The Orthonomics Podcast

Elana Silber is CEO of Sharsheret ( https://sharsheret.org ), a national non-profit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer, through personalized support and educational outreach. We address such issues as: which Orthodox groups are at higher risk, what advances are being made, and how can people be hel...

In this episode, we speak with Prof. David Myers, co-author (with his wife) of the fascinating book "American Shtetl: The Making of Kiryas Joel, a Hasidic Village in Upstate New York," and founder of the new Haredi Research Group, a multi-disciplinary group that is aiming to help us all better understand the American Haredi (Chasidic and Yeshivish) community. Information on this fascinating book i...

In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Shimmy Trencher, MSW, who has been an Orthodox Jewish high school dean of students and principal for the past 15 years, has had leadership positions at NCSY, and is the founder of a Jewish high school student self-development program that has positively affected the lives of hundreds of teens. Many of the Orthodox community research studies we reference in this...

In this episode we explore key issues that intrigue us, with an emphasis on hearing what people think in their own words. Let's turn the microphone over to you, our listeners!    We will hear people's thoughts on such questions as: What are the things in your Orthodox community that most bother you … the "pain points"? Is there someone you go to for spiritual guidance? Who and how is this working...

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Sam Heilman, who has been studying all sectors of Orthodoxy for almost 50 years. We talk about major shifts that have been taking place and speculate about future directions. Voice of the Kehilla – Tell us what you think about key issues facing Orthodoxy. We will be doing a joint podcast with The Franciska Show and will report back to you on what we hear back f...

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Sylvia Barack Fishman about her wealth of research in the Orthodox community, and especially her just-released report: "Responding to the Realities of Single Modern Orthodox Jews"; as well as a new survey of 300+ Orthodox (Modern and Haredi) singles, exploring various aspects of their lives. What do you want to know about the Orthodox community? Each episode in...

In this episode, we speak with shul rabbi, former shul president, outreach leader and generally super-engaged Orthodox Jew, Rabbi Elly Krimsky. Our conversation touches on many issues, including the "comings and goings" of today's Orthodox community. What do you want to know about the Orthodox community? Each episode includes listener questions and answers. Email us at  orthonomics@nishmaresearch....

In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer. Rabbi Gordimer is a rabbinic coordinator at OU Kosher, where he specializes in the dairy industry. Rabbi Gordimer is the chairman of the OU Dairy Committee, and he manages the OU kashrus programs of over 100 certified dairy companies. He is the Chairman of the Rabbinic Circle at Coalition for Jewish Values, a member of the Rabbinical Council o...

In this episode, we speak with the Honorable Rabbi Dr. Dov Zakheim, a former very high level government official, involved in many key government programs as well as the CFO for the largest budget in the country, consultant, author and rabbi. In a wide-ranging conversation, we will discuss the state of Modern Orthodoxy and how well we are melding our religious observance with participation in secu...

In this introductory episode, we speak with Jewish Orthodox world podcasting host and producer Scott Kahn about his experiences as an Orthodox world podcaster. Scott is a native of Massachusetts, and has lived in Israel for 26 years. We look at a few interesting differences between U.S. Modern Orthodox and Israeli Dati Le'Um in a few areas of Orthodox observance (shul attendance, learning) and the...

The Orthonomics Podcast explores issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish community, through the dual lenses of data – drawn from a wide range of sources – and informed conversations with knowledgeable and often opinionated experts. Each episode also includes a segment titled "What do you want to know about the Orthodox community?" in which our guest, as well as our listeners, get to pose their...