This week, we hear a conversation between contributor Matt Ruby and his guest, Rabbi Avram Mlotek, on the role of Judaism in our current times. We’re also joined by Jacqueline Soller to discuss the recently released movies Wind River, directed by Taylor Sheridan and starring Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Graham Greene and Ingrid Goes West, directed by Matt Spicer and starring Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen. Along the way, we’ll also hear from Radio Dispatch’s Molly Knefel with her take on the “both sides” argument that often surfaces regarding political parties or activist groups with differing beliefs, which suggests neither side is completely correct in their actions -- especially when it comes to violence; we’ll hear from a man named Frank who we’ve come to know as the “baddest 72 year old in New York” as he shares stories from his time driving a taxi before rushing out to meet his much younger girlfriend; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Domino Kirke from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Rabbi Avram Mlotek on the role of Judaism today (w/ Matt Ruby)

02:50 - Response to Charlottesville and Neo - Nazis

04:18 - More on response to Neo - Nazis and bigotry

05:51 - Rev. Jerry Falwell’s support for Trump, etc.

06:51 - Jewish support for Trump because of policy on Israel...

09:59 - ...and in context of reaction to Israel policy under Obama.

11:28 - Split in Jewish population between conservative and others

12:28 - Role as a rabbi

13:53 - Too orthodox for some and not orthodox enough for others?

14:48 - Jewish Pride flags at Chicago rally / Zionism + Liberalism

16:05 - anti - Zionism

17:45 - Palestine

20:28 - One fifth of American Buddhists are Jewish

21:55 - Evolving Judaism

23:20 - Intermarriage

24:00 - Challenges of secularism / Is world getting more secular or religious?

25:31 - Background of Jewish performance / Yiddish

27:55 - Yiddish song on waiting for a Messiah and redemptive times

29:14 - Messages for the upcoming holidays

30:34 - 1st Person: Frank // The Baddest 72 Year Old in New York

33:44 - Movie Review: ‘Wind River’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

35:30 - Movie Chat: ‘Wind River’ (spoiler alert)

50:02 - Movie Review: ‘Ingrid Goes West’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

51:55 - Movie Chat: ‘Ingrid Goes West’ (spoiler alert)

68:01 - Molly Knefel // There Is Only One Side

70:44 - “Beyond Waves” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Domino Kirke

75:23 - Outro / Credits

76:07 - Finish.