Bad Jew

Do you ever wish you could tell the future? Or have some kind of spiritual mirror that reveals your destiny? Does it ever feel like your life is falling apart because mercury is in retrograde? These are all common expressions and ideas from the secular world; Concepts that mix with Judaism like water and oil, simply having no place in common with Jewish discussion. Then you remember, we do everything off of the lunar calendar. Surely the galaxy is involved somehow which means... it's not a far fetched idea to include astrology into the mix.

In this thought-provoking interview with the esteemed astrologist and historian, Lorelai Kude. Delving into the realm of Jewish astrology, Lorelai provides listeners with a unique perspective on the celestial forces intertwined with Kabbalah and mysticism. As the conversation unfolds, Lorelai sheds light on the intricate connection between zodiac signs and Jewish teachings, offering a fascinating exploration of how ancient wisdom and cosmic energies converge. Listeners are treated to a journey through the lunar calendar's significance in Jewish traditions, revealing how celestial cycles play a pivotal role in the spiritual fabric of Judaism.

About Lorelai Kude:

Lorelai Kude holds a BA in Journalism with a Minor in Religious Studies from San Francisco State University. She received her MA in Jewish Studies from Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union. 

Her thesis “Yesh Mazal l’Yisrael: Astrology in Jewish Cultural History and Identity” explores the rabbinic enterprise’s institutionalization of astrology, despite the legal prohibition against its use in divination. 

A professional practicing astrologer for over 30 years and a teacher/ mentor of private astrology students, she writes “Astrolojew”, an internationally syndicated Jewish horoscope column.  

Connect with Lorelai Kude:

https://myjewishstars.com/

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The spirit of the Jewish people is challenged by the fact that most of us don't have a direct way to participate in this war. Between that simple fact and the negativity spewing off social media, it's easy to fall into a pit of helplessness. It's completely valid to feel down. However...

Shoshanna Stein from @MySoCalledJewishLife is a spiritual warrior. She interviews with the host of Bad Jew, Chaz Volk, to highlight how she fights this war from a pragmatic place. Her passion and efforts are highlighted in her day-to-day as well as in the content she produces. Get inspired by the enlightening vibrations of this episode.

About Shoshanna Stein:

Born into a Chabad family, Shoshanna Stein hails from a highly orthodox background. At 18, she relocated to Israel, she pursued studies in fashion in Tel Aviv where she got her degree.

Shoshanna is a mother of three and is passionate about art, using her experiences to create meaningful and spiritual pieces. Her profound connection to Judaism is evident in her vibrant Jewish life, which combines Chabad and Sephardic influences. A particular focus is the Ki Tov Project, which conveys the belief that everything is essentially good. Now involved in the Hebrew Academy, she aims to bring the Ki Tov Project to schools in Miami and beyond.

Connect with Shoshanna Stein:

https://linktr.ee/mysocalledjewishlife

Connect with Bad Jew: 

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Israel's strength is once again being challenged in a multi-front war. Everyone's willpower has been tested from the top of government to everyday citizens. Once, it was only the South that was at risk. The general consensus among Israeli citizens is that everyone just has to try and do their part and attempt to carry on with daily life. For the most part, this is doable, and from what many are saying, requires little adjustment. However, Israelis from all corners are seasoned with similar conflicts of past. What about the newer citizens who recently made Aliyah?

Eli Eisenberg used to reside comfortably in sunny Los Angeles, California, where the only thing shaking the ground was the San Andreas Fault. Now he lives miles away from a warzone, where 300,000 reservists remain on standby for orders while forces surgically work their way through the labyrinth of tunnels under Gaza. Chaz, host of Bad Jew, learns about this difficult adjustment with Eisenberg. With Hamas in Eli's backyard, one has to wonder: Was It Worth Moving To Israel?

About Eli Eisenberg:

Eli Eisenberg has more than 40 years of hands on experience in the financial and business management of entrepreneurial companies. From October, 2019, to April 2021, Mr. Eisenberg was CEO of Steril-Aire, a manufacturer of Ultraviolet Germicidal Devices. While at the helm of Steril-Aire, Mr. Eisenberg shepherded the company through a $70 million sale to one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.

As founder and CEO of Straight Line Management™, he specializes in providing financial expertise and mentoring to high-potential early stage companies. Mr. Eisenberg helps them to increase profitability, secure funding, evaluate and capitalize on opportunities, streamline financial operations, and get the financial side of the business under control.

Since launching his Straight Line Management consulting company in 1991, he has served as a trusted advisor to more than 100 early-stage companies across a variety of industries including software and game companies, high and low tech manufacturing companies, wholesale distribution companies, product and services companies.

As CEO and founder of Straight Line Management, Mr. Eisenberg works at the senior level, as a trusted advisor to CEOs, CFOs, Boards and investors. In high-potential companies, he counsels senior management and guides existing staff towards the identification of profitable business opportunities, the solution of complex financial problems, and the development of improved management systems. Mr. Eisenberg is well-known for his expertise in creating financial models on behalf of start-ups and early stage companies seeking outside investment.

Prior to starting Straight Line Management, Mr. Eisenberg served as Chief Financial Officer for three high technology companies, served in senior financial and operational management positions (including VP of Finance and VP of Operations) in several other high growth companies, and established, ran and sold his own successful consumer products company.

Mr. Eisenberg has extensive experience in strategic planning, capital raising strategies, financial management and forecasting, business plan preparation, and development and streamlining of management reporting systems and controls. He received his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley in 1976 and became a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California is 1978.

Connect with Eli Eisenberg:

LinkedIn: Eli Eisenberg

Connect with Bad Jew:

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[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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Surely you've heard the chant "Free Palestine" but have you asked yourself What is Palestine? It'd be irresponsible not to do your research. Perhaps you'd be surprised to learn it was never a state but rather a land. You may also be surprised to learn that Jews, Christians, and Arabs alike were once called Palestinian. What regional features define the land of Palestine and what are we 'freeing'? Who are we giving the freedom to anyway?

These are all such important questions to ask, especially after October 7th brought international attention to the land. Liel Kopell hails from Haifa, Israel to bring light to this confusion. But how do we know it's not propaganda? Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, interviews and even debates the material and opinions of Mr. Kopell while uncovering the truth behind Palestine and its relation to Israel.

About Liel Kopell:

Liel Kopell, known as MrKopell, is a 23-year-old Israeli TikToker who lives in Israel, a true patriot of his country, enlisted to the Israel Defense Forces and served in the Navy despite having suffered a severe knee injury in his youth. After the atrocities of October 7th, Liel decided to open a Tiktok page and confront pro-Palestinians around the world to voice the Israeli perspective while providing unique insights that many haven't considered.

Follow Liel Kopell:

IG: @mr.kopell

TikTok: @mrkopellnew

Contact Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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If you're a Jew, life feels like chaos right now. How can you not spiral into the anxiety-induced environment we're in? If you're like us, you go from your phone (filled with terrible news stories coming out of Israel), to your local supermarket (wondering who's going to scope you out and say something because you're Jewish), only to wind up back home where the normal everyday responsibilities of existing piles up. This is because our identities and the general public are suddenly clashing. Whether we like it or not, we're at war.

Just as familiar with this feeling is Devora Golberg, host of the Desire to Be podcast. Goldberg is an overall healer and has used her wisdom in Torah and Judaism to guide groundbreaking personal development. She steps onto Bad Jew with Chaz Volk to guide all of us on how to release, center, and realign our thinking to be resilient and healthy despite the times.

About Devora Goldberg:

Devora Goldberg is the owner of RELEASE to RELAX corporate workshops. When people show up in their corporate roles, all they want to do is excel at their work, yet so many times anxiety, fear, and unworthiness get in the way. Devora’s workshops offer an inner calm reset and release of what we may be holding onto within. She is also the host of the Desire To Be podcast, uncovering the many avenues that people’s deep desires project their path to greatness on their life.

Contact Devora Goldberg:

Desire to Be - a podcast available on your favorite listening platform

LinkedIn - Devora Goldberg

Contact Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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Yes, some hostages are back but the war still rages on. To say Israel hasn't been the same since October 7th is an understatement, to say the least. The country pre-war was more divided politically than it had ever seen. There was political unrest, which was a reaction to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reform. Protests and demonstrations were being made in front of the Knesset and other government properties. However, in the strange and miraculous way that Israelis function, the country appears to be more united than ever before. Israeli citizens who can't fight on the frontlines are busy performing acts of service wherever they can, sacrificing time, effort, and money to support Israel's right to exist.

Jacob Churchbourne is no exception to this phenomenon. Originally positioned to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, his service was delayed due to the war. He and other reservists have teamed up to create Tzachi Israel, a non-profit that gifts 100% of everything they receive (money and resources) directly to soldiers stationed at military bases around Israel. Together they have tirelessly supplied the frontlines while reminding the individuals that they have love and support backing their every move. Churchbourne shows Chaz, host of Bad Jew, how they plan to grow and be a driving force behind this war. 

About Jacob Churchbourne:

Jacob Churchbourne is a 23-year-old individual who takes pride in his Jewish identity. Originally hailing from a small town in North Carolina, he spent his childhood herding cattle on his family's farm. With a father who served in the US military for over 30 years, Jacob developed a strong sense of service and dedication from a young age.

Growing up, Jacob was actively involved in sports, playing hockey and lacrosse. Eventually, he pursued lacrosse at North Carolina State University. Following his graduation, Jacob participated in the Israel Lacrosse Association gap year program, where he developed a deep affection for the country. Opting to extend his stay, he took on the role of a youth development coordinator, coaching children in Ashkelon, southern Israel.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Jacob is a professional hockey player for the Bat Yam Dolphins of the IEHL, representing Israel in international competitions. Motivated by the tragic events of October 7, he, along with a group of friends, founded the non-profit organization Tzachi Israel. The organization's mission is to ensure that every IDF soldier has the necessary gear to safeguard themselves, their comrades, and the country. Since the inception of Tzachi Israel, they have successfully raised over $250,000, covered over 9,000 miles, and delivered supplies to more than 80 different locations. Their commitment remains unwavering as they continue to contribute to the well-being of IDF soldiers and the nation during times of war.

Connect with Jacob Churchbourne

IG @tzachi.israel

www.TzachiIsrael.org/en

Connect with Bad Jew:

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[email protected]

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It's time to light our candles, fill our donuts with jelly, and spin our dreidels. American Jewry's favorite Jewish holiday is here! Hanukkah. Channukah? Chanukkah? Which spelling do you go by? Regardless, this time is marked by festive parties, gift exchanges, and family time. With the international crisis of the Jewish identity, with the war in Israel raging on, we need this positivity for our mental health's sake! No less, one has to ask themselves "What is the origin of this holiday?"

When looking deeper into the Channukah story, one can't help but find parallels between the Maccabee's actions of the past and extremists today. Does this mean we're celebrating the actions of a violent clan of Jewish mobsters? Was our favorite childhood holiday a giant lie? Jay Hoffman, better known as Sephardic Soul by his Instagram, takes a break from teaching children at a Hebrew school in New York to teach Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, who the Maccabees actually were and how their actions compare to today's current events.

About Jay Hoffman:

Sephardicsoul is a Jewish educator in New Jersey. He has lived in Israel for a year in 2018 studying at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem and working at the Israeli Ministry of Health in Tel Aviv. He is passionate about the Classical Sephardic outlook that has been espoused by great Jewish leaders such as Maimonides, Gersonides, and ibn Gabirol. Sephardicsoul enjoys cooking, reading, and inviting friends and family to his home for Shabbat.

Connect with Jay Hoffman

IG @SephardicSoul

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If you've been keeping up with the news, you've probably noticed a group of Jews who have protested in a different style than most when it comes to Israel. In fact, these protests aren't pro-Israel rallies. They're anti-Zionist rallies that have taken to pro-Hamas rhetoric and slanders that are quite dangerous for Zionist Jews globally. From takeovers of government buildings to blockades, Jewish Voice for Peace has taken advantage of the vulnerable place Israel is in and has capitalized on the opportunity to gaslight Jews and harm the Zionist narrative.

Author Arnie Bernstein has had several run-ins with Jewish Voice for Peace. In this podcast, he describes to Chaz, host of Bad Jew, their origins, their mission, their hypocritical actions, and how they really aren't "pro-peace" whatsoever. Tune in to learn Berstein's experience and how he got his community to reject this misleading cause.

Connect with Arnie Bernstein:

JVP White Paper Google Doc download: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iDO_xDVIkseLZdANIqieKccS2KauyfZE/edit

AISH Article: https://aish.com/uncovering-the-real-voice-of-jewish-voice-for-peace/

About Arnie Bernstein: Arnie Bernstein is a nonfiction writer based in Chicago. He's been honored by the Illinois State Library and his book "Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing" was named a Notable Book by the State Library of Michigan. He loves taking forgotten stories in history and recreating them in vibrant new tellings for today's readers.

When it comes to philosophy, Arnie follows the words of notable sage Groucho Marx: “I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a good book.”

Connect with Bad Jew:

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[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

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There's something uncanny happening in the background of the Israel-Hamas war right now. Do you see it? The Torah seems to be predicting... everything. In the recent Torah portion of Noah's Arc, "Hamas" is mentioned twice... TWICE! Since then there have been other important correlations that have acted as milestones in this conflict. With the eyes of the world focused on the Middle East, Torah-observant Jews have made it clear that there's something to be said about the coincidental appearance of Hamas in this story and in other parts of the Torah.

As someone who regularly observes and studies the Torah, Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport (also known as Rabbi Raps) connects the dots and helps us understand why there's no such thing as coincidence. In a dvar Torah unlike any other, Rabbi Raps teaches host Chaz Volk why this occurs and what it means for the future of the Jewish state.

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

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Israel is in the depths of a bloody war. Jews inside and outside of Israel don't feel safe. Antisemitism across the world is on the rise. Anything with a Jewish symbol on it is targeted. Echoes from the PTSD-induced horrors of the holocaust sound louder than ever. How does one smile during these dark times?

Influencer and promoter Uri Cohn has an answer. Embracing his hard-to-hide Israeli identity, he walks the streets of "Jew York" proudly. Accustomed to the protests happening in the Big Apple, along with the rallies and events focused around Israel, Uri has put his talent for comedy and memes to the test. His tongue-in-cheek jokes step up to the mic on Bad Jew, hosted by Chaz Volk, to give listeners hope and enthusiasm during a time filled with so much hate. 

About Uri Cohn

Uri Cohn was born in Israel and proudly served as a medic in the Israeli Defense Forces. He graduated from Shuk Mahne Yehuda University. Uri has a long history of creating memes and posting funny content online related to Israel. Today, he trolls the trolls by cleverly making fun of those who oppose him and the state of Israel. He also is in the process of building his party promotion business. 

Connect with Uri Cohn:

IG @UriCohn

TikTok @TheUriCohn

Events: https://linktr.ee/uricohn

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod