
The Wildescast
Jewish education and inspiration courtesy of Rabbi Mark N. Wildes, Founder of the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE). Founded in 1998, MJE is a warm and open community where millennial men and women in their 20s/30s can explore Jewish life and meet new people.
Latest episodes

Dec 11, 2023 • 54min
In the Face of Terror: Escaping the Nova Massacre | Featuring 10/7 Survivor Maya Parizer
In this gripping and emotionally charged episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with a truly extraordinary guest, Maya Parizer. Join us as Maya bravely shares her harrowing experience at the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7th. On that fateful day, as the festival was underway, Hamas unleashed an unthinkable act of violence, resulting in the tragic loss of over 360 innocent lives. The festival was part of a wider Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that claimed approximately 1,400 lives
Maya, along with her fiancé Ron, found themselves amidst the chaos and horror, narrowly escaping the massacre. In this interview, she recounts the heart-wrenching moments, reflecting on the resilience that allowed her to survive and share her story today.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:37 - Maya's Story
00:12:03 - Escaping the Nova Festival
00:17:48 - October 7th 2023
00:25:23 - The Kibbutz
00:31:15 - The Response From The Public
00:37:19 - Why Do People Deny The Truth?
00:40:19 - The Atrocities
00:42:08 - Israel Getting Scapegoated
00:43:53 - How Do We Achieve Peace?
00:46:41 - Living Your Best Life After Surviving a Tragedy
00:49:22 - Wrapping Up

Dec 4, 2023 • 1h 26min
Israel's Journey of Hope & Resilience | Rabbi Efrem Goldberg | Ruth Wildes Lecture | Chanukah 2023
Israel's Journey of Hope & Resilience | Rabbi Efrem Goldberg | Ruth Wildes Lecture | Chanukah 2023

Nov 27, 2023 • 1h
Being a Jew in This Moment | The Rabbi & the Student 3.0 with Daniel Wallach
Welcome back to the Wildescast, Rabbi Wildes and his student, Daniel Wallach, passionately discuss the resilience and strength of being a Jew in America post the October 7th attack on Israel. This powerful episode, the third in their "Rabbi and the Student" series, sheds light on the challenges faced by the Jewish community while emphasizing their unwavering commitment to Israel. The podcast explores the complexities of Jewish identity, offering a deep discussion on the evolving narrative in the aftermath of global events. Join them for an emotionally charged exploration of the spiritual battle we are all going through in this moment. Tune in for an impactful, multifaceted journey within the modern American landscape.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:42 - 10/7
00:13:41 - How Should We Be Feeling?
00:19:28 - How We Act During This Tie of Mourning
00:27:28 - Feelings of Rage
00:31:45 - Combatting Antisemitism
00:39:49 - What is it Like to be a Rabbi Right Now?
00:42:33 - Having Compassion For All
00:48:48 - What is Next for The Jewish People
00:59:10 - Wrapping Up
Website: jewishexperience.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/
Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

Nov 21, 2023 • 2h 3min
Confronting Antisemitism on College Campus | Panel at MJE w/Professor Shai Davidai, Adela Cojab, Talia Lerner, & Gideon Askowitz
Rabbi Wildes leads a dynamic live panel at MJE, delving into the effective strategies for addressing antisemitism on college campuses. Joining the discussion are distinguished panelists, including Professor Shai Davidai from Columbia Business School, Adela Cojab, a passionate Jewish activist and graduate of NYU/Cardozo, Talia Lerner representing the Israel On Campus Coalition, and Gideon Askowitz, a dedicated student at Hunter College.

Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 4min
Navigating Varied Perspectives on Zionsim
Welcome to the Wildescast. This episode is from the finale of Rabbi Mark Wildes's 3 part class series on Israel. In this class Rabbi Wildes discusses all of the differing views on Zionism and answers all the questions you have on this incredibly complex topic! This is not an episode that you will want to want to miss! Take a listen!

Nov 1, 2023 • 44min
Witnessing History: A Holocaust Survivor's Perspective on Israel & Hamas | Featuring Rena Quint
Welcome to the Wildescast! On this episode we delve into Rena Quint's journey through the horrors of the Holocaust is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. She will recount her experiences, the challenges she faced, and the indomitable human spirit that carried her through those tumultuous times. Her story is a testament to the enduring power of hope and determination.
But this episode is not just about the past; it's also about the present. Rena Quint has not only survived but thrived, and she now resides in Israel. She'll provide unique insights into what it's like to be a Holocaust survivor living in Israel. We will be talking about Rena's perspective on life in Israel today, in the face of the cWar against Hamas, this episode is both eye-opening and thought-provoking. Take a listen!

Oct 26, 2023 • 55min
ISRAEL: The History. The Philosophy. The Conflict. | With Rabbi Wildes | MJE
On October 25th as part of the ISRAEL: The History. The Philosophy. The Conflict. Series Rabbi Wildes shares four key talking points essential for advocating for Israel and countering misinformation. In this talk Rabbi Wildes presents the historical and political information important for all of us to know and to engage in informed discussions. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or a newcomer to the topic, this class equips you with valuable knowledge to articulate Israel's unique story with confidence.

Oct 21, 2023 • 34min
Rudy Rochman: Is This War Going To Be Different? | On The Front Lines Against Hamas
As we await the next steps in Israel's war against Hamas, Rabbi Wildes is joined by activist, filmmaker, and IDF reservist Rudy Rochman from an undisclosed location to discuss whether this war is going to end differently than past wars with the final destruction of Hamas, whether the Palestinian civilians are truly innocent, how Diaspora Jews can fight back against Hamas supporters on college campuses, and what we as Jews can do to finally alleviate the world of antisemitism.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:30 - Is This Time Different?
00:06:10 - Are the Palestinian People Innocent?
00:09:40 - Life as an IDF Reservist
00:11:53 - Empowering Jews in the Diaspora
00:19:29 - Hiding Your Jewish Identity to Stay Safe
00:23:24 - The Root Cause of Antisemitism

Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 13min
Israel... The Real Story | From 1948 To Today
On Wednesday October 11th, Rabbi Wildes hosted a class at MJe entitled "Israel... The Real Story | From 1948 To Today." This event was not just an educational experience, but a powerful tribute to our brothers and sisters in Israel, who are currently enduring the perils of war and conflict.
Rabbi Wildes' passionate lecture delved into the resilient history of Israel, from its triumphant rebirth in 1948 to its unyielding spirit in the face of contemporary challenges. The class emphasized the importance of standing with our Israeli brethren during these turbulent times.
Throughout the session, Rabbi Wildes painted a vivid picture of Israel's journey, offering a resounding call to action for unwavering solidarity during this time.

Oct 11, 2023 • 5min
The Incredible Story of Guy Madar
Today Rabbi Wildes speaks about the story of Guy Madar. Each day during this time where our brothers and sisters in Israel are defending the Jewish people. Rabbi Wildes will be giving daily talks and words of Torah in his Whatsapp group. Feel free to join!
Am Yisrael Chai!
Join Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LM0bsDb4sV3FmESMyauFaw