Judaism Unbound

People sometimes call Jews "people of the book." And when they say that, they tend to be referring to the Bible, or the Torah (first five books of the Bible). But Eva Mroczek, the Simon and Riva Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies at Dalhousie University, thinks that Jews may actually have a relationship to far more books than we've realized -- including many "lost books," and even many "imagined books" that likely never existed. She joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about lost Jewish books, and about her upcoming class in the UnYeshiva entitled Lost Bibles, Fake Apocrypha: The Hidden History of Jewish Books.Learn more about Eva Mroczek's upcoming course in the UnYeshiva (and register for it!) here -- financial aid is available for anyone who needs it, via this link.To check out our other courses that are now open for registration in Judaism Unbound's UnYeshiva, head to www.judaismunbound.com/classes!Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

Danya Ruttenberg is an award-winning author, activist, and rabbi, whose most recent book -- On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World -- won a National Jewish Book Award. Ilana Sumka is a nonprofit leader, experiential educator and community organizer with over 20 years of experience, who recently founded Shleimut: Jewish Paths to Wholeness and Peace. The two of them join Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for the 6th episode in an ongoing mini-series, exploring North American-Jewish discourse about Israel-Palestine.New courses are now open for registration, in Judaism Unbound's UnYeshiva -- our digital center for Jewish learning and unlearning. Learn more about our online classes by heading to www.judaismunbound.com/classes -- financial aid is available for all courses in the UnYeshiva.Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

In October 2024, Dan and Lex participated in Elevate -- a summit for podcasters hosting shows in the realm of faith and spirituality -- to connect and collaborate with one another. The gathering took place at BYU – Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah – and was hosted by In Good Faith, a podcast produced by BYUradio. After an amazing few days at the summit, In Good Faith invited Dan and I to be guests on their podcast – to speak a bit about Judaism Unbound, but also for the two of us to reflect on our own relationships to religion and spirituality. The episode was recently released on their feed, and we’re excited to release it on ours as well, as a bonus episode. You can subscribe to In Good Faith on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else that podcasts are found. Episode Description, from In Good Faith:Lex Rofeberg and Dan Libenson talk to Steve Kapp Perry about their organization Judaism Unbound. Lex Rofeberg is Senior Jewish educator for Judaism Unbound -- a digital, Jewish non-profit organization -- and oversees Judaism Unbound's UnYeshiva (a digital center for Jewish learning and unlearning). He produces and co-hosts Judaism Unbound's weekly podcast, and facilitates regular forms of communal gathering, via Zoom, for Jews and Jewish-adjacent non-Jews. Dan Libenson is President of Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah, which is dedicated to helping Jews and fellow travelers apply Jewish wisdom to thrive and shape a better world. He is also the co-host of the Judaism Unbound podcast, as well as The Oral Talmud, a streaming video show soon to be released in podcast form. Dan teaches classes on Judaism and Jewish wisdom at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Zelikow School of Nonprofit Management. Dan is the translator of The Orchard, a novel about the early days of Rabbinic Judaism, by renowned Israeli novelist Yochi Brandes.

Jay Michaelson, an award-winning journalist, professor, rabbi, and author, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation exploring centrism and radicalism, misinformation that circulates far and wide on the topic of Israel-Palestine, and how we might strive for a better Jewish collective relationship to this important issue. This episode is the 5th in an ongoing mini-series exploring North American-Jewish discourse about Israel-Palestine.Announcement: New courses are now open for registration, in Judaism Unbound's UnYeshiva -- our digital center for Jewish learning and unlearning. Learn more about our classes by heading to www.judaismunbound.com/classes -- financial aid is available for all courses in the UnYeshiva.Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

This week, we’re bringing you an episode of another podcast in the Judaism Unbound family of podcasts -- Tales of the Unbound! In its inaugural season Tales of the Unbound follows the Jewish journey of two incarcerated individuals, their chaplain, and the community they co-created in the most unlikely of places.In Tales of the Unbound, Episode 7: Happily Ever After?, the narrative explores the challenges and transformations within the Jewish community at Monroe Correctional. The story takes a twist, testing the community's cohesion and purpose. Despite these conflicts, Ari and Josh strive to uphold a sense of community and identity amidst uncertainty. The episode concludes with a reflection on the evolving nature of Judaism and the power of communal learning in navigating change and maintaining hope for a better future.For information on how to reach out to connect with Jewish agencies who support folks who are incarcerated and their families, connect with a Jewish penpal, donate to help bring kosher meals and access to Jewish supplies, or give straight to Ari and Josh’s Jewish minyan in Monroe, connect with us at: www.judaismunbound.com/tales. You can subscribe to Tales of the Unbound in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else podcasts are found!

Mira Sucharov is professor of Political Science at Carleton University. Joshua Shanes directs the Norman and Gerry Sue Arnold Center for Israel Studies at the College of Charleston. Together, they are the co-founders of a digital discussion group called D’rachim — a New Path Forward for Israel/Palestine. They join Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for the 4th episode in an ongoing mini-series exploring North American-Jewish discourse about Israel-Palestine.Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!NOTE: This episode was recorded a couple months ago, prior to January 15th's ceasefire agreement -- and also prior to Donald Trump's statements on February 4th, articulating a vision for the mass displacement of all Palestinians in Gaza, and proposed US takeover of the area. Realities on the ground in Israel-Palestine are ever-changing, and there are new developments on a daily and weekly basis. We believe the contents of this episode are ever-green in many ways, but wanted listeners to understand that the conversation took place prior to these recent events, which is why they are not mentioned.

Peter Beinart, a columnist and political commentator, is the author of a new book entitled Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning. He joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation exploring narratives of Jewish victimhood and survival, how Biblical texts like Joshua and Esther are mobilized in contemporary debates, and how we might have better intra-Jewish conversations about perhaps the most contentious topic there is for our communities. This episode is the third in an ongoing mini-series exploring American-Jewish discourse about Israel-Palestine.Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!NOTE: This episode was recorded many weeks before it was released publicly, meaning our conversation took place before the ceasefire agreement that was widely reported on January 15th. We celebrate this de-escalation of violence and hope that it endures. We continue to hold deep hopes for a brighter future for Palestinians, for Israelis, and for their loved ones around the world.

Susannah Heschel, the Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about one of the most high-intensity issues there is -- Israel-Palestine on college campuses. This episode is the second in an ongoing mini-series of podcasts exploring conversations about Israel-Palestine in American-Jewish life. Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!NOTE: This episode was recorded many weeks before it was released publicly, meaning our conversation took place before the ceasefire agreement that was widely reported on January 15th. We celebrate this de-escalation of violence and hope that it endures. We continue to hold deep hopes for a brighter future for Palestinians, for Israelis, and for their loved ones around the world.

Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg, co-hosts of Judaism Unbound, explore one of the most contentious topics in Jewish (and broader) life today — Israel-Palestine. They ask how we can build Jewish communities that are able to support one another across difference and serve justice in our world. This episode is the first in an ongoing mini-series of podcasts exploring conversations about Israel-Palestine in American-Jewish life. NOTE: This episode was recorded many weeks before it was released publicly, meaning our conversation took place before the ceasefire agreement that was widely reported on January 15th. Initial reports indicate a multi-phase ceasefire agreement, including a release of many people -- Israelis and Palestinians -- who will be able to return to their families and homes. We celebrate this de-escalation of violence and hope that it endures. We continue to hold deep hopes for a brighter future for Palestinians, for Israelis, and for their loved ones around the world.Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

Vanessa Ochs, a scholar of Jewish ritual and the second-ever guest on Judaism Unbound  way back in episode 5, makes a grand return to our podcast! She connects with Dan and Lex to discuss an upcoming UnYeshiva mini-course she's teaching, entitled Jewish Ritual Lab:  Experiments in Jewish Creativity and Invention.If you love what you hear in this episode, head to www.judaismunbound.com/classes and register for Ochs's upcoming mini-course in the UnYeshiva (begins January 15th, 2025)! Financial aid is available for anyone who needs it, via this link.Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!