Talking Tachlis Podcast

We're now finishing our third full week of social distancing due to COVID-19. It's been draining, isolating, and painful for many of us, but as our guest Marc Fein reminds us, loneliness and isolation isn't new, for many members of our community. Uri and Rivky talk to Marc about mental health in the Jewish community, tips for handling solo seders, and how we can be resources to one another during this difficult time. Marc, What I Be project, http://whatibeproject.com/portfolio-item/i-am-not-my-role-2/ Solo Seder webinar: https://zoom.us/rec/play/6MZ4dL_5_Dw3GoXDtASDB_Z8W43oKv-s1XQWqfZbzh63UnZVMVbyNbIXYbYlxzpmvG95wtme5zKPtkXZ Ideas for Solo Seder: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jtPnU8a55zz0RRH8EuMOCCyIBtg8IGJApX6F5Di2wGs/edit Marc tells his story about depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ccs19L5n0

This week has been another heavy week. Many of us are seeing illness and even death within our circles, and even beyond that, changed routines, loss of control, and anxiety are pervading our lives. Uri and Rivky speak to Dr. Aviva Goldstein, an educator and family counselor based in Jerusalem, about how to deal with the overwhelming anxiety many of us, including children, are facing about the unknown and the future. https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-kids-of-corona-cultivating-character/ https://www.avivagoldstein.com/

This week, Rivky and Uri speak with Michael Berkowitz, founder of luxury outerwear brand Norwegian Wool. They discuss how Covid-19 has affected New Rochelle, how it has affected his business (much of which is based in Italy) and they touch on some broader takeaways from the crisis we've all been thrown into over the last few weeks. Links: Norwegian Wool: https://norwegian-wool.com/

As we try to get used to our new reality, we hope everyone is staying safe and staying home. This week we spoke with Rabbi Heshie Billet from the Young Israel of Woodmere to get an idea of what he has been dealing with in his community and beyond (and for some much needed humor!).

This week, with Coronavirus spreading around the world, we hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Instead of addressing the current crisis, we want to take you back to a simpler time, specifically 3 weeks ago... After our episode with Arun Viswanath, Uri had a conversation with his grandparents. They talk about their families, their childhood, and their relationship with the Yiddish language.

This week, Uri and Rivky interview special guest Rabbi Daniel Atwood - yes, that Rabbi Daniel Atwood. Daniel talks about how the recent YCT brouhaha upended his life, changed the way he thought, and has affected him in the year since. They also discuss what the boundaries of Orthodoxy are (or should be), what it means to be an Orthodox leader, and how being gay impacts him as a rabbi.

This week, Uri and Rivky interview special guest Rabbi Ben Greenfield. Over the last few years, Ben has created and coordinated hundreds of Jewish communal events, including a Yom Hashoah levaya, a Yom "Ki"Purim celebration, Shavuot seders, and Hanukkah symposiums. We talk about what some of these rituals look like and we ask, what is this? What does it mean about us that we are creating new ritual? Is it even Orthodox to do things like this?? They also discuss what it means to be a rabbinic leader today, in the age of social media and controversy. To speak more with Ben about these rituals, including a copy of his Shavuot haggadah, email him: ben@greenpointshul.org

This week, on our very special 100th episode, Uri and Rivky interviewed Arun Viswanath, who recently translated and published the Yiddish translation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (ALREADY SOLD OUT!!). Arun, Uri, and Rivky discuss the new book and ask, what is Yiddish and why is it important? Why shouldn’t we let it die? How is Yiddish similar, or different, to other religious cultural aspects? And, can Yiddish be separated from Judaism? (P.S. Recognize the dulcet tones on that Yiddish song? Hi Uri!) To pre-order the second edition of the book: https://harrypotter.olniansky.com/ Arun in Tablet: https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/culture-news/298268/harry-potter-translated-yiddish

Kobe Bryant, basketball legend, died last week at the age of 41 in a sudden accident. Immediately, as often seems to happen, people flocked to social media, some posting about the amazing player and person he was, and others reminding us that he is still accused of rape and assault. And, of course, legacies are complicated. How does this Kobe situation, from 15 years ago, relate to “cancel culture” - does it? How “bad” does accusations about a person have to be, to be a part of their legacy? How do we determine who gets to be “forgiven” - does the accuser make that decision? Do we as society? Related links: https://www.thedailybeast.com/kobe-bryants-disturbing-rape-case-the-dna-evidence-the-accusers-story-and-the-half-confession https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/sports/basketball/kobe-bryant-rape-case.html https://jill.substack.com/p/kobe-bryant-and-complicated-legacies?fbclid=IwAR24xKgTEu8HJAck_Hv4gs_nnGESfNu6neVa4bPicXNa_ptYyojaExwooto https://medium.com/@martin.m.morrow/dear-white-women-d2b2ce2c4ba6

This week, Uri and Rivky discuss two topics about the mixing (or lack thereof) of religion and politics. In Israel, Rav Yoel Bin Nun denounced religious Zionist politics parties, and argued that religious leadership in the Knesset has been an epic failure. In America, Espizona vs. Montana is just another event in the saga of the separation of church and state. Uri and Rivky ask, is there room for the mixing of religion and politics? What place, if any, should religion have in the public sphere, and how does our identity as religious Jews affect our perspective on this issue? Related links: Separation of Church and State in America https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States#Supreme_Court_cases Espinoza v Montana Dept of Revenue - https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/01/argument-analysis-justices-divided-in-montana-school-choice-case/ Kobe Bryant short film Dear Basketball - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9saQ-4_8Csk

This week, Uri and Rivky discuss a recent Tablet article: “Secular Synagogues Take Root in Israel.” (Thanks to astute Tach-head Adi for the tip!) As the article documented, there is a recent rise of non-observant Israelis looking for deeper spiritual connection to Judaism, and they're finding it in new ways, like through secular synagogues. But is a secular synagogue an oxymoron? Is this movement inspiring, or sacrilegious, or both? And could/should such a movement exist here in the United States? Related links: Secular Synagogues Take Root In Israel: https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/295429/secular-synagogues-take-root-in-israel Reform/Conservative Movements In Israel: http://jppi.org.il/new/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/RisingStreams.pdf Neturei Karta clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUjiJpshGCw

This week, Uri and Rivky speak about the recent march against antisemitism, where over 10,000 marched from Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn to protest the recent antisemitic incidents. Many have mentioned the less-then-huge participation of Hasidic and Haredi groups. Uri and Rivky ask, when is it appropriate to focus on, or let go of, different factions within a larger community? How do we foster love, community, and unity when some groups reject others? See more here: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/05/nyregion/anti-semitism-solidarity-march-nyc.html https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/25000-people-march-against-anti-semitism-in-new-york-city/ AOC at the march: https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1213915349302882304

This week, instead of hearing from Uri and Rivky, we hear from you: the Tach-Heads! You spoke about who you tend to agree with, the issues from this past year that you thought were the most important, the things you want us to discuss in the future, and the people you want us to interview.

In the last few weeks, antisemitism has been back in the news. (Did it ever leave?) President Trump released his executive order on combating antisemitism, and, in that same week, Jews were gunned down in a kosher grocery store in Jersey City, an unprecedented act that shook many of us to our core. Uri and Rivky ask, what about the executive order was so controversial? And, what happened in Jersey City? Is there a larger meaning to it all? And, ultimately, is there any connection we can draw between these two events? Links: Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-combating-anti-semitism/ NY Times The Daily "A Fight Over How to Fight Anti-Semitism": https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/podcasts/the-daily/anti-semitism.html? The Hill "Why We Should Applaud Trump's executive Order On Anti-Semitism": https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/474271-why-we-should-applaud-trumps-executive-order-on-anti-semitism Yair Rosenberg "Trump's Redefini

This week, Uri and Rivky spoke with Gary Rosenblatt. Before retiring several months ago, Gary had been the Editor In Chief at the Jewish Week for almost thirty years, and he now serves as Editor At Large. They spoke about the responsibilities of journalism, what “Jewish” journalism looks like, and how to filter bias and respond to criticism when reporting on your own community. Gary also reflects on the most important stories he wrote, and didn’t write, over his career in journalism. Between the Lines: Reflections on the American Jewish Experience -A Collection From 20 Years of Columns as the Editor of The Jewish Week: https://www.amazon.com/Between-Lines-Reflections-Experience-Collection/dp/0615917496 Gary Rosenblatt, "Stolen Innocence": https://www.bjpa.org/content/upload/bjpa/stol/Stolen%20Innocence%20-%20Gary%20Rosenblatt%20-%20Jewish%20Week%20-%20Sexual%20Abuse.pdf NY Times on Lanner article: https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/10/business/media-paper-seen-as-villain-in-abuse-accusations-against-ra

This week Rivky and Uri discuss a recent article written by Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, entitled "The First Modern Orthodox Jew: Two Models." Rabbi Pruzansky contrasts Avraham and Lot, and uses them as models for two ways Orthodox Jews can approach the secular world, specifically the world of secular college. Rivky and Uri ask, does this article accurately depict the MO world? Too harsh? Not harsh enough? And what do we think in general about this type of approach to Jewish life? Links: Rabbi Pruzansky's blog https://rabbipruzansky.com/   Rabbi Pruzansky's Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Pruzansky Music: Phish - Avinu Malkenu 12/1/19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4yBXU8o2-k

This week, Uri and Rivky welcome writer and activist Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll, who believes that the attempt to erase women from Judaism is a scourge Orthodoxy must take seriously. Uri, Rivky, and Shoshanna discuss activism and feminism, and ask, is this really as big a deal as people think? How can you be frum and feminist? And what are the fundamental goals for this movement?

Last month, The New Yorker published a piece entitled, “Astrology in the Age of Uncertainty,” in which the writer asked, what’s with all these educated millennials who see no contradiction between using astrology and believing in science? Uri and Rivky speak to some of those same millennials, and ask, what’s the deal? Why do we seem to find astrology so compelling? What do Jewish sources tell us about astrology? And, is it real, and does that matter? Links: New Yorker Article https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/10/28/astrology-in-the-age-of-uncertainty Wikipedia Jewish Astrology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_views_on_astrology  Enneagram https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality  Ari Moshe Wolfe http://www.arimoshe.com/ Shifra Baderhttp://kosherastrology.com/ Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c7Q4hjcBjA

What are the defining issues for the American Jewish community to tackle in the 21st century? To speak to this, Uri and Rivky speak to Dr. Elana Stein Hain, Scholar in Residence at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, and leading Orthodox thinker and speaker. They also get into lots of the most relevant questions of our day, including: is Zionism is essential to being a religious Jew? How should we handle religious text that make us cringe? And, why we don’t speak about God when we speak about religion?

Though the majority of Jews in America see themselves as left-leaning, the majority of Orthodox Jews lean more to the right. This week, Uri and Rivky spoke to Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, Senior Director of the Tikvah Fund and Dean of the Tikvah Summer Institute at Yale University. We ask Rabbi Gottlieb: What is Tikvah? What is Jewish conservatism? We also discuss some challenges facing modern Jewish education, as well as the lessons that Jews can learn from other religious groups, such as Christians and Muslims. Jews and Conservatism conference: https://www.jewishleadershipconference.org/