THE DEFINITIVE RAP

It’s been two years since Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic,
and it has changed the world. It has changed the way we communicate, care for others, how we raise and educate children, the economy, medicine, employments, and beyond. Over the past two years, the world has seen such a shift in behavior that it changed society. But, is it possible that the public has been misled, or has the public been failed during the height of the pandemic, and if so, who will be held accountable? 

Baila Sebrow from The Definitive Rap Show sat down with Jonathan Tobin editor-in-chief of JNS, a senior contributor for The Federalist and a columnist for the New York Post, Newsweek and Haaretz to talk about how the public was failed during the
pandemic, and what sort of damage was done as a result of the failures of the public health bureaucracy, and that likely no one will be held accountable.

Jonathan said that the states that didn’t have strict lockdowns, fared better against Covid in certain respects. 

He discussed how antisemitism has always been around, but it seems that as of late, especially since the pandemic it has increased. Not only that, but in addition to the rise of antisemitism, Israel is getting more and more demonized, and the views of liberal Jews on this issue. 

Jonathan referred to his article in JNS about the Palestinians’ World Cup propaganda victory, and it’s political affect. 

There are lots of authors out there who write fictional stories. There are good books, and then there are books that not only do they talk to you, but when you close that book after you are done reading you are left with a passion and desire for justice, and doing what is right and just, not only for the characters in the book, but for society. 

Baila Sebrow from The Definitive Rap Show sat down with the the celebrated award-winning novelist, journalist and playwright, Naomi Ragen. Her first book, Jephte’s Daughter was listed among the one-hundred most important Jewish books of all time. Her best selling novels include Sotah, The Covenant, The Sisters Weiss, Devil in Jerusalem, and others.

Naomi is an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, and active warrior against anti-Israel and anti-Semitic propaganda, and has lived in Jerusalem since 1971. 

Naomi spoke about a recurring theme in her books regarding injustice against women, and she went into detail why it inspires her to do that. She discussed the books she wrote, including Jephte’s Daughter, and also Sotah, and The Sacrifice of Tamar, where she bravely brings topics to the forefront that are taboo in the Orthodox Jewish community, and what encouraged her to go down that lane on those subjects.

Naomi’s book The Devil in Jerusalem is a gripping story of obsession and child abuse within a Charedi community, where she tackled that issue.

 Naomi mentioned how certain publishing houses change the wording of their Bible’s translation to fit in with their religious beliefs. 

The interview concluded with her latest book and sequel, and Naomi shared which book has had the most emotional impact on her. 

The Definitive Rap values professional people and organizations
that promote justice of all. Baila Sebrow, host of the show sat down with Sara Shulevitz, Esq. to discuss justice for all. 

Sara Shulevitz Vorhand is a New York, Florida and Michigan attorney and is licensed in various Federal jurisdictions including the United States Supreme Court. Sara is a Former Prosecutor and  has been practicing for 20 years specializing in Criminal Defense.She has been awarded various National awards and listed as a Top  Attorney. Sara handled successfully many high profile media cases and has been featured in International
and National media  Sara is also a Manhattan Rebbitzen of the famous Rabbi Vorhand shteibel Heichal Moshe located on the upper west side of Manhattan 

 Sara talked about criminal issues, and
how crime has gone up. Victims are killed or maimed, and perpetrators go free the next day, and the sort of crimes we are seeing more of.

Sara also talked about “Legal Fashionista,” and the big splash and media attention that was received, and her role as an esteemed rebbetzin, in conjunction with her legal career. 

*WATCH THIS FASCINATING INTERVIEW 

People tend to know much about what they are familiar with, and
unless something happens to hit the media, or a book written about it, little to perhaps nothing is known about the topic. 

In the U.S., up until the early 1980’s when it was all over the media, as they were being airlifted to Israel and even today, there are people who do not know that there are Jews in Ethiopia, and even that there are practicing Jews. When people ask where Ethiopian Jews originate from, there are theories that believe Ethiopian Jews come from Shevet Dan; Dan who was one of the 12 sons of our forefather, Yaakov Avinu. Some believe that they even come from the lost tribe of Dan. We are going to get a clear account today, and everything that you wanted to know about
Ethiopian Jews will be answered today.

Baila Sebrow, host of The Definitive Rap Show sat down with Dr. Marla Brettschneider, Professor of Political Theory, who has written
extensively on the Jewish phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa, is the author of THE HIDDEN JEWS OF ETHIOPIA. 

Dr. Brettschneider talked about Jews currently living in Ethiopia, and how it came to be that Ethiopian Jews started making Aliyah.

For Jews still living in Ethiopia, Dr. Brettschneider discussed what life is like for them and their families. 

As a fun fact, Dr. Brettschneider, said that many Ethiopians believe that they are direct descendants from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. 

*WATCH THIS INTERVIEW 

Holidays can be wonderful when spent with loved ones, and holidays can sometimes unfortunately be contentious too, when families are at odds with one another. Today’s show deals with when married couples are at odds with each other and they get divorced. We know that when couples are walking down the aisle to get married, they are not contemplating divorce at that moment. Nobody, or at least we want to believe that nobody gets married with the intention to get divorced. But, in life things happen. Divorce happens. And when there are children, it makes it that more tragic. They are the innocent parties, and yet they suffer the most being the product of a fractured family. 

Baila Sebrow from The Definitive Rap Show sat down with Jacob Rubinstein, Esq. to discuss the increase in divorces today, including middle-aged divorces.

Jacob talked about custody cases, and when the mother chances to lose custody of her child or children. Also discussed were issues relating to Parental Alienation, and how the courts deal with it, as well as the affects that Covid had on the divorce rate. 

People love taking trips to places of interest and even exotic
places. But the one place that people should take a trip to and visit is their soul. It takes a long trip and lots of time to study one’s one
soul. Who are you? What do you really want, and what does your soul want and need to accomplish? Baila Sebrow from The Definitive Rap Show sat down with Rabbi David Green, author, songwriter and film artist to discuss finding individuality and soul awareness. 

Rabbi Green explained how one can learn to enjoy this beautiful world and complete our own unique mission in this world, what is it that distinguishes one from another, and how a person’s individual aspiration fits into this world. 

Rabbi Green talked about where and how one determined where happiness lies, and why people sabotage their own happiness. 

Watch this fascinating interview! 

Baila Sebrow from The Definitive Rap sat down with Barry Shaw, the show’s Israeli correspondent to discuss the 2022 Israeli Legislative Election. 

Barry discussed what’s going on in
Israel now with 5 elections in 4 years, who the main candidates are this time around, and why Israel has such frequent elections. 

He predicted what he thinks is expected to happen. 

Also discussed was the difference between the Bennet-Lapid government, as opposed to under Netanyahu.

Barry explained how a typical election in Israel works, and the requirements for voting. 

He went into detail about the main issues and fears for Israeli voters from a political standpoint. 

Baila Sebrow from The Definitive Rap sat down with Salih Hudayar, Prime Minister and Uyghur Refugee to discuss the torture of Uyghur Muslims in China. Turkish National Awakening Movement recently rallied outside the White House to urge the U.S. to end trade deals with China and take action to stop the oppression of Uyghur and other Turkic people of East Turkistan. We are talking about forced labor, excessive surveillance, torture, sexual violence, organ harvesting, and executions.  

Mr. Hudayar explained that China is using its social media platforms banned inside China to spread propaganda and manipulate the world’s public opinion on its repression of Muslims in East Turkistan. He described in detail about the genocide and crimes against humanity, and especially about the forced labor camps, and the factories that produce and export to the U.S.  

*WATCH THIS INTERVIEW* 

Since 1948 more than 3 million Jews have made Aliyah. According to The Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh, over 3,000 immigrants from the United States move there. Most people know somebody who made
Aliyah. Baila Sebrow sat down with guest of the show, Lisa Berlowitz who together with her husband is making Aliyah, and we will hear about
from her perspective about her experience with the process, particularly because both she and her husband are disabled.    

 Lisa Berlowitz grew up in Lincoln Nebraska, where her family, community and going to Jewish summer camp developed her
strong Jewish identity and love of Israel. Throughout her life she has
constantly strived to increase her commitment to Torah values, ethical behavior and love of chessed. This journey led her to find her beshert in Far Rockaway, New York through their shared love of sports on a group for divorced frum singles. On their first date, they realized they both had an unfulfilled lifelong desire to make aliyah. They decided to pursue that dream together, and will B’EH be moving to Nahariya before the chagim this year. Lisa discussed her emotional and spiritual drive to make Aliyah, and how long the Aliyah approval took for her,
including one's qualifications, and the preparations to get there. She
also spoke about citizenship, and financial assistance people can expect
to receive as an olim in Israel.

From the days of Miriam, the sister of Moshe Rabbeinu who was born during the Egyptian exile, to after the Exodus, women such as Rachav, Ruth, Yael, and of course Queen Esther, and then Yehudis of the Maccabean period to the present time, there have existed courageous women that have been outstanding figures in history to the extent that these Nashim Tzidkaniyos, these holy women of their era have saved the Jewish nation. Little is known about many others, because with time Jewish women were taught that whatever they do must be done in a quiet manner of tzenuah. Unseen and unheard. Boldness was no longer in vogue for a Jewish woman. And those who did oftentimes received criticism.  

Baila Sebrow, host of The Definitive Rap sat down with Talia Rapps the founder of the Butterfly Charity Foundation which has produced both the total revolution conference a Jewish women’sempowerment conference and The Spiritual Experience Events.  

Talia discussed educating the world on thebeauty of spirituality illuminated through the Bible, how she came to do this, and where this force within her is coming from.