Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education

Soraya M. Deen is building a movement, one where interfaith women can come together and stand up for each other. The lawyer, community organizer, interfaith advocate, and recipient of the Shine a Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award sits down with Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath to discuss her work between Muslims and Jews during such a polarizing moment. Drawing on inspiration from original Jewish and Muslim texts, her own advocacy experiences, and the power of listening, Soraya explor...

What can Judaism teach us about civic education in an increasingly divided world? Rabbi Charlie Savenor, 2026 Covenant Award Recipient and Executive Director of Civic Spirit, a nonpartisan organization that strengthens civic education in faith-based schools, joins Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath to explore how Jewish education can help young people become informed, engaged members of our democracy. Drawing on Jewish texts and traditions, Rabbi Savenor explores how machloket (constructiv...

In moments of conflict, listening to the other side can feel like the last thing we want to do. But in this week's episode of Adapting, Billy Planer reminds us why it's one of the most important things we can do. David Bryfman speaks with Billy, who is the founder of Etgar 36, a Jewish educational nonprofit that takes teenagers on a five-week journey across the U.S. to engage with all sides of political issues. Drawing on his experiences as an educator and the ideas in his new book, Co...

In a polarized world that teaches young people to think in binaries, the Bronfman Fellowship does something countercultural by inviting teens to embrace pluralism, curiosity, and complexity. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath sits down with Becky Voorwinde, CEO of the Bronfman Fellowship, to discuss the Fellowship's important leadership work and its effective approaches in engaging teens. This episode provides teen educators with valuable takeaways for creating intentional learning spaces that e...

If suffering breeds comedy, who should be funnier than the Jewish people after the last 3,000 years? This week, David Bryfman talks about humor in hard times with Israeli-American comedian, writer, and educator Benji Lovitt. Having recently returned to the U.S. after living in Israel for nearly two decades, Benji brings a unique perspective on the differences between Israeli and American Jewish humor, particularly in times of crisis. From inspirations like Larry David and The Marv...