18Forty Podcast

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jenna Weissman Joselit, a professor of Jewish studies and history, about the everyday expressions of Judaism that reinforce the identity and distinctiveness of the Jewish People.  In this episode we discuss: —What consequential institutional decisions shaped the trajectory of American Judaism? —What overlooked personalities and phenomena contribut...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to historian Zev Eleff about what 250 years of Jewish life in America can teach us about religion, identity, and the future of American Judaism. In this episode we discuss: —Why did colonial Jews support the American Revolution despite knowing the dangers of opposing those in power? —How did Jewish denominations and institutions as we know them emer...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Elana Moskowitz, an educator at Michlelet Mevasseret Yerushalayim, about how her American Jewish upbringing shaped her life and worldview. Moskowitz grew up Orthodox in America in the 1990s—alongside her brother David Bashevkin—before moving to Israel and joining a Haredi community in Jerusalem.  In this episode we discuss:  —What is the unique n...

In this annual debate episode of the 18Forty Podcast , David Bashevkin moderates a discussion on finances within the Orthodox Jewish community.  The specific resolution is: The current state of semachot in our community and the level of spending on them, as well as extravagance in lifestyle in general, is problematically excessive and should be significantly curtailed. Rabbi Larry Rothwachs defend...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin responds to listeners’ feedback and comments, in conversation with Denah Emerson. In this episode we discuss: —Should every Jew be Orthodox? —Is the gap year in Israel “just a business”? —How does one develop their own Jewish identity at a phase in life when it’s no longer mediated by institutions? Tune in to hear what the 18Forty community h...

Ahead of the next episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we invite you to hear David Bashevkin's appearance on 18 Questions, 40 Mystics . What does it mean to live a Judaism that fits into our lives? David Bashevkin explores the meeting point of mysticism and modernity.  The founder of 18Forty, Rabbi Dr. David Bashevkin is the director of education at NCSY as well as an instructor at Yeshiva University....

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we revisit the topic of agunot by talking to Sarah Nissel and Yona Elishis, who run the Jewish Divorce Assistance Center of Los Angeles. We’re also joined by Keshet Starr, CEO of Shalom Task Force. In this episode we discuss: How do potentially amicable divorces escalate to being high-conflict?  Why does adversarial divorce seem to be increasingly common in...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Adam Ferziger, a historian of modern Jewish movements, about how American Jews have helped shape the evolution of Israeli Judaism. In this episode we discuss: —Why are Jewish religious boundaries in Israel often “more porous” than those in America? —Why did McDonald’s succeed in Israel while Starbucks failed? —What can Israelis take from the thic...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcas t, we talk to Alana Newhouse, the founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet Magazine, about why seemingly everyone is arguing about Zionism.  In this episode we discuss: —What causes spikes in antisemitism? —What is the role of rapid technological change in flattening the differences between people? —What makes Israel a model for a nation that other countries shou...

This episode is sponsored by Brett and Susan Nadritch, who support creative initiatives that strengthen our love for and connection to the People and Land of Israel, in honor of all the lone soldiers in the most recent Hesder draft, the class of Nisan 5786.  In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Michael Olshin, educational director of Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Jerusalem, about the pur...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Michael Eisenberg—a venture capitalist and Torah scholar—about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora.  In this episode we discuss: —What lies ahead for the Jewish People amid the war with Iran? —What can Israel and America teach one another about Jewish innovation? —What should be the religious vision for “secular” Jews in Isr...

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the  18Forty Podcast , we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunited. We also speak with Adam Pollock, the estrangement specialist who inspired them to reconcile.  In this episode we discuss:  Are there specific struggles that lead to estrangement in the Orthodox...

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to philanthropist David Magerman and his daughter Sydney, who decided to make aliyah while on her gap year in Israel.   In this episode we discuss: What should we do with the freedom we’ve been given? What is it like to make the journey toward Orthodoxy as a...

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Rabbi Shaanan Gelman and his son Ziggy about the persistence of a parent-child relationship when the latter faces addiction.   In this episode we discuss: How does habitual drug use evolve into addiction? How does a parent help a child struggling with sub...

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Yakov Danishefsky—a licensed clinical social worker and the author of The Attached Haggadah —about the imperfect ways in which we transmit the Jewish story.  In this episode we discuss: How do we deal with the lived reality that the Passover Seder isn’t a...

This week of learning is sponsored by Zachary Schreiber in honor of Tova Bashevkin, because behind every great man is an even greater woman. In this special Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast , David Bashevkin speaks about the late, great comedian Garry Shandling in honor of his 10th yahrzeit, which is this Purim. In this episode we discuss: What does pop culture tell us about the Torah of our t...

This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we speak with Yehuda Geberer—a researcher, educator, and tour guide—about the history of the yeshiva world. In this episode we discuss: How did we get from the start of the Lithuanian yeshiva movement to the Ame...

This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we speak with Rabbi Aaron Kotler, president of the Beth Medrash Govoha and a grandson of Rav Aharon Kotler, about the beginnings of the American yeshiva world. In this episode we discuss: What is the difference...

This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we speak with Professors Elisheva Carlebach and Debra Kaplan, scholars of early modern Jewish history, about women’s religious, social, and communal roles in early modern Jewish life. In this episode we discuss:...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we speak with Rabbis Eitan Webb and Ari Israel, head of a campus Chabad and Hillel respectively, about Jewish life on college campuses today.  In this episode we discuss: Has there been a recent Jewish awakening on college campuses? How much attention should we pay to campus antisemitism? Are Chabad and Hillel able to work together on college campuses? Tune...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we speak with Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience, about Modern Orthodox outreach. In this episode we discuss: Why aren’t more aspiring rabbis attracted to kiruv ?  How can we help people make the transition from outreach programs to the “real world”? How can we make the case for Shabbos for the masses?  Tune in to hear a conver...

This podcast is in partnership with Rabbi Benji Levy  and Share. Learn more at  40mystics.com . As a Chabad Hasid, Rabbi Zevi Slavin’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich traditions of  Chassidut  and Kabbala. This upbringing provided him with a unique lens through which he continues to learn, study, and connect with others.  Drawing on his background, Slavin created “ Seekers of Unity...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations and Jewish Peoplehood. In this episode we discuss: How did David become an Orthodox rabbi with an interest in the broader Jewish world? Where does David get his sense of commandedness and obligation from?  How should Israel factor in...

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations and Jewish Peoplehood.  In this episode we discuss: How do we re-determine how to be Jews in America? Is there really an “education gap” between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews?  How should we handle the question of “who is a Jew” across denominations? Tune i...

Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics .   In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, originally released in 2021, we talk to Rabbi Pini Dunner and Rav Moshe Weinberger about the Yabloner Rebbe and his astounding story of teshuva. The Yabloner Rebbe was a chassidishe rebbe who helped found Kfar Chassidim. He disappeared and went to Los Angeles, where he we...