The Maggid Method

In this engaging episode, we sit down with Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, author of the iconic books "Permission to Believe" and "Permission to Receive," and his latest release, "Questions and Answers with Rabbi Leib Kellerman." We delve into Rabbi Kelemen's unique approach to public speaking, his rigorous preparation process, and his emphasis on authenticity. Discover t...

In this episode, we sit down with Moshe Gersht, a TEDx speaker and bestselling author, to explore his incredible journey from being a punk rock musician to a spiritual teacher. Moshe shares his experiences navigating the worlds of music and spirituality, revealing how a series of transformative events led him to study Torah in Israel and eventually become a spiritual guide. He discusses his bestse...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating journey of transforming traditional sermons into engaging TED Talk-style presentations. Rabbi Shmuel Ismach - Senior Rabbi at Young Israel of Great Neck Synagogue - shares his experiences of stepping away from the lectern and embracing a more dynamic and exposed style of public speaking. Discover the challenges, exhilarations, and unexpected benefits of...

In this episode, we delve into the challenges and leadership experiences of a rabbi navigating through crises in his community. From addressing sensitive topics from the pulpit to handling vandalism and ensuring community safety, this episode offers a deep look into the complexities of leading a congregation through difficult times. Join us for an insightful discussion on leadership, community res...

In this episode of the Maggid Method, we delve into the complexities of discussing politics within a community setting. Rabbi Jason Strauss of Congregation Kadimah Toras Moshe in Brighton, MA shares his personal experience navigating a contentious debate in a Massachusetts Shul, balancing differing opinions and maintaining unity. Tune in to explore the nuances of political discourse, community dyn...

Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin is an American Orthodox rabbi, writer, adjunct professor, and host of the ultra popular 1840 podcast. We covered a lot of ground in this conversation.  First off, we talk about a love of both of ours - the craft of comedy - and the 2 ways that the mechanics of humor relate to communicating Torah messages.  After this - we move in to structure - Dovid blew me away - and I’m no...

Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich is Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom, in Lawrence NY. His career began in Chinuch, not in Rabbanus - so when he found himself having to prepare and deliver Drashos - it was something he sweated over.  But he soon hit his stride as Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Jacob in Atlanta, GA - where he discovered the power of a good story to capture his congregants&#3...

Rabbi Dovid M. Cohen  served as a communal Rabbi for decades, at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn, NJ,  Young Israel of the West Side in Manhattan, and Congregation Ohr Torah in North Woodmere, NY. But Rabbi Cohen is also a: - lawyer, - family counselor, an author, speaker, podcaster, and an entrepreneur... And he currently serves as Senior Relationship Officer at the Orthodox Union’s Yacha...

Rabbi Shaul Robinson is the Senior Rabbi at Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York City. Rabbi Robinson is unique in the sense that he entered the rabbinate without a preconceived notion of how a pulpit rabbi should speak. Rabbi Robinson’s career began on campus, as an outreach professional, where he transformed lives through his informal conversation.   And that tone and style of speaking has alway...

Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt is a rabbi, teacher, lecturer, and counselor.  He served for more than thirty years as the Senior Rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx, NY.  Rabbi Rosenblatt comes from an illustrious line of rabbinic figures. His grandfather, Rabbi Samuel Rosenblatt, was founding rabbi of the Beth Tefiloh congregation in Baltimore, MD.  And Rabbi Rosenblatt is the great-gran...

Rabbi Shaanan Gelman is Senior Rabbi at Kehilat Chovevi Tzion in Skokie, IL.  In one succinct sentence, Rabbi Gelman sums up the task at hand any time someone approaches the Drasha speaking slot: Make the familiar unfamiliar - and the unfamiliar familiar. He’s a rabbi adept at spotting transformative Drasha material - and is willing to wait as long as it takes until a particular Torah message come...

Rabbi Steven Weil is the Chief Executive Officer of the FIDF - the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces organization. Prior to that, he served an 11 year stint as Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union.  And prior to that, Rabbi Weil served as a pulpit rabbi for 14 years - first at Young Israel of Oak Park, Michigan, and then at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, CA. Rabbi Weil has...

Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg served as spiritual leader of Beth Tfiloh Congregation in Baltimore, MD for 44 years.  Dubbed “the Master of the Sermon”, Rabbi Wohlberg is famous for his inspiring & insightful sermons, read by thousands the world over. While sometimes outspoken, Rabbi Wohlberg is also renowned for his warmth, his humor & his extraordinary pastoral concern for the members of his co...

Rabbi Rueben Poupko is Rabbi of Beth Israel Beth Aaron in Montreal, Canada. His father was a rabbi, and his grandfather was a rabbi, too. After 43 years, Rabbi Poupko recognizes very well the dilemma that pulpit rabbis face everytime they get up to speak. So how does a rabbi go about keeping his congregation interested and engaged? By being a lifelong learner - in terms of substance, and in terms...

Rabbi Elliot Schrier is Senior Rabbi of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun - the largest Orthodox synagogue in Teaneck, NJ, boasting 6 different Minyanim on a given Shabbos morning. But despite its size,  Rabbi Schrier still makes the time to connect with each of his members personally - through his daily routine of touch points. Early into his career - Rabbi Schrier had the privilege of being mentored by...

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak - a.k.a Y.Y. - Jacobson is one of the most sought after speakers in the Jewish world today. He lectures to Jewish and non-Jewish audiences on six continents and in forty states. Rabbi Jacobson also serves as teacher and mentor to thousands of students across the globe via his website TheYeshiva.net , one of the largest Torah classes in the world today. But as ironic as it soun...

Rabbi Daniel Cohen is Rabbi at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, CT, the largest Modern Orthodox synagogue in New England.  But for Rabbi Cohen, "large" doesn’t have to mean it’s not welcoming… Rabbi Cohen is a person who is on a mission to live each day to the fullest, and to help others do the same. He’s learned from some of the best Darshanim and orators of this generation, so...

Today you’re in for a real treat. In this episode, I sit down with Rabbi Dr. J.J. Schacter, the elder statesman of the synagogue sermon. Early into my podcast, I lost track of how many times Rabbi Schacter’s name came up in conversation Whether it’s been through his classes at YU, or his annual Yarchei Kallah seminars, or just being available for 1:1 advice... So many of my guests have cited him a...

Rabbi Shmuel Silber is Rabbi of Suburban Orthodox Congregation in Baltimore, MD. And though he may not look it - just for the record, he is a Chassid and not a Litvak. Rabbi Silber’s career began in Fairlawn, NJ where he served as an assistant rabbi in Congregation Shomrei Torah, under Rabbi Benyamin Yudin, where he learned firsthand his all-in approach to the rabbinate. But It was Rabbi J.J. Scha...

Rabbi Moshe Hauer is the Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union (OU). Previously, he was the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion in Baltimore, MD for over 26 years. Visit Rabbi Hauer's website at: https://rabbihauer.org/ _________ ➡️ Did you know there's method for cutting straight through to an audience’s heart, grabbing their attention - and holding it - and...

Rabbi Menachem Penner is the Executive VP of the Rabbinical Council of America. And for the past 11 years, he has been the Dean of RIETS, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, at Yeshiva University. Prior to that, Rabbi Penner was the Senior Rabbi at Young Israel of Holliswood, NY for 20 years. He’s the one person who’s name has come up more times on this podcast than anyone else’s as having...

Rabbi Mark Dratch is Executive Vice President Emeritus of the Rabbinical Council of America. His rabbinate spanned 22 years in congregations around the United States. And, he’s had the unique privilege of having Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm as his father-in-law, and serving as editor of Foundation of Faith: Insights into Pirkei Avot by Rabbi Norman Lamm (OU Press, 2021). Rabbi Dratch is also founder of J...

In the spring of 2007, Rabbi Ilan Feldman - Senior Rabbi of Beth Jacob of Atlanta, GA - was offered by his congregation to take a short vacation. But he declined - because he didn’t feel he needed one. But after thinking it over - he decided to take them up on it. But his family was unable to join him, so he didn’t know where to go. Until a friend arranged the following unknown adventure...  He wo...

Rabbi Yaakov Sadigh is Head of Katz Hillel Day School of Boca Raton, FL. He’s on a mission to change the world, but the way he inspires that change is just as important as the change itself. Rabbi Sadigh’s first big encounter with change was when he was just 9 years old, living peacefully in Iran, when the Shah was overthrown. When he was 17 years old, he became a student of change - at Ezra Acade...

This episode of the Maggid Method is a master class in transformative public speaking... From a master at transformative public speaking... None other than the great Charlie Harary. In this short episode - Charlie reveals the specific techniques and mindsets he uses to craft and deliver life-changing presentations to Jewish audiences around the world. We discuss: - what audiences crave more than a...