In Such A Time: Conversations on Jewish Life, Leadership & Meaning

What do a rebellious Bat Mitzvah, hidden synagogues across Europe, and a chance encounter with a future member of Israel’s Knesset have in common? They’re all formative moments on the unexpected journeys of two rabbis!In the very first episode of "In Such a Time: Conversations on Jewish Life, Leadership, and Meaning," Rabbis Leora Londy and Jonathan Jaffe pull back the curtain on their personal paths to the rabbinate, sharing the pivotal stories, questions, and challenges that shaped their sense of Jewish identity and communal calling. From Leora’s childhood in a rabbinic family—her mom teaching her to put on tefillin, her dad preparing the four species for Sukkot with the help of a Seventh Day Adventist—to Jonathan’s coming-of-age as one of Hawaii’s few Jewish kids, the episode explores how roots, rituals, and travels far from home can spark a lasting devotion to Jewish leadership.Highlights include tales of feeling “Jewishly out of place” from Honolulu to Herzliya, the thrill (and tension) of entering synagogues and Jewish quarters while backpacking Europe, navigating gender roles in Israeli religious life, and the sometimes surprising realization that a simple act—or a single phrase from a teen—can change a life and inspire a rabbinic calling.Tune in for an honest, reflective, and often humorous conversation about forging a meaningful Jewish life, the power of peoplehood, and what it takes to guide a community in such a time.Episode Overview & Timestamps:00:00:00 — Intro to the podcast and hosts’ intentions for exploring their rabbinic journeys00:01:23 — Leora’s upbringing in a rabbinic household; tefillin, sukkot, and interfaith moments00:04:24 — Jonathan’s childhood as one of the only Jewish kids in Honolulu, creating Camp Menorah, and what it meant to “build Judaism” from scratch00:07:04 — Leora’s formative gap year in Israel: testing different Jewish communities, gender roles in worship, and the influence of feminist Jewish leaders00:13:14 — Jonathan’s discovery of Jewish peoplehood on a backpacking trip across Europe, finding unexpected family in Jewish quarters and synagogues00:18:08 — Leora’s cultural awakening in Herzliya, building bridges across Jewish diaspora, and the turning point that led her to the Reform rabbinate00:24:43 — Jonathan’s “wandering” twenties: failing at corporate life, finding purpose at a shul in San Francisco, and how a teen’s kind words sparked his rabbinic pursuit00:32:55 — Reflections on impact: how small acts and words can shape destinies, and the importance of gratitude in Jewish life00:33:46 — Closing thoughts and thank yousSubscribe and listen for more candid stories and conversations about Jewish leadership, identity, and meaning.

What if the most sacred conversations in your synagogue—those spontaneous, passionate, and even disagreeing voices—could offer a new blueprint for Jewish life, leadership, and meaning in today's turbulent world?In Such a Time: Conversations on Jewish Life, Leadership, and Meaning debuts with an episode that does just that, pulling back the curtain on private rabbinic dialogue and inviting you into an intimate, surprising, and refreshingly authentic space.In this vibrant kickoff episode, special guest host Lou Diamond sits down with Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Leora Londy to introduce their vision for the show and the deeper purpose that inspired them: to model what it means to hold sacred, honest conversation—even when you disagree. Discover how moments of holiness arise not only during public worship or formal ritual, but in spirited, unscripted debates that bridge differences in beliefs, experiences, and backgrounds.Key highlights include:The real impetus behind launching the podcast—and the surprising ways podcasting shapes community relationships.Why sharing “sacred disagreements” on-air is vital for the future of Jewish dialogue.What WON’T be in this podcast (spoiler: no congregational gossip or partisan shouting matches).Unique glimpses into the hosts’ lives: dream activities, secret ambitions (including a rabbi’s standup comedy goal!), and unexpected kayaking adventures.How the nuances of loving Israel, and being Jewish in Diaspora, will shape ongoing conversations.The commitment to tackling tough questions around Jewish peoplehood, boundaries, calendar, and identity—without shying away from complexity.Whether you’re seeking deeper Jewish meaning, new approaches to tough questions, or simply longing for the kind of honest conversation that strengthens real community, this episode is your invitation.Episode Overview:[00:00:00] Introduction: Welcome and what’s really behind “In Such a Time”[00:00:50] Meet the Hosts: Rabbi Jaffe and Rabbi Londy share their journeys[00:01:36] Why a Podcast?: The power and hidden intimacy of audio[00:03:03] The Origin Story: From private office conversations to the public[00:04:51] What to Expect: Jewish life, Diaspora, Israel, peoplehood—and respect for disagreement[00:07:29] What to Expect (and What You Won’t Hear): Protecting privacy and steering clear of politics[00:08:39] The Hosts’ Hopes: Sparking bigger conversations, serving more than just their own congregation[00:10:24] Getting Personal: Quick-fire questions reveal the rabbis’ human side[00:16:18] Closing Thoughts & How to ConnectSubscribe for a front-row seat to the conversations that are reshaping community, faith, and leadership—one radically open, honest dialogue at a time.