Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
Jewish Insights with Justin Pines is a podcast hosted by Rabbi Justin Pines, CEO of the Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS). The show explores key ideas, people, rituals, and collective memory within Judaism, aiming to make Jewish thought accessible to a broad audience. It is closely tied to JBS, a Jewish broadcasting organization, and encourages listeners to visit JBSTV.org for more information. The podcast opens with the theme song "Hinei Ma Tov" by Av Vachim.
Episodes
The Word That Brought the Golem to Life | Justin Pines Yom Kippur Message 2026
Join JBS CEO Rabbi Justin Pines as he offers his special 2026 Yom Kippur Message, which calls on all people to take action to bring more truth, or "EMET" in Hebrew, into our lives.
Returning to Yourself: Rabbi Avi Weiss on Yom Kippur
This Yom Kippur, Justin Pines welcomes back his teacher and rebbe, Rabbi Avi Weiss, for an hour-long journey through the holiest day of the Jewish year.
Rabbi Weiss, founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (the Bayit) and founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Yeshivat Maharat, opens with a tefillah he wrote and recites each morning: a prayer for help in giving thanks for the blessing
The Vulnerability of God with Gila Fine
Can God be vulnerable? National Jewish Book Award winner Gila Fine explores the stunning talmudic tale of Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha, who entered the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur and was asked by God for a blessing (Berakhot 7a). What does it mean for an omnipotent God to ask a mortal for help? Through the lens of rabbinic literature, Shakespeare's King Lear, and modern philosophy, Fine reveals the
Michelle Farber: Bringing Talmud to the World
The Talmud is the foundational text of Judaism — every law, every debate, every dissenting opinion preserved across 2,711 pages. For centuries it was accessible only to scholars. That is changing.
Rabbanit Michelle Farber is the founder of Hadran and the host of Daf Yomi for Women, the first and only women's daily Daf Yomi podcast. From her dining room table in Israel, she has built a worldwide mo
The Most Important Words in Judaism
The Shema is Judaism's most iconic declaration — six words carried across thousands of years, countries, and circumstances. Now, a bold new initiative is inviting a million Jews to reclaim them.
Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, founder of New Jewish Outreach Program, and Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff, co-founder of Simchat Torah Challenge, join Rabbi Justin Pines to discuss the Shema Initiative — a collaboration
The Haredi Rabbi Who Put On a Uniform
After October 7, Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer did something almost no Haredi rabbi has done: he put on a uniform. A community rabbi, he completed IDF basic training alongside soldiers half his age, served in the reserves during the Iran War — and his sons study in yeshiva and serve in the IDF.
But Rabbi Pfeffer isn't just a soldier. He grew up Hasidic, spent a decade in Jerusalem's elite Lithuanian yesh
Eitan Katz: The Soul of Jewish Music
What is the true purpose of music? Is it merely to entertain, or is it a vessel designed to uncover the soul and connect us directly to the Divine?
In this episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Justin sits down for a deeply personal, wide-ranging conversation with a true master of Jewish song and spirit, Eitan Katz. They trace Eitan’s transformative discovery of Reb Shlomo Carlebach’s lega
How to Navigate Grief & Find True Comfort | Rabbi Steven Exler
How do you navigate grief and find true comfort after a devastating loss? In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Steven Exler, Senior Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale – The Bayit, to explore the raw human landscape of mourning, healing, and pastoral care.
As the calendar pivots from the heavy collective mourning of Tisha B'Av to the promise of Shabbat Nachamu (the Sabbath of Consolation
Auschwitz Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman (Part 2)
Auschwitz survivor Tova Friedman, author of the New York Times bestseller The Daughter of Auschwitz [link], recounts her arrival and experiences at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp and surviving a Nazi gas chamber. Tova shares the arduous journey of rebuilding her life and humanity after World War II. Later, she is joined by her grandson, Aron Goodman, to discuss "TovaTok"—their viral Ti
Auschwitz Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman (Part 1)
Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, author of the New York Times bestseller The Daughter of Auschwitz [link], shares her harrowing story of survival. In Part 1, Tova details her family's life before World War II and the unimaginable experience of surviving a Jewish ghetto and a Nazi labor camp as a young child. She also opens up about the complex role of faith and wrestling with God in the face of p
Mijal Bitton: Is the American Jewish Golden Age Over? Dr. Mijal Bitton Has an Answer
American Jews have lately been sensing the end of their Golden Age — and asking whether the next century will be as kind to them and their children as the last one was. Dr. Mijal Bitton thinks we're asking the wrong question.
A sociologist, spiritual leader, and public intellectual, Mijal is Scholar in Residence at the Maimonides Fund, Rosh Kehilla of the Downtown Minyan in New York City, co-host
The First Salute: The Untold Jewish History of America's Founding
Happy 250th Birthday, America! To celebrate this massive milestone, Jewish Insights with Justin Pines goes on location to Philadelphia to uncover a foundational, untold story most Americans have completely forgotten: Jewish Americans have been fighting for, supporting, and shaping this nation since the very beginning.
Located at the literal crossroads of freedom, just steps from the Liberty Bell a
Stuart Weitzman: Shoes, American Jewish Pride & Philanthropy
What do a ping-pong paddle, a global shoe empire, and Independence Mall in Philadelphia have in common? Stuart Weitzman. One of America's most celebrated designers, Stuart built a brand worn by Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Kate Middleton — and then went on to compete in the Maccabiah Games in Israel, carrying the American flag into the opening ceremony. He also made a transformative gift to save the
The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Radical Approach to Mental Health | Levi Shmotkin
He rebuilt Jewish life post-Holocaust and advised world leaders—but the Lubavitcher Rebbe was also a profound counselor to the human soul. Rabbi Levi Shmotkin, author of the global bestseller “Letters for Life: Guidance for Emotional Wellness from the Lubavitcher Rebbe” [https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Life-Guidance-Emotional-Lubavitcher/dp/0826690149] investigated over 23,000 letters written by th
Let My People Know: Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s Son on His Father’s Legacy
He was called a “once-in-a-millennium scholar.”
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz z”l was a physicist by training who became a towering Torah authority — a prolific author of over 300 titles, an Israel Prize laureate, the first person since the medieval sage Rashi to produce a complete commentary on the entire Babylonian Talmud, and the first ever to translate it into modern Hebrew. It took him 45 years.
In t
Bruce Pearl: Faith, Basketball, and Israel
Bruce Pearl built Auburn into a college basketball powerhouse — five SEC championships, two Final Four runs, and an NCAA Coach of the Year award. But for Pearl, the game has always been about something much bigger.
In this episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Coach Pearl opens up about the Jewish grandfather who shaped everything — a plumber from Roxbury who came to America at age 11, hou
A Father’s Faith: Rav Tamir Granot on Loss, October 7th, and the Soul of Israel
What does it mean to write about Jewish hope and renewal — and then lose your son a week later?
Rav Dr. Tamir Granot is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orot Shaul, a hesder yeshiva in the heart of south Tel Aviv. He is a Holocaust scholar, a student of Rav Amital and Rav Lichtenstein at Yeshivat Har Etzion, and the author of multiple books on Jewish thought. Days after October 7th he published a majo
The Book of Ruth: The Choices That Define Us | Dr. Raizi Chechik | Illuminating Torah 3 of 3
What makes the Book of Ruth one of the most beloved texts in the Jewish canon — and what does it have to say about the choices we face in our own lives?
Dr. Raizi Chechik — founding Director of the Pava Center for Women’s Torah Scholarship at Yeshiva University (https://go.yu.edu/pava), Community Scholar at The Jewish Center of Manhattan, and veteran Jewish educator who has taught in over one hund
What Is God Really Afraid Of? The Tower of Babel with Shuli Taubes | Illuminating Torah 2 of 3
The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) is one of the Torah's most familiar yet mysterious stories. In this episode of Jewish Insights, host Justin Pines is joined by Ms. Shuli Taubes — educator, scholar, and chair of the Jewish Thought department at SAR High School — who takes us back to Migdal Bavel and uncovers something in the text that most of us have never noticed. What is G-d actually worried a
Moses, Angels, and the Torah's Hidden Secret with Yaffa Epstein | Illuminating Torah 1 of 3
What does it really mean to receive the Torah — and is it actually designed for imperfect people? In this illuminating first installment of our special three-part Shavuot Torah series, Jewish Insights host Justin Pines sits down with Rabba Yaffa Epstein to explore two extraordinary stories from the Babylonian Talmud that reveal the behind-the-scenes drama of Moses ascending to receive the Torah at
Tal Becker on Jewish Identity, Israel, and Searching for Truth
Dr. Tal Becker — architect of the Abraham Accords, Israel's voice at the Hague, former Legal Adviser to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior peace negotiator across multiple rounds of talks, and Vice President of the Shalom Hartman Institute (https://www.hartman.org.il/person/tal-becker/) — joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines for a conversation about Jewish identity, how we talk abo
Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff: Israel, Grief, Joy, and Why American Jews Need to Show Up
Every year, Israel moves in a single day from its deepest grief to its greatest celebration — from Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, to Yom Ha'atzmaut, Independence Day. How do we hold both? And what does it mean to love Israel from across the ocean?
Rabbi Sam Klibanoff — spiritual leader of Congregation Etz Chaim in Livingston, NJ (https://www.etzchaimnj.org/about-us/clergy/), and
The Rabbi Who Vanished: Finding the Yabloner Rebbe with Pini Dunner
How does a visionary Hasidic leader simply… vanish?
In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines sits down with historical detective and scholar Rabbi Pini Dunner to uncover a decades-old mystery, a secret identity, and a journey home.
Discover the unbelievable life of Yechezkel Taub (The Yabloner Rebbe)—a world-renowned leader who led hundreds of pioneers from pre-Holocaust Poland to found a
Unlocking the Entire Passover Seder in One Hour with Yakov Danishefsky
What if your Haggadah could meet you exactly where you are this year — checked out, overwhelmed, full of joy, or somewhere in between? Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky, therapist, author, and creator of the Attached Haggadah - https://www.amazon.com/Attached-Haggadah-Rabbi-Yakov-Danishefsky/dp/B0GN9NDTC1-, joins us for one of our most ambitious episodes yet: unlocking the entire Pesach Seder in one hour.
W
The Shabbat Effect: Transforming Your Life with Jewish Wisdom | Alan Morinis
What if the 25 hours of Shabbat weren't just a break from your week, but the very engine of your spiritual growth?
Host Justin Pines sits down with Dr. Alan Morinis — founder of the Mussar Institute and a leading voice in the contemporary revival of Mussar, the Jewish tradition of character refinement — to explore his new book, The Shabbat Effect: Jewish Wisdom for Growth and Transformation.
Toget
Zusha: How Two Friends are Reimagining Ancient Soul Music
How do you turn 2,000-year-old prayers into modern hits?
For the 100th episode of Jewish Insights, Justin sits down with the world-renowned Hasidic folk-rock duo, Zusha. Shlomo Gaisin and Zachariah Goldschmiedt open up about their journey from wordless niggunim to electronic soundscapes, and the "idol smashing" required to keep their art authentic.
In this episode:
The Creative Process: How Zush
Sharing Our Story: Alana Rifkin Gelnick on Teaching the "Four Sons" Today
In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines welcomes Alana Rifkin Gelnick, founder and CEO of Dreamearly, for a deep dive into the "pedagogy of the Seder." As we navigate rising antisemitism and global uncertainty, Alana explores how the ancient rituals of Passover - from the Ma Nishtana to the Four Sons - provide a timeless framework for modern parenting and education, and healthier relation
David Ruderman: A Life in Jewish Scholarship
In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines sits down with one of the most celebrated Jewish historians of our time — Professor David B. Ruderman, the Joseph Meyerhoff Professor Emeritus of Modern Jewish History at the University of Pennsylvania and former founding Director of the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies — for a rich and deeply personal conversation about a remarkab
Mijal Bitton: Purim, Amalek and Navigating Evil Today
In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines welcomes back Dr. Mijal Bitton for a raw and sophisticated look at the "new reality" facing the Jewish community on occasions of Purim and Shabbat Zachor. Two years after their conversation following October 7thhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzQrygsFtT0], they move past the initial shock to explore what it means to build resilience when the "clar
Israel's Writing Revolution from the Torah to Today with Yael Ziegler
Join Justin Pines for a special episode of Jewish Insights, recorded live at the Yeshiva University Seforim Sale! Justin welcomes renowned Tanakh scholar Dr. Yael Ziegler for a deep dive into the "writing revolution" of the Torah. Dr. Ziegler explores how ancient texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh illuminate Tanakh's unique values, the power of writing to process national tragedy, and the foundation
How Jewish Wisdom Shaped America's DNA with Ari Lamm
Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, Chief Executive of BZ Media (www.bz-media.org) joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to reveal how Jewish ideas provided the "intellectual engine" for the American experiment. From figures like Ben Franklin to Yale’s Ezra Stiles, discover how the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic wisdom and unlikely friendships helped shape the spiritual and political soul of the United States, and the
From Sinai to Silicon: Sefaria's Sara Wolkenfeld on Jewish Ethics and the Future of AI
As we approach Tu BiShvat, the New Year for Trees, we traditionally look to the roots that sustain us. But in 2026, the most intensive growth on our planet will be found in the “silicon orchards” of data centers and artificial intelligence. How do we ensure that as our world gets smarter, our lives do not become less sacred?
In this episode of Jewish Insights, host Justin Pines sits down with Rabb
The David Movie: Phil Cunningham's 30-Year Journey After God's Heart
How do you animate a story that is the cornerstone of a civilization? Join JBS for an exclusive look into the making of DAVID, the groundbreaking animated feature that is being called a 'love letter to Israel.'
Producer Phil Cunningham shares the incredible depth of research that went into this project — from walking the exact lines of the Valley of Elah to ensuring every flower and bird in the fi
Can Your Words Change Your Reality? Rabbi Dov Singer on the Power of Soulful Communication
Do you ever feel like you’re talking into a void? Whether you are navigating a difficult conversation in your marriage or seeking a deeper sense of purpose, the secret to being heard starts with learning how to truly listen.
Rabbi Dov Singer is the head of the renowned Makor Chaim Yeshiva and a primary leader in the modern revival of emotional and religious intelligence. He is the author of the
Raising Thinkers: How to Share Deep Values with the Next Generation (feat. Effy Unterman)
In an era of digital distraction, how do we pass our deepest values to the next generation? Discover how to move beyond "dumbing things down" and instead invite children into a lifelong journey of curiosity, complexity, and growth?
Rabbi Effy Unterman is the Senior Director of Content at the Hadar Institute and a pioneer in sophisticated Jewish education. He is the lead developer of the new Devash
From Battlefield to Bible: A Commander’s Lessons on Character (feat. Binny Freedman)
In a world of constant stress and uncertainty, how do we build a life of purpose and emotional stability? Discover how a former combat commander uses ancient wisdom to build modern resilience and unbreakable character.
Rabbi Binny Freedman is the Rosh Yeshiva of Orayta in Jerusalem and a former Company Commander in the IDF. Having survived the 2001 Sbarro bombing, Rabbi Binny’s teachings on gratit
The Real History of Chanukah with Malka Simkovich - Part 2: Angels & Demons
We think we know the story of Hanukkah: The weak few against the mighty many, the oil that lasted eight days. But the historical records tell a much wilder, deeper, and more miraculous story.
In Part 2 of this special Hanukkah series on Jewish Insights, Dr. Malka Simkovich returns to reveal the "real" story of the Maccabean revolt. From the "passive-aggressive" letters sent between Jerusalem and E
The Real History of Chanukah with Malka Simkovich - Part 1: The Diaspora Crisis
What does it mean to be a Jew outside of Israel? Long before the Maccabees, the Jewish people faced a crisis that would shape their identity forever: the choice to remain in the Diaspora.
In Part 1 of this special Chanukah series on Jewish Insights, Justin is joined by Dr. Malka Simkovich to explore the "Second Temple Era" not just as a time of rebuilding, but as the birth of a global Jewish peopl
How Jewish Immigrants Created the American Childhood with Michael Kimmel
From the Teddy Bear to Barbie, Superman to Star Wars action figures, the American toy industry was largely built by first-generation Jewish immigrants. In this special Chanukah episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines sits down with sociologist and author Michael Kimmel (Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America) to uncover how Jewish entrepreneurs created the mo
Justin Pines on Searching for Truth with Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
If truth is one of the foundational pillars of any stable society, how do we navigate a world which often feels post-truth?
In this special JI episode in honor of Jewish Book Month’s 100th anniversary, Justin sits down with Tali Rosenblatt Cohen, host of The Five Books podcast.
They begin by exploring Tali’s own mission for The Five Books Podcast: the profound power of Jewish literature to foster
Rabbi Dr. Benjy Epstein | Mindfulness, Judaism, & The Art of Being Present
We spend most of our lives living in the past or worrying about the future. But what if the deepest spiritual connection—and the greatest psychological relief—can only be found right here, right now?
In this episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Justin sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benjy Epstein, a clinical psychologist and author of Living in the Presence: A Jewish Mindfulness Guide for Everyd
Leading Through Fire: Eric Goldstein on 12 Years of Crisis, Antisemitism, and the Surge in Jewish Pride
How does the largest local Jewish philanthropy in the world navigate a decade defined by crisis?
In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin sits down with Eric Goldstein, the outgoing CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, for a candid and profound reflection on his 12-year tenure. From leaving a prestigious legal career to leading the Jewish community through the 2014 Gaza War, the COVID-19 pandemic,
David Stav: Uniting Israelis Through Faith
What’s holding Israel together after so much pain and division? Rabbi David Stav, founder of Tzohar, joins Justin to share how faith is helping Israelis reconnect — and how a new spirit of unity is reshaping the nation’s soul. In a time of war, loss, and rebuilding, few voices speak more powerfully about Jewish unity than Rabbi David Stav — founder and chairman of Tzohar, one of Israel’s most infl
Jennifer Apple on the Lion Heart of Hannah Senesh
Jennifer Apple, the star of the show "Hannah Senesh," presented by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, joins Justin to discuss taking on this role, and the impact and legacy of Hannah Senesh. Jennifer originated the role of Anna in the Tony Award-winning "The Band’s Visit" First National Tour and received an Elliott Norton Award for Outstanding Lead Performance as Dina in the Huntington/Speak
The Structure and Soul of Judaism with Mark Wildes
Rabbi Mark Wildes, founder of the Manhattan Jewish Experience, a Jewish outreach organization in New York and Tel Aviv with over 20,000 young adult attendees each year, joins Justin to discuss how he brings people into Jewish community, and his new book, The Jewish Experience: Discovering the Soul of Jewish Thought and Practice. Together they explore God, Torah, Prayer, Compassion, Shabbat and Tik
Ambassador David Friedman: Trump, Israel, the Return of the Hostages
On October 13, 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that brought homeall twenty surviving Israeli hostages and freed nearly two thousand Palestinian prisoners. What does this deal really mean — for Israel’s security, for the region, and for the future of U.S.-Israel relations? In this exclusive conversation, Ambassador David Friedman — former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and a key
“Rebuilding Jewish Life Then and Now": Ezra–Nehemiah with Yael Leibowitz
The relatively unknown Biblical book of Ezra–Nehemiah isn’t just ancient history. Yael Leibowitz, author of "Ezra-Nehemiah: Retrograde Revolution," explores how the return from exile, the rebuilding of Jewish life, and the struggles of identity in these biblical books speak directly to the challenges we face today.
The Deeper Meaning of Sukkot: Shmuly Yanklowitz on Joy, Humility and Responsibility
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the lessons of Sukkot, the call to justice, and the future of Jewish life. Discover how joy, humility, and activism intersect in Jewish tradition today. Rabbi Yanklowitz is President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, founder of Uri L’Tzedek, Shamayim, and YATOM, and the author of 30 books on Jewish ethics.
The “Soldier’s Rabbi”: Putting Torah and Faith into Action with Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon
In this special Yom Kippur episode, Justin is joined Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, President of the World Mizrachi Movement, and one of the most transformative rabbinic visionaries of our time to discuss the value and impact of Torah, his approach to social change for Israel’s most vulnerable communities, his role in supporting IDF soldiers, and his faith-based approach to nav
Sarah Hurwitz: Reclaiming the Jewish Soul from Antisemitism’s Grip
In this special Rosh Hashanah episode, former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz joins Justin to discuss her bold new book "As a Jew." Together they explore how antisemitism has shaped Jewish identity—and how we can break free of its grip to uncover the divine light within, reclaiming the fullness of what it means to live as a Jew today.
Rabbi Sacks, Torah, and Interpretation with Dr. Erica Brown
What does it mean to interpret Torah in today’s world? On the occasion of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ fifth yahrzeit, Justin sits down with Dr. Erica Brown to explore the legacy of Rabbi Sacks and the launch of the Magerman Edition Koren Shalem Humash, featuring his new Torah translation and commentary.
Dr. Brown — scholar, author, and Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University —
TEXTing In Real Life with Elana Stein Hain
Justin is joined by Elana Stein Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash and Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, in anticipation of the JBS premiere of TEXTing, her popular series that addresses issues of our day through the lens of classical Jewish texts.
The Power of Reading with Your Children with Ilana Kurshan
Ilana Kurshan, award-winning author of the memoir "If All the Seas Were Ink," joins Justin to discuss her next book, "Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together," which explores her experience of reading Jewish and secular books with her children, and the cumulative impact on her and her family. You can learn more at ilanakurshan.com
Jewish Leadership of Generosity with Elie Weinstock
What are the different models of Jewish leadership? How do leaders activate other leaders in their community while still leading their community? Rabbi Elie Weinstock joins Justin to discuss his style of leadership through generosity of spirit. Rabbi Elie Weinstock is Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach on Long Island, serves as a Nassau County Police Department Chaplain and is Imm
Tu B’Av and Jewish Love with Gila Fine
Why is Tu B’Av—just six days after Tisha B’Av—one of the happiest days in the Jewish calendar?
What do white dresses, vineyard dances, and ancient tribal unity have to teach us today?
Gila Fine, award-winning author of The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic, returns to to Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the mysterious holiday of Tu B’Av. With her signature depth, clarity, and soul, Gila un
Tisha B’Av with JJ Schacter
Why do we still mourn the destruction of the Temple thousands of years later? What does Tisha B’Av mean for Jews today—and how can this day of national sorrow inspire healing and hope?
In this special Tisha B’Av episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines is joined by historian and teacher Rabbi Dr. J.J. Schacter for a powerful conversation about Jewish suffering, memory, and resilience. From the des
All of Jewish History in 2 Hours with Ken Spiro (Part 2: From Destruction to Destiny)
After the Second Temple’s destruction, how did the Jewish people not only survive—but shape world history? In Part II of this epic journey through Jewish history, Rabbi Ken Spiro joins Justin to explore 2,000 years of exile, persecution, and perseverance—from Rome to the Enlightenment, from Inquisition to Zionism. A gripping look at how Jewish continuity defied the odds—and set the stage for a mod
All of Jewish History in 2 Hours with Ken Spiro (Part I: Rise of a Nation)
How did a small tribal people become a spiritual superpower? In Part I of this epic journey through Jewish history, historian Rabbi Ken Spiro joins Justin to trace the rise of the Jewish people—from Abraham to the unification under King David to the glory of the First and Second Temples, and finally to the tightening grip of Roman rule. Discover how ancient Jewish identity was forged and what forc
The Power of Jewish Women: Aliza Lavie on Prayer, Hidden Heroes & Legacy
What do iconic Jewish women from across the centuries teach us about leadership, faith, and inner strength? Justin sits with Dr. Aliza Lavie—author, scholar, and former Member of Knesset—to explore her groundbreaking new book Iconic Jewish Women, a collection of 59 remarkable stories of Jewish heroines, from Bruriah and Sarah Schenirer to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Doña Gracia Nasi, as well as her bo
Jewish Voices in Constitutional Law with Michael Avi Helfand
What role have Jews played in shaping America’s constitutional conversation? And how do core American values—like free speech, religious liberty, and anti-discrimination—intersect with Jewish values?
In this special July 4th episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, legal scholar Professor Michael (Avi) Helfand joins us for a powerful exploration of how Jews contribute to—and are shaped by—the
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander - Leading Religious Zionist Communities After October 7th
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander is President and Rosh HaYeshiva of the Ohr Torah Stone network of 32 educational institutions, leadership development initiatives, outreach endeavors, women’s empowerment programs, and social action projects, with thousands of alumni who have served in the IDF.
Elana Stein Hain - An American Jew in a War in Israel
Internationally renowned Torah scholar and thought leader Dr. Elana Stein Hain, of the Shalom Hartman Institute, joins Justin to discuss her experience of living in Israel during the current war between Israel and Iran, sharing her reflections and offering ways to connect to what’s happening on the ground.
*** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possib
The Radical Faith of the Ishbitzer Rebbe - Rabbi Herzl Hefter on Divine Will, Free Will & Inner Truth
Rabbi Herzl Hefter joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the profound and often provocative teachings of the Ishbitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner. Drawing from the Ishbitzer’s seminal work Mei HaShiloach, Rabbi Hefter unpacks ideas about Divine Providence, free will, inner truth, and spiritual authenticity that continue to challenge and inspire today.
Rabbi Herzel Hefter is t
Congressman Josh Gottheimer on Edan Alexander, Combating Antisemitism, & Uniting a Divided Congress
In this powerful and timely conversation, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) joins Justin to discuss his role as the representative for Edan Alexander, the American-Israeli hostage who recently returned home. Gottheimer shares what it means to be a Jewish member of Congress at a time of rising antisemitism, how he’s working across the aisle in today’s polarized climate, and how Jewish values shape
Awakening the Soul: Rabbi Moshe Weinberger on Chassidut, God, and Living with Fire (The Hidden Wisdom of Torah, Part 5)
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, founding rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh, shares his passionate vision of a Judaism that speaks to the soul, exploring powerful insights from Chassidut, on connecting with God, living with purpose, navigating the challenges facing the Jewish people, and insights for Shavuot.
The Hidden Powers of Women in Judaism with Rochie Pinson (The Hidden Wisdom of Torah Part 4)
Rebbetzin Rochie Pinson, challah master and author of the international bestseller Rising: The Book of Challah, joins Justin to discuss the hidden power of the mitzvot traditionally unique to woman, including baking challah, lighting Shabbat candles and the mikvah, and how they each can serve as catalysts for an an elevated and meaningful life. To follow Rochie’s challah journey, or to contact Roc
The Hidden Holiness of Jerusalem and Zion with Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum (The Hidden Wisdom of Torah Part 3)
Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum, founding rabbi of the Zion community in Jerusalem and co-founder and head of the Israeli Rabbinic Seminary at the Hartman Institute, joins Justin to continue our exploration of Pnimiyut HaTorah—the hidden wisdom of Torah, the inner dimension of Jewish spirituality that speaks to the soul and calls us to transformation, with a focus on Zion and Jerusalem, as we also prep
Bringing the Hidden Jewish Wisdom to Campuses - Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld and Meor (The Hidden Wisdom of Torah Part 2)
Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld, Founder and President of Meor and a co-founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Machon Yaakov and Machon Shlomo in Har Nof in Israel, joins Justin to discuss his unique approach to educating young adults on college campuses, the transformative power of the hidden wisdom of Torah, and how that wisdom can inspire and elevate us all. You can find out more at Meor.org
Presented in partners
Zev Reichman on Rebbe Nachman (The Hidden Wisdom of Torah Part 1)
Why Rebbe Nachman Still Speaks to Us, with Rabbi Zev Reichman (Hidden Wisdom of Torah Part 1)
As we count the Omer and prepare for Shavuot, we begin a new series on Pnimiyut HaTorah—the inner, hidden wisdom of Torah. In this first episode, Rabbi Zev Reichman returns to Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to help us understand why the Omer is such a powerful time for inner growth, how Pnimiyut HaTora
The Soul of Israel with Dr. Daniel Gordis
In preparation for Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Remembrance Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, Justin is joined by Dr. Daniel Gordis—renowned author, thinker, and Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College, whose work has profoundly shaped our understanding of Israel’s history, identity, and challenges - to reflect on the meaning of these important dates on the Jewish calendar this y
Chiune Sugihara, the ‘Japanese Schindler’ — with Chuhiro Sugihara and Rabbi Avram Mlotek
Chiune Sugihara, known as the "Japanese Schindler," risked everything to save thousands of Jews during the Shoah (Holocaust) by issuing life-saving visas against his government's orders. Now, in this powerful Yom HaShoah conversation on Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, his grandson, Chihiro Sugihara, meets Rabbi Avram Mlotek, the grandson of Yosl Mlotek and great-nephew of Avram Mlotek, two of t
Inside the Mind of Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik: Rabbi Reichman Shares Rare Insights
What was it like to learn from Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century? On the occasion of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s yahrzeit, Rabbi Hershel Reichman—renowned scholar, author, and devoted student of the Rav for several decades — shares rare insights into Rabbi Soloveitchik’s teachings, philosophy, and lasting impact. In addition to serving as Rosh Yeshiva a
Passover & Baderech - Judah Mischel - Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
Rabbi Judah Mischel joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines for a powerful conversation on the meaning of Passover. He explores baderech—the path to redemption—accepting your higher self, and the beauty of Jewish rituals leading up to the holiday. In a time of rising antisemitism, Rabbi Mischel reminds us of the strength and joy found in proudly living Jewishly.
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Haggadah Yehi Ohr - Rabbi Avi Weiss - Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
On this episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Rabbi Avi Weiss delves into the deep symbolism of Passover, exploring its connection to Israel and our relationship with God. He also shares insights from his new book, Haggadah Yehi Ohr: Let There Be Light, offering a fresh perspective on the holiday’s themes of faith, freedom, and redemption. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation on JBS!
United Hatzalah - Eli Beer - Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
On this episode of Jewish Insights, host Justin Pines sits down with Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah, to discuss the lifesaving work of his volunteer-based emergency response organization. They explore the concept of Kiddush Hashem—sanctifying God's name through acts of kindness—and the power of a communal approach to helping others in times of crisis. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation a
Bet Elazraki Children's Home - Yehuda Kohn & Mishel Marchasin - Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
Justin is joined by Yehuda Kohn, longtime director of Bet Elazraki Children’s Home in Netanya, and Mishel Marchasin, a former resident & Presidential Medal of Excellence recipient, about the home’s transformative impact on at-risk children in Israel.
The Hidden Story of Purim - Rabbi David Fohrman - Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
Rabbi David Fohrman, Founder and Lead Scholar at Aleph Beta, one of the most innovative interpreters of Tanach (the Jewish biblical canon), and author of The Queen You Thought You Knew: Unmasking Esther’s Hidden Story, joins Justin to reveal a new understanding of the Purim story and how it sheds light on the Torah more broadly.
Jew-Hatred - Dr. Rachel Fish - Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
Justin is joined by scholar warrior Dr. Rachel Fish, co-founder and president of Boundless, a think-action tank partnering with community leaders across North America to revitalize Israel education and take bold collective action to combat Jew-hatred, to discuss the rise of Jew hatred on college campuses and strategies to eradicate it.
Modi and Humor- Modi Rosenfeld—Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
Internationally renowned comedian Modi Rosenfeld joins Justin to discuss Jewish humor, the purpose of comedy and spreading joy on the occasion of the new month of Adar leading up to the holiday of Purim.
Elana Stein Hain - An American Jew in Israel (Purim Part One)—Jewish Insights with Justin Pines
Dr. Elana Stein Hain joins Justin to discuss her experience of living in Israel as an American this year, including insights about Purim, Diaspora, Jewish identity and Religious Zionism. Elana Stein Hain is Rosh Beit Midrash and Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute.
