The Wildescast (Manhattan Jewish Experience)

00:00 Introduction
1:28 Welcome
2:24 War With Iran
6:23 Elimination Hamas
7:56 United States Pushback
11:45 Voting in the US
17:26 Relations in the Middle East
22:55 Reminding our Enemies
26:02 Justifying October 7
28:15 Fear in American Jews
30:49 Giving Hope
34:57 Youth in America
37:07 Gaza Casualties Misconception
38:20 Challenges Faced by the IDF
38:51 Learning History
40:59 Wrapping Up

Website: jewishexperience.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/
Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

Rabbi Wildes speaks with Psychologist and fashion influencer Betty Gulko who shared how her childhood in and out of foster homes helped her develop tools to assist young women in overcoming obstacles in life. Great lessons for us all. Betty also discusses how she reconciles being a social media influencer with the fact that social media is a leading cause of anxiety in young people, the best way to support a friend going through a rough time and so much more. Timestamps: 1:45 Self-love 3:30 Betty's Childhood in Foster Homes 8:00 Resilience 11:00 Trauma 14:30 Social Media & Anxiety 23:00 Helping Friends through Tough Times 31:00 Torah 40:00 Growing through Failure You can listen to Betty's podcast Chat with Betty wherever you get your podcasts and follow her at bettygulko.com and @bettygulko on Instagram.

Rabbi Chaim Miller was educated at the Haberdashers' Aske's School in London, England and studied Medical Science at Leeds University. At the age of twenty-one, he first began to explore his Jewish roots in full-time Torah study. Less than a decade later, he published the best-selling Kol Menachem Chumash, Gutnick Edition, which made over a thousand complex discourses of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe easily accessible to the layman. His 2011 compilation, the Lifestyle Books Torah, Five Books of Moses, Slager Edition was distributed to thousands of servicemen and women in the U.S. Army. In 2013, he was chosen by the Jewish Press as one of sixty "Movers and Shakers" in the Jewish world. His latest works include Turning Judaism Outward, the first full biography of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and the multivolume Practical Tanya, which has set new standards in the translation of Chasidic thought for contemporary readers. He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Chani and seven children.

Today we're rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. We are transitioning now from Holocaust Remembrance Day to Israel Independence Day.

In this compelling episode of the Wildescast, Rabbi Mark Wildes engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Yahya Mahamid, an extraordinary guest who defies expectations as an Arab Muslim IDF soldier. Raised in an anti-zionist Arab community in Israel, Yahya shares his remarkable journey of self-discovery and the transformative experiences that led him to embrace a passionate commitment to Zionism and the State of Israel. Through candid dialogue, they explore the complexities of identity, coexistence, and what things have been like since the war against Hamas began. Join Rabbi Mark Wildes and Yahya Mahamid as they delve into a narrative that challenges preconceptions and fosters understanding

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/

Today's episode is a special one. It's a conversation between Rabbi Wildes and Eli Beer. Eli is the founder of United Hatzalah of Israel, a life-saving emergency medical organization. Eli is used to being the healer, but earlier this year he contracted COVID and was put into a medically induced coma for a month. In today's episode, you'll hear all about how Eli rescues others and what happened when he became the one in need. To learn more about United Hatzalah, please visit www.israelrescue.org.

Our guest today is a man of many talents, one of them may an ability to see the future. Jon Loew is a Netflix producer of numerous shows, including "Spycraft" and "Terrorism Close Calls." He is a co-founder of Fuel For Truth and Legion. Fuel For Truth was created to help college students become educated about Israel and enable them to have confidence to partake in peaceful dialogue, stating facts about Israel as opposed to propaganda that is often spewed on college campuses to demonize the Jewish State. He is also a co-founder of Legion, a self-defense group largely of Jews that is now in 23 locations. In these classes, students learn Krava Maga, do active shooter drills and learn how defend themselves from knife attacks. Jon also is a firefighter is is kind enough to give people vegetables he grows in his garden for free.

In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Wildes is joined by Charlie Harary to delve into the power of Torah wisdom to help us unlock our best selves. Charlie shares his personal journey of discovering the Torah and how it has helped him initiate personal growth, find meaning, and discover his identity and purpose. We explore the spiritual and physical aspects of our selves and how they interact in our daily lives. Charlie shares insights on achieving lasting happiness by aligning our actions with our spiritual values and prioritizing our inner growth over external validation. We also discuss the rise of Artificial Intelligence and its potential impact on spirituality. Can AI genuinely threaten our spiritual growth and connection to a higher power? Or can it enhance our spiritual experience and connection? Tune in to this enlightening episode to gain a deeper understanding of how Torah wisdom can help unlock your best self and navigate the challenges of the modern world. Charles Harary is an American investor, strategic adviser, and professor who has gained fame as a motivational speaker, radio show host, and television personality. Follow Charlie: Become an Insider: http://Charlieharary.com/insiders Listen to Charlie's Podcast Unlocking Greatness: https://jewishpodcasts.fm/charlieharary Join Charlie's Whatsapp Chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BUnbPiDNkg3CrmHQlnn6eJ Follow Charlie on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/charlieharary?fbclid=PAAaas4eDdjiVUL3dMUtFZUBzOm58QvzjuCdm_DQBrbsT4s2o0UIoTLNTn2-k Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:30 - Charlie's Journey 14:00 - Happiness 26:40 - Identity & Self-Image 39:20 - Finding Joy Through Spirituality 46:30 - Spirituality vs. Physicality 50:50 - Artificial Intelligence

MMA star Haim Gozali doesn't just fight for Israel inside of the Octagon but is a staunch supporter outside of it. in this explosive conversation, Haim details how he is fighting the stereotype that Jews are weak and won't fight back, the time he was stabbed six times outside of a bar, his obsession with Batman, why he connects with putting on Tefillin, and more. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introducing Haim Gozali 00:03:05 - Are Jews Weak? 00:07:00 - Peace in Israel 00:14:30 - Being Stabbed Six Times 00:20:00 - Israeli Batman 00:25:00 - Supporting Israel 00:31:00 - Connection to Judaism 00:36:00 - Fight Prep Sign up for the 40-Day Challenge at: JewishExperience.Org/40Day

MJE Stands With Israel: You can help make a difference by donating to Magen David Adom at https://afmda.org/donate/ Or United Hatzalah at https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-under-attack/ Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the first manifestation of the approach of our redemption. Shield it with Your lovingkindness, envelop it in Your peace, and bestow Your light and truth upon its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our holy land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in a mantle of victory. Ordain peace in the land and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness. Lead them, swiftly and upright, to Your city Zion and to Jerusalem, the abode of Your Name, as is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses: “Even if your outcasts are at the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, from there He will fetch you. And the Lord your God will bring you to the land that your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your fathers.” Draw our hearts together to revere and venerate Your name and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah, and send us quickly the Messiah son of David, agent of Your vindication, to redeem those who await Your deliverance. Manifest yourself in the splendor of Your boldness before the eyes of all inhabitants of Your world, and may everyone endowed with a soul affirm that the Lord, God of Israel, is king and his dominion is absolute. Amen

D Lichtenstein is one of the most successful real estate developers in the country and a world class Torah Scholar. He is the host of “HEADLINES” - the single most popular podcast in the Orthodox Jewish community. A wonderful philanthropist and religious educator, David is CEO of The Lightstone Group which he founded in 1988. Among other things, Rabbi Mark asks David how to balance a life of professional success with Torah observance, how to manage our precious time, and what’s a Jew to do when a politician has values you can’t stand but polices you love.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with World Series of Poker winner Gershon Distenfeld. Gershon M. Distenfeld, Senior Vice President, is Co-Head of Fixed Income, Director of Credit and a member of the Operating Committee. As Co-Head of Fixed Income, he is responsible for the management and strategic growth of AB’s fixed-income business. As Director of Credit, Distenfeld oversees all of AB’s credit-related strategies, including all global and regional investment-grade and high-yield strategies, as well as their associated investment strategy, activities and portfolio-management teams. In this capacity, he leads AB’s internal Credit Research Review Committee, the primary investment policy and decision-making committee for all credit-related portfolios the firm manages. Distenfeld also co-manages AB’s multiple-award-winning High Income Fund, named “Best Fund over 10 Years” by Lipper from 2012 to 2015, and the multiple-award-winning Global High Yield and American Income portfolios, flagship fixed-income funds on the firm’s Luxembourg-domiciled fund platform for non-US investors. He also designed and is one of the lead portfolio managers for AB’s Multi-Sector Credit Strategy, which invests across investment-grade and high-yield credit sectors globally. Distenfeld is the author of a number of published papers, including one on high-yield bonds being attractive substitutes for equities and another on the often-misunderstood differences between high-yield bonds and loans. Distenfeld joined AB in 1998 as a fixed-income business analyst, and served as a high-yield trader (1999–2002) and high-yield portfolio manager (2002–2006) before being named director of High Yield in 2006. He began his career as an operations analyst supporting Emerging Markets Debt at Lehman Brothers. Distenfeld holds a BS in finance from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University, and is a CFA charterholder.

It is difficult not to get envious of what other people have in a world where everything is shared on social media. Here are 3 steps rooted in our ancient tradition that you can take not to feel that horrible feeling of jealousy when you see others people in your life succeed. Follow Rabbi Mark Wildes: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RabbiWildes/ Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/5OD2ziql Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@markwildesmje Follow MJE: Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/M_J_experience/

Rabbi Wildes' full class delivered to his students on the contemporary meaning behind the tragic day of Tisha B'Av. Wishing a meaningful fast to all those participating.

You'll often hear these days that we don't need God in order to be good people. Is this true? Have we outgrown God? Can objective morality exist without the Divine? For more thought-provoking and inspirational Torah content from Rabbi Mark Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oWrlgD3gZX9-8ZyNbpd-g Follow Rabbi Wildes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Follow Rabbi Wildes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiwildes/

Held at MJE on February 14th, Rabbi Mark Wildes taught a class on the Dos & Don't of Dating. This discussion dives into Jewish teachings that offer valuable insights for everyone, regardless of background. Discover practical tips for navigating relationships and finding love in today's world.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Dmitriy Salita. Dmitriy is a hero to many and one of the most famous Jewish boxers of our time. Born in the Ukraine, Dmitriy learned his trade at Starrett City boxing under the tutelage of Jimmy O. He was undefeated in his first 29 fights. He stands with a record of 35 wins, 2 losses and won draw with 18 knockouts. He was the star of the 2007 Documentary Orthodox Stance. As if that were not enough, the 39-year-old started a new chapter of his life founding Salita Promotions, for which he is president. He has numerous boxers in his stable, including Clariss Shields, who is viewed as one of the best female boxers in the world. While many would think that boxing and observing Judaism are antithetical, Salita has always believed that they go hand in hand.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with David Jablinowitz. Broadcast journalist and public speaker David (Zeev) Jablinowitz, who made aliyah from New York to Jerusalem and then moved to Beit Shemesh, enjoys talking about his interviews with interesting personalities – including US President Barack Obama, and no less than seven Israeli prime ministers. “Obama laughed at me when I told him that I was a New York Mets fan,” he recalls. After studying at Queens College, Jablinowitz made aliyah in 1981 from New York, where, growing up, he never imagined that he would one day become a top broadcaster for Israel Radio’s English News. “I always had a love for journalism,” he says. “Anyone who knew me said I had a passion for knowledge and my curiosity would lead me to my career and they were correct. In high school, I worked on the school newspaper and in college I broadcast a news program so when I made aliyah I was certain I wanted to work in communications and that’s how I came to Kol Yisrael [Israel Radio].” Jablinowitz worked for over 30 years reporting in and on Israel, 25 of them as a diplomatic and political correspondent at Israel Radio. He has briefed missions visiting Israel from North America, and has traveled to the US on speaking tours. Married to Shari with four children and two grandchildren, he has now left Israel Radio and is contemplating his next career move.

0:00 Introduction
2:04 Welcome
7:17 Camp HASC
17:14 American Jews Giving to Israel
21:39 Negativity in the Media
26:13 Thinking Differently Than Others
30:33 Teshuvah
39:49 How Do We Find Joy?
43:33 Preparing for the High Holidays
51:29 Jewish Self-Identity
1:00:00 Wrapping Up

Today we're rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. Leading up to Israel Independence Day, we're talking about the importance of the establishment of the State of Israel.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Walt Disney Studios Animator and MJE alumnus Saul Blinkoff. Saul began his career as an animator for the Walt Disney Studios working on the hit films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, & Tarzan. He made his directorial debut with the hip action-adventure series Spy Groove for MTV. Shortly thereafter, he re-joined DISNEY, directing the films Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo & Kronk's New Groove- starring Eartha Kitt & David Spade. Saul also consulted in development on the DISNEY films: Tinkerbell, Fox and The Hound II, Brother Bear II, Cinderella III, and Dumbo II. Saul has directed high profile commercials for clients such as Best Buy, Dunkin' Donuts, ESPN, Subway, Mercedes Benz, EA Sports & Build-A-Bear. For NETFLIX, Saul was Consulting Director on the hit show Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures and was Supervising Director on Llama Llama starring Jennifer Garner. Currently, Saul is the Supervising Producer on the DREAMWORKS hit show Madagascar: A Little Wild on HULU/PEACOCK. Saul, a proud, knowledgable and observant Jew, speaks around the world sharing practical tools for success, meaning and fulfillment in all aspects of life! He also hosts the inspirational weekly podcast; Life of AWESOME! Saul lives in Los Angeles with his wife Marion and their four children.

Full Audio of Rabbi WIldes' stirring Tisha B'Av Address in front of a packed audience of young Jewish professionals. Easy and meaningful fast to all participating and may we merit to see the rebuilding of the Temple speedily in our days.

Rabbi Mark Wildes as you have never heard him before! Rabbi Wildes is questioned by his beloved student Daniel Wallach on whether he is disappointing his teachers by teaching Kabbalah and Chassidut, the thin line he has to walk as an outreach Rabbi to avoid offending potential students, inspiring young people towards spirituality in the hustle and bustle material world that is New York City, and more. Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RabbiWildes/

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a special Facebook Live event. On Tuesday night, June 9th, the Manhattan Jewish Experience hosted a panel discussion on racism in America. Rabbi Wildes was joined by Reverend Joseph Ford, the Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Stamford, and Eric Adams, the Borough President of Brooklyn. They had an important and thoughtful conversation about the the terrible tragedy surrounding the death of George Floyd.

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

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes is joined by Dr. Noam Weissman, the voice behind the acclaimed podcast Unpacking Israeli History. Together, they dive deep into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, explore the historical roots of Gaza, and ask the difficult questions: Is the two-state solution still viable? How should Israel be taught to the next generation—both Jewish and non-Jewish? What role does bias, history, and education play in shaping our understanding of Zionism? What are the biggest misconceptions about Hamas and Palestinian leadership? Dr. Weisman shares personal insights from decades of Israel education and breaks down complex issues with clarity and honesty, offering a nuanced look at one of the most polarizing topics of our time. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes. 🎧 Listen to Dr. Weisman’s podcast: Unpacking Israeli History 🔔 Follow for more deep dives into Jewish thought, modern Israel, and meaningful conversation. #Israel #Gaza #Zionism #JewishEducation #MiddleEastConflict #UnpackingIsraeliHistory

Yonah Bookstein is co-founder and Deanna and Allen Alevy Senior Rabbi at the Pico Shul in Los Angeles, and co-director of Camp Neshama, projects building spiritual community for Jews in their 20s and 30s. In this episode, Rabbi Wildes and Rabbi Bookstein – longtime friends from their decades of working together in Jewish outreach on opposite coasts – discuss what Judaism looks like in the age of corona, the Black Lives Matter movement, and how we can all elevate our spiritual lives in these historic times. Find out more about Rabbi Bookstein's online dating seminar: http://kesherseminar.com Learn more about Rabbi Bookstein at: http://rabbiyonah.com

In this episode the tables are turned. Rabbi Wildes is interviewed by his friend and colleague Rabbi Ezra Cohen. They discuss Rabbi Wildes' forthcoming new book, The 40 Day Challenge.

Rabbi Wildes celebrates Israel's 75th birthday by focusing on Judaism's focus on life in this world as opposed to what happens in the next world and displays how the modern State of Israel has incorporated the Torah's message of living in the here and now. Join MJE for Yom Haatzmaut as we commemorate fallen IDF soldiers for Yom Hazikaron with an inspirational program and musical prayers. Then celebrate Israel's independence (Yom Haatzmaut) with MJE's Shuk Party! Falafel and hummus bar, Israeli snacks and candies, photobooth, Israeli wine bar, Israel beer and more!! Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mje-yom-haatzmaut-israel-independence-program-celebrate-75-years-tickets-592619349427

This is a rebroadcast of Rabbi Wildes' appearance on "The Orthodox Conundrum" with Rabbi Scott Kahn; an amazing podcast from Jewish Coffee House which takes an honest look at the major issues affecting the Orthodox world, without exaggeration, whitewashing, or pretending that they don’t exist. This episode is, in some ways, two distinct podcasts in one: one about outreach, and one about some major spiritual challenges that exist in the Modern Orthodox world. Many in the Centrist or Modern Orthodox world are uncomfortable with kiruv and outreach; it’s often associated with acting with condescension towards people who are not Orthodox, objectifying people who are not Orthodox, and not acting forthrightly towards people who are not Orthodox. Perhaps most concerning, though, is the suspicion that kiruv professionals act as though they have all the answers, that Orthodoxy is a perfect society, and that we need to reach out because everything within Orthodoxy is basically perfect. Many of us would argue that we need to get our own house in order before convincing other people to join the team. Rabbi Mark Wildes, though, is one of the rare Modern Orthodox Jews who is deeply involved in, and believes in, kiruv and outreach to unaffiliated and less-affiliated Jews. Scott asked him how he responds to these criticisms of kiruv professionals and organizations, how we should define the real goals of kiruv organizations, and why most kiruv professionals seem to have a Chareidi or Chassidic orientation. Perhaps even more important, however, was an intense discussion of the problems that Modern Orthodoxy needs to address. Their conversation included a discussion of spiritual anemia, problems that exist in synagogues, the longing – or lack thereof – for the Divine Presence, the differences between experience and intellect in the approach to G-d, how much we should emphasize dogma, and – above all – the need to bring G-d back into the center of our consciousness. This conversation – again, really two conversations – was fascinating, and should give you food for thought as we enter Elul and the days leading up to the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more – we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast.

Rabbi Mark Wildes is joined by Jacqueline Murekatete, founder of the Genocide Survivors Foundation. Jacqueline shares her harrowing story of how she survived the Rwandan Genocide, her thoughts on the current situation in Ukraine, and more.

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes recently gave on Facebook Live. We're continuing our pre-Passover coverage. Today we take a look at Moses and the story of the Jewish people's Exodus from Egypt. Plus, we start to go through the seder and offer insights into each section. Here is a link to this episode's source material: https://bit.ly/2wK4hSP

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Sarah Hurwitz. She's the author of "Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life--in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)." After a decade as a political speechwriter—serving as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, and chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign—Sarah Hurwitz decided to apply her skills as a communicator to writing a book . . . about Judaism. And no one is more surprised than she is.

Today's guest is Joshua Washington. He is the Director of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI). The 30 year-old is a composition graduate of the University of Pacific’s Conservatory of Music. Joshua was formerly IBSI’s Director of Special Events, and planned music performances featuring The Hebrew Project Artists (THP) across the country. Joshua is also a graduate of Christians United for Israel’s 2016 Diversity Outreach Mentoring Endeavor (DOME), where he received training in Israel advocacy for diverse audiences. Joshua was chosen to travel to Israel twice; once as part of CUFI’s millennial outreach, Israel Collective, and again as part of music performances with Victor Styrsky’s Wild Branches & Friends. His other musical endeavors include Directing a K-12 music school called the Zion Academy of Music, arranging music for the Boston Pops, and music directing for other artists and special films such as CUFI’s Mizrahi Project. Joshua writes and speaks extensively on Zionism and Civil Rights, seeking to strengthen the black and Jewish relationship in the US as well. His family works hard every day at IBSI to forge bonds between the black and Jewish communities and to educate many. Joshua, thanks for appearing on the show.

Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio. She is the Founding Director of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings thousands of women to Israel each year from 18 different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage (www.jwrp.org). She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik, and is the busy mother of five children, ages 25 to 15.

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Naomi Nachman. As cooking has always been her passion, in 2004, Naomi started her own kosher personal chef business, The Aussie Gourmet, to pursue cater weekly and Shabbat/Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities and beyond — including Alaska and Israel. Naomi is often sought after to give cooking demonstrations and produce kosher Chopped competitions throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan as well as across the country, where she shares her immense enthusiasm for food. Naomi has her own cooking show on Kosher.com called Sunny Side Up. Naomi also hosts her own weekly show, “Table for Two with Naomi Nachman” on The Nachum Segal Network – which covers all food-related topics. In addition, Naomi writes a monthly column for the Mishpacha magazine covering food trends, and is also a contributing editor to The Jewish Home newspaper distributed in Long Island, Baltimore and California writing weekly articles and recipes. Naomi has also been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, a cooking CD and a variety of newspaper articles covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. In 2017 Naomi published her debut cook Perfect For Pesach with Artscroll. Naomi published her second cookbook Perfect Flavors in November, 2018 Artscroll.

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. Today's topic is "Religious Zionism, the State of Israel and the Holiday of Passover." This is the second of two parts about the religious significance, not of the land of Israel, but of the modern day apparatuses of the the State of Israel. Here is a link to today's source material: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gi9wpspl2ubfbc/zionism%20and%20judaism.pdf?dl=0

0:00 Introduction
1:50 Notions of Peace
6:31 This Semester at Columbia
11:39 Continuing to Teach at Columbia
14:36 Sending Kids to Antisemitic Institutions
22:21 Choosing to Fight Back
28:29 Fight for Jewish Civil Rights
34:17 Israeli vs. Diaspora Jews
43:10 Preserving Jewish Identity
55:59 Why is Judaism worth defending?
59:21 Political Labels
1:00 Wrapping Up

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a special Facebook Live event. It was a panel discussion about dating in the age of corona. The panelists included Rabbi Wildes, matchmaker Brooke Wise and Saw You At Sinai founder Marc Goldmann. For more information, visit: www.wisematchmaking.com www.sawyouatsinai.com

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Daniel Wallach. Daniel is a curious kid from Palo Alto, California. Bugged by a loud and persistent question, "What does it mean to be Jewish?", Daniel was thrust into a strange, random, and wonderful journey that brought him to MJE one spring Shabbos morning in 2019. Daniel chose Rabbi Wildes as his mentor the day he met him and continued to say yes to everything MJE had to offer. As he was completing Fellowship in 2020, the world shut down with Covid19. Confused with the world and eager to continue a path of self-growth, Daniel made a sudden decision last September to fly to Israel and study in Yeshiva. Daniel is an Actor with a special interest in Shakespeare, working in regional theatre before he arrived in New York. When in New York, Daniel continues his artistic pursuits, teaches theatre to kids, and dabbles in Real Estate. Daniel is a graduate of CalArts School of Theater with a BFA in Acting.

Mark Wildes was well on his way to joining his father, a renowned immigration attorney, when he found his life's calling: reaching out to unaffiliated young professional Jews in Manhattan, and innovating for decades in the outreach space. Unique as a proudly Modern Orthodox practitioner, Rabbi Wildes offers a different perspective, which we discuss and evaluate in this episode. We also speak about his new "40-day challenge" - the subject of his latest book - and his other writings, along with his rich family history and dreams for the future of outreach. Jews You Should Know introduces the broader community to interesting and inspiring Jewish men and women making a difference in our world. Some are already famous, some not yet so. But each is a Jew You Should Know. The host, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, is Executive Director of MEOR Maryland (www.meormd.org), a premier Jewish outreach and educational organization. MEOR operates nationally on twenty campuses and in Manhattan; visit the national website at www.meor.org. Please visit www.JewsYouShouldKnow.com, follow us on Twitter @JewsUShouldKnow or on Facebook. Have feedback for the show, or suggestions for future guests? E-mail us at JewsYouShouldKnow@gmail.com. Want to support this podcast? Visit Patreon.com/JewsYouShouldKnow. A small monthly contribution goes a long way!! A special thank you to Jacob Rupp of the Lift Your Legacy podcast for his invaluable production assistance.

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. This is the second in a two-part series on Belief vs. Trust. What are the reasons for believing and trusting in a power beyond ourselves? And when do we believe in ourselves rather than place our faith in God?

"Jews are white." "Israel is an apartheid state." Hearing these inflammatory comments can be distressing but understanding the root ideology behind these assertions is the only way to truly fight back against it. David Bernstein, the Founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values and author of Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews is a self-described liberal who is fighting back against antisemitism on the political Left by informing everyday people on the convoluted ideology that drives undue hatred towards Israel and race-based attacks on Jews as oppressors. We discussed whether the political Left is no longer upholding classical liberal values, if canceling those who espouse antisemitic views is productive, how Critical Race Theory drives Left-Wing antisemitism, why the seemingly virtuous value of "equity" is really destructive, and more. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:06:30 - Cancel Culture 00:08:40 - Woke Antisemitism 00:19:50 - Critical Race Theory 00:22:32 - Whoopi Goldberg 00:25:10 - Canceling Antisemites 00:29:32 - Being a True Ally 00:36:16 - Equity 00:51:14 - Uniting the Jewish Community Follow Rabbi Mark Wildes: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RabbiWildes/ Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/5OD2ziql Follow MJE: Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/M_J_experience/

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a lunch and learn on Facebook Live. It's the first in a special 2 part series. The topic is "Technology & Slander: Where do we draw the line? It's a Jewish perspective on the good, the bad and the ugly of social media. Here is a link to today’s source sheet:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/sdw8xxdv1mvqmof/Tech%26Slander.pdf?dl=0

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a lunch and learn on Facebook Live. It's the first in a special two-part series about the Jewish imperative to fix the world. Social justice began when God told Adam to make the world a better place. In light of recent events, we dedicate this class to the terrible tragedy surrounding the death of George Floyd. Here is a link to today’s source sheets: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9rv7l2gyfolxumr/TikkunOlam0608.pdf?dl=0

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Gabriel Boxer. Boxer, known as "Kosher Guru" is a leading kosher industry food & restaurant consultant and social media sensation with over 40,300 followers on Instagram and runs one of the largest and fastest organically growing Kosher Foodie Facebook Groups "Kosher Guru's Kosher Nation." He is all about bringing anything and everything kosher to the masses in a fun-filled and Kosher way. Hosting the only kosher foodie & restaurant radio show “The Nosh” with Kosher Guru airing every Thursday evenings at 9:30 P.M. on station 620AM in the NYC area, along with his iTunes & Google Play podcast channel. You can follow him on Instagram & Facebook @kosherguru, on Twitter @thekosherguru, or subscribe to his YouTube channel and on his blog at thekosherguru.com Gabriel is also a weekly food writer For Whisk, the food section of Ami Magazine and writes a monthly article in Fleishigs Magazine on Restaurants and Travel. He also hosts vacation programs and lectures on the kosher restaurant scene.

Antisemitism is on the rise across the political spectrum. However, is antisemitism on the Left not getting the same coverage as antisemitism coming from figures like Kanye West? Dumisani Washington returns, this time in person, to discuss who is covering for these antisemites, whether the Biden administration is culpable, and his recent experience traveling to South Africa. Plus, Martin Luther King's hidden history with Israel and a breakdown of the controversial "Synagogue of Satan" verse in the New Testament which antisemites use to discredit the lineage of the Jewish people. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:15 - Left-Wing Antisemitism 00:15:00 - South Africa 00:23:45 - Biden Administration 00:29:55 - "Uppity Blacks" Accused of Wrongthink 00:34:55 - Martin Luther King Jr. & Israel 00:47:55 - Black Lives Matter 00:51:00 - Synagogue of Satan Follow Rabbi Mark Wildes: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RabbiWildes/ Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/5OD2ziql Follow MJE: Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/M_J_experience/

Today's episode is conversation with Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, the Chief Rabbi of Dubai and the chaplain at New York University. On the show, Rabbi Wildes and Rabbi Sarna discuss the historic Abraham Accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, what it's like being a rabbi in a predominantly Muslim country, and how the pandemic has altered the campus outreach that Rabbi Sarna does at NYU.

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a lunch and learn on Facebook Live. It's the second in a special 2 part series. The topic is "Technology & Slander: Where do we draw the line?" It's a Jewish perspective on the good, the bad and the ugly of social media. Here is a link to today’s source sheet:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/sdw8xxdv1mvqmof/Tech%26Slander.pdf?dl=0

As we continue through the book of Vayikra which focuses on animal sacrifices to Hashem, Rabbi Wildes reveals the fascinating connection between these sacrifices and the virtuous quality of humility emulated by Moshe.

In part 1 of a 3 part series on the authenticity of the divine nature of the Torah, Rabbi Wildes speaks with Rabbi/Dr. Joshua Berman, who is infamous for his biblical scholarship. He is a Bible professor at Bar-Ilan University and his articles on biblical theology and contemporary society have appeared in the pages of Mosaic Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. We discuss Dr. Berman's biggest reason for believing in the divine authorship of the Torah, whether the often cited Kuzari argument of "mass revelation" is good evidence for the Torah's divinity, evidence in Egyptian writings for the Exodus, whether the Torah had multiple authors, and more. Topics/Timestamps: Best Argument for Torah's Divinity (3:40) The Kuzari Argument of Mass Revelation (11:00) Documentary Hypothesis of Multiple Authorship (17:30) The Exodus (33:00) Does Historical Accuracy Matter? (46:00) Reforming Jewish Education (54:00) Follow Rabbi Wildes on Instagram at Instagram.com/RabbiWildes and please give a rating and review as it helps get these important conversations out to a wider audience.

Aleeza Ben-Shalom of Netflix's "Jewish Matchmaking" joins Rabbi Wildes to discuss the positives and negatives of her experience making the show including Rabbi Wildes' issues with the production and casting choices, whether men and women can really be "just friends", the tricky balance of being too picky vs. settling for someone, the Jewish view of soulmates, how to broach the topic of avoiding physical touch before marriage, and more. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:37 - Matchmking Style 00:12:47 - "Just Friends" 00:18:25 - Being Too Picky 00:24:04 - Rabbi WIldes' Criticism of Jewish Matchmaking 00:34:26 -Common Dating Obstacles 00:41:04 - Soulmates 00:44:56 - Roommates Before Marriage 00:51:27 - Physical Touch Subscribe to the Wildescast: https://link.chtbl.com/Wildes

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. This is the second of two episodes on the topic of "Health and Halacha." Today, Rabbi Wildes discusses the question: What is the Jewish perspective on cosmetic surgery?

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with acclaimed professional matchmaker Danielle Rudoff. They talk about online dating, platonic relationships that heat up, and whether or not to go on the second date, along with a host of other topics.

Today's episode is a special one. It's a conversation between Rabbi Wildes and his close friend, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, the Senior Rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue, the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Even outside of his Florida community, Rabbi Goldberg is known across the country for the leadership role he plays in the modern orthodox community. His classes are now enjoyed by thousands of people each day around the world. On today's show, the two rabbis talking about the biggest challenges they face shepherding a community through a global pandemic and the importance of promoting nuanced conversations amongst their congregants.  Learn more about Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbiefremgoldberg https://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg https://www.instagram.com/rabbiefremgoldberg/ https://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg https://www.brsonline.org/

On this episode of the WildesCast we begin a new three-part series on the relationship between religion and science. Our first guest in the series is Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin, otherwise known as “The Zoo Rabbi.” Can you believe in both Torah and Evolution? How can a study of the animal kingdom help us remain faithful to Judaism and still believe in science? Hear answers to these questions and more.

Rabbi Mark Wildes joins the Judaism Demystified podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of Jewish outreach. Rabbi Wildes shares his journey in Kiruv and delves into the reasons behind the lack of engagement of many Jews with Judaism. Is there a place for both a rationalist and mystical approach to outreach? Is blind faith a Jewish idea? What are the difficulties faced by the post-Kiruv Baal Teshuvah who eventually loses his/her initial inspiration? Our 24th Annual Dinner is on March 21st where we raise the majority of our donations for the year. Buy tickets here (https://www.wizevents.com/mjedinner2023/?id=7683) or if you cannot make it, please consider donating so we can continue this holy work. (https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1391059) You can subscribe to the Judaism Demystified podcast here: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/judaism-demystified-a-guide-for-todays-perplexed/id1572203778)

In the episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Sarri Singer. In life, sadly there are victims of heinous acts of violence. Some stay victims their whole lives, broken and battered while a few select people, like our guest today, are able to take a horrible trauma that happened to them and turn it around to do good in the world. New Jersey resident Sarri Singer, who works in Manhattan, is one of those rare people. She is the founder of the organization Strength to Strength and she has worked with her organization to help victims of terror worldwide to cope psychologically with what has happened to them. She recently spoke at a rally against anti-Semitism that I and many others attended in response to the spike of violence in New York City. She has addressed esteemed groups about dealing with terrorism, including one at the United Nations. One of her speeches for Hadassah was entitled: "Practical Zionism: What Surviving Terror Teaches You." This past Friday was 18 years to the day that Sarri did something that most of us have done at one time or another. She got on a bus. Only this time, her choice of seat on her bus in Israel likely saved her life. A Hamas suicide bomber detonated his device and scores of people were killed and injured. Sarri was injured and still has shrapnel in her leg that doctors could not remove, but she survived and went on to fight terrorism in her special way. She believes that by closing her eyes at the moment of the blast, she likely saved her sight. It is not uncommon for her to have late night phone calls with victims of terror both Jewish and gentile and she relentlessly looks out for the interests of those who have suffered from acts of terrorism. Sadly there are many. Born in Lakewood, New Jersey, she is the daughter of New Jersey State Senator Robert Singer. Sarri has spoken to audiences across the globe and has appeared on CNN, Fox News Channel and numerous radio stations.

What does it take to turn unimaginable tragedy into a source of strength and inspiration? 💔➡️💪 In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, I sit down with Rabbanit Racheli Frankel, a true beacon of resilience and wisdom. After losing her son Naftali in 2014, she has dedicated her life to uniting the Jewish people and strengthening our faith. 🇮🇱✨ We dive deep into: 🔹 How her personal loss connects to the pain of October 7th 🔹 The emotional complexity of hostage negotiations 🔹 Rising antisemitism and the global Jewish response 🔹 The rapid growth of women’s Torah scholarship 📖👩‍🏫 🔹 Finding hope and joy even in the darkest times Rabbanit Frankel’s perspective is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, a reminder that even through sorrow, we can choose gratitude, strength, and faith. 🌿✡️ 🎧 Tune in now and let us know what resonated with you the most in the comments! 👇💬 #JewishStrength #Resilience #Faith #Podcast #Israel #Torah #JewishWomen #JewishLearning #Hope #JewishCommunity

Preparing for Passover: Rabbi Wildes is finding connections between the Exodus from Egypt and other times Jews have been fled their home countries (Russia, Iran and so on), and how it relates to our current state of isolation and social distancing. We’re all feeling a sense of alienation this year.

Rabbi Wildes 2023 Sukkot Workshop: Everything you need to know to have a meaningful and great Sukkot! Chag Sameach!

The Annual Ruth B. Wildes Memorial Lecture 2021 presents an evening with Rachel Kraus. This event is Complimentary with a suggested donation and includes a Dessert Reception & Wine Bar following the lecture. Rachel is an incredibly interesting, knowledgeable and dynamic speaker, who's topic this evening will be "The Torah's Hidden Thread to Humanity." Rachel Kraus is a marketing and brand executive and managing director of a boutique marketing and brand consulting firm. Previously, Rachel was the Vice President of Marketing at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield where led the World Trade Center retail development. Prior to leading World Trade Center retail development, she led national partnership marketing for the US portfolio and special global projects including the 2012 Olympic Games. Rachel is also the Director of Community Education at Kehilath Jeshurun on the Upper East Side where she lectures, delivers sermons and facilitates informal educational programming. Rachel and her husband Daniel also served as MJE's Downtown Directors. Rachel completed a B.S. from Stern College majoring in marketing with a minor in music including coursework and study at The Juilliard School. She completed her MBA at NYU with a concentration in finance, entertainment, media and technology. Rachel lives in Manhattan with her husband and 4 children.

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. Today's topic is called "What's your mission in life?"

People often refer to Jeffrey Gurian as a “Renaissance Man”, because he’s involved in so many things. He’s a doctor, lecturer, and motivational speaker, but he’s also a comedy writer, performer, director, author, producer, and radio personality, and not always in that order. In this episode, Dr. Gurian shares with Rabbi Wildes how he was able to write multiple books while in the hospital with Covid, how he was able to cure his stutter, the biggest impediment to happiness in people’s lives, his experience working with the biggest comics in the world, the real reason Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, the healing power of meditation and positive thought, and much more.

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.

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. It's the Sabbath before Passover -- known as Shabbat Hagadol in Hebrew. So today, we're going to be taking a look at this week's Torah portion and how it relates to the Passover holiday.

In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, we sit down with Natan Sharansky, a Soviet dissident, human rights activist, and former Israeli politician. Sharansky shares his harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in the Soviet Gulag, where he endured nine years of imprisonment, and his fight for Jewish freedom during the Cold War. We dive into: ✅ His extraordinary journey from Soviet oppression to Israeli leadership ✅ The refusenik movement and the struggle of Jews in the USSR ✅ How he survived years of solitary confinement with resilience and faith ✅ His political career in Israel, standing against disengagement from Gaza ✅ Modern antisemitism, the challenges faced by Jewish students, and his message to young Jews today ✅ His thoughts on Trump’s peace plan, Israel’s future, and the fight against Hamas Sharansky’s story of courage, conviction, and unwavering identity is a must-listen for anyone passionate about freedom, Jewish history, and human rights. 🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode with your friends!

Rabbi Mark Wildes was ordained from Yeshiva University, but before becoming a rabbi, he received a JD from the Cardozo School of Law and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University. Since founding MJE 20 years ago, Rabbi Wildes has become one of America’s most inspirational and dynamic Jewish educators. He lives with his wife Jill and their children Yosef, Ezra, Judah and Avigayil on the Upper West Side where they maintain a warm and welcoming home for all. He is a hard core Beatles and John Lennon fan, and enjoys rocking out on the drums whenever possible.

You're in for a real treat today and that's because, in this episode, Rabbi Wildes interviews his brother Michael. Michael is a law professor, an immigration attorney, a volunteer EMT and the mayor of Englewood, New Jersey. The two brothers had a fascinating conversation about the coronavirus and the Black Lives Matter movement – among a whole host of other topics. Their sibling rivalry, and their love for each other, shined through during this intriguing interview. Find our more about Michael Wildes here: https://www.wildeslaw.com

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Elon Gold. Elon Gold is a comedian and actor who has starred in FOX's 'Stacked’ and NBC's 'In-Laws’. His one hour stand up special on Netflix, “Elon Gold: Chosen & Taken” received wide acclaim from audiences and peers alike. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He has made ten appearances on 'The Tonight Show' and had a recurring role on the FOX hit show, 'Bones’. Elon was a writer/performer on ABC's 'The Dana Carvey Show' and has guest starred on 'Frasier', 'The Mentalist', 'Chappelle's Show' among others. He recently made stellar appearances on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” and Comedy Central’s “This Week At The Comedy Cellar”. His routines have gone viral and are shared by millions around the globe. He is also currently featured in the HULU movie “The Binge” and in season 3 of HBO’s “Crashing” playing his most challenging role yet…himself. Elon can next be seen opposite Larry David in a recurring role on the upcoming 11th season of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.

My remarks from the funeral of my beloved father. To see the whole ceremony click here: https://www.legacycelebrated.com/leon-wildes/ May we only know Simchas

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Rabbi Dr. Jacob Schacter. Rabbi Shacter is arguably the most important scholar and spokesperson for modern orthodoxy today. He holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages from Harvard and received rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. The other hat Rabbi Schacter wears, and wears well, is that of scholar extraordinaire. He has authored dozens of important scholarly articles and books that have become the mainstay of modern orthodox thought and he lectures worldwide to sellout crowds wherever he speaks. He is Senior Scholar and University Professor at Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future.

Rabbi Wildes celebrates Yom Haatzmaut (Israel's 75th birthday) by sitting down with the fascinating Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel who is a teacher, a farmer, and a pioneering entrepreneur. He is also a retired decorated IDF soldier, an author, a musician, and one of Israel's premiere Jewish media personalities. He is the founder of the Land of Israel Network, with millions of views and downloads from over 120 countries, broadcasting Torah and sharing the beauty of Israel with the world. Rabbi Gimpel, along with his wife Tehila and their six children, founded the Arugot Farm and Educational Center at the edge of a Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria. It has become a global destination for people looking to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Judean Mountains and encounter a living example of Ahavat Eretz Yisrael and Torat Yisrael. They discuss how the building of his farm in Judea and Samaria and interacting with his Arab neighbors inform his view on how Israel and the Palestinians can achieve peace, the current instability in Israel regarding judicial reform, how he'd stop the cycle of brainwashing that the Palestinian leadership perpetuates on their youth, the Biden administration's policy towards Israel, Israel's role to play in bringing the final redemption, and more. Timestamps: 2:00 - Building A Farm in Judea & Samaria 10:30 - Achieving World Peace 15:49 - Can A Two-State Solution Work? 24:17 - Deprogramming Palestinian Hatred 33:30 - Judicial Reform Protests 46:20 - Birthright 48:48 - Israel = Beginning of Mashiach 50:15 - Connecting to Israel in Exile

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. Rabbi Wildes starts off with a beautiful thought about Moses' journey as a leader and what that can teach us about our own lives. Plus, we continue our way through the Passover Seder by discussing the Maggid section. Here's a link to today's source material: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yxvmqwgr4p5lmmr/Elevating%20Your%20Seder.pdf?dl=0

It is said that one of the biggest parts of being an adult is taking responsibility for your mistakes. But how often do we pass the blame on to someone else? The earliest Biblical characters failed to undertake this challenge - until Abraham came along. For more thought-provoking and inspirational Torah content from Rabbi Mark Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oWrlgD3gZX9-8ZyNbpd-g Follow Rabbi Wildes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Follow Rabbi Wildes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiwildes/

What is the connection between the holiday of Purim and the series of Parshas that we are currently reading detailing the building of the Tabernacle? The answer reveals the solution to a significant issue currently facing the Jewish community - is Judaism about the practice of mitzvot, or the philosophy behind them? To watch the video version of this sermon and more inspiring video content from Rabbi Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/markwildesmje

Despite living in times of unprecedented access to material goods, it seems as if anxiety and unhappiness have never been higher, particularly among the younger generation. Rabbi YY Jacobson, one of the foremost spiritual thought leaders of our time, joins Rabbi Wildes to reveal the mystical yet scientific reason behind this reality and answers Mark Twain's famous question of how the Jewish people have survived through centuries of persecution. Rabbi Jacobson also details his experience spent as an apprentice of the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZTL and more in this captivating conversation. Timestamps: 1. Mark Twain and Jewish Survival (1:45) 2. Anxiety/Depression (19:00) 3. Kabbalah and Generational Trauma (25:00) 4. Interconnectivity (30:00) 5. Infinite Nature of Our Souls (37:00) 6. The Lebavitcher Rebbe (47:00) You can watch more of Rabbi YY Jacobson on his Youtube Channel as well as theyeshiva.net Subscribe to the Wildescast: Apple: https://tinyurl.com/2p9yx6s7 Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/bdf26dpk Follow Rabbi Mark Wildes: https://www.instagram.com/Rabbiwildes/ https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWil... Website: jewishexperience.org Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

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.

Take a listen to Rabbi Mark Wildes Class on Understanding The Prayers of The High Holidays. People come to synagogue and say prayers but don’t know who wrote them or what them mean, we tackle them in this class! Understanding the key prayers of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services is so important, and it is important to realize that we can gain an understanding that will give us a deeper understanding of the high holidays! Enjoy!

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. We're starting a weeklong series called "From Destruction to Rebirth" which tracks our journey from Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, to Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Today's topic is "Faith and Optimism in the Face of Tragedy."

Today's episode is a special one. It's a conversation with former Senator Joe Lieberman. Rabbi Wildes is joined by his brother, Mayor Michael Wildes, as they interview the senator about what it was like being a Sabbath-observant politician and what his advice would be to guide us through our currently fractured political time. This recording was part of the annual Ruth B. Wildes lecture series hosted by MJE. Previous speakers have included Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Norman Lamm and other Jewish notables. Just a little note: There were some audio issues at one point in the episode, but they get resolved a few minutes later.

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, a longtime friend of MJE and a true testament to perseverance and vision. Born blind, Justice Bernstein has defied expectations, becoming a trailblazer in law, an advocate for peace, and a marathon runner who challenges limits in every aspect of life.

In this episode, we delve into his remarkable journey, including his role in advancing the Abraham Accords and promoting peace in the Middle East. Justice Bernstein shares profound insights on the beauty of his disability, his unwavering faith in God, and how it has shaped his perspective on justice, resilience, and advocacy.

0:00 Introduction
2:43 Serving as a Judge in MI
4:00 Resilience
10:15 Resilience
15:15 Identifying Purpose Through Judaism
16:02 Wrongful Convictions
20:34 Flint Water Case
23:26 Talmudic Perspective on Wrongful Convictions
24:18 Has DNA Been Helpful in Court?
28:47 Overcoming Adversity with One's Mission
35:26 Disability Advocacy in the Middle East
50:04 Importance if the Abraham Accords
52:18 Rabbi Nebenzahl
59:07 Everybody is Touched by Disability
1:00:32 Perception of Disabilities in the Arab World
1:04:25 Collaboration with a Sheikh
1:07:21 Peace with Saudi Arabia
1:08:41 Opening MI Back Up During Covid
1:11:15 Long Term Consequences of Covid Lockdown
1:13:56 Bringing People Together
1:16:23 Conclusion

0:00 Introduction
2:18 Exodus Story
5:46 Impact of Progressivism
10:42 Lack of Jewish History Education in the US
16:30 Political Divide For Jews in America
22:47 Tikkun Olam
24:58 Inspiration & Motivation
27:43 Saving the Diaspora
31:22 Judaism & Medicine
34:06 Exposure & Media Platform
37:24 Physical Violence & Self Defense
43:26 First Generation Perspective
46:40 Desire For Acceptance of Jews
48:43 Treating a Terrorist
50:00 Wrapping Up

Rabbi Wildes interviews Holocaust survivor Manny Korman at MJE in front of a packed audience to commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). The event concluded with some inspiring words from Israel's Minister of Aliyah and Integration and member of the Knesset Ofir Sofer and a stirring rendition of The Hatikvah. Manny Korman was born on December 21, 1931 in Hamburg Germany. Shortly before his 7th birthday, he and his family were taken from their home by the Nazis, and expelled into Poland where he and his older brother Gerd were eventually separated from their parents. After an incredible series of events (which you will hear in this episode) Manny and his brother found his way to England right as WW2 broke out in 1939. The brothers eventually found their way to Brooklyn, NY. Manny attended Queens College and started an illustrious career in education including being the principal of Adrien Block Junior High School in Flushing, NY. He currently mentors principals around the city in developing their own careers. Timestamps: Intro (0:00) Manny Korman's Story of Survival (7:30) Knesset Member Ofir Sofer and Hatikvah (1:06:00) Join us next week Tuesday April 25th at 7PM as we commemorate fallen IDF soldiers for Yom Hazikaron with an inspirational program and musical prayers. Then celebrate Israel's 75th year of independence (Yom Haatzmaut) with MJE's Shuk Party! Falafel and hummus bar, Israeli snacks and candies, photobooth, Israeli wine bar, Israel beer and more!! RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mje-yom-haatzmaut-israel-independence-program-celebrate-75-years-tickets-592619349427 If you would like to come to Israel with us this Summer for the trip of a lifetime, visit https://www.jewishexperience.org/israel

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Thane Rosenbaum. Thane Rosenbaum (born 1960) is an American novelist, essayist, and Distinguished University Professor. He is the director of the Forum on Life, Culture, & Society, hosted by Touro College. Rosenbaum is also the Legal Analyst for CBS News Radio and appears frequently on cable television news programs.

L'Chaim OG (Zecharya Levine) is blowing up in the Jewish music scene with his inspirational lyrics and catchy beats. Zecharya takes us through his journey from growing up Christian to falling in love with Torah and eventually converting. He also debuts an acapella version of his new song and reveals a beautiful secret about the iconic musician Prince, who happens to be his cousin. The Torah wisdom in this conversation is immense as Zecharya shares the lessons he's learned on his journey that will lead to a better, more prosperous life for those who listen. Timestamps: How beating cancer led to a life of gratitude (4:00) Finding Hashem (6:00) Falling in love with Torah (18:00) Experience with Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox communities (20:00), Inspiring young Jews (22:00) Ending division among the Jewish community (37:00) His cousin Prince (51:00) New song (53:00)

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a lunch and learn that Rabbi Wildes gave on Facebook Live. Today's topic is "Religious Zionism, the State of Israel and the Holiday of Passover." This is the first of two parts about the religious significance, not of the land of Israel, but of the modern day apparatuses of the the State of Israel.

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.

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!

Today we're going to be rebroadcasting a Facebook Live that Rabbi Wildes gave. It's a free-wheeling Passover-themed "Ask the Rabbi" session. He answers questions from the spiritual -- What is freedom to a Jew in quarantine in 2020? -- to the mundane: Do we really need to buy a new toothbrush for Passover?

Beatie Deutsch is the Israeli national champion in the marathon and half marathon. As a mother of five young children, she has learned to apply her training to the real marathon of life. Beatie took up running just four years ago and recently went pro with the goal of qualifying for Tokyo 2020 and representing Israel in the Olympics. More than anything else, her journey has empowered her to dream big and keep pushing, a message Beatie is passionate about sharing with other women.

This week, Rabbi Wildes sits down with social media superstar Lizzy Savetsky. Lizzy spreads positive messages surrounding the topics of Israel advocacy, matchmaking, women's empowerment and more to her nearly 200,000 Instagram followers. Lizzy shares how she balances her social media presence with her everyday life, which Instagram comments irritate her the most, why she enjoys matchmaking, her message to empower young women, and more.

Today's episode is a special one. It's a conversation between Rabbi Wildes and bestselling author AJ Jacobs. As many of you know, AJ is the author of the book "The Year of Living Biblically" where he tried to follow all the commandments in the Torah. In this episode, Rabbi Wildes and AJ talk about that spiritual journey, as well as a handful of other books AJ has written – including one about gratitude and how it relates to Judaism. For more info on AJ and to purchase his books, please visit his website at www.ajjacobs.com.

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of a lunch and learn on Facebook Live. The topic is "The Road Back: Confronting Intermarriage and Assimilation." Here is a link to today’s source sheet: https://bit.ly/2Cd9hSq

In this thought-provoking podcast episode with Rabbi Wildes, we dive deep into the complexities of Israel's ongoing conflicts, featuring the esteemed Dr. Daniel Gordis as our guest. Dr. Gordis provides a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted issues plaguing Israel, from the judicial reform protests shaking the nation to the intricacies of the two-state solution. We explore the delicate balance between security and peace in the region and examine the impact of these political struggles on everyday life for Israelis. Moreover, Dr. Gordis sheds light on the evolving landscape of Judaism in the modern world and its effects on the Jewish people, offering valuable insights into the diverse ways in which Jewish identity is shaped and expressed today. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that navigates the challenging terrain of Israel's past, present, and future. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Welcome 00:03:14 - The Miracle of Israel 00:09:51 - Protests in Israel 00:19:33 - Two State Solution 00:21:31 - Division Between Us 00:33:19 - BLM & Zionism 00:34:17 - The Conservative Movement Today 00:38:48 - Why are People Not Going To Shul? 00:45:05 - Changes In Today's Judaism 00:50:31 - The Power Of The Holy Land 00:54:54 - Wrapping Up Subscribe to the Wildescast: https://link.chtbl.com/Wildes Website: jewishexperience.org Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

Dr. Nava Silton is a Professor of Psychology at Marymount Manhattan College. After graduating from Cornell University in 2002, she completed a master's and doctorate in Developmental Psychology at Fordham University. Nava looks at the interface between religion and health and has done significant work in the fields of disabilities and children's media. She has worked at Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop and has consulted for Netflix, Blue's Clues, Mediakidz, etc. She has appeared often on Fox 5 News and on other media outlets such as NBC, The Good Day NY Show and the Huffington Post to talk about child development and relationships, including tips on dating, improving your self-esteem and how to be more positive. She has run several dating weekends and events at various synagogues and recently developed a card game called "Bashert" where people can ask their date interesting and meaningful questions. It's sold at numerous stores including West Side Judaica. She wrote Realabilities, a Children's Comic Book Series and wrote and produced an off-Broadway Musical, entitled Addy and Uno and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Fordham University, Touro College and Hunter College. She has edited six textbooks, has written more than 36 peer-reviewed journal articles and is in the middle of writing her third screenplay. Originally from Albany, this PhD is fighting to make the world a better place. She is the daughter of a rabbi and has five children.

Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld is world-renowned for his incredible podcasts which intersect contemporary issues of trauma, anxiety, and addiction with the ancient texts of Torah, Kabbalah, and Chassidut. Rabbi Wildes speaks with Rabbi Rosenfeld about how those who enjoy yoga and meditation can find those experiences within the Jewish tradition, reframing the traumas in our lives as opportunities for elevation, the greater picture behind the postmodern moment of relativity and the denial of objective truth, what makes this generation's relationship with God different from previous generations, and more. Timestamps: 1:20 - Meditation 5:00 - Breath & Mindfulness 16:00 Is Positivity a Choice? 23:00 Accepting God as King 34:00 Trauma 48:00 Postmodernism 58:00 Finding the Light in the Darkness

Today's episode is a special one. It's a conversation between Rabbi Wildes and Michael Oren, who served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States. In this episode, Rabbi Wildes and Ambassador Oren talk about the latest developments in Middle East politics, including the historic Abraham Accords between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. They also chat about Michael's new book, which is a collection of short stories featuring a vast array of characters – from ghosts and Upper West Side Jews to aliens and Christian clerics. You'll also hear about Ambassador Oren's previous career as the assistant to Orson Welles. Read Ambassador Oren's latest op-ed in the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-triumph-for-peace-is-a-humiliation-for-the-peace-industry-11600900809 For more information about Ambassador Oren and his new book “The Night Archer and Other Stories" please visit: www.michaeloren.com

Despite the rich history of cooperation between the Jewish and Black communities, tensions have been high over the past couple of months spurred on by the antisemitic comments of Kanye West and a rally of Black Hebrew Israelites outside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Rabbi Wildes is joined by Dumisani Washington, founder of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel to discuss the roots of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, whether Black Lives Matter and the Left get a pass when it comes to Antisemitism, and how we can use what seems like a dark moment in the history of our peoples' to come together and create a new coalition of Black/Jewish solidarity. Timestamps: 2:30 - History of Black/Jewish Unity 8:00 - Black Hebrew Israelites 31:00 - Black Lives Matter & Left Wing Antisemitism 42:00 - The Future of Black/Jewish Solidarity