613 Books Podcast

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer Heather Dean interviews Rivkah Lambert Adler, a writer, book reviewer and adult educator whose most recently-published book is called “Adrift Among the Nations: Between Christianity and Torah.”

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This is a book about leaving Jesus by Dr. Adler who is a journalist, an educator, and an Orthodox Jew. In this interview she speaks about writing this book specifically, and her many years of researching this topic in general. She speaks about what this book is, what it’s not, and for whom it’s written.

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Through stories of former Christians, “Adrift Among the Nations” presents a deeply personal look at the emotional, spiritual, intellectual, interpersonal and communal challenges many Christians face when they separate from Jesus.

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IMPORTANT: This book is not an argument for why a Christian should part from Jesus and it’s certainly not a call to convert to Judaism. Rather, it’s an intimate look at the process of rethinking everything one has been taught… and coming to a completely different conclusion.

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SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

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Show notes:

Featured Guest: Dr. Rivkah Lambert Adler

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Featured Book: “Adrift Among The Nations: Between Christianity and Torah”

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Email Dr. Rivkah Lambert Adler: [email protected]

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Find her on Facebook: Rivkah Lambert Adler

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Link to purchase on Amazon: “Adrift Among The Nations: Between Christianity and Torah”: https://www.amazon.com/Adrift-Among-Nations-Between-Christianity/dp/0999378988

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Earlier book mentioned on this podcast:

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Link to purchase on Amazon: “Ten From The Nations: Torah Awakening Among Non-Jews” https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Nations-Torah-Awakening-Non-Jews/dp/0999378902/ref=sr_1_1?crid=377PJGIO08UPK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lWCNI_OEnm0mCOqnzeSuhQ.p6eY0vTR3aVeKXnrrQHElffpineVROHl39NSJqOf_3U&dib_tag=se&keywords=Ten+From+The+Nations%3A+Torah+Awakening+Among+Non-Jews&qid=1756122173&s=digital-text&sprefix=ten+from+the+nations+torah+awakening+among+non-jews+%2Cdigital-text%2C424&sr=1-1-catcorr

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer Heather Dean interviews Miriam Walfish, whose most recently-published book is called “Bubby Karp and the Mystery at Ponderosa Pines.”

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When the main character, ‘Bubby Karp,’ agrees to fill in for the cook at Ponderosa Pines, she expects a fun-filled winter break with her grandchildren. Instead, they encounter disturbing nighttime noises, confusing clues, and suspicious strangers.

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They soon realize there are many secrets hiding in the snow-covered pines. Will Bubby Karp be able to figure everything out with the help of her quick-thinking grandchildren and newfound friends? Or will the mystery of Ponderosa Pines remain buried in the snow?

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This book for young readers is a treat for anyone who likes a good mystery – including this podcast’s host!

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SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest: Miriam Walfish

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Featured Book: “Bubby Karp and the Mystery at Ponderosa Pines”

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Link to purchase on publisher Judaica Press’ website: https://judaicapress.com/collections/walfish-miriam/products/bubby-karp-and-the-mystery-at-ponderosa-pines

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Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bubby-Karp-Mystery-Ponderosa-Pines/dp/1607634236

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Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

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Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/en/home/

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SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer Heather Dean interviews Rabbi Irwin Katsof, whose most recently-published book is called “Living Dangerously: My Struggle to Get Rich without Losing My Soul.”

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Rabbi Irwin Katsof thought had everything figured out by the time he was 35. He was driven by an insatiable hunger for financial success and tired of watching from the sidelines as others built empires, so he made a dangerous decision: to infiltrate the world of ultra-high-net-worth donors, global diplomats, and power brokers who shape our world behind closed doors.

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What began as an ambitious quest to master the art of wealth-building quickly spiraled into something more treacherous. Eventually, the very ambition that propelled him forward began tearing his life apart. He eventually arrived at the crossroads that would define everything: a moment when the path to unimaginable wealth lay before him, requiring only that he abandon the values that had shaped his entire identity. Sell out-or surrender to a purpose he'd nearly lost touch with.

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It’s what happens when faith collides with the relentless pursuit of more-and what emerges when a man finally learns that the most valuable currency isn't money: It's integrity!

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SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

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Show Notes:

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Featured Guest: Rabbi Irwin Katsof

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Featured Book: Living Dangerously: My Struggle to Get Rich without Losing My Soul

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Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Dangerously-Struggle-Without-Losing/dp/1957466154

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Contact Rabbi Irwin Katsof: [email protected]

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Visit Rabbi Katsof’s Website: irwinkatsof.com

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Chat GPT A.I. tool Living Dangerously, The Companion: https://livingdangerously-thecompanion.com/

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Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

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Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/en/home/

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SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

This episode of “613 Books” podcast is PART TWO of producer Heather Dean’s interview with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer. He is the bestselling author of well over fifty books, many of which are biographies, novels, collections of inspirational stories, and books about Jewish history.

Rabbi Seltzer’s most recently-published books is called “Missiles, Miracles and Mesiras Nefesh,” which explores the war that began on October 7th, on what should have been one of the most joyous days of the year, Simchat Torah – which that year also fell on Shabbat.

Through riveting stories and unforgettable behind-the-scenes reports, Rabbi Seltzer’s book has it all: tragedy, hope, heroism, and military miracles.

THIS EPISODE focuses on:

· The rise and fall of the notorious “Butcher of Khan Yunis” Yahiya Sinwar, y-sh"u

· Rabbi Seltzer’s reflections being a young writer

· How long it takes to write each book

· Ideas for creative writing –song lyrics included - come from Hashem

· The Jewish spark of Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and Ben & Jerry

· His opinions about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) as a writer’s tool

· And more!

SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!

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Show notes:

Featured Guest: Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

Featured Book: Missiles, Miracles and Mesiras Nefesh.

Link to purchase on Artscroll’s website https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422643204.html

Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-.The-Heartbreak-Miraculous-Operations/dp/1422643204

Contact Rabbi Nachman Seltzer: [email protected]

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Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/en/home/

SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books week!

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer Heather Dean interviews Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, a bestselling author of well over fifty (!) books, many of which are biographies, novels, collections of inspirational stories, and books about Jewish history.

Rabbi Seltzer’s most recently-published books is called “Miracles, Missiles and Mesiras Nefesh,” which explores the war that began on October 7th, on what should have been one of the most joyous days of the year, Simchas Torah – which that year also fell on Shabbat.

Through riveting stories and unforgettable behind-the-scenes reports, Rabbi Seltzer’s book has it all: tragedy, hope, heroism, and military miracles.

PART TWO of Heather’s interview with Rabbi Seltzer is featured in the next episode of “613 Books” podcast!

SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest: Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

Featured Book: Miracles, Missiles and Mesiras Nefesh

Link to purchase on Artscroll’s website https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422643204.html

Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-NefeshThe-Heartbreak-Miraculous-Operations/dp/1422643204

Contact Rabbi Nachman Seltzer: [email protected]

Binyamin Airley zt”l was killed in action in Gaza, during the “Swords of Iron” War in November 2023. He was 21 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice.

Beit Binyamin is a beautiful retreat center in the heart of the holy city of Tzfat, named to perpetuate the memory of Binyamin Airley z”l.

Visit the Beit Binyamin website for more info: https://beitbinyamin.org/#

On this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s featured guests, “The Kichels” co-creators, Bracha Stein and Chani Judowitz, are back on the podcast, this time to take a deep dive into Kichel family Dynamics a well as feedback – praise and criticism – for their popular comic strip.

In addition to publishing Mishpacha magazine’s enormously popular weekly comics, The Kichels, this dynamic duo has published four compilations of The Kichels in book form.

Kichel Collection 4 is their newest release and it features over eighty pages of Kichel comics and is packed with exclusive bonus content, including behind-the-scenes stories and secrets, a how-to-draw guide, a journey to the Kichels’ past, and more good stuff.

In the interview, Heather and her guests explore Kichel family dynamics as well as their individual journeys and challenges. Also, hold onto your hat as the authors reveal some rather surprising reader feedback about their choices of storylines, as well as words of thanks for tackling some sensitive issues which are a daily reality of life in the frum lane.

SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

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Featured Guests: Bracha Stein and Chani Judowitz

Featured Book: “Kichel Collection 4”

To Purchase your copy from Feldheim Publishers: https://www.feldheim.com/the-kichel-collection-4?

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kichel-Collection-quirks-everyones-favorite/dp/1680256661

The Kichels Website and Contact Forms: https://www.thekichels.com/

Chani Judowitz’s Fine Art Website: https://chanijudowitzfineart.com/

Read 20 Questions for Bracha Stein & Chani Judowitz in Mishpacha Magazine: https://mishpacha.com/20-questions-for-bracha-stein-chani-judowitz/

Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/

SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

On this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s featured guests are Bracha Stein and Chani Judowitz, the co-creators of Mishpacha magazine’s enormously popular weekly comics, The Kichels, as well as four compilations of The Kichels in book form.

The fourth volume in this bestselling series, The Kichel Collection 4 is their newest release and it features over eighty pages of Kichel comics and is packed with exclusive bonus content, including behind-the-scenes stories and secrets, a how-to-draw guide, a journey to the Kichels’ past, and more good stuff.

Did you ever wonder how the Kichels creators decided to call them the Kichels? Did you know that ‘The Kichels’ was originally going to be a limited 3-month comics serial? How has some of the social commentary within the Kichels’ storylines prompted readers to reconsider our community’s standards and expectations? Check out this episode for answers to these and other Kichel-related questions from life in the frum lane.

SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

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Featured Guests: Bracha Stein and Chani Judowitz

Featured Book: “Kichel Collection 4”

To Purchase your copy from Feldheim Publishers: https://www.feldheim.com/the-kichel-collection-4?

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kichel-Collection-quirks-everyones-favorite/dp/1680256661

The Kichels Website and Contact Forms: https://www.thekichels.com/

Chani Judowitz’s Fine Art Website: https://chanijudowitzfineart.com/

Read 20 Questions for Bracha Stein & Chani Judowitz in Mishpacha Magazine: https://mishpacha.com/20-questions-for-bracha-stein-chani-judowitz/

Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/

SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

On this special edition of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather Dean discusses the Summer reading list of her featured guest Naomi Journo. Naomi is the publisher of Her Tribe Magazine, a growing global sisterhood in print & digital, dedicated to celebrating Jewish life through woman-to-woman stories, inspiration, and shared wisdom.

Naomi is also the founder of Hatzlacha Solutions, she helps Jewish women, businesses, and organizations shine—aligning their mission and message through impactful marketing, creative production, and events that uplift and connect.

To sum up, Naomi is a creative visionary, producer, marketing strategist, and passionate community builder originally from the Czech Republic, now thriving in Eretz Yisrael. A former performing arts and film industry professional, Naomi left show business to pursue a life of Torah, purpose, and empowerment.

Whether producing events, building communities, or raising her beautiful family, Naomi is on a mission to illuminate Jewish voices and values in the modern world—with joy, creativity, and unwavering emunah.

SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest: Naomi Journo, Publisher “Her Tribe” magazine

Naomi’s Summer 2025 Reading List:

(1) “It's All In Your Mind” by Sara Yosef

Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Your-Mind-Sara-Yosef/dp/B003UILUJ4

(2) “Parasha: Weekly Insights from a Leading Israeli Journalist” by Sivan Rahav Meir

Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Parasha-Insights-Leading-Israeli-Journalist/dp/1592644805

(3) “Know What to Answer When Someone Challenges Your Faith” by Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz

Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Know-What-Answer-Someone-Challenges/dp/B0DTB1YS9Q

(4) “Seasons of the Soul” by Avraham Arieh Trugman

Link to purchase from Menucha Publishers:

https://menuchapublishers.com/collections/rabbi-avraham-arieh-trugman/products/seasons-of-the-soul

Visit Her Tribe Website for the newest edition (digital or in print) and sign up for Her Tribe magazine events & updates: [email protected]

To order your copy: https://tinyurl.com/HerTribeShavuot

To download the Free digital version visit: https://online.flippingbook.com/link/39681

(If this link doesn't work, please contact [email protected], link is available for a limited time)

Connect with Naomi Journo & Her Tribe Magazine: https://tinyurl.com/hatzlachasolutions

Follow Her Tribe on Instagram & Facebook:

@hertribemagazine

https://www.instagram.com/hertribemagazine?igsh=dTkyaW45M2dhYWJs

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HxxpAyxyW/

Her Tribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hertribemagazine?si=-TYSlxY3z0bwDyy7

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Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/

SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

In this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with Sarah Shapiro about her recent literary offering,” Stories of Our Lives.”

“Stories of Our Lives” brings together the choicest of pieces of short stories and poems in two enticing volumes. A testament to the perspicacious eye of its editor, and to the artistry of a hundred writers from around the globe.

“Stories of Our Lives” is a feast for the soul and a celebration of life. Sarah Shapiro explains in her Introduction to the volumes, “With our countless variations on the theme of being human [and] across the wide spectrum of experiences that comprise this collection, from birth to death, our stories may be taken together – with our commonality and our differences – as the account of one soul’s travels through life in this world.”

Subscribe to “613 Books Podcast” and discover new books every week!

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Show Notes:

Featured author interview: Sarah Shapiro, editor of “Stories of Our Lives”

To Purchase Part One from Menucha Publishers: https://menuchapublishers.com/products/stories-of-our-lives-part-one

To Purchase Part Two from Menucha Publishers: https://menuchapublishers.com/products/stories-of-our-lives-part-two?_pos=1&_sid=af8fa091b&_ss=r

To Purchase Part One on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Our-Lives-Part-One/dp/1568717156

To Purchase Part Two on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Our-Lives-Part-Two/dp/1568717164

Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/en/home/

SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!

Read any good books lately? On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather Dean welcomes back several authors to the podcast, this time to get their answers to the question, “What’s on your reading table?”

First we’ll hear from Devorah Kigel, the author of her newly-released “Marry a Mensch.”

Heather also checks in with Rifka Lebowitz, the author of “(title)” for her reading table selection, and later on with award-winning writer and Mishpacha Magazine contributor, Barbara Bensoussan whose recent book is a cozy mystery called “Seven Blessings and a Murder.”

Subscribe to “613 Books Podcast” and discover new books every week!

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest, 1st Segment: Devorah Kigel

Devorah’s Reading Table Selection: “The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate” by Gary Chapman

To Purchase “Five Love Languages” from the author: https://5lovelanguages.com/store

Devorah Kigel’s website: https://www.devorahkigel.com/

To Purchase your copy of Devorah’s Book “Marry a Mensch:” https://www.devorahkigel.com/marryamensch

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Featured Guest, 2nd Segment: Rifka Lebowitz

Rifka’s Reading Table Selection: “One Day in October” by Yair Agmon and Oriya Mevorach

To Purchase “Reading Table Title” on Amazon: One Day in October: Forty Heroes, Forty Stories

Contact Rifka Lebowitz: https://rifkalebowitz.com/

To Purchase your copy of Rifka’s Book “Smarter Israeli Banking 2.0” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Smarter-Israeli-Banking-Rifka-Lebowitz/dp/9655987965

For information about Living Financially Smarter in Israel Conference in Jerusalem on Sunday, June 15, 2025 from 9:45 AM – 4:00 PM): https://www.nbn.org.il/lfsii-conference/

PLEASE NOTE: This Conference is SOLD OUT. Meanwhile, buy Rifka’s book, and join her Facebook group, “Living Financially Smarter in Israel”

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Featured Guest, 3rd Segment: Barbara Bensoussan

Barbara’s Reading Table Selection: “House on Endless Waters: A Novel” by Emuna Elon

To Purchase from “House on Endless Waters” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/House-Endless-Waters-Emuna-Elon/dp/1982130229

Contact Barbara Bensoussan through her website: https://barbarabensoussan.com/

To purchase your copy of Barbara’s book, “Seven Blessings and a Murder” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Blessings-Murder-Barbara-Bensoussan/dp/B0DGGBBHHY

For info about the email community for Jewish Women of Wisdom: https://jewishwomenofwisdom.org/

To Contact Jewish Women of Wisdom: [email protected]

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Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.net/en/home/