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A critical look at the present and future of Orthodox Judaism. Join Rabbi Yehudah ("YB") Ilan as he explores various topics related to the current state of Judaism and Jewish law in search of a viable way forward to a brighter Jewish future.
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Exploring the past to understand our future. This podcast looks are current issues through the lens of Jewish history with author, reseacher and lecturer Rabbi Ken Spiro and JFI Director Ellie Bass. Each week we will explore a current topic in the news or the world and use history to understand it's deeper implications for the Jewish world and beyond.
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Welcome to the light lab! We (Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Eliana Light, and special guests) believe that there is so much insight to be found in Jewish sacred heritage by holding the gems of our liturgy to the light. We see the immense value of personal, heart-opening, empathy-expanding prayer practice. And we love to talk about both. Join us! Follow us on facebook and instagram @thelight.lab and support the show at ko-fi.com/thelightlab
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Join us for a discussion and look as the history of the relationship between the US and Israel in this pre-election episode. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can u…
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Season 4 kicks off with a macro view of where in Jewish history we are right now. Sometimes it's hard to recognize we are literally living through seismic historical events when you are right in the middle of it. This is what is happening right now for the Jewish people and seeing where we are on the historical timeline helps us understand why the …
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This week we are delving into the history and definition of the terms Dati Leumi, Religious Zionism, Modern Orthodox and Mizrachi to name a few. Who is this important section of the religious community and why do we know so little about it in North America? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchil…
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A bit of a continuation of the last episode. What are Western Values? What is it about America and Israel that people both love and hate? How do we make sure we don't fall prey to what ended the other great empires and countries of history? Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro ⁠⁠https://www.myjfi.com/…
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What is really going on between Israel and Iran? Is western democracy really what we think it is, and why are America and Israel seen as partners? Perhaps liberal values are not what we thought they were... This week we are learning the history of Lebanon and Hezbollah and trying to understand why they are involved at all in this war. Register for …
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This week we are learning the history of Lebanon and Hezbollah and trying to understand why they are involved at all in this war. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro https://www.myjfi.com/events-and-classes Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.KenSpiro.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…
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In this episode, Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass explore the evolving political landscape of Western Jewish communities, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023, events. The discussion delves into the shifting political affiliations among Jews, with a noticeable trend towards the political right as concerns about antisemitism and Israel's se…
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This week, in our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana and Ellen consider the Midrashic possibilities of Hamotzi - the blessing over the challah. Topics include how challah holy-tizes all of our time, to tear or to cut, and which gardens grow bread trees. Plus, we listen to our favorite 90s Jewish hip hop classics! As partners with g?d in the act of crea…
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In response to Ellie's student reading on of Ilan's books, we take a tour of some of his claims and take his narrative of events to task in order to really understand the origins of Israel and the importance of nuance. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can l…
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This week Rabbi Spiro and Ellie are discussing the Jewish history and perspective on war and peace, the history of the UN and how Judeo-Christian values were the foundation stone upon which the rules of engagement were created. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back …
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In this episode we are digging into the history of Iran and why they are the major agitator in the region and why it's important to address them as one of the central pillars of this conflict. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward y…
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This week, we are elated to bring you our interview with Eliana and Casper ter Kuile. Casper is the author of The Power of Ritual, and the co-founder of Sacred Design Lab, Nearness and the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. We explore finding the sacred in the secular, where folks find spiritual community these days, and snuggling your dog a…
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This week, in our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana and Josh explore the hand washing. Topics include taking ownership over rituals, the act of giving and receiving to and of ourselves, and hand washing as a mikvah moment. Plus, we listen to our favorite hand washing nigunim! Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/episode-64-han…
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This week, we are elated to bring your our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Adina Allen. Rabbi Adina is co-founder and creative director of the Jewish Studio Project. We explore expressing the divine spark within us, how to sit with discomfort, and how to teach our 3rd grade selves that art is their birthright. Check out this week’s show notes and t…
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What is it that the protestors are really fighting for? Western civilization is really what is being questioned and fought against, let's talk about how and why. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we ar…
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Welcome to our spring SPARK! A more free-wheeling, connective conversation between our hosts that we hope sparks something new in you. In this SPARK, Eliana and Ellen explore our journey on the way to enoughness, binding our wounds, & the furry shapes prophets sometimes inhabit. Plus, we listen to some of our favorite songs for the season! Check ou…
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Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie jump back on for a special episode discussion the game changing events of this last weekend as Iran fires directly on Israel, and how this relates to our history and the 3337th Seder that the Jewish people are about to partake in. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill…
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What happens if God forbid Israel loses, and Hamas achieves its aims and wipes it out? What are the broader global implications of a Middle East with no Israel? Understanding this is key to understanding what is happening right now in that region and around the world. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winst…
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This week, we are honored to bring your our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Ilan Glazer. Rabbi Ilan is the founder of Our Jewish Recovery, author of the award-winning And God Created Recovery: Jewish Wisdom to Help You Break Free From Your Addiction, Heal Your Wounds, and Unleash Your Inner Freedom, and a Shatterproof Ambassador and Family Program …
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When we talk about Radical Islam what do we mean? In this episode we are trying to define our terms and understand some of the history of the Middle East, Hamas and Israel and what the west and the rest of the world mean when they use these terms. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once sai…
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This week, we are delighted to bring you our interview with Eliana and Aharon Varady. Aharon is the founding director and primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project. We explore the alchemy of a minyan, taking responsibility for your prayer, and how to make a container to cross-pollinate our own liturgical wisdom with other people. Check out this we…
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As the war continues on for more than 140 days, the tensions between the religious world and the secular in Israel are beginning to show up again, this time over the long history of who should serve in the army and all that entails. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther …
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When we say we want peace what does that mean? A ceasefire? Unicorns and rainbows? A tenuous pause or a lasting connection? In this episode Rabbi Spiro and Ellie discover what is the true meaning of peace from a Jewish perspective and what are the chances of "peace in the Middle East" now? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from t…
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This week, we are ecstatic to bring you our interview with Eliana and Batya Levine. Batya (they/them) is a communal song leader, musician, shaliach tzibur (Jewish prayer leader), cultural organizer, and co-founder and the Director of Programs at Let My People Sing! We explore adversarial relationships with t’fillah, modeling pouring-out-your-heart …
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This week, in our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana and Ellen explore the Kiddush. Topics include the opening the Shabbat space/time portal, toasting time, and how to exercise our awe and wonder muscles. Plus, we listen to our favorite interpretations of the Kiddush! Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/episode-58-kiddush Foll…
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Redeeming captives and hostages is not a new task in the annals of Jewish history. This discussion talks about what is a hostage vs a prisoner, what are some of the Jewish laws around negotiating for hostages release, and what is our history of getting them back and how does this help us understand what is happening today with over 102 hostages sti…
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This week, we are proud to bring you our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Josh Cahan. A t’fillah (prayer) educator in NYC, Josh compiled and edited the Yedid Nefesh bencher and is introducing the new Yedid Nefesh Haggadah this Spring. We explore the origin story of a t’fillah nerd, praying at sleepaway camp, and the challenges and opportunities of t…
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This week, in our second episode of our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana, Ellen, & Josh explore the liturgy of Shalom Aleichem. Topics include angels of good and evil at the table, different melodies used for the text, and what this poem sparks in us. Plus, we listen to our favorite versions of Shalom Aleichem! What is your favorite Friday night Shab…
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This week, in our third episode of our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana and Ellen explore the family blessings. Topics include the origin of this tradition, the Human-G?d-Compassion triumvirate of blessings, why should we want our kids to be like ephraim and Menashe, and how to choose your spouse anew each week. Plus, we listen to our favorite family…
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What is the history of colonization in the Middle East? Are the Arabs indigenous to the Middle East? Are the Jews? Join us as we trace back the more than 3000 years of colonization, empire building and settlement in the cradle of civilization. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “T…
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This week, we are proud to bring you our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Doctor Professor Ruth Langer. Professor Langer is a liturgy scholar and director of graduate studies at Boston College's Theology Department. We explore how liturgical change gets squashed, how the Talmud set the course for future liturgical halacha, and how prayers emerged th…
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From biblical to modern times what is the history of war in Israel? Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass discuss the purpose of war Jewishly and what is it about Jewish ideology that makes us different when it comes to warfare? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you ca…
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Welcome to our second SPARK! A more free-wheeling, connective conversation between our hosts that we hope sparks something new in you. In this SPARK, Eliana, Ellen & Josh explore Hanukkah gematria, rituals that light up our lives, and spiritually exercises for the heart muscle. Plus, we listen to some of our favorite songs for the season! Are there…
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What is the war of Gog and Mgog? What is the Ishmaelite Exile? How does the question of what is truth relate to what is happening today and historically for the world and the Jewish people? This is Part 2 of the End of Days - Rabbi Spiro gives us a new/old way of looking at what is happening right now in terms of prophecy, history and Jewish theolo…
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Rabbi Spiro gives us a new/old way of looking at what is happening right now in terms of prophecy, history and Jewish theology. What is this unique time in history that we are a part of right now and how can we begin to understand it in the long arc of the Jewish story? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Win…
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There is something trending on TikTok right now called JQ, The Jewish Question is a deeply laden paradigm that is both antisemitic and also goes to heart of how we understand ourselves as Jewish people, our mission and what is going on right now in the Middle East and around the world. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the b…
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This week Rabbi Spiro and Ellie are confronting some of the myths and facts surrounding the war with Hamas and in the media and on campuses around the world. Live from Jerusalem with Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass this episode is an insider view and an overview of what is going on in Israel right now. Want more history? Go back and listen to this s…
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This week, in our first episode of our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana, Ellen, & Josh explore lighting the Shabbat candles. Topics include why we light, different melodies used for the blessing, and what this blessing sparks in us. Plus, we listen to our favorite songs about lighting Shabbat candles! When does it start to feel like Shabbat for you? …
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Live from Jerusalem with Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass this episode is an insider view and an overview of what is going on in Israel right now, some of the history and reasons behind it, what we can understand about the world and what’s coming based on history and how to help. See below in the liner notes for links mentioned in the episode. Want m…
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This week, we are privileged to bring you our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Kohenet Jill Hammer, PhD. Hammer is an author, teacher, midrashist, mystic, poet, essayist, and priestess. We explore where to look for g?d, how to call on g?d, and the venn diagram of poetry and liturgy. Plus, we dive into Hammer’s new book, Undertorah! How can dreams im…
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Live from Jerusalem with Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass this episode is an insider view and an overview of what is going on in Israel right now, some of the history and reasons behind it, what we can understand about the world and what’s coming based on history and how to help. See below in the liner notes for links mentioned in the episode. Want m…
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This week, Eliana, Ellen, & Josh go behind the music with Eliana’s new album: ORAH HI. Topics include how to make an album with friends, making Hebrew songs accessible, and accessing vulnerability through song. Plus, we learn about the magic behind these sweet new tracks! Is it more important to correctly conjugate g?d language or let the prayer fl…
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Welcome to our first SPARK! A more free-wheeling, connective conversation between our hosts that we hope sparks something new in you. In this SPARK, Eliana, Ellen & Josh explore re-returning, joyful prayer at Yom Kippur, and the courage to bring g?dly acts into the world. Plus, we listen to some of our favorite songs for the season! What is the sti…
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The finishing sweeping look as we finish this series on how the Orthodox Jewish world developed over time and we are now in Part 4 where we ask where we go from here, what is the purpose of the Jewish people and are we in survival mode forever or do we need to turn to a new sense of self and purpose. What is our Jewish hero story? Want more history…
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This week, Eliana, Ellen, & Josh explore the end of the Amidah journey. Topics include the Amidah as a personal AND communal experience, symbolism in the shape words take in our mouths, and license to create our own prayers. Plus, Josh and Coleen Dieker perform Elohai N'tzor live! Do written prayers inhibit your extemporaneous prayer experience? Ch…
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We are rounding out this series of discussion on how the Orthodox Jewish world developed over time and we are now in Part 3 where we begin from the ashes of the Shoah and see where we are now and how we got here. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, t…
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This week, we are elated to bring you our interview with Billy Jonas. For over thirty years, Billy Jonas - performer, singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, educator, and playful pray-er extraordinaire - has perfected the art of the neo-tribal hootenanny with audiences around the globe. Using voice, guitar, and industrial re-percussion…
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In this episode Rabbi Spiro begins to lead us along the timeline of how the Orthodox Jewish world developed over time from just before the beginning of World War 2 until the end of the Shoah. This is Part 2 please go back and listen to Part 1 to follow along this journey. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as W…
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This week, we are elated to bring you our interview with Rabbi Sarit Horwitz. Rabbi Sarit serves as clergy at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Memphis, TN. We explore creating opportunities for deep experiences in our communities, vulnerability in being a leader and pray-er, and that T’fillah is not meant to be a spectator sport. Did you learn your prayers…
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