Fleshing It Out

Raphael, hailing from Puerto Rico, has gone through the process of conversion to Judaism with his wife and two daughters. We discussed his experience through the process, what it entailed, and the challenges he and his family faced. We also took a look at some myths and misconceptions regarding conversion including a situation where a family has converted and since stopped practicing Judaism, as well as a misunderstanding regarding the custom to, at the outset of conversion, deter the convert from joining the Jewish nation. Outro music "A Million Years" by Nissim Black and Yisroel Laub.  

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman is a senior editor at Chabad.org - one of the largest internet platforms for Jewish life and education. Growing up in the 70s, soulful music, Kabbalah toons, working with Chabad.org, and living with the Bedouins. Through all of that (and more) we find the root of heartfelt and genuine prayer. Thoughts? Email [email protected] or send us a private voice-note in the link below. Outro music "Lord Hear My Prayer" by Eli Levin

Homosexuality in the Orthodox Jewish community is not something often spoken about. That's why I sat down with Richard Jenkins to hear his experience about being gay and Jewish, as well as how the community can be more helpful and accepting. Thoughts? Email [email protected] or send us a private voice-note in the link below. Outro music "Airplane" by Levi Robin

Brooklyn born Rabbi Binyomin Scheiman of the Hinda Institute has been visiting and overseeing over 30 prisons in the state of Illinois for the past 35+ years. His passion, love, and concern for helping inmates is tangible. We discussed what prison visits look like, prison reform,  a few crazy prison stories, and some musings on the idea of defunding the police. Thoughts? Email [email protected] or send us a private voice-note in the link below.  Outro music "Ufaratzta" by Rogers Park

Rabbis nowadays tend to train in a bit of a vacuum – a space that is very different from the realities of the world they must face in their future leadership role. That's where the unique RTA - Rabbinical Training Academy steps in. Its director - founder of Aish UK - Shaul Rosenblatt and I discuss the state of Orthodox Judaism today, where we are headed, and what the RTA has planned for a healthier Jewish community and a better world. Thoughts? Email [email protected] or send us a private voice-note in the link below.  Outro music "Ashrei" by Zusha

Pastor Gil Monrose is the Pastor at the East Flatbush Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day and founding president of the "God Squad", a group led by faith leaders with a central mission to eliminate gun violence, while simultaneously acting as a buffer between the community and police. I had the privilege to (virtually) sit down with Pastor Gil to open dialogue and discuss current events, what meaningful protests look like, the relationship between the Black and the Jewish Community, the spirituality within us all - and most importantly - we enjoyed some good laughs together. Let us know what you think! Email us at [email protected] or send us a private voicenote in the link below.  Outro music "Unity" by Mordechai Ben David

What if our Yeshiva school system was based on mental and emotional health? What if we provided our students with practical tools to help them with smoothly entering into the "bigger world" out there after Yeshiva? Welcome to Yeshiva Binyan Odom. Where individuals are built - not institutions.

Penny for your thoughts? Let us know what you think! Email us at [email protected] or send us a private voicenote in the link below.  Outro music "An Island Of Green Green Grass" by Yosef David 

Hi there listener. Hope you and your family are safe and sound. This episode your host Levi sits down with his old pal Daniel Rhodes. Doni, as he's known, grew up in the mainstream Orthodox Yeshiva community which he has since journeyed on from to other experiences in life, away from his original religious background. He is currently involved with cyber security entrepreneurship and holds a masters degree in Philosophy from the University of Luxembourg, where he currently resides.  What challenges did he and others face in the community? How does his journey compare to and differ from the character Esty in the new show "Unorthodox"? If he had the chance, what would he say to religious leaders as a word of advice to help make our communities more caring and understanding? Take a listen and find out. Want to share your thoughts or feedback? Or just want to say hello? Simply click on the link below to send us a private voice note.  Who knows, maybe we'll flesh it out in a future episode. Stay safe out there. Outro music "Otherside" by Yosef David.

Hey there listener. Hope you and your family are safe and sound. This episode your host Levi sits down with cantor and philosopher, brother-in-law and mate - Boruch Shalom Rapoport (better known as BS), to flesh out these strange and weird times while trying to find some sense in this chaos. What the heck is going on? How are people managing? And is there maybe something unique in these times that we can all tap into? So let's cut the small talk and get straight to the BS - Boruch Shalom that is. Want to share your thoughts or feedback? Or just want to say hello? Simply click on the link below to send us a private voice note.  Who knows, maybe we'll flesh it out in a future episode. Stay safe out there.

Welcome to Fleshing It Out. A platform to hear real people honestly talk about real challenges and insights into their spirituality and Judaism - in an informal discussion setting. In this first episode your host Levi sits down with his buddy Andrew Tapperman. Andrew spends his time as a postman delivering mail to residents in the city of London and has spent many years of his past traveling the far East searching out his Creator. In this episode we discuss what God is, where's He found, and the possibility that we've been viewing Him the wrong way all this time. Take a listen as we unpack God out of the box we've all packed him into. This podcast is a working progress so please do share your thoughts and feedback! Contact us at [email protected]. 

This episode is in honor of my old friend and roommate Gedaliah who tragically passed away 6 years ago to this day. May he reach ever closer to his Creator.