Judaism Unbound - podcast cover

Judaism Unbound

Institute for the Next Jewish Futurewww.judaismunbound.com
Listen in as Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg analyze pressing issues for 21st century American Judaism. Mixing their own analysis with interviews of leading thinkers, practitioners, and even "regular Jews," Dan and Lex look to push past the bounds of what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century. You can support Judaism Unbound at www.JudaismUnbound.com/donate.

Episodes

Episode 209: Wait...Soft Matzah? - Barry Dolinger, Naomi Baine

Barry Dolinger and Naomi Baine , co-founders of Mitzvah Matzos , join Dan and Lex for a conversation in which they explain that — despite what you’ve heard — matzah isn’t always hard like a cracker! More than that, they’re offering a new avenue for you, in eating it, to directly contribute to the betterment of our world. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help to support our kickstarter campaign , currently underway to fund our book project, Judaism Unbound: Bound. Support Judaism Unbou...

Feb 14, 202057 min

Episode 208: Yiddish...Nu? - Dan and Lex

Dan and Lex have one word for you, listeners……Nu? Just kidding, they have many thousands of words to offer in this episode, which concludes a unit of conversations about Yiddish language and culture in America. This episode is the sixth and final episode in a series produced in collaboration with the Yiddish Book Center , as part of its Decade of Discovery initiative, in honor of 40 years since the Yiddish Book Center’s founding. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help to support our ki...

Feb 07, 202050 min

Bonus Episode: A Pluralism of Necessity - Rena Yehuda Newman

In this special episode, 2019 Judaism Unbound and New Voices Fellow Rena Yehuda Newman (they/them) explores a new concept called “Pluralism of Necessity,” when communities are formed not because their members have much in common, but because they need each other. Click here to check out the shownotes for this bonus episode, including a bio of Rena Yehuda Newman and some questions about the episode for you to explore....

Feb 05, 20201 hr 15 min

Episode 207: American History of Yiddish - Tony Michels

Tony Michels , the George L. Mosse professor of American Jewish History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about the evolving role of Yiddish in America, from the late-19th century through the present. This episode is the fifth in a series of episodes produced in collaboration with the Yiddish Book Center , as part of its Decade of Discovery initiative, in honor of 40 years since the Yiddish Book Center’s founding. If you're enjoying Ju...

Jan 31, 202046 min

Episode 206: "Practical" Isn't the Point - Sandy Fox

Sandy Fox , American Jewish historian and host of Vaybertaytsh , a “feminist podcast for the Yiddish-speaking and the Yiddish-curious,” joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation that weaves together the topics of Yiddish, podcasting, summer camp, gender, and much more. (Fox is also known among Yiddish-speakers as סאָסיע־פֿריידל). This episode is the fourth in a series of episodes produced in collaboration with the Yiddish Book Center , as part of its Decade of Discovery initiative, ...

Jan 24, 202052 min

Episode 205: A Yiddish Family - Asya Vaisman Schulman, Seb Schulman

Asya Vaisman Schulman and Sebastian Schulman join Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg to talk about each of their individual relationships to Yiddish language and culture, along with their collective relationship to Yiddish that is embodied through their nuclear family. This episode is the third in a series of episodes produced in collaboration with the Yiddish Book Center , as part of its Decade of Discovery initiative, in honor of 40 years since the Yiddish Book Center’s founding. If you're enjoying...

Jan 17, 202044 min

Episode 204: Confronting Yiddish Shame - Naomi Seidman

Naomi Seidman , the Chancellor Jackman Professor of the Arts at the University of Toronto’s Department for the Study of Religion, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation looking at Yiddish’s intersections with politics, translation, gender, and shame. This episode is the second in a series of episodes produced in collaboration with the Yiddish Book Center , as part of its Decade of Discovery initiative, in honor of 40 years since the Yiddish Book Center’s founding. If you're enjoy...

Jan 10, 202046 min

Bonus Episode: Shmoozing About Yiddish (Dan on "The Shmooze" Podcast)

Dan Libenson shifts from his usual role as co-host to one of guest! He appears on the Yiddish Book Center's podcast, entitled "The Shmooze," where he engages in conversation with host Lisa Newman about Judaism Unbound, some initial takeaways from our current series about Yiddish in America, and more. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!...

Jan 07, 202034 min

Episode 203: Yiddish in America - Aaron Lansky

Aaron Lansky , founder of the Yiddish Book Center and winner of a MacArthur Fellowship (also known as the MacArthur “Genius Grant”), joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about the beginnings of the Yiddish Book Center, along with the role that Yiddish continues to play in American life today. This episode is the first in a series of episodes produced in collaboration with the Yiddish Book Center, as part of its Decade of Discovery initiative, in honor of 40 years since the Yidd...

Jan 03, 202045 min

Episode 202: The Texts are Dancing - Ruth Calderon

Ruth Calderon , a former member of Israel’s parliament and the founder of two organizations (Elul and Alma: Home for Hebrew Culture ) blending traditional Jewish study with contemporary Jewish culture, joins Dan and Lex for a conversation about how to blend traditional Jewish sources with a radical spirit of contemporary creativity. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! T...

Dec 27, 201948 min

Episode 201: Marathons and Sprints - Aaron Katler

Aaron Katler , CEO of UpStart , joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation that looks at ideas of Jewish change, creativity, and urgency through the metaphor of “marathons” and “sprints.” If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here ....

Dec 20, 201947 min

Episode 200: Educating Ourselves - Benay Lappe

Benay Lappe , founder of SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva , joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg as a co-host for this conversation, as the three of them look forward toward the future of Jewish education and reflect back on 200 episodes of the Judaism Unbound podcast. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here ....

Dec 13, 201957 min

Episode 199: Learning Judaism - Abby Eisenberg

Abby Eisenberg , an independent Jewish educator and life cycle officiant, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg in a conversation that asks what it would mean to conceptualize our Jewish practices as “Learning Judaism,” through which the continual engagement with Jewish texts would be centered above any particular relationship to Jewish law or belief. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by...

Dec 06, 201945 min

Episode 198: Jews are People - Darren Kleinberg

Darren Kleinberg , the Head of School at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto, California, wants to remind you that Jews are human beings. He also wants you to remember that Judaism is not about Judaism. He joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg to explain what those two sentences mean, and why both are of the utmost importance. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To a...

Nov 29, 201948 min

Episode 197: Religious Heresy - Jay Michaelson

Jay Michaelson , who works as a columnist for The Daily Beast and as an editor for Ten Percent Happier , joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg about spirituality, heresy, and the prefix “un,” all through the lens of his new book, Enlightenment by Trial and Error . If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here ....

Nov 22, 201949 min

Episode 196: Becoming Eve - Abby Stein

Abby Stein , author of Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman , joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about how the topics of gender, fundamentalism, peoplehood, “tolerance,” and more intersect with one another in Jewish communities and beyond. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode...

Nov 15, 201952 min

Episode 195: Judaisms? - Aaron Hahn Tapper

Aaron Hahn Tapper , author of Judaisms: A Twenty-First-Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities and founding Director of the University of San Francisco’s Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice , joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg to talk about why, when talking about Jews and Jewish practice, you should add an “s” to the end of “Judaism.” If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judais...

Nov 08, 201957 min

Episode 194: Funding the Future - Barry Finestone, Josh Miller

Barry Finestone , President and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation , and Josh Miller , its Chief Program Officer,join Judaism Unbound to discuss the Foundation’s recently-completed process of rethinking and resetting its strategic approach to grantmaking in its main area of focus, Jewish education and learning. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes ...

Nov 01, 201955 min

Episode 193: Overhauling Jewish Education - Dan Mendelsohn Aviv

Dan Mendelsohn Aviv , the head of curriculum and design for Adraba (an innovative new educational institution in Toronto), returns to Judaism Unbound to speak with Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg about ways in which Jewish education could be radically re-envisioned. This conversation is the 7th in an ongoing unit of Judaism Unbound episodes on the theme of Jewish education. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Sup...

Oct 25, 201949 min

Episode 192: Online Jewish Learning - Danielle Eskow

Danielle Eskow , co-founder and CEO of Online Jewish Learning , joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about leading one of the few for-profit businesses in a field (Jewish education) that is mostly made up of non-profit organizations. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here ....

Oct 18, 201946 min

Episode 191: Jewish Kids Groups - Ana Robbins, Neshama Littman

Ana Robbins and Neshama Littman join Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about Jewish Kids Groups , an innovative Atlanta organization that Robbins serves as Executive Director and Littman serves as Sunday Families Director. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here ....

Oct 11, 201950 min

Episode 190: Jewish Camps, Jewish Utopias - Avi Orlow

Avi Orlow , Vice-President for innovation and education at The Foundation for Jewish Camp , joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation that explores summer camp as a site for Jewish education. This episode is the 4th in an ongoing series of podcasts on American-Jewish education. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, c...

Oct 04, 201954 min

Bonus Episode: Emma Goldman - Judith Rosenbaum (American Jewish History #6)

Judith Rosenbaum , the Executive Director of the Jewish Women's Archive , joins Judaism Unbound on the ground at the National Museum of American Jewish History . In conversation with Lex Rofeberg, she looks at the life and activism of Emma Goldman. This bonus episode is part of a series of bonus episodes, recorded in partnership with the American Jewish Historical Society and the National Museum of American Jewish History. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going wit...

Oct 02, 201912 min

Bonus Episode: Irving Berlin - Judah Cohen (American Jewish History #5)

Judah Cohen , the Lou and Sybil Mervis Professor of Jewish Culture at Indiana University, joins Judaism Unbound on the ground at the National Museum of American Jewish History . In conversation with Lex Rofeberg, he looks at the story of 20th century composer Irving Berlin. This bonus episode is part of a series of bonus episodes, recorded in partnership with the American Jewish Historical Society and the National Museum of American Jewish History. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please hel...

Oct 02, 201913 min

Bonus Episode: Sheyndele the Cantor/Sheyndele di Chazante - Judah Cohen (American Jewish History #4)

Judah Cohen , the Lou and Sybil Mervis Professor of Jewish Culture at Indiana University, joins Judaism Unbound on the ground at the National Museum of American Jewish History . In conversation with Lex Rofeberg, he looks at the story of an often-overlooked historical figure -- Sheyndele di chazante (Sheyndele the cantor). This bonus episode is part of a series of bonus episodes, recorded in partnership with the American Jewish Historical Society and the National Museum of American Jewish Histor...

Oct 02, 201915 min

Episode 189: Six Days a Week - Tiffany Shlain

Tiffany Shlain , author of 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about her weekly practice of “Tech Shabbat.” If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here ....

Sep 27, 201945 min

Bonus Episode: Elul #8 - Uncertainty

Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash talk about the “holi-month” known as Elul, directly preceding the Jewish New Year. It is observed through a journey of introspection and personal growth. This “mini-episode” is the 4th of four that were released as part of Elul Unbound 2019 . To listen to any or all of the four episodes that were part of Elul Unbound 2018 , click here . Sign up for Elul Unbound: SVARA-Style , a first-of-its-kind chance to learn Talmud in a traditionally-radical and traditio...

Sep 22, 201923 min

Episode 188: The Art of Jewish Education - Alicia Jo Rabins

Alicia Jo Rabins , the educator, artist, and midrashist ( what’s that?? — you’ll have to listen!) who created the Girls in Trouble curriculum, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about Jewish music, art, interpretation, and education. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here . And don't forget: Elul Unb...

Sep 20, 201944 min

Bonus Episode: Elul #7 - Autumn

Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash talk about the “holi-month” known as Elul, directly preceding the Jewish New Year. It is observed through a journey of introspection and personal growth. This “mini-episode” is the 3rd of four that will be released as part of Elul Unbound 2019 . To listen to any or all of the four episodes that were part of Elul Unbound 2018 , click here . Experience the journey of Elul Unbound, through a piece of Elul content arriving daily in your inbox, by signing up at ...

Sep 15, 201915 min

Episode 187: Child-Centered Jewish Education - Rebecca Milder

Rebecca Milder , Founding Director of the Jewish Enrichment Center in Chicago, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about rooting Jewish education in empathy, text study, and creative expression. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! To access full shownotes for this episode, click here ....

Sep 13, 201942 min