Today we discuss the topics of indigeneity, the new blood libel that Israel is withholding vaccines, and that in order for us to be able to address the virus of antisemitism we have to diagnose it correctly when it appears.  

In this episode Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass are discussing the landscape of anti-semitic and anti-zionist rhetoric on social media today, and how Jewish history is essential to understanding the multi-layered aspects of this ancient hatred and modern version of it. 

Check out more about Ken's work at www.kenspiro.com

Learn more about what Ellie does at www.MyJFI.com

Send us questions and topic suggestions to [email protected] 

This week Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass glance over 2020 and use Jewish history to understand the themes of this year, political polarization, CoVid, global connections and lack of leadership. 

Learn more about Rabbi Spiro at www.kenspiro.com

Learn more about the JFI www.MyJFI.com 

Let us know your questions, topic ideas and feedback at [email protected] 

In this episode Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass look back at this dumpster fire of a year and some of the major themes through the lens of Jewish history. 

Want more info on Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work: www.kenspiro.com

Here is the website for The Jewish Family Institute www.MyJFI.com

Do you have a question, comment or topic suggestion? Get in touch with us at [email protected] 

In this episode Rabbi Spiro and Ellie discuss the recent Abraham Accords and look back to the history of Yishmael and Yitzchak and move forward from there to try to understand what is happening now and what we can do to bring peace. 

This week on Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass discuss the upcoming Jewish holiday of Chanukah starting with a history of the holiday. They discuss whether we are really commemorating the right things, what it means to be a Hellenist and what is the real superpower of the Jewish people. 

To learn more about Rabbi Spiro's work go to www.KenSpiro.com 

To learn more about Ellie Bass and The Yetta Nashman Jewish Family Institute go to https://www.myjfi.com/

To leave us a voice message with topic ideas, questions and feedback go to https://anchor.fm/jfi-remember-whats-next

Part 2 of our Introduction rounds out the plot of the narrative of our Jewish history and gives us a timeline to orient us now. We discuss how we can see ourselves as a part of history if we believe in a God that determines the goals and future. We also get an update on Rabbi Spiro's latest dig! 

In this first episode we meet Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass, and ask the beginning question of "What is History"? What sources do we use and how do we ascertain fact from fiction? We also delve into the idea that we are a part of an ongoing story, and how looking back helps us to clarify where we are going. Look for Part 2 of this intro next week were we will then ask What is "Our Story". 

If you would like to know more about Ellie Bass and the JFI and our other podcasts and programs please go to www.MyJFI.com 

Rabbi Spiro is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher for Aish HaTorah, Jerusalem. In addition, he is a licensed tour guide from the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Rabbi Spiro graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has an MA in History from The Vermont College of Norwich University and Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television programs such as B.B.C. Radio and TV., The National Geographic Channel, The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, Channel 4 England and Arutz Sheva-Israel National Radio. He is the author of WorldPerfect – The Jewish Impact on Civilization published by HCI books, Crash Course in Jewish History published by Targum Press and Destiny – Why a tiny nation plays such a huge role in history published by Geffen Publishing House. His writings and seminars can be accessed on www.kenspiro.com  and www.aish.com.

Please send us topic ideas or questions at [email protected]