Hearing the Message and Taking Action with Alan Putter

In this episode I open up about something that’s been weighing heavily on me, the messages Hashem sends us through world events and how we choose to respond. Before introducing my guest, my brother-in-law Alan Putter, I reflect on patterns throughout Jewish history, rooted in Torah, that show us what happens when we either forget to stay holy and distinct or fall into baseless hatred.

Alan joins me to share what he did after October 7th that truly inspired me. While many of us were outraged or overwhelmed, he took action. He flew to Israel and volunteered on IDF bases, doing the quiet but essential work that keeps everything running - folding uniforms, cleaning weapons, preparing food. No glamour, just humility and impact.

This conversation is both personal and national. It’s about recognizing Hashem’s voice in the chaos, choosing unity over division, and remembering why we’re here as a people. If we can take these messages to heart, maybe we won’t need to be shaken awake again.

• If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with Sar-El, visit https://www.sar-el.org.
• Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.