In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Bayla Gopin—a student with dyslexia— and her mother, Chana, who brought Bayla to Yeshivat Shalshelet when her previous school was ignoring her needs.
Born Losers by Scott A. Sandage
“Amen al Ha’yeladim” by Chanan Ben Ari
Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin
Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz M.D.
18Forty Podcast: “Yehuda and Ilana Turetsky: Why Would an American Rabbinic Couple Move to Israel?”
For more 18Forty:
NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/join
CALL: (212) 582-1840
EMAIL: info@18forty.org
WEBSITE: 18forty.org
IG: @18forty
X: @18_forty
WhatsApp: join here
Transcripts are typically available the week an episode is released.
We talk to Yakov Danishefsky about the imperfect ways in which we transmit the Jewish story.
We speak with Yehuda Geberer about the history of the yeshiva world.
Haviv answers 18 questions on Israel.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Alex Clare – singer and baal teshuva – about changing identity and what if questions.
We speak with Rabbi Aaron Kotler about the beginnings of the American yeshiva world.
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.
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.”
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 Yakov Danishefsky—a rabbi, author and licensed social worker—about our relationships and our mental health.44
How can our generation understanding mysticism, philosophy, and suffering in today’s chaotic world?
We speak with Professors Elisheva Carlebach and Debra Kaplan about women’s religious, social, and communal roles in early modern Jewish 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, 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, David Bashevkin opens up about his mental health journey.
Wishing Arabs would disappear from Israel, Mikhael Manekin says, is a dangerous fantasy.
Israel is a heroic country, Michael Oren believes—but he concedes that it is a flawed heroic country.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Bruce Feiler about family narratives.
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 Talia Khan—a Jewish MIT graduate student and Israel activist—and her father, an Afghan Muslim immigrant, about their close father-daughter relationship despite their ideological disagreements.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Pini Dunner and Rav Moshe Weinberger about the Yabloner Rebbe and his astounding story of teshuva.
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.
Israel is facing several existential crises—at least three, by Netta Barak-Corren’s account.
Rabbi David Aaron joins us to discuss ease, humanity, and the difference between men and women.
Perhaps the most fundamental question any religious believer can ask is: “Does God exist?” It’s time we find good answers.
We spend our lives searching for clarity. Parshat Ki Tisa suggests that the most meaningful encounters may happen precisely where clarity ends.
Reading, reading everywhere, but not a drop to be remembered
A guide to the essential books that tell the story—past and present—of the American yeshiva world and its inner life.
Christianity’s focus on the afterlife historically discouraged Jews from discussing it—but Jews very much believe in it.
The Book of Esther suggests that diaspora is not merely a temporary or anomalous state but an integral part of Jewish history…
For some, Purim is the triumph of exile transformed. For others, it warns that exile can never replace the Land of Israel.
Dr. Judith Herman has spent her career helping those who are going through trauma, and has provided far-reaching insight into the field.
Children cannot truly avoid the consequences of estrangement. Their parents’ shadow will always follow.
From verses in Parshat Bo to desert caves, tefillin emerge as one of Judaism’s earliest embodied practices.
The “way” of myself and other formerly Reform Jews is unclear, but our desire for spiritual growth is sincere.
In a culture that equates devotion with “more,” Parshat Vayakhel introduces a radical spiritual discipline: enough.
Between early prayer books, kabbalistic additions, and the printing press, the siddur we have today is filled with prayers from across history.
At the conclusion of the Book of Exodus, the Tabernacle reminds us that holiness requires both building and stopping.
Brother Jorge asks: Can we laugh at God? We might answer: We can laugh with God.
A bedrock principle of Orthodox Judaism is that we received not only the Written Torah at Sinai but also the oral one—does…
Joy and meaning can be found not only despite the brokenness, but even because of the brokenness.
Kosher phones make calls and send texts. No Instagram, no TikTok, and no distractions. Maybe it’s time the world embraces them.
Children don’t come with guarantees. Washing machines come with guarantees.
Divorce often upends emotional and financial stability. A Jewish organization in Los Angeles offers a better way forward.
Two programs are already bridging the Orthodox and non-Orthodox divide through the timeless tradition of chavruta learning.
I consider the Rebbe to be my personal teacher, and I find this teaching particularly relevant for us now.
Meet a traditional rabbi in an untraditional time, willing to deal with faith in all its beauty—and hardships.
The mystery of consciousness has long vexed philosophers and scientists alike. Can God be the answer?
In this special Simchas Torah episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin—parents of murdered hostage Hersh…
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.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Shais Taub, the rabbi behind the organization SoulWords, about shame, selfhood, and…
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?
We speak with Joey Rosenfeld about how our generation can understand suffering.
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, David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue,…
We speak with Naftuli Moster about how and why he changed his understanding of the values imparted by Judaism.
In a disenchanted world, we can turn to mysticism to find enchantment, to remember that there is something more under the surface…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with Rabbi Eli Rubin and Rabbi Steven…
Love is one of the great vulnerabilities of our time. Can we handle it?
Support Jewish explorations today by supporting 18Forty. Your partnership makes our work possible.
Donate today.
