Chutzpod! is a frank and wide-ranging conversation on how to build a good life, using real-life quandaries and millennia-old Jewish wisdom. Each week, Rabbi Shira Stutman and journalist Hanna Rosin bring a Jewish lens to life's toughest questions, asked by our listeners: Do I offer forgiveness to a friend who refuses to apologize? Am I right to be annoyed at all the service dogs on the plane with me? How do we work to heal this broken world? It's a podcast for people of all or no faiths; Hebrew school truants and proud yeshiva graduates; those who want to be inspired but don't want to schlep to synagogue; basically, anyone trying to live a meaningful life during these trying times. One part advice column, one part reflection on what Judaism teaches on how to build a good life, using real-life stories and ancient wisdom.
What to do when calling your mother is not just a pain, but painful. Rabbi Shira is back from Israel with insights and advice. Support Chutzpod! Submit a question Contact Chutzpod! Follow Shira on Instagram Follow Hanna on Instagram Follow Shira on Twitter Follow Hanna on Twitter Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
What happens if you receive an unexpected inheritance from a person you’ve cut out of your life? Should you keep it? Give it away to charity? Join Rabbi Shira and Hanna as they balance the rules of Torah with the financial realities of life. Support Chutzpod! Submit a question Contact Chutzpod! Follow Shira on Instagram Follow Hanna on Instagram Follow Shira on Twitter Follow Hanna on Twitter Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
A pastor expresses private support for his Jewish friends, but they ask him to make it public. He is squeamish…he could alienate members of his own congregation. How does he say no without ruining a friendship? And is he being antisemitic? Join Rabbi Shira and Hanna Rosin as they dive into when it’s ok to say no, and what is and isn’t antisemitic. Read: How to tell when criticism of Israel is actually anti-Semitism Support Chutzpod! Submit a question Contact Chutzpod! Follow Shira on Instagram F...
Rabbi! Hanna! the parents ask. Tell us the magic words we can say to our children that will make them love and unequivocally support Israel. And we respond. Support Chutzpod! Submit a question Contact Chutzpod! Follow Shira on Instagram Follow Hanna on Instagram Follow Shira on Twitter Follow Hanna on Twitter Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
On the inaugural episode of this season of Chutzpod, Hanna Rosin and Rabbi Shira wrestle with a listener's question about American Jews who are full of “yes, BUT…” when it comes to mourning murdered Israelis. Can’t we just be sad without invoking the Occupation? Support Chutzpod! Submit a question Contact Chutzpod! Follow Shira on Instagram Follow Hanna on Instagram Follow Shira on Twitter Follow Hanna on Twitter Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Join Rabbi Shira and Hanna Rosin in a short discussion on the fraught politics of seeking comfort if you are mourning for Israel. Why, in social justice circles, is expressing sympathy for Israelis, even in a tragic moment like this, complicated? Where should you seek comfort? If you're an ally how should you provide it? Can you feel for both Israelis and Palestinians? Support Chutzpod! Submit a question Contact Chutzpod! Follow Shira on Instagram Follow Hanna on Instagram Follow Shira on Twitte...
This week we finish our two-part series in partnership with Encounter honoring Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut. We share stories from American Jews who found moments of humanity and mutual respect and understanding with Palestinians, helping to bridge the distance between cultures, countries, and continents. We also bid l'hitraot (see you soon!) to Josh as he leaves Chutzpod for other projects. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
This week is our first of two episodes in partnership with Encounter in honor of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israeli Memorial Day and Independence Day, respectively). We share the stories of two Israelis and two Palestinians on their experience seeing "the other," and how it has helped them believe a different future is possible. This is a must-listen episode; we hope you return to it again and again. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
We've got a double parsha week everyone! Join Rabbi Shira and Josh as they discuss Tazria-Metzora, one of the...grosser sections of the Torah. But worry not, this episode is not about skin disease but about gossip. Learn how the two are related, about the nature of gossip (hint: it's everywhere!), and when it's ok to talk about others. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
On this week's episode Joshua and Rabbi Shira dig into two important observances in Judaism: Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and counting the Omer. Learn more about the modern observance of Yom Hashoah, Jewish conversion during World War II, and what lessons we can learn for today. We also discuss Leopoldstadt , the Broadway play that Joshua now stars in, and how it's just as relevant as ever. Also learn about what the heck the Omer is, why we count it and how! Learn about your ad choice...
On this week's episode of Chutzpod, Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome Korin Arkin of the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Noel Gomez of the Organization for Prostitution Survivors to learn about what human trafficking and modern day slavery look like. It's a heavy episode, but important listening to understand that the Exodus story is not a thing of the past. Listen today to learn more about what is happening all around us and what you can do to help. Episode Timecodes: (06:00) Interview with...
In preparation for the start of Passover, Rabbi Shira and Josh (back from hiatus!) delve into the six--yes, six--senses of the seder. How do taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight help enhance the Jewish sixth sense: memory? How do your memories and traditions (new and old) enhance the seder experience? Listen today to learn more. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In honor of International Women's Day (March 8), we discuss Lilith, Adam's supposed first wife, a demonized figure associated with stealing children and seducing men. But she is also an incredibly powerful and feminist figure. Who is Lilith really, and what can she tell us about the mixed multitudes of women today? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
This week on Chutzpod we celebrate Purim! We embrace the gallows humor (pun intended) and joy of the holiday by highlighting five up-and-coming Jewish comedians (Orli Matlow, Sam Morrison, Becca Nix Tham, Evelyn Frick, and Dylan Adler) and their favorite Jewish jokes. Plus a megillah reading and, of course, a spiel. Episode Time codes: (13:00) 1st Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner (20:15) Orli Matlow Joke (22:00) Sam Morrison Joke (24:40) 2nd Megillah Reading (26:00) Beca Nix Tham Joke (28:00) Ev...
This week we step back and answer your questions. Listen to Rabbi Shira and Sarah Podemski dig into the ideas of spirituality, what it means to be Jewish, the tension between keeping kosher and protecting our environment, and "God's plan." A trigger warning: this podcast does discuss death by suicide at the 38:30 mark. Episode Timecodes: (50:15) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Rabbi Shira and Sarah Podemski discuss the (in)famous Torah passage "an eye for an eye." Wouldn't this make the whole world blind? We also discuss the importance of dual identities and what it means to be "half Jewish." Listen today! Episode Timecodes: (41:45) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Spoiler alert: a guest co-host! Reservation Dogs actor Sarah Podemski joins Rabbi Shira and Josh to delve into Jethro's (the father-in-law, not the band) visit to Moses after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. What did Jethro teach Moses about how to lead his people and how to avoid burnout? What lessons can we learn, as well? We also discuss the new Netflix film You People . Episode Time codes: (03:50) Discussion of You People (10:40) Diving into the Torah Portion of Yitro (37:40) Rabbi Shira’...
We're back to the beginning of the Chutzpod cycle with our second episode on Tu Bishvat! On this week's episode, Rabbi Shira and Joshua take on food insecurity and justice with Abby Leibman, CEO of MAZON, a Jewish Response to Hunger. Learn about the Israelites' hunger after crossing the Red Sea and what hunger looks like in today's America. Stick around at the end for a special teaching from Dr. Adrienne Krone from Allegheny College. Episode Time codes: (12:30) Abby Leibman Interview (42:10) Dr....
Rabbi Shira and Joshua delve into the final three plagues and the Hebrews' liberation from Egyptian slavery. The story is difficult to digest--the last three plagues are devastating. Does the pursuit of justice require violence? Who really hardened Pharoah's heart? And should the new Chutzpod merch have a slash of lamb's blood on it? Listen now to find out. Episode Timecode: (38:00) Rabbi Shira Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
The Exodus story continues, and with it, questions about what oppression does to both the oppressed and the oppressor, and the importance of breath in pushing back against injustice. We also coin the term "vicious squiggles," critically important for understanding any religious or political movement in history. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
We've begun the book of Exodus just in time to mark Martin Luther King Jr's birthday and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. This first parsha packs a lot in: Moses' birth, growing up Egyptian, the burning bush, and starting to fight against oppression. But it's the Hebrew and Egyptian women who really spark the first acts of civil disobedience--getting into good trouble. Learn more about the connections between MLK and the Civil Rights Movement and Exodus by listening today! Episode Timecode: (39:...
Happy New Year and welcome back to Chutzpod! Rabbi Shira and Joshua wrap up the Joseph narrative and conclude the Book of Genesis. Will Joseph be able to forgive his brothers? Does restitution only come from honesty? We also discuss your response to our December Dilemma episode and the beauty of crying. Episode Timecodes: (36:00) Rabbis Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
We're deep into Hanukkah and Joshua and Rabbi Shira share listener stories and advice on how to navigate the December holidays as an interfaith family or couple. Should your child have to wear Christmas pajamas to school? How do you integrate traditions and food? How much egg nog ice cream can Josh's parents eat? Find out all this and more in this week's episode. Episode Time codes: (03:30) Diving into Listener questions (42:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: doveta...
Rabbi Shira and Joshua go on a Hanukkah retrospective: how it started 2,200 years ago, how it's evolved through the Medieval era until today. It will have you rethinking the Hanukkah story you thought you knew. Is the oil the most important miracle of the holiday? Or is the true miracle that Shira had positive things to say about Hanukkah? Grab a jelly donut and a latke and tune in today. Episode Timecodes: (40:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-...
For our foremothers Rachel and Leah (and Bilhah and Zilpah) it's all about what they said (or couldn't say). How does this week's Torah portion hold up against the Bechdel Test? We're also joined by New York Times journalist Jodi Kantor to discuss her Judaism, her work uncovering workplace harassment in Hollywood, and the new film She Said , out in theaters now. Episode Timecodes: (13:20) - Jodi Kantor Interview (42:10) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx....
In our final episode before Thanksgiving, we welcome Sarah Podemski, an award-winning Anishnaabe and Ashkenzai artist and actress ( Reservation Dogs) . Before we get to it, Joshua and Rabbi Shira discuss this week's Torah portion Chayei Sarah about the life (and really the death) of our matriarch Sarah. Episode Timecodes: (6:15) Sarah Podemski Interview (33:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Rabbi Shira and Joshua react to Election Night and tie it into this week's Torah portion of Vayera. We also welcome on Jodi Rudoren, editor in chief of The Forward , to discuss how she handles criticism from all corners of the Internet, her experiences at the New York Times, and her take on the hamentashen vs. latke debate. Episode Timecodes: (15:30) - Jodi Rudoren Interview (41:45) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Rabbi Shira and Joshua get back to basics with a Torah discussion about parshat Lech Lecha on going forth. We discuss the duality of fire, the concept of being a blessing, and the dynamics between Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah). Episode Timecode: (36:15) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Rabbi Shira and Joshua are hosting the Americans for Peace Now Annual Gala on Sunday 10/30 and to prepare for the gig, we are joined by one of the honorees, Letty Cottin Pogrebin. Letty's accomplishments are too long to list, but we spend a lot of time focusing on her new book "Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy”. We all have elements from our past we are ashamed of, but should we be? We also explore the significance of the number 40 in honor of our 40th episode and this week's Torah portion,...
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is the only person to ever serve as both synagogue president and U.S. Senator. She joins the rabbi and Joshua this week to discuss navigating shul politics, the pursuit of Tikkun Olam, and even Broadway musicals. Before the interview, Chutzpod! addresses the recent comments by former President Trump on American Jews. Episode Timecodes: (15:30) Senator Rosen Interview (34:15) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
