The Jewish Experience

By Manhattan Jewish Experience

Jewish education and inspiration courtesy of Rabbi Mark N. Wildes, Founder of the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE). Founded in 1998, MJE is a warm and open community where millennial men and women in... more

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FAQs about The Jewish Experience:

How many episodes does The Jewish Experience have?

The podcast currently has 200 episodes available.

The Jewish Experience episodes:

January 18, 2026 William Mehrvarz — Escaping Execution in Iran — Finding Redemption in the Jewish Community
Rabbi Wildes sits down with Iranian born William Mehrvarz. William escaped an imminent death sentence for the crime of Apostasy to move to New York and become Jewish. He joins us to discuss the recent protests and massacres in Iran, the implications for the future of Israel, and risking everything to live as a Jew.
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42min
September 15, 2025 What is "The Jewish Experience?" | Book Launch with Shai Davidai
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jewish-experience-book-tickets-1689309473109?aff=oddtdtcreator
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1h 6min
July 24, 2025 Brushstrokes of the Soul - Healing through Art and Kabbalah in Israel
In this moving episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with Israeli art therapist and visionary artist Rakefet Hadar (founder of Soul Pages) to explore the healing power of creativity in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.
Following the violent attacks on October 7th that devastated communities across Israel — including women living on a kibbutz — Rakefet shares how intuitive art journaling and Kabbalistic wisdom can serve as profound tools for emotional and spiritual healing. Together, she and Rabbi Wildes discuss the intersection of Jewish mysticism, art therapy, and resilience, uncovering how artistic expression can help survivors reclaim their voice, process trauma, and reconnect to the divine.
💡 Topics in this episode:
• The transformative power of art for trauma recovery
• How Kabbalah inspires Rakefet’s healing methods
• Women’s emotional journeys after 10/7
• The role of spirituality in post-trauma growth
🖌️ Learn more about Rakefet’s work at https://soul-pages.com/
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Subscribe for more episodes on faith, spirituality, and resilience from the MJE Podcast.
#ArtTherapy #Kabbalah #IsraeliArt #JewishHealing #RakefetHadar #RabbiMarkWildes #SoulPages #TraumaRecovery #MJEpodcast
Website: jewishexperience.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/
Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience
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54min
June 25, 2025 Taking a Stand: Iran, Education, and Jewish Unity with Shabbos Kestenbaum
Rabbi Wildes sits down with Shabbos Kestenbaum to talk about Jewish identity, leadership, and the growing hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people — from elite universities to global politics. They discuss Shabbos’ lawsuit against Harvard, media narratives on Iran, and the importance of Jewish education rooted in values, not just victimhood. A timely and honest conversation about unity, resistance, and hope for the Jewish future.
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1h 7min
June 13, 2025 The Jewish Idea of Beauty - The Rabbi and the Student Ep. 4 (With Daniel Wallach)
Judaism doesn’t dismiss beauty—but it doesn’t worship it either. This episode begins with our human hunger for beauty, journeys through the tension between Greek and Jewish ideals, and arrives at a distinctly Jewish idea of beauty: one that’s rooted in holiness, shaped by restraint, and never far from the divine. We explore beauty’s power, its purpose, and its place on the path toward the divine.
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1h 4min
April 24, 2025 How She Survived | Dr. Aliza Erber's Story | Yom Hashoah 2025
Last night at MJE’s Yom HaShoah event, we had the honor of hearing from Dr. Aliza Erber, a Holocaust survivor, medical doctor, and chaplain.
As a hidden child during the war, Dr. Erber lost both of her parents in concentration camps. Her story was raw, powerful, and deeply moving. Over 100 people gathered to hear her speak and every single one left impacted.
What made the evening even more meaningful was her honesty. She didn’t sugarcoat the trauma, and in doing so, gave everyone present a deeper appreciation of the strength, courage, and resilience of our people.
May her words continue to echo, and may we never forget.
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1h 40min
April 09, 2025 The Story of Israel: Unpacking History, Zionism & What Comes Next with Dr. Noam Weissman
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes is joined by Dr. Noam Weissman, the voice behind the acclaimed podcast Unpacking Israeli History. Together, they dive deep into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, explore the historical roots of Gaza, and ask the difficult questions:
Is the two-state solution still viable?
How should Israel be taught to the next generation—both Jewish and non-Jewish?
What role does bias, history, and education play in shaping our understanding of Zionism?
What are the biggest misconceptions about Hamas and Palestinian leadership?
Dr. Weissman shares personal insights from decades of Israel education and breaks down complex issues with clarity and honesty, offering a nuanced look at one of the most polarizing topics of our time.
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes.
🎧 Listen to Dr. Weissman’s podcast: Unpacking Israeli History
🔔 Follow for more deep dives into Jewish thought, modern Israel, and meaningful conversation.
#Israel #Gaza #Zionism #JewishEducation #MiddleEastConflict #UnpackingIsraeliHistory
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1h 10min
March 11, 2025 From Soviet Prisoner to Freedom Fighter & Jewish Leader: A Conversation with Natan Sharansky
In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, we sit down with Natan Sharansky, a Soviet dissident, human rights activist, and former Israeli politician. Sharansky shares his harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in the Soviet Gulag, where he endured nine years of imprisonment, and his fight for Jewish freedom during the Cold War.
We dive into:
✅ His extraordinary journey from Soviet oppression to Israeli leadership
✅ The refusenik movement and the struggle of Jews in the USSR
✅ How he survived years of solitary confinement with resilience and faith
✅ His political career in Israel, standing against disengagement from Gaza
✅ Modern antisemitism, the challenges faced by Jewish students, and his message to young Jews today
✅ His thoughts on Trump’s peace plan, Israel’s future, and the fight against Hamas
Sharansky’s story of courage, conviction, and unwavering identity is a must-listen for anyone passionate about freedom, Jewish history, and human rights.
🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode with your friends!
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1h 13min
February 18, 2025 Faith, Strength & Resilience: A Conversation with Rabbanit Racheli Frankel
What does it take to turn unimaginable tragedy into a source of strength and inspiration? 💔➡️💪
In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, I sit down with Rabbanit Racheli Frankel, a true beacon of resilience and wisdom. After losing her son Naftali in 2014, she has dedicated her life to uniting the Jewish people and strengthening our faith. 🇮🇱✨
We dive deep into:
🔹 How her personal loss connects to the pain of October 7th
🔹 The emotional complexity of hostage negotiations
🔹 Rising antisemitism and the global Jewish response
🔹 The rapid growth of women’s Torah scholarship 📖👩‍🏫
🔹 Finding hope and joy even in the darkest times
Rabbanit Frankel’s perspective is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, a reminder that even through sorrow, we can choose gratitude, strength, and faith. 🌿✡️
🎧 Tune in now and let us know what resonated with you the most in the comments! 👇💬
#JewishStrength #Resilience #Faith #Podcast #Israel #Torah #JewishWomen #JewishLearning #Hope #JewishCommunity
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1h 1min
December 26, 2024 Faith in the Flow: Kosha Dillz on Rap, Israel, And Recovery
In this episode, rapper and activist Kosha Dillz takes us on a journey through his music, identity, and resilience. From performing on college campuses and tackling misconceptions about Israel to crafting lyrics that resonate and spark dialogue, Kosha shares the highs and challenges of his unique path. He opens up about overcoming addiction, the influence of Jewish values like tzedakah, and the strength that carried him through tough times. We also dive into his creative process, his experiences performing for IDF soldiers, and the reactions to his Chanukah songs and recent tracks inspired by pivotal events. Tune in for a powerful conversation that bridges hip-hop, faith, and activism.
0:00 Introduction
0:58 Welcome Kosha Dillz
2:09 Performing on College Campuses
4:36 Does doing this feel dangerous?
6:30 Rap That Resonates
8:20 Misconceptions About Israel
13:35 The social scene of anti-Israel protests
15:59 Songs since 10/7
22:02 Chanukah Song and Reactions on Campus
23:28 What kind of schools book you?
26:29 How do you work on your rap?
29:13 Time on Wild 'n Out
31:49 How has your jewish identity influenced your music?
33:51 Tzedakah
37:27 Overcoming addiction
39:50 What kept you strong during tough times?
43:47 Performing for IDF Soldiers
48:14 Chanukah Concert and Songs
49:38 Outro
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53min

FAQs about The Jewish Experience:

How many episodes does The Jewish Experience have?

The podcast currently has 200 episodes available.

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