18Forty Podcast

Malka Simkovich, a scholar of Jewish history and editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society, delves into the ancient dynamics of the Jewish diaspora. She explores how concepts like golah and galut shaped identities over 2,000 years ago. The discussion examines the political implications for ancient Jews in exile and their support for Israel. Malka also highlights the emotional aftermath of the Second Temple's destruction and the evolving nature of Jewish identity, linking historical context to contemporary experiences in the diaspora.

In this lively discussion, Rav Moshe Taragin, a noted expert in Jewish thought, explores the critical bond between American and Israeli Jews. He reflects on how young American Jews can connect with Israel during formative years and the shift in diaspora perspectives after October 7. The conversation also touches on bridging cultural differences in religious practices, the emotional impact of Shabbat preparations, and the significance of genuine engagement with both communities. It's a thoughtful exploration of identity and connection in the Jewish narrative.

Haviv Rettig Gur, a prominent journalist and political analyst from the Times of Israel, shares his deep insights into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He discusses the ongoing war and its devastating impact on Gaza's future, arguing that until Hamas is defeated, recovery is impossible. Gur critiques Western media coverage, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the situation. He also examines the complex balance between Judaism and democracy in Israel, advocating for equitable treatment of all citizens and the significance of community responsibility.

Matisyahu Miller, a Grammy-nominated artist renowned for merging reggae with spiritual themes, discusses his evolving Jewish identity and the scrutiny surrounding it. He reflects on how his faith has shifted over time and the emotional complexities of public perception within the Orthodox community. Matisyahu shares insights on the importance of authenticity in lyrics, the balance between personal beliefs and societal expectations, and the dynamic nature of faith as one matures. The conversation also touches on Yom Kippur and the significance of connection in seeking forgiveness.

In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, in honor of the anniversary of October 7, we revisit and reflect on the conversations we’ve had that have helped us process this tumultuous time. The past year has been long and painful, and we’ve been constantly reminded that the trajectory of Jewish history is still at stake. This makes it imperative for us to examine our lives and our relationship to God and to the Jewish People during these Ten Days of Repentance. In this episode we discuss:What is the role of memory in the Jewish experience, and what are the memories of October 7 that we will hold with us? How has the terror attack altered the way we live and the way we understand the world?How have our theological and ideological beliefs developed over the past year?Tune in to hear a conversation about what it means to be a Jew during this consequential period in the Jewish story.Interview highlights begin at:    Rachel Goldberg-Polin: 16:17    Danny Brom: 23:27    Dina: 30:23    Jonathan Gribetz: 37:29    Doron Perez: 46:29    Noa Lewis: 59:22References:Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran FoerZakhor: Jewish History and Jewish Memory by Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi“The Man in the Arena” by Theodore Roosevelt“Shomer Yisroel” by Omek Hadavar18Forty Podcast: Rachel Goldberg-Polin: “A Hostage’s Mother Fighting for His Freedom”18Forty Podcast: “The Trauma of War: Mental Health Professionals in Israel”18Forty Podcast: “A Haredi Mother Sending Her Children To Serve”Defining Neighbors: Religion, Race, and the Early Zionist-Arab Encounter by Jonathan Marc GribetzReading Herzl in Beirut: The PLO Effort to Know the Enemy by Jonathan Marc Gribetz18Forty Podcast: “Jonathan Gribetz: Teaching the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict”18Forty Podcast: “Doron Perez: One Child Married, One Child Missing”18Forty Podcast: “On Loss: Defending Israel on Oct. 7”Ecclesiastes 318Forty Podcast: “Noa Lewis: How Can We Help Israel?”Genesis 29:17Rashi on Genesis 29:17“Forgive Me, My King I Did Not Know You Were Also a Father” by David BashevkinYoma 39bBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Emmi Polansky, known on social media as @livingemunah, about her journey finding agency as a single mother. Sometimes, when we talk about teshuva, we’re referring to repentance for our specific sins. Another type of teshuva, as we explore, is a return to God as we celebrate our own worthiness and tzelem Elokim. In this episode we discuss:What is it like to participate in chagim and simchas during the process of divorce?How do we pick up the pieces when our plans for a perfect familial and spiritual life fall apart?How did fitness help improve Emmi ‘s mental and emotional health?Tune in to hear a conversation about what it means to repeatedly return to God in times of apparent loneliness. Interview begins at 12:21.References:Chagigah 15aAs a Driven Leaf by Milton SteinbergSin•a•gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought by David Bashevkin@livingemunah on Instagram Emunah Minute on WhatsAppBilvavi Mishkan Evne18Forty Podcast: “Rav Moshe Weinberger: Can Mysticism Become a Community?”18Forty Podcast: “Moshe and Asher Weinberger: Heart of the Fire”Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Tuvia Tenenbom, a formerly Haredi and now secular Jew and the author of Careful, Beauties Ahead!, about how he developed a new love for Haredi religious life.When Tuvia Tenenbom wrote a book about Haredim in Mea Shearim, he found that all Jews—no matter how different their communities—are interconnected in more ways than we might think. In this episode we discuss:How did the Haredi community respond to October 7?What do outsiders misunderstand about Haredi Jews?Is humor the universal Jewish language? Tune in to hear a conversation about what it means to truly love the entirety of the Jewish family. Interview begins at 28:37.Tuvia Tenenbom is an Israeli-American theater director, playwright, and author who is the founding artistic director of the Jewish Theater of New York. He authored several books that deal with themes of Jewish life, Jewish culture, antisemitism, and the Holocaust, including his well-known Catch The Jew!. He joins us to discuss the year he, a secular Jew, spent with the Haredi Jews of Mea Shearim. References:18Forty Podcast: “Joshua Leifer and Shaindy Ort: How Progressive Activists Rediscovered Traditional Jewish Life”Tosafot on PesachimCareful, Beauties Ahead! by Tuvia TenenboCatch The Jew! by Tuvia TenenbomWorks of Tuvia TenenbomBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

Yussie Zakutinsky, the rabbi of K’hal Mevakshei Hashem in Lawrence, New York, shares his vision for a united Jewish community. He emphasizes finding divinity even among differing beliefs. Discussing the importance of chesed and community, he reflects on Jewish identity and the interconnectedness of faith. The conversation delves into redeeming divine sparks from darkness and navigating the balance between tradition and modernity. With compassion at its core, Zakutinsky advocates for empathy and support in overcoming crises of faith and fostering unity.

Joshua Leifer is a journalist and author known for his critical work on American Jewish identity. Shaindy Ort is an attorney focused on social justice. Together, they discuss the transformation of progressive Jews in light of recent events. Did October 7 shift perspectives on Jewish identity? They explore the challenges of engaging with tradition while being part of leftist circles, sharing personal stories of reconnection. Their conversation dives deep into the complexities of navigating faith, activism, and community in contemporary society.

This episode is sponsored by Nishmat, the Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women, whose Online Beit Midrash returns on Sept. 8. Women of all backgrounds can learn Talmud, Tanach, Halacha, and more from the comfort of home. For a full class schedule and registration, go here. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to historian and professor Pawel Maciejko about the false messiah Sabbatai Zevi, Sabbateanism, and the roots of Jewish secularism. Gershom Scholem, the scholar of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, saw a connection between the 17th-century messianic movement of Sabbateanism and the later movement of Jewish secularism. Was he right? In this episode we discuss:What was the impact of Sabbateanism after its messianic fervor died down? How can studying Jewish history deepen one’s connection with Judaism? What is Frankism, and why is it a fascination of present-day antisemitic conspiracy theorists?Tune in to hear a conversation about what the rupture from the Sabbatean movement can teach us about the wide range of Jewish identities we see today. Interview begins at 17:05.Pawel Maciejko is an associate professor of history and Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Chair in Classical Jewish Religion, Thought, and Culture at Johns Hopkins University. Between 2005 and 2016 he taught at the Department of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His first book, The Mixed Multitude: Jacob Frank and the Frankist Movement, 1755–1816, was awarded the Salo Baron Prize by the American Academy of Jewish Research and the Jordan Schnitzer Book Award by the Association for Jewish Studies.References:Not in the Heavens: The Tradition of Jewish Secular Thought by David BialeMakers of Jewish Modernity: Thinkers, Artists, Leaders, and the World They Made edited by Jacques Picard, Jacques Revel, Michael P. Steinberg, and Idith Zertal “The Holiness of Sin” by Gershom ScholemMishnah Chagigah 2Ezekiel 1Accounting for the Commandments in Medieval Judaism by Elliot R. WolfsonSabbatian Heresy: Writings on Mysticism, Messianism, and the Origins of Jewish Modernity edited by Pawel MaciejkoThe Mixed Multitude: Jacob Frank and the Frankist Movement, 1755-1816 by Pawel Maciejko“The Messianic Feminism of Shabbatai Zevi and Sarah Ashkenazi” by Jericho VincentOn Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Danya Ruttenberg“A Portrait of the Kabbalist as a Young Man: Count Joseph Carl Emmanuel Waldstein and His Retinue” by Pawel Maciejko“Gershom Scholem’s dialectic of Jewish history: the case of Sabbatianism” by Pawel MaciejkoSeforimchatter’s Sabbatai Zevi SeriesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.