Hear from a rosh yeshiva, a former Jerusalem mayor, a Times of Israel analyst, and more.
18Forty launched its new website! This is your address for today’s biggest Jewish questions. Please enjoy rummaging through our trove of podcasts, essays, videos, and more. Happy searching!
We try to make transcripts available the week an episode is released. Thank you for your patience!
David Bashevkin moderates a discussion on finances within the Orthodox Jewish community.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author and historian Dr. Marc B. Shapiro about the blurry borders that distinguish Reform, Conservative, yeshivish, Modern Orthodox, and the many other Jewish sects from one another.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to musician Matisyahu Miller—known as “Matisyahu”—who has publicly re-embraced his Judaism and Zionism since October 7.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to an anonymous guest about infidelity and its consequences and aftermath.
David Bashevkin speaks about the late, great comedian Garry Shalndling in honor of his 10th yahrzeit, which is this Purim.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yosef Bronstein—a rabbi, writer, and scholar—about the philosophy of Chabad and the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
This podcast was recorded before the recent horrific terrorism against Israel and unspeakable atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish People.
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 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, we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunited.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin moderates a debate between Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig and Rabbi Yitzchak Blau on whether morality exists independently of Judaism.
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.
Haviv answers 18 questions on Israel.
Rabbi Gil Student speaks with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper and Sofer.ai CEO Zach Fish about how AI is reshaping questions of Jewish practice.
Rabbanit Oshra Koren joins us to discuss Torah, Israel, and how Hasidic stories wake the heart.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Aliza and Ephraim Bulow, a married couple whose religious paths diverged over the course of their shared life.
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.
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 Joshua Leifer and Shaindy Ort, married progressive activists who are reembracing traditional Jewish life.
The true enemy in Israel’s current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls “Palestinianism.”
Talking about the “Haredi community” is a misnomer, Jonathan Rosenblum says, and simplifies its diversity of thought and perspectives.
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.
Until the Israeli government sets a plan for Gaza after the war, Rula Daood says, they are choosing to end up with Hamas.
Jewish unity does not require agreement. It requires learning how to listen.
Perhaps the most fundamental question any religious believer can ask is: “Does God exist?” It’s time we find good answers.
I consider the Rebbe to be my personal teacher, and I find this teaching particularly relevant for us now.
Joy and meaning can be found not only despite the brokenness, but even because of the brokenness.
The aftermath of Korach’s rebellion is not primarily about punishment. It is about what happens when a community is confronted with its…
Reporting live from Jerusalem, here’s what’s happening at Shavua HaSefer—in photos.
Rav Froman was a complicated character in Israel and in his own home city of Tekoa, as people from both the right…
To talk about the history of Jewish mysticism is in many ways to talk about the history of the mystical community.
Children cannot truly avoid the consequences of estrangement. Their parents’ shadow will always follow.
My family made aliyah over a decade ago. Navigating our lives as American immigrants in Israel is a day-to-day balance.
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wears the mantle of Kahane in Israel. Many Orthodox Jews welcomed him with open arms.
Children don’t come with guarantees. Washing machines come with guarantees.
From Freud through today, our desire to heal asks us to consider why we care so badly—and maybe if it’s hindering the…
It isn’t only censorship that creates the narrative of our history, but it is every creative endeavor that we engage in.
Yes, the Israeli army needs Jews to draft, but more than that, Jews need to experience what it means to serve.
Their motivations are not ideological extremism but a basic survival instinct to protect their families from the past’s failed paradigms.
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.
Israel is clearly important to Jews. The question becomes: To what extent?
In Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, we learn that holiness requires moving beyond the letter of the law to its spirit.
A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, a lone soldier, and more. Here are seven olim sharing their stories of aliyah.
If You’re Reading These Words is a book in which all the heroes have died, yet it overflows with life.
Where Parshat Shlach asks us what we see in the land, one Israeli musician helps us hear what it has to say.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations…
This series, recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit, is sponsored by American Security Foundation.
What is Jewish peoplehood? In a world that is increasingly international in its scope, our appreciation for the national or the tribal…
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—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with Rabbi Eli Rubin and Rabbi Steven…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience, about Modern Orthodox…
We talk to Matisyahu, who has publicly re-embraced his Judaism and Zionism.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Shais Taub, the rabbi behind the organization SoulWords, about shame, selfhood, and…
In this special Simchas Torah episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin—parents of murdered hostage Hersh…
Support Jewish explorations today by supporting 18Forty. Your partnership makes our work possible.
Donate today.
