18Forty Podcast

Michelle Margolis: How the Talmud Went from Parchment to Pixels Nov 10, 2026 53:19 Today, we're sharing an episode of our program Talmud Daily featuring Michelle Margolis, the Norman E. Alexander Librarian for Jewish Studies at Columbia University, who explores the remarkable story of how the Talmud became the book we recognize today.You can sign up for Talmud Daily at talmuddaily.org, and you can subscribe in your podcast app by searching Talmud Daily. Become a supporter of thi

The Legacy of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks [Re-Release] Nov 3, 2026 1:21:11 On 20 Cheshvan, we marked the sixth yahrzeit of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. So today we're revisiting the episode we made discussing his legacy on his first yahrzeit, in 2021. In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Professor Jonathan Haidt about the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in honor of his yahrtzeit.Rabbi Sacks had a profound impact on the Jewish world, with his eloquent words givin

Lahav Harkov: Israel's Next Election: What's Really at Stake? Oct 26, 2026 50:24 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Lahav Harkov, senior political correspondent for Jewish Insider, for a basic primer on how Israeli elections work, how Israel’s political camps came to divide the way they have, and what choice Israelis face right now.In this episode we discuss:—How do Israeli elections work, and why has no party ever won a majority on its own?—How did Labor and L

Judah Mischel: How To Be a Jewish Optimist Oct 20, 2026 1:30:54 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rav Judah Mischel, executive director of Camp HASC and author of the Baderech series, about how to become a Jewish optimist by choosing to see the good in every corner of Klal Yisrael.In this episode we discuss:—How do we stay optimistic about the Jewish people when our visions for its future seem mutually exclusive?—How can we tell who is truly w

On Presence, Questions, and Independence: Remembering Rav Ezra Neuberger Oct 15, 2026 1:46:44 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we mark the yahrtzeit of Rav Ezra Dovid Halevi Neuberger with remembrances from Dovid Bashevkin and David Fohrman of a teacher who valued privacy, presence, and intellectual honesty, and who taught his students to take life seriously by becoming fully themselves.In this episode we discuss:—What does it mean to take life seriously while treating ourselves wit

Elliot Kaufman: October 7 and What Came After Oct 7, 2026 1:39:21 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Elliot Kaufman, a member of The Wall Street Journal's editorial board and co-author of In the War Room: The Inside Story of Israel's Fight Against Hamas and the Iranian Axis, about what happened inside Israel's war room after October 7 and how Israel came to lose the battle over its own story.In this episode we discuss:—Was October 7th part of a l

Seforim Chatter x 18Forty: How Jewish History Changes the Way We Learn Torah Sep 29, 2026 1:32:28 In this episode, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin and Nachi Weinstein discuss Jewish history, reading, publishing, podcasting, and the ideas behind Bashevkin’s book I Read This Over Shabbos.They explore how accessible writing and serious historical study can deepen Jewish knowledge while preserving intellectual depth, historical honesty, and the centrality of Shabbos.In this episode we discuss:—How can Jewis

Liel Leibovitz: Why the Talmud Is So Hard To Love—and Worth Loving Sep 22, 2026 49:11 Today, we're sharing one of our episodes from our new program Talmud Daily, featuring our dear friend Liel Leibovitz. You can sign up for Talmud Daily at talmuddaily.org, and you can subscribe in your podcast app by searching Talmud Daily. In this episode, Liel reflects on falling in love with the Talmud precisely because it is so difficult—and on how its questions, frustrations, and intricate det

YY Jacobson: The Teshuva of Coming Back to Yourself Sep 15, 2026 1:50:52 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi YY Jacobson, one of the foremost online teachers of Torah, about how each of us can experience redemptive consciousness by feeling Hashem's infinite love and presence in this moment.In this episode we discuss:—Why has there been a shift in the way we approach publicly sharing Torah?—What is

Etan Epstein: New Journeys in Torah Learning Sep 8, 2026 1:56:43 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Join here: Talmuddaily.orgIn this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Etan Epstein, the founder of The 300 Club, a program of committing to learning Torah for five minutes a day.

Tania Friedlander: Teshuva and Becoming Capable of More Sep 1, 2026 1:36:41 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Join here: Talmuddaily.orgIn this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Tania Friedlander, leadership-and-performance coach, attorney by training, and former champion athlete, about how

Ben and Yael de Toledo: Baalei Teshuva Building Community in Israel Aug 25, 2026 2:11:02 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Join here: Talmuddaily.org.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Ben and Yael de Toledo, founders of Pnima Jerusalem, a soulful community in Jerusalem, about doing teshuva by ret

Shlomo Pill: When a Rabbi Doctor Struggles With Addiction Aug 19, 2026 1:35:08 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Begins August 24, 2026. Join here: Talmuddaily.orgIn this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to rabbi, attorney, and professor Shlomo Pill about how Torah and teshuva have helped him han

Mendel Horowitz: A Good Enough Elul Aug 13, 2026 1:47:58 Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Begins August 24, 2026. Join here: Talmuddaily.orgIn this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we return to the topic of teshuva by talking to Mendel Horowitz, a Jerusalem-based psychotherapist, researcher, and author who introduces us to the noti

Berel Leib Epstein: Why Be a Believer? Aug 5, 2026 1:44:42 This episode is sponsored by Dina and Daniel Heiss, in honor of the 10th yahrzeit of Dina’s father, Zev Yehudah ben HaRav Yisrael Michel. May his neshama have an aliya. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author and theoretical physicist Berel Leib Epstein about rational reasons to choose to believe in Judaism and live a Jewish life.In this episode we discuss:—In a time without clea

YY Jacobson: 'Jews were chosen to hold onto the frequency of redemptive consciousness' [18 Questions, 40 Mystics] Jul 28, 2026 55:11 While we await the next installment of the 18Forty Podcast, we invite you to enjoy this episode from our serires 18 Questions, 40 Mystics. In this insightful conversation, Rabbi YY Jacobson presents Jewish mysticism as a dynamic framework for consciousness and connection rather than abstract theology. He passionately and clearly illustrates how faith and, ultimately, surrender can redefine how we

Shalom Rosner and Sara Zimbalist: Loss, Faith, and Gratitude Jul 21, 2026 2:22:25 In our annual Tisha B'Av episode of the 18Forty Podcast on the theme of loss, we speak with Rabbi Shalom Rosner, who delivered a widely shared eulogy for Eliyahu Moshe ("Eli Mo") Zimbalist, who was killed early in the Gaza war. We also speak with Eli Mo's mother, Sara Zimbalist.In this episode we discuss:—How do we hold the personal experience of loss together with the larger national narrative?—H

Carmi Schwartz: The Road That Got Us Here [American Jewish History 4/4] Jul 14, 2026 1:33:16 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jewish communal executive Carmi Schwartz about lessons he’s learned in his 90-plus years as a member and leader of the Jewish community. In this episode we discuss: —What draws a professional to Jewish communal work rather than business pursuits or Torah scholarship?—How does one imbue organizational and Zionist work with religious Jewish content?

Jenna Weissman Joselit: Being Jewish in America [American Jewish History 3/4] Jul 7, 2026 1:27:28 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jenna Weissman Joselit, a professor of Jewish studies and history, about the everyday expressions of Judaism that reinforce the identity and distinctiveness of the Jewish People. In this episode we discuss:—What consequential institutional decisions shaped the trajectory of American Judaism?—What overlooked personalities and phenomena contributed

Zev Eleff: 250 Years of American Judaism [American Jewish History 2/4] Jun 30, 2026 1:26:41 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to historian Zev Eleff about what 250 years of Jewish life in America can teach us about religion, identity, and the future of American Judaism.In this episode we discuss:—Why did colonial Jews support the American Revolution despite knowing the dangers of opposing those in power?—How did Jewish denominations and institutions as we know them emerge i

Elana Moskowitz: In Appreciation of My American Jewish Childhood [American Jewish History 1/4] Jun 24, 2026 1:36:11 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Elana Moskowitz, an educator at Michlelet Mevasseret Yerushalayim, about how her American Jewish upbringing shaped her life and worldview.Moskowitz grew up Orthodox in America in the 1990s—alongside her brother David Bashevkin—before moving to Israel and joining a Haredi community in Jerusalem. In this episode we discuss: —What is the unique new c

Finance Debate: Larry Rothwachs and Leslie Ginsparg Klein Jun 16, 2026 1:16:07 In this annual debate episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin moderates a discussion on finances within the Orthodox Jewish community. The specific resolution is: The current state of semachot in our community and the level of spending on them, as well as extravagance in lifestyle in general, is problematically excessive and should be significantly curtailed.Rabbi Larry Rothwachs defends t

Listener Feedback with David Bashevkin Jun 9, 2026 1:34:47 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin responds to listeners’ feedback and comments, in conversation with Denah Emerson.In this episode we discuss:—Should every Jew be Orthodox?—Is the gap year in Israel “just a business”?—How does one develop their own Jewish identity at a phase in life when it’s no longer mediated by institutions?Tune in to hear what the 18Forty community has be

David Bashevkin: ‘We are meant to teach the world how to embrace unchosen identity’ [18 Questions, 40 Mystics] May 26, 2026 1:28:06 Ahead of the next episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we invite you to hear David Bashevkin's appearance on 18 Questions, 40 Mystics.What does it mean to live a Judaism that fits into our lives? David Bashevkin explores the meeting point of mysticism and modernity. The founder of 18Forty, Rabbi Dr. David Bashevkin is the director of education at NCSY as well as an instructor at Yeshiva University. He

Agunah Revisited: How To Avoid High Conflict Divorce May 19, 2026 1:20:52 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we revisit the topic of agunot by talking to Sarah Nissel and Yona Elishis, who run the Jewish Divorce Assistance Center of Los Angeles.We’re also joined by Keshet Starr, CEO of Shalom Task Force. In this episode we discuss:How do potentially amicable divorces escalate to being high-conflict? Why does adversarial divorce seem to be increasingly common in the

Adam Ferziger: Agents of Change [Israel & Diaspora II 4/4] May 12, 2026 1:16:47 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Adam Ferziger, a historian of modern Jewish movements, about how American Jews have helped shape the evolution of Israeli Judaism.In this episode we discuss:—Why are Jewish religious boundaries in Israel often “more porous” than those in America?—Why did McDonald’s succeed in Israel while Starbucks failed?—What can Israelis take from the thick com

Alana Newhouse: Why is the Whole World Fighting About Zionism? [Israel & Diaspora II 3/4] May 5, 2026 1:09:14 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Alana Newhouse, the founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet Magazine, about why seemingly everyone is arguing about Zionism. In this episode we discuss:—What causes spikes in antisemitism?—What is the role of rapid technological change in flattening the differences between people?—What makes Israel a model for a nation that other countries should co

Michael Olshin: Reimagining the Gap Year in Israel [Israel & Diaspora II 2/4] Apr 28, 2026 1:13:30 This episode is sponsored by Brett and Susan Nadritch, who support creative initiatives that strengthen our love for and connection to the People and Land of Israel, in honor of all the lone soldiers in the most recent Hesder draft, the class of Nisan 5786. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Michael Olshin, educational director of Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Jerusalem, about the purpo

Michael Eisenberg: Iran, USA, Israel: What Comes Next [Israel & Diaspora II 1/4] Apr 18, 2026 1:15:57 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Michael Eisenberg—a venture capitalist and Torah scholar—about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora. In this episode we discuss:—What lies ahead for the Jewish People amid the war with Iran?—What can Israel and America teach one another about Jewish innovation?—What should be the religious vision for “secular” Jews in Israel?T

When a Parent Becomes Estranged [Divergence VI 4/4] Mar 30, 2026 2:16:43 Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunited. We also speak with Adam Pollock, the estrangement specialist who inspired them to reconcile. In this episode we discuss: Are there specific struggles that lead to estrangement in the Orthodox Jewis

David & Sydney Magerman: When a Child Makes Aliyah [Divergence VI 3/4] Mar 24, 2026 1:23:49 Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to philanthropist David Magerman and his daughter Sydney, who decided to make aliyah while on her gap year in Israel. In this episode we discuss:What should we do with the freedom we’ve been given?What is it like to make the journey toward Orthodoxy as a fami

Shaanan Gelman & His Son: When a Child Becomes Addicted [Divergence VI 2/4] Mar 17, 2026 1:32:10 Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Shaanan Gelman and his son Ziggy about the persistence of a parent-child relationship when the latter faces addiction. In this episode we discuss:How does habitual drug use evolve into addiction?How does a parent help a child struggling with substanc

Yakov Danishefsky: Transmitting the Jewish Story with Emotional Health [Divergence VI 1/4] Mar 10, 2026 1:07:51 Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yakov Danishefsky—a licensed clinical social worker and the author of The Attached Haggadah—about the imperfect ways in which we transmit the Jewish story. In this episode we discuss:How do we deal with the lived reality that the Passover Seder isn’t a perf

What Garry Shandling's Jewish Comedy Teaches About Purim Mar 1, 2026 37:17 This week of learning is sponsored by Zachary Schreiber in honor of Tova Bashevkin, because behind every great man is an even greater woman.In this special Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin speaks about the late, great comedian Garry Shandling in honor of his 10th yahrzeit, which is this Purim.In this episode we discuss:What does pop culture tell us about the Torah of our time?

Yehuda Geberer: What's the History of the American Yeshiva World? [American Yeshiva World 3/3] Feb 24, 2026 1:53:12 This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Yehuda Geberer—a researcher, educator, and tour guide—about the history of the yeshiva world.In this episode we discuss:How did we get from the start of the Lithuanian yeshiva movement to the America

Aaron Kotler: Inside the Lakewood Yeshiva [American Yeshiva World 2/3] Feb 17, 2026 1:16:40 This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rabbi Aaron Kotler, president of the Beth Medrash Govoha and a grandson of Rav Aharon Kotler, about the beginnings of the American yeshiva world.In this episode we discuss:What is the difference betw

Elisheva Carlebach & Debra Kaplan: The Unknown History of Women in Jewish Life [American Yeshiva World 1/3] Feb 10, 2026 1:36:01 This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Professors Elisheva Carlebach and Debra Kaplan, scholars of early modern Jewish history, about women’s religious, social, and communal roles in early modern Jewish life.In this episode we discuss:How

Eitan Webb and Ari Israel: What's Next for Jewish Students in Secular College? [Denominations 4/5] Feb 3, 2026 1:12:00 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rabbis Eitan Webb and Ari Israel, head of a campus Chabad and Hillel respectively, about Jewish life on college campuses today. In this episode we discuss:Has there been a recent Jewish awakening on college campuses?How much attention should we pay to campus antisemitism?Are Chabad and Hillel able to work together on college campuses?Tune in to

Mark Wildes: Is Modern Orthodox Outreach the Way Forward? [Denominations 3/4] Jan 27, 2026 1:19:47 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience, about Modern Orthodox outreach.In this episode we discuss:Why aren’t more aspiring rabbis attracted to kiruv? How can we help people make the transition from outreach programs to the “real world”?How can we make the case for Shabbos for the masses? Tune in to hear a conversation

Zevi Slavin: 'To be a mystic is to be human at its most raw' [18 Questions, 40 Mystics] Jan 20, 2026 1:06:56 This podcast is in partnership with Rabbi Benji Levy and Share. Learn more at 40mystics.com.As a Chabad Hasid, Rabbi Zevi Slavin’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich traditions of Chassidut and Kabbala. This upbringing provided him with a unique lens through which he continues to learn, study, and connect with others. Drawing on his background, Slavin created “Seekers of Unity,” a You

Dovid Bashevkin: A Reform Rabbi Interviews an Orthodox Rabbi [Denominations 2/4] Jan 13, 2026 1:38:48 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations and Jewish Peoplehood.In this episode we discuss:How did David become an Orthodox rabbi with an interest in the broader Jewish world?Where does David get his sense of commandedness and obligation from? How should Israel factor into ou

An Orthodox Rabbi Interviews a Reform Rabbi [Denominations 1/4] Jan 6, 2026 1:40:35 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations and Jewish Peoplehood. In this episode we discuss:How do we re-determine how to be Jews in America?Is there really an “education gap” between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews? How should we handle the question of “who is a Jew” across denominations?Tune in to h

Yabloner Rebbe: The Rebbe of Change (Teshuva Re-Release) Dec 30, 2025 1:24:04 Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, originally released in 2021, we talk to Rabbi Pini Dunner and Rav Moshe Weinberger about the Yabloner Rebbe and his astounding story of teshuva.The Yabloner Rebbe was a chassidishe rebbe who helped found Kfar Chassidim. He disappeared and went to Los Angeles, where he went o

Shais Taub: A Vulnerable Conversation About Shame, Selfhood, and Authenticity [Mysticism III 3/3] Dec 23, 2025 1:19:00 Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—created in collaboration with Amudim—we speak with Shais Taub, the rabbi behind the organization SoulWords, about shame, selfhood, and authenticity. In this episode we discuss:How are we to deal with the pain of embodiment and individuation?How does one uncover their mission

Philip Goff: Consciousness, Mysticism, and God [Mysticism III 2/3] Dec 16, 2025 1:25:36 Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Philip Goff—a philosophy professor who devotes much of his work to investigating the ultimate nature of reality—about consciousness, mysticism, and God. We also hear from Rabbi Eli Rubin about the possibility of “Jewish panpsychism.”In this episode we discuss:W

Alon Shalev: How Rav Hutner Found Existential Meaning [Mysticism III 1/3] Dec 9, 2025 1:48:18 Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Alon Shalev, a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, about how Rav Hutner found existential meaning.In this episode we discuss:How do we find and build purpose within our short lives?What is the role of individualism and self-expression in Jewish lif

NEW: 18 Questions, 40 Mystics with Joey Rosenfeld Dec 2, 2025 1:30:48 This podcast is in partnership with Rabbi Benji Levy and Share. Learn more at 40mystics.com.Rav Joey Rosenfeld’s entryway into mystical thought began with the writings of Franz Kafka and Albert Camus. Discussing Jewish mysticism with Rav Joey is not just a conversation about ancient texts and ideas, but it is a journey into the soul, wherein he describes how mystical principles can transform relat

What To Do When Families Become Estranged [Re-Release] Nov 25, 2025 1:49:35 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by Dr. Leah Younger of Younger Psychology.In 2023, we talked to psychologist Dr. Joshua Coleman, about the nuances of familial estrangement and reconciliation. We also heard from mindset coach Jason Blau and translator Izzy Posen about how these issues play out within the Jewish community. In this episode we discuss:

AI & Halacha: On Transparency and Accountability [AI 4/4] Nov 18, 2025 1:03:16 This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, Rabbi Gil Student speaks with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper and Sofer.ai CEO Zach Fish about how AI is reshaping questions of Jewish practice.As AI simulates more and more human activities, we can’t help but wonder: Will AI replace rabbis? In this episode we discuss:—What happens when centuries of halachic proce

Is AI the New Printing Press? [AI 3/4] Nov 11, 2025 1:34:34 This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with Moshe Koppel, Malka Simkovich, and Tikvah Wiener about what the AI revolution will mean for the Jewish community.In this episode we discuss:How is AI going to change the dynamics, cadence, and rhythm of Jewish life? Should we panic about AI

Julia Senkfor & Cameron Berg: Does AI Have an Antisemitism Problem? [AI 2/4] Nov 4, 2025 1:07:33 This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with ASF’s Julia Senkfor and AI researcher Cameron Berg about the relationship between artificial intelligence and antisemitism. In this episode we discuss: Why do large language models have an antisemitism problem? Is antisemitism inextricably

Steven Gotlib & Eli Rubin: What Does It Mean To Be Human? [AI 1/4] Oct 28, 2025 1:08:37 This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with Rabbi Eli Rubin and Rabbi Steven Gotlib about what differentiates human intelligence from artificial intelligence.In this episode we discuss:What does AI teach us about what it means to be human? What is the soul, and how do we interact with

Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin: How Torah Gives Us Faith and Hope Oct 12, 2025 1:09:44 This episode is brought to you by Simchat Torah Challenge, a Jewish communal project inspiring tens of thousands of Jews of all backgrounds to read the weekly parsha. The weekly English-language email newsletter and website bring Torah and insights from trusted sources. Join for free at SimchatTorahChallenge.orgIn this special Simchas Torah episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rachel Gold

Moshe Koppel: Artificial Intelligence and Torah [Prayer Re-Release] Oct 6, 2025 1:14:52 As a hint at our next new series, we want to share with you our 2023 episode with Moshe Koppel—a computer scientist and Talmud scholar—about Torah and its intersection with artificial intelligence.In a world in which technology puts vast libraries of Torah at our fingertips, we are tasked with thinking more deeply about what essentially human abilities we bring to the enterprise of Torah and tefil

Moshe Benovitz: Why Religious Change Doesn't Always Last [Teshuva 6/6] Sep 29, 2025 1:26:31 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, recorded live at Stern College, we speak with Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, director of NCSY Kollel, about what makes religious change real and sustainable.In this episode we discuss:—What is the difference between behavior modification and personality development?—How does one translate yeshiva skills to a life of

Naftuli Moster: Leaving Haredi Education Activism [Teshuva 5/6] Sep 21, 2025 1:36:58 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Naftuli Moster, a former activist for major changes in Hasidic education, about how and why he changed his understanding of the values imparted by Judaism.In this episode we discuss:Why did Naftuli stop campaigning for fundamental reform in Hasidic education?Why are Jews often drawn to movement

Gayle Kirschenbaum: Learning to Forgive My Mother [Teshuva 4/6] Sep 16, 2025 1:35:36 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Gayle Kirschenbaum—author of Bullied to Besties: A Daughter’s Journey to Forgiveness—about how she repaired her fraught relationship with her mother.At the end of the podcast, we hear from her mother, Millie, herself, now over 101 years old. In this episode we discuss: What does a “forgiveness

Sarah Hurwitz: Reclaiming Judaism from Shame and Blame [Teshuva 3/6] Sep 9, 2025 1:22:00 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with writer Sarah Hurwitz—author of the new book As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us—about what it means to be a “knowing Jew.”In a time when we often feel compelled to justify our Judaism to the world, being Jewishly educated is no longer a luxury but a n

DovBer Pinson: The Jewish People's Path of Teshuva [Teshuva 2/6] Sep 3, 2025 1:39:07 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rabbi DovBer Pinson—a scholar, author, teacher, and spiritual mentor—about how we can rethink teshuva in light of the challenges we face today.In this episode we discuss:What is the difference between “lower” and “higher” teshuva? How should the Jewish world recalibrate in the face of the recen

Rochi Ebner: Rav Kook's Return to Our Soul [Teshuva 1/6] Aug 26, 2025 1:26:49 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rachel Tova Ebner, translator of a new volume of the teachings of Rav Kook, about what the spirituality of Rav Kook adds to our Jewish practice and to our understanding of ourselves.As we approach Rav Kook’s yahrzeit (3 Elul), we’re directing our attention to the spiritual dimension of Yiddishk

Joey Rosenfeld: What Does Jewish Mysticism Say About This Moment? [Teshuva Bonus Episode] Aug 19, 2025 1:18:52 This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with rabbi, psychotherapist, and “translator” Joey Rosenfeld about how our generation can understand languages of mysticism, philosophy, and suffering in today’s chaotic world.In this episode we discuss:Where should we channel our spiritual work as we near two years since October 7?Will Mashiach com

David Bashevkin: My Dating Story [Re-Release] Aug 12, 2025 1:29:09 This episode was sponsored by Jerry and Esther Williams in honor of 18Forty and Shalom Task Force. While we wait for the next new episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we revisit Dovid Bashevkin's 2022 deep dive into the world of dating. As we explore the realm of relationships, Dovid uses his own journey to help us find the proper framework for balancing one’s romantic, religious, and professional iden

How Jews Date in the Modern World (Re-Release) Aug 5, 2025 2:22:21 As the 15th of Av approaches, we are returning to this episode on how different Jewish communities date to honor the Jewish "holiday of love."This episode is sponsored by Anonymous who is fond of Shalom Task Force & 18Forty. On this episode of 18Forty, we explore the world of Jewish dating. We spoke to insiders and experts from the Chassidic community, “Yeshiva Orthodox” community, and Modern

Hadas Hershkovitz: On Loss: A Husband, Father, Soldier [Loss 3/3] Jul 29, 2025 2:17:52 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Hadas Hershkovitz, whose husband, Yossi, was killed while serving on reserve duty in Gaza in 2023—about the Jewish People's loss of this beloved spouse, father, high-school principal, and soldier.In the second year of the war, we’re grappling not only with the depth of our losses, but with how to make meaning of them as we continue to live in t

Elissa Felder & Sonia Hoffman: How the Jewish Burial Society Cares for the Dead [Loss 2/3] Jul 22, 2025 1:51:52 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Elissa Felder and her daughter Sonia Hoffman—both of whom have experienced the loss of a child and serve on a chevra kadisha—about what the Jewish burial society teaches us about confronting death. In this episode we discuss: How does the process of purifying a dead body work—and how is it possible to purify a dead body at all?What Kabbalis

Shlomo Brody & Beth Popp: Demystifying Death and the End of Life [Loss 1/3] Jul 15, 2025 1:53:28 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Shlomo Brody and Dr. Beth Popp, who work with Ematai, an organization focused on end-of-life care, about the process of death and how we ought to live with our own mortality. In this episode we discuss: How do we connect to eternity within this finite existence? What halachic issues must we consider when making end-of-life decisions?What hap

Micah Goodman: 'I don't want Gaza to become our Vietnam' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers) Jul 8, 2025 1:08:13 While we await our next episode, we invite you catch up with 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers.Micah Goodman doesn't think Palestinian-Israeli peace will happen within his lifetime. But he's still a hopeful person.Named by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews, Micah is a public intellectual, writer, and author whose voice is central to the moral, political, and religious debat

Ayala Fader: How Do Haredi Jews Deal With Religious Doubt? [OTD 3/3] Jul 1, 2025 1:34:21 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Ayala Fader—an anthropologist who studies American Haredi communities and their “hidden heretics”—about the personal, familial, and communal factors that pull us toward and push us away from different Jewish communities. In this episode we discuss: How should we respond to the discomfort we experience when the communities we live in don’t measure

A Debate Between Yitzchak Blau & Itamar Rosensweig: Does Morality Exist Outside of Judaism? Jun 24, 2025 1:10:08 On June 29, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project. In order to register please click here or email info@edenbeitshemesh.com to find out more.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin moderates a debate between Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig and Rabbi Yitzchak Blau on whether morality exists independently of Judaism. This is a recording of a live

David Bashevkin & Malka Simkovich: Can Judaism Survive the AI Revolution? (Fifth Year Anniversary) Jun 17, 2025 1:27:50 On June 29, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project. In order to register please click here or email info@edenbeitshemesh.com to find out more. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin and historian Malka Simkovich discuss the future of technology, AI, and the Jewish People. This episode was recorded live at the Moise Safra Center as 18For

Daniel Hagler and Aryeh Englander: Can Jews Who Stay Talk With Jews Who Left? [OTD 2/3] May 27, 2025 2:07:44 18Forty is celebrating its fifth year LIVE in NYC on June 9. Reserve your seats today!In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin moderates a dialogue between Aryeh Englander—the ex-Orthodox Jew known as “Philo Judeas,” who is a moderator of the ambitious Frum/OTD Dialogue Facebook group—and Daniel Hagler, a frum surgeon and a moderator of the Facebook group Respectfully Debating Judai

Moshe Krakowski: Why Jews Leave Faith Behind [OTD 1/3] May 20, 2025 1:33:35 Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, talk to Moshe Krakowski, a professor at Yeshiva University, about his work on Attrition and Connection in American Orthodox Judaism, the OU’s study on what we crassly call “OTD.” Dr. Krakowski takes us “under the hood” of those who leave their religious communities to show us what factors lead Jews to leave fa

Shulem Deen: Faith, Without Faith (OTD Series Re-Release) May 13, 2025 59:31 In anticipation of our upcoming series, we want to share with you our episode with Shulem Deen, originally released in June 2020. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David discusses with special guest and former member of the Ultra-Orthodox community, Shulem Deen, the struggle and importance of balancing one’s individual needs with those of the community.Though many of us are aware of the extr

The Gopins: When a Child Cannot Read [Divergence 6/6] May 6, 2025 1:25:37 Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by Yeshivat Shalshelet, which gives children with language-based learning differences the confidence and skills to thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Donate to its matching campaign at theshalsheletdifference.org.In t

Talia Khan: A Jewish Israel Activist and Her Muslim Father [Divergence 5/6] Apr 29, 2025 54:06 Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by Ketubah.com. Find the perfect ketubah for your wedding at Ketubah.com—beautiful designs, halachic accuracy, and personalized guidance every step of the way.This episode is also sponsored by our friends at Sofer.Ai. In this episode

Susan Cain: A Daughter’s Bittersweet Longing for Her Mother [Divergence 4/6] Apr 22, 2025 1:12:01 Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to bestselling author Susan Cain about her bittersweet relationship with her mother, an Orthodox Jew and daughter of a prominent rabbi. S

The Dardik Family: A Child Moves Away From Zionism [Divergence 3/6] Apr 8, 2025 1:47:25 Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Judah, Naomi, and Aharon Akiva Dardik—an olim family whose son went to military jail for refusing to follow to IDF orders and has sinc

The Samter Family: American Parents With Israeli Sons Fighting in Gaza [Divergence 2/6] Apr 1, 2025 1:23:23 Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yehuda, Bayla, Elisha, and Avi Samter—members of a family that made aliyah from the comfortable Five Towns life a decade ago—about the divergence between Jewish life in America and in

Sylvia and Simon Jacobson: How Different Generations Talk About Jewish Life [Divergence 1/6] Mar 25, 2025 1:49:02 Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Simon Jacobson—a leading rabbi in the internet age who previously worked closely with the Lubavitcher Rebbe—and his mother, Silvia, who was born into a Chabad family in Europe n

Eitan Hersh: Can the Jewish Left Talk With the Jewish Right? [Outreach: Bonus] Mar 18, 2025 1:12:05 In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eitan Hersh, a professor of political science at Tufts University, about teaching students of radically different political and religious views how to speak to one another.College campuses have been a hotbed of contentious conversations, especially on issues around Israel, and Prof. Hersh is someone who’s been teaching his students to turn their d

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