Saul Sudin is a filmmaker, writer, photographer and graduate of Pratt Institute. There's nothing quite like your college years and the bond with your college besties lasts long after graduation. Listen to a campus rabbi and a former student explore memories, nostalgia and the meaning of a pear!
Shlomie Zionce is a Journalist, Instagrammer, You-Tuber, and Traveler to 43 countries including; Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. He breaks all Hasidic stereotypes and shares his powerful and personal journey of tolerance and acceptance.
The very first ambulance to arrive at the World Trade Center following the first plane crash on September 11, 2001 was a Hatzalah ambulance. By the time the second airplane crashed into the second tower, there were two-dozen Hatzalah ambulances, including Hatzalah’s Communications and Command Center trailer, and more than 100 Hatzalah EMTs, paramedics, and doctors on scene.
Gone are the days when New York’s art scene was concentrated solely within Manhattan. Case in point: An exciting new fine art gallery centered on Hasidic artists and identities opened within the Jewish Satmar community of Williamsburg. The Shtetl Gallery, Hasidic artists from across the world and explores layered themes surrounding contemporary Hasidic life and theology.
England's hopes of ending a 55-year wait for a major trophy were crushed in heartbreaking fashion as they lost on penalties to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley. With returning guest Rabbi 'Teddy' Newman Chief Rabbi of North Woodmere!
Growing up in the legendary Coney Island section of Brooklyn was where Adam developed a love for the sideshow. Adam has crafted his own ‘One Man Coney Island Sideshow’ which highlights his many amazing skills including sword swallowing, fire eating and feats of strength as well as his spot on comedic timing. Risk temptation and spend a podcast with Adam!
Ali Shrago-Spechler is an interdisciplinary artist and educator from Hollywood, Florida. Her work explores the malleability of history, imagined community and the landscape of memory. She makes paintings, sculptural objects, installations and interactive events to create a familiar and strange space for her audience. Her hybrid actions employ a reflective nostalgia; exploring the comedy and violence of Jewish histories and cultures while encouraging viewers to question their own narratives, self-imposed alienation, and the source and effect of memory. Ali is the recipient of an Artist Fulbright Research grant to Karlsruhe, Germany (2020-21) and the Naomi Anolic Emerging Artist Award (2017) and currently in residence with Project Art in Crown Heights Library. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
Born Italian Catholic in New Jersey, Aja moved to Brooklyn, NY in 2001 to study fashion design at Pratt Institute. There, she not only found a deeper creative outlet in the vibrancy of New York City, but she found her true calling that eventually led her to convert to Judaism. Working for brands like Fila, Champion, and Converse brought about her passion for designing activewear, yet opened her mind to the negative impact fast fashion has on the environment. Completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training, brought about her passion for wellness and mindfulness. That combined with her strong ties to her faith were the driving forces that led to the creation of Transcendent. Transcendent is more than just a clothing brand. It is a community of women who strive to access their higher power and make the world a better place.
Rabbi Simon Jacobson is a pioneering speaker and thought leader to thousands. He is the Founder of The Meaningful Life Center, coined "The Spiritual Starbucks" by the New York Times, which bridges the secular and the spiritual. He is the author of the best-selling book Toward a Meaningful Life which has sold over 300,000 copies translated into 13 languages. In his youth, Simon held the unique position as the scribe for the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He spent many hours memorizing the Rebbe's talks and transcribing them into many books. With his keen insight into the human condition, and over 35 years of experience, Simon has the unique ability to offer clarity and direction in difficult times.Simon has been interviewed on over 500 radio and TV shows, including CNN, PBS, and CBS.
Carmella shares her journey of Jewish discovery and love of Elvis! It may sound crazy, but Elvis Presley - that God-fearing, gospel-singing American pop icon - maybe a Jew. In this episode ask the tough question, was Elvis really a Schmelvis?
Rabbi Avremi Zippel was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eldest of 6 children of the Chabad's representatives to Utah since 1992. The only Observant Jewish boy his age for several hundred miles, Avemi was homeschooled through his Bar Mitzvah, and then left home to pursue his Jewish education. He attended Yeshiva in the United Kingdom, where he participated in Chabad's Outreach Missions to Wales, Denmark, Italy, France and Germany. He was ordained by former Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, and moved back to Utah in 2014 with his wife Sheina, to direct Young Jewish Professionals Utah. In 2019, Avremi came forward as the first Orthodox Rabbi to disclose that he had been sexually abused as a child.
Aviva is from Sharon, Massachusetts who has been teaching Judaic Studies throughout NYC since 2013. Aviva has a BA in English Literature from Brooklyn College, and an MFA from Fashion Institute of Technology. Aviva now works as a performance /installation artist and painter in NYC: she creates a colorful and new perspective of ancient tales for both children and adults through her teaching and art making.
You never know when something many Jews may associate with old-fashioned Jewish fare, like herring and crackers, will somehow turn high-end and hipster. One millennial, barely out of his teens, is putting herring out there for all the internet to see. And he’s got a heck of a story to tell. It all started in late 2014, when Queens, NY-teen Naftali Engel was in Israel for post-high school gap-year study. He spent some Shabbats away from his Judean Hills yeshivah with his brother who lives in Safed, the holy city famous for its spiritually creative enclaves. One Shabbat, Engel tasted a particularly delicious homemade herring, and, perhaps nonchalantly, asked the maker for his recipe. The answer he got was not quite traditional.
Sam Rose is a Brooklyn-based comedian, writer and podcaster originally from California. His satirical articles can be found at The Hard Times, Little Old Lady, and Points in Case. In addition to satire, Sam has also written a number of original pilots and feature screenplays. You can hear Sam’s voice on his weekly podcast UFOlogy, a comedy podcast about aliens and ufos.
Daniel Bortz, the "Millennial Rabbi", left college in Southern California for Jerusalem to spend 6 years studying Jewish wisdom there and around the world, obtaining his rabbinic degree in 2010. He's the author of "Beneath The Surface", is a Jiu (Jew) Jitsu competitor, has served as Shabbat host at Coachella music festival, and is the founder of non-profit outreach org.s SOUL X & JTEEN, offering experiential spiritual teachings catered to this generation.
TEDx Poet Rachel Kann has been featured on on NPR and received accolades from the James Kirkwood Fiction Awards, Writer’s Digest Short-Short Story Awards, LA Weekly Awards, International Poetry Slam Idol and Write Club Los Angeles. She's performed from The Nuyorican Poets' Cafe to Disney Concert Hall with people like Marianne Williamson and DaKAH Hip Hop Orchestra. She teaches poetry through UCLA Extension Writers' Program, where she was the 2017 Instructor of the Year. Visit her at Rachelkann.com.
Marko Dashev is a New York City based commercial photographer. Marko was trained by and worked for many of the most famous photographers working today. Marko's work first debuted in Surface Magazine's 2nd Avant Guardian contest winner issue in 1999. His clients include: J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Club Monaco, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Bloomingdale’s, Hugo Boss, Alexander Wang, DKNY, and others. In addition to fashion/commercial work, Marko's portrait photography includes his recent series of portraits of leading Orthodox Rabbis.
Shavuot, is the cheesiest holiday you've never heard of! Listen to a couple of new-media mavens discuss bringing ancient traditions into the digital age. Forget about the days where you could be incognito. Today it's all about getting your name out there and demonstrating your knowledge and expertise. Learn how to reach your audience by maximizing your use of social platforms...it can even get you free cheesecake!
Shaindee & Avromi were married in August 2018. The couple soon found themselves as an internet sensation after posting a short video of themselves jamming and singing Shabbat Shalom. After many recommendations to open a joint account, their following took off strong and hasn't slowed since. Early on, some of their popular videos were their "Friday Shabbos Song". Soon after "Music School Monday's" took off. That's where they recommend a favorite song of theirs, and help their followers get educated on understanding the music behind it. Be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook @couple.of.baschs The recently released their first single "Yonah Matza", An amazing work of acapella.
Ariel Tidhar was born and raised in Chicago in an American-Israeli family. She grew up being sent to school with a packed lunch of pita & hummus with tiny Israeli pickled eggplant on the side. Born in a lineage of fashion creatives, it was no surprise that Ariel went on to study fashion design after high school. Ariel graduated in May 2016 from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Fashion Design. In recent years, Ariel’s work has expanded to include modern Judaica pieces, home décor, and accessories.