basically sell everything to care for these animals,” Zeman recounted. “Whenever we talked about the animals, he immediately cried. He's a big crier – he is a fascinating character who espouses a lot of values from the Torah.” Read more: Meet Oleksander Feldman, the Lonely Ukrainian Jew Fighting His Country’s New Fondness for Nazis 'It Is a Fascist Project': The Ukrainian Filmmaker Who Withdrew From a Prestigious Amsterdam Film Festival Because of the Israel Boycott Read all of Haaretz's film coverage Russian Strikes Destroy Centers of Jewish Life in Kharkiv as Community Members Flee The Tragic End of the Ukrainian Community in GazaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Tamar and Giddy share their story - how they met, fell in love, and built a marriage shaped by multiple losses, 11 rounds of IVF, and the constant waiting that comes with not knowing what's next. They talk openly about how infertility impacts a marriage, how they learned to support each other while grieving differently, and the role therapy, creativity, faith, and community played in helping them survive the most challenging moments. Tamar also shares how their Instagram page, Tales of Tamar, became a creative outlet and source of connection during COVID — and how telling their story changed their relationship. The episode also touches on the added complexities of navigating fertility challenges in Israel, the assumptions people make about adoption and surrogacy, and what it feels like to be "hostage to infertility." Woven throughout is a conversation about emuna, doubt, and finding meaning without tidy answers. Want to be inspired by a couple who doesn't have all the answers? This episode shows how they navigate hope, loss, and the unknown while staying connected and resilient. Resources: Mercaz Panim (Rachi Hain) Bonei Olam Tahreinu Leeman Hayeled (Adoption in Israel) Bar Toov (Male Infertility) More about Tamar Ben Tzvi: Tamar Ben Tzvi is the founder of Tales Of, a social media company helping mission-driven businesses and organizations, and @talesoftamar, her Instagram page, which she started 5.5 years ago to break the ice around infertility in the Orthodox Jewish community and create a safe space for open conversation about taboo topics. Tamar and her husband, Giddy Ben Tzvi, live in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, and have been happily married for over 9 years. Together, they are navigating a long and challenging fertility journey of 7.5 years. Through Tales of Tamar, Tamar runs two initiatives: a Tefillah initiative that pairs people up to daven for others going through a similar struggle, and a challah-baking initiative in which people bake as a Tefillah for those struggling with infertility. Connect with Tamar: -Check out Tamar's Instagram - View her website and connect with her via email at Tamar@tales-of.com More about Giddy Ben Tzvi: Giddy Ben Tzvi, originally from Rockville Maryland, he is a proud alum of the Melvin J.Berman Hebrew Academy (Here We go Cougars Here we go!), Yeshivat Torat Shraga, and holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yeshiva University. He works as a recruiter for UrbanRecruits, where he works to help jobseekers find gainful employment in the Israeli job market. He lives in Ramat Bet Shemesh with his incredible wife Tamar, he enjoys learning Torah, especially works of Machshava (Jewish Thought), playing a good game of basketball, going for a good run, chillin with friends, and watching some quality TV with Tamar. Connect with Giddy: - Check out his Instagram and Facebook Connect with us: -Check out our Website -Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube -Connect with us on LinkedIn
00:02:11 — Australia's Terror Attack Exposes the Myth of Gun ControlKnight argues that the Sydney attack proves mass violence still occurs despite total disarmament, exposing the failure of gun bans and citizen helplessness. 00:07:50 — Immigration, War, and the Real Roots of TerrorismHe ties modern terror to endless Western wars and unvetted immigration, saying globalist foreign policy manufactures the hatred it claims to fight. 00:10:09 — Christian Zionism and the Betrayal of True FaithKnight contrasts Orthodox Jewish opposition to Israeli militarism with Christian Zionists who sanctify state violence, calling it moral corruption disguised as theology. 00:14:20 — Why Police Will Never Save YouThrough personal experience and public tragedies like Parkland, Knight shows that reliance on police breeds paralysis—citizens must take responsibility for self-defense. 00:35:45 — Immigration Panic as a Pretext for Digital ID ControlHe warns that governments will exploit border chaos to impose biometric IDs and universal tracking under the guise of security. 01:07:14 — Sanctions as a Prelude to World WarKnight draws parallels between today's sanctions on Russia, Iran, and China and the economic warfare that provoked Japan into Pearl Harbor, calling it history repeating. 01:12:21 — U.S. Backed ISIS as a Tool for Regime ChangeHe reviews leaked admissions showing Washington knowingly used ISIS to pressure Assad—proof terrorism became an instrument of U.S. foreign policy. 01:30:22 — Israel's Palantir-Assisted Pager BombingsKnight exposes Israel's use of AI to detonate pagers in Lebanon, killing civilians and revealing the next phase of algorithmic warfare. 02:01:40 — The Manufactured Measles “Outbreak” in South CarolinaKnight dismantles the media scare over a few cases, calling it psychological conditioning to revive vaccine hysteria and re-establish compliance. 02:10:13 — Vaccine Lies and the Inversion of Cause and EffectHe demonstrates that illness spikes followed vaccine rollouts, exposing the foundational deceit of “safe and effective” narratives. 02:17:14 — Vaccines vs. Cornflakes: The Nutrition DeceptionKnight argues that public health improvements came from food and sanitation, not pharmaceutical salvation—debunking the myth of vaccine triumph. 03:02:25 — The Rise of “Ramaslimey” and the Pharma RepublicansHe closes by exposing Vivek Ramaswamy and JD Vance as globalist technocrats masquerading as populists, pushing mRNA expansion and corporate control. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.
00:02:11 — Australia's Terror Attack Exposes the Myth of Gun ControlKnight argues that the Sydney attack proves mass violence still occurs despite total disarmament, exposing the failure of gun bans and citizen helplessness. 00:07:50 — Immigration, War, and the Real Roots of TerrorismHe ties modern terror to endless Western wars and unvetted immigration, saying globalist foreign policy manufactures the hatred it claims to fight. 00:10:09 — Christian Zionism and the Betrayal of True FaithKnight contrasts Orthodox Jewish opposition to Israeli militarism with Christian Zionists who sanctify state violence, calling it moral corruption disguised as theology. 00:14:20 — Why Police Will Never Save YouThrough personal experience and public tragedies like Parkland, Knight shows that reliance on police breeds paralysis—citizens must take responsibility for self-defense. 00:35:45 — Immigration Panic as a Pretext for Digital ID ControlHe warns that governments will exploit border chaos to impose biometric IDs and universal tracking under the guise of security. 01:07:14 — Sanctions as a Prelude to World WarKnight draws parallels between today's sanctions on Russia, Iran, and China and the economic warfare that provoked Japan into Pearl Harbor, calling it history repeating. 01:12:21 — U.S. Backed ISIS as a Tool for Regime ChangeHe reviews leaked admissions showing Washington knowingly used ISIS to pressure Assad—proof terrorism became an instrument of U.S. foreign policy. 01:30:22 — Israel's Palantir-Assisted Pager BombingsKnight exposes Israel's use of AI to detonate pagers in Lebanon, killing civilians and revealing the next phase of algorithmic warfare. 02:01:40 — The Manufactured Measles “Outbreak” in South CarolinaKnight dismantles the media scare over a few cases, calling it psychological conditioning to revive vaccine hysteria and re-establish compliance. 02:10:13 — Vaccine Lies and the Inversion of Cause and EffectHe demonstrates that illness spikes followed vaccine rollouts, exposing the foundational deceit of “safe and effective” narratives. 02:17:14 — Vaccines vs. Cornflakes: The Nutrition DeceptionKnight argues that public health improvements came from food and sanitation, not pharmaceutical salvation—debunking the myth of vaccine triumph. 03:02:25 — The Rise of “Ramaslimey” and the Pharma RepublicansHe closes by exposing Vivek Ramaswamy and JD Vance as globalist technocrats masquerading as populists, pushing mRNA expansion and corporate control. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.
The culture of mainstream American childhood is vastly different than the culture of Orthodox Jewish childhood - which is itself a rich and varied landscape of texts, music, toys, and more, with nuanced shadings from one sect of Orthodox Judaism to the next. In Artifacts of Orthodox Jewish Childhoods: Personal and Critical Essays (Ben Yehuda Press, 2022), Dainy Bernstein has collected a treasury of essays examining the artifacts of Orthodox Jewish childhood and how they influence a child's developing view of the wider world - and their inner world. Interviewees: Dainy Bernstein holds a PhD in English and a Certificate in Medieval Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches college composition, medieval literature, and children's and Young Adult literature at Lehman College, CUNY. Goldie Gross earned a bachelor's degree in art and business from Baruch College and earned a master's degree in the history of art and archeology at the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University Yehudis Keller earned a BA in psychology and fine arts from Brooklyn College and is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. Hannah Lebovits is an assistant professor of public affairs at the University of Texas-Arlington Miriam Moster is a doctoral student in sociology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press, 2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
The culture of mainstream American childhood is vastly different than the culture of Orthodox Jewish childhood - which is itself a rich and varied landscape of texts, music, toys, and more, with nuanced shadings from one sect of Orthodox Judaism to the next. In Artifacts of Orthodox Jewish Childhoods: Personal and Critical Essays (Ben Yehuda Press, 2022), Dainy Bernstein has collected a treasury of essays examining the artifacts of Orthodox Jewish childhood and how they influence a child's developing view of the wider world - and their inner world. Interviewees: Dainy Bernstein holds a PhD in English and a Certificate in Medieval Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches college composition, medieval literature, and children's and Young Adult literature at Lehman College, CUNY. Goldie Gross earned a bachelor's degree in art and business from Baruch College and earned a master's degree in the history of art and archeology at the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University Yehudis Keller earned a BA in psychology and fine arts from Brooklyn College and is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. Hannah Lebovits is an assistant professor of public affairs at the University of Texas-Arlington Miriam Moster is a doctoral student in sociology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press, 2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies
The culture of mainstream American childhood is vastly different than the culture of Orthodox Jewish childhood - which is itself a rich and varied landscape of texts, music, toys, and more, with nuanced shadings from one sect of Orthodox Judaism to the next. In Artifacts of Orthodox Jewish Childhoods: Personal and Critical Essays (Ben Yehuda Press, 2022), Dainy Bernstein has collected a treasury of essays examining the artifacts of Orthodox Jewish childhood and how they influence a child's developing view of the wider world - and their inner world. Interviewees: Dainy Bernstein holds a PhD in English and a Certificate in Medieval Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches college composition, medieval literature, and children's and Young Adult literature at Lehman College, CUNY. Goldie Gross earned a bachelor's degree in art and business from Baruch College and earned a master's degree in the history of art and archeology at the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University Yehudis Keller earned a BA in psychology and fine arts from Brooklyn College and is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. Hannah Lebovits is an assistant professor of public affairs at the University of Texas-Arlington Miriam Moster is a doctoral student in sociology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press, 2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion
Video link: https://youtube.com/live/8IEgx00P7OEA livestream about the NYT op doc about the Wedding Night for Orthodox Jewish couples. Watch the opdoc here:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/opinion/ultra-orthodox-jewish-wedding-night.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-frieda-vizel-podcast--5824414/support.
In this groundbreaking episode of the School of Divine Mysteries, Aharon — a 48-year-old Orthodox Jew from Jerusalem — reveals how his sincere search for God led him from strict Judaism… to recognizing the Mahdi, Aba Al-Sadiq. Raised in Israel, married with five children, and deeply devoted to Torah and Orthodox Jewish life, Aharon always believed he needed to “find the Moses of his time.” His journey took a shocking turn when he discovered Yeshua (Jesus), the tragedy of Karbala, and the hidden prophecies in Judaism that align with the Mahdi and the family of Prophet Muhammad. For the first time ever, Aharon publicly shares:
In this inspiring episode of "Inspire to Lead," host Talia Mashiach sits down with singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Shaindy Plotzker. Together, they explore Shaindy's journey of becoming a trailblazer in the Orthodox Jewish music scene. Shaindy shares candid insights about building her business, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of authenticity, leadership, and self-worth. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to pursue their passion, break barriers, and lead with purpose. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & opening thoughts 01:07 – Meet Shaindy Plotzker: background and early influences 04:20 – Breaking barriers: music, business, and Orthodox Jewish identity 07:00 – Building a team and running a production company 12:43 – Growing up, family, and the power of music 17:39 – Overcoming obstacles and finding your unique voice 24:04 – Leadership, authenticity, and advice for young women 35:58 – The pivotal moments that changed everything 42:04 – Quick-fire questions and closing thoughts Guest Description: Shaindy Plotzker is a dynamic singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur known for her soulful voice and energetic performances. As a leading figure in the Orthodox Jewish music world, Shaindy has inspired thousands with her message of self-acceptance, faith, and empowerment. Beyond the stage, she runs her own production company, mentors young talent, and is passionate about using her platform to uplift others. Shaindy's journey is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and following your calling.
Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards. Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards. Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies
Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards. Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies
Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards. Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/film
Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards. Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies
Where do Jews and Christians agree, and where do they disagree about Jesus, salvation, miracles, and the Messiah? In this conversation, I talk with Orthodox Jewish thinker Shabbos Kestenbaum, a grad from Harvard Divinity school, and a political commentator for Prager U. Let us know what you think of this dialogue and if you want more like it. FOLLOW Shabbos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabboskest/ READ: More Than a Carpenter, by Sean and Josh McDowell (https://amzn.to/4rpqf42) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf) *USE Discount Code [smdcertdisc] for 25% off the BIOLA APOLOGETICS CERTIFICATE program (https://bit.ly/3AzfPFM) *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK) FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: https://x.com/Sean_McDowell TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sean_mcdowell?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmcdowell/ Website: https://seanmcdowell.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
From Amish to Jewish??? Yes. You read that right. Briana Leapley, now Nechama Leapley, shares her inspiring journey from Amish life in rural Kentucky to becoming an Orthodox Jewish convert in Brooklyn. Leaving behind her family and traditions, she navigates intense culture shock, finds guidance from rabbis, and embraces a life of Torah and mitzvot. Her story is one of faith, courage, and transformation, moving from Amish simplicity to Jewish identity, and from Briana to Nechama, with her heart set on Israel.✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► Twillory: Stretch Suits That Last!The most comfortable suit in your closet.Promo Code: INSPIRE20 for 20% OFF→ https://bit.ly/4eBHeKb► The Rumspringa Kallah: A Wild Twist in Jewish FictionA Chasidic scholar with a complicated halachic past sets off on a startling quest to find a convert bride among the Amish. It is a gripping, dramatic story that blends suspense, sharp dialogue, and deep Torah ideas. I actually mentioned this book to Nechama, the former Amish girl I interviewed, and a copy is already on its way to her.The novel pulls you in with its mix of humor, intensity, and rich theological debate. It also includes powerful anti missionary arguments that unfold through bold conversations. In plain language: it is riveting, nail biting, and impossible to put down.BUY HERE:→ https://bit.ly/rumspringakallah► BitBean: Smart Custom Software Built for YouYaakov here. Just make the call. They can help you.Reach Out Here→ https://bitbean.link/MeEBlY► Wheels To Lease: #1 Car Company For over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery. → CALL/TEXT: 718-871-8715 → EMAIL: inspire@wheelstolease.com → WEB: https://bit.ly/41lnzYU → WHATSAPP: https://wa.link/0w46ce ✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬ This episode is in memory of: • Miram Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima This episode is for the speedy recovery of: • Yosef Chaim ben Devorah Chaya GoldaLchaim. #iftn
How are the federal courts faring during these tumultuous times? I thought it would be worthwhile to discuss this important subject with a former federal judge: someone who understands the judicial role well but could speak more freely than a sitting judge, liberated from the strictures of the bench.Meet Judge Nancy Gertner (Ret.), who served as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts from 1994 until 2011. I knew that Judge Gertner would be a lively and insightful interviewee—based not only on her extensive commentary on recent events, reflected in media interviews and op-eds, but on my personal experience. During law school, I took a year-long course on federal sentencing with her, and she was one of my favorite professors.When I was her student, we disagreed on a lot: I was severely conservative back then, and Judge Gertner was, well, not. But I always appreciated and enjoyed hearing her views—so it was a pleasure hearing them once again, some 25 years later, in what turned out to be an excellent conversation.Show Notes:* Nancy Gertner, author website* Nancy Gertner bio, Harvard Law School* In Defense of Women: Memoirs of an Unrepentant Advocate, AmazonPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.Three quick notes about this transcript. First, it has been cleaned up from the audio in ways that don't alter substance—e.g., by deleting verbal filler or adding a word here or there to clarify meaning. Second, my interviewee has not reviewed this transcript, and any errors are mine. Third, because of length constraints, this newsletter may be truncated in email; to view the entire post, simply click on “View entire message” in your email app.David Lat: Welcome to the Original Jurisdiction podcast. I'm your host, David Lat, author of a Substack newsletter about law and the legal profession also named Original Jurisdiction, which you can read and subscribe to at davidlat.substack.com. You're listening to the eighty-fifth episode of this podcast, recorded on Monday, November 3.Thanks to this podcast's sponsor, NexFirm. NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com. Want to know who the guest will be for the next Original Jurisdiction podcast? Follow NexFirm on LinkedIn for a preview.Many of my guests have been friends of mine for a long time—and that's the case for today's. I've known Judge Nancy Gertner for more than 25 years, dating back to when I took a full-year course on federal sentencing from her and the late Professor Dan Freed at Yale Law School. She was a great teacher, and although we didn't always agree—she was a professor who let students have their own opinions—I always admired her intellect and appreciated her insights.Judge Gertner is herself a graduate of Yale Law School—where she met, among other future luminaries, Bill and Hillary Clinton. After a fascinating career in private practice as a litigator and trial lawyer handling an incredibly diverse array of cases, Judge Gertner was appointed to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts in 1994, by President Clinton. She retired from the bench in 2011, but she is definitely not retired: she writes opinion pieces for outlets such as The New York Times and The Boston Globe, litigates and consults on cases, and trains judges and litigators. She's also working on a book called Incomplete Sentences, telling the stories of the people she sentenced over 17 years on the bench. Her autobiography, In Defense of Women: Memoirs of an Unrepentant Advocate, was published in 2011. Without further ado, here's my conversation with Judge Nancy Gertner.Judge, thank you so much for joining me.Nancy Gertner: Thank you for inviting me. This is wonderful.DL: So it's funny: I've been wanting to have you on this podcast in a sense before it existed, because you and I worked on a podcast pilot. It ended up not getting picked up, but perhaps they have some regrets over that, because legal issues have just blown up since then.NG: I remember that. I think it was just a question of scheduling, and it was before Trump, so we were talking about much more sophisticated, superficial things, as opposed to the rule of law and the demise of the Constitution.DL: And we will get to those topics. But to start off my podcast in the traditional way, let's go back to the beginning. I believe we are both native New Yorkers?NG: Yes, that's right. I was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, in an apartment that I think now is a tenement museum, and then we moved to Flushing, Queens, where I lived into my early 20s.DL: So it's interesting—I actually spent some time as a child in that area. What was your upbringing like? What did your parents do?NG: My father owned a linoleum store, or as we used to call it, “tile,” and my mother was a homemaker. My mother worked at home. We were lower class on the Lower East Side and maybe made it to lower-middle. My parents were very conservative, in the sense they didn't know exactly what to do with a girl who was a bit of a radical. Neither I nor my sister was precisely what they anticipated. So I got to Barnard for college only because my sister had a conniption fit when he wouldn't pay for college for her—she's my older sister—he was not about to pay for college. If we were boys, we would've had college paid for.In a sense, they skipped a generation. They were actually much more traditional than their peers were. My father was Orthodox when he grew up; my mother was somewhat Orthodox Jewish. My father couldn't speak English until the second grade. So they came from a very insular environment, and in one sense, he escaped that environment when he wanted to play ball on Saturdays. So that was actually the motivation for moving to Queens: to get away from the Lower East Side, where everyone would know that he wasn't in temple on Saturday. We used to have interesting discussions, where I'd say to him that my rebellion was a version of his: he didn't want to go to temple on Saturdays, and I was marching against the war. He didn't see the equivalence, but somehow I did.There's actually a funny story to tell about sort of exactly the distance between how I was raised and my life. After I graduated from Yale Law School, with all sorts of honors and stuff, and was on my way to clerk for a judge, my mother and I had this huge fight in the kitchen of our apartment. What was the fight about? Sadie wanted me to take the Triborough Bridge toll taker's test, “just in case.” “You never know,” she said. I couldn't persuade her that it really wasn't necessary. She passed away before I became a judge, and I told this story at my swearing-in, and I said that she just didn't understand. I said, “Now I have to talk to my mother for a minute; forgive me for a moment.” And I looked up at the rafters and I said, “Ma, at last: a government job!” So that is sort of the measure of where I started. My mother didn't finish high school, my father had maybe a semester of college—but that wasn't what girls did.DL: So were you then a first-generation professional or a first-generation college graduate?NG: Both—my sister and I were both, first-generation college graduates and first-generation professionals. When people talk about Jewish backgrounds, they're very different from one another, and since my grandparents came from Eastern European shtetls, it's not clear to me that they—except for one grandfather—were even literate. So it was a very different background.DL: You mentioned that you did go to Yale Law School, and of course we connected there years later, when I was your student. But what led you to go to law school in the first place? Clearly your parents were not encouraging your professional ambitions.NG: One is, I love to speak. My husband kids me now and says that I've never met a microphone I didn't like. I had thought for a moment of acting—musical comedy, in fact. But it was 1967, and the anti-war movement, a nascent women's movement, and the civil rights movement were all rising around me, and I wanted to be in the world. And the other thing was that I didn't want to do anything that women do. Actually, musical comedy was something that would've been okay and normal for women, but I didn't want to do anything that women typically do. So that was the choice of law. It was more like the choice of law professor than law, but that changed over time.DL: So did you go straight from Barnard to Yale Law School?NG: Well, I went from Barnard to Yale graduate school in political science because as I said, I've always had an academic and a practical side, and so I thought briefly that I wanted to get a Ph.D. I still do, actually—I'm going to work on that after these books are finished.DL: Did you then think that you wanted to be a law professor when you started at YLS? I guess by that point you already had a master's degree under your belt?NG: I thought I wanted to be a law professor, that's right. I did not think I wanted to practice law. Yale at that time, like most law schools, had no practical clinical courses. I don't think I ever set foot in a courtroom or a courthouse, except to demonstrate on the outside of it. And the only thing that started me in practice was that I thought I should do at least two or three years of practice before I went back into the academy, before I went back into the library. Twenty-four years later, I obviously made a different decision.DL: So you were at YLS during a very interesting time, and some of the law school's most famous alumni passed through its halls around that period. So tell us about some of the people you either met or overlapped with at YLS during your time there.NG: Hillary Clinton was one of my best friends. I knew Bill, but I didn't like him.DL: Hmmm….NG: She was one of my best friends. There were 20 women in my class, which was the class of ‘71. The year before, there had only been eight. I think we got up to 21—a rumor had it that it was up to 21 because men whose numbers were drafted couldn't go to school, and so suddenly they had to fill their class with this lesser entity known as women. It was still a very small number out of, I think, what was the size of the opening class… 165? Very small. So we knew each other very, very well. And Hillary and I were the only ones, I think, who had no boyfriends at the time, though that changed.DL: I think you may have either just missed or briefly overlapped with either Justice Thomas or Justice Alito?NG: They're younger than I am, so I think they came after.DL: And that would be also true of Justice Sotomayor then as well?NG: Absolutely. She became a friend because when I was on the bench, I actually sat with the Second Circuit, and we had great times together. But she was younger than I was, so I didn't know her in law school, and by the time she was in law school, there were more women. In the middle of, I guess, my first year at Yale Law School, was the first year that Yale College went coed. So it was, in my view, an enormously exciting time, because we felt like we were inventing law. We were inventing something entirely new. We had the first “women in the law” course, one of the first such courses in the country, and I think we were borderline obnoxious. It's a little bit like the debates today, which is that no one could speak right—you were correcting everyone with respect to the way they were describing women—but it was enormously creative and exciting.DL: So I'm gathering you enjoyed law school, then?NG: I loved law school. Still, when I was in law school, I still had my feet in graduate school, so I believe that I took law and sociology for three years, mostly. In other words, I was going through law school as if I were still in graduate school, and it was so bad that when I decided to go into practice—and this is an absolutely true story—I thought that dying intestate was a disease. We were taking the bar exam, and I did not know what they were talking about.DL: So tell us, then, what did lead you to shift gears? You mentioned you clerked, and you mentioned you wanted to practice for a few years—but you did practice for more than a few years.NG: Right. I talk to students about this all the time, about sort of the fortuities that you need to grab onto that you absolutely did not plan. So I wind up at a small civil-rights firm, Harvey Silverglate and Norman Zalkind's firm. I wind up in a small civil-rights firm because I couldn't get a job anywhere else in Boston. I was looking in Boston or San Francisco, and what other women my age were encountering, I encountered, which is literally people who told me that I would never succeed as a lawyer, certainly not as a litigator. So you have to understand, this is 1971. I should say, as a footnote, that I have a file of everyone who said that to me. People know that I have that file; it's called “Sexist Tidbits.” And so I used to decide whether I should recuse myself when someone in that file appeared before me, but I decided it was just too far.So it was a small civil-rights firm, and they were doing draft cases, they were doing civil-rights cases of all different kinds, and they were doing criminal cases. After a year, the partnership between Norman Zalkind and Harvey Silverglate broke up, and Harvey made me his partner, now an equal partner after a year of practice.Shortly after that, I got a case that changed my career in so many ways, which is I wound up representing Susan Saxe. Susan Saxe was one of five individuals who participated in robberies to get money for the anti-war movement. She was probably five years younger than I was. In the case of the robbery that she participated in, a police officer was killed. She was charged with felony murder. She went underground for five years; the other woman went underground for 20 years.Susan wanted me to represent her, not because she had any sense that I was any good—it's really quite wonderful—she wanted me to represent her because she figured her case was hopeless. And her case was hopeless because the three men involved in the robbery either fled or were immediately convicted, so her case seemed to be hopeless. And she was an extraordinarily principled woman: she said that in her last moment on the stage—she figured that she'd be convicted and get life—she wanted to be represented by a woman. And I was it. There was another woman in town who was a public defender, but I was literally the only private lawyer. I wrote about the case in my book, In Defense of Women, and to Harvey Silvergate's credit, even though the case was virtually no money, he said, “If you want to do it, do it.”Because I didn't know what I was doing—and I literally didn't know what I was doing—I researched every inch of everything in the case. So we had jury research and careful jury selection, hiring people to do jury selection. I challenged the felony-murder rule (this was now 1970). If there was any evidentiary issue, I would not only do the legal research, but talk to social psychologists about what made sense to do. To make a long story short, it took about two years to litigate the case, and it's all that I did.And the government's case was winding down, and it seemed to be not as strong as we thought it was—because, ironically, nobody noticed the woman in the bank. Nobody was noticing women in general; nobody was noticing women in the bank. So their case was much weaker than we thought, except there were two things, two letters that Susan had written: one to her father, and one to her rabbi. The one to her father said, “By the time you get this letter, you'll know what your little girl is doing.” The one to her rabbi said basically the same thing. In effect, these were confessions. Both had been turned over to the FBI.So the case is winding down, not very strong. These letters have not yet been introduced. Meanwhile, The Boston Globe is reporting that all these anti-war activists were coming into town, and Gertner, who no one ever heard of, was going to try the Vietnam War. The defense will be, “She robbed a bank to fight the Vietnam War.” She robbed a bank in order to get money to oppose the Vietnam War, and the Vietnam War was illegitimate, etc. We were going to try the Vietnam War.There was no way in hell I was going to do that. But nobody had ever heard of me, so they believed anything. The government decided to rest before the letters came in, anticipating that our defense would be a collection of individuals who were going to challenge the Vietnam War. The day that the government rested without putting in those two letters, I rested my case, and the case went immediately to the jury. I'm told that I was so nervous when I said “the defense rests” that I sounded like Minnie Mouse.The upshot of that, however, was that the jury was 9-3 for acquittal on the first day, 10-2 for acquittal on the second day, and then 11-1 for acquittal—and there it stopped. It was a hung jury. But it essentially made my career. I had first the experience of pouring my heart into a case and saving someone's life, which was like nothing I'd ever felt before, which was better than the library. It also put my name out there. I was no longer, “Who is she?” I suddenly could take any kind of case I wanted to take. And so I was addicted to trials from then until the time I became a judge.DL: Fill us in on what happened later to your client, just her ultimate arc.NG: She wound up getting eight years in prison instead of life. She had already gotten eight years because of a prior robbery in Philadelphia, so there was no way that we were going to affect that. She had pleaded guilty to that. She went on to live a very principled life. She's actually quite religious. She works in the very sort of left Jewish groups. We are in touch—I'm in touch with almost everyone that I've ever known—because it had been a life-changing experience for me. We were four years apart. Her background, though she was more middle-class, was very similar to my own. Her mother used to call me at night about what Susan should wear. So our lives were very much intertwined. And so she was out of jail after eight years, and she has a family and is doing fine.DL: That's really a remarkable result, because people have to understand what defense lawyers are up against. It's often very challenging, and a victory is often a situation where your client doesn't serve life, for example, or doesn't, God forbid, get the death penalty. So it's really interesting that the Saxe case—as you talk about in your wonderful memoir—really did launch your career to the next level. And you wound up handling a number of other cases that you could say were adjacent or thematically related to Saxe's case. Maybe you can talk a little bit about some of those.NG: The women's movement was roaring at this time, and so a woman lawyer who was active and spoke out and talked about women's issues invariably got women's cases. So on the criminal side, I did one of the first, I think it was the first, battered woman syndrome case, as a defense to murder. On the civil side, I had a very robust employment-discrimination practice, dealing with sexual harassment, dealing with racial discrimination. I essentially did whatever I wanted to do. That's what my students don't always understand: I don't remember ever looking for a lucrative case. I would take what was interesting and fun to me, and money followed. I can't describe it any other way.These cases—you wound up getting paid, but I did what I thought was meaningful. But it wasn't just women's rights issues, and it wasn't just criminal defense. We represented white-collar criminal defendants. We represented Boston Mayor Kevin White's second-in-command, Ted Anzalone, also successfully. I did stockholder derivative suits, because someone referred them to me. To some degree the Saxe case, and maybe it was also the time—I did not understand the law to require specialization in the way that it does now. So I could do a felony-murder case on Monday and sue Mayor Lynch on Friday and sue Gulf Oil on Monday, and it wouldn't even occur to me that there was an issue. It was not the same kind of specialization, and I certainly wasn't about to specialize.DL: You anticipated my next comment, which is that when someone reads your memoir, they read about a career that's very hard to replicate in this day and age. For whatever reason, today people specialize. They specialize at earlier points in their careers. Clients want somebody who holds himself out as a specialist in white-collar crime, or a specialist in dealing with defendants who invoke battered woman syndrome, or what have you. And so I think your career… you kind of had a luxury, in a way.NG: I also think that the costs of entry were lower. It was Harvey Silverglate and me, and maybe four or five other lawyers. I was single until I was 39, so I had no family pressures to speak of. And I think that, yes, the profession was different. Now employment discrimination cases involve prodigious amounts of e-discovery. So even a little case has e-discovery, and that's partly because there's a generation—you're a part of it—that lived online. And so suddenly, what otherwise would have been discussions over the back fence are now text messages.So I do think it's different—although maybe this is a comment that only someone who is as old as I am can make—I wish that people would forget the money for a while. When I was on the bench, you'd get a pro se case that was incredibly interesting, challenging prison conditions or challenging some employment issue that had never been challenged before. It was pro se, and I would get on the phone and try to find someone to represent this person. And I can't tell you how difficult it was. These were not necessarily big cases. The big firms might want to get some publicity from it. But there was not a sense of individuals who were going to do it just, “Boy, I've never done a case like this—let me try—and boy, this is important to do.” Now, that may be different today in the Trump administration, because there's a huge number of lawyers that are doing immigration cases. But the day-to-day discrimination cases, even abortion cases, it was not the same kind of support.DL: I feel in some ways you were ahead of your time, because your career as a litigator played out in boutiques, and I feel that today, many lawyers who handle high-profile cases like yours work at large firms. Why did you not go to a large firm, either from YLS or if there were issues, for example, of discrimination, you must have had opportunities to lateral into such a firm later, if you had wanted to?NG: Well, certainly at the beginning nobody wanted me. It didn't matter how well I had done. Me and Ruth Ginsburg were on the streets looking for jobs. So that was one thing. I wound up, for the last four years of my practice before I became a judge, working in a firm called Dwyer Collora & Gertner. It was more of a boutique, white-collar firm. But I wasn't interested in the big firms because I didn't want anyone to tell me what to do. I didn't want anyone to say, “Don't write this op-ed because you'll piss off my clients.” I faced the same kind of issue when I left the bench. I could have an office, and sort of float into client conferences from time to time, but I did not want to be in a setting in which anyone told me what to do. It was true then; it certainly is true now.DL: So you did end up in another setting where, for the most part, you weren't told what to do: namely, you became a federal judge. And I suppose the First Circuit could from time to time tell you what to do, but….NG: But they were always wrong.DL: Yes, I do remember that when you were my professor, you would offer your thoughts on appellate rulings. But how did you—given the kind of career you had, especially—become a federal judge? Because let me be honest, I think that somebody with your type of engagement in hot-button issues today would have a challenging time. Republican senators would grandstand about you coming up with excuses for women murderers, or what have you. Did you have a rough confirmation process?NG: I did. So I'm up for the bench in 1993. This is under Bill Clinton, and I'm told—I never confirmed this—that when Senator Kennedy…. When I met Senator Kennedy, I thought I didn't have a prayer of becoming a judge. I put my name in because I knew the Clintons, and everybody I knew was getting a job in the government. I had not thought about being a judge. I had not prepared. I had not structured my career to be a judge. But everyone I knew was going into the government, and I thought if there ever was a time, this would be it. So I apply. Someday, someone should emboss my application, because the application was quite hysterical. I put in every article that I had written calling for access to reproductive technologies to gay people. It was something to behold.Kennedy was at the tail end of his career, and he was determined to put someone like me on the bench. I'm not sure that anyone else would have done that. I'm told (and this isn't confirmed) that when he talked to Bill and Hillary about me, they of course knew me—Hillary and I had been close friends—but they knew me to be that radical friend of theirs from Yale Law School. There had been 24 years in between, but still. And I'm told that what was said was, “She's terrific. But if there's a problem, she's yours.” But Kennedy was really determined.The week before my hearing before the Senate, I had gotten letters from everyone who had ever opposed me. Every prosecutor. I can't remember anyone who had said no. Bill Weld wrote a letter. Bob Mueller, who had opposed me in cases, wrote a letter. But as I think oftentimes happens with women, there was an article in The Boston Herald the day before my hearing, in which the writer compared me to Lorena Bobbitt. Your listeners may not know this, but he said, “Gertner will do to justice, with her gavel, what Lorena did to her husband, with a kitchen knife.” Do we have to explain that any more?DL: They can Google it or ask ChatGPT. I'm old enough to know about Lorena Bobbitt.NG: Right. So it's just at the tail edge of the presentation, that was always what the caricature would be. But Kennedy was masterful. There were numbers of us who were all up at the same time. Everyone else got through except me. I'm told that that article really was the basis for Senator Jesse Helms's opposition to me. And then Senator Kennedy called us one day and said, “Tomorrow you're going to read something, but don't worry, I'll take care of it.” And the Boston Globe headline says, “Kennedy Votes For Helms's School-Prayer Amendment.” And he called us and said, “We'll take care of it in committee.” And then we get a call from him—my husband took the call—Kennedy, affecting Helms's accent, said, ‘Senator, you've got your judge.' We didn't even understand what the hell he said, between his Boston accent and imitating Helms; we had no idea what he said. But that then was confirmed.DL: Are you the managing partner of a boutique or midsize firm? If so, you know that your most important job is attracting and retaining top talent. It's not easy, especially if your benefits don't match up well with those of Biglaw firms or if your HR process feels “small time.” NexFirm has created an onboarding and benefits experience that rivals an Am Law 100 firm, so you can compete for the best talent at a price your firm can afford. Want to learn more? Contact NexFirm at 212-292-1002 or email betterbenefits@nexfirm.com.So turning to your time as a judge, how would you describe that period, in a nutshell? The job did come with certain restrictions. Did you enjoy it, notwithstanding the restrictions?NG: I candidly was not sure that I would last beyond five years, for a couple of reasons. One was, I got on the bench in 1994, when the sentencing guidelines were mandatory, when what we taught you in my sentencing class was not happening, which is that judges would depart from the guidelines and the Sentencing Commission, when enough of us would depart, would begin to change the guidelines, and there'd be a feedback loop. There was no feedback loop. If you departed, you were reversed. And actually the genesis of the book I'm writing now came from this period. As far as I was concerned, I was being unfair. As I later said, my sentences were unfair, unjust, and disproportionate—and there was nothing I could do about it. So I was not sure that I was going to last beyond five years.In addition, there were some high-profile criminal trials going on with lawyers that I knew that I probably would've been a part of if I had been practicing. And I hungered to do that, to go back and be a litigator. The course at Yale Law School that you were a part of saved me. And it saved me because, certainly with respect to the sentencing, it turned what seemed like a formula into an intellectual discussion in which there was wiggle room and the ability to come up with other approaches. In other words, we were taught that this was a formula, and you don't depart from the formula, and that's it. The class came up with creative issues and creative understandings, which made an enormous difference to my judging.So I started to write; I started to write opinions. Even if the opinion says there's nothing I can do about it, I would write opinions in which I say, “I can't depart because of this woman's status as a single mother because the guidelines said only extraordinary family circumstances can justify a departure, and this wasn't extraordinary. That makes no sense.” And I began to write this in my opinions, I began to write this in scholarly writings, and that made all the difference in the world. And sometimes I was reversed, and sometimes I was not. But it enabled me to figure out how to push back against a system which I found to be palpably unfair. So I figured out how to be me in this job—and that was enormously helpful.DL: And I know how much and how deeply you cared about sentencing because of the class in which I actually wound up writing one of my two capstone papers at Yale.NG: To your listeners, I still have that paper.DL: You must be quite a pack rat!NG: I can change the grade at any time….DL: Well, I hope you've enjoyed your time today, Judge, and will keep the grade that way!But let me ask you: now that the guidelines are advisory, do you view that as a step forward from your time on the bench? Perhaps you would still be a judge if they were advisory? I don't know.NG: No, they became advisory in 2005, and I didn't leave until 2011. Yes, that was enormously helpful: you could choose what you thought was a fair sentence, so it's very advisory now. But I don't think I would've stayed longer, because of two reasons.By the time I hit 65, I wanted another act. I wanted another round. I thought I had done all that I could do as a judge, and I wanted to try something different. And Martha Minow of Harvard Law School made me an offer I couldn't refuse, which was to teach at Harvard. So that was one. It also, candidly, was that there was no longevity in my family, and so when I turned 65, I wasn't sure what was going to happen. So I did want to try something new. But I'm still here.DL: Yep—definitely, and very active. I always chuckle when I see “Ret.,” the abbreviation for “retired,” in your email signature, because you do not seem very retired to me. Tell us what you are up to today.NG: Well, first I have this book that I've been writing for several years, called Incomplete Sentences. And so what this book started to be about was the men and women that I sentenced, and how unfair it was, and what I thought we should have done. Then one day I got a message from a man by the name of Darryl Green, and it says, “Is this Nancy Gertner? If it is, I think about you all the time. I hope you're well. I'm well. I'm an iron worker. I have a family. I've written books. You probably don't remember me.” This was a Facebook message. I knew exactly who he was. He was a man who had faced the death penalty in my court, and I acquitted him. And he was then tried in state court, and acquitted again. So I knew exactly who he was, and I decided to write back.So I wrote back and said, “I know who you are. Do you want to meet?” That started a series of meetings that I've had with the men I've sentenced over the course of the 17-year career that I had as a judge. Why has it taken me this long to write? First, because these have been incredibly moving and difficult discussions. Second, because I wanted the book to be honest about what I knew about them and what a difference maybe this information would make. It is extremely difficult, David, to be honest about judging, particularly in these days when judges are parodied. So if I talk about how I wanted to exercise some leniency in a case, I understand that this can be parodied—and I don't want it to be, but I want to be honest.So for example, in one case, there would be cooperators in the case who'd get up and testify that the individual who was charged with only X amount of drugs was actually involved with much more than that. And you knew that if you believed the witness, the sentence would be doubled, even though you thought that didn't make any sense. This was really just mostly how long the cops were on the corner watching the drug deals. It didn't make the guy who was dealing drugs on a bicycle any more culpable than the guy who was doing massive quantities into the country.So I would struggle with, “Do I really believe this man, the witness who's upping the quantity?” And the kinds of exercises I would go through to make sure that I wasn't making a decision because I didn't like the implications of the decision and it was what I was really feeling. So it's not been easy to write, and it's taken me a very long time. The other side of the coin is they're also incredibly honest with me, and sometimes I don't want to know what they're saying. Not like a sociologist who could say, “Oh, that's an interesting fact, I'll put it in.” It's like, “Oh no, I don't want to know that.”DL: Wow. The book sounds amazing; I can't wait to read it. When is it estimated to come out?NG: Well, I'm finishing it probably at the end of this year. I've rewritten it about five times. And my hope would be sometime next year. So yeah, it was organic. It's what I wanted to write from the minute I left the bench. And it covers the guideline period when it was lunacy to follow the guidelines, to a period when it was much more flexible, but the guidelines still disfavored considering things like addiction and trauma and adverse childhood experiences, which really defined many of the people I was sentencing. So it's a cri de cœur, as they say, which has not been easy to write.DL: Speaking of cri de cœurs, and speaking of difficult things, it's difficult to write about judging, but I think we also have alluded already to how difficult it is to engage in judging in 2025. What general thoughts would you have about being a federal judge in 2025? I know you are no longer a federal judge. But if you were still on the bench or when you talk to your former colleagues, what is it like on the ground right now?NG: It's nothing like when I was a judge. In fact, the first thing that happened when I left the bench is I wrote an article in which I said—this is in 2011—that the only pressure I had felt in my 17 years on the bench was to duck, avoid, and evade, waiver, statute of limitations. Well, all of a sudden, you now have judges who at least since January are dealing with emergencies that they can't turn their eyes away from, judges issuing rulings at 1 a.m., judges writing 60-page decisions on an emergency basis, because what the president is doing is literally unprecedented. The courts are being asked to look at issues that have never been addressed before, because no one has ever tried to do the things that he's doing. And they have almost overwhelmingly met the moment. It doesn't matter whether you're ruling for the government or against the government; they are taking these challenges enormously seriously. They're putting in the time.I had two clerks, maybe some judges have three, but it's a prodigious amount of work. Whereas everyone complained about the Trump prosecutions proceeding so slowly, judges have been working expeditiously on these challenges, and under circumstances that I never faced, which is threats the likes of which I have never seen. One judge literally played for me the kinds of voice messages that he got after a decision that he issued. So they're doing it under circumstances that we never had to face. And it's not just the disgruntled public talking; it's also our fellow Yale Law alum, JD Vance, talking about rogue judges. That's a level of delegitimization that I just don't think anyone ever had to deal with before. So they're being challenged in ways that no other judges have, and they are being threatened in a way that no judges have.On the other hand, I wish I were on the bench.DL: Interesting, because I was going to ask you that. If you were to give lower-court judges a grade, to put you back in professor mode, on their performance since January 2025, what grade would you give the lower courts?NG: Oh, I would give them an A. I would give them an A. It doesn't matter which way they have come out: decision after decision has been thoughtful and careful. They put in the time. Again, this is not a commentary on what direction they have gone in, but it's a commentary on meeting the moment. And so now these are judges who are getting emergency orders, emergency cases, in the midst of an already busy docket. It has really been extraordinary. The district courts have; the courts of appeals have. I've left out another court….DL: We'll get to that in a minute. But I'm curious: you were on the District of Massachusetts, which has been a real center of activity because many groups file there. As we're recording this, there is the SNAP benefits, federal food assistance litigation playing out there [before Judge Indira Talwani, with another case before Chief Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island]. So it's really just ground zero for a lot of these challenges. But you alluded to the Supreme Court, and I was going to ask you—even before you did—what grade would you give them?NG: Failed. The debate about the shadow docket, which you write about and I write about, in which Justice Kavanaugh thinks, “we're doing fine making interim orders, and therefore it's okay that there's even a precedential value to our interim orders, and thank you very much district court judges for what you're doing, but we'll be the ones to resolve these issues”—I mean, they're resolving these issues in the most perfunctory manner possible.In the tariff case, for example, which is going to be argued on Wednesday, the Court has expedited briefing and expedited oral argument. They could do that with the emergency docket, but they are preferring to hide behind this very perfunctory decision making. I'm not sure why—maybe to keep their options open? Justice Barrett talks about how if it's going to be a hasty decision, you want to make sure that it's not written in stone. But of course then the cases dealing with independent commissions, in which you are allowing the government, allowing the president, to fire people on independent commissions—these cases are effectively overruling Humphrey's Executor, in the most ridiculous setting. So the Court is not meeting the moment. It was stunning that the Court decided in the birthright-citizenship case to be concerned about nationwide injunctions, when in fact nationwide injunctions had been challenged throughout the Biden administration, and they just decided not to address the issue then.Now, I have a lot to say about Justice Kavanaugh's dressing-down of Judge [William] Young [of the District of Massachusetts]….DL: Or Justice Gorsuch, joined by Justice Kavanaugh.NG: That's right, it was Justice Gorsuch. It was stunningly inappropriate, stunningly inappropriate, undermines the district courts that frankly are doing much better than the Supreme Court in meeting the moment. The whole concept of defying the Supreme Court—defying a Supreme Court order, a three-paragraph, shadow-docket order—is preposterous. So whereas the district courts and the courts of appeals are meeting the moment, I do not think the Supreme Court is. And that's not even going into the merits of the immunity decision, which I think has let loose a lawless presidency that is even more lawless than it might otherwise be. So yes, that failed.DL: I do want to highlight for my readers that in addition to your books and your speaking, you do write quite frequently on these issues in the popular press. I've seen your work in The New York Times and The Boston Globe. I know you're working on a longer essay about the rule of law in the age of Trump, so people should look out for that. Of all the things that you worry about right now when it comes to the rule of law, what worries you the most?NG: I worry that the president will ignore and disobey a Supreme Court order. I think a lot about the judges that are dealing with orders that the government is not obeying, and people are impatient that they're not immediately moving to contempt. And one gets the sense with the lower courts that they are inching up to the moment of contempt, but do not want to get there because it would be a stunning moment when you hold the government in contempt. I think the Supreme Court is doing the same thing. I initially believed that the Supreme Court was withholding an anti-Trump decision, frankly, for fear that he would not obey it, and they were waiting till it mattered. I now am no longer certain of that, because there have been rulings that made no sense as far as I'm concerned. But my point was that they, like the lower courts, were holding back rather than saying, “Government, you must do X,” for fear that the government would say, “Go pound sand.” And that's what I fear, because when that happens, it will be even more of a constitutional crisis than we're in now. It'll be a constitutional confrontation, the likes of which we haven't seen. So that's what I worry about.DL: Picking up on what you just said, here's something that I posed to one of my prior guests, Pam Karlan. Let's say you're right that the Supreme Court doesn't want to draw this line in the sand because of a fear that Trump, being Trump, will cross it. Why is that not prudential? Why is that not the right thing? And why is it not right for the Supreme Court to husband its political capital for the real moment?Say Trump—I know he said lately he's not going to—but say Trump attempts to run for a third term, and some case goes up to the Supreme Court on that basis, and the Court needs to be able to speak in a strong, unified, powerful voice. Or maybe it'll be a birthright-citizenship case, if he says, when they get to the merits of that, “Well, that's really nice that you think that there's such a thing as birthright citizenship, but I don't, and now stop me.” Why is it not wise for the Supreme Court to protect itself, until this moment when it needs to come forward and protect all of us?NG: First, the question is whether that is in fact what they are doing, and as I said, there were two schools of thought on this. One school of thought was that is what they were doing, and particularly doing it in an emergency, fuzzy, not really precedential way, until suddenly you're at the edge of the cliff, and you have to either say taking away birthright citizenship was unconstitutional, or tariffs, you can't do the tariffs the way you want to do the tariffs. I mean, they're husbanding—I like the way you put it, husbanding—their political capital, until that moment. I'm not sure that that's true. I think we'll know that if in fact the decisions that are coming down the pike, they actually decide against Trump—notably the tariff ones, notably birthright citizenship. I'm just not sure that that's true.And besides, David, there are some of these cases they did not have to take. The shadow docket was about where plaintiffs were saying it is an emergency to lay people off or fire people. Irreparable harm is on the plaintiff's side, whereas the government otherwise would just continue to do that which it has been doing. There's no harm to it continuing that. USAID—you don't have a right to dismantle the USAID. The harm is on the side of the dismantling, not having you do that which you have already done and could do through Congress, if you wanted to. They didn't have to take those cases. So your comment about husbanding political capital is a good comment, but those cases could have remained as they were in the district courts with whatever the courts of appeals did, and they could do what previous courts have done, which is wait for the issues to percolate longer.The big one for me, too, is the voting rights case. If they decide the voting rights case in January or February or March, if they rush it through, I will say then it's clear they're in the tank for Trump, because the only reason to get that decision out the door is for the 2026 election. So I want to believe that they are husbanding their political capital, but I'm not sure that if that's true, that we would've seen this pattern. But the proof will be with the voting rights case, with birthright citizenship, with the tariffs.DL: Well, it will be very interesting to see what happens in those cases. But let us now turn to my speed round. These are four questions that are the same for all my guests, and my first question is, what do you like the least about the law? And this can either be the practice of law or law as an abstract system of governance.NG: The practice of law. I do some litigation; I'm in two cases. When I was a judge, I used to laugh at people who said incivility was the most significant problem in the law. I thought there were lots of other more significant problems. I've come now to see how incredibly nasty the practice of law is. So yes—and that is no fun.DL: My second question is, what would you be if you were not a lawyer/judge/retired judge?NG: Musical comedy star, clearly! No question about it.DL: There are some judges—Judge Fred Block in the Eastern District of New York, Judge Jed Rakoff in the Southern District of New York—who do these little musical stylings for their court shows. I don't know if you've ever tried that?NG: We used to do Shakespeare, Shakespeare readings, and I loved that. I am a ham—so absolutely musical comedy or theater.DL: My third question is, how much sleep do you get each night?NG: Six to seven hours now, just because I'm old. Before that, four. Most of my life as a litigator, I never thought I needed sleep. You get into my age, you need sleep. And also you look like hell the next morning, so it's either getting sleep or a facelift.DL: And my last question is, any final words of wisdom, such as career advice or life advice, for my listeners?NG: You have to do what you love. You have to do what you love. The law takes time and is so all-encompassing that you have to do what you love. And I have done what I love from beginning to now, and I wouldn't have it any other way.DL: Well, I have loved catching up with you, Judge, and having you share your thoughts and your story with my listeners. Thank you so much for joining me.NG: You're very welcome, David. Take care.DL: Thanks so much to Judge Gertner for joining me. I look forward to reading her next book, Incomplete Sentences, when it comes out next year.Thanks to NexFirm for sponsoring the Original Jurisdiction podcast. NexFirm has helped many attorneys to leave Biglaw and launch firms of their own. To explore this opportunity, please contact NexFirm at 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com to learn more.Thanks to Tommy Harron, my sound engineer here at Original Jurisdiction, and thanks to you, my listeners and readers. To connect with me, please email me at davidlat@substack.com, or find me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, at davidlat, and on Instagram and Threads at davidbenjaminlat.If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Please subscribe to the Original Jurisdiction newsletter if you don't already, over at davidlat.substack.com. This podcast is free, but it's made possible by paid subscriptions to the newsletter.The next episode should appear on or about Wednesday, November 26. Until then, may your thinking be original and your jurisdiction free of defects. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlat.substack.com/subscribe
Episode 165: Modi and Leo are joined by Miryam Kabakov, the executive director of Eshel, an organizing that seeks to build LGBTQ+ inclusive Orthodox Jewish communities.Send us Modi Mail!118A Orchard St.PMB #208New York, NY 10002Modi's special "Know Your Audience" is available on YouTube now!For all upcoming shows visit www.modilive.com.Follow Modi on Instagram at @modi_live.Follow the AHM podcast on Instagram at @AHM_Podcast.Leave us a voicemail!Send us a textSupport the show
Michele Weiss, Mayor elect of University Heights, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland) joins the show to talk about becoming the first Orthodox Jewish femalee mayor in American history, how she was able to attract a diverse coalition of supporters and more.
It’s the greatest crisis that has rocked the British Royal Family since King Edward was forced to abdicate in 1936. As the fallout continues over Jeffrey Epstein, King Charles has now stripped his brother of a number of Royal titles, including his birthright of Prince. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and has also been kicked out of the Royal Cottage along with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Royal Correspondent Juliet Rieden, who warns that more damaging allegations may be on the way, involving not only Andrew but also other very powerful people. Headlines: Former NSW MP Gareth Ward has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison, tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish men have flooded the streets of Jerusalem in a mass protest, and NASA has stepped in to correct Kim Kardashian. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Esther Eisner is the founder of AfterForever.org, an online support community for Jewish divorcees. As a divorcee herself, Esther has experienced firsthand some of the challenges of rebuilding – both one's home and ones' self – post-divorce. She started After Forever to help others get back on their feet and to assist in navigating the path to starting over. This is the fourth and final episode of a series dealing wih divorce in the Orthodox Jewish community. See also episode 37 (an overview of the survey findings), episode 39 (conversation with Rabbi Weissmann, director of the Beth Din of America), and episode 40 (conversation with Attorney Deborah Chames, whose broad practice includes family law and divorce issues in the Orthodox community). Here are links to: The Survey of Orthodox Jewish Family Life, Marriage & Divorce. A Summary of the report. The AfterForever.org site offering support to divorcees. If you would like to receive our upcoming Health Survey, just send an email to mark@nishmaresearch.com.
Dr. Hal Sacks, an Orthodox Jewish man from Hollywood, helped pioneer television and even filmed the Jesus Movement—but he refused to believe in Jesus… until one supernatural encounter changed everything. In this powerful episode, Hal shares his divine moment at the Western Wall, his encounter with Kathryn Kuhlman, and the miraculous healings that followed. His story reveals how the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is still moving in power today—and how YOU can experience His presence and healing right now.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/885/29 To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1489/29
When renowned teacher Malka Leifer joined the staff at Adass Israel School in the Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick, she was welcomed by the entire community. For the girls who attended the ultra-Orthodox Jewish school, Mrs Leifer's warm, outgoing and friendly personality made her a breath of fresh air. But all was not as it seemed. It would take three former students – sisters Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper – to finally reveal the truth...---Narration – Anonymous HostResearch & writing – Erin MunroCreative direction – Milly RasoProduction & music – Mike MigasAudio editing – Anthony TelferSign up for Casefile Premium:Apple PremiumSpotify PremiumPatreonFor all credits and sources, please visit https://casefilepodcast.com/case-334-nicole-meyer-dassi-erlich-elly-sapper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of the Diabetes Digital Podcast, we talk with Gila Glassberg, an Orthodox Jewish dietitian and intuitive eating counselor, about body respect in modest communities. We explore the meaning of modesty, common stereotypes, and how cultural values influence body image. Gila also shares practical ways to build confidence and body appreciation while staying true to personal and religious values. This conversation opens the door to more inclusive discussions on body respect across cultures.If you're living with diabetes or prediabetes and want personalized support from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist covered by insurance, visit diabetesdigital.co to connect with our culturally aware and weight-inclusive team. And if you love the show, don't forget to rate and review us on iTunes or Spotify—it makes a huge difference! For additional resources and show notes, head to diabetesdigital.co/podcast.
Kanye made a “Betrayal List,” and somehow it includes Hitler, Curious George, and his own daughter. We don't know what's going on either.This week we're talking about:•Britney Spears posting a bunch of Orthodox Jewish men for Rosh Hashanah and just writing “I like the beard”•The new AI necklace called Friend that talks to you like a therapist and might actually take your job•Ice Cube's tour bus getting bombed because people thought it belonged to ICE (yes, really)•A guy arrested for “not having s**” on a moving truck•Kim Jong-Un banning the words “hamburger” and “ice cream”• Influencers renting fake private jets and buying $10K receipts to look rich online• And a very bleak TikTok trend that might be the saddest thing we've ever seenBasically: the internet had another meltdown and we're just here talking through it like normal people.
In this deeply personal episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers is joined by Dani Shapiro, the bestselling author and host of the podcast Family Secrets. Dani shares the stunning revelation that changed her life: learning through a DNA test that the man who raised her was not her biological father. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish family with deep cultural and religious roots, Dani takes us through the unraveling of family secrets, the discovery of a new biological lineage, and the complex emotional terrain of love, loss, and identity. She reflects on what it means to belong—to a culture, to a religion, to a family—and how nurture, nature, and narrative intertwine. From her father’s hidden marriages and a poetic Aunt Shirley who preserved generations of Jewish family history, to the new “sister-friend” she never knew she had, Dani's story expands the idea of what family can be. Together, Dani and Nabil explore the paradox of knowing and unknowing, and the quiet power of claiming your own truth in a world full of assumptions. Guest: Dani Shapiro Host: Nabil Ayers Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Produced by Palm Tree IslandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode Summary:In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Amy sits down with yoga therapist, somatic psychotherapist, and author Rachel Krentzman, C-IAYT, to explore her stunning new memoir, As Is.This isn't just a story about yoga. It's about survival, identity, family, trauma, and healing—and ultimately, coming home to oneself. From her childhood in a strict Orthodox Jewish community in Montreal, to freedom and expansion in California, and finally to her current life in Israel, Rachel takes us through three distinct lifetimes—each with its own transformation.Rachel speaks candidly about:Writing and publishing As Is after ten years of hesitation, rewrites, and deep soul-searchingFacing generational and personal trauma, and choosing to heal rather than hideHer experiences with yoga, somatic psychology (Hakomi), and how they gave her tools to break cycles of shameHer journey bringing yoga therapy into Israeli hospitals, including working with trauma survivors, war refugees, and healthcare professionalsHow yoga therapy offers active, empowering healing—distinguished from both passive treatments and talk therapyThe courage it takes to tell your story, even when others may not approveAmy and Rachel discuss how yoga therapy is uniquely positioned to help people self-regulate, feel their bodies again, and reclaim their narratives—especially during times of personal or collective crisis.Whether you're a yoga therapist, a healthcare provider, or someone navigating your own healing, Rachel's story is a call to honesty, agency, and inner transformation.“I hope readers see that they are not their story. They are not their shame. There is always a way out—and that way is inward.” — Rachel KrentzmanHighlights:How generational trauma shaped Rachel's early lifeThe emotional toll—and liberation—of telling the truth publiclyWhat it's like raising children in Israel amid war and instabilityWhy yoga therapy is growing rapidly in Israel's healthcare systemThe nervous system, trauma, and how breathwork offered relief when even pain meds couldn'tA vision for yoga therapy as a vital component of integrative medicineLearn More: Visit Rachel's website to purchase As Is and learn more about her work: www.rachelkrentzman.com As Is is available worldwide on Kindle, paperback, and major book retailers.About Rachel Krentzman:Rachel is a licensed physical therapist, certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), and a graduate of the Hakomi Institute's somatic psychotherapy training. She is a pioneer of yoga therapy in Israel, working to integrate it into hospitals and mental health care systems. Connect with Amy Wheeler: Website: www.TheOptimalState.com Instagram: OptimalStatewithAmy Wheeler Podcast: Yoga Therapy HourAmy is the Chair of the Dept. of Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda at Notre Dame of Maryland University, School of Integrative Health (Formerly MUIH). Master of Science in Yoga Therapy https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/ Explore MUIH's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/ Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: https://muih.edu/academics/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification/
Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice podcast. Our guest today is Rachel Krentzman. Rachel is a practicing yoga and physical therapist and certified Hakomi psychotherapist. Born in Montreal to an Orthodox Jewish family, she experienced the trauma of her rabbi father's arrest, shed her strict upbringing, and found herself. She specializes in personal healing through somatic, body-centered psychotherapy and yoga therapy. Afflicted with scoliosis and damaged discs, she created a powerful therapy that helps hundreds of students and patients around the world. Find out more at: happybackyoga.com
Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice podcast. Our guest today is Rachel Krentzman. Rachel is a practicing yoga and physical therapist and certified Hakomi psychotherapist. Born in Montreal to an Orthodox Jewish family, she experienced the trauma of her rabbi father's arrest, shed her strict upbringing, and found herself. She specializes in personal healing through somatic, body-centered psychotherapy and yoga therapy. Afflicted with scoliosis and damaged discs, she created a powerful therapy that helps hundreds of students and patients around the world. Find out more at: happybackyoga.com
Welcome to Dennis Prager’s Timeless Wisdom. Each Monday through Saturday, you’ll hear some of Dennis’s best lectures, talks, and series—with brief commercial breaks. To get the ad-free version of this podcast, and to access the full library of lectures, talks, and shows, visit dennisprager.com. On Today’s Show: From first grade through high school, Dennis attended a traditional Orthodox Jewish day school. What he learned shaped his life and still guides him today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On a special edition of the Haaretz Podcast – as Israel faces the Jewish High Holidays mired in war and political division, host Allison Kaplan Sommer speaks to Prof. Adam Ferziger about soul-searching and atonement with a focus on the Orthodox Jewish community in Israel and the Diaspora. Ferziger, who is also an ordained rabbi, believes the process of observing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur “is all about humility.” “Rosh Hashanah comes before Yom Kippur, because in order to be able to go before God and do some sort of atonement, I have to first acknowledge my place in the world,” he said. Following October 7 and over the past two years of war, “so many of the players involved, unfortunately, feel that they know all the right answers, and there is a real lack of humility on many sides.” Faith and belief in God, he said, should not “be a cause for saying ‘I am more powerful and better, and I know the truth more than you do.’” In his new book, "Agents of Change: American Jews and the Transformation of Israeli Judaism," the Bar-Ilan University professor chronicles the rise of what he calls “moderate Orthodox Judaism” in Israel, the pioneering immigrant Diaspora Jews behind a more liberal and tolerant religious outlook – even as, politically, their presence in Israel strengthened the right and the settler movement. “Many are right-wing by most standards when it comes to politics, but that does not necessarily go along with their attitude towards Jews who differ from them, or on sexual identity, or the role of women in leadership – and many other subjects.” While it can be “very hard to pull those things apart,” Ferziger sees this dichotomy as an opportunity for “conversation between people in Israel who are moderate in a lot of areas and the broader community in America,” even when there are deep political disagreements. Read more: Israel's Religious Left Finds New Purpose Amid Gaza War What Future Is There for a Young, Leftist, Secular Family in the Israel of 2026? Opinion | What I Wish Rabbis Would Say About Israel, Gaza and the Palestinians in Their High Holy Day SermonsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In “An Orthodox Jewish Congregation Keeps on (Food) Truckin' in Birmingham,” Gravy producer Margaret Weinberg Norman documents the story of JJ's Sandwich Shop, a glatt kosher deli on wheels operated by the oldest Orthodox Jewish congregation in Birmingham, Alabama. In the Magic City, food trucks are familiar, but both kosher restaurants and authentic delis are rare. Knesseth Israel, founded in 1889, is filling both gaps while exploring a surprising new way to sustain its historic congregation. Like many small Southern synagogues, Knesseth Israel faced dwindling membership, financial pressures, and questions about its future. After selling their synagogue building and parting ways with their Rabbi, the congregation chose a bold new path: to open a business. Knesseth Israel's restaurant venture began with a vegetarian crepe enterprise called Holy Crepe, and through experimentation evolved into JJ's, which specializes today in homemade corned beef and pastrami. On our listening journey we meet Beth Scherer Smokey, a longtime member and volunteer who led the congregation through this transformation. We also meet chef Nathan Lichenstein. Raised in an Orthodox Hasidic family in New York, Nathan once ran a glatt kosher food truck in the city and cooked for thousands of pilgrims annually in Ukraine. His move to Birmingham brought not only culinary expertise but also new energy to Knesseth Israel. His passion for good, kosher food has made JJ's both a crowd-pleaser and a point of pride. This episode places JJ's within the wider history of Birmingham's Jewish foodscape, once clustered along Fourth Avenue, overlapping with the heart of the historic Black commercial district and the old Jewish neighborhood. Community historian Barbara Bonfield recalls memories of borscht, kosher butchers, and the neighborhood life that sustained Jewish Birmingham in the early to mid-20th century. This story also speaks to larger trends. In 2022, a Pew Study projected that by 2070, “nones” (those unaffiliated with organized religion) would outnumber Christians, who made up 64% of the national population at the time. Against this backdrop, Knesseth Israel's story offers lessons for other small faith communities seeking to adapt their models to demographic realities. JJ's isn't just a source of revenue; it's also a form of outreach, connecting across Birmingham's Jewish and broader communities alike. Though they've reduced their footprint, JJ's has helped Knesseth Israel gain visibility both within and beyond the Birmingham Jewish community. This is a story at the intersection of tradition and innovation, faith and food—one that shows how a small but mighty congregation found its future not by clinging to the past, but by rolling it out on a food truck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Video link to this episode: https://youtu.be/IdA3uHWGEtgIn today's video, I'm honored to share with you the remarkable story of Nelly Grussgott. This footage was originally filmed on August 12, 2020—long before I had a YouTube channel. It was part of a project by filmmaker Pearl Gluck, conducted for a documentary she was making with scholar Naomi Seidman about the Bais Yaakov girls' school movement. Naomi invited me to assist with the interview, and I was there in the room when it was recorded.From the moment I met Nelly, I was completely taken by her. Her life story is one of immense pain and breathtaking resilience—a testimony to survival, transformation, and spirit. Just days after the interview, Nelly made Aliya—she moved to Israel—at the age of 90. We stayed in touch, and I even interviewed her again via Zoom for this channel. But this original interview, which has always felt so precious to me, was never publicly shared until now. With the blessing of Pearl and Naomi, I've edited it down and am releasing it here to preserve her memory and her voice for posterity.As of today, Nelly Grussgott is 95 years old—bless her soul, may she live to 120.Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1930, Nelly witnessed Kristallnacht as a young child. Her early childhood was comfortable—charmed, even—growing up as an only child in a pampered, middle-class Orthodox Jewish home. Her parents were not German-born: her mother, from Czechoslovakia, moved to Berlin at 24 and became successful in the rags/textile business. Her father was Hungarian, and both were deeply religious. Due to the hostility towards Orthodox Jews in Berlin, they adapted to a modern Orthodox lifestyle.In 1937, Nelly's father went to the United States to secure affidavits to bring his family to safety. He succeeded—but history intervened cruelly. While her father was still away, Nelly and her mother were forced out of their home and into an overcrowded apartment with five other Jewish families. One night, Nazi soldiers raided the apartment and took the men at gunpoint. Days later, ashes were returned to their wives in the mail.In a desperate move, Nelly's father returned to Europe in 1938—traveling to Belgium to reunite the family. It proved to be a devastating mistake. Nelly and her mother, Czechoslovakian citizens, were able to emigrate to the U.S. at the very last moment, getting papers as I understand it in late 1939 but actually coming "in the last hour" in Frebruary 1940. But because her father was Hungarian, and the Hungarian quota was closed, he remained trapped in Europe. His letters continued for several years, growing more despondent until, in 1942, they stopped entirely.In 1995, the Red Cross confirmed the fate the family had long feared: Nelly's father was deported to Majdanek, then to Sobibor in March 1943, where he was murdered, along with many relatives.Nelly's mother eventually remarried in America, joining with a Satmar Hasid who had also survived great loss. She thrived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—especially enjoying her later years on Lee Avenue, surrounded by familiar faces and warm greetings. Nelly herself chose a different path, remaining Orthodox but not Hasidic, and went on to raise a mainstream Orthodox family.I'm deeply grateful to finally bring this interview to light. May Nelly's story reach far and wide—and may we never forget.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-frieda-vizel-podcast--5824414/support.
The lecture begins with a reading from the Gospel of Luke, specifically chapter 14, verses 16-24, which introduces a parable about a great feast. Within the parable, Jesus likens God's invitation to His kingdom to a grand banquet, where many initially invited make excuses for not attending. The narrative unfolds to reveal the host's frustration and his subsequent decision to invite the marginalized—those who are poor, crippled, blind, and lame—highlighting the theme of radical hospitality. Through this story, the speaker, Ian, emphasizes the importance of inclusion and the open-hearted invitation from God to all, regardless of social status.Transitioning from the parable, Ian draws connections to a real-life account involving Derek Black, a former white supremacist who found transformation through unexpected hospitality from Matthew Stevenson, an Orthodox Jewish peer. This personal example serves as a poignant illustration of the power of connection and understanding in overcoming prejudice. Ian posits that Derek Black's change was not the result of forced confrontation or theological debate, but rather the genuine, costly hospitality extended to him. This transformation underscores the series theme of core values at St. Moses Church—hope, hospitality, and holiness.Further into the lecture, Ian outlines the church's annual practice of reaffirming membership, explaining that this annual renewal serves as a reminder of commitment to the community and faith. He shares personal anecdotes regarding communication and invitation dynamics, comparing modern tools to ancient practices—especially the double invitation system employed in hospitality of the past. With a focus on cultural context, Ian explains that banquets in the ancient world were not merely social gatherings but indicators of status and reciprocity, thus exemplifying the depth of neglect experienced by those excluded from such table settings.As the narrative unfolds, Ian poignantly critiques the dismissals presented as excuses in the parable, noting the human tendency to prioritize personal agendas over spiritual invitations. He questions the audience's spiritual appetite, suggesting that many have become desensitized to the richness of God's invitation, opting instead for the mundane concerns of daily life. The speaker warns against becoming complacent in our relationship with God, drawing parallels to the parable's characters whose misplaced priorities prevented them from experiencing the joy of the feast.The lecture shifts to highlight the host's unexpected actions—inviting those from the margins. Ian emphasizes that this radical hospitality stands in stark contrast to the norms of the time, depicting a God who shatters cultural boundaries to bring in those often disenfranchised. He describes how these actions of the host illustrate a radical departure from societal norms regarding honor and reciprocity, insisting on an understanding that God desires a filled banquet, inclusive of the marginalized.In his deep dive into the theological implications of the parable, Ian connects Jesus' words to larger biblical narratives, particularly from the prophet Isaiah, who spoke of a similar banquet for all people, signaling God's abundant grace. This biblical vision, featuring the inclusion of the poor and marginalized, is positioned as central to understanding the mission and message of Jesus. Ian elucidates that the call to hospitality reflects the very heart of God—a theme he urges the congregation to embrace.Towards the conclusion of the lecture, Ian explicitly articulates what hospitality means as a core value at St. Moses Church, asserting that true hospitality resembles the radical and sacrificial love embodied by Jesus. He challenges conventional notions of hospitality that often prioritize comfort or status and redefines them through the lens of the Gospel. Ian frames the church's mission as a commitment to embodying this radical hospitality—sharing resources, building relationships across divides, and engaging in genuine community for the benefit of all.Ultimately, Ian's exhortation culminates in a call for personal reflection and action, encouraging congregants to participate in the church's mission of hospitality, not merely as a social nicety but as a profound expression of faith and community. He concludes with a prayer, inviting the congregation to open their hearts to God's transformative work within themselves and their community, thereby extending the radical hospitality they have received from Him to others.
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F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Landscape Photography Podcast
In this episode of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne sits down with photographer Seth Robbins to explore his intimate new photo book, "A Trustworthy Home," which documents Orthodox Jewish weddings from an insider's perspective. Robbins discusses his approach to avoiding cliched or trophy-driven images, instead emphasizing the power of trust, cultural understanding, and authentic connection with his subjects. The conversation delves into themes of individuality within community, the challenges and rewards of photographing from the inside, and the importance of storytelling over spectacle—lessons that landscape and nature photographers can also apply. The episode wraps with practical insights about producing art books and balancing the desire for reach with production costs, plus some inspiring recommendations for photographers to check out. Resources and Links: 1. Check out Seth's book, "A Trustworthy Home" 2. Sam Abell's B+H Space Talk 3. Alex Webb 4. Henri Cartier-Bression 5. Mixam Books 6. Matt's Printique Book Review 7. Support the Podcast on Patreon 8. Photographer's Recommended by Seth: Mark Maio, Lynsey Addario, Cindy Hansen
Episode 233: In this eye-opening episode of IsraelCast, host Steven Shalowitz welcomes Shabbos Kestenbaum—student activist, writer, and lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against Harvard University over pervasive antisemitism. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish family and having studied at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, Shabbos entered Harvard Divinity School expecting intellectual exchange but instead encountered systemic bias against Jews and Israel. From professors who excluded Israeli voices in the classroom to student groups blaming Israel after October 7th, his experiences exposed a troubling double standard in higher education.
Consider DONATING to help us continue and expand our media efforts. If you cannot at this time, please share this video with someone who might benefit from it. We thank you for your support! https://givebutter.com/HIA50thEpisode COMING SOON BUY MERCH! SUPPORT ME ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/ShaiDavidai --------- Guest: Melinda Strauss Linktree (all links): linktr.ee/melindastrauss In this Season 5 premiere, host Shai Davidai sits down with Melinda Strauss, a modern Orthodox Jewish creator and author with over 1.5 million followers. Melinda shares her journey from starting a food blog to becoming a prominent voice on Jewish life, faith, and food across social media. The conversation covers her approach to answering questions about Judaism, building inclusive communities, and addressing misconceptions—ranging from kosher food to Jewish identity and cultural appropriation. Melinda emphasizes the importance of curiosity, education, and making personal choices in religious practice, while also discussing the diversity within the Jewish community. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of Jewish culture, social media influence, and the power of sharing authentic stories.
From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein
Send us a textNavigating Mental Health, Relationships, and Torah Values with The Orthodox TherapistIn this episode, we delve into adult topics on mental health, relationships, and intimacy with Lauren Hofstadter, known as The Orthodox Therapist. Lauren, a licensed mental health counselor, wife, and mother of 10, shares her blend of cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused techniques, all within a personalized concierge model that is respectful of Torah values. Currently pursuing a PhD in sexology, she discusses the challenges and intersections of religious life and mental health. The episode also explores the importance of communication, the concept of family purity, and the spiritual significance of the mikvah. Sponsored by David's Cruise Line, this conversation offers a faith-sensitive approach to building resilient, spiritually grounded, and deeply connected lives.EPISODE SPONSORSDAVID'S CRUISE LINEThis episode is generously sponsored by David's Cruise Line: Enjoy the Magic of CruisesDavid Cruise invites you to sail the seas of the world.Experience unforgettable adventures while staying true to your Jewish values, with our private Glatt Kosher restaurant led by a dedicated chef, and a fully equipped onboard synagogue.Just relax — we've got everything covered.Each day brings a new country or city to explore, with no planning or stress.Enjoy extraordinary moments close to nature, in untouched destinations that blend dreamlike beauty with authenticity.An incredible sense of freedom awaits you in front of the Divine vastness of the sea!Visit https://www.davidcruise.com/?lang=en to learn more and get in touch!GUEST BIOLauren Hofstatter is a mother, wife, and dedicated member of the Orthodox Jewish community who brings firsthand understanding and empathy to her faith-based mental health practice. With both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in counseling and certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and ADHD Clinical Services, she's also a PhD candidate in Clinical Sexology — blending academic rigor with deep spiritual insights.Lauren's mission is to offer Orthodox Jewish therapy and faith-aligned coaching that truly honors both emotional wellness and religious values She provides a safe, culturally sensitive space for women and couples to explore emotional disconnection, intimacy challenges, and the weight of spiritual obligations — all within the framework of halacha.Visit Lauren's website here: https://www.orthodoxtherapist.com/And her Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/theorthodoxtherapist/CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction 06:32 Tackling Difficult Conversations07:48 Balancing Family and Professional Life14:21 Communication and Relationship Dynamics16:49 Challenges in Intimacy and Seeking Help28:54 Parenting and Educating Children on Sensitive Topics34:20 Media Influence on Relationships34:44 Anonymous Questions on Social Media36:36 Open RelationshCOMMUNITYJoin the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:
Listen as Dr. Sandy Culkin, an Orthodox Jewish psychologist turned believer, shares his remarkable testimony of encountering Jesus through supernatural experiences. This powerful conversation reveals how God still speaks, heals, and transforms lives today.Hear Pastor Nate Brown and Pastor Daniel Hayworth explore:✅ The night a stranger prayed in perfect Hebrew without knowing the language✅ A father's miraculous healing from terminal Hodgkin's disease✅ How to activate spiritual gifts in your workplace✅ Why taking risks in faith opens supernatural doors✅ The integration of professional excellence with prophetic ministryDr. Culkin's journey from synagogue to salvation proves that God's power isn't limited to pastors—it's available to every believer willing to take a risk and ask.Perfect for your commute or workout, this episode will challenge you to expect more from God in your everyday life.Subscribe now for biblical wisdom every Monday, Wednesday, Friday!
In this episode, you'll hear how Dovid Lichtenstein went from selling encyclopedias door to door to owning billions in real estate, and why he tore up a food stamp application instead of playing it safe.Want to build wealth and keep your soul intact? Let's get into it.(And yes, he actually paid off a 100 million dollar personal debt. With one check.)Watch more of Dovid's Jewish wisdom on Off The Page's pages!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareoffthepage/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareoffthepage✬ SPONSORS OF EPISODE 98 ✬► BITBEAN – Got big ideas but clunky systems holding you back? BitBean is the go-to team for custom software that actually works for your business. Whether you're in healthcare, finance, or retail, they've built powerful platforms that scale smart. Dive into real case studies and connect with their expert team here: https://bitbean.link/4edg53► TWILLORY – Premium men's wear that works hard and looks even better. Use promo code CHAI20 at Twillory.com/KosherMoney for 20% off your first order.► MIAMI LAKES – Looking to relocate to Florida without sacrificing space or community? Discover Miami Lakes, a hidden gem with a warm Orthodox Jewish community. Call Berel Follman at 631-485-4482 or check it out on Zillow. Great homes. Great people. A bright future be"H!► COLEL CHABAD – Our brothers and sisters in Israel need us more than ever. Every dollar makes a difference at https://colelchabad.org/koshermoney/Chapters:00:00 Intro01:10 Who Is Dovid Lichtenstein?03:50 A Lesson in Valuing Money04:48 Dovid's Upbringing and Family Background06:15 Life Right After Marriage07:34 Everyone Needs to Write Their Own Story08:13 Getting His First Job09:22 Don't Let Fear Rule You11:44 Entering Real Estate15:15 Everyone Was Brought Here for a Mission16:04 BitBean, the AI Masters17:18 High-Quality Clothes from Twillory18:18 Looking Back at Life Before Work19:37 Making Waves in the Business World21:14 Leaning Into Fame and Fortune24:20 You Are Not Your Money24:54 Following the Trends of the World25:40 Accumulating and Getting Past Credit Card Debt26:45 The Decision to Leave Lakewood28:20 The Power of Curiosity31:27 Looking Back at Past Mistakes34:03 Having the Confidence to Take Risks38:42 Losing 100 Million Dollars41:34 Getting Back Up After Crashing Down42:45 Beautiful Homes for Sale in Miami Lakes, Florida44:15 Colel Chabad Feeding Thousands of Families45:22 The AI Revolution46:06 Building His Company Back Up46:50 Jumping on Different Investing Projects48:45 Learning to Be Happy with What You Have49:52 Realizing It's Not All About Honor and Glory52:06 Why Does Dovid Continue to Work?56:01 Is AI Messianic?56:39 Learning to Say I Don't Know57:42 Effort vs. G‑d Providing for You1:01:44 Make Your Own Luck1:03:48 Keeping His Family Grounded in Reality1:05:55 Dovid's Family Members' Various Businesses1:07:07 The Different Levels of Giving to Charity1:10:37 Learning from Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson1:11:30 What Is Off the Page?1:14:50 We Need to Be Louder and Kinder in Our Judaism1:16:24 OutroGET LIFE INSURANCE! ⟶ Project 120's site: https://www.theproject120.com/GET A WILL! ⟶ https://youtu.be/bHdpPuvKGVM✬ Support the show! Help us create more episodes like this: https://www.livinglchaim.com/donate
On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Peter Shankman, entrepreneur, speaker, best-selling author, and founder of Source of Sources. A Jewish single dad, Shankman became an amateur chef, because he loves cooking with his 12-year-old daughter. “I used to think [cooking] was just about creating food that I enjoyed, and then I had a kid and I realized the bar is actually not so much food you enjoy, but food they'll enjoy,” explains Shankman, who was born, raised, and lives in New York. “To create a meal that she actually likes and that we sit and eat together after having cooked together is a lot of fun.” Shankman said his interest in cooking happened both after becoming a parent and also after really understanding his ADHD. “When you're ADHD it's much easier to order takeout and to have food delivered,” he says. “You want to set good habits for your kids … so you learn that maybe ordering in every night is not the best way to do things.” Shankman says that having ADHD gives him a more experimental mindset, when it comes to cooking. He'll be at the store, spot an ingredient and start thinking about different things he can make with it. “You get to create these ideas [for meals], and if they work great, if they don't, life goes on,” he explains. “But either way, it's a lot of fun.” Peter Shankman talks about some of his favorite single Dad cooking recommendations (“one day a week should be a cheat or comfort food”) and recipes, including his easy crockpot chicken, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts. He also shares anecdotes, including ones with his daughter, his grandmother, and how competing as an ironman triathlete led to joining an Orthodox Jewish swimming club, complete with tailgate breakfast. Learn more about Peter Shankman at Shankman.com, follow @PeterShankman and his adventures on Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn. And reach out peter@shankman.com. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
In this episode of the Franciska Show, Leigh Ioffe, a crisis management specialist and founder of the nonprofit organization The Long Short Road, shares her journey and work in the realm of mental health and crisis intervention. Lee discusses her accidental entry into the field, which began with her work at the Chabad Teen Network and evolved into addressing the mental health needs of young people dealing with suicidal ideation. She elaborates on the unique challenges faced by the Orthodox Jewish community, including religious guilt and trauma, and emphasizes the importance of combining mental health support with religious guidance. Lee also provides insights from her extensive training and experience, including the development of bespoke suicide prevention programs and the importance of relational support in crisis management. She shares personal stories of success and resilience, illustrating the profound impact of compassionate human connections. Additionally, Leigh offers practical advice for individuals and community leaders on how to provide support to those struggling with mental health issues, ensuring they feel safe, seen, and soothed. 00:00 Welcome to the Franciska Show 00:19 Accidental Path to Crisis Management 01:11 Religious Journey and Family Background 02:46 Challenges in Mental Health Awareness 08:46 Warm Line: A Support System 17:53 Expressive Writing for Healing 23:26 Training and Future Plans 32:47 Rescheduling and Learning New Things 33:32 Nuances of Addressing Suicidal Ideation 36:45 Training and Crisis Management 39:21 Balancing Nonprofit Work and Personal Life 43:52 The Importance of Sensitivity in Mental Health 56:00 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways About Our Guest: Leigh Ioffe is a crisis management specialist and dedicated advocate for individuals navigating mental health challenges. She is the founder and director of The Long Short Road, where she leads the creation of psycho-educational programs, warmline services, and consultations that offer personalized support to hundreds each year. Leigh's work is grounded in compassion and practical care, helping people access the tools they need to heal and grow. Beyond her professional role, Leigh is a wife, a mother to two daughters, and a published fiction author. She is also currently pursuing certification as a mindfulness practitioner, further enriching her holistic approach to well-being. www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-ioffe-25785149 Instagram and Facebook: @thelongshortroad www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com
Meet Shana Alayev, a wife, mother of four, and speech therapist who is facing stage four cancer with brutal honesty, raw humor, and unshakable emunah. In this emotional and deeply human conversation, Shana opens up about her journey: from a delayed diagnosis during pregnancy to navigating treatment, parenting through pain, and redefining faith, purpose, and resilience every single day. Her story isn't just about illness, it's about choosing hope when the path is unclear, and finding light in the darkest places. WonderWomen is a community dedicated to empowering and supporting young Orthodox Jewish women diagnosed with breast cancer. www.weareww.org
In this episode, I opened a retirement account live on camera, and by the end of this it you'll know more than 99% of your friends about investing. Ready to retire a millionaire? Let's dig in.(Please don't ignore this if you're young. I promise you'll thank us when you're nicely aged.)Shimon Willig's contact info: Shimon.Willig@mwminvest.com✬ SPONSORS OF EPISODE 97 ✬► TWILLORY – Premium men's wear that works hard and looks even better. Use promo code CHAI20 at Twillory.com/KosherMoney for 20% off your first order.► BITBEAN – Got big ideas but clunky systems holding you back? BitBean is the go-to team for custom software that actually works for your business. Whether you're in healthcare, finance, or retail, they've built powerful platforms that scale smart.
Today in History: Aaron, Moses' brother, died on this day (see Numbers 33:38). He died “the fortieth year after the sons of Is-rael had come from the land of Egypt, on the first day in the fifth month.” After traveling from Babylon, Ezra the Scribe arrived in Jerusalem (see Ezra 7:1–9). The memorial of Rabbi Paul Feivel Levertoff (of blessed memory), a Messianic Jewish pioneer who died in 1954 CE (5714). Levertoff was born in 1878 into an Orthodox Jewish family in Belarus. After graduating from the prestigious Volozhin Yeshiva, he became a believer in Yeshua as Messiah. He also became a leading voice for others like himself.This week's portion is called Mattot - Masei (Tribes - Journeys)TORAH PORTION: Numbers 35:9–36:13HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 2:4–28; 3:4APOSTLES: Jacob (James) 4:1–12How does the Haftarah connect to this season of correction?How do the Apostles connect to this season of correction?Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context!THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from https://arielmedia.shopBUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to https://dailybreadmoms.comThe Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society.INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmomsTags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman
Rabbi Elchanan Shoff took to the streets of downtown Chicago to answer the raw, unfiltered questions of everyday people—from devout Christians and curious Muslims to military moms and tourists from Poland. As an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, Rabbi Shoff opens up honest, thoughtful conversations about religion, identity, Israel, morality, gender, and what it truly means to coexist. This powerful episode of Ask Me Anything showcases the value of deep dialogue, mutual respect, and the pursuit of truth across ideological lines. This episode was brought to you by: ►Skive Customized Software Without The Custom Price Tag Check out their Website here https://skive.co/ Email Skive at info@skive.co Call Skive at (786) 273-9188
On August 10, 2005, 18 year old Aliza Parsy was found murdered in her Staten Island home. She was naked, the house had been ransacked, and the killer had managed to leave precious few clues behind. As investigators peel back the layers of Aliza's life--from who her friends were to the pressures she felt growing up in a strict Orthodox Jewish community, several potential suspects emerge. But when the killer is revealed, everyone who knew Aliza is shocked. WE'RE ON YOUTUBE! Want to view the episodes and not just listen? Check our new video feed to see full video episodes starting today. CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE! LOOKING FOR MORE TCO? On our Patreon feed, you'll find over 400 FULL AD-FREE BONUS episodes to BINGE RIGHT NOW, including our episode-by-episode coverage of popular documentary series like Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, LulaRich, and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace; classics like The Jinx, Making A Murderer, and The Staircase; and well-known cases like The Menendez Murders, Casey Anthony: American Murder Mystery, and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and so many more! Episode Sponsors: Earnin - Get access to your pay as you work. Download the Earnin app in the Google Play or Apple app store. Hydrow - Skip the gym, not the workout—stay on track with Hydrow! For a limited time go to www.Hydrow.com and use code tco to save up to $475 off your Hydrow Pro Rower! Home Chef - Go to www.HomeChef.com/TCO for 50% off your first box and free dessert for life! Miracle Made - Upgrade your sleep as the weather heats up. Go to www.trymiracle.com/TCO and use our promo TCO at checkout to get a free 3-piece towel set and save an extra 20%! PrettyLitter - Keep your house smelling fresh and clean! Go to www.PrettyLitter.com/tco to save 20% on your FIRST order and get a free cat toy. FAM! COME SEE PATRICK ON TOUR! Patrick is headed out on the road WITH A BRAND NEW SHOW! New cities just announced: Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Provincetown, Charleston, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando, Washington, Philadelphia, and London. CLICK HERE for tickets and info! Join the TCO Community! Follow True Crime Obsessed on Instagram and TikTok, and join us on Facebook at the True Crime Obsessed Podcast Discussion Group! AND INTRODUCING THE NEW TCO DISCORD CHANNEL AS WELL!!!
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