Bad Jew

There's a phenomenon where pro-Hamas supporters have torn down the posters of the kidnapped. On October 7th, 2023, on our happiest day of the year (Simchat Torah), terrorists from Gaza launched a heinous attack killing 1,400 Israelis including men, women, and children, while forcefully kidnapping 240+ other Israelis. Since then, a brutal war of severe magnitude has reigned on. By the time this podcast aired, a grand total of 2 hostages had been returned. The rest are still out there and several are confirmed dead. Abroad, pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas supporters have been caught on camera ripping down the posters of kidnapped. One has to wonder, would they rip down the posters if they knew the stories?

May Perez, an Israeli actress based in the United States, has studied the testimonies and backgrounds of several hostages. She has been active in putting up posters and spreading awareness about those who have no voice, and who have been silenced by the terror of Hamas. On Bad Jew, hosted by Chaz Volk, she allows herself to be vulnerable and share the pain that so many feel across the world. She illustrates how dire the situation has gotten and describes the projected condition of the kidnapped (projected because Hamas has failed to provide any proof of life).

About May Perez:

May Perez is an Israeli-American actress, singer, and dancer.

Connect with May Perez:

IG @MayPerezOfficial

CTA: IG @BringHomeNow

Connect with Bad Jew:

BadJew.co

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

I think it's safe to say that the person who has the toughest job in the world right now is President Joe Biden. How do you support your allies, allocate funds and war effort on multiple fronts, and prevent World War 3 all while maintaining order? The answer: It's probably impossible. Meanwhile, the United States of America is 1 year away from another big election. This election will be a flashpoint in American history and will impact the future indefinitely. These are factors that the president and his constituents in office are also thinking about.

Reporting on these matters first-hand is award-winning journalist and writer Jonathan Salant. Salant possesses a long history of delivering the news, providing intellectual perspectives, and giving in-depth account to the matters happening within our government. With everything happening in Israel, our congress is challenged to take on bi-partisan views while maintaining the competition of election season that next year warrants. Salant gives Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, a detailed analysis on what is happening while providing his own predictions on tomorrow.

About Jonathan Salant:

Jonathan D. Salant is award-winning Washington reporter and assistant managing editor, politics for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He recently was inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame of the D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He is a former president of the National Press Club, a former president of the Regional Reporters Association and a former president of SPJ's DC chapter. He currently sits on the Standing Committee of Correspondents, the group of journalists who accredit Capitol Hill reporters. He is co-president of the Men's Club at B'nai Israel Congregation in Rockville, Md., and former coach of the synagogue softball team. He is married to Bonnie Cole and they have one son, Izzy.

Connect with Jonathan at:

X and Threads @JDSalant

Connect with Bad Jew:

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

Let's play "Put A Finger Down". Put a finger down if you've had to unfriend people from your life for only listening to one side of the conflict. Put a finger down if you've gotten into arguments in the comments section. Put a finger down if the buzzwords "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" have polluted your content. Put a finger down if your friends still don't understand why commenting "free Palestine" is antisemitic. Put a finger down if you've been accused of committing genocide.

Jews are not only targeted in the war happening in Israel. Jews are caught up in 3 wars right now: There's the literal war, the spiritual war, and the informational war. Fighting on the frontlines of the informational war is Izzy Salant of Jewish News Syndicate. Salant joins host Chaz Volk, to explain the lack of nuance and the importance of vetting information given during such a chaotic time. Izzy and Chaz bond over the shared traumas of being in a constant defense while giving helpful advice on how to navigate the world of news, social media, trolls, and more.

About Izzy Salant:

Isaac "Izzy" Salant is a digital marketing manager and journalist for Jewish News Syndicate, with years of experience doing social media and marketing for the Jewish and non-profit world. He is the former Director of Digital Marketing at Lost Tribe, and served as a Jewish educator for Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills and Hillel at UCLA. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with BAs in Journalism and Theater. He is also a playwright, actor, and magician.

Connect with Izzy:

LI: Izzy Salant

www.JNS.org

Connect with Bad Jew:

https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

The war we're experiencing in Israel (started by Hamas from Gaza on October 7th, 2023) isn't the first dark time we Jews have endured. You'd have to live under a rock to think that we have never experienced such atrocities like this before. Looking back only 100 years, one could get a sample of understanding as to where we Jews acquired our thick skin. Would you suspect that our strength comes from poetry?

Rabbi and frequent reciter of Tehillim, Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons, sheds light on the secret weapon Jews possess. Franklin goes into detail on why these 150 psalms, thought to be written by the prophecy of King David, are timeless pieces that have given Jews the strength to survive for 3000+ years. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, who recently became aware of this collection of writings, sits with Rabbi Franklin to learn of the relevant texts and history of Tehillim.

About Rabbi Josh Franklin:

Rabbi Josh Franklin heads the Jewish Center of the Hamptons (East Hampton) as the Senior Rabbi. In his six years on East End, he has helped revitalize and grow the Jewish community through engaging programming, transformative classes, inspiring worship, and welcoming community outreach. Hundreds of people flock to his community for Shabbat on the Beach each week over the summer for an innovative and magical prayer experience. All year round, he draws people to the Jewish Center of the Hamptons to hear from him and learn with him. 

In addition to his role at the synagogue, Rabbi Franklin contributes widely to the greater Hamptons community. He co-writes a bi-monthly column in Dan’s Papers called “Hamptons Soul,” discussing issues of spirituality and justice in the Hamptons. He has sat on numerous local committees including the East Hampton Police Reform Committee and the Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force. He also sits on the board of L’Arche Long Island, a community center and home for adults with developmental disabilities. Rabbi Franklin was named to the 2021 Schneps Media Powerlist, honoring the movers and shakers on the East End of Long Island. Dans Papers named Rabbi Franklin one of its “People of the Year: East Enders Who Made the World A Better Place in 2022.”

Before receiving his ordination at Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Franklin attended Clark University in Worcester, MA. There he graduated Magna Cum Laude, receiving both a B.A. and M.A in History. He also holds two additional masters degrees in Jewish Education and Hebrew Literature. Rabbi Franklin was the recipient of the Daniel and Bonnie Tisch Fellowship, a rabbinical program exploring congregational studies, personal theology, and contemporary religion in North America. Before coming to the Hamptons, he served as a rabbi at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA. 

Rabbi Franklin resides in East Hampton with his wife Stephanie and two children Lilah and Amelia.

Connect with Rabbi Josh Franklin:

www.RabbiJoshFranklin.com

www.JCOH.org

Connect with Bad Jew:

Connect with Bad Jew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

On October 7th, 2023, on the festive holiday of Simchat Torah, Israel's southern border was infiltrated and attacked by the terrorist organization, Hamas. Celebrations were abruptly hindered and ceased by the deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians across the country. In a historically shocking development, the highest number of Jewish murders since the holocaust unfolded. Entire villages were torn apart, leaving behind a graphic trail of blood that Israel has never seen before. 

As the world mourns the losses of so many, and as Israel ramps up its retaliation towards the Gaza strip, we are left wondering what the meaning behind the timing of this is. If there is a G-d and everything happens for a reason, surely we are supposed to learn something from this... right? World-renowned author and speaker, Rabbi Simon Jacobson, speaks humbly from the heart in this episode. Taking on a new tone of voice, Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, learns with Jacobson in this sensitive and complicated episode.

About Rabbi Simon Jacobson:

 Rabbi Simon Jacobson is a pioneering speaker, educator, mentor to thousands. He is the author of the best-selling book “Toward a Meaningful Life,” a William Morrow publication that has sold over 400,000 copies to date and has been translated into Hebrew, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, German, Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Georgian and Croatian.  

Rabbi Jacobson heads The Meaningful Life Center, called a “Spiritual Starbucks” by the New York Times, which bridges the secular and the spiritual through a wide variety of live and online programming, presenting the universal teachings of Torah as a blueprint for life to people of all backgrounds. With his keen insight into the human condition, he has the unique ability to offer clarity and direction especially in difficult times. Rabbi Jacobson and the MLC have been lauded for creating non-stop programming nourishing people’s hearts and souls. 

Rabbi Jacobson is also YouTube’s Rabbi of choice! With over 200,000 subscribers (and rising!), and over 15 million views — the MLC is spanning the globe and reaching every corner of the earth.

For over 14 years Rabbi Jacobson, as Editor-in-Chief of Vaad Hanochos Hatmimim, was responsible for publishing the talks of the late Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century. Beginning in 1979, Rabbi Jacobson headed a team of scholars that memorized and transcribed entire talks that the Rebbe gave during the Sabbath and holidays, as writing and tape recording are not permitted on holy days. In this position, he was privileged to work in close association with the Rebbe and published more than 1000 of the Rebbe’s talks. He also headed the research team for Sefer Halikutim — an encyclopedic collection of Chassidic thought (26 volumes, published 1977-1982).  

Rabbi Jacobson is one of the greatest scholars and most sought-after speakers in the Jewish world today. He has lectured to diverse audiences on six continents and in forty states on psycho-spiritual issues and applying Jewish thought to contemporary life. His voice is rooted in the timeless teachings of Torah, yet at the same time is profoundly timely, relevant, unique, and cutting edge. He has been interviewed on over 300 radio and TV shows, including CBS, CNN, Newsmax, PragerU, PBS, MSNBC, FOX, and NPR. He is also the chairman and publisher of The Algemeiner Journal, the “fastest growing Jewish newspaper in America” according to CNBC, filling the position of his illustrious father, esteemed journalist Gershon Jacobson.  

Connect with Rabbi Simon Jacobson:

www.MeaningfulLife.com

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Meaningfullife

 @Meaningfullifecenter  

Connect with Bad Jew:

Connect with Bad Jew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

There's this fun holiday that a lot of us Jews grew up celebrating. It felt like camping, especially when we constructed our huts, throwing loose tree debris and branches on top. Then we'd shake fruit in every direction because of something to do with G-d. It didn't make a ton of sense but it was fun so we did it. Why is this holiday so important? 

Sukkot is a special holiday that comes right after Yom Kippur. It's our time to commemorate those who had just left the oppression of Egypt to wander in the desert for 40 years. For 40 years we lived in this temporary state of being, creating shelters from whatever piece of nature we came across. But it wasn't carelessly getting lost that marked this time. There were deeper reasons behind this lifestyle. Rabbi Levi Begun of Culver City Chabad jumps onto Bad Jew with host, Chaz Volk, to uncover the REAL story of Sukkot!

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

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

Clasp your hands together and mumble intently your needs to a vacant space. That's called prayer. Does it work? What about when you read Hebrew from that little blue book in your shull? Did your prayers work then? Or how about when you wrapped that leather strap called Tefillin around your arm? Did Hashem hear you? The truth is, no one knows. Depending on who you talk to, they either swear by it and tell the tales of a mass revelation or the effort is sadly futile. What are we to think?

Brad Weber, Founder and CEO of Avita Digital, is a proud student of Torah study and prayer. He is also a cancer survivor. His insights on his approach to prayer will leave you pleasantly surprised. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, was equally surprised by Weber's answers on prayer, our connection to G-d, and how we personally grow from adding intention into our day-to-day.

About Brad:

Brad considers it a privilege to work with amazing companies and grow their online revenues and protect their reputation. A results-oriented, serial entrepreneur with multiple public and private exits, Brad loves tech, learning, teaching and using a hybrid marketing model to grow online businesses.

Some of Brad’s achievements in his three decades of digital marketing and management include pioneering comprehensive e-commerce solutions to early Internet businesses with Card.com. Card.com offered integrated affiliate tracking and robust chargeback risk mitigation and was quickly acquired.

Brad later co-founded Interactive Telecom Network (ITN), establishing and maintaining rapid growth for one of the region’s largest Internet Service Providers. As ITN’s Chief Operating Officer, Brad led teams of 100+ in sales, online marketing, information systems, engineering, content management, e-commerce and customer service. This included spearheading the company’s pioneering movement into organic SEO and cutting-edge PPC strategies. 

ITN grew from a start-up to $45M in annual revenue in just a few short years and was sold to the publicly traded New Frontier Media. 

Brad next co-founded BeNetSafe, a forward-thinking company that created and launched the first automated reputation management solution for diverse clients including individuals, companies and specialized government applications. 

Brad remains grateful to support clients with expansive growth and exceeding profit goals. His mission in the creation of Avita Digital in 2003 continues to be the development of new strategies and better programs for companies that rely on digital marketing services to build better brands and ensure a good online reputation.

While thinking up new digital innovations, Brad enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling and learning how to better serve Avita’s clients.

Connect with Brad Weber

www.AvitaGroup.com

Connect with Bad Jew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

Most Jews have a real difficulty with this holiday. Jews love to eat. We love to shmooze over meals. Then there's Yom Kippur which is notoriously known for the 25-hour fast. Why must we starve ourselves? And why does this tradition go on for so long? How does neglecting my stomach purify me and why is everyone wearing white?

In this episode of Bad Jew, Rabbi Jack Melul of AishLIT comes back to the show to shed light on the nuances of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is much more than fasting, and as a matter of fact, is considered a joyous holiday. Melul explains to Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, how becoming angel-like is the mitzvah that has been commanded of us and why this one particular day holds so much depth.

About:

Born in Manchester UK, Rabbi Jack Melul spent over 10 years studying in the top Rabbinic Training Academies in the world. He received Semicha from the Rabbinical Supreme court in Israel, as well as Beit Medrash Darchei horaah Lerabanim of the late chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l in 2012. An entertaining speaker, Moroccan cantor, and a spiritual coach Rabbi Jack is a founding Director of AishLIT – Young Professionals Los Angeles together with his wife Shira. Helping create a powerful revolution for young professionals and grad students. His passion brought him from the UK to The University Oregon to become the founder of Akiva on Campus. Giving daily lectures on and off campus on topics ranging from the daily Talmud to Jewish philosophy.

Connect with AishLIT:

www.AishLIT.com

IG: @aishLIT

TikTok: @aishlit_

Email:

[email protected]

Connect with Bad Jew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

Happy New Year!... But wait, it's September... Why would we say that? Us Jews have our own calendar that follows the lunar cycle. Based on that and the timing of when we created our calendar in the first place, the Jewish calendar doesn't come close to lining up with that of the secular world. You may also hear horns blow and notice a deficit of apples and honey in your local grocery store. Yes, there's a correlation to the Jewish New Year as well. Why is this an annual ritual of ours?

David Sacks, co-founder and Spiritual Leader of the Happy Minyan, world-renowned Torah lecturer, Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning Hollywood writer, and Harvard College graduate, gets behind the microphone to connect the dots behind these common items at the Rosh Hashanah celebration. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, shares his familiarity with these practices but learns about the true meaning of the WHY. Get ready for the high holidays by tuning in with some apples and honey!

About David Sacks

Born and raised in New York City, David Sacks attended Harvard College, graduating with a degree in Government. While there he began his comedy writing career for the school’s humor magazine, The Harvard Lampoon. Upon graduating, David moved to Los Angeles and began writing for television. Among the shows he’s worked for are “The Simpsons”, where he won an Emmy Award, and “Third Rock from the Sun” for which he won a Golden Globe Award, “Malcolm in the Middle”, “Murphy Brown”, and “Final Space” on Adult Swim. David is the co-founder and Senior Lecturer of The Happy Minyan of Los Angeles. David is married and raises his family

in Beverly Hills, CA. David Sacks gives the weekly Torah podcast “Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World” and has spoken to enthusiastic crowds, opening the hearts of people across the US, Europe, Israel, and South Africa. His topics range from the meaning of life, to Hollywood’s impact on the world, to achieving happiness.

Connect with David Sacks

www.HappyMinyan.org

Whatsapp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DBAv0w4n0TkAnmxjXJmYY1

Connect with Bad Jew:

Join our online community HERE: https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod

Can you point to Hashem? Is he up? Down? Left? Right? All of those directions are correct. We've heard that G-d is everywhere. So if he, or it, is everywhere and we can't see it, how can we believe it? Where's the proof? A majority of studies led by top scientists have pointed to G-d not existing. The religious leadership of our world attempts to disprove science's theory... but isn't doing particularly well. What are we supposed to believe? An even bigger question to ask: If G-d exists but doesn't do anything to enforce consequences, then why should I be expected to connect with him?

Spiritual activist, Yiscah Smith, calls in from Jerusalem to confront these big questions and give context to the history. What seems simple is met with a nuanced response stemming from the holistic view of the movements within the Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions. Now coming in for her second appearance on Bad Jew, Smith teach Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, a few things about connection, awareness, soul, and Torah.

About Yiscah Smith:

Yiscah is a thought leader, spiritual activist and agent of change who addresses the spiritual practice of encountering the Divine spark within --- the foundation of authentic living. In fact, Yiscah views Judaism as a spiritual practice.

She relies on Jewish spiritual teachings to inform and uplift her students and audiences, acting as a compass, gently guiding them to their unique inner selves. As a spiritual trailblazer, Yiscah exemplifies what it means to carve one’s own path, as she has grappled with the entanglements at the intersection of her spirituality, Jewish tradition and passionate desire to live a life of authenticity. Encouraging, ennobling and empowering others to carve their own paths and to cultivate the integrity to remain faithful to their unique paths is indeed her passion and inner calling. 

You can hear her podcasts teachings at: https://www.yiscahsmith.com/podcast-library.

Yiscah teaches Jewish contemplative practice and spiritual texts at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies - http://www.pardes.org.il/ and at Applied Jewish Spirituality - https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/. She has also founded and directs Conscious Community Nachlaot, an organization in Jerusalem that hosts Shabbat in-person spiritual gatherings, virtual guided meditation sits and spiritual text classes. In addition Yiscah works with individuals in her private spiritual mentoring practice. Yiscah has earned a reputation as a sought-after inspiring international public speaker.

Connect with Yiscah Smith:

Website: https://www.yiscahsmith.com/mentoring

Podcast: https://www.yiscahsmith.com/podcast-library

Connect with Bad Jew:

Join our online community HERE: https://linktr.ee/badjew

[email protected]

Ig @BadJewPod

TikTok @BadJewPod