On this 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.

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Show notes;

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.com/

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

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s featured guest is financial planner and public speaker Rifka Lebowitz, author of “Smarter Israeli Banking.”

It is most certainly a Jewish value to earn an honest living, and it’s a mitzvah to live in the Land of Israel.

And so it is my pleasure to introduce you to financial planner, author, and public speaker, Rifka Lebowitz. 

Rifka is passionate about helping English speakers understand their finances, feel comfortable with their money, and succeed financially – in Israel. And Rifka has released an updated and revised edition of her book, Smarter Israeli Banking, which she wrote with Daniel Levenson. It’s the ultimate insider’s guide to banking in Israel which – to put it simply – is your guide to learning how to navigate the process from opening an account to closing one, and everything in between.

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

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest: Rifka Lebowitz

Featured Book: “Smarter Israeli Banking”

To Purchase your copy of “Smarter Israeli Banking” https://rifkalebowitz.com/smarter-israeli-banking/

To Purchase Outside Israel or on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Smarter-Israeli-Banking-Rifka-Lebowitz/dp/9655723801/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AWME4JNCSXRP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yB3DaII3jICY85S8kpQd3g.fxLm_Uqh7YbgUtbLmlXZTp8Ra8ejCW2YrfayCnqYI8E&dib_tag=se&keywords=smarter+israeli+banking&qid=1708426892&sprefix=smarter+israeli+banking%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1

Rifka’s website + contact form + social media: https://rifkalebowitz.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!

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 mind of a writer 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:

·         Netflix star Aleeza Ben Shalom, author of “Matchmaker Matchmaker, find Me a Love that Lasts” and other books

·         Columnist, writing teacher and podcaster Esther Kurtz, author of “Second Thoughts” and other books

·         Award-winning writer Barbara Bensoussan, author of “The Well-Spiced Life” and other books

 

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Show Notes:


(1)

Aleeza Ben Shalom: Advising Singles about First Date Conversation Topics

Aleeza’s Most Recent Book: Matchmaker, Matchmaker Find Me a Love that Lasts

 

Pre-Order Link to Purchase Matchmaker, Matchmaker: https://marriagemindedmentor.com/book/

Visit Aleeza’s website: https://marriagemindedmentor.com/

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

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

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

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

(2)

Esther Kurtz: Writing novels vs. short stories

Most Recent Book by Esther Kurtz: Second Thoughts

To purchase Second Thoughts from Menucha Publishers: https://menuchapublishers.com/products/second-thoughts?_pos=1&_sid=b48d266b1&_ss=r

To purchase Second Thoughts on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Thoughts-Esther-Kurtz/dp/B0CHGSSYDM

Visit Esther’s website: https://www.estherkurtz.com/

(3)

Barbara Bensoussan: Writing a culinary memoir

Recent Book by Barbara Bensoussan: The Well-Spiced Life

To Purchase The Well-Spiced Life: https://www.amazon.com/Well-Spiced-Life-Barbara-Bensoussan/dp/1600913385

Visit Barbara’s website: https://barbarabensoussan.com/

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s featured guest is dating and marriage coach Devorah Kigel, author of “Marry a Mensch: Timeless Jewish Wisdom for Today's Single Woman.”

Devorah calls it a how-to guide to finding your soulmate. Readers appreciate that this book is forthright, compassionate and hopeful. In it, Devorah shares the wisdom she has acquired throughout her life's work with singles who are dating for marriage, layered on top of the lessons learned from her own dating journey. She has helped well over three-hundred women get clarity in their dating life and marry Mr. Right.

Rounding out this episode’s love-and-marriage theme, Heather checks in with Susan Barth, the founder of a marriage education resource center she calls Together in Happiness (B’Yachad B’Osher) to talk about the classic Jewish book that is on her reading table.

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

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Show notes:

Featured Guest: Devorah Kigel, dating & marriage coach

Featured Book: “Marry a Mensch: Timeless Jewish Wisdom for Today's Single Woman.” (Gefen Publishing)

To Purchase your copy of “Marry a Mensch” https://www.amazon.com/Marry-Mensch-Timeless-Jewish-Wisdom/dp/9657801672

Devorah’s website + contact form + social media:  https://www.devorahkigel.com/

Devorah Kigel’s content on Torah Anytime’s website: https://torahanytime.com/speakers/1458

“What’s on My Reading Table” contributor: Susan Barth, founder & president of Together in Happiness

Susan’s website: https://together-in-happiness.com/

Contact Susan Barth: [email protected]

Online Event Dec. 22 2024 Details and Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/getting-it-right-from-the-start-a-date-night-i-prep-experience-tickets-1083563921859?aff=oddtdtcreator

Reading Table recommendation: “And Rachel Was His Wife,” by anonymous author. Revised and edited by Marsi Tabak and Ben Zion Sobel

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Was-His-Wife/dp/0873064887

To purchase on the publisher’s website: https://www.feldheim.com/and-rachel-was-his-wife

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!

Rebbetzin Rochel Miller is Heather Dean’s featured guest this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, discussing her new book, The Simchah of Marriage.

Rebbetzin Miller spent her first eleven years in Israel learning the secrets of the eternal Jewish home with Rebbetzin Talya Helfer in a course based on the Hebrew-language sefer Ohel Rochel.

Realizing that this precious learning was missing in the English-speaking world, Rebbetzin Miller was inspired to share her learning through teaching.

Her classes, based on the wisdom from the sefer Ohel Rochel began in Jerusalem twenty-five years ago. They have been called “life-changing,” “healing,” and “medicine for our generation.” These classes now take place in person and internationally over Zoom.

Rebbetzin Miller’s, is a continuation of her classes, a gift for the many women who have felt deprived and unaware of the true inner peace and goals of the Jewish marriage.

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Show notes:

Featured guest: Rebbetzin Rochel Miller

Featured Book: “The Simchah of Marriage”

To order your copy(ies) of “The Simchah of Marriage” click: https://simchaofmarriage.com/contact/

To invite Rebbetzin Rochel Miller to speak in your community: https://simchaofmarriage.com/contact/

To advertise on “613 Books” Podcast, send us an email and tell us about your product, service, or book: [email protected]

Show Announcer: Michael Doniger

For voice samples and voice-over queries for Michael: https://michaeldoniger.com/

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

Author, Editor and Copywriter Sara Miriam Gross is the featured guest on this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, and we are talking about her terrific book, “Invisible Tribe.”

It’s a collection of fictional stories that explore the tough, messy, and even funny situations that children who have lost a parent sometimes find themselves in. These distinctive stories span all seasons and holidays, helping readers reconnect with dusty, rusty feelings like peace and happiness.

And the beautiful illustrations which accompany these stories enhance this book’s lively and memorable reading experience.

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

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Show notes:

This episode’s featured guest: Sara Miriam Gross

Featured book: “Invisible Tribe”


To order Invisible Tribe: 
https://menuchapublishers.com/products/invisible-tribe?_pos=1&_sid=e0ace61e8&_ss=r

For more details about Invisible Tribe & to receive a sample story or a book reviewer's copy:
www.saramiriamgross.com/invisible-tribe/

To contact the Sara Miriam Gross:
[email protected]

To help sponsor the Hebrew edition:
causematch.com/invisible_tribe

For information about book ghostwriting and production services:
www.blueoceanbooks.com

In this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with Sarah Shapiro about her book, “Audience of One,” a collection of short stories. Sarah’s eclectic topics and ponderings are boldly honest yet written in a breezy yet contemplative manner that makes writing about ourselves seem easy. But it’s not! Sarah’s choices in phrasing, structure and tone keep us readers riveted, going places we didn’t think the author would take us.

Heather and Sarah delve into stories from the book about aging, being authentic, navigating whether to talk about Gd to an atheist relative, and poignant memories of Sarah’s late father, bestselling author Professor Norman Cousins.

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

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Show notes:

Featured author interview: Sarah Shapiro, author of “Audience of One”

To Purchase from Mosaica Publishers: mosaicapress.com/product/an-audience-of-one/

To Purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Audience-One-othe…ies/dp/1952370515

Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: michaeldoniger.com/

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

This episode of “613 Books” podcast is Part 2 of Heather’s interview with Rabbi Joel Padowitz and Rabbi Jonathan Sassen which originally aired September 25 2024. They are the co-authors of “The Science Behind the Mishnah.”

Their fascinating exploration of Maseches Berachos is where Torah wisdom meets scientific discovery, offering a fresh perspective that connects timeless teachings with the intricacies of the physical world. This episode zeroes in on a few aspects of chemistry and biology through a rabbinic as well as scientific lens.

Care to understand the significance of milk and honey as they apply to The Land of Israel, the land “flowing with milk and honey”? How about the science and kashrus supervision of cheese productions? Also, why did people in the time of the Mishnah salt their food so heavily? And what’s the deal with washing our hands before we bench?

These and other matters of the spiritual and material world are covered in this interview about their book which will spark your intellectual curiosity and spiritual growth.

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

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Show notes:
Featured Guests: Rabbi Joel Padowitz and Rabbi Jonathan Sassen

Featured Book: The Science Behind the Mishnah Interview
Link to Purchase through Mosaica Press: mosaicapress.com/product/the-scie…ind-the-mishnah/

Contact the authors by email: [email protected]

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

Lecturer and author Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein is the featured guest on this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, discussing some of the key concepts he writes about in his new book, “Sukkos: A Symphony of Joy.”

Rabbi Bernstein clarifies what exactly we are celebrating in this zeman simchaseinu. And if you are puzzled by the Hoshanos service or Simchas Beis Hasho’eva, Rabbi Bernstein clarifies these elements of the Festival for us.

He also notably connects the Sukkos theme of Divine protection to the tranquility we all can tap into that our Creator is the Source of all things and events, so we need not pressure ourselves to steer everything in our lives on the course we’re inclined to go. With tranquility we can choose to remember that “the same Divine Providence and Divine Supervision that is so much the focus on Sukkos is really something that continues to guide us throughout the year but then allows us to be tranquil.”

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

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Show notes:
This episode’s featured guest: Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein

Featured book: “Sukkos: A Symphony of Joy”

To Purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Sukkos-Symphony-R…ein/dp/1961602083

To Purchase through Mosaica Press: mosaicapress.com/product/sukkos-a-symphony-of-joy/

Visit Rabbi Bernstein’s website: Journeysintorah.com

Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz is back on “613 Books” Podcast as host Heather Dean’s featured guest on this encore episode to provide insights and ideas we often wonder about regarding Yom Kippur, but hadn’t thought to ask.

Are we expected to intensely ponder each confession of the Viduiy prayer? Are our sins forever erased on Yom Kippur… not to reappear during our Life Review in the next world? How does that work? The answers may surprise you, and better still, ease your concerned mind.

PLUS musician and composer Lenny Solomon tells us about the ground-breaking book on his reading table.

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

SPECIAL THANKS to show announcer Michael Doniger for the use of his recording booth for this episode!

For inquiries about dedicating or sponsoring future episodes, email [email protected]

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Show Notes:

Featured Guest: Rabbi Dr.Akiva Tatz

Author of “Shabbat and the Festivals: Journey and Destination”

To Purchase from Menucha Publishers: https://menuchapublishers.com/products/shabbat-and-the-festivals-journey-and-destination?_pos=11&_sid=59730177f&_ss=r

For more information and to contact Rabbi Tatz, visit: https://akivatatz.com/

“What’s on My Reading Table” contributor: Lenny Solomon

Lenny’s selection: “I've Been Here Before: When Souls of the Holocaust Return” by Sara Yoheved Rigler

To Purchase from Menucha Publishers: https://menuchapublishers.com/products/ive-been-here-before

To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ive-Been-Here-Before-Holocaust/dp/9655998223

Write to Lenny Solomon: [email protected]

Lenny Solomon’s website: https://shlockrock.com/