After a few weeks of intense conversations, we decided to lighten it up a bit and talk about happiness and what’s so great about it, both generally and in the Jewish context.

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of a joyful home and delve into the emotional nature of happiness and gratitude. We discuss the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and the importance of joy in spiritual practice while also addressing the distinction between true and false happiness.

We discuss the interplay between optimism and pessimism, the importance of resilience in facing life's challenges, and the relationship between happiness and achieving your goals. We emphasize practical steps you can use to cultivate happiness while also addressing cultural perceptions of happiness and its complexities.

Get ready for a great episode next week, where we’ll have our next book club…Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

In this episode, we cover a lot of ground with our guest and true Renaissance woman, Sarah Skwire.

We originally invited Sarah to discuss an article she wrote about the significance of George Washington's letter to the Hebrew congregation in Newport, Rhode Island.

During that portion of the discussion, we explore the letter’s historical context, Washington’s deft usage of language in the letter, Rhode Island’s unique role in religious toleration in America, and the impact of this letter on Jewish communities in the country.

However, as Sarah has a PhD in English Literature and expertise in Shakspeare, I would have been remiss if I hadn’t asked her the question on the tip of everyone’s tongue…was The Bard anti-Semitic?

The last piece of Sarah’s deep well of knowledge we examine is her love of free-market economics, specifically Adam Smith's philosophy and economic theories.

As you can see, this was a wide-ranging conversation, and I suspect only the first with Sarah.

We hope you enjoy it!

Links from our discussion:

With the growth of the number of countries legalizing euthanasia to various degrees, we thought it would be a good topic to discuss this week. You know, why not hit on another lighthearted topic, amiright?

In our conversation, we discuss the importance of life in Judaism, the moral dilemmas surrounding euthanasia, and the role of rabbis in guiding families through end-of-life decisions. We touch on the intersection of euthanasia and healthcare systems, if Judaism seems to have a difference between suicide and euthanasia, and discuss concerns around the implications of state-sponsored euthanasia in countries with socialized medicine.

When ChayaLeah said she wanted to discuss “the big d,” I thought she meant delis, which got me excited because I can actually add something to that discussion.

Alas, it was not to be. Apparently she meant divorce, which depressed me on several levels.

Anyway, in this conversation, we start by discussing the impact of the horrendous California fires on the Jewish community, emphasizing the importance of support and charity.

Then, we transition into a deep exploration of marriage and divorce within Judaism, referencing biblical texts and rabbinical interpretations. We highlight the sanctity of marriage when divorce is permitted and the safeguards established by rabbis to protect individuals, particularly women, in the divorce process.

We share personal anecdotes and reflections on the complexities of divorce in modern times, illustrating the ongoing relevance of these discussions in contemporary society.

We explore Jewish law regarding divorce and remarriage, the evolution of marriage expectations, the importance of communication, and divorce’s impact on children.

We wind up the podcast by discussing the pursuit of happiness, the dangers of destination happiness, and the challenges posed by modern society, including the introduction of halakhic prenups as a solution to marital issues.

Enjoy (as best you can)

Welcome back for another edJEWcation discussion. This week, we’re talking Tzedakah (or charity, for everyone who didn’t attend Hebrew school).

In this conversation, we explore:

Links from the podcast:

On this episode, we discuss the Jewish perspective on capital punishment. The discussion includes:

And an announcement of our next installment of the edJEWcation book club, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Remember to check out our Instagram where we’ve recently started posting clips of our episodes and our YouTube page

Today, we discuss the holiday where the Jews try to go head-to-head with the Christians…Chanukah.

During our discussion, we cover:

Remember to check us out on our YouTube channel, Instagram and drop us a line at [email protected]

Welcome to the seminal edition of the edJEWcation book club. To usher in the monthly event, we read The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal.

During our wide-ranging discussion, we discuss:

If you ever want to check out the official book list for the edJEWcation podcast, you can find it here.

And remember, you can always send us a note to [email protected] or, if you want to see our good-looking punim, visit our YouTube channel.

In this conversation, we explore the complex topic of redeeming captives from a biblical perspective. We discuss:

Remember, that next week we have the first monthly edJEWcation book club discussion coming up. We’re reading The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal. If there are any topics, themes, or insights you’d like is us to discuss, please drop us a line, as always, at [email protected]

On this episode, we trade a Polish Jew (the Rabbi) for a Russian Jew, Masha Merkulova. Masha is the founder and Executive Director of Club Z. Club Z’s mission is to create a student network of educated and articulate activists who are committed to Zionism and advocate for themselves, Israel, and the Jewish people.

During the episode, we discuss:

If you want to learn more about Club Z, check out their website at ClubZ.org or their YouTube page. To make a donation, go here: Club Z donation page

Also, Club Z is having its annual teen conference from January 17-20, 2025, in San Francisco. You can learn about that here

And as always - you can e-mail us questions at [email protected].

Links from the episode: