3 Sep 2025
DovBer Pinson: The Jewish People's Path of Teshuva [Teshuva 2/5]
Rabbi DovBer Pinson explores the concept of teshuva (repentance) by differentiating between "lower" and "higher" forms, urging Jews to focus on the root causes of misalignments and the current state of heightened anti-Semitism. He emphasizes the importance of unity among Jews and reconciling differences within the community while also exploring the collective identity and eternity of the Jewish people.
26 Aug 2025
Rochi Ebner: Rav Kook's Return to Our Soul [Teshuva 1/5]
Rochi Ebner discusses the integration of Rav Kook's spirituality and teachings in contemporary Judaism, emphasizing personal and communal transformation in preparation for teshuva. Ebner stresses the importance of self-understanding and creative expression, inspired by Kook, to adapt to the evolving nature of Jewish life.
19 Aug 2025
Joey Rosenfeld: What Does Jewish Mysticism Say About This Moment? [Teshuva Bonus Episode]
Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld discusses the role of Jewish mysticism in navigating contemporary chaos by exploring the concepts of imperfection and yearning. He emphasizes that our spiritual work involves making peace within differentiation and that Judaism serves as a guardian of deficiency, leading us to find meaning in the fragmented moments of life.
12 Aug 2025
David Bashevkin: My Dating Story [Re-Release]
David Bashevkin explores the complexities of dating, sharing insights from his own journey toward balancing romantic, religious, and professional identities. Using his personal experiences, including struggles with religious evolution and navigating modern expectations, Bashevkin provides a framework for understanding commitment in relationships.
5 Aug 2025
How Jews Date in the Modern World (Re-Release)
With the Jewish holiday of love, Tu B'Av, approaching, this episode re-explores Jewish dating practices across various communities, such as Chassidic, Yeshiva Orthodox, and Modern Orthodox. Experts discuss the cultural norms, pressures, and the evolution of dating practices within these communities, examining how different approaches reflect broader communal values.
29 Jul 2025
Hadas Hershkovitz: On Loss: A Husband, Father, Soldier [Loss 3/3]
Hadas Hershkovitz shares her poignant journey of loss and resilience following the death of her husband Yossi, an educator and soldier killed in Gaza. Reflecting on his legacy, she emphasizes the importance of unity and proactively transforming personal and collective grief into positive action within the Jewish community.
22 Jul 2025
Elissa Felder & Sonia Hoffman: How the Jewish Burial Society Cares for the Dead [Loss 2/3]
Author Elissa Felder and her daughter Sonia Hoffman explore their involvement in the Jewish burial society, or chevra kadisha, framing it as a profound spiritual and communal experience. Their discussion highlights how engagement with death and burial customs can offer comfort and continuity between the living and their loved ones who have passed.
15 Jul 2025
Shlomo Brody & Beth Popp: Demystifying Death and the End of Life [Loss 1/3]
Rabbi Shlomo Brody and Dr. Beth Popp explore the complexities of end-of-life considerations, focusing on the intersection of Jewish law and modern medical ethics. They discuss halachic perspectives on defining death, the importance of discussing mortality, and planning for end-of-life decisions with a focus on personal values and religious beliefs.
8 Jul 2025
Micah Goodman: 'I don't want Gaza to become our Vietnam' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)
Public intellectual Micah Goodman discusses the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for practical solutions over idealistic peace. He advocates for a Jewish democracy that balances innovation with tradition and sees this hybrid approach as a path forward for Israel and the Jewish people.
1 Jul 2025
Ayala Fader: How Do Haredi Jews Deal With Religious Doubt? [OTD 3/3]
Ayala Fader examines how Haredi Jews, especially within Hasidic and Yeshivish communities, engage with religious doubt, stressing the role that the internet and modern societal changes have played in this dynamic. While some members grapple with theological dissonance and existential questions in secrecy, others negotiate their place within the community, exploring a balance between personal belief and communal expectations.
24 Jun 2025
A Debate Between Yitzchak Blau & Itamar Rosensweig: Does Morality Exist Outside of Judaism?
Rabbis Itamar Rosenzweig and Yitzchak Blau engage in a lively debate over whether morality exists outside of Judaism, moderated by David Bashevkin. They delve into philosophical and halachic perspectives, discussing the roles of God, ethics, and Jewish tradition in defining moral obligations.
17 Jun 2025
David Bashevkin & Malka Simkovich: Can Judaism Survive the AI Revolution? (Fifth Year Anniversary)
David Bashevkin and Malka Simkovich delve into the implications of AI on Judaism's future, examining both challenges and opportunities. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of balancing technological advancements with traditional Jewish values to ensure the perpetuation of the Jewish community and faith.
27 May 2025
Daniel Hagler and Aryeh Englander: Can Jews Who Stay Talk With Jews Who Left? [OTD 2/3]
David Bashevkin moderates a dialogue between Aryeh Englander, an ex-Orthodox Jew, and Daniel Hagler, a frum surgeon, exploring how individuals with differing Jewish experiences engage with Torah and life. The conversation delves into seeking a balanced approach to religious identity, integrating rigorous secular methodologies with Jewish traditions and philosophies while addressing doubts and commitment.
27 May 2025
Daniel Hagler and Aryeh Englander: Can Jews Who Stay Talk With Jews Who Left? [OTD 2/4]
Daniel Hagler and Aryeh Englander engage in a meaningful dialogue about the varied methodologies of belief and non-belief within Judaism, emphasizing the balance between evidence-based truths and pragmatic usefulness. Their discussion uncovers how personal methodologies and community experiences shape one's religious commitment or departure, highlighting the importance of relationships and lived experiences in religious life.
20 May 2025
Moshe Krakowski: Why Jews Leave Faith Behind [OTD 1/4]
Moshe Krakowski delves into why some Jews leave their Orthodox communities, exploring how various factors influence their decisions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the deep commitment required to stay within a religious framework and how formation of a countercultural worldview impacts retention.
20 May 2025
Moshe Krakowski: Why Jews Leave Faith Behind [OTD 1/3]
Moshe Krakowski discusses his analysis of factors leading Orthodox Jews to leave or stay within the faith, framed against a new study commissioned by the Orthodox Union. The conversation probes complex identities, community dynamics, and cultural norms, offering a nuanced look at religious commitment and transitions.
13 May 2025
Shulem Deen: Faith, Without Faith (OTD Series Re-Release)
Shulem Deen, a former member of the Ultra-Orthodox Skvera Hasidic community, discusses his transition from faith to no faith, and the complexities of being 'Off the Derech' (OTD). He reflects on the challenges of reconciling his past within the Hasidic community with his current secular identity, examining both the cultural values and the personal transformations involved in his departure.
6 May 2025
The Gopins: When a Child Cannot Read [Divergence 6/6]
David Bashevkin interviews Bayla Gopin, a student with dyslexia, her mother Chana, and Shulamit Roth, the founder of Yeshivat Shalshelet, about the challenges and strategies for supporting Jewish children with language-based learning disabilities. The episode explores the cultural emphasis on academic achievement within the Jewish community and the necessity of inclusive education systems that accommodate diverse learning needs.
29 Apr 2025
Talia Khan: A Jewish Israel Activist and Her Muslim Father [Divergence 5/5]
Talia Khan, a Jewish MIT student and Israel activist, and her Afghan Muslim father discuss their close relationship despite differing ideological views. Their conversation explores Jewish-Muslim relations and offers a hopeful perspective on bridging divides and fostering understanding.
29 Apr 2025
Talia Khan: A Jewish Israel Activist and Her Muslim Father [Divergence 5/6]
Talia Khan, an MIT graduate student and Israel activist, engages in a profound dialogue with her Afghan Muslim father about their ideological differences and how they maintain a close father-daughter relationship despite them. The episode highlights how diverse and often underrepresented identities navigate and communicate their complex affiliations within a family setting, offering broader insights into Jewish-Muslim relations.