Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. 

Our guest this week is Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg, Director of Professional Development at 18Doors. 18Doors empowers people in interfaith relationships, individuals, couples, families, and their children to engage in Jewish life and make Jewish choices and encourages Jewish communities to welcome them in.

We discuss the evolution of interfaith couples within the global Jewish community and how to best create a community of belonging, rather than othering individuals.

Learn more about WRJ’s recent constitutional revisions extending our membership parameters.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment.  

Our guest this week is award-winning author Dara Horn. She has authored six books, including the best-seller, “People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present.” She is the recipient of three National Jewish Book Awards, and has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. 

We discuss the success of “People Love Dead Jews,” how retelling the Passover story helps us keep history and memory alive, and the inspiration for her newest book, her first for young readers, a Passover-themed graphic novel called “One Little Goat.”  

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast 

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. 

Our guest this week is Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive of Central Conference of American Rabbis, the center for lifelong rabbinic learning, professional development, and resources for more than 2,200 rabbis around the world.

We discuss the transformative power of women’s voices in Torah commentary and Jewish leadership and explore the groundbreaking impact of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, now available for digital use via Sefaria.

We also discuss the current U.S. election to the World Zionist Congress; both Rabbi Hirsch and Rabbi Person are members of the Vote Reform slate.

Visit www.zionistelection.org to vote or www.vote4reform.org to learn more about the importance of standing up for our Reform values in Israel.

View the transcript here.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. 

Our guest this week is Lisa Lerer, a national political correspondent for the New York Times, covering the intersection of campaigns, elections, and political power. She is co-author of The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America, a book chronicling the fate of federal abortion rights over the past decade.

We discuss the dismantling of Roe v. Wade, women’s leadership in politics and beyond, and what’s at stake in this crucial health care arena in the months and years ahead.

View the transcript here.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment.  

Our guest this week is Rabbi Angela Buchdahl. She is senior rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City. She's the first woman to lead Central's Reform congregation in its 180-year history. She first joined Central Synagogue as senior cantor in 2006, and she was chosen by the congregation to be senior rabbi in 2014.

We discuss the deep connections Jews have with each other around the world, the importance of ideological diversity, and why listeners should “Vote Reform” in the current World Zionist Congress election.

Visit www.zionistelection.org to vote or www.vote4reform.org to learn more about the importance of standing up for our Reform values in Israel.

By voting for the Vote Reform slate, you are standing up for a democratic and secure Israel and against our opponents who want to strip Reform Jews of their rights and funding.

Voting is open through May 4. Vote Reform today.

View the transcript here.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

Welcome back to Just For This, a new podcast. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment.  

Our first guest of season 3 is CNN correspondent Dana Bash. She host of Inside Politics and co-anchor of State of the Union, covering major world and domestic news.

We discuss our shared Reform Jewish upbringing, what it's like reporting on complex, nuanced topics, and what role gender plays on the world stage.

View the transcript here.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

Welcome to Season 3 of Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her), CEO of Women of Reform Judaism, interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. 

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

justforthispodcast.com 

Welcome back to Just For This, a new podcast. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment.  

Our last guest of the season is Rabbi Sharon Brous, senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a leading edge Jewish community based in Los Angeles. She is also author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World, a national bestseller.

We discuss the power of openhearted human connection and the diversity in expressions of faith.

View the transcript here.

If you enjoyed the second season of Just For This, be sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’ll be back soon with more “just for this moments” in Season 3.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

Welcome back to Just For This, a new podcast. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. 

This week’s guest is Micah Siva, chef, writer, and dietician. Her new cookbook, “NOSH: Plant Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine,” is available in most bookstores.

We discuss how centric food is to Jewish holidays, the diversity of Jewish cuisine, how Queen Esther was a vegetarian, and navigating our current reality as a Jewish author.

Listeners interested in more food-centered content are welcome to join WRJ’s Hanukkah cooking demo and recipe collection on Thursday, December 19th at 8pm ET. Register today.

View the transcript here.

If you’re enjoying Just For This, be sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

Welcome back to Just For This, a new podcast. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. 

Content warning: this episode mentions instances of sexual violence and rape.

This week’s guest is Knesset member Shelly Tal Meron. MK Tal Meron started the Hostage Family lobby following October 7 in Israel and continues to advocate for the return of the hostages and bring light to the sexual violence that has persisted since the beginning of the war.

We discuss sexual violence used as a weapon of war and the importance of bringing women to decision-making tables.

View the transcript here. 

If you’re enjoying Just For This, be sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to your podcasts.