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18Forty Podcast

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Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 53min

Shlomo Brody & Beth Popp: Demystifying Death and the End of Life [Loss 1/3]

Shlomo Brody, Executive Director of Ematai and a columnist, teams up with Dr. Beth Popp, a professor of Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai. They dive into the complexities of defining death and the ethical nuances surrounding end-of-life care. Topics include how to navigate medical decisions and the importance of proactive conversations about mortality. They discuss the interplay between personal experiences and cultural attitudes toward death, emphasizing compassionate care and communication as vital elements in managing loss.
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30 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 8min

Micah Goodman: 'I don't want Gaza to become our Vietnam' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)

Micah Goodman, a prominent public intellectual and author known for his contributions to Israel's moral and political discourse, shares his insights on the fraught landscape between Israelis and Palestinians. He discusses the challenges of achieving peace, the complexities of military ethics, and the dilemmas facing Israeli society today. Goodman highlights the stark realities of conflict while advocating for a future where Gaza can rebuild without military presence. His hopeful perspective amidst adversity provides a nuanced understanding of identity and governance in the region.
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9 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 34min

Ayala Fader: How Do Haredi Jews Deal With Religious Doubt? [OTD 3/3]

Ayala Fader, a Professor of Anthropology at Fordham University, dives into the complexities of Haredi Judaism and identity. She discusses how personal and communal struggles with belief and doubt manifest among Hasidic communities. The conversation highlights the impact of the internet on traditional practices and how external factors like antisemitism shape perspectives. Fader also explores the importance of open dialogue around religious doubt and the role of language, particularly Yiddish, in maintaining cultural integrity.
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15 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 10min

A Debate Between Yitzchak Blau & Itamar Rosensweig: Does Morality Exist Outside of Judaism?

Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, author of Fresh Fruit & Vintage Wine, and Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig, a professor of Jewish law, engage in a thought-provoking debate about the existence of morality outside of Judaism. They discuss the definitions of goodness, the relationship between halacha and moral education, and whether moral values stem from divine commands. The conversation tackles contemporary issues such as compassion, fairness, and evolving interpretations of Jewish law, urging a reevaluation of how ethics and rituals intersect within the community.
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Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 28min

David Bashevkin & Malka Simkovich: Can Judaism Survive the AI Revolution? (Fifth Year Anniversary)

Malka Simkovich, a prominent Jewish scholar and director of the Jewish Publication Society, joins David Bashevkin for a thought-provoking discussion. They tackle how AI might influence rabbinic authority and the fabric of Jewish conversations. Personal anecdotes shed light on the tension between tradition and modernity, while young people's struggles with identity amidst technological advancements are explored. The conversation emphasizes the need for community unity and adaptability in the face of change, reflecting on faith's evolution in a tech-driven world.
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42 snips
May 27, 2025 • 2h 8min

Daniel Hagler and Aryeh Englander: Can Jews Who Stay Talk With Jews Who Left? [OTD 2/3]

Daniel Hagler, a trauma surgeon and active participant in religious debates, joins Aryeh Englander, a former Orthodox Jew and moderator of a dialogue group. Together, they dive into the complexities of Judaism, discussing how faith transcends mere evidence and the importance of personal journeys. Their conversation explores the balance between pragmatism and belief, the significance of meaningful dialogue within the community, and the evolving nature of faith in a modern context, inviting listeners to engage with their understanding of truth and identity.
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19 snips
May 20, 2025 • 1h 34min

Moshe Krakowski: Why Jews Leave Faith Behind [OTD 1/3]

In this engaging discussion, Moshe Krakowski, a professor at Yeshiva University, delves into the complexities of why individuals leave Orthodox Jewish communities. He explores factors such as the emotional and intellectual challenges of faith transitions, the sociocultural context driving these decisions, and the importance of creating a vibrant, nourishing Jewish identity. Listeners will find insights into the motivations behind both leaving and staying within faith communities, as well as the significant role of education in shaping religious beliefs.
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May 13, 2025 • 60min

Shulem Deen: Faith, Without Faith (OTD Series Re-Release)

Shulem Deen, author of the memoir All Who Go Do Not Return, shares his transformative journey from the Ultra-Orthodox community to a more secular mindset. He discusses the struggle of balancing personal beliefs with communal expectations, shedding light on the often painful process of breaking free from tradition. Deen also explores the emotions tied to writing about these experiences, emphasizing the difficulty of reconciling empathy and anger. His insights into the complexities of identity and belonging provide a profound perspective on modern Jewish life.
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May 6, 2025 • 1h 26min

The Gopins: When a Child Cannot Read [Divergence 6/6]

Chana Gopin navigates the challenges of raising her daughter Bayla, a dyslexic student at Yeshivat Shalshelet, alongside Shulamit Roth, the school’s founder dedicated to supporting children with language-based learning differences. They discuss the emotional toll of academic pressure in the Jewish community and how specialized education can empower students like Bayla. Bayla shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding and acceptance in learning environments, and the need for rethinking intelligence beyond traditional measures.
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Apr 29, 2025 • 54min

Talia Khan: A Jewish Israel Activist and Her Muslim Father [Divergence 5/6]

Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by Ketubah.com. Find the perfect ketubah for your wedding at Ketubah.com—beautiful designs, halachic accuracy, and personalized guidance every step of the way.This episode is also sponsored by our friends at Sofer.Ai. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Talia Khan—a Jewish MIT graduate student and Israel activist—and her father, an Afghan Muslim immigrant, about their close father-daughter relationship despite their ideological disagreements. When Talia gained national attention in 2023 testifying before Congress and expressing her anger with the hostility toward Jews on MIT’s campus, many wondered what her Muslim father thought of her activism. In this episode we discuss: What was Talia’s father’s reaction to her public advocacy on  behalf of Jews and Israel? How do Talia and her father stay close despite their fundamental ideological differences?Why are Jewish-Muslim relations so strained? Tune in to hear a conversation about how humanity’s story of redemption takes form in a father-daughter relationship.Interview begins at 11:09.Talia Khan is an MIT graduate student in mechanical engineering, the president of the MIT Israel Alliance, a Fulbright Brazil alumna, and the daughter of a Jewish mother and an Afghan Muslim immigrant father. References:18Forty Podcast: “What’s Next: Higher Education for Jews: David Wolpe, Talia Khan, and Steven Pinker”Golda (2023)Rashi on Genesis 15:15, Bereshit Rabbah 30 Meshekh Chokhmah by Meir Simha HaKohen DvinskGenesis 17:18For more 18Forty:NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/joinCALL: (212) 582-1840EMAIL: info@18forty.orgWEBSITE: 18forty.orgIG: @18fortyX: @18_fortyWhatsApp: join hereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

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