613 Books Podcast

Author, Editor and Copywriter Sara Miriam Gross is the featured guest on this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, and we are talking about her terrific book, “Invisible Tribe.” It’s a collection of fictional stories that explore the tough, messy, and even funny situations that children who have lost a parent sometimes find themselves in. These distinctive stories span all seasons and holidays, helping...

In this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with Sarah Shapiro about her book, “Audience of One,” a collection of short stories. Sarah’s eclectic topics and ponderings are boldly honest yet written in a breezy yet contemplative manner that makes writing about ourselves seem easy. But it’s not! Sarah’s choices in phrasing, structure and tone keep us readers rive...

This episode of “613 Books” podcast is Part 2 of Heather’s interview with Rabbi Joel Padowitz and Rabbi Jonathan Sassen which originally aired September 25 2024. They are the co-authors of “The Science Behind the Mishnah.” Their fascinating exploration of Maseches Berachos is where Torah wisdom meets scientific discovery, offering a fresh perspective that connects timeless teachings with the intri...

Lecturer and author Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein is the featured guest on this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, discussing some of the key concepts he writes about in his new book, “Sukkos: A Symphony of Joy.” Rabbi Bernstein clarifies what exactly we are celebrating in this zeman simchaseinu. And if you are puzzled by the Hoshanos service or Simchas Beis Hasho’eva, Rabbi Bernstein clarifies the...

Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz is back on “613 Books” Podcast as host Heather Dean’s featured guest on this encore episode to provide insights and ideas we often wonder about regarding Yom Kippur, but hadn’t thought to ask. Are we expected to intensely ponder each confession of the Viduiy prayer? Are our sins forever erased on Yom Kippur… not to reappear during our Life Review in the next world? How does th...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guests are Rabbi Joel Padowitz and Rabbi Jonathan Sassen, co-authors of “The Science Behind the Mishnah.” Their fascinating exploration of Maseches Berachos is where Torah wisdom meets scientific discovery, offering a fresh perspective that connects timeless teachings with the intricacies of the physical world. Care to understand...

In this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather Dean welcomes back esteemed authors Riva Pomerantz, Lesley Kaplan, and Chaya Baila Leiber who were Heather’s featured guests over the course of Season 2 to tell us about the inspiring and practical books that are on their reading table. Subscribe to “613 Books Podcast” and discover new books every week! = = = Show notes: Featured Gu...

In this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with caterer, workshop leader and cookbook author, Menuchah Armel about preparing for a 3-day Yom Tov. They discuss plan-ahead recipes based on Menuchah’s cookbook, “Straight to the Plate,” and other delicious suggestions. Also very importantly, Menuchah dishes up practical advice for preparing your kitchen workspace with a...

As a young woman, Barbara always thought she'd marry a nice Jewish boy from New York, just like her mother. But her life took a distinctly different turn when she entered the Torah-observant world and her nice Jewish boy turned out to hail from Casablanca! Suddenly she found herself the Sephardic version of the bride-who-knew-nothing! As the years passed and her family grew, she did her best to ab...

Aleeza Ben Shalom, the first guest on Season One of this podcast is back in Season Two, this time give producer-host Heather Dean’s listeners a first look (or shall we say listen) at Aleeza’s forthcoming book, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Find Me a Love that Lasts.” This is the 2nd of Heather’s two-part interview with Aleeza, and they cover such topics as “intentional chemistry,” breaking up vs. ghosti...

Mishpacha columnist, podcaster and workshop leader Esther Kurtz is back on “613 Books” podcast with a fresh, new interview; this time to discuss her new book, “Second Chances.” It’s a terrific collection of short stories, each one containing life conundrums we can either relate to or gain insights from, with multi-layered characters and surprising plotlines. Whether it’s shalom bayis, newfound wea...

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather Dean speaks with caterer, workshop leader, and author of the recipe book “Straight to the Plate,” Menuchah Armel. The onset of “The Nine Days” of National mourning is Rosh Chodesh Av, when we diminish or “decrease our joy.” Among the laws and customs of these days is refraining from eating meat (except on Shabbat). Menuchah shares m...

Aleeza Ben Shalom, the first guest on Season One of this podcast is back in Season Two, this time give producer-host Heather Dean’s listeners a first look (or shall we say listen) at Aleeza’s forthcoming book, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Find Me a Love that Lasts.” Check out Aleeza’s fresh, new yet traditional insights about dating for marriage. Aleeza describes what she calls “Disney Dating,” and exp...

In this encore episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with bestselling author of over 40 children’s books Bracha Goetz about her memoir (for grown-up readers), “Nourish the Soul” as well as quite a bit of her other written work. In “Nourish the Soul,” Bracha openly reveals her quest for the Truth, her struggles with food and how she overcame them with joy, as well as oth...

On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, Heather speaks with Yocheved Davidowitz about her book, “I’ll Start Tomorrow: A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Health and Weight Goals.” Yocheved is also a therapist based in Cleveland, Ohio and she produces and hosts a wonderful podcast she calls “A Deeper Conversation: The Podcast for Jewish Women.” And for a daily dose of insights and inspiration about...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Rebbetzin Malka Kaganoff, the author of “Exploring Tehillim” Sefer Tehillim is the source of many of our tefillos and the sefer of choice for our personal prayers. But what exactly are we saying in each perek? Sometimes the answer is not so clear. In Exploring Tehillim Rebbetzin Malka Kaganoff offers a brief synopsis of...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is author and editor Chaya Baila Leiber, the author of “Who Wears a Yarmulke?” This children’s book is a bright and fun read for little kids, their parents and grandparents. Meet Yudi, who is growing accustomed to wearing his first yarmulke just before his upsherin. Chaya Baila talks about the making of this book, and revea...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Dr. Sara Markowitz, the co-author of “Kosher ADHD.” Among the topics they discuss are strategies for how someone with ADHD can overcome difficulties with prayer, Shabbat, Torah study, and other central aspects of Judaism. “Kosher ADHD” offers a practical yet creative approach on how to transform the chaos of ADHD into a...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Riva Pomerantz, the author of “Take Two.” Riva talks about the book’s deep dive into the tumultuous shana rishona (first year of marriage) of Aryeh and Miri Kleinerman, their in-laws, and a world of secrets that crosses generations and boundaries in shalom bayis (household harmony). *** SPECIAL OFFER ALERT! *** Exclusive...

In this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather Dean welcomes back a few esteemed authors who were Heather’s featured guests over the course of Season 1, as well as a rebbetzin, to tell us about the books that are on their reading table. Subscribe to “613 Books Podcast” and discover new books every week! Show Notes: Featured guests (1) Rebbetzin Bat-Chen Grossman Website: https:/...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Lesley Kaplan, a business strategy, branding and goal-achieving coach, who is also the author of “Small Business Success Toolbox & Guide.” Drawing from several decades’ experience running her own successful businesses (product and service) Lesley defines and explains the importance of having a U.S.P. (unique selling prop...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Judy Gruen, the author of “Bylines and Blessings: Overcoming Obstacles, Striving for Excellence, and Redefining Success.” Judy says that she writes to find meaning, hope, and laughter in a complicated world. Her first memoir is the acclaimed "The Skeptic and the Rabbi." Just has also written three humor books, one of whi...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Mindy Blumenfeld, the author of “Hillel and the Paper Menschies,” a book for children (that the rest of us will enjoy!) based on the actual experiences of young Hillel Blumenfeld z”l who was diagnosed with cancer when he was six years old. This book is co-written by Marc Luber, who is also the book’s illustrator. The wor...

This week’s featured guest on “613 Books Podcast” is Menachem Weinreb, Creative Director of Mishpacha Magazine. His newly-published ingeniously artful book, “Mystical Matters from the Bible and Beyond” was previewed on this podcast last summer when it was still in manuscript form. Back then, host Heather Dean predicted this book just might be The Next Big Thing, given all of its bold and whimsical...

On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Ahava Ehrenpreis, the celebrated author of “On My Own…but Not Alone,” “More than Special: Perspectives from the World of Special Needs,” and “My Special Uncle.” Ahava is the mother of Saadya, a”h, a young man with Down syndrome. Her experiences raising him were the basis for her popular and well-received articles and her...