Let's be real. Tattoos look cool. Some tattoos are questionable and regrettable later in life. But ultimately, who doesn't want a tattoo? It's also important to acknowledge that Jews and tattoos haven't always had the best relationship given our survival story. Despite this, it's been well-known that Jews can't have tattoos. What if we told you that's not true?

Chabad Rabbi Dovid Braslawsce hails from the Yiddishkeit communities of the East Coast to teach why tattoos are actually acceptable. You read that correctly. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, gets his preconceived notions challenged by this new school of thought most have never considered before. Learn the actual rules and semantics of the Torah around the hot-button topic of tattoos with Chaz and 'The Tattoo Rabbi'!

About Rabbi Dovid Braslawsce:

Dovid, originally from the trucker-stop town of Beaver, Pennsylvania, where his family stood as the lone Jewish presence among its 4 thousand inhabitants, navigated a childhood marked by boundless energy and frequent mischief, lacking kosher avenues to express his authentic self. However, his trajectory shifted after being exposed to both Chabad and Mixed Martial Arts during his time in university.

Today, known affectionately as the Tattoo Rabbi, Dovid calls Crown Heights, New York home, dedicating himself to dual pursuits: G-d and the discipline of martial arts. By day, he serves as the Happiness Manager for Chabad.org, while his evenings are devoted to leading a self-defense program for men in Crown Heights. He also travels internationally to campuses and communities to share his story, give encouragement, and teach what it means to be a strong and proud Jew.

His overarching purpose lies in inspiring and empowering individuals, irrespective of their religiosity, to embrace and take ownership of their Yiddishkeit.

00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Dovid Braslawsce

06:06 Can Jews Have Tattoos?

09:09 Jewish cemeteries laws around tattoos

12:02 Bible origin of the law

14:34 Holocaust survivors and the Jewish relationship with tattoos

18:27 Life and death situations

24:57 Meaningful decisions for tattoos

28:42 Tattoo removal

30:21 Expressing Jewish identity in action

32:43 Conclusion

Connect with Rabbi Dovid Braslawsce

IG @tattoo_rabbi

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

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[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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It's Purim! The holiday when Jews dress up in fun costumes, eat cookies, read stories of Jewish revolt, and drink tons of alcohol. Sound accurate to your experience? What if we told you all of that was untrue?

Rabbi Raps returns to the podcast to teach the truth behind the beloved holiday of Purim. Join host and birthday boy, Chaz Volk, as he learns about the deeper meaning behind our rituals, the several layers of the Megillah reading, and the relevant part Purim plays in our day-to-day lives as Jews.

00:00 Introduction and birthday blessing to the guest and audience

05:01 The nature of Jewish holidays

08:52 What Values Does Purim Embrace?

12:54 Jews and Alcohol

16:02 The Megillah Reading

18:56 G-d's presence in the Megillah Reading

20:42 The Jewish Empowerment Story

23:17 Hidden Layers of Meaning

29:01 The Rebbe's Final Thoughts on Purim

29:54 Conclusion

About Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport:

Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, AKA @RabbiRaps Rabbi, Influencer, Film Maker & Motivational Speaker. The TikTok Rebbe. With more than 330k followers across Instagram and Tictok and videos with Millions of views, @Rabbiraps is one of the fastest-growing Jewish social media influencers in the world today.

"Community Rabbi becomes an Influencer by accident. Since 2016 Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport has served as the Spiritual Leader of the Chabad at the shore in Atlantic County, NJ. He is a graduate of the Rabbinical College of America and received his Rabbinical Ordination in 2003. In 2021, during the COVID-19 epidemic, Rabbi Rapoport began creating videos to communicate with his community. After a few videos went viral, he realized the power of social media and began creating content on a daily basis."

Connect with Rabbi Raps:

IG and TikTok @RabbiRaps

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

Are the Jewish people united? It may seem like a simple question but it's not. Before October 7th, the Knesset faced a great division among its people. During the 96th Academy Awards, we saw Jewish filmmakers speaking against Israel. Among Jews, we see labels and identifiers to help tell our ethnic story. Depending on the context, that label can be used in a negative.

In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Yaacov Haber discusses with Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, to discuss the identity crisis and compromise that is Jewish identity. Rabbi Haber goes in-depth on the multifaceted nature and opinions of Jewish identity, from the front lines in Israel to the international diaspora, and the complex but beautiful symphony of individual roles contributing to the grander Jewish narrative.

00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Yaacov Haber

04:17 Are Jews United?

06:45 Diverse opinions in democracy and Judaism's disunity

11:23 The relevance and value of every Jew

13:38 Unity within division

19:31 International opinions of Israel

22:02 Peace

24:27 Reaction to antisemtism

28:38 Being a light unto nations

30:27 Conclusion

About Rabbi Yaacov Haber:

Since 1978, Rabbi Yaacov Haber has been a leading figure in the global Jewish community, with a rich history of leadership in education and spiritual guidance. His journey includes founding the Australian Institute of Torah, revitalizing the Jewish community in Buffalo, New York, serving as National Director of Jewish Education for the Orthodox Union, and playing a pivotal role in the Association of Jewish Outreach Programs (AJOP), where he furthered Jewish outreach and education. Notably, Rabbi Haber also served as the Rav of Congregation Bais Torah in Monsey, New York. Today, Rabbi Haber is the Rav and Spiritual Leader of Kehillat Shivtei Yeshurun in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. His ongoing role at Shivtei Yeshurun represents a significant chapter in a career dedicated to fostering Jewish learning, community, and spiritual growth. Rabbi Haber is also the President of Mosaica Press and an author of numerous impactful works, continuing his lifelong commitment to Jewish education and enrichment.

Connect with Rabbi Yaacov Haber:

www.YaacovHaber.com

 @RabbiYaacovHaber  

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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Jews are not white! How many times do we need to tell you this? If you're not a Jew and are listening to this episode, you probably have the image of a Fiddler-on-the-Roof-looking fellow (called a Chassid). While they are certainly real, they're not the only ones. Despite being in the minority of Jewish diversity, they are given most of the spotlight. Let's fix that problem.

In this episode of Bad Jew we interview members of The LUNAR Collective, the only organization by and for Asian American Jews! Maryam Chishti, Vanessa Bloom, and David Chiu highlight the feats of the organization while discussing their personal experiences as Asian-American Jews. Host of Bad Jew Chaz Volk uncovers the Asian-Jewish experience and their contribution to the Jewish world.

Timeline:

00:00 : Introduction

06:37 The LUNAR COLLECTIVE

07:17 Asian-Jewish Community

12:33 Stereotypes

15:14 Self-Identification, Tradition

20:06 The Lunar Calendar

21:03 Double meaning of "LUNAR"

27:01 The Asian-Jewish experience

32:55 Diaspora Jews

34:39 Connecting with non-Jewish Asians

37:46 Conclusion

About LUNAR: 

A bit about LUNAR: The LUNAR Collective cultivates connection, belonging and visibility for Asian American Jews through intersectional community programming and authentic digital storytelling.

About Maryam Chishti: 

Maryam Chishti is the proud Co-Executive Director of The LUNAR Collective, the first and only organization for Asian American Jews. She is a graduate of JoCI's Inaugural Leadership Fellowship and is currently a fellow at The Ruskay Institute at UJA. Outside of LUNAR, Maryam runs a Moishe House in New York and is passionate about democratic politics and theater. She performs improv and sketch comedy, and enjoys creative writing as well. 

About Vanessa Bloom:

Vanessa Bloom a Chinese Jewish American writer, educator, and filmmaker from Orange County, California. Her work has been featured in HeyAlma, The Braid Jewish Theater, NFFTY, South Eastern European Film Festival, Mixed Asian Media Festival, and more. In addition to creative pursuits, Vanessa earned her B.A. and teaching credential in History, and she is a Los Angeles Community Leader for The LUNAR Collective. Vanessa loves mystery novels, sushi, and copious amounts of Jewish humor.

About David Chiu:

David Chiu, of Litvak and Cantonese heritage, is the Marketing & Communications Manager for The Braid, the go-to Jewish story company. He is a producer on its storytelling web-series, StoryNosh, as well as a frequent writer for its stage productions. David is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Temple Isaiah, a social-justice oriented West Los Angeles synagogue, where he co-founded its Young Professionals Group, is the Chair of its Voter Engagement Group, is a member of its Green Team and Social Justice Committee, and received its 2019 Emerging Leader Award. He is a Los Angeles Community Leader for The LUNAR Collective, a national organization of Asian Jews creating community and visibility, creating numerous events and having served on the creation committee of LUNAR's Asian Jewish Haggadah. Together, LUNAR and The Braid are creating What Do I Do with All This Heritage? — the first theatre show to explore the lives of Asian Jews. David is the lead producer of that production. He also serves on the Board of Directors of California Interfaith Power & Light, an environmental activist organization.

Connect with LUNAR

www.WeAreAsianJews.org

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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The movie, One Love, the Bob Marley biopic, just came out which has people looking closer at the Rastafari culture. Putting the culture into the spotlight, many have noticed the undeniable ties between their religion and Jewish themes. Jewish organizations have jumped onto the trend of asking, and even claiming, that Bob Marley was Jewish. Whether or not this is true is trivial. What's more valuable is the discovery of Jewish and Jamaican ties and how oppression brought them together.

As a full-time Jewish advocate, Tyler Samuels sheds light on the little-known history of Jamaican Jews and the isolating experience of being a black Jew. From the secret crypto Jews of the Spanish Inquisition to the influences on Rastafari culture and the intriguing story of a Jewish pirate, Samuels offers an exciting exploration of Jamaican Jewish history. Don't miss out on this eye-opening episode that will challenge preconceptions and celebrate the diversity within Jewish culture.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction to Tyler Samuels

03:45 The Spanish Inquisition

07:07 Colonies and the spread of oppression

09:25 Pirates

15:23 Jewish persecution in Iberia and colonies.

16:18 Defining Genocide

21:21 Rastafarian culture is influenced by Jewish symbols.

24:35 Personal experiences

26:39 Conclusion

About Tyler Samuels:

Tyler Samuels is the creator of the social media account BluntBlackJew. He was the Campus Development Lead at Hillel BC Society. Tyler was also a fellow for the Union of Reform Judaism’s Jews of Color Leadership Fellowship and a Jewish Federation of North America Changemakers Fellow for Aspiring Leaders. Through Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, Tyler teaches Jews and non-Jews Caribbean Jewish & general Jewish history and life as a Black Jew.

Connect with Tori Greene

IG: @bluntblackjew

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

Shabbat, the weekly holiday that Jews practice to break from the everyday grind of life, can change drastically depending on who leads it. Factors that can impact your Shabbat experience can rely on the shull you attended, whose home you're in, the experience of the leader, the cultural background, etc. There are so many experiences that come with Shabbat; One has to ask - What is the right Shabbat vibe?

Host of Bad Jew, Chaz Volk, is joined by talented singer and Rabbi-In-Training Tori Greene to get break down the proper 'vibe' of Shabbat. Greene discusses and even sings the niguns and melodies that help us explore the traditions encompassing Kabbalat Shabbat. She delves into rituals and practices of Shabbat emphasizing what makes it so integral to Jewish tradition. Tune in to this playful and insightful episode that sheds light on the influence of music that welcomes the Sabbath.

00:00 Introduction to Tori Greene

05:44 Intention of Shabbat

08:06 Diversity of Jewish music

11:52 What is Kabbalat Shabbat

13:56 Participating in Jewish prayer

19:07 Meaning behind the structure of prayer

25:15 Shabbat observance

28:14 Various melodies and their intention

33:14 Keva vs. Kavanaugh

34:16 Expressing gratitude

About Tori Greene:

Tori Greene is a proud Latina-Jew. She’s an innovator, community builder, and collaborator. She is passionate about impacting the Jewish world by creating spaces for exploration and belonging, from leading twelve Birthright trips to heading the first-ever Moishe Pod to launching the Miami hub for OneTable. As a passionate educator for all things Israel and Jewish, she runs an Instagram page in hopes of being a strong voice for liberal Zionism. You can follow her at @DivreiTori 

Tori understands that music has the power to bring people in. It connects us through our hearts and our souls and provides feelings of joy and belonging. Currently pursuing Rabbinical ordination with a dual master’s in Nonprofit Management at Hebrew Union College, she invites individuals to consider how the wisdom of our Jewish tradition helps us find meaning and purpose in our lives through a modern lens while weaving in music that calls to yearning Jewish souls.

Connect with Tori Greene

IG: @divreitori

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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It's Valentine's Day, the day that all people either adore or despise depending on whether or not they are single (or whether or not they're in a good relationship). Love is an abstract concept. There certainly are easy-to-spot actions that lovers take like giving and receiving affection, doing favors for each other, exchanging gifts, and even verbally saying "I love you." But how those feelings develop and how they change over time is an intangible emotion that no one has ever perfectly mastered.

Rabbi Melinda Bernstein is a freelance Rabbi who regularly officiates weddings and helps guide the spirituality that couples can struggle to tap into. Bernstein guides us through the evolution of relationships, the art of communication, and the pursuit of a soulmate. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, learns about Rabbi Melinda's reframing of "roadblocks" to "road walks" in relational paths; She shares her personal experiences and Kabbalistic insights on being a vessel for divine energy.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Melinda Bernstein.

06:20 Choosing to heal, see passion, be real.

08:20 Road walk: conflict resolution through open dialogue.

11:01 Navigating inner conflict, seeking connection and guidance.

13:21 Kabbalah as conduit to connect with energy.

19:13 Seeking deep wisdom and joy in life.

20:35 Individual sexual energy and healing vs herd.

24:13 Manifesting good or bad outcomes is uncertain.

27:51 Seeking love and companionship after 18 years.

29:28 Time is precious, make every moment count.

About Rabbi Melinda Bernstein:

Melinda is a freelance rabbi in Southeast Florida. She was Ordained May 14, 2009 on the sandy beach in Hollywood, Florida. She chose this date in honor of Mother's Day and Israel Independence Day. As a native Floridian, Melinda was born in Miami Beach, was raised Reform Jewish in Dade County, raised children Orthodox Jewish in Broward County, and raised many eyebrows with her open-minded, eclectic & unique Rabbinical style. 

As a child of the reform movement, Melinda felt bored and uninspired. As a wife and mother, Melinda became a Ba’al Teshuvah in the orthodox lifestyle, which was nourishing yet void of her mystical, musical and shamanic interests. As a divorcee’, Melinda embraced an embodied path and has helped others do the same. Melinda embraces the present as a loving energy between God, her Ancestors, family and beyond. From her life experiences Melinda has found and accessed a loving conduit of energy with God.

Melinda's approach to Judaism is anchored with the consciousness of the heart, the passion of the soul, and the delight of knowing the body. Through years of study and practice, Melinda transcends the ordinary and knows how to meet people where they are. Her covenant with God is rooted in compassion, understanding and love upon our neighbors of the earth.

Each of us has a unique journey towards redemption and in that journey is a roadmap of our soul work. Learning to map out the road ahead is Melinda’s divine specialty and joy. Read Melinda’s Journey to Redemption and get her free Roadmap to assist you map out the road ahead.

Melinda is a devoted mother of two, mother-in-law to one and grandmother of three. Melinda knows that family and faith are at the forefront of every endeavor and in her "free" time, she explores new ways of being best herself. 

Melinda's approach to Judaism is anchored with the consciousness of the heart, the passion of the soul, and the delight of knowing the body. Through years of study and practice, Melinda transcends the ordinary and knows how to meet people where they are. Her covenant with God is rooted in compassion, understanding and love upon our neighbors of the earth.

Personable, professional & easy to work with, Melinda has excellent references!

Connect with Rabbi Melinda Bernstein:

www.MelindaBernstein.com

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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What have we learned after a year? Bad Jew, the podcast has produced content for over a year. 58 episodes later, the show has reached the top 10% of Jewish podcasts by being consistent in Jewish teachings. But has it been consistent in teaching the foundation it was built on? That there is no such thing as a Bad Jew?

Igor Milgram, an entrepreneur from the Bay Area of Northern California, had a similar idea. Wanting to connect the forgotten members of the Jewish community, he put together his personal resources to spread the message that there truly is no such thing as a Bad Jew. He does this by creating spaces to welcome all members no matter what their background is. Milgram's events caught the eye of Bad Jew podcast host Chaz Volk. Chaz and Igor explore the meaning of Bad Jew, Jewish identity, and openly discuss the potential of their comprehensive partnership.

About Igor Milgram:

Igor Milgram – A Jewish Immigrant from Ukraine. Born during the Soviet Union and a Bay Area Resident since he was two years old. Igor has always broken the mold of what was expected of him. Whether it be working at NASA with no degree at 21, becoming Vice President of AEPI at SJSU at 23, starting a Cannabis Infused Beef Jerky Company, or helping run a high-end meat processing company before the age of 30, he has chosen to carve his own path instead of using one set out in front of him. Now a consultant in the cannabis industry, who helps take care of his mother and grandmother, and an active participant in the SF Bay Area Jewish scene, he has started a new project to foster a change in the Jewish Community. By creating SFBadJews he hopes to create a sense of home for all the Jewish People who have been left behind by the Jewish world as it exists currently, change the stereotypes of what society expects a Jewish person to be, and transform what the Jewish world thinks a Good Jew or Bad Jew looks like. 

Connect with Igor Milgram:

IG @sfbadjews

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

It's the secular new year which means many of you have taken the time to practice introspection and reflect on what was and what could have been. The need to improve for 2024 is conditioned by the growth mindset we all have. As it turns out, even the Torah is built around a growth mindset.

While many wouldn't initially recognize the Torah as a place to set goals, Rabbi David Schlusselberg helps us realign our thinking. Schlesselberg sits with host, Chaz Volk, to draw from lessons from biblical stories and allow space for personal stories to be shared.

About Rabbi David Schlusselberg:

Rabbi David Schlusselberg is a teacher and the mashgiach ruchani at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ. He has been working with teenagers in formal and informal settings for over 15 years. Rabbi Schlusselberg obtained semicha from Yeshiva University, and has a master's degree in Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education.

Connect with Rabbi David Schlusselberg

IG @rabbi_david_schlusselberg

TikTok @rabbi.davidschlusselberg

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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Have you hugged a tree today? It might be more therapeutic than you think. In one of Judaism's more light-hearted holidays, Tu Bishvat marks a seasonal change full of joy, gratitude, and growth. For humans, it's just another Thursday. For trees, it's their holiest day of the year and/or their new year! With the theme of new beginnings, Jews around the world rejoice in meaningful activity around sweetness and love for nature.

Rabbi Levi Begun of Culver City Chabad shares that very appreciation and love for nature. Being that his favorite fruit is the passion fruit and that his favorite animal is the lion, Begun speaks on this show with a comprehensive look at this peaceful celebration. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, peels back the layers and learns of the various degrees of intention behind this love of trees.

About Rabbi Levi Begun:

With great passion for Judaism, my wife and I together with our 2 little children moved to Culver City, California to join the 220 Chabad centers in California, and 4,000 Chabad centers worldwide.

Chabad in Culver City is a center for Jews of all backgrounds who want to learn more about their Jewish roots. Chabad offers a wide variety of educational and spiritual opportunities, including Torah classes and lectures, Shabbat dinners, and an array of family and social activities. Traditional Jewish values are brought to life in a joyous, non-judgmental atmosphere.

Guided by the leadership, teachings, and inspirations of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Chabad Lubavitch has set the dictum of “Love your fellow as yourself” as the defining factor in its approach of unconditional acceptance of fellow Jewish people.

Chabad treasures the infinite value of every individual and is committed to enriching the lives of everyone through its multiple programs and services. Each individual is encouraged to appreciate the power of our heritage at their own comfortable pace.

Chabad serves all segments of the Jewish community. Everyone is welcome regardless of their personal level of religious observance.

Participants in our multitude of programs experience the joy and celebration, the intimacy and compassion, the wisdom and knowledge that is inherent in Jewish life and learning. Chabad will use whatever means necessary to bring the message of Torah true Judaism to the children, teens, adults and elderly of the community. Watch the excitement on the faces of the children who partake in our youth programs; ask the hundreds who participate in our events, and you begin to feel an incredible sense of community.

We invite you to get involved and take part in our events, activities & classes for all ages! Our doors are always open, welcoming everyone to participate in all that we offer.

Our family looks forward to meeting you! 

Connect with Rabbi Levi Begun

www.JewishCulverCity.com

IG @JewishCulverCity

Connect with Bad Jew: 

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod