This week Uri speaks with the eclectic and fascinating Dr. Moshe Koppel. They discuss Koppel's new book, as well as his political work advising members of Knesset, his work with machine learning and artificial intelligence, his rivalry with Google, and more. To purchase Judaism Straight Up by Moshe Koppel visit https://korenpub.com/products/judaism-straight-up Review of the book https://www.jpost.com/judaism/computer-scientist-explains-and-challenges-religion-in-new-book-653131 Authorship Analys...
Jan 22, 2021•49 min
Somehow almost a full year has passed since Covid has entered our lives, and although the vaccine is certainly some much needed good news, especially coming at a time of rising cases and hospitalizations, the vaccine comes along with its own set of challenges. The primary question being, who should get the vaccine first and what should be the hierarchy of recipients as the vaccine is rolled out over the next few months? An example of this that hit close to home for a lot of us was the story that...
Dec 31, 2020•42 min
Chanukah has come and gone but we are still in the midst of the "holiday season"! This week Rivky and Uri speak with special guest Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern about an article he wrote in Tablet Magazine last week. The article is titled "Why I Won't Let My Kids Watch That Very Special Christmas Episode". We talk to Stu about what motivated him to write the article, some of the feedback he's gotten about it, the tension between particularism and universalism, and more! Links: Tablet Article - https://w...
Dec 23, 2020•37 min
It's Hanukkah! Chanukah! Hannukkahh! That can only mean one thing - it's time for us to be told, on the pages of national newspapers, what the meaning of Chanukah is. So...what is it? Is it about the victory of nationalism over assimilation? Is it about finding light in the darkness? Something else entirely? In this week's episode, Uri and Rivky definitively come up with an answer. You're welcome. Ari Lamm: https://nypost.com/2020/12/09/why-the-cultural-elite-truly-despises-hanukkah/Sarah Prager...
Dec 17, 2020•31 min
This week, signs started popping up around Washington Heights, telling residents about a public meeting considering changing the name of Bennett Park, named after a famous (and racist) New Yorker. As we ponder this name change, we wonder: when is it appropriate to change a name, or take down a statue? Who should be deemed worthy of a statue, or naming of a park, or a school, or a street, or anything else, if anyone? And the most important question, can Tach-heads join the meeting en masse and pu...
Dec 02, 2020•35 min
Election Day! This year, more than ever, it feels like "Jewish values" and even halachic arguments seem to have made their way to the forefront of politics in the observant community - including rabbis and halachic authorities making an explicit pitch for a candidate. Is this good? Bad? Should rabbis stay out of politics, and should the only authorities on political matters be Rivky and Uri? https://www.timesofisrael.com/thank-you-rabbis-trump-tweets-after-support-letter-from-13-orthodox-leaders...
Nov 03, 2020•40 min
Last week, Americans for Peace Now held a Yitzhak Rabin 25-Year Memorial Event, remembering the Israeli politician, statesman, and general, 25 years after his assassination. US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising star in the progressive wing of the Democratic party, had been scheduled to attend the commemoration, but withdrew after backlash from journalists and Palestinian civil rights groups. Uri and Rivky ask, why did AOC decide not to participate? Was she wrong? And fundamentally...
Oct 27, 2020•43 min
Many of us have been shocked by mainstream news stories about very large weddings and other Orthodox gatherings in Brooklyn, large resistance to people wearing masks, and even protests that have turned violent. This week, Uri and Rivky speak to Dovid Teitelbaum, to try to understand how the ultra-Orthodox or charedi community is handling the pandemic, and why. Since March, Dovid has been active on social media, posting and writing constantly, trying to raise awareness in the Jewish community abo...
Oct 22, 2020•50 min
Rosh Hashanah and the holiday season are fast approaching. There are all kinds of spiritual and logistical preparations that many of us have already begun, but let's not forget...food. In particular, meat. What does Judaism have to say about our meat-eating habits? The Jewish sources on eating meat are somewhat nuanced. Are we meant to be vegetarians, or is that left-wing moralism? More broadly, how should we be thinking about this issue? BONUS: Stay until the end for an interview with Anna Hana...
Sep 10, 2020•45 min
This week, Uri and Rivky are joined by Rabbi Denise Handlarski, the creator and leader of the online community Secular Synagogue. She talks about leading a secular congregation, being a humanist rabbi, what makes Jewish identity/religion important, and the challenges and strengths of intermarriage.
Sep 02, 2020•55 min
This week, Uri and Rivky play clips from and discuss Seth Rogen's recent appearance on WTF with Marc Maron. Seth and Marc got into fascinating - and Jewy - discussions, which we jump off of, about the lies they were fed about Israel in their childhood, the value of marrying another Jew, chasidic Jews, how they define the “chosen people,” and how their grandparents might reflect on them, looking at their lives today. WTF: http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1143-seth-rogen Israel Hayom: https:/...
Aug 13, 2020•43 min
This week, Uri and Rivky spoke to Yossi Klein Halevi, American-born Israeli author and journalist. Halevi had a lot to say about last week's guest, Peter Beinart, and his recent article calling for a one-state solution. He also talked about the difference between dialogue with Palestinians and dialogue with left-wing Jews, and shared reflections on 15 years after the disengagement from Gaza. Links: Letter To My Neighbor Website: https://www.letterstomyneighbor.com/ Yossi Klein Halevi's books: ht...
Jul 30, 2020•49 min
This week, Uri and Rivky sit down for a thought-provoking conversation with journalist and political commentator Peter Beinart. Beinart has made a recent splash in his recent political conversion: he no longer believes in a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine; rather, Beinart sees hope in a single secular binational state, with equal rights for Jews and Palestinians. Uri and Rivky ask him about fears for this new state, if he's given up on both Israeli and Palestinian self-determination,...
Jul 20, 2020•55 min
Last week, DeSean Jackson, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, found himself in hot water after posting several insensitive social media posts about Jews. Though he was widely condemned, he was also supported, by fans, teammates, and too many others. Uri and Rivky talk about Jackson's posts and his apologies, and ask, what makes this bigotry different than other bigotry? Related links: Malcolm Jenkins on Drew Brees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljO-TXjk3-Y Malcom Jenkins on DeSean Jacks...
Jul 14, 2020•41 min
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, the longtime leader of Yeshiva University and staunch believer in centrist Orthodoxy, passed away two weeks ago. This week, Uri and Rivky speak to his grandson, Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, about Rabbi Lamm's legacy, including his complex approach to divisive issues, how his sermons speak to us through every generation, and his rabbinic leadership. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/obituaries/Norman-Lamm-Dead.html
Jun 16, 2020•50 min
This week, Uri and Rivky discuss the tragic death of George Floyd, and the countrywide protests that have been taking place in response. Links: NYT timeline of events https://www.nytimes.com/article/george-floyd-protests-timeline.html Trevor Noah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c&t=958s
Jun 02, 2020•58 min
Ignoring the strict guidance from rabbinic and medical leadership, several members of Young Israel of Deerfield Beach held a "secret" minyan - and the response has been swift and fierce. Uri and Rivky ask, were the consequences appropriate? How should we treat people who go rogue? Letter from YIDB leadership: https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/featured/1860074/read-this-letter-florida-shul-to-throw-our-members-who-attended-rouge-minyan.html Elon Musk on Joe Rogan Podcast https://www.youtube.co...
May 15, 2020•40 min
This week, the cohosts of the Joy of Text podcast, Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus and Rabbi Dov Linzer, speak to Uri and Rivky about their podcast, how to live with the clashes that can come up between Judaism and sexuality, and what healthy sex education could look like in the Orthodox school system.
May 07, 2020•44 min
Danny Senter is many things: a rabbi, EMT, car enthusiast, beekeeper, umpire, clock repairperson, forager, beer brewer...and that's just the beginning. This week, Uri and Rivky speak to the most interesting man in Teaneck about his reflections on the coronavirus pandemic from his perspective as an EMT, as a rabbi in Teaneck, the epicenter in NJ, and about having so many unusual hobbies in the observant community. Beekeeping links: http://njbees.com/index.html https://youtu.be/mjODllEBUm8?t=534
Apr 22, 2020•34 min
Many of us look around and are driven to despair. But this week, Uri and Rivky speak to Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl, head of school at the Kohelet Yeshiva, about how Kohelet has pivoted in the last few weeks, fabricating special face shields for local Philadelphia medical professionals who are on the front lines battling COVID-19. Rabbi Perl tells us how this project came about, why he sees this as fitting perfectly into the educational model of Kohelet, and how he sees the lessons going forward into a p...
Apr 07, 2020•28 min
We're now finishing our third full week of social distancing due to COVID-19. It's been draining, isolating, and painful for many of us, but as our guest Marc Fein reminds us, loneliness and isolation isn't new, for many members of our community. Uri and Rivky talk to Marc about mental health in the Jewish community, tips for handling solo seders, and how we can be resources to one another during this difficult time. Marc, What I Be project, http://whatibeproject.com/portfolio-item/i-am-not-my-r...
Apr 02, 2020•31 min
This week has been another heavy week. Many of us are seeing illness and even death within our circles, and even beyond that, changed routines, loss of control, and anxiety are pervading our lives. Uri and Rivky speak to Dr. Aviva Goldstein, an educator and family counselor based in Jerusalem, about how to deal with the overwhelming anxiety many of us, including children, are facing about the unknown and the future. https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-kids-of-corona-cultivating-character/ https:...
Mar 30, 2020•32 min
This week, Rivky and Uri speak with Michael Berkowitz, founder of luxury outerwear brand Norwegian Wool. They discuss how Covid-19 has affected New Rochelle, how it has affected his business (much of which is based in Italy) and they touch on some broader takeaways from the crisis we've all been thrown into over the last few weeks. Links: Norwegian Wool: https://norwegian-wool.com/
Mar 25, 2020•51 min
As we try to get used to our new reality, we hope everyone is staying safe and staying home. This week we spoke with Rabbi Heshie Billet from the Young Israel of Woodmere to get an idea of what he has been dealing with in his community and beyond (and for some much needed humor!).
Mar 17, 2020•25 min
This week, with Coronavirus spreading around the world, we hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Instead of addressing the current crisis, we want to take you back to a simpler time, specifically 3 weeks ago... After our episode with Arun Viswanath, Uri had a conversation with his grandparents. They talk about their families, their childhood, and their relationship with the Yiddish language.
Mar 11, 2020•1 hr 4 min
This week, Uri and Rivky interview special guest Rabbi Daniel Atwood - yes, that Rabbi Daniel Atwood. Daniel talks about how the recent YCT brouhaha upended his life, changed the way he thought, and has affected him in the year since. They also discuss what the boundaries of Orthodoxy are (or should be), what it means to be an Orthodox leader, and how being gay impacts him as a rabbi.
Mar 04, 2020•54 min
This week, Uri and Rivky interview special guest Rabbi Ben Greenfield. Over the last few years, Ben has created and coordinated hundreds of Jewish communal events, including a Yom Hashoah levaya, a Yom "Ki"Purim celebration, Shavuot seders, and Hanukkah symposiums. We talk about what some of these rituals look like and we ask, what is this? What does it mean about us that we are creating new ritual? Is it even Orthodox to do things like this?? They also discuss what it means to be a rabbinic lea...
Feb 24, 2020•51 min
This week, on our very special 100th episode, Uri and Rivky interviewed Arun Viswanath, who recently translated and published the Yiddish translation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (ALREADY SOLD OUT!!). Arun, Uri, and Rivky discuss the new book and ask, what is Yiddish and why is it important? Why shouldn’t we let it die? How is Yiddish similar, or different, to other religious cultural aspects? And, can Yiddish be separated from Judaism? (P.S. Recognize the dulcet tones on that Yiddis...
Feb 12, 2020•37 min
Kobe Bryant, basketball legend, died last week at the age of 41 in a sudden accident. Immediately, as often seems to happen, people flocked to social media, some posting about the amazing player and person he was, and others reminding us that he is still accused of rape and assault. And, of course, legacies are complicated. How does this Kobe situation, from 15 years ago, relate to “cancel culture” - does it? How “bad” does accusations about a person have to be, to be a part of their legacy? How...
Feb 05, 2020•30 min
This week, Uri and Rivky discuss two topics about the mixing (or lack thereof) of religion and politics. In Israel, Rav Yoel Bin Nun denounced religious Zionist politics parties, and argued that religious leadership in the Knesset has been an epic failure. In America, Espizona vs. Montana is just another event in the saga of the separation of church and state. Uri and Rivky ask, is there room for the mixing of religion and politics? What place, if any, should religion have in the public sphere, ...
Jan 29, 2020•36 min
