What happens when two of the world’s oldest and most influential religions—Judaism and Catholicism—stand side by side? Today, we explore the shared roots, divergent paths, painful history, and surprising points of connection between these two traditions. From ancient Israel to Vatican II, from the Hebrew Bible to the New Testament, and from centuries of tension to moments of true dialogue, we ask: What do Jews and Catholics really believe about one another? How have theology, politics, and histo...
May 02, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Part 2! Egypt is one of the most historied and longest existing places in the world. It's pivotal to understand the history of this place in order to know what's happening now. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and ...
Apr 04, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Egypt is one of the most historied and longest existing places in the world. It's pivotal to understand the history of this place in order to know what's happening now. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work...
Mar 19, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 11
We often imagine Jordan as an ancient kingdom that goes back centuries, but it's a new nation state that has an unusual history. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro ...
Feb 26, 2025•55 min
This week we dive into the history of Gaza, who owns it, who has ruled it and how is it such a central part of what is happening in the world today? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with ...
Feb 09, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 10
As we enter a radical revolution in technology since the industrial revolution does progress always mean we will be kinder and more ethical? Why is monotheism a marker of a moral civilization? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Register for the new Week...
Jan 30, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Part 3 - This week we are continuing into the long and storied history of Christianity. What is the modern relationship between Christians and Jews and why? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zo...
Jan 23, 2025•57 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Part 2 - This week we are delving into the long and storied history of Christianity. We are beginning thousands of years ago and looking into the historical figure of Jesus and who the first proponents of this religion were and how it related to the Jewish narrative. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understa...
Jan 16, 2025•42 min
This week we are delving into the long and storied history of Christianity. We are beginning thousands of years ago and looking into the historical figure of Jesus and who the first proponents of this religion were and how it related to the Jewish narrative. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what i...
Jan 12, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 6
What is Turkey and who actually runs it? How does it now figure into what is happening in Syria and The Middle East and who will they align with - the Sunnis or the Shiites in this historical shift of allegiances and borders right now. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and pla...
Jan 02, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Is Syria a nation? What is the ancient and modern history of this failed state and how does it impact what is possible now that it has been fundamentally dismantled? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Cou...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 4
What a night. Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie discuss the election results and how the Middle East is impacted with a change in the US Administration and what we can see coming from what happened in the last few decades. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Reg...
Nov 06, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Join us for a discussion and look as the history of the relationship between the US and Israel in this pre-election episode. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro ht...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Season 4 kicks off with a macro view of where in Jewish history we are right now. Sometimes it's hard to recognize we are literally living through seismic historical events when you are right in the middle of it. This is what is happening right now for the Jewish people and seeing where we are on the historical timeline helps us understand why the stakes are so high and what we can do to move things forward in the best way possible. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the b...
Oct 13, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 1
This week we are delving into the history and definition of the terms Dati Leumi, Religious Zionism, Modern Orthodox and Mizrachi to name a few. Who is this important section of the religious community and why do we know so little about it in North America? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 27
A bit of a continuation of the last episode. What are Western Values? What is it about America and Israel that people both love and hate? How do we make sure we don't fall prey to what ended the other great empires and countries of history? Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro https://www.myjfi.com/events-and-classes Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work at www.KenSpiro.com Learn more about Ell...
Sep 18, 2024•58 min•Season 3Ep. 27
What is really going on between Israel and Iran? Is western democracy really what we think it is, and why are America and Israel seen as partners? Perhaps liberal values are not what we thought they were... This week we are learning the history of Lebanon and Hezbollah and trying to understand why they are involved at all in this war. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro https://www.myjfi.com/events-and-classes Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spir...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 26
This week we are learning the history of Lebanon and Hezbollah and trying to understand why they are involved at all in this war. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro https://www.myjfi.com/events-and-classes Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work at www.KenSpiro.com Learn more about Ellie Bass and her work at www.elliebass.com Learn more about The Jewish Family Institut...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 25
In this episode, Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass explore the evolving political landscape of Western Jewish communities, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023, events. The discussion delves into the shifting political affiliations among Jews, with a noticeable trend towards the political right as concerns about antisemitism and Israel's security become more pronounced. The hosts examine the historical context of left-wing antisemitism, tracing its roots in early socialism and Marxism, a...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 23
In response to Ellie's student reading on of Ilan's books, we take a tour of some of his claims and take his narrative of events to task in order to really understand the origins of Israel and the importance of nuance. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future....
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 23
This week Rabbi Spiro and Ellie are discussing the Jewish history and perspective on war and peace, the history of the UN and how Judeo-Christian values were the foundation stone upon which the rules of engagement were created. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for th...
Aug 15, 2024•57 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In this episode we are digging into the history of Iran and why they are the major agitator in the region and why it's important to address them as one of the central pillars of this conflict. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Check out more about Rabb...
Jul 15, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Join Rabbi Spiro and Ellie as they discuss Shavout and what it means to be a Jewish people and how do we see this holiday as a reminder of our mission.
Jun 11, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 24
What is it that the protestors are really fighting for? Western civilization is really what is being questioned and fought against, let's talk about how and why. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work at ...
May 13, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie jump back on for a special episode discussion the game changing events of this last weekend as Iran fires directly on Israel, and how this relates to our history and the 3337th Seder that the Jewish people are about to partake in. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is ...
Apr 17, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 20
What happens if God forbid Israel loses, and Hamas achieves its aims and wipes it out? What are the broader global implications of a Middle East with no Israel? Understanding this is key to understanding what is happening right now in that region and around the world. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can underst...
Apr 17, 2024•57 min•Season 3Ep. 19
When we talk about Radical Islam what do we mean? In this episode we are trying to define our terms and understand some of the history of the Middle East, Hamas and Israel and what the west and the rest of the world mean when they use these terms. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening...
Apr 03, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 18
As the war continues on for more than 140 days, the tensions between the religious world and the secular in Israel are beginning to show up again, this time over the long history of who should serve in the army and all that entails. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan f...
Feb 29, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 17
When we say we want peace what does that mean? A ceasefire? Unicorns and rainbows? A tenuous pause or a lasting connection? In this episode Rabbi Spiro and Ellie discover what is the true meaning of peace from a Jewish perspective and what are the chances of "peace in the Middle East" now? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way b...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 16
Redeeming captives and hostages is not a new task in the annals of Jewish history. This discussion talks about what is a hostage vs a prisoner, what are some of the Jewish laws around negotiating for hostages release, and what is our history of getting them back and how does this help us understand what is happening today with over 102 hostages still in captivity in Gaza? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 15
