Episode Description: This is a very special episode of The Rabbi Avi Show, recorded not in a studio, but on location in a hospital room at Tucson Medical Center. Rabbi Avi sits down with Adam Fox, a young, dynamic Jewish leader he had only recently met. What began as a pastoral visit transformed into a profound and raw conversation.

From his hospital bed, Adam shares his remarkable journey: from his early ambitions to be a rabbi, through his professional career empowering students at Hillel and Chabad, to the devastating loss of his mentor.

Everything changed on October 7th, 2023. Adam details how the horrors of that day—and the wave of anti-Semitism he witnessed firsthand on college campuses—ignited a new, fierce mission. He speaks with stunning clarity and passion about the fight for Israel, the indivisible link between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, and the absolute necessity of Jewish unity.

This conversation is a powerful testament to spiritual strength. Adam's physical vulnerability only magnifies his unbreakable spirit and his profound love for the Jewish people.

(00:01) - Introduction from Rabbi Avi

• Rabbi Avi sets the stage for this unique episode, recorded at Adam Fox's bedside at TMC.

• He describes the power of meeting Adam and the "incredible spiritual strength" that listeners are about to hear.

(02:15) - From Jewish Campus Life to Israel Advocacy

• Adam shares his "origin story," from his Bar Mitzvah with Rabbi Joe Weizenbaum to his involvement in BBYO.

• His professional journey working to engage Jewish students at Hillel (University of Arizona, Colorado State) and Chabad (Northern Arizona University).

• Adam's core philosophy: Empowering students to "take ownership of their Jewish journey."

(06:15) - Mentorship and Devastating Loss

• Adam pays tribute to his mentor, Scott Zorn (z"l), and the heartbreaking story of his sudden passing on New Year's Day 2019.

(10:20) - The Turning Point: October 7th, 2023

• Adam describes the "devastation" of October 7th while working at Colorado State Hillel.

• He discusses the immediate pivot from building Jewish life to defending it.

• Witnessing campus anti-Semitism firsthand: "From the River to the Sea" chants and the indifference of university administration.

(15:10) - Defining the Fight: "Anti-Zionism IS Anti-Semitism"

• Adam makes a passionate, clear case for why there is no distinction between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, endorsing the IHRA definition.

• He provides listeners with a "script" for explaining this: "It is fair to criticize Israel's policies... What is [anti-Semitism] is when you deny the right of the Jewish homeland for the Jewish people."

• He argues that Zionism is the "ultimate decolonization movement" and the most successful indigenous rights movement in human history.

(21:30) - Projects and Advocacy

• Adam details the advocacy work he is involved in:

  • Project Max: Combating anti-Semitism and intolerance through sports.

  • End Jew Hatred: A grassroots movement to liberate the Jewish people from Jew hatred.

  • Jewish Advisory Council: Working with local leaders and Congressman Juan Ciscomani to combat anti-Semitism in Southern Arizona.

(27:40) - A Call for Jewish Unity and Pride

• Rabbi Avi offers a heartfelt prayer for Adam's complete recovery (Refuah Shlemah).

• Adam's powerful closing message: "Wear your Jewish symbols. Wear your Jewish necklaces... We can't hide anymore, especially now more than ever."

• A plea for Jewish unity: "Reform, Conservative, Orthodox... Ashkenazi, Sefaradi, Mizrahi... None of that should matter. We're all Jewish. Be proud to be Jewish."

(31:00) - Concluding Blessing

• Rabbi Avi connects Adam's fragile, strong state to the themes of Sukkot—finding God's presence and grace even in a place of vulnerability.

• Adam Fox: "Each Jewish person has their own unique Jewish journey... I believe it's the role of others to embrace that and to open doors and to guide them."

• Adam Fox: "Zionism is the ultimate decolonization movement. It's the ultimate indigenous rights... successful movement... It took us thousands of years to finally get our right to return to our home."

• Adam Fox: "Don't let petty politics... Don't let however you identify as a Jew separate you from other Jews. Let's be united... We survived Haman. We survived the Nazis. We outlived all our enemies, but only through our unity, only through our strength, our ruach, and our Jewish pride."

• Organizations:

  • Hillel

  • Chabad

  • B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO)

  • Project Max

  • End Jew Hatred

• People:

  • Rabbi Joe Weizenbaum

  • Scott Zorn (z"l)

  • Rabbi Dobi Shapiro

  • Rep. Juan Ciscomani

  • Reps. Alma, Consuelo, and Daniel Hernandez

• Concepts:

  • IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of anti-Semitism

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https://privatechefcookbook.com/

Rabbi Avi sits down with one of his dearest friends of 25 years, Chef Yair Luria. This is a reflective and heartfelt conversation about legacy, friendship, and the profound stories we tell through food.

Yair shares the deeply personal origin of his new cookbook, "Private Chef" , which began as a way to create a legacy for his family while sitting shiva for his father (02:53). He explains that his book is not just a collection of recipes, but "a story of my life with recipes and anecdote" (04:10). He and Rabbi Avi discuss their shared experience of grief and reciting the Kaddish over the past year (00:00).

Yair shares a vivid childhood memory behind his s'chug (hot sauce) recipe (06:42) and reflects on his unconventional path to becoming a chef—from originally wanting to be a dentist to studying economics and logistics (08:41, 09:20).

In this episode, you'll hear:

• The powerful story of how a moment of grief led to a "magnum opus" (02:53).

• Yair's childhood memory of a very spicy pepper that stayed with him forever (06:42).

• His journey from a project coordinator to a high-end chef for clients like NBA player Omri Casspi (10:35).

• The key lesson he learned from cooking for an elite athlete: "There are no shortcuts... food is a gasoline for his health" (13:45).

• Why Yair sees the laws of kashrut as a framework for creativity, not a limitation (21:24).

• His philosophy on cooking for Shabbat: "It's dancing... it's a blessing for the house" (25:01).

• A simple, professional tip to elevate your home cooking: "Taste your food... cook because you love cooking" (26:13).

• The three most underrated ingredients you should be using: leek, beets, and celery root (27:17).

• Yair's ultimate wisdom on how food "is the connection between people," "can break a border," and is the "secret for friendship" (31:01).

Find Chef Yair's Book:

• Private Chef is available everywhere books are sold.

• Visit his website: privatechefcookbook.com

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• Help us produce these conversations by supporting Horizontal Media on Patreon: patreon.com/horizontalmedia

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patreon.com/horizontal media

Guest: Rabbi Yossi Etz-Hasadeh

What does it take for a man to leave a quiet life on a 1,500-acre sheep farm in New Zealand for a hilltop community in the biblical heartland of Hebron?

Today, Rabbi Avi reconnects with his dear friend, Rabbi Yossi Etz-Hasadeh, for an honest, on-the-ground perspective of what life is really like in Israel—especially in the places we hear about most but understand least. Rabbi Yossi’s story is one of profound transformation, taking him from the remote plains of New Zealand to the bustling world of Israeli high-tech, from leading a community in California to building a home for his children and grandchildren in Judea.

In this conversation, Rabbi Yossi paints a vivid picture of a life deeply connected to the seasons and the soil. He shares the personal reasons he made Aliyah, what it means to be part of the miraculous story of Israel, and gives us a rare and candid look at the daily realities of life in the Har Hevron region—including his personal experiences working alongside his Arab neighbors and challenging the distorted narratives we so often see in the media.

• Growing up on a farm in New Zealand: Rabbi Yossi shares vivid memories of being a shepherd, working the land, and how a distant radio broadcast of the Six-Day War first connected him to Israel.

• The catalyst for Aliyah: Why he and his wife left a beautiful life in New Zealand for the unknown in Israel, driven by a desire for their daughters to marry Jewish husbands and a deep love for the land.

• "Just being in Israel": What it means on a gut level to be part of the "miracle" of the re-established State of Israel and to raise a family between Jerusalem and Hebron.

• Life in Judea (Har Hevron): A look inside the tight-knit, diverse community of Beit Haggai, from its mix of Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and B'nei Menashe to the shared responsibility of guard duty.

• Challenging the media narrative: Rabbi Yossi contrasts the media's portrayal of the "West Bank" as a place of constant conflict with his lived reality of safety, community, and cooperation.

• Working with Arab neighbors: His experiences in the Israeli high-tech world, working in a diverse environment of religious and secular Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and the culture of mutual respect he witnessed.

• The core of the conflict: Rabbi Yossi’s perspective on the historical and religious roots of the conflict, and his thoughts on what a long-term solution might require.

• Jewish vs. Western values: A brief exploration of where these value systems align and where they diverge, rooted in the Torah versus Greco-Roman philosophy.

• Advice for the next generation: Rabbi Yossi's essential advice for young Jews in the diaspora: learn your 3,000-year history to truly understand your connection to the land of Israel.

Show Notes:

Episode Summary

What does it mean to live on the front lines of Jewish history today? In this powerful episode, Rabbi Avi sits down with Rabbi Yaron Buki, the grandson of Holocaust survivors who left a comfortable life in California to move his family to Katzrin in the Golan Heights.

Rabbi Buki shares the deep spiritual conviction that led him to believe the ultimate fulfillment of being a Jew is found only in the land of Israel, where we are not just scattered communities, but Goy Echad Ba'aretz—one unified nation. He offers a unique perspective as a "rabbi with calloused hands," someone deeply involved in the most fundamental aspects of the Jewish life cycle: as a mohel (ritual circumciser), a shokhet (ritual slaughterer), and a member of the Hevra Kaddisha (sacred burial society).

We explore the beauty and challenges of unifying diverse Jewish traditions, as his own Ashkenazi roots have joined with his wife's Yemeni heritage. Rabbi Buki also provides a raw, honest look at the psychological reality of raising a family near the borders of Lebanon and Syria, and how to find strength and normalcy amidst the trauma of war. This is a profound conversation about identity, the sanctity of life, and a vision for what a rabbi can and should be in Israel today.

Key Topics Discussed

• • The Spiritual Pull of the Land: Rabbi Buki explains why he believes the Torah can only be fully realized in the Land of Israel and the spiritual drive that led him to make Aliyah. [03:24]

• • One Nation vs. Scattered Communities: A deep dive into the concept of Goy Echad Ba'aretz (One Nation in the Land) and how living in Israel unifies the Jewish people in a way the diaspora cannot. [06:58]

• • The Ingathering of Exiles in One Family: How his family’s combined Ashkenazi and Yemeni heritage serves as a microcosm for the challenges and beauty of unifying the Jewish people. [09:51]

• • Life in the Golan Heights: Why he was drawn to the raw, quiet power of the Golan and what he found there that he couldn’t find in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. [17:18]

• • Embracing the Full Life Cycle: Rabbi Buki’s journey to becoming a mohel, shokhet, and member of the burial society, and what these hands-on roles have taught him about the sanctity of life. [23:26]

• • A Rabbi with "Dirty Hands": Rabbi Buki’s vision for the modern rabbi in Israel—one who is deeply embedded in the practical, physical, and spiritual needs of the community. [31:52]

• • Raising a Family on the Front Lines: A candid look at the psychological tension and trauma of living under the constant threat of attack near the borders of Lebanon and Syria, and the sources of strength he draws upon. [45:09]

• • Surviving Psychological Warfare: How this war is different from past conflicts and the feeling of betrayal from a world that seeks to redefine Jewish identity and history. [52:29]

• • The Most Important Thing to Learn: Rabbi Buki’s powerful advice that the act of consistent daily learning is more important than what you learn. [59:39]

More Information

• • What is a mohel? https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-mohel/

• • How do Jews slaughter animals? https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/kosher-meat/

• • What is the Hevra Kadisha? https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hevra-kaddisha-or-burial-society/

About Our Guest

Rabbi Yaron Buki is a community rabbi in Katzrin, located in the Golan Heights. The grandson of Holocaust survivors, he made Aliyah from California with a passion for building a hands-on, authentic Jewish life in the Land of Israel. He is a mohel, shokhet, and a member of the local Hevra Kaddisha, serving his community at every stage of the life cycle. His family represents the ingathering of the exiles, blending Ashkenazi and Yemeni traditions on the front lines of modern Jewish life.

Welcome to The Rabbi Avi Show, the podcast that explores the full spectrum of human connection. Each episode, Rabbi Avi Alpert brings his wisdom, humor, and unique perspective to a new conversation about the relationships that shape our lives and our world.

From the bonds of marriage and family to the dynamics of friendship, community, and even our relationship with ourselves, Rabbi Avi and his esteemed guests tackle the big questions and everyday challenges with warmth and honesty.

The Rabbi Avi Show also dives deep into the complex and crucial relationships that Jews face around the globe, fostering understanding and building bridges in an often hostile world. This theme includes the exploration of the unique connections between Israelis and Americans, examining shared values, differences, and evolving ties that bind the two nations.

Whether you're looking for guidance, a fresh point of view, or just a little bit of inspiration, you'll find it here. Join us as we discover what it truly means to be connected.