This series is sponsored by an anonymous lover of books. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yisroel Besser, who authored many rabbinic biographies and brought David Bashevkin to Mishpacha magazine, about sharing Jewish stories. During his prolific career, Yisroel has written about Jewish lives with an eye for the good—and encouraged others along the way. In this episode we discuss: How does Yisroel go about writing a rabbi’s biography?What is the difference between “Shabbos for children” and “Shabbos for grown-ups”?What unexpected topic does Yisroel wish he could write about?Tune in to hear a conversation about looking at others with “beautiful eyes,” to tell their stories with a capacity to uplift.Interview begins at 19:44.Yisroel Besser is an author and journalist. Yisroel writes for Mishpacha magazine, and has authored several books, such as Reb Shayele: The Warmth and Wonder of Kerestir, The Tosher Rebbe, and Reb Leizer - The life and legacy of Rabbi Eliezer Geldzahler, among others. Yisroel joins us to talk about how we share Jewish stories. References:Top 5 by David Bashevkinברגז רחם תזכור by David BashevkinReb Shlomo - The Life and Legacy of Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld by Yisroel BesserReb Meilech on the Haggadah by Yisroel Besser Warmed By the Fire (Intimate Glimpses of Inspiring Leaders) by Yisroel BesserRabbi Meir Zlotowitz: His Vision, Wisdom, and Warmth Lit Up the World by Yisroel BesserI Samuel 22

Yisroel Besser: How To Share Jewish Stories [Books II 4/4]

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This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jack Wertheimer, a professor of American Jewish History at JTS, about the radical transformations of American Jewish practice over the last century.We can’t understand the Jewish People without a sobered look at what happens in our synagogues, homes, and communities. We can talk about a movement’s ideological ideals, but amid those discussions we cannot ignore the on-the-ground realities of a community’s practice. In this episode we discuss:How does a Jewish movement’s "lived religion" differ from its stated ideals?What is the cost of radical inclusivity?What misconceptions do Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews have about each other?Tune in to hear a conversation about what Judaism means for us in our current time. Interview begins at 28:28.Dr.  Jack Wertheimer is a leading thinker and professor of American Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He is the former provost of JTS, and was the founding director of the Joseph and Miriam Ratner Center for the Study of Conservative Judaism. Jack has written and edited numerous books and articles on the subjects of modern Jewish history, education, and life. He won the National Jewish Book Award in the category of Contemporary Jewish Life in 1994 for A People Divided: Judaism in Contemporary America. References:“Sometimes Mashiach Is Not the Solution” by Aaron Lopiansky“Politics and the Yeshivish Language” by Cole S. AronsonThe New American Judaism by Jack WertheimerA People Divided: Judaism in Contemporary America by Jack WertheimerSliding to the Right: The Contest for the Future of American Jewish Orthodoxy by Samuel C. HeilmanContemporary American Judaism: Transformation and Renewal by Dana Kaplan“What Jewish Denominations Mean to Me” by David BashevkinMichtav Me'Eliyahu by Rabbi Eliyahu DesslerThe 18Forty Podcast: “Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik: The Rupture and Reconstruction of Halacha”“Shomer Yisroel” by Omek Hadavar

Jack Wertheimer: A New American Judaism? The Sociology of Jewish Practice [Denominations 3/5]

This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and a leader of the Reform Movement, about the way Jewish Peoplehood is understood among the non-Orthodox majority of American Jews.Rabbi Hirsch is known in the Reform Movement and beyond for his decades-long staunch commitment to Jewish Peoplehood. We recorded this interview before Oct. 7, and especially considering Rabbi Hirsch’s leadership on issues related to Zionism, a follow-up conversation with him will follow shortly. In this episode we discuss:Where should the State of Israel fit into our priorities as a people? How has Reform Judaism course-corrected its views on Jewish Peoplehood over time?How can we be a unified people when we can’t always agree on who is a Jew?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we might improve the state of interdenominational relations.Interview begins at 19:50.Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch is a leader of the Reform Movement. He is the senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and former executive director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America/World Union for Progressive Judaism, North America. He wrote two books: The Lilac Tree: A Rabbi's Reflections on Love, Courage, and History (2023) and One People, Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues That Divide Them (2003), which he co-authored with Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Reinman.References:One People, Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues That Divide Them by Ammiel Hirsch and Yaakov Yosef ReinmanThe Impostor by Avner Gold18Forty Podcast: “Altie Karper: When a Book Is Banned”“The Believer” by Armin Rosen“Dissent in the Reform Ranks” by Armin RosenThe Lilac Tree: A Rabbi's Reflections on Love, Courage, and History by Ammiel HirschThe Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living by Joseph Telushkin“Who Can Be Called Rabbi?” by Gil Student“Shomer Yisroel” by Omek Hadavar

Ammiel Hirsch: 'What Did We Do Wrong?' Peoplehood and the Reform Movement [Denominations 2/5]

This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we begin our Denominations series by talking to Zev Eleff—historian, author, and the president of Gratz College—about the development of the denominations of Judaism we have in America today. We’ve been occupied for months with defending our right to be Jews in America, so perhaps this is the right time to return to considering the purpose of the Jewish lives we want to live. In this episode we discuss:How did America’s Jewish “denominations”—better termed “movements”—as we know them come to be?What have the different Jewish movements each contributed to American Jewish life?How can we get back to not just fighting antisemitism, but uncovering the meaning of our Judaism?Tune in to hear a conversation about how previous generations of American Jews have handled the issues that, to one degree or another, threatened to divide us. Interview begins at 49:36.Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff is the president of Gratz College. Zev is the author and editor of nine books and more than 50 scholarly articles in the fields of Jewish Studies and American Religion, including Modern Orthodox Judaism: A Documentary History, Dyed in Crimson: Football, Faith, and Remaking Harvard's America, and Authentically Orthodox: A Tradition-Bound Faith in American Life. Zev’s research focuses on American Jewish history, sports, and Modern Orthodox history. References:Jonathan Haidt on The Daily ShowAmmi Hirsch on Campus Chaos“Failure Goes to Yeshivah: What I’ve Learned From the Failure Narratives of My Students” by David BashevkinAuthentically Orthodox: A Tradition-Bound Faith in American Life by Zev EleffThe Birth of Conservative Judaism by Michael CohenAmerican Judaism by Jonathan D. SarnaThe Jews of the United States, 1654 to 2000 by Hasia R. DinerJew Vs Jew: The Struggle For The Soul Of American Jewry by Samuel G. FreedmanThis Is My God by Herman WoukJewish Continuity in America by Abraham J. Karp18Forty Podcast: “Halacha as a Language”

Zev Eleff: Is This the End of American Judaism? [Denominations 1/5]

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rachel Goldberg-Polin—whose son, Hersh, was kidnapped by Hamas and is still held hostage in Gaza—about heading into Passover with our loved ones still captive.Normally, Intergenerational Divergence feels like something of a choice. But now, Jewish families have been split apart by force. In this episode we discuss:How do we foster a continued connection to the members of our family who are missing?What difficult thoughts and questions will we bring to the Seder table this year?What does it mean to express hope via the Pesach Seder amid these bitter times? We hope wholeheartedly that this conversation about missing our children at the time of Passover will be made irrelevant and the hostages will soon return home. Interview begins at 7:17.References:“One Tiny Seed” by Rachel Goldberg-Polin“To the Boys in the Room” by Rachel Goldberg-PolinSefer HaMenucha on Mishneh Torah, Leavened and Unleavened Bread 8:2“A Prayer for Israel To Add to Your Pesach Seder” by Yosef Zvi Rimon

Rachel Goldberg-Polin: A Hostage’s Mother Fighting for His Freedom [Divergence 5/5]

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to a Haredi mother named Dina about her two children who serve in the IDF, one of whom was critically wounded in the current war. Oct. 7 accelerated the already-complicated conversation about Haredi service in the army. Here, Dina shares with us her first-hand experience as a mother of chayalim. In this episode we discuss:What is it like being in the Haredi minority of IDF parents—and what is it like being one of the comparatively few IDF parents in the Haredi community? What is the experience of religiously raised soldiers remaining observant in the army?What is it like for a mother to send her son into battle?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we might, as Dina puts it, be machmir about how we relate to others. Interview begins at 7:16.References:“A Mother’s Miracle” by Sara BonchekBook Journeys are already back—and we're making them better than ever. We're partnering with Maggid Books, an imprint of Koren Publishers, to ship the books directly to you for an exclusive low price. Until April 24, all the books can be purchased and delivered to your home for $20 per book, or $60 for all three! Get your books and sign up on our website. 

Yisroel Besser: How To Share Jewish Stories [Books II 4/4]

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