The Orthonomics Podcast
The Orthonomics Podcast explores issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish community, through the dual lenses of data – drawn from a wide range of sources – and informed conversations with knowledgeable and often opinionated experts. Each episode also includes a segment titled “What do you want to know about the Orthodox community?” In which our guest, as well as our listeners, get to pose their questions on issues that intrigue them, and we answer your questions.
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(56) An Orthodox Jewish Woman Activist … Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll
05/07/2026
(56) An Orthodox Jewish Woman Activist … Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll
Our guest is Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll, a well-known Orthodox Jewish writer and activist whose work focuses on women’s rights in Orthodox Judaism and the visibility of women in religious life. Born and raised in Lakewood, New Jersey, she moved to Israel with her family, where she has become a prominent voice challenging religious extremism, the erasure of women from public and communal spaces, and broadly advocating for Orthodox Jewish women. In this episode we discuss a number of issues including the increasing erasure of images of women in Orthodox venues. the agunah problem (women who are unable to obtain a get – a Jewish legal divorce – and are chained to former spouses and unable to remarry), women’s health issues, their growing roles in Jewish learning, and more. She is a co‑founder of , an organization that creates change in the global Jewish society by challenging dangerous trends in Jewish communities around the world. Using new and traditional media the organization sheds light on societal norms that exclude women and feed extremism. She is also a founder of , a resource and website that evaluates and improves Jewish divorce in the rabbinic court (beit din) system. Courts are rated via user and professional reviews and are offered ways to improve users’ experiences. Finally, she is a founder of the , a dedicated resource for authentic images of Jewish women, families, and communities, aiming to counter erasure.
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(55) Aliyah: Varnished and Unvarnished … with Shifra Gewurtz
04/30/2026
(55) Aliyah: Varnished and Unvarnished … with Shifra Gewurtz
In this episode we discuss aliyah with Shifra Gewurtz, reflecting realistically on the challenges, the realities, and the successes. We talk about her long-term goal of making aliyah, the decision-making process, the many logistics involved, family issues (lots of teenagers involved), housing, taxes and income, tuition and health costs, what surprised her, and more. Shifra is passionate and honest in our conversation. She previously had her own retail business in New York, currently works for the Orthodox Union, and is also a dating life and marriage coach. I will add that she is my niece and we view her as a “source of wisdom.” Link to Jewish Learning & Gap Year Survey … Click .
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(54) Splitting Hairs … with Rabbi Dr. Michael J. Broyde
04/14/2026
(54) Splitting Hairs … with Rabbi Dr. Michael J. Broyde
In this episode we discuss with Rabbi Dr. Michael J. Broyde the evolution, especially in the past half century, of communal standards for tzniut in dress, particularly among women; whether laws of tzniut over the millennia have been objective and fixed, or subject within bounds to changing societal norms; possible U.S. societal changes that might affect tzniut in the Orthodox community; the positive benefits of increasing diversity in the Orthodox community, especially in the U.S.; Haredi shifting values relating to learning and working, Rabbi Broyde is a professor of law at Emory University School of Law and a leading scholar at the intersection of law, religion, and Jewish ethics. He is also Berman Projects Director and senior fellow at Emory’s Center for the Study of Law and Religion, and teached Jewish Law at Columbia University. His most recent book, “Splitting Hairs,” which we discuss in some detail, is a rigorously argued and refreshingly candid halakhic study of women’s hair covering and tzniut more broadly. It is available at Amazon … click . Ordained at Yeshiva University, he served for many years as a dayan on the Beth Din of America and was the founding rabbi of Young Israel of Toco Hills in Atlanta. He holds a JD from New York University School of Law and has authored hundreds of articles and numerous books on Jewish law, family law, bioethics, religious freedom, and comparative religious law. In recent years, he has written on such topics as religious arbitration, kidney transplants and vouchers, Jewish law and modesty, and a modern explication of the Book of Genesis. Rabbi Broyde can be reached at , and he welcomes emails. A Times of Israel interview about his new book is available at this .
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(53) Caring for Your Health – Halachically … with Dr. Sharon Galper Grossman
03/25/2026
(53) Caring for Your Health – Halachically … with Dr. Sharon Galper Grossman
In this episode, we continue our discussion of health, including some references to our recent survey of the community, with Dr. Sharon Galper Grossman. Dr. Grossman is a Harvard-trained physician (MD) with a Master of Public Health degree (MPH), a radiation oncologist, public-health scholar, and a Jewish law (halacha) scholar and educator, known for bridging modern medicine and Jewish ethics and halacha, especially on issues related to women’s health and preventive measures. She previously served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Grossman is deeply involved in advanced Jewish legal scholarship. She completed the Morot L’Halakha program at Matan Women's Institute for Torah Studies, and she provides the observant Jewish community with expert medical knowledge uniquely melded with deep halachic knowledge and appreciation. She has written widely on these topics in such publications as Tradition, Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, and The Times of Israel. Click to see Dr. Grossman's article in the OU Jewish Action Pesach Newsletter: "The Ozempic Seder: Navigating Weight-Loss Medicine on Pesach." For our recent report, “The Nishma Research / JOWMA Orthodox Jewish Community Health Needs Assessment Survey” – click . For a related article in The Jewish Press, “How Healthy are Orthodox Jews?” – click . Many articles by Dr. Grossman are available at The Times of Israel – click . If you have any suggestions for our upcoming survey on “Gap Year Experiences and Impacts” please email them to us – click .
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(52) The Health and Related Concerns of Orthodox Jews … with Dr. Jennie Berkovich
03/12/2026
(52) The Health and Related Concerns of Orthodox Jews … with Dr. Jennie Berkovich
In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Jennie Berkovich the results of our recent survey of over 1,100 Orthodox Jews, relating to their health concerns and issues. Dr. Berkovich is a board-certified pediatrician focused on improving access to care for children, while also educating communities about pediatric health. She is also the Director of Education of JOWMA – The Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association – the organization that collaborated with us on this study, and she authored substantial sections of the report, providing her medical reactions and advice on the health issues raised. Links: For the full report, “The Nishma Research / JOWMA Orthodox Jewish Community Health Needs Assessment Survey” – click . For a related article in The Jewish Press, “How Healthy are Orthodox Jews?” – click . To access the JOWMA website, click . Note that the website has information on many resources available to healthcare providers and to the public. There are many pages in the report labeled as “Medical Observations & Recommendations – Prepared by JOWMA,” and these were all prepared by Dr. Berkovich in connection with the most frequently mentioned health concerns. In our conversation, Dr. Berkovich mentioned the “Plant-Forward Diet,” and this is explained in a bit of detail on pages 28-29 of the report. Dr. Berkovich mentioned JOWMA’s forthcoming book, “The Jewish Woman’s Health Handbook” (summer of 2026). If you want to be informed when the book is released, just send an email to , with “JOWMA Book” as the subject, and we’ll send you an email when the book is released.
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(51) Jewish Preparedness and Self-Defense … With Harry Weller
02/03/2026
(51) Jewish Preparedness and Self-Defense … With Harry Weller
Harry Weller is extremely knowledgeable on the topic of how we as Jews can defend ourselves, be prepared for and able to respond to threats. In this episode we discuss the need for, and resources available for Jews to learn self-defense, preparedness, how to deal with potential threats, and even the topic of gun ownership. Harry Weller is a long-time Connecticut attorney who served for decades as a Senior Assistant State’s Attorney in the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. He is known for his work as a prosecutor and appellate litigator, handling a wide range of criminal appeals on behalf of the state. He argued numerous cases in the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts, including high-profile criminal matters. He was a recipient of awards such as Prosecutor of the Year and the University of Connecticut School of Law’s Public Service Award for his contributions to criminal justice. In addition, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at UConn Law School. Here is a to the Legion Program, which Harry describes in this episode.
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(50) Rethinking, While Also Caring … with Rabbi Steven Greenberg
01/29/2026
(50) Rethinking, While Also Caring … with Rabbi Steven Greenberg
Rabbi Steven Greenberg is an Orthodox rabbi and author. Ordained at Yeshiva University, he has spent years teaching, writing, and speaking across the Jewish world about tradition, ethics, and religious change. Specifically, as co-founder of the group Eshel, he was one of the earliest voices calling for inclusion of LGBTQ individuals – gay people – within Orthodox Judaism. How do we do that? On the one hand, we must think deeply about how Torah speaks to this reality. At the same time, we must care for people living this reality right now. Rabbi Greenberg joins us to explore where Orthodoxy has been – and where it may be heading – on some of its most challenging and important questions. Here is a to Eshel for more information. Or enter into your web browser: https://www.eshelonline.org/ If you have any comments on this episode, suggestions for future episodes, or just want to chat about research in the Jewish world, please email .
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(49) The Cost of Orthodox Life: Are Things Really Getting Worse? … With David Sheril
01/16/2026
(49) The Cost of Orthodox Life: Are Things Really Getting Worse? … With David Sheril
In this episode we discuss the cost of Orthodox / frum life. What factors affect it, and how? We discuss overall finances (how many are doing OK; how many are not doing OK?); the impact of children’s education costs; housing costs in Orthodox neighborhoods; kosher food prices; competitiveness and “showiness”; whether and how incomes are keeping up; is the Orthodox situation getting worse, including compared to the U.S. as a whole?; and, finally, to what extent are people holding up under cost pressures? My guest, David Sheril grew up Britain. His family became baalei teshuvah when he was nine years old. When David was eleven, his family made aliyah, and he moved to the US at age 22, in 2005. David attended Mir Yerushalayim and Ner Yisroel, he served as a Jewish high school rebbe for several year,; and then attended law school. He is currently General Counsel for a privately held real estate transactional, management, and lending company. David resides in Clifton, New Jersey, with his wife Miriam (formerly an officer at the Federal Reserve Bank and now Head of Product at an international fintech startup) and their three children. If you have any comments on this episode, suggestions for future episodes, or just want to chat about research in the Jewish world, please email . Finally, our Orthodox Community Health Needs and Assessment Survey will be online through January 19, and here is a to take the survey, if you are inclined to do so.
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(48) An Excellent Jewish Learning Resource … With Audrey Lichter
01/09/2026
(48) An Excellent Jewish Learning Resource … With Audrey Lichter
Audrey Lichter is a long-time Jewish educator and community leader, and the founding Executive Director of the Chai Mitzvah program. Audrey has worked in Jewish education for over 30 years, including as the founding principal of Yachad, the community high school in Greater Hartford, Connecticut. She has been active as a lay leader, received community awards, and has been involved locally and nationally in Jewish day school and educational initiatives. Her leadership background and deep experience in Jewish learning helped shape Chai Mitzvah into a program that emphasizes personal meaning and lifelong Jewish engagement. She and her son Simon are the producers of a biweekly lecture series on Zoom called Scholar's Circle that features eminent scholars on topics relating to Israel, antizionism and antisemitism and the Middle East. Lectures are free and open to the public and can be accessed through the ChaiMitzvah website. Chai Mitzvah offers a huge array of Jewish study opportunities, suited to men, women and teens across all of Judaism. The books by Scott Shay that Audrey mentions are: Getting Our Groove Back: How to Energize American Jewry (2007); In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism (2018); and Conspiracy U: A Case Study (2021). More information is available at . Links to: The ChaiMitzvah The ChaiMitzvah The Nishma Research Jewish Study What people want to learn – 605 Responses
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(47) Self-Identification, Leaving Orthodoxy, Divorce, Therapy, and More … With Miriam Moster, PhD
12/19/2025
(47) Self-Identification, Leaving Orthodoxy, Divorce, Therapy, and More … With Miriam Moster, PhD
Miriam Moster has a PhD sociology, she is a Mellon Humanities Public Fellow and a Wexner Graduate Fellow. Her research explores Jewish communities, education, and the experiences of individuals navigating the boundaries of insular religious worlds. “Navigating the boundaries” means moving from one sector of Judaism and observance to another sector and lifestyle; and she has published widely on these topics. Her work is distinguished by an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on sociology, narrative, and cultural studies to better understand how people view and construct their own personal identity and how they fit into a community. In a wide-ranging conversation, we talk about adults who leave the observant community, the acceptance and value of research in the Haredi community, divorces and their impact on changes in religiosity and religious self-identification, Shabbat for singles, the greater acceptance and “mainstreaming” of therapy, and the dangers and cautions relating to therapy.
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(46) Addictions and Suicides in the Orthodox Community … with Zvi Gluck, CEO of Amudim
12/16/2025
(46) Addictions and Suicides in the Orthodox Community … with Zvi Gluck, CEO of Amudim
Thanks to the Halacha Headlines podcast and Dovid Lichtenstein for allowing us to share this important episode with the Orthonomics audience. Halacha Headlines is an excellent podcast, primarily aimed at the Yeshivish community but with important insights for all Orthodox Jews. It is available at all podcast platforms. For further information about the issues discussed, go to . The Nishma Research Health Assessment Survey of the Orthodox community is available through January 18, 2026 at . You may send feedback or questions to .
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(45) A Man of Emes v’Emunah … Truth and Faith … Harry Maryles
11/27/2025
(45) A Man of Emes v’Emunah … Truth and Faith … Harry Maryles
Harry Maryles is the author behind the blog Emes Ve-Emunah (which is now also released as a Substack publication). For many years he has written extensively and prolifically on issues of Halacha (Jewish law), hashkafa (Jewish philosophy), and contemporary matters affecting Orthodoxy. He does not shy away from sensitive or controversial issues, and his columns are just excellent. I’ve very much enjoyed reading his column and we have even interacted from time to time. He is a rabbi and holds a psychology degree, and also publishes essays and commentary for news-and-analysis outlets such as The Times of Israel. If you want to read his fascinating posts, here is a link to his , where he has been posting for many years, and here is a to his new Substack, where you can subscribe to get his postings via email.
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(44) Navigating Grief Through Jewish Tradition … with Elissa Felder
11/26/2025
(44) Navigating Grief Through Jewish Tradition … with Elissa Felder
is a: • Renowned speaker • Author of the book “” • The Coordinator of Elissa also mentioned and the excellent they have prepared for follow-up discussion of the topics she raises.
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(43) What Comes After Orthodox Divorce, for Men and Women … with Esther Eisner
10/21/2025
(43) What Comes After Orthodox Divorce, for Men and Women … with Esther Eisner
Esther Eisner is the founder of AfterForever.org, an online support community for Jewish divorcees. As a divorcee herself, Esther has experienced firsthand some of the challenges of rebuilding – both one’s home and ones’ self – post-divorce. She started After Forever to help others get back on their feet and to assist in navigating the path to starting over. This is the fourth and final episode of a series dealing wih divorce in the Orthodox Jewish community. See also episode 37 (an overview of the survey findings), episode 39 (conversation with Rabbi Weissmann, director of the Beth Din of America), and episode 40 (conversation with Attorney Deborah Chames, whose broad practice includes family law and divorce issues in the Orthodox community). Here are links to: The . A of the report. The site offering support to divorcees. If you would like to receive our upcoming Health Survey, just send an email to .
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(42) Health, Covid and More … with Dr. David Wolpaw, MD
10/05/2025
(42) Health, Covid and More … with Dr. David Wolpaw, MD
David Wolpaw reacts to the top health issues that Orthodox Jews recently told us are most important to them, including how their priorities compare with those of the general population. We also have a wide-ranging conversation covering such topics as attitudes toward vaccines, trust in medical authority and government, social media, Israel, and a little bit of politics.
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(41) Diet and Fitness in the Orthodox Community … With Rocky (Yerachmiel) Bochner
09/05/2025
(41) Diet and Fitness in the Orthodox Community … With Rocky (Yerachmiel) Bochner
Rocky Bochner is a data analyst and behavioral neuroscientist … and also both a certified personal trainer and a certified nutrition coach in the New York City Orthodox community. It is the latter – exercise and diet – that bring him to this program, in connection with our upcoming health survey. While his practice – RockFitnessNYC.com – provides personal training and classes for men, the issues we discuss apply to all adults in the Orthodox community. Additionally, he trains couples, prepares workouts for women, and can offers recommendations for female one-on-one trainers.
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(40) Divorce and the Law … With Attorney Deborah S. Chames
09/04/2025
(40) Divorce and the Law … With Attorney Deborah S. Chames
This episode continues our series on divorce, with our guest Deborah Chames, a highly respected partner at a Miami law firm. Deborah represents family law clients at Kluger, Kaplan, a Southeast Florida firm with clients nationwide. She handles high-net-worth divorces and high-conflict divorces. Guided by 42 years of experience, Chames crafts a strategy that advocates for clients while remaining sensitive. She is the first and only woman on the board of Yeshiva Toras Chaim, the largest Orthodox day school in the South. Her daughter, Melissa, also practices family law at Kluger, Kaplan. Chames works pro bono with the legal services committee of the Orthodox Union. In addition to providing solid advice to those contemplating or pursuing divorce, we discuss trends in Orthodox divorce, what she sees first-hand as the major causes, and she suggests some approaches that could reduce the problems and help young people transition into marriage. Links: Deborah’s The Nishma Research 2025 , some of which is discussed in this episode.
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(39) The Broad Role and Value of the Beth Din … With Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann
09/03/2025
(39) The Broad Role and Value of the Beth Din … With Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann
We did a recent and discussed the findings in episode 37. This episode is the first of several follow-ups on that topic. The Beth Din of America serves as a national rabbinical court, affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America and the Orthodox Union. It addresses a broad spectrum of issues and is likely the busiest beth din in the country. (This here are many in the US and experiences vary among them.) Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann is both a rabbi and a lawyer, having received rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University and graduated from Columbia Law School. He oversees BDA operations and also serves as an arbitrator (dayan) and mediator in both civil and religious matters. He frequently write, speaks and teaches on how Jewish law intersects with contemporary secular law. Under his direction, the Beth Din has promoted the use and administration of the halakhic prenuptial agreement viewed as an effective solution to the agunah problem by preventing cases of divorce refusal. Links: • The and information about the . • The Nishma Research 2023 (See pages 36-38, which discuss the divorce process) • Article “,” Jewish Link, July 24, 2025.
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(38) Emunah and Physics: A Jewish Resolve …with Dr. Berel (Zachary) Epstein
08/05/2025
(38) Emunah and Physics: A Jewish Resolve …with Dr. Berel (Zachary) Epstein
Dr. Berel Leib (Zachary) Epstein lives in Baltimore with his wife and children. He learns at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel. He also is a theoretical physicist and a Senior Staff Scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he engages in advanced research aimed at supporting the United States' technological edge in defense applications. He came to my attention when I received an email from Mosaica Press about his new book “Emunah and Physics: A Jewish Resolve.” Mosaica Press writes: “The age of the earth. Archaeological evidence. The nature of miracles. These questions have often been either sidestepped or answered in ways that satisfy neither the scientific mind nor the believing soul. ‘Emunah and Physics’ does something rare: it takes these questions seriously, without flinching—and without losing the integrity of either science or Torah. “Dr. Epstein explores the blurred and often misunderstood boundaries between what we know, what we believe, and what we are still discovering. This book is not about proving Torah with science, nor is it about bending Torah to fit scientific models. It’s about thinking clearly, with humility and depth, and seeing how the two worlds can not only coexist but deeply illuminate each other.” Here is a to information about this book.
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(37) Marriage & Divorce … What Works and What Doesn’t
07/28/2025
(37) Marriage & Divorce … What Works and What Doesn’t
In this episode, we interview Esther Eisner and David Sheril, two of the members of our Community Advisory Group that helped to develop this study. We discuss a wide range of findings among Modern Orthodox and Haredi Jews, including the causes of divorce and the factors that help to create a lasting marriage. The full report (“A Survey of Orthodox Jewish Family Life, Marriage & Divorce”) may be found . Esther’s Divorce Support Group – AfterForever.org – may be found . Finally, our next study will cover Orthodox Jews and health. At this time, we would love to give you, our listening audience, an opportunity to chime in on issues related to health. So click for a brief, two-minute mini-survey, where you will be able to suggest questions for us to ask in our survey of Orthodox Jews and health. Thank you so much for your participation.
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(36) From the Right – With Rabbi Dov Fischer
07/01/2025
(36) From the Right – With Rabbi Dov Fischer
Rabbi Dov Fischer was ordained at Yeshiva University, has held leadership roles in numerous Jewish organizations, and is the founding rabbi of Young Israel of Orange County, California. He is also an accomplished trial attorney, writer, and prominent leader in advocacy relating to Orthodox Jewish issues. A UCLA Law school graduate, he has worked at major law firms, and has been an adjunct law professor for over 15 years. He is a public commentator, has written for The American Spectator, Israel National News, Forward, the Jewish Press, the Times of Israel, Arutz Sheva, and others, and has a series of YouTube videos containing Torah classes and other discussions, He is a prominent leader of the CJV (Coalition for Jewish Values), where he expresses thoughtful view and policy advocacy on issues related to Jewish Orthodoxy … from the political and religious right (hence the title of this episode). In this episode, Rav Fischer describes his fascinating background, and we discuss advocacy in the Orthodox community, Israel, polling, recent events in New York City, and more. Links and Contact Information: Coalition for Jewish Values - Cross-Currents (At the Intersection of Torah and Current Events) – Subscribe to Rav Fischer’s YouTube channel at and follow him on X (Twitter) at @DovFischerRabbi to find his latest classes, interviews, speeches, and observations. To attend any of his three weekly Zoom classes — Sundays on the past week’s events impacting Israel and world Jewry, and Tuesdays and Thursdays on the Tanakh (Bible) and Jewish law — send a request to rabbi@yioc.org.
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(35) Yoetzet Halacha and Community Scholar – Ruthie Braffman Shulman
05/27/2025
(35) Yoetzet Halacha and Community Scholar – Ruthie Braffman Shulman
Ruthie Braffman Shulman is passionate about the importance of women’s roles in Torah Leadership positions, and she currently serves as the Director of Women's Torah Leadership at Micah Philanthropies, where she develops and supports women in Torah leadership positions at shuls. Simultaneously, she is the Yoetzet Halacha and community scholar at Young Israel of West Hartford CT. Ruthie studied at Sha’alvim for Women and Yeshiva University’s Stern College and earned an M.A. in Talmud at Yeshiva University’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women (GPATS). She is also trained and certified as a Yoetzet Halacha. Ruthie has nearly twenty years of experience in community leadership and Torah education, having worked at institutions such as United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston, Manhattan Jewish Experience, OU-JLIC at University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. She resides in Philadelphia with her husband and four children. Here is the link to our Survey of Orthodox Jewish Family Life, Marriage & Divorce, available online through June 18, 2025: .
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(34) “In-Town” vs. “Out-of-Town” Living … with Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg
05/18/2025
(34) “In-Town” vs. “Out-of-Town” Living … with Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg
Rabbi Weinberg is a distinguished Jewish educator, relationship coach, and speaker, renowned for his expertise in fostering healthy relationships and guiding personal development. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, he holds a master's degrees in marriage and family therapy, secondary education, and school administration; and a doctorate in education with a focus on adolescent religious development. He has over 25 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator, including serving as the principal at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck, New York. He currently lives in Israel, and conducts seminars, webinars, and speaking engagements focused on enhancing relationships between couples, parents and children, teachers and students, and more. Check out his website at
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(33) The Evolution of Orthodoxy… With Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
05/06/2025
(33) The Evolution of Orthodoxy… With Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
In this episode, our wide-ranging discussion covers the size of the Orthodox and Modern Orthodox community, how and why the Orthodox have become a minority, the cost and standards of living of Orthodoxy, some under-valued benefits, and even some sport trivia! Our guest, Rabbi Zev Eleff received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. At Yeshiva University, Eleff graduated from Yeshiva College and received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a past Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, a prestigious program for Jewish leaders and professionals. Zev Eleff is the president of Gratz College. One of the youngest presidents in American higher education, Eleff, at 35 years-old, was elected by the College’s Board of Governors in 2021. He was previously chief academic officer of Hebrew Theological College and vice provost of Touro College Illinois. A prolific scholar, Eleff holds an international reputation for academic rigor and sophistication. He is the author or editor of 14 books and more than 120 articles in the fields of Jewish Studies and American Religion. Eleff’s research in American Jewish history has received numerous awards, including the American Jewish Historical Society’s Wasserman Prize and the Rockower Award for Excellence by the American Jewish Press Association. He is also a two-time finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, a member of the Academic Council of the American Jewish Historical Society, and one of the youngest faculty members promoted to full professor in Touro College’s history. Eleff resides in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Melissa, and their three children. In this episode, we mention community feedback on a very wide range of Jewish topics that people want to learn. Here is a to the community feedback on this topic.
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(32) A Peek Into the Hasidic World … with Frieda Vizel
04/04/2025
(32) A Peek Into the Hasidic World … with Frieda Vizel
Frieda Vizel was raised in the Satmar Hasidic community. At age 25, she left that community and pursued higher education, culminating in a master’s degree at Sarah Lawrence College. Since 2013, she has been offering walking tours of Hasidic Williamsburg. Her tours provide insights into the community's traditions and daily life, and are noted for their educational, respectful and balanced approach. And they are lots of fun. Her work offers a unique perspective, bridging her deep-rooted background in the Hasidic community with her academic pursuits and personal journey. She continues to foster understanding and dialogue about Hasidic life through her tours, writings, and her YouTube channel. Website: YouTube Videos: If you want to chime in on our upcoming survey dealing with divorce, check out this link:
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(31) Orthodox Divorces: Why? Why? Why? … with Betzalel Rothstein
03/24/2025
(31) Orthodox Divorces: Why? Why? Why? … with Betzalel Rothstein
Betzalel Rothstein is a Certified Divorce Coach and Mediator who is highly regarded and has been involved in hundreds of divorce cases over the past 10 years either as Mediator, Coach, Parenting Coordinator or Consultant. He has extensive experience in dealing with difficult topics such as parental alienation, blended families, relocation, and what to do when parents differ about hashkafah. Betzalel has personal experience with many of these topics and he has learned from many of the leading experts in high-conflict divorces. Betzalel’s Contact Information: Website: Email: Phone: 646.493.9783 As noted in this episode, we plan to soon do a broad communal survey on the topic of divorce. We are giving all of our listeners the opportunity to chime in on issues they would like us to explore, as well as to sign up to get the survey form as soon as it is released. Just go to this link to participate:
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(30) Rabbi Steven Gotlib: A Thoughtful and Bold Voice for Our Complicated Times
03/11/2025
(30) Rabbi Steven Gotlib: A Thoughtful and Bold Voice for Our Complicated Times
In this episode, we have a wide-ranging discussion, touching on such topics as: • Significant differences between US and Canadian Jewry/Orthodoxy • Interactions and public conversations across among various denominations • The evolving role of women in Modern Orthodoxy • Has politics become a “Jewish issue” (and/or divisive), including attitudes toward Israel and Zionism • Struggles with faith and rationality • What factors lead to Orthodox couples getting divorced Steven Gotlib is Associate Rabbi at Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue in Philadelphia. A graduate of Rutgers University, he received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University (RIETS), a certificate in mental health counseling from the Ferkauf School of Psychology in partnership with RIETS, and a START Certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship from the Glean Network in partnership with Columbia Business School. He also manages the marketing at RIETS, A popular guest speaker throughout the US and Canada, Rabbi Gotlib has written for various websites and publications. He strongly believes in making Jewish theology, philosophy, and law as accessible as possible to all who seek guidance and comfort within our tradition. He can be reached at rabbisgotlib@mekorhabracha.org.
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(29) Aliza Bulow: Empowering Orthodox Jewish Women & Strengthening Our Homes
02/24/2025
(29) Aliza Bulow: Empowering Orthodox Jewish Women & Strengthening Our Homes
Aliza Bulow is an author, educator and mentor to Jewish women around the world, who founded CORE, an organization that empowers and connects Orthdox Jewish women. Core connects, develops and sustains women who engage in klal (the collective community) work. Core supports women in three main ways: 1) MMC (Mashpia-Mentor-Counselor) Program: Core offers 2.5 years of training to develop women who are pillars of spiritual support within our communities 2) Communities of Practice: Core connects women who share a field of Jewish service and offers continuing inspiration and education 3) Core Circles: Core supports women who facilitate Core Circles, small groups that strengthen relationships in local communities, and networks those Circles both regionally and internationally For more information, see . ---------- Before founding Core she directed Ner LeElef’s North American Women’s Program for 11 years where she coached rebbetzins and provided strategic development for outreach organizations in Canada, the US and Mexico. Her love of Jewish texts and philosophy was developed at Michlelet Bruria, Hebrew University and Hunter College where she graduated with honors in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. In her early career, she worked for Partners in Torah and The Jewish Experience. Even before entering college, Aliza’s passion for strengthening Jews and the Jewish community led her to campaign on behalf of Soviet Jewry and build settlements in Israel while serving in Nachal. That early passion has only grown with time. Over the past four decades, Aliza has worked with hundreds of women in over 50 cities and 5 continents, strengthening the social fabric of Klal Yisroel. A few of the terms used in this episode: Mekarvot - Women involved in Jewish outreach Ratzon - Will; and Bitachon – Faith Kallah – Bride Hashkafah - Overall religious guiding philosophy / worldview Taharat Ha'Mishpacha – Jewish Halachic laws relating to marital relations Kedushah - Holiness; and Tahara – Spiritual clanliness Chevra Kadisha - Jewish Burial Society Kavanah - Religious understanding and purpose
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(28) Moish’s Believe It or Not! Bet you didn’t know that about Orthodoxy ...
02/03/2025
(28) Moish’s Believe It or Not! Bet you didn’t know that about Orthodoxy ...
In this episode we present some surprising facts about Modern Orthodoxy and the Orthodox community as a whole, based upon Nishma Research surveys between 2016 and 2024. We explore the size and growth of the community, religious beliefs and practices, political views, the finances of living an Orthodox Jewish life, the role of women in Modern Orthodoxy, and the levels of optimism vs. pessimism among several denominations across the American Jewish community. Did any of this surprise you? Do you have questions or suggestions for future research or podcast episodes? Would you like a follow-up episode sharing additional factoids? Contact us at . All of the research cited may be found at this .
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(27) Haredi Expert, Researcher and Founder of Mispar.com, Dina Goldman
01/07/2025
(27) Haredi Expert, Researcher and Founder of Mispar.com, Dina Goldman
Dina Goldman is at the frontier of researching and understanding the Chasidish and Yeshivish communities. She has spent over a decade working in marketing and advertising within the Orthodox Jewish community. Seeing how many businesses really lack solid information that they need, she founded – The Jewish Community, a Story of Numbers, a company focused on providing rich, timely data to help businesses and non-profits make informed decisions. Dina and her team conduct all kinds of studies, and she often uses creative methods to reach the Orthodox community … and that can be challenging. Mispar has also Orthodox Jewish research panel, giving researchers and businesses access to authentic voices within this community. In this episode we discuss how Orthodox and Charedi businesses and non-profit organizations can better understand their customers and the public, to develop and sell products, and meet their need. We also discuss some of the really she has explored, such as Orthodox finances, the businesses that Orthodox people are involved in and the related challenges, Shidduchim, and lots more. Raised in a Chasidish family, Dina now lives in Monsey with her husband and their happily blended family of four. In the episode closing we discuss some of our political research, which can be found in our and .
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