A Soul Grows in Israel

Founded by Faye, Pens for Swords is a grassroots advocacy movement dedicated to combating antisemitism, supporting Israel, and advancing public awareness through civic engagement. The organization mobilizes volunteers worldwide to participate in petitions, educational initiatives, letter writing campaigns, and advocacy efforts that promote solidarity with Israel, support hostages, and counter misi...

What does fitness have to do with spirituality? In this conversation, I sit down with Shuli Goldstein, founder of Studio Soul, to explore the connection between physical movement, emotional well-being, personal growth, and spiritual life. We discuss why exercise can be more than a tool for weight loss or appearance, how movement affects our mindset and sense of self, the relationship between body...

In times of war and uncertainty, how do we practice gratitude? In Israel right now, we’re all navigating fear, intrusive thoughts, and the question: where is faith when everything feels unstable? This episode explores a Torah based approach to gratitude that doesn’t require you to feel okay, it requires you to know what’s true. A teaching for anyone living through Iran tensions, conflict, or any m...

In this episode, Rabbi Akiva Gersh, " the Vegan Rabbi " explores veganism through the lens of Judaism, Genesis, Rav Kook, compassion toward animals, spirituality, holiness, and the future of food. We discuss the Garden of Eden, the ethics of eating meat, Jewish thought, modern industrial farming, and whether the Torah points humanity toward a more compassionate world. Support the show Fo...

Paula Kweskin is a documentary filmmaker, human rights attorney, and founder of The 49%, a nonprofit focused on women’s storytelling and global women’s rights. In this conversation, we discuss Judaism, feminism, Israel, documentary filmmaking, faith, identity, and the power of storytelling.”   #PaulaKweskin #Judaism #WomenInJudaism #DocumentaryFilm #JewishWomen #Feminism #Israel #WomenRights #Podc...

In this episode, Millie Schweky, lpelvic floor specialist, joins us for a conversation on women’s health, healing, and the topics many women quietly struggle with but rarely talk about openly. We discuss pelvic floor health, postpartum recovery, body awareness, physical symptoms women often dismiss, and the connection between emotional and physical well being. This conversation goes beyond quick f...

As Shavuot approaches, I found myself thinking deeply about femininity, spirituality, and what it truly means to receive Torah in the modern world. In this episode, we explore the role of women at Har Sinai, the spiritual power of receptivity, why softness in Judaism is often misunderstood, and the quiet exhaustion so many Jewish women carry today. From motherhood and identity to intuition, ambiti...

This episode started light. We went outside, tried to be funny, and it got real fast. We get into Lakewood, its culture, the nuance people miss, and how quickly conversations shift when you actually look a little deeper. We even break down a Lakewood influencer and what people see versus what is actually there. What starts as jokes turns into something more honest about identity, perception, and t...

In part two, Yakira Apfel returns for a deeper conversation on what it actually means to be fully yourself. We talk about health beyond trends, the nuance that often gets lost in simple advice, and the ongoing work of staying honest with yourself even when it is uncomfortable. This is not about perfection or performance, but about paying attention to what is real and what is not. We also touch on...

In this first part, Yakira Apfel from Fit Studio and The Yard joins us for a conversation about confidence, insecurity, and the unfolding of her life's journey. We explore how confidence is built, shaped, and sometimes questioned, what insecurity really looks like beneath the surface, and how personal history and lived experience influence the way someone shows up in the world. This is an hon...

In this soul-o episode, I share something very real. I was in the middle of a conflict and needed something to hold onto, so I went back to my favorite lines from the Tanya, a foundational text from Chabad on the inner life, the mind, and the soul. What I found wasn’t abstract. It was immediate. I gathered quotes that speak directly to sadness, joy, and the power of our thoughts, and tried to actu...

In this episode I sit down with Shira Melamed for an honest and thoughtful conversation about tzniut , Jewish modesty, and what it really means to walk humbly with Hashem in the modern world. I play devil’s advocate and bring the questions many women quietly think about but rarely say out loud. Why do the laws of modesty sometimes feel challenging. What are the common objections people have to tzn...

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Rabbi David Aaron to explore the deeper meanings of Pesach (Passover) and what true freedom really means. We dive into the profound spiritual significance of the holiday and how it connects to the power of prayer ( Tefillah ) in our lives. Rabbi Aaron also takes us on a journey into the roots of many key concepts found in Jewish tradition, shedding li...

In this bonus Soul-o episode of A Soul Grows in Israel, I explore a deeper way of understanding Pesach. Beyond the preparations, the Seder, and the traditions, Pesach carries a powerful idea that speaks to the inner life of the soul. We often think of the story of the Exodus as something that happened long ago. But the message of Pesach is also about personal renewal, letting go of what holds us b...

In this episode my speical guest is my husband.  We explore the Pesach Seder through the lens of personal reflection and shared experience. We discuss how we each engage with the Haggadah and with life so differently. We talk about the Four Sons, and the expectations of family and tradition. We dive into the deeper practice of letting go of control, of expectations, and of the ways we hold onto th...

In this Soul-o episode, I share my personal experience and reflections after two weeks at war in Israel during the conflict with Iran. I speak about what it feels like to live under uncertainty the emotional impact on our people and the ways faith in ourselves as a nation and in Hashem help us endure. This episode is a personal journey into fear, resilience ,and connection to the land and the peop...

In this episode we sit down with the Rosenfeld parents to share the story of their son Natan who was killed in battle in Gaza. We explore the courage he showed, the values he lived by, and the way his family continues to honor his memory through faith, resilience, and love. This conversation is about more than loss. It is about the everyday heroism of soldiers in Israel, the strength of Jewish fam...

In this episode I explore the deeper themes of Purim through the lens of femininity, hidden strength, and the ability to transcend the illusion of what appears on the surface. Esther’s name comes from hiddenness. The miracles of Purim are concealed within ordinary events. And yet behind the veil there is Divine orchestration, faith, and moral clarity. I share the lessons I learned from my Bobby, a...

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I’ve been feeling low but everything is great. I’m with my favorite people in the most beautiful place and still a quiet sadness shows up. In this episode I share my recent mood dips and what it feels like to experience mild emotional lows even when life seems perfect. This is an honest personal reflection on everyday mood shifts, feeling off without a reason, and how to accept these small dips wi...

Is astrology real according to Judaism? Do zodiac signs affect your life? And if mazal (astrological influence) exists, where does free will fit in? In this episode, Yitzchok Pinkesz, author of Kosher Astrology, explains the Torah perspective on astrology, mazal, and destiny. We discuss what Jewish sources say about the zodiac, whether astrology is permitted or forbidden, and how astrology interac...

 🎉 Happy anniversary to us!  A soul-o episode reflecting on Judaism, beauty, and materialism. This week, we tackle the topic of materialism and its place in our belief system. Is beauty and aesthetics a distraction or a part of our spiritual path?  Today, we dive into ancient Judaism, modern Judaism and in short authentic Judaism when it comes to beauty and our attachment to it. What’s your take?...

Join Nasiyah Israul, a Jewish woman of color, autistic advocate, and musician, as she shares her journey of Jewish identity, West African Jewish roots, and healing. Discover how her music, faith, and creativity intersect with resilience and self-expression. This episode is perfect for anyone interested in autism, Judaism, cultural heritage, neurodiversity, identity, and music as a healing tool. To...

Rebecca Nissel grew up in post-Holocaust Vienna, a city still marked by darkness and loss. Yet her childhood was filled with warmth, safety, and joy, intentionally created by parents who had survived the unimaginable and chose love anyway. In this conversation, Rebecca shares what it means to be raised by survivors who refused to pass on fear, how a golden childhood can exist in the shadow of trau...

In this deeply personal and hopeful episode, I share the story of my son’s 54 foot fall from a cliff and the spiritual awakening that followed. What could have been tragedy became a moment of protection, perspective, and profound growth. We explore faith, resilience, divine timing, and how life changing moments can realign the soul with purpose. This is a story about survival, meaning, and how lig...