Empowered Jewish Living with Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum

This is a recording of a zoom talk given by Rabbi Shlomo in 2022 for Project Inspire's Mindflex program. We explore the fascinating story of the very first Chanukah and what our Sages were trying to accomplish with Chanukah. Discussed as well is the deep connection between Chanukah and the holiday of Sukkot, as well as what we are supposed to take away from a truly mysterious Jewish holiday. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom⁠

Rabbi Dr. Elie Feder is a PhD in mathematics and has been a mathematics professor at Kingsborough Community College. He has published many papers and delivered numerous talks in graph theory, which is his field of mathematical research. He is also a teacher of Talmud. Recently, he authored a book titled "Gematria Refigured," which explores the significance of quantity and fine tuning in Torah, life, and the universe. He is also the co-host of the Physics to God podcast. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom⁠

Eli Schwebel is a Brooklyn based recording artist & producer with Jewish music running through his veins. Schwebel spearheaded the renaissance of Jewish acappella music, as well as creating a vocally rich, pop-rock sound that transformed the definition of traditional Jewish music. He launched his solo career with his album, “Hearts Mind”, which has been called "groundbreaking" in its genre. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom⁠

This talk was given on 11/3/2023 for Project Inspire's Mindlfex Program. In this virtual talk for participants around the world, Rabbi Shlomo speaks about the power of faith, joy, and loving God during these difficult times and how deepening one's intention in saying the Shema is meritorious for redemption. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom⁠

Why is there so much antisemitism on college campuses and especially on Ivy League institutions? Is anyone doing anything about it? What can we do??? All of these question are discussed in 2 interviews on this episode. The first conversation (5:30-42:18) is with Joshua Suchoff and Dr. Ayal Feinberg. Joshua Suchoff is Managing Director of the Academic Engagement Network, an organization that mobilizes networks of university faculty and administrators to counter antisemitism, oppose the denigration of Jewish and Zionist identities, promote academic freedom, and advance education about Israel.  Professor Dr. Ayal Feinberg is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Antisemitism Studies and the Director of the Center for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights at Gratz College, where he oversees the world's largest graduate program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. The second conversation (42:19-1:09:35) is with Rabbi Daniel Epstein who is the Chief Rabbi of Hillel on George Washington University. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: ⁠⁠⁠https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom⁠

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff is a world-renowned speaker and author. Originally from London, England, he graduated with honors in political science from Manchester University. After working for MTV in news production, and winning the national competition ‘Jewish Stand-Up Comedian’ of the Year, Rabbi Hajioff traveled to study in Israel and then Monsey to receive his rabbinical ordination. Rabbi Hajioff is a senior lecturer at Chazak and a full time faculty member of Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University in NYC. He recently received the "Professor of the Year" award in Judaic Studies from the senior year students at Stern. Rabbi Lawrence is the author of "Will Jew Marry Me?," "Jew Got Questions?" and "The Future:A Guide to the Jewish Messiah, Israel and the End of Days." He lives in Wesley Hills with his wife, Anita, and their five children. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: ⁠⁠https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom⁠

Lori Palatnik is the Founding Director of Momentum (formerly JWRP). She is a world-renowned Jewish educator, speaker, writer, and media personality, who has lectured all over the world. Lori has authored four books: Friday Night and Beyond, Gossip, Remember My Soul, and Turn Your Husband Into Your Soul Mate. In 2014, Lori was named one of the ten “Women to Watch” by Jewish Women International in recognition of her contribution to Jewish women throughout the world. Hadassah named Lori one of the “Most Outstanding Jewish American Women of Our Time” and Izzy included Lori in its “Global Jewish 100” list for moving Jewish culture forward. In 2020, Lori was selected to light the “Diaspora” torch at the national ceremony for Israel’s 72nd Independence Day. In this episode we discuss the war in Israel and the heroic response of the Jewish people. We also discuss how Jews worldwide should respond to hearing about the atrocities and experiencing the antisemitism that emerged as a result of it. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: ⁠https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom⁠

Charlotte Korchak is the Senior Educator and Director of International Student Programs at StandWithUs Israel, where she educates and trains students from around the world in Israeli history and activism. Charlotte grew up in both the United States and Israel, spending her formative years living in Jerusalem during the second intifada, giving her both an internal and external perspective on Israel and the conflict. She graduated with a BA in Middle Eastern History from the University of Southern California, where she also took part in the StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship. Charlotte has since been working for StandWithUs having initially served as the West Coast Campus Coordinator based in Los Angeles, she then immigrated back to Israel transferring to the StandWithUs Israel office. In her current role as Senior Educator, Charlotte works with over 10,000 students a year from nearly every continent educating them about Israel and training them to be effective activists in their high schools, universities, and communities worldwide. She has quickly become one of the foremost public speakers in her field. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom Here are additional resources for StandWithUs: https://www.standwithus.com/situationroom https://www.standwithus.com/learn

In this episode, Rabbi Shlomo explores the beginning of the Torah, Parshat Bereishis to draw out deeper messages that relate to the situation with our brothers and sisters in Israel and across the world. The following was Rabbi Shlomo's message on social media: We are in this together. We are mourning the losses of our brothers, sisters, and children who were brutally slaughtered and whose beautiful, precious, and pure souls have returned to their Maker. We are praying for the brave warriors who will defend our brothers and sisters in Israel. May the Master of the World watch over them and give them success in their mission to protect us and return the captives home to their loved ones. We are processing the painful realization that there is real evil in this world. It is no longer Holocaust stories from the past. It is right before our eyes. Captured on video and posted in our social media feeds. And then defended by celebrities, influencers, and people right here on our soil who we believed were civilized people. We are sharing our love with all Jews, and encouraging our community to look beyond religious differences, labels, and affiliations and love each other like crazy right now!!! This is something we can all do from the comfort of our home... even greater if we can express it in some way! We are seeing the power of good and we are grateful to those who stand with us. To those who post and speak words of solidarity with Israel and with the Jewish people. Who remind us that we are not alone in this world. That there is light in the darkness. (Please encourage both Jews and non-Jews to speak up!!!) We urge everyone in our community to pray just a little deeper. To open your hearts to others. To open up your hand in charity. To smile and find joy in this difficult time and to share that joy with someone who needs it. To not be consumed by the darkness. We believe that there is ONE ABOVE who loves us dearly!!! Who is so mysterious and impossible to understand. Who makes us cry and question. But who has a masterplan and won't let go. When the curtain closes the mystery will be solved. But we aren't there yet. So we will just hold on tight until we get there. We are here to talk. We are here to listen. Please reach out.

What the story of Adam and Eve teach us about human consciousness, the desire for spiritual experiences and the need for human struggle. Learning how to accept ourselves even when we are feeling low. Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels: Facebook: @shlomobuxbaum Instagram: @shlomobuxbaum YouTube: TheLevExperience Pick up a copy of Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum's second book, "The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs". You can order a copy on Amazon, in your local Jewish bookstore, or right here: https://levx.org/event/the-four-elements-of-freedom