This episode is sponsored by Dani and Nechamie Silberberg-Chitrik, in appreciation of the 18Forty Podcast and the work it does in having meaningful and thought-provoking conversations across all areas of Jewish life.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Sara and Avi Schwartz about the life and loss of their daughter, Yakira Leeba Schwartz A”H. Additionally, we speak with Shelley and Ruvan Cohen about Nathaniel Cohen A”H.
As we move toward Tisha B’Av, we hear two stories of how chesed has brought comfort to individuals enduring the most devastating losses. In this episode we discuss:
Tune in to hear a conversation about how we stay anchored and full of faith and loving-kindness amid the most difficult times.
Shelley and Ruvan Cohen interview begins: 11:40.
Sara and Avi Schwartz interviews begin at 57:29.
References:
“A Mother’s Kaddish: Mourning for My Son, From the Women’s Section” by Shelley Richman Cohen
We talk to Rabbi Shaanan Gelman and his son Ziggy about the persistence of a parent-child relationship when the latter faces addiction.
We talk to David Magerman and his daughter Sydney, who decided to make aliyah while on her gap year in Israel.
We talk to Yakov Danishefsky about the imperfect ways in which we transmit the Jewish story.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Menachem Penner—dean of RIETS at Yeshiva University—and his son Gedalia—a musician, cantor-in-training, and member of the LGBTQ community—about their experience in reconciling their family’s religious tradition with Gedalia’s sexual orientation.
Micah Goodman doesn’t think Palestinian-Israeli peace will happen within his lifetime. But he’s still a hopeful person.
The true enemy in Israel’s current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls “Palestinianism.”
Haviv answers 18 questions on Israel.
Tonia Chazanow joins us to discuss the role of the Jewish mystic, the goals of Torah study, and the potential dangers involved in studying mysticism.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Leah Forster, a world-famous ex-Hasidic comedian, to talk about how her journey has affected her comedy.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yakov Danishefsky—a rabbi, author and licensed social worker—about our relationships and our mental health.44
Rabbi Daniel Rowe joins us to discuss the inner dimensions of the Torah and how one can connect with the divine will.
We speak with Yehuda Geberer about the history of the yeshiva world.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to historian and professor Pawel Maciejko about the false messiah Sabbatai Zevi, Sabbateanism, and the roots of Jewish secularism.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down for a special podcast with our host, David Bashevkin, to discuss the podcast’s namesake, the year 1840.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Bruce Feiler about family narratives.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to a series of guests who have made aliyah about the practical factors involved with building a life in Israel.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin opens up about his mental health journey.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Judah, Naomi, and Aharon Akiva Dardik—an olim family whose son went to military jail for refusing to follow to IDF orders and has since become a ceasefire activist at Columbia University—about sticking together as a family despite their fundamental differences.
Yossi answers 18 questions on Israel.
Mirlana Morris talks about the loss of her son, Donny, and perpetuating the memory of a loved one.
In this special Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we bring you a recording from our live event with the comedian Modi, for our annual discussion on humor.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Liel Leibovitz and Lisa Ann Sandell about what happens when one partner wants to increase their religious practice.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Daniel Statman, a professor of philosophy at the University of Haifa, about what it means to wage a moral war.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Joshua Leifer and Shaindy Ort, married progressive activists who are reembracing traditional Jewish life.
Perhaps the most fundamental question any religious believer can ask is: “Does God exist?” It’s time we find good answers.
If God has no need for offerings, why does the Torah devote an entire book to them—and what does that reveal about…
Paying spiritual leaders can feel wrong. The Torah insists that it isn’t.
In Parshat Vayikra, we are reminded that communal belonging lies at the heart of religious identity.
Children don’t come with guarantees. Washing machines come with guarantees.
Christianity’s focus on the afterlife historically discouraged Jews from discussing it—but Jews very much believe in it.
Notes from a mamad: How war kills intellectual curiosity, and why I picked up a book anyway
Children cannot truly avoid the consequences of estrangement. Their parents’ shadow will always follow.
Between early prayer books, kabbalistic additions, and the printing press, the siddur we have today is filled with prayers from across history.
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon wrote this special prayer for Israel for Jews to recite at their Pesach Sedarim this year.
From verses in Parshat Bo to desert caves, tefillin emerge as one of Judaism’s earliest embodied practices.
Joy and meaning can be found not only despite the brokenness, but even because of the brokenness.
Why does the night of order, of freedom and liberation, have so much disorder to it? Why is it so chaotic, disjointed?
Over time, the advancement of thought and modernism in culture has led to the disagreement of how much should be shared and…
In Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro asks us to reconsider what, if anything, separates humans from machines.
Kosher phones make calls and send texts. No Instagram, no TikTok, and no distractions. Maybe it’s time the world embraces them.
Dr. Judith Herman has spent her career helping those who are going through trauma, and has provided far-reaching insight into the field.
As the holiday of Passover approaches, we take a look into a man whose life was marked by questions: Edmond Jabès.
Religious Zionism is a spectrum—and I would place my Hardal community on the right of that spectrum.
What the theory of relationships can tell us about our religious lives—and how we relate to God
God promised the Land of Israel to the Jewish People, so why are some rabbis anti-Zionists?
Rav Froman was a complicated character in Israel and in his own home city of Tekoa, as people from both the right…
In this Pesach Reader, we see the many doors of Pesach. Now, we hope to find our own.
Despite my instinct to cringe, I am actually quite proud of this list, and by and large, these books continue to play…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations…
Rabbi Moshe Gersht first encountered the world of Chassidus at the age of twenty, the beginning of what he terms his “spiritual…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, recorded live at Stern College, we speak with Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, director of NCSY Kollel,…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue,…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience, about Modern Orthodox…
Why did this Hasidic Rebbe move from Poland to Israel, only to change his name, leave religion, and disappear to Los Angeles?
On this 18Forty panel, we speak with Alex Jakubowski of Lightning Studios, Sara Wolkenfeld of Sefaria, and Ari Lamm of BZ Media…
Rabbanit Sarah Yehudit Schneider believes meditation is the entryway to understanding mysticism.
As a Chabad Hasid, Rabbi Zevi Slavin’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich traditions of Chassidut and Kabbala.
This series, recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit, is sponsored by American Security Foundation.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Shais Taub, the rabbi behind the organization SoulWords, about shame, selfhood, and…
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