613 Books Podcast

Mishpacha columnist, podcaster and workshop leader Esther Kurtz is back on “613 Books” podcast with a fresh, new interview; this time to discuss her new book, “Second Chances.”

It’s a terrific collection of short stories, each one containing life conundrums we can either relate to or gain insights from, with multi-layered characters and surprising plotlines.

Whether it’s shalom bayis, newfound wealth, family power struggles and prickly conversations, life’s sticky topics are wryly and realistically absorbing reading.

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!



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Show notes:
Featured Guest Interview: Esther Kurtz

Book: Second Thoughts by Esther Kurtz

To purchase Second Thoughts from Menucha Publishers: menuchapublishers.com/products/secon…48d266b1&_ss=r

To purchase Second Thoughts on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Second-Thoughts-E…rtz/dp/B0CHGSSYDM

Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

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

It’s a special Writers on Writing episode of “613 Books” podcast where some of host Heather Dean’s favorite authors are speaking about crafting their written work.

Think of it as a brief journey inside the minds of a variety of NONFICTION writers to find out a bit about how they churn out the words we read and become inspired, or informed, or just entertained by.

This episode’s featured guests are:

· Award winning author Judy Gruen, author of “Bylines and Blessings” and other books

· Scientist, Rabbi Jonathan Sassen, author of “The Science Behind the Mishnah”

· Therapist Yocheved Davidowitz, author of “I’ll Start Tomorrow”

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!

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Show Notes:

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Judy Gruen: Nonfiction writing about people you know; asking their permission and honoring sensitivities

To Purchase “Bylines and Blessings” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bylines-Blessings-Overcoming-Excellence-Redefining/dp/B0CPV3W6YW

Judy’s website: https://judygruen.com/

Read an excerpt from Bylines and Blessings (PDF): https://judygruen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bylines-Blessings-Book-Excerpt.pdf

To contact Judy through her website: https://judygruen.com/contact-me/

Judy’s column for Jewish Journal: https://jewishjournal.com/author/judy_gruen/

Judy’s writing on Substack: judygruen.substack.com

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Rabbi Jonathan Sassen: Writing about elementary/intermediate/advanced levels of science for young Jewish students

Book by Rabbi Joel Padowitz and Rabbi Jonathan Sassen: The Science Behind the Mishnah

Link to Purchase through Mosaica Press: https://mosaicapress.com/product/the-science-behind-the-mishnah/

Contact the authors by email: [email protected]

Contact the authors through their website: www.sciencebehindthemishnah.com

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Recent Book by Yocheved Davidowitz, MC: I’ll Start Tomorrow

Featured Book: I’ll Start Tomorrow: A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Health and Weight Goals

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Tomorrow-Yocheved-Davidowitz-M-C/dp/B08CJWKTGZ

A Deeper Conversation: The Podcast for Jewish Women: www.maverickpodcasting.com/a-deeper-conversation

Shmiras HaLashon Effort: Brief daily insights about guarding our tongue. Link to audio: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?e=9de0e67127&u=5cc0317a1df3c36e068b747f0&id=e978210b4f

Contact Yocheved: [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.com/

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

Miriam Schweitzer, a Chassidic woman who lives in Antwerp, Belgium is the featured guest on this episode of “613 Books” podcast, produced and hosted by Heather Dean.

Miriam lives with Multiple Sclerosis, and she nonetheless lives an active, busy life and she recently published a memoir that she calls: “Cholent and Chadors: A Chassidic woman's experiences in a multi-cultural workplace.”

Although her job at a local daycare center was challenging at first to work with women of various religious and ethnic backgrounds very different from her own, Miriam came to love her job. And then, due to circumstances beyond her control - namely her advanced symptoms of M.S. - she was eventually forced to leave.

Check out this episode of the podcast and find out how Miriam’s upbeat attitude, enhanced by her strong faith in Hashem, has helped her navigate life’s challenges.

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

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest Interview: Miriam Schweitzer

Featured Book: “Cholent and Chadors: A Chassidic woman's experiences in a multi-cultural workplace”

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cholent-Chadors-chassidic-experiences-multi-cultural/dp/B0DHC3G4WC

Contact Miriam Schweitzer for media interviews, book reviews, and other queries: [email protected]

Miriam Schweitzer’s full name for tefillos: Miriam Chaya bias Sarah Reizel

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!

Author and Mishpacha magazine writer Barbara Bensoussan is back on “613 Books” podcast, this time to discuss her new book, “Seven Blessings and a Murder.”

This is a thrilling novel featuring a colorful assortment of family members from England, France, and the U.S. who converge in Jerusalem for the wedding. Some of the relatives are devoutly religious and some are casually traditional. Some are wealthy, and some are cash-strapped. Some have Moroccan family roots, some with Syrian roots. Despite the inevitable clashes of culture, the wedding goes off in picture-perfect style.

And then the unthinkable happens. A family member turns up dead, under suspicious circumstances. The celebration turns into a crime scene! Talk about ‘Whodunit!’

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

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest Interview: Barbara Bensoussan

Featured Book: Seven Blessings and a Murder

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Blessings-Murder-Barbara-Bensoussan/dp/B0DGGBBHHY

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

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!

Producer and host of “Six-Thirteen Boks” Podcast Heather Dean’s featured guest on this episode of “Six-Thirteen Books” Podcast is author Shannon Nuszen, who founded the nonprofit organization Beyneynu, and is also a sought-after public speaker.

Shannon is a former Evangelical Christian missionary who grew up studying and analyzing Christian scriptural polemics as the daughter of a former Assemblies of Gd minister. She was deeply immersed in the Evangelical Christian movement from a young age and even traveled with her father as an evangelist in his ministry. Her involvement in the movement provided her with knowledge of the inner workings and strategies used to convert Jews to Christianity.

Shannon has since converted to Judaism and regrets her past associations. Her experience has given her an intimate knowledge of the Christian missionary agenda, which she uses to educate Jewish communities in Israel and the Diaspora about its dangers.

Shannon has worked in various roles within the counter-missionary field for over fifteen years, and recently began speaking publicly about her personal Jewish journey.

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest: Shannon Nuszen

Featured Book: I Once Was Lost: One Woman's Exodus From the Depths of the Church

Link to Purchase though Beyneynu’s website: https://beyneynu.com/product-details/product/i-once-was-lost-book

Link to Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Was-Lost-Womans-Exodus/dp/B0DZSWRMCL

Shannon’s website, Beyneynu: https://beyneynu.com/home

Invite Shannon to speak at your community or organization: https://beyneynu.com/shannon

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!

On this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Lesley Kaplan, a business strategy, branding and goal-achieving coach, who is also the author of “SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS TOOLBOX & GUIDE: HOW TO "BUILD & BRAND YOUR BIZ."

Drawing from several decades’ experience running her own businesses (product and service) Lesley defines and explains the importance of having a U.S.P. (unique selling proposition); a concise explanatory “elevator pitch;” a concept called “creating a buyer or customer persona;” and a prioritize time management technique called “Eat That Frog.”

Lesley downloads loads more practical insights in this interview, so get ready to build your biz!

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

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Show notes:

Featured author interview: Lesley Kaplan author of “SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS TOOLBOX & GUIDE: HOW TO "BUILD & BRAND YOUR BIZ"”

To Purchase “SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS TOOLBOX & GUIDE: HOW TO "BUILD & BRAND YOUR BIZ"” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SMALL-BUSINESS-SUCCESS-TOOLBOX-GUIDE-ebook/dp/B0CH5YBD1C

To Purchase on Amazon in Paperback and E-book formats

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CTCXDC2W/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1706421929&sr=8-1

ISRAEL ORDERS - Paperback - Delivery to your door:

https://lesleykaplan.com/product/small-business-success-toolbox-guide/

Lesley’s website: https://lesleykaplan.com/

To contact Lesley through her website: https://lesleykaplan.com/lesley-kaplan-contact/

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!

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather Dean interviews Barbara Heller, the author and illustrator of a children’s book called, “And Then One Day the World Coughed.”

Their discussion includes the profound backstory which inspired Barbara to write this book, her Jewish journey, family tensions + healing, and a variety of her creative projects.

SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!

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Show notes:

Featured Guest: Barbara Heller

Featured Book: “And Then One Day the World Coughed”

To purchase Barbara's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Then-One-Day-World-Coughed/dp/B08F6Y3R8Y

Invite Barbara for a speaking engagement or live performance: [email protected]

Support Barbara's Non-Profit Organization EtherArts.Org: https://www.barbheller.com/etherarts

Barbara’s podcast “See One Beautiful Soul”: https://www.barbheller.com/see-one-beautiful-soul-the-podcast

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!

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?”

On this episode, Heather checks in with Aleeza Ben Shalom, the author of her newly-released “Matchmaker Matchmaker, Find Me a Love that Lasts” and star of “Jewish Matchmaking,” the series on Netflix. Find out whether Aleeza chooses to talk about a book that inspires her work as a soulmate clarity coach!

Heather also checks in with Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld, the author of “Body and Soul: The Torah path to health, fitness, and a Holy Life” for his reading table selection, and later on with catering company owner and workshop leader Menucha Armel, who authored the beautiful cookbook, “Straight to the Plate.”

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

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Show notes:

Featured Guest, 1st Segment: Aleeza Ben Shalom

Aleeza’s Reading Table Selection: “Eight Dates” by John Gottman, PhD and Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD, et al.

To Purchase “Eight Dates” on Amazon https://www.gottman.com/eight-dates/

Aleeza Ben Shalom’s recent Book: Matchmaker, Matchmaker Find Me a Love that Lasts

Link to Purchase Aleeza’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Matchmaker-Find-Love-That-Lasts/dp/1454956143

To Invite Aleeza to speak at your event: https://marriagemindedmentor.com/aleezalive/

Aleeza Ben Shalom’s website: https://marriagemindedmentor.com/

The Matchmaker Matchmaker Podcast: https://marriagemindedmentor.com/podcast/

Aleeza’s Online Courses: Dating, Coaching, and Matchmaking: https://marriagemindedmentor.com/online-courses/

Aleeza’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aleezabenshalom

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Featured Guest, 2nd Segment: Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld, PhD

Rabbi Seinfeld’s Reading Table Selection: “The Queen You Thought You Knew” by Rabbi David Fohrman

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Queen-You-Thought-Knew/dp/0983269017

Contact Rabbi Seinfeld through his website: [email protected]

The book “Body & Soul” by Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld is co-authored by Dr. Daniel Grove MD, and includes and Afterward by Rabbi Benzion Shafier

To Purchase your copy of “Body & Soul” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Soul-Torah-health-fitness/dp/1680259156

For excerpts from Rabbi Seinfeld’s book, related FREE resources, contacting Rabbi Seinfeld about hosting Torah Health programs in your community: www.torahhealth.org

Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld’s page on Torah Anytime: https://www.torahanytime.com/#/speaker?l=1397

Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld’s blog: https://rabbiseinfeld.blogspot.com/

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Featured Guest, 3rd Segment: Menuchah Armel

Menuchah’s Reading Table Selection: “A Tap on the Shoulder” by Yonoson Rosenblum

To Purchase from Artscroll Publications: https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422628423.html

To contact Menuchah Armel: https://straighttotheplate.net/contact/

To purchase your copy of Menuchah’s book, “Straight to the Plate”: https://straighttotheplate.net/

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Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger

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

This episode of “613 Books” podcast, is PART 2 of producer/host Heather Dean’s interview with author and international speaker, Raquel Kirszenbaum about her new book, “Stop Hurting, Start Healing.”

This is both a self-help book and memoir which takes readers on her dynamic quest from despair and difficulty to resilience and happiness.

Raquel addresses many important lessons learned based on authentic Jewish wisdom including: how to process that feeling of being overwhelmed or burdened; society’s expectations on young women (including Raquel’s own recollections of others’ expectations for her in her youth); overcoming adversity; and forgiving others who may hurt us deeply.

From the very first page, Raquel’s powerful guide envelopes us in a warm embrace, leading us through the transformative process of healing, forgiveness, compassion, and ultimately self-acceptance.

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

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Show notes:

Featured Guest: Raquel Kirszenbaum

Featured Book: Stop Hurting, Start Healing

Link to Purchase this book: https://www.amazon.com/Hurting-Start-Healing-Raquel-Kirszenbaum/dp/1962522199

Follow Raquel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raquelkirszenbaum/

To Invite Raquel to speak to your community, school or organization: [email protected]

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather gives an exclusive preview of “The Good Dybukk,” a book for young readers and their families written and illustrated by Menachem Weinreb, the Creative Director of Mishpacha Magazine.

If you are ready to gaze upon bold yet whimsical illustrations and a surprising tale, this book might just earn a place on your family’s bookshelf.

SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest: Menachem Weinreb, Creative Director, Mishpacha Magazine

The Next Big Thing in Jewish Books: “The Good Dybukk”

Kickstarter link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mysticalmatters/the-good-dybukk

More info about “The Good Dybukk” on Menachem’s Website: https://www.amudart.com/thegooddybukk

Menachem’s Website: https://www.amudart.com/

Send Menachem an email: [email protected]

Instagram handles: @meweinreb, and @amudart