Podcasts about Orthodox Judaism

I searched religion and philosophy for 20 years. Then I found Orthodox Judaism.

What happens when one of the most respected voices in Orthodox Judaism looks at the state of the world and says the Jewish-Christian alliance is not optional — it is the only path forward for the free world?Rabbi Shlomo Riskin doesn't hedge. He names the threat — jihadism, extremist Islam, state-sponsored terrorism — and he names the answer: a return to the ancient alliance between Jews and Christians, grounded in the Hebrew prophets and demanded by the moment we are living in.He speaks about Jewish rights to Judea and Samaria without apology. He draws on Isaiah, Micah, and Zechariah to show that this alliance was foretold. And he calls both communities — Jewish and Christian — to stand together as a moral and spiritual force at the most critical hour in generations.This is a conversation that belongs in every home, every church, and every synagogue. Follow the show, share this episode, and support PJTN at pjtn.org.This conversation was recorded in 2006 — the warning has only grown more urgent since.0:00 The Math of Survival: 13 Million Jews and 2 Billion Christians0:38 Welcome to Proclaiming Justice0:45 The Miracle of Jewish-Christian Rapprochement2:23 The Jihadist Threat: Heirs of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia3:16 A Common Mission: Compassionate Righteousness and Moral Justice4:26 What We Share Is Greater Than What Divides Us6:08 What Isaiah, Micah, and Zechariah Say About This Moment7:54 Israel's Return to History9:12 Jewish Rights to Judea and Samaria: 4,000 Years11:36 Judaism Is Not a Race: The Book of Ruth13:13 Anti-Zionism Is the New Antisemitism14:39 Why Antisemites Target Israel15:40 A People of Redemption, Not Just Survival19:00 How You Can Get InvolvedDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us equip more Christians to stand with Israel and fight antisemitism.✨ Stay connected with PJTN! ✨

Mayer Weiss grew up completely Mexican — and today he's a Hasidic Jew living in the Orthodox Jewish world. In this emotional and wild Jewish and Joyful podcast interview, Mayer shares the unbelievable true story of how a Mexican teen searching for meaning found himself drawn to Orthodox Judaism, Shabbos, and a completely different way of life.From his mother being arrested by ICE… to secretly keeping Shabbos at home… This isn't just a story of religion. It's a raw conversation about identity, family, pain, truth, purpose, and searching for meaning.Reach Mayer at mayernweiss@gmail.comThank you to our sponsors:__________________________________►Twillory: The Best Shirts and Polos - Get ready for the summer.Visit:https://Twillory.com⁠__________________________________►Ohr Olam: The Hebrew-English Mishnah BerurahGet a copy at your local Jewish bookstore. Online:⁠https://zbermanbooks.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=ohr+olam⁠For more info and a free download:⁠https://www.ohr-olam.org⁠__________________________________►Sofer.ai: The AI platform to unlock your Torah! Transcribe shurim or classes in an incredible way.Visithttps://go.sofer.ai/Azzakvt__________________________________►Colel Chabad: Pushka AppDownload Colel Chabad's Pushka app and help support over 47,000 needy families in Israel! ⁠Download:https://pushkapp.cc/joyful⁠__________________________________►Parsha InspirationGet powerful inspiration and an amazing story for your Shabbos table every week.Email:info@parshaknowlege.com⁠ Visit:https://parshaknowledge.com__________________________________Join our WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/BbfFPZDu1ldBlANISpy0Oj?mode=gi_tor message us at 646-397-2320 Subscribe to our podcast on all platforms:Youtube: Youtube.com/@JewishnjoyfulSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Tyl3avgGLiK4f6wFR7GohApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-and-joyful/id1586344571Torah Anytime: https://www.torahanytime.com/organizations/151Listen to the podcast by phone:USA: 605-562-3522Israel: 972-79-579-5099-Reach out:WhatsApp: 646-397-2320Email: jewishnjoyful@gmail.comHosted by Aryeh FingererThank you for listening and remember to stay Jewish n' Joyful :

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Will Orthodox middle-class life in America remain sustainable for future generations? Stub opens by discussing how and why Orthodox Jewish communities are financially drained. He explains how -- through a combination of private education, elite housing locations and larger households -- the cost of living is increasingly more than families can afford. He drives home that the challenge is not only how to remain financially afloat today and mentions how one possible solution to the growing issue in the US is immigration to Israel. We discuss Stub's recent reporting on a related matter: With growing numbers of Diaspora Jews seeking a foothold in Israel, market players are rewriting the rules of real estate, reimagining community around rabbinic leadership, municipal planning and group purchasing models designed to meet their needs. Stub also elucidates how, despite the attractions of moving to Israel, many American Jews harbor deep fears about exposing themselves to the challenges of life in Israeli society. Differences in language and cultural norms — from navigating bureaucracy to casual conversations— are frequent sources of anxiety that leave newcomers overwhelmed. He explains why this leads many American Jews to group together within Anglo-centric communities. We close the episode with a brief teaser of what to expect from the upcoming Maccabiah Games in Israel. Despite concerns and cancellations from delegations from several countries following continued tensions with Iran, about 5,000 participants from more than 40 countries are still expected to compete in the two-week international competition that starts on June 30.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shalom Shore joins Daniel for a candid conversation about his previous (strange) life as an Ultra Orthodox Rabbi in Jerusalem. The conversation takes some twists and turns that you don't want to miss. Support our work at Across the Divide: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠#israel #palestine #judaism #history #jerusalem #religion

Anat Ishai, who was born in Israel but grew up in Canada, started baking braided Challah loaves in her Thornhill kitchen during the COVID pandemic to help her break out of the isolation of lockdown. She started posting social media videos of herself baking and dancing. Her moves, with snippets of Jewish pride and shots of her Orthodox Jewish lifestyle caught on. Today Ishai has a devoted following worldwide as “The Challah Mom”, with over 300,000 followers including on her Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook accounts. Ishai is now based in Israel. She and her Canadian husband and their four children immigrated in 2023 just four weeks before Oct. 7. She's chosen to stay in the land of her birth, and rides out the conflict by keeping the war off her public platforms. Instead she channels faith and joy and ritual to help empower Jewish women. The CJN's North Star podcast host Ellin Bessner attended The Challah Mom's stop at Shaarei Tefillah synagogue in Toronto to learn the fascinating story of Ishai's personal journey: from a secular daughter of Russian Israeli immigrants to reconnecting with Orthodox Judaism and ultimately, teaching all kinds of women about the mitzvah of hafrashat challah. Related links Follow Anat Ishai at her website to get her challah recipe or on Instagram Anat Ishai appears in the new documentary “Sheitel” about why married Orthodox women choose to cover their hair with wigs, scarves, hats or a combination, on The CJN's North Star podcast. Anat Ishai sometimes wrote for the Times of Israel during the pandemic. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner ) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here ) Watch our podcasts on YouTube. Help others find this podcast by leaving us a review for “North Star” on Apple Podcasts via your iPhone or iPad device, or with your Android. (Spotify allows only starred ratings but you can do that, too!)

Host Meg Wolitzerpresents two stories about characters who find themselves in a place in which they need to make a choice, something that will affect them for the rest of their lives.  In Ursula K. Le Guin's classic, “Direction of the Road,” an ancient being has to make hard choices in its role as a guardian and a force of nature.  The reader is Nikki M. James.  In Helen Schulman's “The Shabbos Goy,” a divorcee and a rabbi develop an interesting relationship around their mutual love of poetry.  The reader is Jessica Hecht. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our guest is Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll, a well-known Orthodox Jewish writer and activist whose work focuses on women's rights in Orthodox Judaism and the visibility of women in religious life. Born and raised in Lakewood, New Jersey, she moved to Israel with her family, where she has become a prominent voice challenging religious extremism, the erasure of women from public and communal spaces, and broadly advocating for Orthodox Jewish women. In this episode we discuss a number of issues including the increasing erasure of images of women in Orthodox venues. the agunah problem (women who are unable to obtain a get – a Jewish legal divorce – and are chained to former spouses and unable to remarry), women's health issues, their growing roles in Jewish learning, and more. She is a co‑founder of Chochmat Nashim, an organization that creates change in the global Jewish society by challenging dangerous trends in Jewish communities around the world. Using new and traditional media the organization sheds light on societal norms that exclude women and feed extremism. She is also a founder of Rate My Deit Din, a resource and website that evaluates and improves Jewish divorce in the rabbinic court (beit din) system. Courts are rated via user and professional reviews and are offered ways to improve users' experiences. Finally, she is a founder of the Laura Ben David Jewish Life Photo Bank, a dedicated resource for authentic images of Jewish women, families, and communities, aiming to counter erasure.

Michael Shapiro  - Ketubah.com On How the Artist Gets Inspired for the Ketubah: "There would be a discussion of the couple's values, maybe how they met, maybe where they met, and the artist would be listening for things that were important to them, including things between the lines, maybe that they weren't speaking about, but that they got a sense of" Business owners that become business owners because they learned a craft and saw a need are some of the most fascinating people to speak with. Michael Shapiro learned about Ketubahs and took the bold step of starting https://ketubah.com/.  The website connects ketubah artists with Jewish couples soon to be wed. After speaking with Michael, you learn about his keen awareness of what couples want, what artists can offer and combines this to help couples get a beautiful piece for their special day, and beyond. Listen as Michael explains what it takes to make a great ketubah and how he has built his business around helping others. Enjoy! Visit Michael at: https://ketubah.com/ Sponsors: Live Video chat with our customers here with LiveSwitch: https://join.liveswitch.com/gfj3m6hnmguz Calls On Call Extraordinary Answering Service: https://callsoncall.com Some videos have been recorded with Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=james-kademan   Podcast Overview: 00:00 Reviving historical Jewish art forms 04:21 Understanding the Ketubah document 09:03 Ketubah sizing and ceremony use 11:43 Early ketubah art practices 15:12 Blending tech with craftsmanship 16:28 The significance of ketubahs in weddings 22:28 Transition to online services 24:10 Custom calligraphic font for Ketubahs 29:06 Starting the first website 32:02 Early marketing efforts 33:26 Providing custom design options 37:19 Meeting artists in Israel 42:02 Struggling to break even 43:39 Learning to delegate tasks 46:52 Managing through pandemic challenges 50:01 Managing cash flow challenges 53:09 Following your passion and persistence Podcast Transcription: Michael Shapiro [00:00:00]: There are some. It's something that usually the couple, you know, there's been some dream of it for years and years, in some cases since childhood, people have imagined what their wedding day was going to be like. On top of that, add the hopes, dreams and expectations of parents, other family members. So it can be a very stressful thing. So I'm very proud of the fact that at least with the purchase of the ketubah, thanks to my team's expertise, empathy and real human customer service, the ketubah is one thing that you can just relax. It's not something you're going to have to worry about. We're there to hold your hand every step of the way and make sure that everything is absolutely right. James Kademan [00:00:40]: You have found authentic Business Adventures, the business program that brings you the struggle stories and triumphant successes of business owners across the land. Downloadable audio episodes can be found in the podcast link Fun to draw in customers.com we are locally underwritten by the bank of Sun Prairie calls on call, Extraordinary answering service, both business book as well as live switch. And today we're welcoming, preparing to learn from Michael Shapiro of ketubah.com and I gotta say, Michael, I'm excited because we're talking about what looks to be some art that. It's funny, I had no idea stuff like this existed. So let's start with the foundation. What do you do? Michael Shapiro [00:01:18]: Absolutely. So ketubah.com sells ketubahs. What is a ketubah? The ketubah at its core is the Jewish marriage contract. The traditional text of it goes back more than 2,000 years. And there is a tradition which is only a thousand years old, if you will, of making this document into something beautifully written and beautifully decorated. James Kademan [00:01:43]: Is this so thorough? Thousands of years who or thousand years who, I guess. Tell me how that has translated over the course of modern times. Is it essentially the same that it was forever ago? Michael Shapiro [00:01:57]: Very, very interesting. And, and you know, I, I actually just, just published a book that looks into the history of this art form and then brings it up to date because there was a very interesting ebb and flow, which is it all started that the tradition of decorating these started in the land of Israel and in Egypt about a thousand years ago. It then moved through Europe all the way to Spain. And then after the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, it moved all throughout the Mediterranean into the Middle East. Then over time, with the invention of the printing press and the application of the printing press to making inexpensive versions of this, the art form started to die out. From sort of the late 1800s onwards. Then in North America, starting in the early 1970s, some Jewish artists in the United States and in Canada started to bring the art form back to life. And that's what the book is about. Michael Shapiro [00:02:55]: My book is called Ketubah Renaissance and it's about the modern revival of this ancient art form in a North American context. And that really is what made my business possible. James Kademan [00:03:07]: That is incredible. It's so funny something that I would consider this to be pretty major that I must be just living under a rock because I had never heard of these until connecting with you. Michael Shapiro [00:03:18]: Don't feel too badly. I actually, until 1995, I wasn't aware of this tradition either. So my parents and grandparents just had a simple Ketubah, a simple marriage document that was given to them by the rabbi just on a piece of paper filed away. So that was, you know, that was from the period time when this tradition of the beautifully decorated one had died out. So it was only in 1995, when I was studying in Jerusalem, networking with Judaica artists with an idea to open a shop when I came back to came back home to Canada that I met my first Ketubah artist. So don't feel too bad because I didn't know about this tradition either until, well, 30 years ago. And then I started the company. James Kademan [00:04:01]: Right on. That is awesome. So tell me about the contract itself right before we dive into the art, which is probably more fun. Part, tell me about the contract. Is this just a typical copy paste from every other marriage out there or is there some type of a conversation that happens between the parties, the husband, wife, as to what's going to be included there? Michael Shapiro [00:04:21]: So yes and yes. So the handed down text has changed very little up until this period of the Ketubah revival. And it was a revolutionary text for its time. Imagine in biblical times a woman on her own, either because her husband died or because they became divorced. And divorce is allowed in Judaism, not encouraged, but it is allowed in Judaism. Women and her children on their own could be in serious financial straits. So this was a document that basically was a little bit like, if you will, a prenup slash insurance life insurance policy, which is that if she ended up on her own, she would have financial sum that would be available to her so that she and her children would be okay. That very legal text changed very little up until, as I said, the early 1970s. Michael Shapiro [00:05:17]: Around the time, and this was one of the contributing factors that opened up the, the revival of the art form, there started to be A proliferation of texts, and these included texts that went outside of the religious legal framework that the original text had come down. By that time, not all Jews were practicing sort of Orthodox Judaism. Their reform there was conservative and a whole range of texts that were more like what you're mentioning in your question. Many of them now are more like love documents, commitments of shared value, rather than a legalistic sort of a document. James Kademan [00:05:54]: Gotcha. You know, it's interesting because I'm thinking that the. The men are essentially assigned to support the women. So if the guy goes away for whatever reason, divorce, death, whatever woman is taken care of, does it also. I mean, we're in a time now where that could be flipped, where the woman is the one making all the money. So does that go both ways? Michael Shapiro [00:06:12]: You know what? That's a really interesting question. The traditional text, as far as I know, does not take that into account. And the more I would say contemporary texts, they don't get into the financial end of it at all. So I guess in that circumstance, it would really be up to the state laws in terms when a couple divorces to make sure that they're treating each other fairly versus the religious document requiring that. James Kademan [00:06:43]: Right on. And then last question, in regards to the contract itself, is this a legally binding document? So if some. A divorce happens, the spouse can say, hey, or the ex spouse can say, hey, this is. You owe me, according to this. Michael Shapiro [00:06:58]: Well, it's. So it's binding within a Jewish rabbinical court, if you will. It is. There have been some attempts to bring the ketubah to the so sort of, you know, courts of the state, so to speak. I'm not an expert in that field. I don't know how successful they have been. So I guess the answer is kind of yes and kind of no. James Kademan [00:07:20]: All right, fair enough. Let's get into the fun stuff. Tell me about the art side of these. Michael Shapiro [00:07:25]: Okay, so as I mentioned, the art form, it, you know, goes back about a thousand years. It's a very rich art form. And one of the things that I find fascinating is the.

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist... where do these religious practices come from? What do they even mean? Zev Eleff, the president of Gratz College, is here to lay out the fascinating origins of denominations, and how they intersect with Protestantism and American culture. Plus: Zev, Mijal, and Noam reflect on the rich tapestry of Orthodox Judaism, and what its future might be. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/kP_NgV7y_CsWhat happens when modern medicine meets a tight-knit Hasidic world?In this long-form conversation, Frieda Vizel speaks with Dr. Lynne Quittell, a pediatric pulmonologist with more than 40 years of experience and decades of close work with Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish families. Dr. Quittell has practiced at world-renowned institutions, including Children's Hospital of New York and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and brings rare insight into how medical care unfolds inside insular religious communities.Much of the discussion centers on Dr. Quittell's experience treating Hasidic patients and navigating the cultural realities that shape medical decisions. She reflects on what she deeply appreciated about the community, including its extraordinary sense of responsibility, mutual aid, and care for vulnerable children. At the same time, she speaks honestly about the challenges: stigma around genetic disease, tensions between medical transparency and communal norms, and the frustrations physicians face when science collides with deeply held cultural expectations. Dr. Quittell emphasizes that effective care requires humility, cultural literacy, and respect for patient autonomy rather than coercion.The conversation covers cystic fibrosis (CF), Dr. Quittell's medical specialty and an area where she has seen enormous change over the course of her career. She explains how advances in treatment have dramatically improved life expectancy and quality of life for patients, while also exploring the social and emotional dimensions of living with CF. Particular attention is given to dating, marriage, fertility, and family planning, especially within Orthodox communities where childbearing is central to adult life. Dr. Quittell discusses the reality that most men with CF are infertile, the complexities surrounding IVF, and the heavy emotional burden young people carry when deciding whether and how to disclose a life-threatening illness.Throughout the interview, Dr. Quittell reflects on long-term relationships with patients and families, some spanning decades, and the emotional weight of caring for children with chronic illness. She shares how community support often functions as a form of medicine itself, while also acknowledging the toll such work takes on physicians. The discussion concludes with reflections on end-of-life decision-making, evolving physician-patient dynamics, and the ethical responsibility to meet patients where they are.Referenced in this interview:Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus on end-of-life decision-makinghttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DTfxxSyDfzc/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Interview with pediatrician Dr. Howard Rosmanhttps://youtu.be/TkUS0jzJci4?si=5DYx-4FTzSCBeXyPSound Bites:“Community is its own medicine.”“Most men with CF are infertile.”“It taught me to be really accepting.”Keywords:Hasidic community, Orthodox Judaism, pediatric pulmonology, cystic fibrosis, genetic disease, cultural sensitivity, chronic illness, infertility, IVF, medical ethics, community support, physician-patient relationshipNotable takeaways:-Cultural norms heavily influence medical decisions-The Hasidic community often provides extraordinary support for vulnerable children-Life expectancy for CF patients is now in the mid-50s-Dating and disclosure are major challenges for people living with CF-Long-term physician-patient relationships create deep emotional bondsFollow Frieda Vizel:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friedavizelTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/FriedaVizelWebsite: friedavizel.comAn audio-only version of this interview is available on podcast platforms.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-frieda-vizel-podcast--5824414/support.

In an all-new episode of the We Think It's Funny podcast, journalist and author Kylie Ora Lobell sits down with hosts Mark Schiff and her husband Daniel Lobell to celebrate the release of her powerful new memoir, Choosing to Be Chosen. Released in February 2026, the book chronicles her fascinating journey from childhood atheism to her conversion to Orthodox Judaism, a path sparked by her chance meeting with Daniel. The episode offers a candid and humorous look at the couple's shared history, exploring the complexities of faith, the tension between secular comedy and religious commitment, and the "divine rhythm" Kylie discovered along the way. It's a heartfelt conversation that balances the weight of a spiritual quest with the sharp, observational wit the podcast is known for. Enjoy!

Kylie Lobell, author of the new book Choosing to be Chosen was secular as was her boyfriend, Daniel. Together they embraced serious committed faith in the form of Orthodox Judaism, married and are raising a religious family. Their challenges and triumphs belong to everyone who has embarked on a life different from the one they were raised in. This conversation is their story. 

Kylie Lobell, author of the new book Choosing to be Chosen was secular as was her boyfriend, Daniel.  Together they embraced serious committed faith in the form of Orthodox Judaism, married and are raising a religious family.  Their challenges and triumphs belong to everyone who has embarked on a life different from the one they were raised in. This conversation is their story.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we explore Jewish life during Prohibition, when the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages were banned in the United States. While the U.S. government granted religious exceptions for wine, both the Reform and Conservative movements distanced themselves from this loophole, endorsing the use of grape juice instead. One contemporary posek passionately rejected grape juice, and we'll examine the central arguments that shaped this debate. As we'll see, this issue became a defining point for Orthodox Judaism in the early 20th century. Jews and Booze: Uncorking the Wine Debate During the Age of Prohibition

Rabbi Steven Greenberg is an Orthodox rabbi and author. Ordained at Yeshiva University, he has spent years teaching, writing, and speaking across the Jewish world about tradition, ethics, and religious change. Specifically, as co-founder of the group Eshel, he was one of the earliest voices calling for inclusion of LGBTQ individuals – gay people – within Orthodox Judaism. How do we do that? On the one hand, we must think deeply about how Torah speaks to this reality. At the same time, we must care for people living this reality right now. Rabbi Greenberg joins us to explore where Orthodoxy has been – and where it may be heading – on some of its most challenging and important questions. Here is a LINK to Eshel for more information. If you have any comments on this episode, suggestions for future episodes, or just want to chat about research in the Jewish world, please email mark@nishmaresearch.com.  

Batyah had everything in her life, a close family, a successful career, and a deep connection to Christianity. Then one day, her pastor stood before the congregation and admitted that everything he had been preaching was false. In that moment, her entire world collapsed. But even in the confusion, she felt certain that God was real. She just needed to find the truth.Her search led her to explore Judaism. It meant walking away from her career and leaving her family behind as she traveled from the Philippines to Israel. She took on a cleaning job, a role that was humbling and incredibly difficult, but she accepted it with a simple thought: if this is what Hashem wants from me right now, I'll do it.From there, her path only grew stronger. She converted to Orthodox Judaism, married an Israeli man who grew up in a very charedi neighborhood, and today she is a proud Jewish influencer living in the United States. Her journey is raw, brave, and full of faith.Follow Batyah here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewishfilipine/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jewishfilipineFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HLzv774rd/✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► United Refua Healthshare: Spend Less, Save More, Get CareImagine healthcare that puts you first - and can save you thousands.Enroll here→ https://bit.ly/3MD9RN9→ 440-772-0700→ Eli's Kosher Money Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNaMEumWQg&t=4s► BitBean: Smart Custom Software Built for YouYaakov here. Just make the call. They can help you.Reach Out Here→ https://bitbean.link/MeEBlY► Zahler: The Go To Supplement PlaceWhat if there was ozempic, but not needles, safer, more tested, Better? Meet Berberine.If you want smart, science-backed support, Zahler is a strong choice. Take 15% OFF any Zahler product with code:INSPIRE→ https://bit.ly/3M3CtPI► Wheels To Lease: #1 Car CompanyFor over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery.Call today!→ 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:​ Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima​ Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov MosheHave a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com#iftnLchaim.

01:00 The Chattering Class Is Losing Their War On Reality, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166290 06:00 A New Iranian Revolution? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm6Ohi5fwM4 16:00 Why So Many Unattractive Women Are Posting Their Sad and Bizarre Anti-ICE Videos, with Adam Carolla, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyu0pARK--M 40:00 A Strongly Identifying In-Group Requires An Enemy, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166357 1:16:20 Trump's Greenland End Game and His Showdown with Europe and NATO, Plus Iran's Next Chapter Revealed, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGWHF4sSL_g 1:30:00 The Folk vs the Experts, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166341 1:40:00 What are the obvious truths (to outsiders) that various in-groups can't publicly admit? https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166437 1:45:00 Why can't Euro elites laugh about Trump's Greenland fetish? https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166424 1:54:00 The Other Side Is Ugly, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166403 2:23:00 Fallout from Desmond Ford's Controversial Theology ‪@mopt_ministry‬ | Desmond Ford's effect, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBKUOiEHe7k 2:30:30 ADL vs Tucker Carlson 2:33:00 Why Golf Courses Sometimes Divide Up On Race, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166416 2:39:00 Everything Is Bullshit vs Orthodox Judaism, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166397 2:46:00 Perception of ICE is CRATERING Among American Voters... Could it Hurt the GOP in the Midterms? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEr49tSidEE 2:49:00 Watch "Landman" Take on the Absurdity of "Preferred Pronouns," with Isabel Brown and Hayley Caronia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgOTr-voR_E 2:52:00 Americans Turn Against ICE, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166385 3:00:00 The Fifth Column Podcast Will No Longer Appear On Megyn Kelly's Show Because She Refuses To Condemn Candace Owens, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=166369 3:04:00 "The Megyn Kelly Interview Was Such a Disappointment" - Reading Viewer Mail | The Fifth Column, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwLz-N5Jp9g

In this powerful episode, Lizzy Savetsky shares her remarkable journey from fashion influencer to one of the most prominent Jewish activists on social media. Lizzy opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her path—from growing up in Fort Worth, Texas with dreams of being a singer, to building a successful fashion blogging career, to making the courageous decision to pivot to full-time Jewish advocacy in 2021. She discusses the personal and professional sacrifices she made, including being dropped by her management company, receiving death threats, and hitting rock bottom with alcoholism before finding sobriety. Lizzy's story is one of authenticity, resilience, and the power of living your truth out loud, even when it costs you everything. [1:22] Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas and early performing dreams [5:40] Meeting her husband and the journey to Orthodox Judaism [9:37] The decision to study in Israel at Neve Seminary [20:00] Breaking into fashion PR and starting her blog [27:50] Discovering Instagram and building a following [39:20] The turning point: May 2021 and pivoting to Jewish advocacy [53:00] Getting dropped by management and facing death threats [59:00] The importance of authenticity vs. performing your life [62:30] Hitting rock bottom with alcoholism and finding sobriety [66:45] Rumors of "Lizzy for Mayor" and potential political future [70:15] Fast Five: Biggest mistakes, sacrifices, and superpowers [70:00] Final message: Invest in yourself and find your purpose Guest Description  Lizzy Savetsky is a Jewish activist, digital advocate, and social media influencer known for her unapologetic defense of Israel and the Jewish people. With a background in fashion PR and blogging, Lizzy made headlines when she pivoted from fashion content to full-time advocacy work in 2021, following attacks on Israel. Despite facing death threats and losing lucrative brand partnerships, she has built a powerful platform speaking at rallies, delivering speeches nationwide, and mobilizing the Jewish community online. A mother of four and wife to a plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky.    Sponsor This episode is sponsored by Roth & Co innovators in accounting and business advisory. To learn more visit https://rothcocpa.com/ 

THE FATE OF THE JEWISH NATION AND THE DESTINY OF THE WEST Colleague Josh Hammer. Josh Hammer discusses his journey from a secular upbringing to Orthodox Judaism and his new book regarding Westerncivilization. He contrasts the Holocaust site Treblinka with the October 7 massacre at Kfar Aza. Hammer also details violent campus antisemitism, arguing it targets the foundations of the West. NUMBER 11857 CROSSING THE RED SEA

What happens when a hip-hop producer from Atlanta discovers truth in the Torah? Calev Jeantean (formerly Demar) shares his unbelievable journey from the music industry and Christianity to Orthodox Judaism - all sparked by one comment on Twitter. From studio fame to faith and family, Calev opens up about identity, race, courage, and spirituality, revealing how two hours of daily study transformed his life forever. This is a story of truth over comfort, faith over fame, and the power of one small moment to change everything.Follow Calev!IG: https://www.instagram.com/caleivjean/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EjZAYtaPXinDJeszCuQLB?si=jyGZnxdtQBqfqdlP7L7kKg&nd=1&dlsi=78128f3ad020439bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCL3HI4bDQPeLITy-QoDYr7g ✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► The Dream Raffle: Win a $1.2 Million Apartment in JerusalemHelp beautiful causes and also walk away with keys to a gorgeous - fully furnished - apartment in Jerusalem (if you win!)BONUS: Buy now and get entered into a $15,000 giveaway as wellUse PROMO code: INSPIRE for $10 OFF + DOUBLE Tickets→ http://bit.ly/4nUg7gV► 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 CompanyFor 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► United Refua Healthshare: Spend Less, Save More, Get CareImagine healthcare that puts you first - and can save you thousands.Enroll here→ https://bit.ly/3MD9RN9→ 440-772-0700→ Eli's Kosher Money Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNaMEumWQg&t=4s► NCSY: Give The Gift of YeshivaAcross the country, Jewish teens in public schools are taking their very first steps toward a Torah life through NCSY and JSU. For many, these programs spark a journey they never expected. And as they grow, more and more are choosing to spend a year learning in a yeshiva or seminary in Eretz Yisroel - a year that gives them clarity, strength, confidence, and a deep connection to Torah and to Klal Yisroel.YOU can help here:→ https://go.ncsy.org/ncsy-gift_____________________________________✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬This episode is in memory of:• Miram Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe• Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov ShloimaThis episode is for the speedy recovery of:• Yaakov Dov ben Pnina and all the victims• Yosef Chaim ben Devorah Chaya Golda#iftn Lchaim.

The CGA-IGC Education is pleased to present the first episode of a three-part series focused on Genetic Counselling and Religion. This series offers a unique opportunity to understand how different faith communities view genetic counseling, and how you can work more effectively with patients and families from these backgrounds.  These insights are designed to support your daily practice, helping you provide more culturally aware, patient-centered care. The first episode is hosted by Josie Baker MS, CGC, and features Natalie Richeimer MS, CGC, a Genetic Counselor and Education and Outreach Manager at JScreen. They discuss cultural and religious considerations, the role of Halakha (Jewish law) and rabbinic guidance in medical decisions, and concerns around genetic testing, including its impact on marriage prospects. The episode offers practical insights for providers delivering culturally respectful, life-saving care.

Rabbi Ysoscher Katz on Open Orthodoxy, Satmar Roots, Queer Inclusion, Mysticism vs. Maimonides, and the Haredi IDF Draft Crisis.In this episode, Daniel sits down with Rabbi Ysoscher Katz — a leading voice in Open Orthodoxy with deep Satmar Hasidic roots — to explore the future of Orthodox Judaism in the 21st century. They discuss why Rabbi Katz sees contemporary Orthodoxy as being in crisis, the obsession with labels (“ultra-Orthodox,” “modern Orthodox,” “open Orthodox”), and how to build a Judaism that feels spiritually exciting, morally serious, and genuinely inclusive.Rabbi Katz shares his journey from growing up in Williamsburg's Satmar community — with no secular education and an intensely anti-Zionist worldview — to becoming a passionate, liberal Zionist who still treasures the gifts of his Hasidic upbringing. He reflects on living with the tension between egalitarian modern values and halakhic hierarchy, and why he believes we must make observant life so meaningful that people are willing to live with its unresolved dissonances.The conversation dives into halakhic change and halakhic evolution, including Rabbi Katz's responsa on women's participation in the synagogue, LGBTQ / queer inclusion, and how close re-readings of classic sources can reveal possibilities earlier poskim never needed to see. From nursing in shul to bris and pidyon haben in same-sex families, he shows how fidelity to halakha can coexist with radical hospitality.Daniel and Rabbi Katz also contrast Maimonides' rationalism with Kabbalah and Hasidut, asking whether a purely rational Judaism “sucks out” too much of the mysticism and passion that biblical and rabbinic Judaism took for granted — and why a mystical, non-Maimonidean frame might better serve modern religious seekers.Finally, they tackle the explosive debate over Haredi exemption from the IDF draft, the social and spiritual cost of non-participation in Israel's defense, and how religious anti-Zionism collides with the lived reality of soldiers — including Rabbi Katz's own children — serving in Gaza.If you're interested in Orthodox sociology, Jewish theology, Kabbalah, Zionism, or the future of halakhic communities, this wide-ranging conversation is for you.#RabbiYsoscherKatz #lgbtq #orthodoxjudaism #OpenOrthodoxy #ModernOrthodox #halakha #QueerInclusion #JewishMysticism #maimonides #kabbalah #hasidut #Zionism #haredi #idf #jewishthought #jewishpodcast #jewishtradition

Ron and Barbara Ashkenas' paths to Orthodox Judaism are so intertwined that their individual journeys are nearly indistinguishable. That's one of the many reasons why they're so interesting. This is their story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

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

Link to video of this interview: https://youtu.be/qMKonpTHj24A candid discussion about Orthodox Judaism and its views on abortion, infertility and loss of unborn life.This discussion is Part 2 of a two-part interview. WATCH PART 1 HERE: https://youtu.be/jjk5K5Rp6e4In this episode, we explore reproductive halacha: Jewish legal thought on abortion, infertility, contraception, gender identity, sexual norms, and the wider landscape of ethical questions around them. The aim is a thoughtful, free-flowing conversation that makes room for nuance, real history, and lived experience. Rabbi Katz grew up in Hasidic Williamsburg and later left Hasidism while remaining within the Orthodox world. He has served as Senior Rabbi of the Prospect Heights Shul and is currently Chair of the Talmud Department at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Throughout his career, he has engaged with what he calls “cutting-edge issues” inside halachic discourse — including gender, sexual abuse, and other areas of communal tension. Many viewers also know his mother, Gita Katz, the sharp, unforgettable Hasidic woman featured in several of my videos. Rabbi Katz is her eldest, once considered a standout student in the Williamsburg community before charting his own path. Today he brings a rare mix of insider knowledge, rigorous training, and a willingness to tackle difficult conversations publicly. He also maintains an active presence on Facebook, where he moderates discussions that often get very heated.Rabbi Katz's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ysoscher.katzIf this conversation resonates, you may also enjoy these related interviews:Related Videos: Part 1 with Rabbi Katz https://youtu.be/jjk5K5Rp6e4 -My earlier interview with Rabbi Katz on the Satmar Rebbe: https://youtu.be/8oVcC5z24c4The book I mentioned is 'I am Forbidden' by Anouk Markovits: https://amzn.to/49lfr09A Hasidic woman's views on women's issues — my interview with Pearl (and yes… Pearl is Gita's close friend!) https://youtu.be/IaqonzHozVMA note of thanks: Many thanks to all of you who are able to support this channel. If you do end-of-year giving, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the cost of producing these videos. Many episodes cost far more to edit than YouTube pays in ad revenue, and the channel only continues because of the generosity of its viewers. Donate here: https://shorturl.at/WqXnLBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-frieda-vizel-podcast--5824414/support.

Video link to this episode: https://youtu.be/jjk5K5Rp6e4A conversation on Orthodox Judaism and reproductive lawsToday I'm sitting down once again with Rabbi Ysoscher Katz, a guest many of you have asked to hear more from. Our earlier conversation about the Satmar Rebbe sparked such strong reactions that people stopped me on the street to talk about it. It became a real conversation starter — and this new interview opens the door to another set of complex, meaningful topics.This discussion is Part 1 of a two-part interview. Part 2 is now released for channel members and will soon be released for all. https://youtu.be/qMKonpTHj24In this episode, we explore reproductive halacha: Jewish legal thought on abortion, infertility, contraception, gender identity, sexual norms, and the wider landscape of ethical questions around them. The aim is a thoughtful, free-flowing conversation that makes room for nuance, real history, and lived experience.Rabbi Katz grew up in Hasidic Williamsburg and later left Hasidism while remaining within the Orthodox world. He has served as Senior Rabbi of the Prospect Heights Shul and is currently Chair of the Talmud Department at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Throughout his career, he has engaged with what he calls “cutting-edge issues” inside halachic discourse — including gender, sexual abuse, and other areas of communal tension.Many viewers also know his mother, Gita Katz, the sharp, unforgettable Hasidic woman featured in several of my videos. Rabbi Katz is her eldest, once considered a standout student in the Williamsburg community before charting his own path. Today he brings a rare mix of insider knowledge, rigorous training, and a willingness to tackle difficult conversations publicly. He also maintains an active presence on Facebook, where he moderates discussions that often get very heated.Rabbi Katz's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ysoscher.katzIf this conversation resonates, you may also enjoy these related interviews:Related Videos:Part 2 with Rabbi Katz (early release for channel members; coming soon to all viewers): https://youtu.be/qMKonpTHj24My earlier interview with Rabbi Katz on the Satmar Rebbe: https://youtu.be/8oVcC5z24c4My interview with Rabbi Katz's mother, Gita Katz (about her life): https://youtu.be/2saQ0LEwZXQA Hasidic woman's views on women's issues — my interview with Pearl (and yes… Pearl is Gita's close friend!) https://youtu.be/IaqonzHozVMA note of thanks:Many thanks to all of you who are able to support this channel. If you do end-of-year giving, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the cost of producing these videos. Many episodes cost far more to edit than YouTube pays in ad revenue, and the channel only continues because of the generosity of its viewers.Donate here:https://shorturl.at/WqXnLBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-frieda-vizel-podcast--5824414/support.

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

Sara is the author of a personal memoir Kissing Girls on Shabbat recounting her courageous journey of self-acceptance as a queer woman navigating life within and beyond the constraints of a Hasidic Jewish community. This poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and love resonates deeply with readers and shines a light on the universal struggle to embrace one's true self. Sara is a therapist, writer, and speaker who helps members of the queer community and individuals who have survived trauma to live bold, honest, and proud lives. She also serves as a Clinical Supervisor for Jewish Lesbian Youth, a non-profit organization that supports and empowers LGBTQ youth.Website: https://www.drsaraglass.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/drsaraglass/X: https://x.com/DrSaraGlass

Ari Lesser was chasing music — then music led him back to God. In this episode of Jewish and Joyful, we sit down with Ari Lesser, the viral Jewish rapper whose lyrics went from hip-hop to Torah, Psalms, and faith. Hear how rapping Tehillim (Psalms) changed his life and brought him to Orthodox Judaism. Ari is also a Nazir which you will hear more about. From the stage to spirituality, Ari's journey has inspired millions. His music about Israel, God, and truth blends raw honesty with deep Jewish soul — proving that rap can be holy too.This Episode is Brought to You By:► Ohr Olam: The Revolutionary Hebrew-English Mishnah BerurahGet a copy at your local Jewish bookstore or visit:https://zbermanbooks.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=ohr+olamFor more info and a free download, visit:https://www.ohr-olam.org-------------------------------------------------------► Torah Sweets: Free Weekly Torah PublicationLooking for weekly inspiration on the Parsha, insights into marriage, stories, halacha, or short quotes for your Shabbos table?Torah Sweets is your free one-stop magazine packed with Torah insights for everyone.

In American Judaism today, Orthodoxy is the fastest growing movement. However, Orthodoxy is anything but monolithic. Living in Both Worlds: Modern Orthodox Judaism in the United States, 1945–2025 by Lawrence Grossman explores a piece of the Orthodox story, that of Modern Orthodoxy. For those who may be unfamiliar, Modern Orthodoxy affirms the traditional tenets and practices of Orthodox Judaism while at the same time maintaining an openness to contemporary cultural and intellectual developments. Beginning in the post-World War II era, Living in Both Worlds shows how a fledgling Modern Orthodoxy carved out an identity separate and apart from unacculturated ultra-Orthodoxy to its right and Conservative Judaism to its left, and follows its development through the first quarter of the twenty-first century as new, divisive issues such as feminism, LGBTQ rights, and the spread of academic biblical scholarship challenged its coherence, and a rejuvenated ultra-Orthodoxy contested its religious legitimacy. This is a book that not only records history but challenges us to think deeply about question about how modernity and tradition intersect and explores the delicate dance to have fidelity to both the past and the present moment. Rabbi Lawrence Grossman worked at the American Jewish Committee for close to 40 years, serving as director of publications and editor of the American Jewish Year Book. He earned BA and MHL degrees and rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, and a PhD in history from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Rabbi Marc Katz is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield NJ. He is the author of Yochanan's Gamble: Judaism's Pragmatic Approach to Life (JPS) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

In American Judaism today, Orthodoxy is the fastest growing movement. However, Orthodoxy is anything but monolithic. Living in Both Worlds: Modern Orthodox Judaism in the United States, 1945–2025 by Lawrence Grossman explores a piece of the Orthodox story, that of Modern Orthodoxy. For those who may be unfamiliar, Modern Orthodoxy affirms the traditional tenets and practices of Orthodox Judaism while at the same time maintaining an openness to contemporary cultural and intellectual developments. Beginning in the post-World War II era, Living in Both Worlds shows how a fledgling Modern Orthodoxy carved out an identity separate and apart from unacculturated ultra-Orthodoxy to its right and Conservative Judaism to its left, and follows its development through the first quarter of the twenty-first century as new, divisive issues such as feminism, LGBTQ rights, and the spread of academic biblical scholarship challenged its coherence, and a rejuvenated ultra-Orthodoxy contested its religious legitimacy. This is a book that not only records history but challenges us to think deeply about question about how modernity and tradition intersect and explores the delicate dance to have fidelity to both the past and the present moment. Rabbi Lawrence Grossman worked at the American Jewish Committee for close to 40 years, serving as director of publications and editor of the American Jewish Year Book. He earned BA and MHL degrees and rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, and a PhD in history from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Rabbi Marc Katz is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield NJ. He is the author of Yochanan's Gamble: Judaism's Pragmatic Approach to Life (JPS) 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

In American Judaism today, Orthodoxy is the fastest growing movement. However, Orthodoxy is anything but monolithic. Living in Both Worlds: Modern Orthodox Judaism in the United States, 1945–2025 by Lawrence Grossman explores a piece of the Orthodox story, that of Modern Orthodoxy. For those who may be unfamiliar, Modern Orthodoxy affirms the traditional tenets and practices of Orthodox Judaism while at the same time maintaining an openness to contemporary cultural and intellectual developments. Beginning in the post-World War II era, Living in Both Worlds shows how a fledgling Modern Orthodoxy carved out an identity separate and apart from unacculturated ultra-Orthodoxy to its right and Conservative Judaism to its left, and follows its development through the first quarter of the twenty-first century as new, divisive issues such as feminism, LGBTQ rights, and the spread of academic biblical scholarship challenged its coherence, and a rejuvenated ultra-Orthodoxy contested its religious legitimacy. This is a book that not only records history but challenges us to think deeply about question about how modernity and tradition intersect and explores the delicate dance to have fidelity to both the past and the present moment. Rabbi Lawrence Grossman worked at the American Jewish Committee for close to 40 years, serving as director of publications and editor of the American Jewish Year Book. He earned BA and MHL degrees and rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, and a PhD in history from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Rabbi Marc Katz is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield NJ. He is the author of Yochanan's Gamble: Judaism's Pragmatic Approach to Life (JPS) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In American Judaism today, Orthodoxy is the fastest growing movement. However, Orthodoxy is anything but monolithic. Living in Both Worlds: Modern Orthodox Judaism in the United States, 1945–2025 by Lawrence Grossman explores a piece of the Orthodox story, that of Modern Orthodoxy. For those who may be unfamiliar, Modern Orthodoxy affirms the traditional tenets and practices of Orthodox Judaism while at the same time maintaining an openness to contemporary cultural and intellectual developments. Beginning in the post-World War II era, Living in Both Worlds shows how a fledgling Modern Orthodoxy carved out an identity separate and apart from unacculturated ultra-Orthodoxy to its right and Conservative Judaism to its left, and follows its development through the first quarter of the twenty-first century as new, divisive issues such as feminism, LGBTQ rights, and the spread of academic biblical scholarship challenged its coherence, and a rejuvenated ultra-Orthodoxy contested its religious legitimacy. This is a book that not only records history but challenges us to think deeply about question about how modernity and tradition intersect and explores the delicate dance to have fidelity to both the past and the present moment. Rabbi Lawrence Grossman worked at the American Jewish Committee for close to 40 years, serving as director of publications and editor of the American Jewish Year Book. He earned BA and MHL degrees and rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, and a PhD in history from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Rabbi Marc Katz is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield NJ. He is the author of Yochanan's Gamble: Judaism's Pragmatic Approach to Life (JPS) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

How could an Orthodox Jew become a Christian? Doesn't that mean rejecting the Torah and your own Jewishness?      In this episode of All Rise, Abdu sits down with David Shapiro, host of the Boundless Bible Podcast and a former Orthodox Jew turned Christian apologist. Together they talk about David's journey from Judaism to Christianity and explore the continuity and discontinuity between these two worldviews by looking at the Torah, the Fall and the Tree of Life, the Messiah, binitariansim, and much more.     Learn more about David Shapiro and all of his projects at https://www.drdavidshapiro.org/.    

               What does it take to live a life of purpose and radiance? Author and entrepreneur Lynne Golodner joins Dara Levan for a profound conversation on finding meaning through human connection. Lynne shares her transformative journey from seeking external validation to embracing self-empowerment, the pivotal role of her solo travels after divorce, and how she weaves her Jewish identity into her novels for a wide audience. Discover the power of listening to your inner voice, why it's never too late to pursue your passion, and how our deepest wounds can become sources of wisdom. This episode is packed with insights on writing, personal growth, and building a life filled with intention and joy.- 0:00 - Intro- 0:22 - Welcoming author Lynne Golodner- 1:07 - What brings the most joy?- 2:20 - Why every moment matters- 3:19 - The project that changed everything- 3:58 - Who was Lynne before 40?- 4:47 - The courage to choose yourself- 5:23 - A life-changing solo birthday trip- 7:00 - How she met her second husband- 9:01 - Her new novel on processing trauma- 10:09 - Drawing inspiration from Michigan- 11:41 - Weaving Judaism into her fiction- 16:06 - Defining her author brand- 17:30 - Her journey through Orthodox Judaism- 19:36 - How her kids practice Judaism- 23:27 - Gen Z's shakeup of traditions- 26:50 - Advice to her younger self- 29:03 - Outro Lynne Golodner's Website: lynnegolodner.comLynne's New Novel: I Love You, Charlie TannerLynne's Other Novels: Woman of Valor, Cave of SecretsHost Dara Levan's Instagram: @daralevanHost Dara Levan's Website: daralevan.com

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.

For many lawyers, success is often measured by trials won or monetary settlements reached. But Michael Eisenberg's legal career has generated a platform to bring others closer to Judaism. But, before he could share his love of Yiddishkeit, Michael had to find his own path to Orthodox Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos […]

Send us a textOn this episode, I chat with author Tova Mirvis about her novel, We Would Never, a psychological exploration inspired by a real murder case she discovered on Facebook.Mirvis reveals how true crime reporting always left her hungry for the human story beneath the headlines, and how she carefully crafted characters who start as a typical family with typical problems before spiraling into darkness.Having written a memoir about leaving Orthodox Judaism and her marriage, Mervis brings profound insight into the gap between our public and private selves. "What does it mean to not be the person you were expected to be?" she asks, a question that resonates throughout her fiction. Mirvis says of writing We Would Never,  "It taught me about the willingness to go dark," and the craft of creating suspense. Her insights into character development, the ethics of fictionalizing real events, and the thin line between ordinary people and extraordinary acts offer a valuable perspective for writers and readers alike.Ready to explore the shadowy corners of family dynamics? Listen now, and discover why fiction reveals what true crime can never tell.Tova MirvisWe Would Never, Tova MirvisOrbital, Samantha HarveyThe Safekeep, Yael Van Der WoudenSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Chana Schoenfeld was brought up in a Lutheran home in Finland. Her experience in an English synagogue with a Jewish friend and hearing the inspirational words of one of the most influential rabbis of modern times set her journey to Orthodox Judaism in motion. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]

This week, I'm joined by author Kelsey Osgood to discuss her recent book “Godstruck: Seven Women's Unexpected Journeys To Religious Conversion.” The book, which profiles women who traded secular lives for religious communities such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, evangelical Christianity, Quakerism, Orthodox Judaism, Saudi-based Islam, and even the Amish faith, is fascinating in its own right. But we also discuss Kelsey's previous book about her struggle with and recovery from anorexia, which overlaps with her religious transformation in some surprising ways. In that book, How To Disappear Completely, Kelsey wrote not just about anorexia itself but the culture surrounding it, notably the “peak sad girl” era of the late 1990s through early 2000s. The therapeutic approach that accompanied it, she argues, took universal human questions that have been asked for millennia and repackaged them as personal neuroses to be indulged and then solved — or, more often, deemed unsolvable. Her conversion to Judaism and participation in an Orthodox community helped reframe her entire way of thinking and changed her life for the better. GUEST BIO Kelsey Osgood is the author of How to Disappear Completely: On Modern Anorexia, which was chosen for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program, and Godstruck: Seven Women's Unexpected Journeys to Religious Conversion, which came out in April from Viking. Her work has appeared online or in print at The Atlantic, The New York Times, Harper's, and the New Yorker, among other outlets.   HOUSEKEEPING

Dr. Paul Bermanski knows all about helping people feel healthy on the inside; he served as a gastroenterologist in NY for many years. But it was his desire for spiritual health that ultimately led to Orthodox Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

This week, I'm joined by author Kelsey Osgood to discuss her recent book “Godstruck: Seven Women's Unexpected Journeys To Religious Conversion.” The book, which profiles women who traded secular lives for religious communities such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, evangelical Christianity, Quakerism, Orthodox Judaism, Saudi-based Islam, and even the Amish faith, is fascinating in its own right. But we also discuss Kelsey's previous book about her struggle with and recovery from anorexia, which overlaps with her religious transformation in some surprising ways. In that book, How To Disappear Completely, Kelsey wrote not just about anorexia itself but the culture surrounding it, notably the “peak sad girl” era of the late 1990s through early 2000s. The therapeutic approach that accompanied it, she argues, took universal human questions that have been asked for millennia and repackaged them as personal neuroses to be indulged and then solved — or, more often, deemed unsolvable. Her conversion to Judaism and participation in an Orthodox community helped reframe her entire way of thinking and changed her life for the better. GUEST BIO Kelsey Osgood is the author of How to Disappear Completely: On Modern Anorexia, which was chosen for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program, and Godstruck: Seven Women's Unexpected Journeys to Religious Conversion, which came out in April from Viking. Her work has appeared online or in print at The Atlantic, The New York Times, Harper's, and the New Yorker, among other outlets. Want to hear the whole conversation? Upgrade your subscription here. HOUSEKEEPING

It's not uncommon, to put the matter lightly, to find Jewish Americans well represented in the legal field. But the conventional storybook narrative of how Jews rise to occupy positions of promise and prestige in the law tends to emphasize the gradual softening or quieting of religious observance in favor of a broader, more secular American identity.   I remember back in 2010 when Elena Kagan had been nominated by President Obama to serve on the Supreme Court. In response to a question from Senator Lindsay Graham about a domestic terrorist event that took place on December 25, 2009, Elena Kagan—then dean of Harvard Law and since 2010 a Supreme Court justice—explained that, on that day, “like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.” It was funny and charming and played perfectly to the room and the cameras looking on. But Elena Kagan's remark also illustrates, to me at least, precisely the sort of culturally Jewish secular sensibility that you wouldn't be surprised to find in elite positions like the ones she's held. There are, of course, religiously observant Jewish lawyers, some of them extremely accomplished and some of them having contributed greatly to the American constitutional order.    Matthew Solomson is not only a lawyer but a federal judge who represents a different model and different sense of identity, one in which deep Orthodox commitment and distinguished public service not only coexist but reinforce one another. Judge Solomson was elevated to the federal bench in 2020, and last month the president designated him as the chief judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.   Rather than abandoning his Jewish observance and religious devotion in the name of secular citizenship, Judge Solomson is staking out a different path, and his example suggests that America is strengthened when its citizens bring their deepest commitments—including religious commitments—to bear on public service. In conversation with Jonathan Silver, he addresses the questions his career raises about the very nature of American democracy, the meaning of Jewish life in America, and the possibilities for religious citizens to serve the United States in an increasingly secular age.

Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, talk to Moshe Krakowski, a professor at Yeshiva University, about his work on Attrition and Connection in American Orthodox Judaism, the OU's study on what we crassly call “OTD.” Dr. Krakowski takes us “under the hood” of those who leave their religious communities to show us what factors lead Jews to leave faith behind. In this episode we discuss: Why do so many of us choose the countercultural life of Orthodox Judaism? What leads someone to leave a religious community—or seek out a more insular one? How do we create a Jewish world that is sticky, rich, and spiritually nourishing? Tune in to hear a conversation about why we leave Jewish communities and, maybe more importantly, why we stay. Interview begins at 9:29.Moshe Krakowski is a professor at the Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University, where he also directs Azrieli's doctoral program. He studies American Haredi education and culture, focusing on the relationship between communal worldview, identity, and education. He also works on curriculum, cognition, and inquiry learning in Jewish educational settings.References:18Forty's OTD Archive“Passing Through” by David BashevkinAttrition and Connection in American Orthodox Judaism by Dr. Moshe Krakowski, Dr. Rachel Ginsberg, Aliza Goldstein, Abby Nadritch, Joshua Schoenberg, and Akiva Schuck“Yiddishe Taavos” by Motty IlowitzFor more 18Forty:NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/joinCALL: (212) 582-1840EMAIL: info@18forty.orgWEBSITE: 18forty.orgIG: @18fortyX: @18_fortyWhatsApp: join hereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

From Evangelical Missionary to Orthodox Jew: This is Shannon Nuszen's Unbelievable Journey! In this powerful interview, Shannon Nuszen shares her extraordinary transformation from being an evangelical missionary—trained to convert Jews—to embracing Orthodox Judaism. Raised in a fundamentalist Christian family, Shannon later joined the Christian messianic movement, working with missionary groups targeting Jews, but eventually converted to Judaism and now regrets her past involvement. What led her to question her beliefs? How did her deep dive into Jewish texts change everything? What challenges did she face in leaving Christianity and converting to Judaism? With over 15 years in the counter-missionary field, she educates Jewish communities about missionary tactics. She founded Beyneynu, an organization that monitors missionary activity and raises awareness among Jewish leaders. Now, through her organization Beyneynu, she works to protect Jewish communities from deceptive missionary tactics. This is an important mission, as the there are more and more Jews converting to Christianity. In 2015, there were 15,000 Jews belonging to Messianic congregations here in Israel – as of 2020, there were more than 30,000 reported. Beyneynu has watched this community grow from 120 Messianic congregations and outreach programs to over 300, and there are currently over 200 websites dedicated to converting Jewish people to Christianity, mostly through media in English, Hebrew, Russian, and Arabic. https://beyneynu.com This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp ____________________________________________________ ► Eretz Hakodesh - Vote to Keep Israel Holy! Over the years, liberal movements have gained significant influence as the primary representatives of the Jewish Diaspora. From this position, they have pushed agendas that impact crucial issues related to religion and state in Israel. Eretz HaKodesh seeks to balance this influence by accurately reflecting the power dynamics of Jewish communities in the Diaspora and amplifying the voices of Orthodox communities dedicated to preserving the timeless values of the Torah and authentic Jewish tradition. Click here to vote in the upcoming World Zionist Organization elections: https://bit.ly/41D1Ag0 __________________________________________________ ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka https://pushka.cc/meaningful __________________________________________________ ►Atica At Atica, our collections celebrate a concept we call quiet luxury—timeless style, crafted with care, and built to last. Mention Meaningful to get 3 shirts for $100! https://aticaman.com/ __________________________________________________ ► ILS Ordering title should not be a surprise  https://ilstitle.com/ ____________________________________________________ ► Town Appliance Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp https://www.townappliance.com  https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp ____________________________________________________ ► Rothenberg Law Firm - Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out today for a free case evaluation https://shorturl.at/TsoU6 ____________________________________________________ Order the brand new Meaningful People Game! https://meaningfulminute.org/thegame  ____________________________________________________ ► Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. https://apple.co/2WALuE2 https://spoti.fi/39bNGnO

After leaving both her marriage and the rigid confines of her Orthodox Jewish religious upbringing, Julia Haart found herself alone at 42, with no education, no friends, and no family. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary: she turned her passion into profit, creating a beautiful life for herself and inspiring countless others along the way. In this raw, empowering episode, Julia Haart, renowned fashion designer, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, opens up about the extraordinary journey that has defined her life. Known for her bold transition from the confines of ultra-Orthodox Judaism to the glitzy world of fashion, Julia's story isn't just about reinvention—it's about finding the strength to build a life that is unapologetically her own.As the former CEO of Elite Model Management and Creative Director for La Perla, Julia's impact on the fashion world is undeniable. But it's her personal story—one of overcoming immense obstacles—that truly resonates.This episode offers an intimate, candid look into Julia's life after she stepped away from everything she knew. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on her experience with ultra-Orthodox Judaism, her recent divorce, and the tough but transformative decision to forge a new path. Julia shares how she rebuilt her life from the ground up and became an outspoken advocate for women's rights, the Jewish community, and the fight against antisemitism.For anyone who has ever felt isolated, trapped in a toxic relationship, or struggled to find their purpose, Julia's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to start over. No matter your age or where you start, the chance to live your best life is always within reach. This episode is a beacon of hope for those feeling lost, stuck, or discouraged, showing you that with courage, resilience, and a willingness to take that first step, anything is possible.Tune in for a conversation that will leave you feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to take on the world—no matter where you're starting from.Stay Connected to The Lo Life!Facebook: Join the Coven: The Lo Life FB GroupInstagram: @thelolifepodcastYour host: @stylelvrTikTok: @thelolifepodcastSpecial Guest: Julia HaartWe have deals and steals for our kings and kweens- All thanks to our sponsorsQUINCE: High fashion clothing for affordable prices. Discount code lolife at check out for free shippingManscaped: Get a smooth shave and a fresh line up with the chairman pro today. Get 20% and free shipping with code LoLifeTHRIVE MARKET: healthy eating! Lo's go to spot for healthy, clean food and snacks. Are you ready for a junk free 2025? use code LoLife for 30% off your first order plus a free $60 gift!Uncommon Goods: Looking for unique, cute and chic gift? Go to Uncommon Goods. Get 15% off your next gift using code LoLife at checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After leaving both her marriage and the rigid confines of her Orthodox Jewish religious upbringing, Julia Haart found herself alone at 42, with no education, no friends, and no family. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary: she turned her passion into profit, creating a beautiful life for herself and inspiring countless others along the way. In this raw, empowering episode, Julia Haart, renowned fashion designer, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, opens up about the extraordinary journey that has defined her life. Known for her bold transition from the confines of ultra-Orthodox Judaism to the glitzy world of fashion, Julia's story isn't just about reinvention—it's about finding the strength to build a life that is unapologetically her own. As the former CEO of Elite Model Management and Creative Director for La Perla, Julia's impact on the fashion world is undeniable. But it's her personal story—one of overcoming immense obstacles—that truly resonates. This episode offers an intimate, candid look into Julia's life after she stepped away from everything she knew. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on her experience with ultra-Orthodox Judaism, her recent divorce, and the tough but transformative decision to forge a new path. Julia shares how she rebuilt her life from the ground up and became an outspoken advocate for women's rights, the Jewish community, and the fight against antisemitism. For anyone who has ever felt isolated, trapped in a toxic relationship, or struggled to find their purpose, Julia's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to start over. No matter your age or where you start, the chance to live your best life is always within reach. This episode is a beacon of hope for those feeling lost, stuck, or discouraged, showing you that with courage, resilience, and a willingness to take that first step, anything is possible. Tune in for a conversation that will leave you feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to take on the world—no matter where you're starting from. Stay Connected to The Lo Life! Facebook: Join the Coven: The Lo Life FB Group Instagram: @thelolifepodcast Your host: @stylelvr TikTok: @thelolifepodcast Special Guest: Julia Haart We have deals and steals for our kings and kweens- All thanks to our sponsors QUINCE: High fashion clothing for affordable prices. Discount code lolife at check out for free shipping Manscaped: Get a smooth shave and a fresh line up with the chairman pro today. Get 20% and free shipping with code LoLife THRIVE MARKET: healthy eating! Lo's go to spot for healthy, clean food and snacks. Are you ready for a junk free 2025? use code LoLife for 30% off your first order plus a free $60 gift! Uncommon Goods: Looking for unique, cute and chic gift? Go to Uncommon Goods. Get 15% off your next gift using code LoLife at checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices