Mickey Flaumenhaft, Director of Development at American Friends of Migdal Ohr and reservist in Gaza, teams up with his wife Ortal, a teacher for Bnei Akiva UK, to discuss their Jewish journey across three countries. They share insights on what factors guide decisions to leave Israel and how Judaism infuses daily life in Israeli culture. The couple reflects on the American Jewish community's bond with Israel since recent events and examines the emotional complexities of maintaining Jewish identity while living abroad.
01:09:20
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Ortal's Israeli Upbringing
Ortal Flaumenhaft grew up in Israel with limited knowledge of the outside world, particularly American Jewry.
She viewed leaving Israel as almost a sin.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mickey's Identity Struggle
Mickey Flaumenhaft, born in Israel to American parents, distanced himself from American culture during his childhood.
He felt embarrassed by his parents' accented Hebrew and didn't want to be associated with the "Amerikaki" label.
insights INSIGHT
Insider-Outsider Perspective
Growing up with American parents in Israel, Mickey felt like an outsider.
This experience gave him a unique perspective on cultural differences and how they shape our views.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This book is a blend of memoir, essays, and polemic, where Vonnegut discusses various topics including his coming of age in America, his war experiences, and his views on art, politics, and technology. It is characterized by Vonnegut’s signature humor, cynicism, and compassion for the human condition. The book critiques modern society, particularly the political climate during the George W. Bush administration, and touches on issues like global warming, the decline of extended families, and the impact of technology on human life. Vonnegut also emphasizes the importance of practicing art to make life more bearable and to foster personal growth[1][2][5].
TO HEAL A FRACTURED WORLD: THE ETHICS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Jonathan Sacks
The Legends of Rabbah Bar Bar Hannah with the Commentary of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook
The Legends of Rabbah Bar Bar Hannah with the Commentary of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook
None
Rabbi Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook
Bezalel Naor
This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at info@edenbeitshemesh.com for more details.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Mickey and Ortal Flaumenhaft—David Bashevkin’s Israeli neighbors in Teaneck—about their experiences living Jewishly in three different countries.
When the Flaumenhafts were in Israel for their son’s bar mitzvah on October 7, Mickey made the decision to join his unit in Gaza. In this episode we discuss:
What does a couple consider when making the decision to leave Israel?
What can Americans learn from the way Judaism permeates Israeli culture?
How has the American Jewish community’s connection to Israel deepened since October 7?
Tune in to hear a conversation about what it means to hold the entirety of the Jewish People in our hearts, no matter where we might be.
Interview begins at 7:45. Mickey Flaumenhaft is the Director of Development at American Friends of Migdal Ohr, a welfare organization for Israel’s orphaned and at-risk youth. Mickey served reservist duty in Gaza this past year. Ortal Flaumenhaft is a first-grade teacher for Hebrew and Judaic studies at Yeshivat He'Atid in Teaneck. References:
18Forty Podcast 
