Smorgasbord

In case you weren’t sure, I love my kids! So, when I had the idea of doing a Kids Sermons Podcast, the first person I went to was Nachshon. I am sure Betzalel will end up doing an episode next, but for now, I thought that he would be a good person to work with.

He had some great thoughts about Toldot, and he was, as usual, super cute.

This is a new trial podcast for the network, so please let me know what you think. Do you want to record your child talking about the portion? eMail me at [email protected] and we can make it happen.

Welcome to the first episode of Re-Arranged, a podcast about the FYI show Arranged that follows three couples as they prepare for what the show says is an “arranged” marriage.

In this episode we focus on an issue that the Orthodox Jewish couple are confronting, that of the Sheitel (headcovering), which is something that traditional orthodox women wear once they are married.

To further discuss this issue, host Darone Ruskay brings in Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay, Associate Dean of the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Rabbinical School (and his non-sheitel wearing wife), who did her undergraduate work on issues related to the sheitel.

Arranged can be seen on the FYI channel on Tuesday nights at 9:00pm.

The JJP 6th grade-students spent 5 Sundays in 2016 learning about social justice through a Jewish lens, and created this podcast exploring the theme as it plays out in New York City. Students met with and interviewed Jewish leaders in the social justice sphere, and explored the Jewish value of “Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof” (“Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue”) by exploring the two tenets of social justice encapsulated in this phrase—justice and compassion. Students learned about the human context of injustice and tell these stories in a compelling way through the interviews and reflections captured in this production. Participants are Catherine Auerbach, Aaron Fleisher, Nora Guttman, Zachary Kaplan, Bonji Onuma, Daniel Talisman, Benjamin Tom, Joshua Yagupsky and Elena Weissmann, instructor. For more information about The Jewish Journey Project go to www.jewishjourneyproject.org.

You’ve seen the #IceBucketChallenge now it’s time for the #ElulMitzvahChallenge. As we enter the month of preparing for the High Holy Days we are aiming to have mitzvot go viral. Listen to find out more about how you can be part of the #ElulMitzvahChallenge and visit the website www.elulmitzvahchallenge.com.

Join Sara Shapiro-Plevan of Rimonim Consulting as she leads a conversation entitled “The $54,000 Strategy, Step 2: Making Change Happen.” This conversation was sparked by an article by Mark S. Young entitled The $54,000 Strategy: A Bold Solution to Undervaluing our Jewish Professionals The goals of the conversation was to think forward about effecting change in our professional communities as we reflect on a series of pieces about building professional leadership.

Together with panelists, Mark S. Young, Liz Fisher, Jonathan Krasner Ken Gordon and the many JEDLab members who participated in this recorded webinar, this podcast grappled with the big ideas in Young’s piece and elevated them in a public forum, creating room for debate and a chance to dig deeper into the core ideas that are moving the conversation.

Launching a nonprofit venture is one of the most powerful and fulfilling ways we can make a difference.

So, how can you build a nonprofit that will transform your personal passion for social change – from that first a-ha moment when inspiration strikes, into an impactful, well funded and managed organization? How can you keep your vision alive from your first proudest moments of founding to the gut-wrenching milestone of passing on the reins of leadership at the right time?

These are some of the questions that are discussed in The Art of Doing Good: Where Passion Meets Action (Jossey Bass, 2012) by Charles Bronfman and Jeffrey Solomon of The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies.

In this episode of Smorgasbord, JCast Network Executive Director and host Darone Ruskay speaks with the authors to learn more about the book and their vision of social entrepreneurism.

For more information about the book, please visit ArtOfDoingGood.com. The book is available now on Amazon.com.

On Thursday, July 26th, JCast Network host Rabbi Michael Knopf who hosts The Tisch, spoke at a program organized by the Interfaith Center (interfaithcenterpa.org) along with the Reverend Rob McClellan of the Tabernacle United Church (http://www.tabunited.org).

Both clergy reflected on their thoughts after experiencing the Dead Sea Scrolls, currently on display at the Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute. Rabbi Michael Knopf explains how the scrolls can inspire us to strengthen today’s Jewish community, to be better Jews, and to work with and learn from other faith traditions.