Jewish Insights with Justin Pines

If truth is one of the foundational pillars of any stable society, how do we navigate a world which often feels post-truth? In this special JI episode in honor of Jewish Book Month’s 100th anniversary, Justin sits down with Tali Rosenblatt Cohen, host of The Five Books podcast. They begin by exploring Tali’s own mission for The Five Books Podcast: the profound power of Jewish literature to foster empathy and a sense of shared purpose, especially during moments of crisis. Tali also shares her insights on the expanding landscape of Jewish storytelling in 2025, 2025, from the enduring resonance of Holocaust literature to the rise of stories exploring Sephardi, Mizrachi, and romantic Jewish experiences. Then, Justin steps into the guest seat to share the five books that shaped his life and led to a lifelong quest for authenticity and truth (Emet)—a search he views as the central project of the Jewish tradition. Listen as Justin shares his five books and discusses: How a classic American novel sparked his obsession with "phonies." Why the Jewish tradition is a centuries-long debate aimed at "getting the answer, not being right." The revolutionary theological concept that every human we meet is a messenger from God. This conversation is a powerful celebration of reading, identity, and the spiritual journey that connects them both.   Rabbi Justin Pines' Five Books: The Catcher in the Rye The Jewish Way: Living the Jewish Holidays The Story of Joseph and His Brothers Living Emunah: Achieving a Life of Serenity Through Faith Ohr Yisrael and Other Writings

We spend most of our lives living in the past or worrying about the future. But what if the deepest spiritual connection—and the greatest psychological relief—can only be found right here, right now? In this episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Justin sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benjy Epstein, a clinical psychologist and author of Living in the Presence: A Jewish Mindfulness Guide for Everyday Life. They explore the fascinating intersection where modern cognitive therapy meets ancient Jewish wisdom. From the challenge of "Radical Presence" to the story of Reb Zusha, Dr. Epstein teaches us how to stop fighting our reality and start finding Divinity in the "here and now." They also discuss parenting with presence, navigating ADHD, and why Abraham’s hardest test wasn't what you think it was. Stick around for a powerful guided "Shiviti" meditation at the end of the episode. Learn more about Dr. Benjy here: https://www.drbenjy.com #JewishMindfulness #MentalHealth #TorahWisdom #BenjiEpstein #Presence #Psychology #Spirituality #GuidedMeditation #JewishInsights #RadicalAcceptance

How does the largest local Jewish philanthropy in the world navigate a decade defined by crisis? In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin sits down with Eric Goldstein, the outgoing CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, for a candid and profound reflection on his 12-year tenure. From leaving a prestigious legal career to leading the Jewish community through the 2014 Gaza War, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the aftermath of October 7th, Eric shares the lessons he’s learned about leadership, resilience, and the power of community. We discuss the rise of antisemitism—revealing how UJA’s security budget went from $0 to over $6 million in just a few years—and the incredible "surge" of Jewish engagement and philanthropy seen since October 7th. Eric also outlines his vision for the future: moving beyond just fighting enemies to investing in "robust Jews" who are educated, proud, and resilient. Whether you are concerned about the future of American Jewry or seeking inspiration from Jewish leadership, this conversation is a must-watch.

What’s holding Israel together after so much pain and division? Rabbi David Stav, founder of Tzohar, joins Justin to share how faith is helping Israelis reconnect — and how a new spirit of unity is reshaping the nation’s soul. In a time of war, loss, and rebuilding, few voices speak more powerfully about Jewish unity than Rabbi David Stav — founder and chairman of Tzohar, one of Israel’s most influential Modern Orthodox movements. In this conversation with Justin Pines, Rabbi Stav shares how Tzohar is helping Israelis of every background reconnect through weddings, Shabbat gatherings, study sessions, and its groundbreaking media channel MASHAV, which now reaches millions each month. Together, they explore questions at the heart of Israel’s spiritual recovery: -What does faith mean in a nation under fire? -How can religious and secular Jews find shared purpose again? -And what will define Israel’s Jewish identity in the years ahead? Watch this inspiring discussion about unity, leadership, and the rebirth of Israel’s spiritual resilience.

Jennifer Apple, the star of the show "Hannah Senesh," presented by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, joins Justin to discuss taking on this role, and the impact and legacy of Hannah Senesh. Jennifer originated the role of Anna in the Tony Award-winning "The Band’s Visit" First National Tour and received an Elliott Norton Award for Outstanding Lead Performance as Dina in the Huntington/SpeakEasy Stage production. Learn more at: https://www.jenniferapple.net You can learn more about NYTF’s Hannah Sennesh at: https://nytf.org/hannah-senesh/

Rabbi Mark Wildes, founder of the Manhattan Jewish Experience, a Jewish outreach organization in New York and Tel Aviv with over 20,000 young adult attendees each year, joins Justin to discuss how he brings people into Jewish community, and his new book, The Jewish Experience: Discovering the Soul of Jewish Thought and Practice. Together they explore God, Torah, Prayer, Compassion, Shabbat and Tikkun Olam, and why understanding the “why” of Judaism is more important than ever. To learn more about the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), visit their website: https://www.jewishexperience.org

On October 13, 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that brought homeall twenty surviving Israeli hostages and freed nearly two thousand Palestinian prisoners. What does this deal really mean — for Israel’s security, for the region, and for the future of U.S.-Israel relations? In this exclusive conversation, Ambassador David Friedman — former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and a key architect of the Abraham Accords — joins Justin Pines to unpack the ceasefire, President Trump’s role, and the profound challenges and opportunities ahead for Israel and the Jewish people.

The relatively unknown Biblical book of Ezra–Nehemiah isn’t just ancient history. Yael Leibowitz, author of "Ezra-Nehemiah: Retrograde Revolution," explores how the return from exile, the rebuilding of Jewish life, and the struggles of identity in these biblical books speak directly to the challenges we face today.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the lessons of Sukkot, the call to justice, and the future of Jewish life. Discover how joy, humility, and activism intersect in Jewish tradition today. Rabbi Yanklowitz is President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, founder of Uri L’Tzedek, Shamayim, and YATOM, and the author of 30 books on Jewish ethics.

In this special Yom Kippur episode, Justin is joined Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, President of the World Mizrachi Movement, and one of the most transformative rabbinic visionaries of our time to discuss the value and impact of Torah, his approach to social change for Israel’s most vulnerable communities, his role in supporting IDF soldiers, and his faith-based approach to navigating tragedies like October 7. Learn more: https://www.sulamot.org/en/ https://www.sulamot.org/en/kuma/ https://www.laofek.org/en/laofek/  

In this special Rosh Hashanah episode, former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz joins Justin to discuss her bold new book "As a Jew." Together they explore how antisemitism has shaped Jewish identity—and how we can break free of its grip to uncover the divine light within, reclaiming the fullness of what it means to live as a Jew today.

What does it mean to interpret Torah in today’s world? On the occasion of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ fifth yahrzeit, Justin sits down with Dr. Erica Brown to explore the legacy of Rabbi Sacks and the launch of the Magerman Edition Koren Shalem Humash, featuring his new Torah translation and commentary. Dr. Brown — scholar, author, and Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University — studied under Rabbi Sacks and leads the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership.  Together, they discuss: Rabbi Sacks’ unique voice as an interpreter of Torah The vision behind this new Humash The enduring lessons of Rabbi Sacks for Jewish life and thought today The role of commentary and interpretation today This special live conversation took place at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, NJ, as part of the event “A Conversation on Interpretation: Rabbi Sacks’ new Torah commentary.” 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines exploring timeless Jewish wisdom for our lives today.  

Justin is joined by Elana Stein Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash and Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, in anticipation of the JBS premiere of TEXTing, her popular series that addresses issues of our day through the lens of classical Jewish texts.

Ilana Kurshan, award-winning author of the memoir "If All the Seas Were Ink," joins Justin to discuss her next book, "Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together," which explores her experience of reading Jewish and secular books with her children, and the cumulative impact on her and her family. You can learn more at ilanakurshan.com

What are the different models of Jewish leadership? How do leaders activate other leaders in their community while still leading their community? Rabbi Elie Weinstock joins Justin to discuss his style of leadership through generosity of spirit. Rabbi Elie Weinstock is Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach on Long Island, serves as a Nassau County Police Department Chaplain and is Immediate Past President of the New York Board of Rabbis.

Why is Tu B’Av—just six days after Tisha B’Av—one of the happiest days in the Jewish calendar? What do white dresses, vineyard dances, and ancient tribal unity have to teach us today? Gila Fine, award-winning author of The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic, returns to to Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the mysterious holiday of Tu B’Av. With her signature depth, clarity, and soul, Gila unpacks the surprising origins of Tu B’Av in the Torah, its connection to romantic and spiritual love, and its powerful message for our understanding of love today. You can learn more about Gila Fine at https://gilafine.com/   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

Why do we still mourn the destruction of the Temple thousands of years later? What does Tisha B’Av mean for Jews today—and how can this day of national sorrow inspire healing and hope? In this special Tisha B’Av episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines is joined by historian and teacher Rabbi Dr. J.J. Schacter for a powerful conversation about Jewish suffering, memory, and resilience. From the destruction of the Temples to the Holocaust to October 7th, Rabbi Schacter helps us understand why remembering is essential—and how even in our darkest moments, there is a spark of redemption. You can watch Rabbi Schacter’s full Tisha B’Av teachings at https://www.yutorah.org/tishabav You can learn more about Operation Benjamin at https://www.operationbenjamin.org/   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

After the Second Temple’s destruction, how did the Jewish people not only survive—but shape world history? In Part II of this epic journey through Jewish history, Rabbi Ken Spiro joins Justin to explore 2,000 years of exile, persecution, and perseverance—from Rome to the Enlightenment, from Inquisition to Zionism. A gripping look at how Jewish continuity defied the odds—and set the stage for a modern miracle, and a future unfolding. Rabbi Ken Spiro is Senior Lecturer and Researcher for Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, a licensed tour guide in Israel, and the author of several books, including Crash Course in Jewish History: From Abraham to Modern Israel. You can learn more at https://kenspiro.com/   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

How did a small tribal people become a spiritual superpower? In Part I of this epic journey through Jewish history, historian Rabbi Ken Spiro joins Justin to trace the rise of the Jewish people—from Abraham to the unification under King David to the glory of the First and Second Temples, and finally to the tightening grip of Roman rule. Discover how ancient Jewish identity was forged and what forces were already threatening it from within. Rabbi Ken Spiro is, Senior Lecturer and Researcher for Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, a licensed tour guide in Israel, and the author of several books, including Crash Course in Jewish History: From Abraham to Modern Israel. You can learn more at https://kenspiro.com/   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

What do iconic Jewish women from across the centuries teach us about leadership, faith, and inner strength? Justin sits with Dr. Aliza Lavie—author, scholar, and former Member of Knesset—to explore her groundbreaking new book Iconic Jewish Women, a collection of 59 remarkable stories of Jewish heroines, from Bruriah and Sarah Schenirer to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Doña Gracia Nasi, as well as her book. We also dive into Dr. Lavie’s work on tehinot — traditional women’s prayers — and what they reveal about the soul of Jewish spiritual life. And we hear firsthand what it was like to bring Torah values into the halls of the Israeli parliament. If you're curious about the spiritual legacy of Jewish women, the evolution of prayer, and how values translate into action, this conversation will move and inspire you.   *** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!