Rabbi Wildes sits down with Shabbos Kestenbaum to talk about Jewish identity, leadership, and the growing hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people — from elite universities to global politics. They discuss Shabbos’ lawsuit against Harvard, media narratives on Iran, and the importance of Jewish education rooted in values, not just victimhood. A timely and honest conversation about unity, resistance, and hope for the Jewish future.
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 197
Judaism doesn’t dismiss beauty—but it doesn’t worship it either. This episode begins with our human hunger for beauty, journeys through the tension between Greek and Jewish ideals, and arrives at a distinctly Jewish idea of beauty: one that’s rooted in holiness, shaped by restraint, and never far from the divine. We explore beauty’s power, its purpose, and its place on the path toward the divine.
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 196
Last night at MJE’s Yom HaShoah event, we had the honor of hearing from Dr. Aliza Erber, a Holocaust survivor, medical doctor, and chaplain. As a hidden child during the war, Dr. Erber lost both of her parents in concentration camps. Her story was raw, powerful, and deeply moving. Over 100 people gathered to hear her speak and every single one left impacted. What made the evening even more meaningful was her honesty. She didn’t sugarcoat the trauma, and in doing so, gave everyone present a deepe...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 195
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes is joined by Dr. Noam Weissman, the voice behind the acclaimed podcast Unpacking Israeli History. Together, they dive deep into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, explore the historical roots of Gaza, and ask the difficult questions: Is the two-state solution still viable? How should Israel be taught to the next generation—both Jewish and non-Jewish? What role does bias, history, and education play in shaping our understanding of Z...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 194
In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, we sit down with Natan Sharansky, a Soviet dissident, human rights activist, and former Israeli politician. Sharansky shares his harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in the Soviet Gulag, where he endured nine years of imprisonment, and his fight for Jewish freedom during the Cold War. We dive into: ✅ His extraordinary journey from Soviet oppression to Israeli leadership ✅ The refusenik movement and the struggle of Jews in the USSR ✅ How he sur...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 193
What does it take to turn unimaginable tragedy into a source of strength and inspiration? 💔➡️💪 In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, I sit down with Rabbanit Racheli Frankel, a true beacon of resilience and wisdom. After losing her son Naftali in 2014, she has dedicated her life to uniting the Jewish people and strengthening our faith. 🇮🇱✨ We dive deep into: 🔹 How her personal loss connects to the pain of October 7th 🔹 The emotional complexity of hostage negotiations 🔹 Rising antise...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 192
In this episode, rapper and activist Kosha Dillz takes us on a journey through his music, identity, and resilience. From performing on college campuses and tackling misconceptions about Israel to crafting lyrics that resonate and spark dialogue, Kosha shares the highs and challenges of his unique path. He opens up about overcoming addiction, the influence of Jewish values like tzedakah, and the strength that carried him through tough times. We also dive into his creative process, his experiences...
Dec 26, 2024•52 min•Ep. 191
Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, a longtime friend of MJE and a true testament to perseverance and vision. Born blind, Justice Bernstein has defied expectations, becoming a trailblazer in law, an advocate for peace, and a marathon runner who challenges limits in every aspect of life. In this episode, we delve into his remarkable journey, including his role in advancing the Abraham Accords and promoting peace in the Middle E...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 190
0:00 Introduction 1:32 Academic Pursuits & Religious Values 14:48 Misunderstandings of Observance 21:20 Judaism in Politics 31:04 The Limits of Orthodox Theology 44:54 Challenges Facing Jewish Identity 53:44 How to Handle Israel Condemnation 1:03:28 Student Interest in Judaism 1:09:57 Wrapping Up
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 189
0:00 Introduction 1:50 Notions of Peace 6:31 This Semester at Columbia 11:39 Continuing to Teach at Columbia 14:36 Sending Kids to Antisemitic Institutions 22:21 Choosing to Fight Back 28:29 Fight for Jewish Civil Rights 34:17 Israeli vs. Diaspora Jews 43:10 Preserving Jewish Identity 55:59 Why is Judaism worth defending? 59:21 Political Labels 1:00 Wrapping Up
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 188
0:00 Introduction 2:04 Welcome 7:17 Camp HASC 17:14 American Jews Giving to Israel 21:39 Negativity in the Media 26:13 Thinking Differently Than Others 30:33 Teshuvah 39:49 How Do We Find Joy? 43:33 Preparing for the High Holidays 51:29 Jewish Self-Identity 1:00:00 Wrapping Up
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 187
0:00 Introduction 3:07 Is War With Hezbollah Inevitable? 11:25 American Involvement in the War 13:02 Update on the Hostages 16:17 Post War Gaza 29:40 Presidential Elections 44:04 What Can Americans Do? 51:32 Wrapping Up
Jul 08, 2024•54 min•Ep. 186
0:00 - Welcome 8:58 - Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream 15:45 - Oslo Accords & 2 State Solution 26:35 - Trump Administration 32:31 - Abraham Accords 45:39 - University Protests & Encampments 58:01 - How to Stay Informed
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 185
00:00 Introduction 1:28 Welcome 2:24 War With Iran 6:23 Elimination Hamas 7:56 United States Pushback 11:45 Voting in the US 17:26 Relations in the Middle East 22:55 Reminding our Enemies 26:02 Justifying October 7 28:15 Fear in American Jews 30:49 Giving Hope 34:57 Youth in America 37:07 Gaza Casualties Misconception 38:20 Challenges Faced by the IDF 38:51 Learning History 40:59 Wrapping Up Website: jewishexperience.org Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: instagram.com/...
May 06, 2024•42 min•Ep. 184
0:00 Introduction 2:18 Exodus Story 5:46 Impact of Progressivism 10:42 Lack of Jewish History Education in the US 16:30 Political Divide For Jews in America 22:47 Tikkun Olam 24:58 Inspiration & Motivation 27:43 Saving the Diaspora 31:22 Judaism & Medicine 34:06 Exposure & Media Platform 37:24 Physical Violence & Self Defense 43:26 First Generation Perspective 46:40 Desire For Acceptance of Jews 48:43 Treating a Terrorist 50:00 Wrapping Up...
Apr 15, 2024•51 min•Ep. 183
In this insightful conversation, Rabbi Wildes and Hillel Fuld dissect key points shaping Israel's trajectory, shedding light on the geopolitical landscape and societal dynamics. They navigate through the intersections of technology, innovation, and advocacy, offering profound insights into how these forces have influenced Israel's narrative and global standing since October 7th. 0:00 - Intro 1:36 - Welcome 2:22 - October 7 5:57 - Advocating for Israel 6:22 - Truths vs. Lies on Social Media 9:48 ...
Feb 26, 2024•55 min•Ep. 182
Held at MJE on February 14th, Rabbi Mark Wildes taught a class on the Dos & Don't of Dating. This discussion dives into Jewish teachings that offer valuable insights for everyone, regardless of background. Discover practical tips for navigating relationships and finding love in today's world.
Feb 16, 2024•56 min•Ep. 181
My remarks from the funeral of my beloved father. To see the whole ceremony click here: https://www.legacycelebrated.com/leon-wildes/ May we only know Simchas
Jan 10, 2024•19 min•Ep. 180
On January 3rd, Rabbi Mark Wildes taught an insightful class titled "The Blame Game: Taking Responsibility For Our Lives," listeners are encouraged to shift their perspective on life's challenges. Rabbi Wildes delves into the concept of not externalizing failures and struggles but instead taking ownership and responsibility for one's life.
Jan 08, 2024•58 min•Ep. 179
In this compelling episode of the Wildescast, Rabbi Mark Wildes engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Yahya Mahamid, an extraordinary guest who defies expectations as an Arab Muslim IDF soldier. Raised in an anti-zionist Arab community in Israel, Yahya shares his remarkable journey of self-discovery and the transformative experiences that led him to embrace a passionate commitment to Zionism and the State of Israel. Through candid dialogue, they explore the complexities of identity, c...
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 178
In this gripping and emotionally charged episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with a truly extraordinary guest, Maya Parizer. Join us as Maya bravely shares her harrowing experience at the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7th. On that fateful day, as the festival was underway, Hamas unleashed an unthinkable act of violence, resulting in the tragic loss of over 360 innocent lives. The festival was part of a wider Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that claimed approximately 1,400 lives Maya...
Dec 11, 2023•54 min•Ep. 177
Israel's Journey of Hope & Resilience | Rabbi Efrem Goldberg | Ruth Wildes Lecture | Chanukah 2023
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 176
Welcome back to the Wildescast, Rabbi Wildes and his student, Daniel Wallach, passionately discuss the resilience and strength of being a Jew in America post the October 7th attack on Israel. This powerful episode, the third in their "Rabbi and the Student" series, sheds light on the challenges faced by the Jewish community while emphasizing their unwavering commitment to Israel. The podcast explores the complexities of Jewish identity, offering a deep discussion on the evolving narrative in the...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 175
Rabbi Wildes leads a dynamic live panel at MJE, delving into the effective strategies for addressing antisemitism on college campuses. Joining the discussion are distinguished panelists, including Professor Shai Davidai from Columbia Business School, Adela Cojab, a passionate Jewish activist and graduate of NYU/Cardozo, Talia Lerner representing the Israel On Campus Coalition, and Gideon Askowitz, a dedicated student at Hunter College.
Nov 21, 2023•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 174
Welcome to the Wildescast. This episode is from the finale of Rabbi Mark Wildes's 3 part class series on Israel. In this class Rabbi Wildes discusses all of the differing views on Zionism and answers all the questions you have on this incredibly complex topic! This is not an episode that you will want to want to miss! Take a listen!
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 173
Welcome to the Wildescast! On this episode we delve into Rena Quint's journey through the horrors of the Holocaust is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. She will recount her experiences, the challenges she faced, and the indomitable human spirit that carried her through those tumultuous times. Her story is a testament to the enduring power of hope and determination. But this episode is not just about the past; it's also about the present. Rena Quint has not only survived but thrived, and she no...
Nov 01, 2023•44 min•Ep. 172
On October 25th as part of the ISRAEL: The History. The Philosophy. The Conflict. Series Rabbi Wildes shares four key talking points essential for advocating for Israel and countering misinformation. In this talk Rabbi Wildes presents the historical and political information important for all of us to know and to engage in informed discussions. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or a newcomer to the topic, this class equips you with valuable knowledge to articulate Israel's unique story with con...
Oct 26, 2023•55 min•Ep. 171
As we await the next steps in Israel's war against Hamas, Rabbi Wildes is joined by activist, filmmaker, and IDF reservist Rudy Rochman from an undisclosed location to discuss whether this war is going to end differently than past wars with the final destruction of Hamas, whether the Palestinian civilians are truly innocent, how Diaspora Jews can fight back against Hamas supporters on college campuses, and what we as Jews can do to finally alleviate the world of antisemitism. 00:00:00 - Intro 00...
Oct 21, 2023•34 min•Ep. 170
On Wednesday October 11th, Rabbi Wildes hosted a class at MJe entitled "Israel... The Real Story | From 1948 To Today." This event was not just an educational experience, but a powerful tribute to our brothers and sisters in Israel, who are currently enduring the perils of war and conflict. Rabbi Wildes' passionate lecture delved into the resilient history of Israel, from its triumphant rebirth in 1948 to its unyielding spirit in the face of contemporary challenges. The class emphasized the impo...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 169
Today Rabbi Wildes speaks about the story of Guy Madar. Each day during this time where our brothers and sisters in Israel are defending the Jewish people. Rabbi Wildes will be giving daily talks and words of Torah in his Whatsapp group. Feel free to join! Am Yisrael Chai! Join Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LM0bsDb4sV3FmESMyauFaw
Oct 11, 2023•5 min•Ep. 168
