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Human & Holy

Tonia Chazanowhumanandholy.org
Honest, spiritual conversations to unravel the essence of the human experience. Exploring Jewish & Chassidic wisdom, women's Torah, and the lived experience of Judaism. Hosted by Tonia Chazanow. Learn more about Human & Holy's work at humanandholy.com.
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Episodes

A Celebration of Chabad Chassidus

Join the 12th grade class of a Chabad high school for a joyous celebration of Yud Tes Kislev and a discussion on the role of Chassidus in their lives. || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.com/community. To become a paying subscriber of the podcast, visit patreon.com/humanandholy.

Nov 26, 202339 min

Israel on My Mind: Hindel Swerdlow on Faith Over Fear, Joy as Confidence and the Victory of the Few Over the Mighty

How do we shake the terror from our bones and experience trust in G-d when the world is shaking? Where do we find the confidence in victory when everything seems uncertain? In this episode, Hindel Swerdlow, an American woman living in Israel, shares how she has moved through the trauma of the first few weeks after October 7th into the strength and empowerment she is experiencing now. Hindel talks about the process of restoring her soul, the beautiful scenes on the ground and the ideas that are k...

Nov 19, 202350 min

Choosing Joy with Rochel Lazaroff

Human & Holy is currently on a season break! Season 4 of the podcast launches on Sunday, Nov. 26. Today’s episode is a re-airing of one of our most popular episodes from the first season of the podcast. || In this episode, I interviewed my mother, Rochel Lazaroff, about the definition of joy according to Chassidus. What does it mean to use our mind as the root of our emotions? How can we choose to live just a little bit more joyfully in our everyday life? || To sponsor an episode of Human &a...

Nov 12, 202355 min

Come As You Are with Raizel Deitsch

Human & Holy is currently on a season break! Season 4 of the podcast launches on Sunday, Nov. 26. Today’s episode is a re-airing of one of our most popular episodes from the first season of the podcast. || In this episode, I interviewed Raizel Deitsch about a verse from Mishlei which encourages us to ‘find G-d in all our ways’. Raizel speaks about giving herself permission to find G-d in the human corners of her life, which sparked her transition from an abstract relationship with G-d to one...

Nov 05, 202344 min

The Soul Makes a Promise with Nechama Caplan

Human & Holy is currently on a season break! Season 4 of the podcast launches on Sunday, Nov. 26. Today’s episode is a re-airing of one of our most popular episodes from the first season of the podcast. || In this episode, I interviewed Nechama Caplan about the promise the soul made before coming down into the body and how that oath inspires her daily life. Nechama speaks about shifting her consciousness away from the self and towards the divine, through intentional habit forming and conscio...

Oct 29, 202352 min

Expanding the Vessel with Dena Schusterman

Human & Holy is currently on a season break! Season 4 of the podcast launches on Sunday, Nov. 26. Today’s episode is a re-airing of one of our most popular episodes from the first season of the podcast. || In this episode, I interviewed Dena Shusterman, about how her understanding of Ein Sof, G-d’s limitlessness within the world and her own self, empowers her to make choices beyond her perceived limitations. She talks about expanding her family, stretching herself financially, and sometimes,...

Oct 22, 202350 min

When It Feels Impossible with Eta Cotlar

Human & Holy is currently on a season break! Season 4 of the podcast launches on Sunday, Nov. 26. Today’s episode is a re-airing of one of our most popular episodes from the first season of the podcast. Today's episode is dedicated to the safety and security of our Jewish nation and our Jewish family in Israel. || In this episode, I interviewed Eta Cotlar about her relationship with Bitachon. Eta tragically lost her 13 year old son, Mendel, and she talks about the paradoxes she lives with da...

Oct 15, 202349 min

Sukkos: Entering G-d’s Embrace

In honor of the holiday of Sukkos, join a group of women in discussing our experience of some of the key teachings of this special holiday. What does it mean to build a Sukkah of unity? What does it mean to be hugged by G-d when we enter the sukkah? How can we find the joy in the uncertainty of our temporary dwellings? Join us, for an intimate conversation about the deeper meaning of this beloved holiday. || This episode is the last episode of Season 3! Season 4 launches on Sunday, Nov. 26. Over...

Sep 24, 202343 min

Choosing Life Within Life with Raizy Metzger

What does it mean to choose our Judaism, not just in one, pivotal moment, but every day of our lives? How did Raizy move away from defining her life choices as a past experience and reimagining them as something she made every day? What does it mean to not only choose life — but to choose the juiciest, most precious life within the life we already have? || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.com/community. To...

Sep 10, 202346 min

Chai Elul: A Raw Farbrengen About Being A Chossid with Sima Goldstein

Based on a talk from the Lubavitcher Rebbe about Chai Elul, Sima and I discuss what it actually means to serve G-d in the deepest way possible, and how Chassidus invites us to bring our full selves to the table. Where do we struggle in bridging the gap between our desire for personal authenticity and our belief in our G-dly souls? How is that process an invitation to go deeper, and an opportunity to experience our Judaism in a more integrated, authentic way? || The sicha discussed in this episod...

Sep 03, 20231 hr

Did You Hear What I Meant to Say? with Sara Esther Crispe

How can we approach the people we care most about with clear communication? What can the mitzvah of mikvah teach us about the deepest level of communication in our romantic relationships? And in general, when it comes to all our relationships, how can we work from the inside out, so that we show up with our words in the most wholesome, connected way possible? || To get in touch with Sara Esther, email crispespeaking@yahoo.com. || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/...

Aug 27, 20231 hr 2 min

Returning to My Soul with Amanda Spiro

Cancer was Amanda’s catalyst to returning to her soul. How did the stillness of treatment force her to step off of the rat race of her life? How did it help her tune into the still, small voice inside that she’d had since she was a young girl, the voice that whispered that there was more to life than what could be seen on the surface? || Amanda can be reached via amandaspiro.com || This episode was sponsored by Devorah Bukiet, in honor of her special friend Amanda, who does incredible work, livi...

Aug 20, 202358 min

Making Space for My Humanity with Tzippy Piekarski

What blocks us from connecting deeply to the people around us? How do our futile attempts to circumvent our humanity, end up shutting us down from connecting to our loved ones and to G-d? Today, Tzippy Piekarski describes her struggle to connect with her loved ones, and how making space for her humanity ultimately allowed her to connect deeply with her soul and the world. || Tzippy can be reached via tzippypiekarski@gmail.com || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/s...

Aug 13, 202349 min

A Journey of Faith and Fashion with Joyce Azria

Joyce Azria is an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, daughter of BCBG’s late CEO Max Azria, and a woman who found her Judaism through some of the darkest moments of her life. What internal processes led her to where she is now? How does she maintain her equilibrium through the ups and downs of life as a businesswoman and mother? How did becoming fully aligned with her values allow her to step into her power within her home and the world? || This episode is a live podcast recording from the Na...

Aug 06, 202347 min

You Can’t Skip to the Happy Ending with Sandra Paul

Why do we feel the instinct to skip to the happy ending of our story? What makes us so resistant to the long way home? Based on the long short way described in Tanya, Sandra talks about all the ways she wishes she could skip to the destination, and what she does to keep herself anchored in the present. || To get in touch with Sandra, find her on instagram @shluchamama. || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.c...

Jul 30, 202346 min

Reclaiming the Choices of My Youth with Chana Kornfeld

Today, Chana Kornfeld speaks about her journey to owning the choices she made as a young person to have a large family, and get married at a young age. Based on a talk by the Lubavitcher Rebbe about our matriarch Rochel being buried on the side of the road – and the differences between giving wholeheartedly to others and a loaded martyrdom, Chana outlines her own journey of reclaiming the choices she made in the past and crafting a new way of giving to her family, her spouse, and to G-d. || The ...

Jul 23, 20231 hr 14 min

Curiosity as a Gateway to G-d with Olivia Schwartz

What does it mean to be truly open and curious to the world around us so that we can make space to hear G-d’s gentle hellos? How has Olivia’s life been so clearly guided by G-d’s hand, from her days seeking spirituality in India, to finding it in the birthright of her Jewish soul and the daily experience of meeting G-d? || Today’s episode is sponsored leilui nishmas Yaakov Yosef ben Avraham Akiva Halevi. To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our onlin...

Jul 16, 202353 min

Why I Began Covering My Hair with Esther Sitbon

Today, Esther Sitbon talks about the mitzvah of hair covering, how a medical scare led her to the wig salon and began her hair covering journey. Hear one woman’s precious story of how she began covering her hair, some teachings from Torah about hair covering that have guided her, and the advice she would give to other women on strengthening or beginning the journey. || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.com/...

Jul 09, 202351 min

A Conversation About Mikvah with Chassi Rivkin

What revived the public conversation about Mikvah? How can we educate our children about it, so the concept is natural to them as they age? And how can we, in our own lives, navigate the practical struggles that come up when observing the details of this process, and support each other in honoring this sacred mitzvah? || Chassi Rivkin is the Director of Operations at mikvah.org, an organization dedicated to bringing awareness and a deeper understanding of the mitzvah of Mikvah through online cou...

Jul 02, 202350 min

Turning Wings Into Roots with Rivka Gilles

What does full integration look like, for a woman who made the decision to choose Judaism later in life? Today, Rivka Gilles shares her journey to religious integration, what it has looked like for her to bring her full self to the table as a religious person, and how she navigates staying inspired through the grind of everyday life. || To find out more about The BT Center and to listen to Rivka’s podcast, Shuva Full Circle, visit btcenter.org || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit ...

Jun 25, 202347 min

Gimmel Tammuz: The Rebbe's Impact 29 Years Later

What impact has the Rebbe had on the lives of women who never met him? What teachings or life lessons guide them in their daily lives? Today, in honor of the 29th yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, hear from a group of women about the continuous impact the Rebbe's guidance has on their lives. || To sponsor an episode of the podcast, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.com/community. To become a patreon of the podcast, visit patreon.com/humanandholy.

Jun 18, 202342 min

The Rebbe Made Me Who I Am with Esther Sternberg

In honor of Gimmel Tammuz, which is the yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Mrs. Esther Sternberg shares her reflections from the hours she spent by the Rebbe’s side, managing the lines of women who came to receive dollars from the Rebbe and spearheading the Shabbos Candle Campaign. What are some of the unique moments that she experienced? What impact has the Rebbe had on her life? And what, to her, is the defining message of the Rebbe’s leadership? This episode is the first in a two part series ...

Jun 11, 202353 min

Teaching a Rock to Sing with Shira Jacobson

Can we teach our phones to be voices of G-dliness and clarity in our lives? Can we use our individual voices to help flood this world with more connection and truth? Today, Shira Jacobson shares her journey navigating technology as a medium to give and receive G-d’s wisdom, and discusses the practical boundaries and tools that have allowed her to show up online all these years. || Shira has raised millions of dollars for non-profits using social media as a channel to spread goodness in the world...

Jun 04, 202339 min

Life Is a Mirror with Rochel Flikshtein

How can we see the world clearly, beyond our personal projections and belief systems? Today, Rochel Flikshtein shares her journey to Judaism, and the shift she experienced when she outgrew her checklist and began to dive into the inner work that Chassidus made available to her. What tools have transformed the way she approaches her relationships? How has she learned to see life as a mirror that points her to where her inner growth lies? || To sponsor an episode of the podcast, visit humanandholy...

May 28, 20231 hr 5 min

Shavuos: Staying Awake to Life with Chana Rosa Bogart

Where do we resist the Torah in our physical lives? What expands us, and allows us to receive this divine gift each year? How do we seek to escape our lives, instead of leaning into the real work of the Torah’s integration? This conversation is based on a talk by the Lubavitcher Rebbe given on the second day of Shavuos, 5722. || To sponsor an episode of the podcast, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To become a patreon of the podcast, visit patreon.com/humanandholy. To join our online community, v...

May 21, 202345 min

Holding Our Identities Loosely with Dassi Zar

What happens when we lose cherished parts of our identities? Can we learn to hold our personas in this world more loosely, and allow for a softness in our personal evolution? How can we identify more strongly with our Yechidah, so that we can give to the world without becoming overly attached to what our expressions say about who we are? || To sponsor an episode, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To become a patreon of the podcast, visit patreon.com/humanandholy. To join our online community, visi...

May 14, 202345 min

The Blessing of a Broken Heart with Sherri Mandell

Sherri Mandell is an Israeli-American author, mother and activist. In May 2001, her thirteen-year-old son, Koby, was murdered by terrorists near their home in Tekoa. How has the most painful experience of her life opened her up to what lies beyond this world? How can we find blessing and beauty in the cracks of our broken hearts? || To become a patron of the podcast, visit patreon.com/humanandholy. To sponsor an episode, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanan...

May 07, 202350 min

A Life Made of Miracles with Sarah Korn

What does it mean to pay attention to the miracles our lives are built on? How can we avoid that sneaky cynicism that attempts to derail us from seeing G-d’s hand? Based on a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe about a Jew's life being built on miracles, Sarah Korn talks about opening our eyes to seeing the miraculousness of our lives. || To support Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor or email us at info@humanandholy.com. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.com/community.

Apr 30, 202352 min

The Kabbalah of Color with Nechama Yaffe

What is the deeper meaning of color, from the perspective of Torah and Kabbalah? What do the colors of the Kohen’s clothing teach us about the significance of the colors of our own? How did Avraham Ibn Ezra depict the concept of color palettes long before it exploded in the mainstream? This is our deep dive into color – not just through color palettes and seasons, but through the various ways color impacts the way we feel and express ourselves. || To support Human & Holy, visit humanandholy....

Apr 23, 202355 min

A Flicker of Faith with Malki Rodal

Today, Malki Rodal shares her story of kasis l'maor -- of life's crushing challenges and the tiny ways we turn them into sources of light. TW: Malki speaks about pregnancy loss in this episode. || To support Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.com/community.

Apr 16, 20231 hr 6 min
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