In this episode, Bill sits down with Rabbi Matthew Gewritz, who leads a thriving community of 2,000 families at his synagogue in New Jersey. Their conversation explores Rabbi Matt's unique journey to becoming a spiritual leader and his perspectives on Israel, Zionism, faith, and community.

Episode Highlights:

• Childhood Dreams: At just five years old, Rabbi Matt announced to his family his desire to become "a rabbi on a motorcycle" - a dream he later forgot as he pursued a career in business
• Rediscovering His Calling: When he was 23, his mother reminded him of his childhood ambition, setting him on the path to rabbinical studies
• Balancing Act: Rabbi Matt discusses maintaining a strong pro-Israel stance while leading a congregation in a predominantly liberal community
• Personal Connection: The touching story of how Rabbi Matt first fell in love with Israel and how that relationship has evolved over time
• Media Presence: How Rabbi Matt became known as "the rabbi on TV," or "Morning Joe Rabbi" often speaking on behalf of Jewish perspectives in media
• Meaning Crisis: An insightful discussion about the parallel meaning crises in Israel and America, and how Jewish communities approach these challenges differently
• Evolution of Zionism: Exploration of how Zionism served as a replacement for religion for many Israelis for years, and how both secular and religious Israelis are finding that it's not sufficient on its own anymore
• New Book: Introduction to Rabbi Matt's latest book and its central themes

Join us for this thoughtful conversation about faith, community, and finding purpose in a complex world.

Questions or comments? Send us a message [email protected]

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This episode was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com