18Forty Podcast

Our mental health series is sponsored by Terri and Andrew Herenstein.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin opens up about his mental health journey.Through the lenses of therapy, comedy, books, family history, and positive influences, David shares the experiences that have shaped the way he handles mental health challenges today. In this episode we discuss:Is religious commitment supposed to be the cure to mental health problems?How can we deal with the need to be liked?What enables happy people to be so happy?Tune in to hear a discussion about how one might “become friends with themself” despite life’s difficulties.Message from Dr. Sara Baris begins at 24:26.Conversation with Grandma Millie begins at 1:18:30.Conversation with Jay Richman begins at 1:24:08.David Bashevkin, is the director of education for NCSY, the youth movement of the Orthodox Union, and an instructor at Yeshiva University, where he teaches courses on public policy, religious crisis, and rabbinic thought. He completed rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, as well as a master’s degree at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies focusing on the thought of Rabbi Zadok of Lublin under the guidance of Dr. Yaakov Elman. He received a doctorate in Public Policy and Management at The New School’s Milano School of International Affairs, focusing on crisis management. He has published two books, Sin·a·gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought, as well as a Hebrew work B’Rogez Rachem Tizkor (trans. In Anger, Remember Mercy). References:Stutz (2022)Comedian (2002)John Mulaney And Stephen Colbert Explore Each Other's Deepest AnxietiesIntroduction to Love's Executioner by Irvin D. YalomThe Wisdom of No Escape: and the Path of Loving-Kindness by Pema Chödrön How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chödrön The Zen Diaries of Garry ShandlingGary Gulman: The Great DepreshBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we listen and respond to feedback from the 18Forty community on the conversations of our Israel at War topic. Jews live in two different worlds—one before Oct. 7, and one after. The last few months have transformed the Jewish People across denominations, communities, and countries. Prompted by your feedback, we reflect upon those changes. Together, we reflect on those changes. In this episode we discuss:Why are American Jews misunderstanding the Dati Leumi community?What does it mean to be a Jew in a post–Oct. 7 world?In what ways can diaspora Jews aspire to live more like Israeli Jews?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we might continue forward in pursuit of being a unified Jewish People. Feedback messages begin: 9:28References:Exodus 3:5“Surfin' Slivovitz” by Andy Statman“Shomer Yisrael” by Omek Hadavar“Yossi Klein Halevi: What’s Next: The Future of Liberal Zionism”“Jonathan Gribetz: What’s Next: Teaching the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we introduce the topic of mental health with a conversation featuring world-famous Jewish singer Lipa Schmeltzer. While many people know Lipa’s songs, far fewer know his journey of mental health—a story he never expected to unfold. With raw vulnerability and beautiful passion, Lipa opens up about every step that led him to today. His lessons are immeasurably important.In this episode we discuss:What does it mean to be working for the “image company”?How did Lipa break through the barrier to seeking professional help for mental health issues?How can we maintain sincerity in the face of our own cynicism?Tune in to hear a conversation about the radical honesty it takes to make progress on a mental health journey.Interview begins at 20:26.Lipa, once described as “the Lady Gaga of Hasidic music,” has 18 solo albums to date. He is a father, singer, writer, and visual artist. References:“My heartfelt message of personal growth & challenges before Matan Torah 5783” with Lipa SchmeltzerMaking of a Godol by Nathan KamenetskyElon Musk by Walter IsaacsonThe Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer The Power of Now by Eckhart TolleThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der KolkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rav Reuven and Rabbanit Shani Taragin, educational directors of World Mizrachi, about what comes next for Israel’s Dati Leumi (Religious Zionist) community. Additionally, we speak with Gideon Davis, a Religious Zionist soldier serving in Gaza.Mistakenly, we tend to think of the Dati Leumi community as Israel’s analog to Modern Orthodoxy. That makes us miss, however, that Religious Zionism is a rich worldview unto itself, and is something we all can learn from. In this episode we discuss:How does the Dati Leumi community differ from the American Modern Orthodox community?What can American Jews better understand about the sacrifices and contributions made by Religious Zionists?What does it mean to be a member of the Dati Leumi community in 2024?Tune in to hear a conversation about how a religious mindset can expand beyond personal piety to include a deep commitment to the Jewish People and the world. Interview with Gideon Davis begins at 6:09.Interview with Reuven and Shani Taragin begins at 36:42.Rav Reuven Taragin is a former Wexner Fellow and Musmach of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. Rav Taragin is the Dean of Overseas Students at Yeshivat Hakotel where he is responsible for the program’s quality and message and the welfare of each of its talmidim. Rav Taragin is also the Rosh Beit Midrash at Camp Moshava (I.O.), and Rav of Kehillat Eretz Chemdah in Katamon.Rabbanit Shani Taragin is a noted author and teacher at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Midreshet Torah V’Avodah, MaTaN, Migdal Oz, Sha’alvim for Women, Lander College, and the Women’s’ Beit Midrash in Efrat and Ramat Shilo.The Taragins are the Educational Directors of World Mizrachi and the RZA (Religious Zionists of America), and they also serve as Roshei Beit Medrash for the Beit Medrash Program in Camp Moshava IO during the summer. They have six children and live in Alon Shvut, Gush Etzion.References:The MatrixAdjusting Sights by Haim SabatoTanakhThe Rav Speaks by Joseph B. Soleveitchik“How Will Redemption Begin?” by David BashevkinMeshekh Chokhmah by Meir Simha HaKohen DvinskBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Harvard Divinity School visiting scholar Rabbi David Wolpe, MIT PhD student Talia Khan, and Harvard professor Steven Pinker about the new reality for Jews in higher education.Since Simchas Torah, the hostile discourse regarding Israel has become something that no Jewish student can ignore. Jewish families have been asking: Is it even worth it to send our sons and daughters to these colleges? In this episode we discuss:Is it better for Jews to change the system from within, or without?What has changed about the Jewish experience at American colleges since Oct. 7?What is the way forward regarding free speech and Jewish rights on campus?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we might work toward a reimagined and refocused higher education.Interview with David Wolpe begins at 4:27.Interview with Talia Khan begins at 29:30.Interview with Steven Pinker begins at 1:05:12.Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post, David Wolpe is a visiting scholar at Harvard Divinity School and the Max Webb Rabbi Emeritus of Sinai Temple, a Conservative shul in Los Angeles. Rabbi Wolpe previously taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Hunter College, and UCLA. He is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times. His new book is titled David, the Divided Heart.Talia Khan is an MIT graduate student in mechanical engineering, the president of the MIT Israel Alliance, and a Fulbright Brazil alumna.Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He conducts research on language, cognition, and social relations, writes for publications such as the New York Times, Time and The Atlantic, and is the author of twelve books, including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, The Blank Slate, The Stuff of Thought, The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, Enlightenment Now, and Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters.References:“On the Hatred of Jews” by David J. WolpeIsrael: An Echo of Eternity by Abraham Joshua Heschel O Jerusalem! by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre “When Calls for Jewish Genocide Can Cost a University Its Government Funding” by Michael A. Helfand“A five-point plan to save Harvard from itself” by Steven PinkerThe Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan HaidtThe Canceling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott The Constitution of Knowledge by Jonathan RauchBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jonathan Gribetz, a Princeton professor and scholar of Near Eastern and Judaic studies, about the history of Israel and Palestine. At a time in which we can feel as if we’re all at war, it may be helpful to take a step back and look at the full history between Arabs and Israelis, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges we face in 2024. Jonathan Gribetz helps us do this. In this episode we discuss:What was discourse between Jews and Arabs like during the infancy of Zionism?When and how did this discussion begin to deteriorate and become often counterproductive?What can a current Ivy League professor teach us about discussing Israel today?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we might seek out the seeds of a reconciliation between the descendants of Isaac and the descendants of Ishmael. Interview begins at 4:50.Jonathan Marc Gribetz is Associate Professor of Near Eastern Studies and Judaic Studies at Princeton University, where he teaches about the history of Jerusalem, Palestine, Israel, and Jewish and Arab nationalisms. He is the author of Defining Neighbors: Religion, Race, and the Early Zionist-Arab Encounter.References:Defining Neighbors: Religion, Race, and the Early Zionist-Arab Encounter by Jonathan Marc Gribetz The Zionist Idea by Arthur HertzbergZionism: An Emotional State by Derek J. Penslar1929: Year Zero of the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Hillel Cohen Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and Peacemaking in the Middle East by Abdel Monem Said Aly, Shai Feldman, and Khalil ShikakiClima TwinsTime and Difference in Rabbinic Judaism by Sarit Kattan Gribetz Genesis 15:15Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this episode of the18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, about what it means to be a Zionist and a Jew post-October 7.Since Simchas Torah, we’ve spent lots of time airing our political differences with others. What might be harder, though, is asking the uncomfortable questions about our own beliefs. Our guest today has decades of experience with this kind of soul-searching. In this episode we discuss:What is our relationship to the State of Israel, and how seriously must we take our participation in the building and rebuilding of the nation we envision?How might we maintain a sense of empathy for and kinship with the Muslim world and the Palestinian people?Why is it so important that we continue to have a Jewish state?Tune in to hear a conversation about the tensions that come with trying to uphold the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. Interview begins at 6:54.Yossi Klein Halevi is a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Together with Imam Abdullah Antepli of Duke University, he co-directs the Institute's Muslim Leadership Initiative (MLI), which teaches emerging young Muslim American leaders about Judaism, Jewish identity and Israel. Halevi’s 2013 book, Like Dreamers, won the Jewish Book Council's Everett Book of the Year Award. His latest book, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, is a New York Times bestseller. He writes for leading op-ed pages in the US, including the Times and the Wall Street Journal, and is a former contributing editor to the New Republic.References:“What Israelis Fear the World Does Not Understand” with Ezra Klein and Yossi Klein HaleviLetters to My Palestinian Neighbor by Yossi Klein Halevi Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation by Yossi Klein HaleviArab Strategies and Israel's Response by Yehoshafat Harkabi Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this minisode of the 18Forty Podcast, we reflect upon a year beyond words (and numbers).At every stop of the process in the wild journey that has been 18Forty, we’ve been motivated by our fantastic community members who have pushed us to ask deeper questions, to be more honest with ourselves, and to think more sharply and profoundly about what it means to be a Jew today.We’ve grown with you and for you, and we’re so thankful to be able to provide everything we can for you all. More than anything, organic growth inspires us—people finding out about 18Forty from a friend who can’t stop thinking about a recent interview they listened to, articles and podcasts shared in Whatsapp groups and discussed around Shabbos tables across the world, with feedback streaming in from every corner of the Jewish world.To another year of more growth, curiosity, and asking better questions—for everything, thank you!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eli Paley, the publisher of Mishpacha magazine, about the role of Haredi society at this pivotal moment in Israel’s history. As we emerge from a time when Israel’s Haredi and secular cultures have experienced an upswell of unity, the Jewish People will move forward (in some way) forever changed. And Eli Paley is particularly equipped to understand the segments and the wholeness of Israeli society. In this episode we discuss:What comes next as we rebuild as a more cohesive nation?Can we reimagine the relationship between Haredi and secular Israelis?What unique contributions does Haredi society offer to Israel?Tune in to hear a conversation about the transformation and rebirth that Israel is undergoing. Interview begins at 12:09.Eli Paley, an alumnus of the Chevron Yeshiva, is owner of Mishpacha Media Group and publisher of the Mishpacha weekly magazine for the Haredi and Dati sectors, in Israel and abroad, in Hebrew and English. He is a businessman and social activist, and is chairman of the Paley Family Foundation which supports and promotes Torah centers and social initiatives in the Haredi community. He is a member of the Jewish Funders Network and is active in several philanthropic organizations.References:Book Journey: What is the Essence of Antisemitism?“Mirror, Mirror of The Fall” by Maureen DowdMishpachaThe Machon HacharediReal Jews: Secular Versus Ultra- Orthodox: The Struggle For Jewish Identity In Israel by Noah EfronBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

Michael Eisenberg, a venture capitalist and staunch defender of Israel, discusses the civic revolution in Israel. Topics include service in the IDF, the raison d'être of the Jewish People, and 'covenantal capitalism'. The episode explores challenges faced by the third generation, empowering the TikTok generation, building strong relationships, Israel's business potential, the curse of helplessness, gratitude, and an upcoming book journey on anti-Semitism.