Just For This

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 Senator Jacky Rosen. She has served as the junior senator for Nevada since 2019. She is also the first member of the senate to previously serve as a temple president.

We discuss the dilemma of security expenses for synagogues and other houses of worship, the need for bipartisan support to combat hate, and a story of hope as we enter the new Jewish year.

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 former Obama White House speechwriter and author Sarah Hurwitz. Her new book, "As A Jew," is now available for purchase.

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 season 4 premiere guest is Cantor Becky Mann. Becky serves as the Assistant Cantor at Temple Israel of Westport, CT, in addition to visiting Jewish communities across the country as an Artist in Residence. You can catch her on tour through Spring 2026.

Stay tuned for more Just For This moments as season 4 continues.

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 season 3 finale guest is Mandy Gonzalez, Broadway actress and recording artist. Mandy originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of the musical In the Heights. You can currently see her on Broadway as the alternate Norma Desmond in the Tony-winning revival of Sunset Boulevard.

We discuss the importance of representation in the arts, how best to bring depth of yourself to every role you play, and how bravery and diversity can drive acceptance.

Stay tuned for more Just For This moments next season.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch 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, we are joined by both Yochi Rappeport and Hallel Silverman. Yochi Rappeport is Executive Director of Women of the Wall, where she advocates for the right of Jewish women of all denominations to pray, wear prayer shawls, and read from the Torah at the Western Wall (Kotel). Women of the Wall is also a long-time grantee through the YES (Youth, Education, Special Projects) Fund, WRJ's philanthropic arm. Hallel Silverman is a leading content creator for Liberal Zionism across social media as @justhallel and a prominent figure in Israel's protest movement for democracy. In this moment when Israel is under continued threat, we stand with the people of Israel and must remember that the Jewish people are one people. We discuss the journeys that led Yochi and Hallel to Women of the Wall, the parallels between the fight for women's inclusion in religious spaces in Israel and the United States, and the importance that personal connections play in organizing. 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 Ruth Messinger, Global Ambassador for American Jewish World Service and former Manhattan Borough President. Ruth is also a past recipient of the Dr. Jane Evans "Pursuit of Justice" Award, Women of Reform Judaism's highest honor.

We discuss the importance of moral courage when it comes to activism, female leadership within the Jewish world, and the current necessary work on immigration and refugee services.

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.

This week we welcome return guest Elana Arian. Elana is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and prayer leader. Her new album, "If We Loved Like That," is available on all streaming platforms.

We discuss the comfort of community through song and how songs can inspire bravery and hope. We also get a live preview of the new album.

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 Jen Fisher, wellness expert and founder and CEO of the Wellbeing Team. Her new book, "Hope IS the Strategy," will be available in early 2026.

We discuss personal reflections on wellbeing in and outside of the office, the importance of flexible work environments, and the subjectivity of productivity.

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 Rachel Gildiner, Executive Director of SRE (Safety Respect Equity) Network. SRE encourages Jewish workplaces and communal spaces in becoming safe, respectful, and equitable through network building, resource sharing, and community investments. WRJ is a proud member organization and grantee of the network.

We discuss the power of relationship-based engagement, different ways to address power-based abuse in the Jewish community, and what it takes to be committed to doing this challenging systemic work.

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 Annie Sklaver Orenstein, cultural researcher and author of "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief." Her book explores the deep and often diminished experience of sibling loss.

We discuss the false correlation of closeness with grief, how grief is a true expression of love, and the power of shiva in Jewish tradition.

Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast