In this episode, we continue the conversation from last week with a new perspective on the issue of dating and relationships within a community. Our guest shares her personal experience of dating someone who later disclosed being gay, discussing the emotional impact and the broader community implications. The conversation explores the difficulties faced by individuals who want to lead a committed lifestyle while dealing with same-sex attractions, the challenges in communication and transparency in dating, and the need for greater support and discussion within the community. The host also touches on the upcoming release of a new song and highlights the importance of providing visibility to underrepresented experiences.     00:00 Introduction and Recap 01:58 Guest Introduction and Listener Interaction 02:43 Discussing Last Week's Episode 03:18 Personal Experience and Reflections 09:18 Impact and Emotional Aftermath 15:07 Community and Mentorship 23:32 Exploring Solutions and Final Thoughts 26:03 Conclusion and Farewell     www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com franciskakay@gmail.com

In this episode, the guest shares their experience growing up in a religious Jewish community, facing questions about their sexual orientation, and grappling with their faith. They describe their upbringing, moments of self-realization, and the challenges of reconciling their identity with community expectations. The guest discusses pivotal moments in high school, relationships with women, and the struggle to remain within the confines of their religious beliefs. They emphasize that attraction lies on a spectrum and not everything is black and white. Highlighting the ups and downs of their journey, including being fired from a meaningful job due to personal revelations, the guest underscores the importance of choice and staying true to one's faith while seeking acceptance and understanding. The conversation concludes with reflections on the complexities of maintaining privacy and trust in relationships and the hope for a future partner who understands and respects their journey.

This Episode is sponsored by Jump Into Shape

www.jumpintoshape.fun

 

About Our Guest:

Adina Edelman is a book editor for Jewish publishers and self-publishing authors. She has worked on over 120 books of various genres and recently published her debut novel, Breaking Open. Adina has led multiple writing workshops and editing webinars, all with the goal of helping writers mine their message for gold. She is passionate about producing high-quality, relatable fiction for Jewish readers and is already working on her next book. She lives in Baltimore, MD.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adinaedelman/

https://israelbookshoppublications.com/products/breaking-open

edelmanedits.com

www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com

 franciskakay@gmaill.com

This Episode is sponsored by Jump Into Shape

www.jumpintoshape.fun

This episode features a deep and honest conversation inspired by the format of Joe Rogan's podcasts and focuses on the complexities of religious traditions and societal pressures within the Jewish community. The guest, who remains anonymous, discusses a variety of topics including the flaws in the education and religious guidance system, the influence of materialism, and the pressure to conform. Additionally, there is a debate over the merit and challenges of the 'Kollel' life, the culture of early marriages, and the reality of taking responsibility for one's path in life. The episode also touches upon the impacts of keeping up with community standards and proposes the need for updated, more individualized approaches to maintain traditions while adapting to modern challenges.   00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:38 Sponsor Message: Jump Into Shape 02:46 Guest Introduction and Initial Banter 03:41 Guest's Background and Upbringing 04:36 Questioning the System 16:06 Materialism and Its Impact 24:31 Marriage and Life Experience 33:18 The Dynamics of Marriage and Socioeconomic Status 35:02 The Role of Seminaries in Marriage Preparation 35:59 Challenges of Late Parenthood in Western Culture 37:16 Preparing for Marriage: A Case-by-Case Approach 39:22 The Realities of Kollel Life 46:15 Materialism and Mitzvahification in Judaism 48:23 The Cost of Jewish Education and Keeping Up with the Joneses 51:38 Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Celebrations 58:57 Final Thoughts and Reflections     www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com franciskakay@gmaill.com

Book Franciska for your event: franciskakay@gmail.com   Navigating Jewish Divorce: In this episode of The Franciska Show, Franciska recaps a recent concert and discusses upcoming events. The main segment features Sarna, sharing insights on Jewish divorce and the Agunah crisis. Sarna details her upbringing in the Orthodox community, her work with the homeless in New Haven, and her academic journey at Yale. She explains the historical context of the Agunah crisis, the role of Batei Din, and her organization's innovative approaches to resolving Jewish divorces. They also discuss coercive control in abusive relationships and the importance of choosing the right Batei Din for divorce proceedings. Sarna emphasizes the need for community support for women in abusive marriages and outlines scenarios where her organization can intervene to prevent get extortion and facilitate fair divorces.   00:00 Introduction and Concert Recap  00:59 Guest Introduction: Sarna's Background 03:19 Discussing Jewish Divorce and Agona Crisis 06:36 Ideal Divorce Process and Challenges 10:09 Choosing the Right Bait Din 16:18 International Perspectives and Collaboration 18:40 Identifying and Addressing Get Extortion  22:39 Choosing the Right Beit Din 22:50 Halacha and Gender Dynamics in Divorce 23:59 Historical Context of the Agunah Crisis 26:56 Coercive Control in Marriages 30:56 Financial Implications of Divorce  32:52 Challenges in Leaving Abusive Relationships 35:45 Strategies for Securing a Get 38:03 Supporting Friends in Troubled Marriages 39:53 Community's Role Post-Get 41:08 Final Thoughts and Reflections   About Our Guest:   Rabbanit Leah Sarna is the Director of Public Education and Media for the International Beit Din and the Spiritual Leader of Kehillat Sha’arei Orah in Lower Merion, PA. An award-winning Jewish educator, she has taught Torah in Orthodox and Jewish communal settings around the world, and she particularly loves empowering women of all ages to feel ownership over the most complex areas of the Torah library. Her written works can be found in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Lehrhaus and the Jewish Review of Books, and she is currently writing a book of Torah and Halacha relating to pregnancy, birth and the beginning of life. Leah has extensive advanced higher Jewish education and holds a BA in Philosophy & Psychology from Yale University.   lsarna@internationalbeitdin.org     Gett First: https://bethdin.org/the-proper-timing-of-a-get/#:~:text=The%20Beth%20Din%20of%20America,at%20the%20earliest%20possible%20point.   Equitable Division of Assets: https://bethdin.org/equitable-distribution-and-the-enforceability-of-choice-of-law-clauses-in-beit-din/  (they don't name who exactly they are writing this against)  and the attached on how equitable distribution of assets works in Israel.    IBD Links -  internationalbeitdin.org Get Help: https://www.internationalbeitdin.org/get-help/  IBD mailing list: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/n12Pgpa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalbeitdin/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071877830319   www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com

Tickets for Unity Concert in Monsey (March 2nd): https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepowerofyourstory/1560379?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYgEkUb9O3nlnD67gNQFZgHDtoh1mJfIIWMzaHGs9JOsMc7iW60ccOQaC0_aem_ww_6TYeR66qgCL5ChBA5tw

 

 

In this emotional episode of the Franciska Show, Francisca dedicates the beginning moments to acknowledge the horrifying news from Israel involving the Bibas children and Shiri, expressing heartfelt condolences to the affected families. She announces her performance at the upcoming Unity Concert in Monsey, aiming to uplift spirits through music during such dark times. The main segment features an interview with Miriam Haber, who shares the tragic tale of her son Zechariah Haber's death. Miriam, originally American, recounts her family's journey to Israel, Zechariah's illustrious life as a brilliant scientist and devout scholar, and the devastating impact of his death on January 16th during his military service. They discuss the personal and national grief intertwined with Zechariah's loss, his heroism, and how the family is coping and striving to honor his legacy through various initiatives. The episode dives deep into the raw emotions and challenges faced by bereaved families, highlighting the profound and ongoing impact of such a loss.     00:00 Introduction and Recent Events 01:00 Upcoming Performance Announcement 01:46 Interview with Miriam Haber Begins 03:02 Miriam's Background and Family 04:31 Story of Zechariah 14:06 Zechariah's Heroism and Final Days 26:07 Coping with Loss and Family Support 30:22 Coping with Grief as a Family 33:08 The Constant Presence of Loss 37:20 Finding Comfort in Small Things 39:14 Honoring Zechariah's Legacy 44:14 Personal Grief vs. National Grief 45:45 Struggles with Faith and Community 50:15 The Impact of Zechariah's Life 56:02 Processing National Tragedies 01:02:09 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

The Impact of Toxic Messaging and Pop Culture on Modern Relationships   The episode features guest Anna Sherman discussing the widespread issue of toxic messaging in pop culture, spurred by reactions to events like the Grammys and behaviors of public figures such as Kanye West and Bianca. Anna and the host critique the 'naked trend' and its implications for women's portrayal in media, contrasting it with men's treatment. They delve into how these messages influence societal norms, especially affecting dating culture and perceptions among both men and women. Additionally, the conversation touches on the challenges faced by Jewish singles and the broader implications of these societal issues within the Orthodox community.     00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:32 Disturbing Grammy Moments 01:05 Toxic Messaging in Media 03:16 The Naked Trend Debate 04:16 Impact on Therapy and Society 06:01 Gender Double Standards 12:57 Dating Apps and Modern Relationships 18:01 Orthodox Community Perspectives 21:01 Concluding Thoughts and Anecdotes   About Our Guest:

I'm Anna Sherman – Registered Psychotherapist, Maternal Mental Health Practitioner, and Clinical Supervisor. I work with individuals, couples, and families, as well as supervise qualifying therapists in their training. I help you heal and overcome trauma, fears, and emotional blocks in your life and relationships by building skills and tools to help you help yourselves!

I hold a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and I am specially trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), The Gottman Method, Maternal Mental Health, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Meditation, and Psychodynamic Therapy. By utilizing multiple therapeutic modalities, I am able to help you overcome any obstacles during our time together. I believe in the mind-body connection and I am passionate about self-help and wellness, taking a holistic approach with my clients to help heal all areas of their lives.

https://www.annashermanrp.com/

 

www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com

Leaving the Chasidish World: Beatrice Weber's Journey of Self-Discovery   In this episode, Beatrice Weber shares her compelling journey from her upbringing in a Chasidish Jewish community to her eventual exit after facing an abusive marriage and fighting for better education for Chasidish children. A mother of 10 and a grandmother of 13, Beatrice discusses her struggles with the patriarchal structure of her community, her fight in family court, and her role as the executive director of YAFED, an organization advocating for improved education in Chasidish schools. She highlights the challenges faced by women in the community, the marginalization and silencing of voices of dissent, and her personal path to healing and self-discovery.     00:00 Introduction and Event Recap 01:15 Welcoming Beatrice Weber 01:23 Beatrice's Background and Family 03:11 Growing Up Chasidish in Toronto 07:12 Marriage and Early Adulthood 14:05 Life in Israel and Challenges 25:36 Realizations and Seeking Therapy 31:21 Struggles and Support Systems 34:16 Leaving the Community 36:40 Double Lifers and Final Thoughts 38:04 Navigating Community Expectations 38:15 Discovering the Underworld 40:17 Struggles with Custody and Family Court 41:42 Challenges of Leaving a Marriage 44:22 Children's Perception and Family Dynamics 47:56 The Wedding Experience 53:42 Patriarchy in Chasidish Life 01:04:05 Advocating for Education 01:11:32 Addressing Criticism and Community Dynamics 01:15:24 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts https://beatriceweber.com/about/   www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com

In this engaging episode of the Franciska Show, guest Shmuel Chaim Naiman shares his unique journey from Baltimore to Israel, emphasizing the importance of personal health and wellness intertwined with Jewish values. Naiman discusses his new book 'Land of Health: Israel's War for Wellness,' the significance of personal stories of conflict, and the importance of real food, mindful movement, and overall well-being. His discussions cover topics from the cultural implications of physical activity in Jewish communities to the spiritual nexus of the Land of Israel. Naiman also introduces his initiative, Healthy Jew, and details his experiences as a foraging guide and educator. Tune in to explore the intersection of health, spirituality, and Jewish identity with Shmuel Chaim Naiman's profound insights.   00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 00:57 Guest Introduction: Shmuel Chaim Naiman 01:15 Shmuel's Background and Life in Israel 02:04 Publishing Journey and Professional Background 02:55 Healthy Lifestyle and Personal Transformation 05:47 Integrating Health with Jewish Values 07:15 Promoting Physical Activity in Religious Communities 08:24 The Importance of Walking and Running 11:03 Balancing Tradition and Modern Health Practices 17:20 Healthy Eating: Real Food vs. Food-like Substances 19:08 Creating a Healthy Home Environment 21:33 Defining Real Food and Its Importance 25:17 Conclusion: Embracing a Holistic Healthy Lifestyle 26:53 Exploring the Core of Life and Purpose 27:27 The Difference Between Humans and Animals 28:05 Purposeful Living and Spiritual Growth 28:17 Integrating Wellness Practices with Judaism 30:57 The Value of Silence and Inner Peace 33:03 Jewish Wellness on a National Level 34:50 The Importance of the Land of Israel 37:41 Foraging and Connecting with Nature 39:07 Reflections on Writing and Personal Growth 41:36 Challenges and Successes in Promoting Jewish Wellness 50:02 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks      

About Our Guest:

Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Naiman is a Torah student, certified health counselor, and foraging guide in Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel, where he is Mashgiach Ruchani of Yeshivas Lev HaTorah. Check out healthyjew.org to order his new book, Land of Health; subscribe to his weekly email newsletter, The Healthy Jew; and to book your foraging walk in Israel. He can be reached directly at scnaiman@healthyjew.org.

www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com

 

 

In this episode of the Franciska Show, author Bracha Goetz discusses her journey of personal transformation and her impactful work as a children's book author. Goetz, who wrote 43 children's books and one memoir, shares how her books aim to instill gratitude in children and help their souls shine. She recounts her dramatic shift to becoming Torah observant during a trip to Israel and details her educational background, including studying psychology at Harvard with aspirations to become a psychiatrist. Goetz also delves into her work in combating child abuse within the Orthodox community, leading to the creation of the acclaimed 'Let's Stay Safe' book. She highlights the challenges she faced, such as her name being removed from the book due to fears of backlash. Additionally, Goetz introduces recent works focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and combating entitlement among children, and explains her new venture of self-publishing with her family's help. The episode underscores Goetz's commitment to empowering children through meaningful literature.     00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:43 Bracha Goetz's Background and Journey 02:52 Discovering Spirituality and Judaism 04:58 Challenges and Changes in Life 09:23 The Let's Stay Safe Book 14:18 Impact and Reception of the Book 19:59 Empowering Children Through Literature 22:53 Backlash and Personal Reflections 23:39 The Decision to Publish Without Legal Counsel 24:10 Coping with Unrecognized Authorship 24:40 Embracing Pain and Healing 26:04 Promoting Healthy Living in the Orthodox Community 28:17 Addressing the Entitlement Epidemic 29:36 The Power of Gratitude 32:32 Personal Reflections and Future Projects 40:10 The Creative Process of Publishing Children's Books 41:47 Fun Facts and Family Connections 42:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   https://www.growingimpactpublications.com     www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com