The Eden Center Podcast

In this week’s podcast, Karen Miller Jackson discusses the faithful and hopeful Bnot Yisrael, who according to midrash, continued to perform the mitzvah of Taharat HaMishpacha, even during their enslavement. She then interviews Dr. Naomi Marmon Grumet, founder and director of The Eden Center, about present day commitment to Mikveh observance, and the question of privacy concerns arising from Covid...

This week in her discussion of the parsha Rabbanit Shani Taragin focuses on planting seeds of Redemption. Following that, don’t miss her fascinating interview with Gilat Sacks, an embryologist who provides both the science and wonder of modern fertility in Israel –  modern meyaldot. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider sponsoring an episode for $36/₪120 here. Ever think of becoming a kalla...

In this week’s podcast, Karen Miller Jackson first discusses the Israelite woman in Egypt, named nashim tzadikayanot (righteous woman) by the Talmud, who had vision to see beyond the oppression in Egypt, and exhibit faith and perseverance via intimacy; something we can learn from in these unprecedented times. The second half of the podcast is an exciting interview on practical advice on intimacy d...

At the end of the parsha Yaakov gives his children blessings. Karen Miller Jackson explores whether the non-positive ones are in fact, “blessings,” and what we can learn from this about parenting. She then examines the weekly Friday night blessings we give to our children based on Yaakov’s blessing to Ephraim and Menashe and shares a beautiful idea about the blessing for girls from the Torah of Ra...

This week, Karen shares insights from the encounter between Yehuda and Yosef that teach important messages about body language. She also explores current thinking about body language and how it can influence our interactions in the world. Sign up here to receive this podcast weekly. If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider sponsoring an episode for $36/120₪ here. The Eden Center team is p...

Parashat Miketz tells of how Hashem put an end to the physical and figurative darkness Joseph encountered in his descent to the Egyptian jail. In this week’s podcast, Karen Miller Jackson explores themes related to this darkness, and the light which Joseph subsequently brought to the world (also relevant to Chankuah), using it as a platform to discuss other types of darkness such as depression. Sh...

This week, Karen Miller Jackson discusses how we can use the story of Joseph and his brothers to teach us about family conflict. She uses Ya’akov’s family as a paradigm to teach us about cultivating healthy, rather than hurtful, relationships between children and within a family. Sign up here to receive this podcast weekly. Sponsor an episode of this podcast here.

In this podcast Karen Miller Jackson uses the story of Dina to explore issues of domestic and sexual abuse. She interviews Debbie Gross, Director of Tahel Crisis Center for Religious Women and Children, to understand the affects of CoVid on domestic and sexual abuse and explores how the reactions of Yaakov and his sons to Dina’s rape can shed light on different response mechanisms. In the effort t...

This week, Karen Miller Jackson discusses how we can learn from Ya’akov and motivate ourselves to learn, connect, and grow during these challenging and unstructured times.

Karen Miller Jackson discusses prayer as a tool for cultivating faith during trying times. She then interviews Barhan Worku about the chag ha-Sigd and its connection to tefilla (starting at minute 6:20). Want to become a mikveh attendant? Join The Eden Center’s upcoming English-language mikveh attendant training course, starting December 2nd, 2020. For more details click here or write us at info@t...

In this week’s podcast Karen Miller Jackson explores the inner strength and personal character traits of Rivkah Immeinu, and what her virtues can teach us about our own internal resources and commitment to core Jewish values. She parallels this to some life lessons we can learn from the persona of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l. Want to become a mikveh attendant and help others to immerse...

Karen delves into the Torah’s inclusion of Lot and the heinous acts of the people of Sodom, to help us think about healthy sexuality and how we can message our values to our children. Want to sponsor an episode of this podcast? Click here.

This week, Karen Miller Jackson delves into the idea of Avraham’s journey as a period of internal exploration and growth. She shares words of wisdom about how we can care for ourselves as a way to be there for others. Karen interviews yoga teacher Sher Mandelbaum about caring for ourselves through exercise at minute 5:15. Following up on Karen’s message of taking care of ourselves, please join us...

Rabbanit Shani Taragin shares thoughts on doing something we find meaning in or desire, as opposed to doing them because they are a command of God. That applies to Avraham’s journey to Eretz Yisrael, and to our own need to protect our health. See the attached source sheet: EDEN – Lech-Lecha- Ideology vs. Theology Watch Shani as she teaches about the Halakhic imperative to take care of our health t...

Karen Miller Jackson discusses what we can learn from Noach about the dangers of addiction. She shares her insights, and this week’s episode includes an interview with Dr. Brad Saltzman about technology addiction. Sign up to get this podcast to your inbox. Click here to sponsor an episode of the podcast. Join us this coming Thursday, October 25th, 8pm (Israel) for a special evening of breast cance...

This week Rabbanit Shani discusses the Mabul, the  Mikveh and Mishpacha. She discusses the importance of water, the significance of 40 and ties it all together with a beautiful and timely message. Join Shani this coming Thursday, October 25th, 8pm (Israel) for a special shiur and evening of breast cancer awareness and prevention in memory of Avigail Rock z”l. Register here for the link. To sponsor...

Bereshit teaches us about the Tzelem Elokim. What messages about the value of life are inherent within this concept? Karen explores this idea in this week’s podcast. Sign up to get this podcast to your inbox. Click here to sponsor an episode of the podcast. Know anyone who would be a good hatan teacher? Now is the time to learn! Online course starting Oct 25th For more information click here

Shani explores what it means to be made in God’s image. Sources to learn with the podcast: Parshat Bereishit – Wisdom & Wellness 5781 Know anyone who would be a good hatan teacher? Now is the time to learn! Online course starting Oct 25th Get more information 

Bereshit teaches us about the Tzelem Elokim. What messages about the value of life are inherent within this concept? Karen explores this idea in this week’s podcast. Sign up to receive this podcast to your inbox. Click here to sponsor an episode of the podcast. Know anyone who would be a good hatan teacher? Now is the time to learn! Online course starting Oct 25th For more information click here

Gabrielle discusses the holiness of the ten days of repentance, how to “stop, connect and reflect”, and tevilla for erev Yom Kippur. Here is a list of resources for you: Taking the Plunge: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Mikveh by Miriam C. Berkowitz Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology by Rivkah Slonim From The Eden Center blog: “Finding My Spiritual Voice at the Mikvah” by Shev Simon Yom Kippu...

Here is a worksheet to go along with this podcast: Reflective questionnaire in preparation for the mikveh Enjoy exploring Erica Brown’s Return: Daily Inspiration for the Days of Awe which Gabrielle references.

The power of words not only affects our relationships but also our health– Hear Rabbanit Shani’s perspective on the healing power of healthy language and communication. Mikveh Minute– The mikveh as a mirror of our emotional state– by Gabrielle Hodes begins at minute 21.  Enjoy! Please support this podcast.  Sponsor a podcast in memory or in honor of someone special.  The Eden Center needs your sup...