Holy Sparks Podcast

This conversation is part of the UCLA mini-series which startedwith Rabbi Toba Schaller of Hillel UCLA.Eli Tsives has blown up on social media and national news as a stand out activist for Jewish Students on campus at UCLAand Beyond.Tune in to hear his fascinating story about living in Shanghai and the Bay Area.We also talk about his training with Stand with Us, his experiences on and off campus and what he is doing to stand up this semester for Jews on campus.This is a great episode to share with your college and high school age kids.He is open to connecting and mentoring others.In this episode, Eli references the IHRA definition of Anti-semitism. Here's a link to ithttps://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitismThe podcast is brought to you by the friendly people atKrembo Baked GoodsThe San Francisco Bay AreasNewest pareve ( non-dairy )Kosher BakeryProudly serving cookies, loaf cakes, And the best gluten free challahI’ve ever had, and much more.Ask about their Challah delivery service to schools, organizations and corporations in the Bay Area. email them at orders@krembobakedgoods.com for more information.Or simply go to krembobakedgoods.comTo Support the podcast directly with a tax deductible contributionplease go to Holy Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Rabbi Toba Schaller was born in Wyoming and grew up in small-town Texas. Since then, she has lived and worked in Jewish communities big and small all over the country. She is proud of her ability to find a place wherever she lands, be it the busy streets of LA or the honkey-tonk of her hometown. She believes that this is a unique gift that helps her build community and help others find their place, too.Rabbi Toba holds an MA in Religious Education and well as rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Prior to joining the Hillel at UCLA team, she served as School Rabbi for a pluralistic day school in Milwaukee and as a congregational rabbi-educator. In her very first job however, she served as engagement fellow for Cornell Hillel and is thrilled to be back serving college students once again.We talk about what happened on UCLA campus last year, the encampments, student safety, anti-semitism on campus, Jewish community, and how Hillel UCLA is helping Jewish students.The podcast is brought to you by the friendly people atKrembo Baked GoodsThe San Francisco Bay AreasNewest pareve ( non-dairy )Kosher BakeryProudly serving cookies, loaf cakes,And the best gluten free challahI’ve ever had, and much more.Ask about their Challah delivery service to schools, organizations and corporations in the Bay Area. email them atorders@krembobakedgoods.com for more information.Or simply go tokrembobakedgoods.comTo make a tax Deductible Contributionor co-sponsor an episodeplease go toHoly Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Nissim Black is an American-Israeli Rapper/Singer and influencer who is taking the world by storm. Growing up in the inner city of Seattle, Nissim Black saw firsthand the struggles and challenges that many people face on a daily basis. But he didn't let that define him. Instead, he embraced his passion for music and used it as a vehicle to spread positivity and increase awareness of God through mainstream mediums. With a musical style that ranges from Rap to Pop to World music, Nissim Black's unique sound has captured the hearts and minds of fans all around the worldWe talk about his upcoming new release, childhood in Seattle, Hip Hop, Drugs, Finding Torah and Judaism. Making Aliyah, ISRAEL, and so much more.This is one of my favorite interviews of all time.This cat is Deep. He has so much more to offerin addition to his music.The podcast is brought to you by the friendly people atKrembo Baked GoodsThe San Francisco Bay AreasNewest pareve ( non-dairy )Kosher BakeryProudly serving cookies, loaf cakes, And the best gluten free challahI’ve ever had, and much more.Ask about their Challah delivery service to schools, organizations and corporations in the Bay Area. email them at orders@krembobakedgoods.com for more information.Or simply go to krembobakedgoods.comHoly Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Elevator Pitches for God - 70 1-page Essays by thought Leaders on why they Believe.On this unique episode, I sit down with Ron Kardos and Bruce Licht,the editors of this new best-selling book.You'll hear why they felt it was time for this book, some amazingholy moments in the creation of this book, and some stories aboutthe authors.You can pick up your copy herehttps://ep4g.com/To help us keep going and spread the wordplease go to Holy Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Welcome to Season 4 Episode 5 of THE HOLY SPARKS PODCASTHillel Fuld is a tech blogger and entrepreneur turned full-time24/6 Activist. his posts have received over 1 Billion Impressionssince October 8th.We talk about Jewish History, WW3, Anti-semitism, Israel, Radical Islam in the West,College Campuses. His message will wake you up This Episode is INTENSE. Do not listen around your kids.https://twitter.com/hilzfuldhttps://www.instagram.com/hilzfuld/https://www.youtube.com/@hilzfuldPlease consider giving a tax-deductibledonation to help us spread the wordHoly Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Doreet Jehassi started making and selling Yemenite Jewish breads out of her home kitchen6 years ago. She now offers a variety of savory and sweet wraps, baked goods, dips, andother Yemenite/Israeli specialties for pickup and delivery at The Ma’lawah Bar, whichoperates out of her new brick-and-mortar restaurant in Palo Alto.On this episode of The Holy Sparks Podcast, join me on an audio ( and visual on YouTube)tour of the San Francisco Bay Area's new Kosher restaurant - The Ma'laweh Bar!You'll learn about some tasty Yemenite foods, hear Doreet's story and how sheis combining her three Identities, American, Israeli, and Yemenite into her passion for food.For more info on the Ma'lawah Bar go to https://www.themalawahbar.com/to make a tax deductible donation to the podcast go to Holy Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQwww.holysparks.tv

On this week's episode, I sit down with my friend Zack Bodner, President and CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto.We explore his latest book, Why Do Jewish? We talk about his time at AIPAC, the role of the JCCin the Jewish tapestry, Israel, and a compellingvision for the Jewish People.to find out more about Zack and pick upa copy of his best-selling book go to https://www.zackbodner.com/To make a tax-deductible donation to the Podcast go to http://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Benny Mor is the founder and CEO of Vasco Assets. This financial institution has been bringing financial opportunities to community members and abroad for over 35 years and counting. He is a native Israeli, served in the army, and his grandfather built a synagogue in Jerusalem almost 100 years ago! His family has been in Israel for over 100 yearsHe had a unique perspective on the reasons behind the current war that YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD!Listen to learn about his solution to a major problem that Israel hasnow and will have in the future.He is a good friend and a mensch, and he knows everyone.To donate to the fund that will help train the next generation of Trauma Therapists ( in 5 days) click here https://greaterhorizons.kimbia.com/ghThe donor will need to include the fund name: Lincoln Club Donor Advised Fundor fund ID (linc01) when filling out the form.Thank you for listening to make a tax-deductible donation to the HOLY SPARKS PODCASTto help keep us in production, please click here http://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Krembo is bringing the tastes of Jewish baking to the Bay Area. Krembo is the ONLY Parve (non-dairy) Kosher bakery in Northern California.Krembo was developed over a period of 10 years by Fran Lent, Mary Coe and Esty Marcus. It started with Fran baking in her kitchen in Encino, California as a young girl and always enjoying eating desserts.Listen to the story of Fran Lent, the owner and founder, and why they have thebest gluten-free Challah you've ever tasted!to place orders and learn more about Krembowww.krembobakedgoods.comTake an inside look at the bakery on our youtube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@holysparks23make a tax-deductible donation To help support the podcast click herehttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

This is a special edition of THE HOLY SPARKS PODCAST.I started a series to help UC Berkeley students, college studentsand their parents called THE REAL HISTORY OF ISRAEL.This is Part two and is based around a class on the 1967 war.Rabbi Gil Leeds has been the Chabad on Campus Rabbi at UC Berkeley for 20 years and has a unique perspectiveon what's happening now on and off campus.Listen to hear 4 different arguments on why Jews have anhistorical claim to the land of Israel. please support our work by subscribingYou can donate directly to the Podcastto help with production hereHoly Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQYou can become a monthly Patron for as littleas you like here https://www.patreon.com/saulkayemore info herewww.holysparks.tv

UC Berkeley Professor Ron Hassner has been living in his office on campus for a little over a week now. He is "Sitting- In" for Jewish Students on Cal's Campus. Listen in to find out why.This is his story.If you have Jewish students on campus or are one, listen up, there's some great wisdom here.Support Chabad on Campus at Uc Berkeley herehttps://www.jewishucb.com/Make a tax deductable donation to the Holy Sparks Podcastto help us keep producing content here!Holy Sparks DONATIONShttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Lisa Biton was born and raised in Northern California.  She holds a BA in Classical Studies and European History from Santa Clara University and a MAT from USC.  Lisa studied abroad at Ben Gurion University in Be'er Sheva in 2005 and fell in love with the land of Israel - and her Israeli husband.  She made aliyah in 2009 to the southern city of Kiryat Gat. Lisa has worked for AMHSI since 2010, as both a general studies teacher and an Israel Studies teacher. Since 2022, Lisa has served as the Dean of Israel Studies.Click here to help Lisa fundraise to help send college kids to Israel https://my.jnf.org/muss/LisaBitonShe has been teaching High School Students Israel history and giving them tools and language to confidently navigate the Jewish experience in America.Listen to hear a few Libels debunked: Genocide, Apartheid, The White Colonialist state.Also to hear a vision of Israel....To Help Support the Holy Sparks Podcastclick here - https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/haHSSQ?vid=148b85www.holysparks.tv

Part two of my mini-series featuring the righteous women of the holy land.Elana Rozenfeld is a cantor, performer, teacher, songwriter and theatre artist, who grew up teacher in musical theatre, jazz, chazzanut (traditional cantorial singing) and Yeshiva music, while also having a secret love of all things Sephardic. After receiving her BFA at the Tisch School of the Arts in NYU, focusing on solo performance, she entered the HL Miller Cantorial School at JTS to develop mastery of her Jewish musical traditions.  Since then, she has served as cantor at Park Avenue Synagogue in NYC and Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott, MA.  Elana also served as the interim director of the School for Jewish Music at Hebrew College in Newton, MA.  Today, Elana lives in Kiryat Tivon, Israel, with her husband and three children, enjoying being a freelancing, singing, performing, and songwriting mommy. Go to https://www.soldierssavelives.org/to donate right now to soliders who need GEAR Holy Sparks DONATIONSclick the link below to make a 100% tax deductible donationto help keep the Holy Sparks Podcast in productionhttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQon instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/theholysparkspodcast/to watch the show on you tube go to https://www.youtube.com/@holysparks23www.holysparks.tv

Chaya holds an Ivy League BA in Religious Studies and MA in Clinical Psychology. She also did extensive doctoral work at Oxford University on the topic of ‘Experiential Torah Learning’. As co-director of Jerusalem’s Shalev Center for Jewish Personal Growth, Chaya offers therapy, classes as well as healing workshops & retreats both in Israel and internationally. She has published 2 books, "Lit" - Poetry for the Jewish Holidays, as well as "Babel's Daughter", based on her acclaimed one-woman show about life in Israel. Her writings have been included in multiple anthologies as well as her regular contributions to the Times of Israel. We talk about their family making Alyiah over a decade ago, the Shalev Center, October 7th, life in Israel now, prophetic dreams, and what you can do to help right now.Please consider donating to https://causematch.com/Israel-at-War/northernparatroopersplugagimmel?fbclid=IwAR1kSv4BICNvjI9iDwxbqpRXPpo5ANJ2wtu7-t5OvwyjN8bdJefLnS0SBqcto help volunteer soldiers on the front lines get the equipment and supplies they need now.More info on Chaya and her husband Rabbi Hillel Lester here www.chayalester.comThank you for listening!to make a tax-deductible donation to help us keep going please click herehttp://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

The Holy Sparks Podcast Season 3 Episode 8 Rabbi Gershom Sizomu is the Chief Rabbi of Abayudaya Community of Uganda and serves as the Av Beit Din (head of rabbinic conversion) for sub-Saharan Africa. He is 3rd generation rabbinic leader of the community, as his grandfather was an apprentice of the founder,Semei Kakungulu. Rabbi Gershom studied at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies from 2003-2008 including a year at the Shechter Institute in Jerusalem.He is the father to 5 children from ages 7 to 29, and splits his time between Kampala, the capital of Uganda, where he was also a Parliament Member from 2016-2021,and Mbale, the hub of the Jewish community in the east of the country near the Kenyan border.Here's the link for Rabbi Gershom's microcredit fundraiser that is active now make sure to select ABAYUDAYA FUND so that your tax deductible donation goes straight to their communities. https://www.hamakomla.org/payment.phpThank you for supporting our podcast! to make a donation or become a patron go to http://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ thank you for subscribing and sharing!#africa #uganda #jewish #podcast #abudaya #israelhttps://youtu.be/_iDHMY1LybQ