In this episode, I compiled a bunch of stories from you all about one of my favorite “That’s So Kvetch” topics, bad date stories! From accidentally hitting a 3-year-old at a mini-golf place, to non-stop conversation about exes, to live performances of original songs, these bad date stories will bring you many laughs guaranteed. Hopefully, you haven’t been there, but some of us definitely have. Happy listening and thank you for contributing!

In this episode, I chat with my friend and neighbor Maia Groman, assistant media planner by day and marketing freelancer by night. Maia is the marketing manager of Basheret, a Jewish dating app that caters to young Jews across a religious spectrum. Not a shidduch app or a hookup app, Basheret meets people where they are at in their Jewish journey and finds matches for you! We talk about dating (of course) from our favorite Hinge prompts, to dealing with dating burnout, to top break up tips, and more. Then, in honor of women's history month, we dive into a deeper discussion about what feminism means. Not all feminists burn bras or yell, and everyone can show up in their own unique way. Maia’s inspiring voice is sure to boost your day. Happy listening!

Download the app here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/basheret-jewish-dating/id1486274771

(00:00-2:30) Intro

(2:30-12:30) dating chatter and breakup tips

(12:30-20:12) The Basheret dating app

(20:12-23:58) Covid was a break from social anxiety

(23:58-30:16) all feminists look different

(30:16-end) struggles in our feminist journeys

Season 2 of That’s So Kvetch is in full swing! In this episode, I journey into the terrain of dealing with homosexuality in the Torah. First, I share the scandalous story where Resh Lakish mistakes Rav Yochanan for a woman and is enchanted by him. Then I dive into Judaism’s general attitude towards homosexuality. I listened to a super right-wing shiur to get a different perspective and contemplated some big questions like: Why are some Jews against homosexuality? What do Jews value most in Judaism? Should the Torah be a rule book or a lesson book? This episode is just the tip of the iceberg of part of a developing conversation as I attempt to deal with the cognitive dissonances in Judaism.

(0:00-4:07)- Intro

(4:07-10:53) The Story of Resh Lakish and Rav Yochanan

(10:53-13:58) Commentary on the story (Daniel Boyarin)

(13:58-17:20) Different Jewish approaches to homosexuality

(17:20 -20:28) Is adding to the Torah corrupting it?

(20:28-end) My cognitive dissonance

In this episode, I chat about the concept of a quarter-life crisis. If you are feeling lost or inadequate or doubting yourself, this episode is for you. I share my feelings about my insecurities, particularly my intellect anxiety and feeling not good or capable enough to accomplish my goals. (Or even knowing what those goals are!) The biggest truth I’ve realized so far is that nobody really has it together. Lastly, I talk about some helpful mentalities I’ve used to cope with these feelings and basically finish off with a serious pep talk! Happy listening!

(0:00-4:51) Intro and updates on my life

(4:51-10:39) Birthday reflections on turning 25

(10:39-12:19) everyone is struggling with the very same thing

(12:19-17:48) feeling not good enough and intellect anxiety

(17:48-end) The grand pep talk!

In this episode, I chat with Hart Levine, the spiritual leader of the Beis Community in Washington Heights. The Beis Community is an intentional community that welcomes diverse Jews together for prayer and spirituality in Washington Heights. We talk about his recent new position at Religious Zionists for America and share some vision ideas together about how to bring Israel’s ideological dream-focused mindset to America. We also discuss what it means to be outward-facing, a little Torah, conversations about community, and more. Hart’s inspiring voice is sure to bring you hopefulness. Happy listening!

Favorite Beis moments (0:00-9:27)

Being out-ward facing (9:27-14:06)

How the Beis has coped during coronavirus (14:06-19:55)

Creating continuity in a transient community (19:55-24:25)

Bringing an Israeli lifestyle to America (24:25-38:51)

How Hart and Yael met (38:51-end)

In this episode, I chat about the concept of disillusionment in dating. The pandemic has changed dating in many ways with it having to become a lot more methodical, zoom slowing things down, and recognizing that sometimes it's just nice to get to know another person in a time of isolation! It can get confusing and I share the two lenses that distract from having clarity. Then, we debate the importance of having a dating checklist and the need for good chemistry in a relationship. Most of all, the confusion is driven by the romantic lens that drives a hope to create something meaningful together! Then we dive into the content of Pesachim 31 in Daf Yomi for some words of wisdom. Lastly, I share the background of the upcoming fast Asarat B’ Tevet and how to make it relatable and meaningful for ourselves today. Happy listening!

(0:00-10:30) The 2 main distraction lenses (Jewish and romantic)

(10:30-12:30) What is the point of podcasting about dating?

(12:30-15:38) How to deal with the confusion

(15:38-22:00) Pesachim 31 and how it relates to dating

(22:00-28:27) What’s behind the fast of Asarat B’Tevet?

(28:27-end) Why Jews eat Chinese food on Christmas?

In this episode, I chat about my dislike for the Nice Jewish Girl and Nice Jewish Boy stereotype. Having these labels so present in Jewish culture creates a lot of negative impacts both on the personal level and communal level. The aspirational NJB or NJG title is a little arbitrary, can be used as a cover-up for unethical morals, and puts people on an unnecessary pedestal. We also celebrate a whole year of “That’s so Kvetch!” episodes (the anniversary was November 15)! with a reflection on what I’ve learned over the year, both in dating and in life - most importantly, to never compromise yourself in dating. :) Cheers to an uplifting episode!

(0:00-12:06) NJG and NJB stereotype

(12:06-13:19) How to combat the stereotype

(13:19-19:43 ) Lessons I’ve learned about dating and torah

(19:43-20:34 ) Lessons about “everything in between”

(20:34-22:11 ) Is it good to be a romantic?

(22:11-end ) The things I’m still learning!

In this episode, I chat with the amazing Yael Brodsky Levine, Beis Community leader who works in storm recovery and mitigating future natural disasters. Yael is passionate about environmental causes and Jewish feminism - what a great combo! Join us as we talk about the history of the Beis Community, what it’s like teaching kallah classes, marriage privilege in society, and how to combat climate change.

The Beis Community is an intentional Jewish community that provides a spiritual home where all are welcome and celebrated, and transcends expectations of routine Orthodoxy. Currently, the Beis offers safe distanced prayer options, meals in the park (it’s not too cold yet!), and a friendly chevra. Follow us on Facebook!

(0:00 - 12:00)- About Yael’s career in storm recovery

(14:00 -27:07 )- The history and values of the Beis Community

(27:07 - 34:26) The Stigma of the “rebbetzin” title and marriage privilege

(34:26 - 41:45) Teaching Kallah classes

(41:45 - end) My Jewish role model and lessons I’ve learned

In this episode I chat with Alan Avitan, Upper-West Sider from Cleveland and social media marketer. Three years ago, after he was mentioned on a JSwipe article as one of "The 42 Most Popular Men On JSwipe", Alan started his own dating consultation business, called The Right Swipe. We talk about how dating has changed for us both in the pandemic and how we plan to navigate the colder winter months. Then, Alan shares some awesome zoom and in-person date ideas. This positive and inspiring episode will surely uplift you! Happy listening!

About Alan and The Right Swipe

(00:00-11:37)

Struggles of Zoom dating

(11:37-19:03)

Roasting my Hinge profile

(19:03-29:46)

How to Date in Covid Winter

(29:46-34:45)

Covid winter zoom and in-person date ideas

(34:45-end)

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus, a certified sex therapist and the Clinical Director of Maze Women’s Sexual Health, host of the podcast “Joy of Text”, and amazing woman! We start off with discussing her journey to becoming a sex therapist and where her mind was at in her 20's. Then, we go on to discuss masterbation and how the role halacha plays in having a healthy sex life. Next up- we discuss sex education in Jewish environments, and how sexual guilt and shame impacts all people, not just religious Jews. Lastly, we touch on (no pun intended) the topics of shomer negiah and sexual guilt, and the nuances within both. Happy listening!

Why Dr. Batsheva became a sex therapist (0:00-9:35)

Masterbation and halachic premise behind it (9:35-15:00)

Being open with your kids about sex (15:00-24:00)

When should girls start masterbating? (24:00-31:35)

Shomer negiah and sexual compatibility(31:35-40:00)

Sex education and nature versus nurture (40:00-end)