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

Discover why the language we use shapes not just debate but our very sense of belonging—especially when it comes to one of Judaism’s most loaded words: Zionism. Should we retire the term altogether? Join Rabbi Leora Londy and Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe as they tackle whether ongoing arguments over “Zionism” help or hinder honest conversation about Israel, Jewish identity, and inclusion in the Jewish com...

Amid the ever-shifting landscape of global politics, adaptability and historical memory remain vital. What happens when Israel can no longer rely on longstanding alliances—or when old assumptions about safety and security are challenged by new realities? In this episode, the conversation focused on the recent Iran memorandum of understanding, its implications for Israeli politics and security, and...

What if rooting for laundry is the closest most people will get to a spiritual experience? In this episode of "In Such a Time," Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy reveal powerful (and surprising) parallels between sports fandom and religious identity—from sacred rituals to communal belonging, group pride, and even prayer for teams at B’Nai Mitzvah. Explore how being a Knicks fan...

What if the ancient Jewish blessing for newborns—to study Torah, perform good deeds, and one day get married—no longer fits our modern lives? This episode dives headfirst into the evolving role of marriage within Jewish tradition, asking whether meaningful lives require sacred relationships or if today’s realities demand more inclusive interpretations. The conversation focused on how liturgy, cult...

What if the very heart of Reform Judaism—its relationship to Israel—was up for debate in the ordaining of new rabbis? This episode of "In Such a Time" plunges into the charged question rocking Hebrew Union College and the wider Reform movement: Should future clergy be required to support the existence of the State of Israel? Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy reflect on their exp...

Could loving your favorite band put your safety—or your conscience—at risk? This episode of "In Such a Time" confronts a dilemma that many are now quietly struggling with: What should you do when beloved artists publicly express harshly critical or anti-Semitic views? The conversation focuses on the personal and communal challenges of reconciling artistic appreciation with ethical bounda...

What if you could only keep five Jewish holidays for the rest of your life? Which would you choose—and which would you let go? In this fun, live episode recorded on Erev Shavuot, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy go head-to-head in a lively "draft pick" of annual Jewish holidays, revealing surprising priorities, personal stories, and the deeper values these days embody. From the...

What if the stories shaping global perceptions of Israel—and the Jewish people—weren't as clear-cut as headlines suggest? This episode dives headfirst into the New York Times op-ed by Nicholas Kristof, a piece that's sent shockwaves throughout the Jewish American community by alleging systematic abuses by Israeli soldiers. But hosts Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy refuse to sett...

What if being a rabbi is a little like being a professional wrestler—so caught up in your public Persona that you risk losing sight of your authentic self? Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy wrestle (sometimes literally!) with the surprising parallels between the performative world of Hulk Hogan and the lives of clergy. From Netflix’s revealing Hulk Hogan series to stories from the bema, t...

Did you know there’s a major Jewish holiday that many people barely recognize—or even know exists? In this upbeat and eye-opening episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy uncover the mystery behind Shavuot’s “disappearing act” in much of the diaspora, despite its deep spiritual, historical, and culinary significance. The episode journeys between vibrant Shavuot celebrations in Israel—co...

What if your synagogue doesn’t actually reflect your rabbi’s own Jewish practice? In this refreshingly honest episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy open the door on a rarely-discussed truth: the way clergy personally observe and the standards they set for their congregations don’t always align. With bold candor, they explore the inner “push and pull” of balancing personal standards,...

What if the birth of modern Israel wasn’t just a miracle of survival—but the world’s greatest social experiment, blending ancient prophecy, multiculturalism, and the struggles of democracy? This episode of In Such a Time dives into the rarely-discussed tensions and triumphs at the heart of Israel’s identity, anchored by its Declaration of Independence. Join Rabbi Leora Londy and Rabbi Jonathan Jaf...

What if religious passion could literally get you killed? This week, the “In Such a Time” podcast dives into the chilling story of Nadav and Avihu from Parashat Shmini, revealing how the boundaries between deep devotion and dangerous zealotry can blur—sometimes with devastating consequences. Rabbis Jaffe and Londy share personal reflections on religious extremism, examine how faith communities def...

What if the real threat to Israel's future isn’t from its enemies—but from within? This week on "In Such a Time," Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Landi confront the uncomfortable truth about internal divisions and radicalization shaping Israeli society—at the very moment when unity is needed most. Against the backdrop of Passover and the pressing headlines from Israel—including...

What if the "right" way to host a Passover Seder is to throw out the rulebook—and even make your own rules? This episode, Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Leora Londy share why the most meaningful Seders are often the least traditional, revealing that authenticity and engagement matter far more than technical perfection. From supermarket nightmares and marshmallow rewards for questions, to deep...

What if the most misunderstood—and seemingly bizarre—book of the Torah actually holds the key to living a meaningful, connected, and sacred life today? In this episode of In Such a Time, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy journey through the often-overlooked Book of Leviticus, exploring everything from ancient rituals of purity, sacrifices, and illness to how those concepts inspire the way...

What if traveling to the U.S. from Israel meant sneaking across borders, hiding your Jewish identity, and relying on bus rides, taxis, and flights through countries that aren't always friendly to Jews? I n this episode, Rabbi Benny Minich shares his extraordinary journey—literally and figuratively—from Crimea to Israel to the United States, peeling back the curtain on what it means to be Jewis...

What if the greatest threat to peace isn’t war—but silence? In this episode of "In Such a Time," Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Leora Londy record on Purim, glitter and all, confronting the deep anxieties and hopes stirred by the unfolding conflict with Iran, Israel’s precarious situation, and the emotional toll it takes on Jews worldwide. With rare honesty, the rabbis debate the difference b...

What if the villain of Purim, Haman, isn’t as evil as you thought—and Esther, the celebrated heroine, isn’t quite so perfect? Dive into a conversation that will challenge everything you think you know about the Book of Esther. In this episode of "In Such a Time," Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Leora Londy bring fresh eyes to the Purim story, exploring the complex motivations and personalities...

What if we told you that one of Judaism's most joyous holidays is also its most misunderstood—and, for some, even the least favorite? Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy dive headfirst into the revelry, complexity, and deep meaning behind Purim. From festive street parties in Israel to the hidden existential lessons of the Book of Esther, this conversation explores why Purim is so much...

What if everything you’ve been told about fighting antisemitism isn’t just ineffective—but could actually fuel the problem? Rabbis Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy dive headfirst into the controversy sparked by a $15 million Super Bowl ad, dissecting whether public campaigns against antisemitism truly help—or just reinforce Jewish vulnerability. They unpack the critiques swirling around...

What if the most transformative moments in Jewish prayer aren’t found in the words—but in the music you didn’t even know was shaping your spirit? In this revelatory episode of “In Such a Time,” Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Leora Londy pull back the curtain on their very different—but unexpectedly harmonious—musical journeys into the rabbinate. Whether you think you’re “not a music person,” grew up bo...

What happens when the sacred act of protest collides with violence—and what does Judaism truly say about standing up, dissent, and crossing the line? This week’s episode of “In Such A Time” dives explosively into the turbulent debates around recent ICE protests in Minnesota, exploring not just policy and politics but the very essence of Jewish ethical responsibility in moments of national crisis....

What do kosher hot dogs, mummified chickens, and a mall food court have in common? In this surprisingly candid and humorous episode of "In Such a Time: Conversations on Jewish Life, Leadership and Meaning," hosts Rabbi Leora Londy and Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe dig deep into the intricacies—and idiosyncrasies—of kashrut, the Jewish dietary laws. From Kalua pig at Hawaiian bat mitzvahs to high-...

In this eye-opening episode of In Such a Time: Conversations on Jewish Life, Leadership and Meaning , Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe sits down with his longtime friend and colleague, Rabbi Ryan Bauer, Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in San Francisco, to reveal the fascinating, sometimes hilarious, and truly surprising contrasts between Jewish community life on the East and West Coasts. Get ready for stories...