The Living Jewishly Podcast

“How do we move forward in a way that both integrates and sustains whatever it is that we want to carry with us?” — Rabbi Bluth This episode of the Living Jewishly podcast is an instalment of Scared Time, a podcast dedicated to exploring the healing art of the Jewish calendar as it relates to our lives today. This episode focuses on the month of Sivan, the third month in the religious calendar. Sh...

“The way people behave from birth, the way that people grow up, is what’s normal to them.” — Dr. David Greenberg Can Judaism make you sick? There are many studies that highlight the positive effects of religious life — greater contentment, a feeling of community, and a strong sense of purpose. But what about the negative effects of religion? How should we think about and deal with the guilt, shame...

“Mendacity spoils the well of communication.” — Professor Pablo Muchnik Is honesty the best policy? Studies have shown that almost everyone lies on a weekly (or even daily) basis. We lie about small things, like whether we like a friend’s new haircut or a partner’s choice of shoes. We also lie about larger things — cheating on exams or partners, or hiding other misdeeds. The term “white lies” stem...

“The deeper I go into the study of earth-based Judaism and mystical Judaism... the more incredible the many meanings become to me.” — Ganga Devi Welcome to Sacred Time, a podcast that explores the healing art of the Hebrew calendar as it relates to our lives today. Welcome to the month of Iyar, the second month of the Jewish religious year, taking place in between Passover and Shavuot.  Iyar is a...

Crossing The Sea by Living Jewishly

“Most of us are in favour of freedom, as long as your actions don’t hurt someone else. But, as Hamlet would say, there’s the rub.”— Dr. Elliot MalametShould mask-wearing during a pandemic be universal public policy or a personal decision? This episode of the Living Jewishly podcast introduces What Would You Do?, the new ethics podcast from Dr. Elliot Malamet. This episode centres on a topic that h...

“Every ancient tradition has a healing art… our ancient healing art is the Hebrew calendar — our sacred time.”— BluthHow can the passage of time help us strengthen our communities and faith, and become happier and more fulfilled? Today’s episode is an introduction to Sacred Time, a new podcast from Living Jewishly hosted by Bluth and Ganga Devi. Released each month on the full moon, Sacred Time ex...

We welcome the new moon and the month of adar with this poetic/melodic collab! Put on headphones, and enjoy the journey. Through poetry, chanting and niggun in a beautiful collaboration created by Rabbi Bluth and Galittas Healing. This audio piece takes you on a journey to feel into the month of adar, and to understand it’s themes as they relate to today. It is a melodic experience to welcome the...

What happens when you ask a room full of Jewish people to finish the following sentence: “The thing that is challenging about being Jewish…”?Living Jewishly did just that, and this episode is the last of a three-part series exploring the discussion that followed. The question about whether it is necessary to enrol Jewish children in Jewish schools is a long-standing one — and one that has sparked...

“Until Jewish communities see it as a global village issue, education won’t be affordable.”— Dr. Elliot MalametWhat happens when you ask a room full of Jewish people to finish the following sentence: “The thing that is challenging about being Jewish…”?Chances are, you’ll receive insightful answers that make you think. Living Jewishly did just that, and this episode is the second of a three-part se...

“Religion is the expression of what your values are. Religion on its own is nothing."— Rabbi Yossi SapirmanWhat happens when you ask a room full of Jewish people to finish the following sentence: “The thing that is wrong with Judaism is…”?Chances are, you’ll receive a collection of insightful answers that really make you think. Living Jewishly did just that, and this episode is the first of a...

The High Holy Days are a season of opportunity — the opportunity to change, grow, and forgive. But how we approach the season may determine how fruitful our efforts to change may be. Noah Tile, host of the Change Talk podcast, believes that expecting or aiming for a drastic transformation is not the most effective way to create a lasting transformation. He makes an effort throughout the year to ma...

Part Two: Millennials in the Contemporary Jewish World with Noah Tile by Living Jewishly

Part One: Millennials in the Contemporary Jewish World with Noah Tile by Living Jewishly

Reinterpreting Jewish Life with Sam Venis by Living Jewishly

“How do we find the space ... where people come and can carve out a Jewish identity free from expectations, free ideological considerations, just to taste and experiment?”— Dr. Elliott MalametWhen does identity become not a means of differentiation, but a cumbersome weight that prevents creativity, curiosity, and adaptability? What would it look like if we could create a space for young people to...

I Want It To Mean Something - Part Three by Living Jewishly

I Want It To Mean Something - Part Two by Living Jewishly

I Want It To Mean Something - Part One by Living Jewishly

When someone hurts you, do they have to change in order for you to let it go? Or do you have to change? It’s impossible to go through life without feeling wronged or mistreated by others on occasion, whether foe, friend, or family. Offence can be caused by words or actions, or even by the lack of words and actions. Mistreatment can include a range of harms, from the mild to the severe; a careless...

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi and Dr. Malamet discuss the pros and cons of the virtual Shul experience we’ve come to expect during the pandemic. Will people come back to Shul after COVID? The question is, can we ever undo the fact that we’ve found a new way to deliver something that people really want? Elliott thinks there is a way, but that Shuls will need to bring their A-Game and create experien...

In this episode which is part of the Art of Living Jewishly series, Rabbi Bluth talks with Rabbi Leibish about Simchat Torah. Chag sameach!

Is there a better time than right now to take a new look at an old subject? In this first of a 3 part series called Prayer As Cover- How to Get Through to Yourself, Rabbi Yossi and Dr Malamet discuss and debate whether and how prayer can be relevant in our modern times. As always, the conversation is lively, free ranging and even a little surprising at times. The episode closes out with Eli Schweb...

In part three of Living Jewishly's 3 part series, the Secret Lives of Rabbis, Rabbi Yossi, Professor Malamet and Rabbi Bluth conclude with a fascinating conversation about when living between worlds can be a fully intentional, empowering and courageous choice. Please do listen and if you're moved to give us feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

In part two of Living Jewishly's 3 part series, Rabbi Yossi, Professor Malamet and Rabbi Bluth debate whether the Secret Lives of Rabbis should be secret at all. In this conversation we're challenged to understand the concept of 'secret' as a means towards achieving positive change. Just as two things can be true at the same time, the power of words when they hold many meanings...