We try to make transcripts available the week a podcast is released—thank you for your patience!
We talk to Jewish communal executive Carmi Schwartz about lessons he’s learned in his 90-plus years as a member and leader of the Jewish community.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to an anonymous guest about infidelity and its consequences and aftermath.
In this episode of 18Forty Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Professor Haym Soloveitchik, University Professor of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University.
David Bashevkin moderates a discussion on finances within the Orthodox Jewish community.
Elliot Wolfson joins us to discuss the mechanics of prayer, the constant recreation of time, and Pardes.
We talk to Rabbi Shaanan Gelman and his son Ziggy about the persistence of a parent-child relationship when the latter faces addiction.
In this episode, we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunited.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin opens up about his mental health journey.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Joey Rosenfeld, social worker and kabbalist, to talk about the differences between mysticism and rationalism and the roles they should play in our lives.
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 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.
We talk to Jenna Weissman Joselit about the everyday expressions of Judaism that reinforce the identity and distinctiveness of the Jewish People.
Haviv answers 18 questions on Israel.
We talk to historian Zev Eleff about what 250 years of Jewish life in America can teach us about religion, identity, and the future of American Judaism.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Frieda Vizel—a formerly Satmar Jew who makes educational content about Hasidic life—about her work presenting Hasidic Williamsburg to the outside world, and vice-versa.
We talk to Michael Eisenberg about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rav Moshe Weinberger, rabbi and educator, to discuss the role of mysticism in modern-day Judaism.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ora Wiskind, professor and author, to discuss her life journey, both as a Jew and as an academic, and her attitude towards mysticism.
We talk to Elana Moskowitz about how her American Jewish upbringing shaped her life and worldview.
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.
Efraim Palvanov answers questions on misinformation, prayer as self-reflection, and every Jew’s role in bringing Mashiach.
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 talk to Rabbi Josh Grajower – rabbi and educator – about the loss of his wife, as well as the loss that Tisha B’Av represents for the Jewish People.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Lizzy Savetsky, who went from a career in singing and fashion to being a Jewish activist and influencer, about her work advocating for Israel online.
Perhaps the most fundamental question any religious believer can ask is: “Does God exist?” It’s time we find good answers.
Parshat Devarim asks what it means to inherit a past you never lived, and why Judaism insists you live it anyway.
Rav Froman was a complicated character in Israel and in his own home city of Tekoa, as people from both the right…
What does it mean to build a Jewish life in a country founded on the ideals of freedom and possibility?
To talk about the history of Jewish mysticism is in many ways to talk about the history of the mystical community.
Joy and meaning can be found not only despite the brokenness, but even because of the brokenness.
Children cannot truly avoid the consequences of estrangement. Their parents’ shadow will always follow.
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wears the mantle of Kahane in Israel. Many Orthodox Jews welcomed him with open arms.
My family made aliyah over a decade ago. Navigating our lives as American immigrants in Israel is a day-to-day balance.
I consider the Rebbe to be my personal teacher, and I find this teaching particularly relevant for us now.
Children don’t come with guarantees. Washing machines come with guarantees.
A Hezbollah missile killed Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot’s son, Amitai Tzvi, on Oct. 15. Here, he pleas for Haredim to enlist into…
Christianity’s focus on the afterlife historically discouraged Jews from discussing it—but Jews very much believe in it.
A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, a lone soldier, and more. Here are seven olim sharing their stories of aliyah.
It isn’t only censorship that creates the narrative of our history, but it is every creative endeavor that we engage in.
Israel is clearly important to Jews. The question becomes: To what extent?
From Freud through today, our desire to heal asks us to consider why we care so badly—and maybe if it’s hindering the…
Tisha B’Av, explains Maimonides, is a reminder that our collective fate rests on our choices.
Yes, the Israeli army needs Jews to draft, but more than that, Jews need to experience what it means to serve.
In Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, we learn that holiness requires moving beyond the letter of the law to its spirit.
Their motivations are not ideological extremism but a basic survival instinct to protect their families from the past’s failed paradigms.
If You’re Reading These Words is a book in which all the heroes have died, yet it overflows with life.
In order to study Kabbalah, argues Rav Moshe Weinberger, one must approach it with humility.
On this 18Forty panel, we speak with Alex Jakubowski of Lightning Studios, Sara Wolkenfeld of Sefaria, and Ari Lamm of BZ Media…
What does it mean to truly give? And why does Kabbala teach that our deepest pleasure lies not in receiving, but in…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations…
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…
Rabbanit Sarah Yehudit Schneider believes meditation is the entryway to understanding mysticism.
Support Jewish explorations today by supporting 18Forty. Your partnership makes our work possible.
Donate today.
