Nourish Your Biblical Roots with Yael Eckstein

This episode of Jewish Voices, American Stories shares the stories of three American rabbis who helped shape a more inclusive, compassionate, and courageous nation through their convictions and actions. We begin with Rabbi Jacob Frankel, whose appointment as the first Jewish chaplain in the U.S. Army marked a turning point in American history. At a time when Jewish soldiers were excluded from spir...

This episode of Jewish Voices, American Stories explores how Jewish-American scientists and doctors helped change the course of history—bringing healing, hope, and life to millions. We begin with Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, two brilliant scientists whose breakthroughs in the fight against polio transformed one of America’s greatest fears into one of its greatest public health victories. At a time...

This episode of Jewish Voices, American Stories looks at God’s gift of laughter—and how Jewish comedians have helped bring joy, resilience, and connection to American life. We begin with the Marx Brothers, a family of immigrant performers whose quick wit, physical comedy, and unforgettable characters helped define American humor. In times of hardship and uncertainty, their laughter offered somethi...

This episode of Jewish Voices, American Stories reflects on moments of tragedy that have shaped both the Jewish experience and the American story—reminding us why memory, compassion, and courage matter. We begin with the Titanic, where amid one of history’s most famous disasters, a remarkable love story unfolded. Isidor and Ida Straus—partners in life for more than forty years—chose to remain toge...

This episode of Jewish Voices, American Stories takes us back to the earliest chapters of American history—long before Ellis Island—when Jewish life was already taking root in a new and uncertain nation. We begin at Touro Synagogue—the oldest synagogue in the United States. Built by a small community seeking religious freedom, it stands as a lasting symbol of a promise that would define America: t...

In this episode of Jewish Voices, American Stories , we’ll explore the powerful role Jewish musicians have played in shaping the soundtrack of America. From the concert hall to Broadway to the radio, music has always helped tell the story of our nation—and Jewish voices have played a part in that story in profound and lasting ways. We begin with Itzhak Perlman, a world-renowned violinist whose jou...

In this episode of Jewish Voices, American Stories , we’ll explore the Jewish writers whose words helped shape not just literature—but the moral and spiritual conscience of America. We begin with Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor whose powerful testimony in Night brought the reality of unimaginable suffering into classrooms and hearts across the country. Through his writing, Wiesel bore witness to...

Welcome to a new podcast season, Jewish Voices, American Stories . In this episode, we’ll explore pivotal moments when American presidents helped shape a nation where the Jewish people could belong—and thrive. We begin at the founding of the United States, when George Washington answered a profound question for a small but faithful community: Would this new nation make room for the Jewish people?...

In this special Passover episode of Nourish Your Biblical Roots, Yael Eckstein and Bishop Paul Lanier explore one of the most powerful and meaningful stories in the Bible—not only for the Jewish people, but for Christians, too. Passover commemorates God’s dramatic deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But this biblical story of redemption isn’t just about the past—it is meant to sha...

In this special Passover episode of Nourish Your Biblical Roots , Yael Eckstein invites us into one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—biblical traditions: the asking of questions. Passover is one of the most sacred holidays in the Bible, commemorating God’s dramatic deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But Passover is not meant to be remembered passively—it’s meant to be ex...

In this final episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three heroes who gave their lives in the face of evil. Some were Righteous Gentiles—non-Jews who chose to protect Jewish lives at terrible cost. But the first hero we’ll meet today was Jewish himself. You’ll hear the story of Dr. Janusz Korczak , a doctor, writer, and caretaker in Warsaw who refused to abando...

In this episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three heroes whose courage took place underground. The stories we’ll hear today include secret resistance networks, hidden wilderness refuges, and even a literal shelter beneath the earth. You’ll hear the story of Jan Karski , a Righteous Gentile who served as a courier for the Polish underground and risked his lif...

In this episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three soldiers whose courage helped protect Jewish lives. The heroes we’ll meet today wore uniforms—men trained for war, who faced battles of conscience. You’ll hear the story of Orde Wingate , a British officer who stood with the Jewish people before World War II even began, training Jewish fighters in the Holy La...

In this episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three heroes whose courage was expressed through art. The heroes we’ll meet today were writers and performers. Artists who used their creativity to preserve truth, resist evil, and protect Jewish lives. You’ll hear the story of Armin T. Wegner , a German writer who dared to confront Adolf Hitler by speaking out aga...

In this episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three Righteous Gentiles who protected Jewish lives. The heroes we’ll meet today were farmers, woodsmen, and country families—ordinary people who worked the land, and who chose to do what was right even when it cost them everything. You’ll hear the story of Mefodiy and Kseniya Logatzky , a Christian farming couple...

In this episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three Righteous Gentiles who protected Jewish lives. The heroes we’ll meet today were doctors, nurses, and medical students—people trained to heal the body. People who found themselves in situations where acts of healing became acts of resistance. You’ll hear the story of Irena Sendler , a Polish nurse who walked i...

In this episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three Righteous Gentiles who protected Jewish lives. The pastors we’ll meet today were spiritual shepherds who refused to stay silent in the face of evil. You’ll hear the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer , a German pastor whose faith led him to resist Hitler… and make the ultimate sacrifice. You’ll also meet Vladimir K...

In the first episode of Heroes of the Holocaust , CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three Righteous Gentiles who protected Jewish lives—ordinary teachers and caregivers who became extraordinary rescuers. The heroes we meet today were women of quiet conviction who stepped into danger to protect children the world had decided were expendable. You’ll hear the story of Lois Gunden , a young Menn...

Why do you think people of faith celebrate the most joyful holidays during the darkest time of the year? The Jewish people just did, having finished their annual Hanukkah festivities, celebrating the Festival of Lights. This isn’t not a coincidence. We celebrate light during this dark time of year because only against that backdrop of darkness can we truly appreciate light. In this special holiday...

How do miracles happen? A miracle just takes one step of faith and God takes care of the rest! And that’s what today’s episode is all about. Yael Eckstein looks at the Hanukkah story of the miracle of the oil. When rededicating the Temple in ancient times, God’s people lit the menorah on faith alone because they knew they didn’t have enough pure oil for it to burn more than one day. And guess what...

Does your family have any special holiday traditions during this festive time of year? Most of us do, including Yael Eckstein, who shares her special family traditions for Hanukkah. Yael explains how this holiday inspires faith and light that have kept the Jewish people hopeful during the darkest of times in their history. And Hanukkah’s message of light is still so relevant for both Jews and Chri...

Hanukkah, a season of God’s light and miracles, is probably one of the most well-known Jewish holidays, primarily because of its proximity to Christmas. But do you know what this special season celebrates? Today, Yael tells us a miraculous story of courage and faith in God that was a huge turning point in history for the Jewish people. She turns to Exodus 15:11: “Who among the gods is like you, LO...

Does you ever feel like you’re drifting through life? Sometimes it can feel like we’re on autopilot, going through our daily routines automatically, living according to our whims or our circumstances in the moment, never really choosing what we want. But on today’s podcast, we’re going to talk about what we can do each day in order to get closer to the life we really want—and the life that God wan...

Everyone wants a beautiful home. And today, we have no shortage of information about how to enhance the places we live to make them more beautiful and more comfortable physically. But how can we enhance our homes spiritually? In today’s episode, Yael Eckstein looks at the Book of Genesis to discover how the miracles God blessed Sarah and Rebekah with transformed their homes into sacred spaces. For...

Prayer is our greatest source of power—a direct conduit to our almighty God. But when it seems that our prayers have gone unanswered, it can be tempting to doubt the power of our prayers. On this episode, Yael Eckstein looks at what the Bible says about the most effective way to pray. As Yael explains, our prayers can become more powerful when we pray for other, with others, and when we keep on pr...