The Wildescast

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Izzy Ezagui. Izzy, a decorated squad commander in the Israel Defense Forces, is the only soldier in the world who lost an arm in combat and returned to the battlefield. In 2011, former President Shimon Peres awarded him one of Israel's highest military honors. While he continues to serve in an elite unit in the reserves, Izzy delivers inspirational talks across the United States and internationally. He's appeared on the Huffington Post, Al Jazeera America, and Fox News. The Algemeiner chose Izzy as one of 100 people positively influencing Jewish life. He also raises millions of dollars for hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and other charities, such as the Birthright Foundation. He has worked with amputee organization, schools, colleges, universities, hedge funds, and corporate events for companies such as Nike and Apple

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Nissim Black. Nissim Black, whose first name is the word for miracle has done some miraculous things. At 34, he has six children with his wife Adina. Growing up on the street of Seattle things were not always the best. There was violence around some of the time. Nissim and his wife converted to Judaism. He and his wife made aliyah and they live in Ramat Beit Shemesh in Israel. Nissim also has his own brand of whisky-Hava whisky.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with renowned comedian Modi Rosenfeld. Voted one of the top 10 comedians in New York City by the Hollywood Reporter and BackStage, MODI is one of the comedy circuit's most sought after performers. Featured on HBO, CBS, NBC, ABC.Comedy Central, Howard Stern and E! Entertainment, MODI has received rave reviews in the New York Times, Time Out NY and the New York Post. Born in Israel, MODI moved to the United States when he was seven. After college, MODI worked as an investment banker and had no plans to become a stand up comedian. But one open mic changed everything. Amelia David of BackStage raves, "MODI has a young Sid Caesar-esque talent for creating accents and characters, making him appeal to a diverse market." According to the Los Angeles Times, MODI is "versatile and quick on his feet. He can read an audience in a beat and improvise so nimbly that he keeps any audience, regardless of age, race and gender, laughing." MODI has appeared in several feature films and played leading roles in two: Waiting for Woody Allen, which won the LA Film Festival, and Stand Up, a feature-length film. According to Variety, MODI delivers a "naturally funny performance with a tremendous amount of energy on screen." MODI is a regular performer at the New York and Los Angeles comedy clubs and headlines around the country. He has also gone on tour in the United Kingdom, Holland and Israel and performs in comedy festivals and special venues, including Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Kosha Dillz . Kosha Dillz is a Brooklyn based rapper who has been channeling his Jewish identity through rap for the last 15 years. A billboard charting artist, he has shared stages and festivals with everyone from Macklemore and Matisyahu to Kendrick Lamar to rap battles with the late DMX. Tune in to hear how Kosha, whose real name is Rami Even-Esh overcame addiction to shine bright in the rap game performing around the world.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with renowned couples and sex therapist Dr. Shy Krug. Shy Krug is a clinical psychologist and AASECT certified sex therapist, is the founder and director of Blue Anchor Psychology, a group practice in Manhattan focused on sex therapy, couples therapy, and trauma, mood, anxiety disorders. Dr Krug also serves as a consulting psychologist at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center where he co-founded the sexual health clinic. Dr. Krug completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and a postdoctoral certificate in sex therapy from The Buehler Institute. In his spare time, Dr. Krug also works as a professional magician.

This episode is MJE’s Annual Terry and Harry Pniewski Holocaust remembrance program featuring Rabbi Wildes' interview with Dr. Henry Ruston. Dr. Ruston shares his harrowing story of survival and his journey to becoming an Ivy League professor.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes shares ten insights that will help you have a more meaningful Seder experience.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Rudy Rochman. Rochman is a noted speaker and writer on Jewish rights. Rochman's argument about the state of Israel's right to exist centers around the idea that Jews are indigenous to the land. He views Zionism as a movement of decolonization. Rochman has also criticized intersectionality because of how it has been used to demonize Israel. He has notably stated that Judaism is not a religion, but rather an ethnic group that is indigenous to the land of Israel. Rochman is also know for his work as a Pro-Israel activist on social media. He has thousands of followers and subscribers on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Rochman currently serves on the board of The Israel Innovation Fund, which is a philanthropic fund. In 2018, Rochman received the 36 Under 36 award for being one of the most influential Jews in the world. Currently, Rochman is running the Vision slate in the World Zionist Congress elections.

God didn’t design the Seder to put your kids to sleep. Instead, the Seder is an experience your family should love, treasure and remember. Have you ever wondered that there might be something more to Passover, the Seder and in the Haggadah―something that just might hold the secrets to living the life of joy and meaning that you were intended to? In The Telling, Mark Gerson, host of The Rabbi’s Husband podcast and renowned Jewish philanthropist, shows us how to make the Seder the most engaging, inspiring, and important night of the Jewish year.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Angela Himsel. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Jewish Week, Forward, Lilith and elsewhere. Her column Angetevka” on Zeek.net American won two American Jewish Press Association Awards. Angela holds a BA from Indiana University, which included two years at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and an MFA from The City College of New York. She grew up the seventh of eleven children in rural southern Indiana in a fundamentalist, doomsday, Christian faith. She converted to Judaism and lives in New York City. A River Could Be a Tree traces that journey.