Flexigidity Podcast

Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur - in fact the period from Elul to Sukkoth - is the Jewish version of growth mindset and, among other things, the symbolic origin of human rights and compassion. In _Secular In Shul_ I explore the non-religuious aspects of Judaism, taking God out of the equation. In this episode, I discuss with Tikvah Weiner the groundbreaking ideas of Rosh HaShanah and the Days of Awe.

A discussion about Palestinian Statehood

A plan for deradicalizing Gaza

Taglit Birthright and other groundbreaking initiatives exist also because of Jeff Solomon’s approach to venture philanthropy. Working with Charles Bronfman, Jeff has been one of the most prominent professionals and influential thought leaders of Jewish philanthropy.

The negotiations in Cairo on a Gaza deal are monumentally important. Meanwhile, some 22 countries led by France, Germany and the UK, are pledging to recognize a Palestinian state. Yaakov Katz, former chief editor of the Jerusalem Post, author and columnist on mideast issues helps us gain deeper insight into what’s going on.

Intro: 00:00Why Two States? 6:08Why not now? 10:20Does Netanyahu want a vision? 13:40Deradicalization: A historical example: 18:00Who becomes the Palestinian government? 23:20International recognition of PA, a good thing? 28:20Have we already won the war in Gaza? 40:00Conclusion: 42:30

Federations and similar organizations have been the backbone of Jewish communities for thousands of years, including in the U.S. John Ruskay, who led UJA Federation of NY for nearly two decades, is the person to explain why they are so crucial for our communities.*Intro: 00:00Early Career and Childhood 7:16The Chavurah 11:10Path to leadership: 13:20The Peoplehood Organization: 15:20Federation Crisis Response: 20:40Overperforming and Underperforming Federation traits: 29:30What to expect from Federations: 31:40Federation as a sign of success: 34:20Conclusion: 37:50Outro: 43:10*

Gidi Grinstein is the author of the Flexigidity: The Podcast of the Hebrewman, and author of Flexigidity: The Secret of Jewish Adaptability. He is the founder and president of the Reut Institute and Tikkun Olam Makers. Prof. Ari Afilalo is a professor of law at Rutgers University and President of the West Side Sephardic Synagogue.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s productivity was mind-boggling. How could he have published 41 books, 750 essays and hundreds of other creations? Gidi explores these questions with those closest to Rabbi Sacks, Joanna Benarroch and Dan Sacker.

00:00 Intro

04:10 Into the World of Sacks

13:30 Why Do You Write Like You’re Running Out of Time

15:49 The Sacks Routine

22:30 The Covenantal Cycle

26:57 The Rabbi’s Day

30:42 The Sacks Playlist

39:18 Who Inspired Sacks?

43:30 What Did the Rebbe and Rabbi Soloveitchik Mean to Sacks?

47:49 The Bridge Between the Jewish and Secular Wisdoms

55:00 To Approach Sacks

58:15 When Entering the King’s Courts

1:07:08 Sacks as the World’s Chief Rabbi

1:14:54 The End of His Journey

1:26:21 Sacks’s Legacy

1:34:34 Conclusion

Statecraft is an elegant word for national security strategy, and Dennis Ross is one of the world’s leading experts on the topic. In this episode, Gidi challenges Ross to apply the idea of statecraft to the Jewish People.

00:00 - Intro

05:10 - Welcome to Podcast

08:18 - Early Life

11:39 - What is Statecraft?

16:15 - The Jewish People’s Statecraft

22:30 - The National Security of the Jewish People

28:15 - American Jewry’s Long Term Goals

30:55 - Community Relations as Peoplehood Security

40:00 - Between Washington and Jerusalem

45:18 - When Israel and America Synchronized

53:31 - Dennis, According to AI

59:11 - Kissinger’s Influence

1:04:30 - Conclusions

Jewish Peoplehood is the most powerful story that binds Jews, and Avraham Infeld is its living preacher.  

00:00 Intro

04:10 Early Life

12:20 Peoplehood Defined

16:10 Peoplehood Vs. Nation Vs. Religion

19:20 The Rain of the Jews of South Africa

21:00 Top Jewish Educators

26:25 Uniformed Vs. Unified

29:20 Community Shaliach

37:40 Bleibt in Chinuch

41:42 The Birth of Birthright

57:45 Conclusion