Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join. Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Judah, Naomi, and Aharon Akiva Dardik—an olim family whose son went to military j…

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yehuda, Bayla, Elisha, and Avi Samter—members of a family that made aliyah from the comfortable Five Towns life a decade ago—about …

Charlatans promoting spiritual snake-oil, newfangled segulos, stifling creativity. All are part of a disturbing trend away from critical thinking. We allow this at our own peril. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd …

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Simon Jacobson—a leading rabbi in the internet age who previously worked closely with the Lubavitcher Rebbe—and his mother, S…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eitan Hersh, a professor of political science at Tufts University, about teaching students of radically different political and religious views how to speak to one another. College campuses have been a hotbed of contentious conversations, especially on issues around Israel, and Prof. Hersh is someo…

Subscribe to our email list here. In this Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin talks about what Saturday Night Live has taught him about life, creativity, and running an organization. Prompted by the show’s 50th anniversary, we’re reflecting on lessons from five decades of laughter. In this episode we discuss: How did Lorne Michael…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Ken Brodkin, rabbi of New Jersey’s Congregation B’nai Israel, about how he helped turn it into “the Orthodox synagogue for all Jews.” We also speak with Eli Kramer—a congregant instrumental in helping the shul affiliate as fully Orthodox—and Emily Appledorf, one of the newer members the shul …

Does Hamas Believe in G-d? Plus - defending the indefensible. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at [email protected].…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Lizzy Savetsky, who went from a career in singing and fashion to being a Jewish activist and influencer, about her work advocating for Israel online. While, in past decades, Jewish thought leaders were mainly only rabbis and rebbetzins, the current information revolution is transforming our notions…

Disappointed By Gedolim? How to deal with it, without endangering your Olam Habo - or your sanity. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at [email protected].…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, co-founder and president of SoulShop Studios, about doing Jewish “outreach” to non-Jews. Jewish texts are usually considered to be kept away from the outside world. But according to Rabbi Lamm, this is largely a misconception, as Jewish texts—from the Bible and the Talmud to the…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Frieda Vizel—a formerly Satmar Jew who makes educational content about Hasidic life—about her work presenting Hasidic Williamsburg to the outside world, and vice-versa. In this episode we discuss: Why would someone who leaves the Hasidic community become something of an emissary for her previous wo…

To Whom do you take your kids for a bracha? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a fascinating conversation about how the meaning of "Gadol" has changed in recent decades, as well as where it - and we = are heading.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

This episode is sponsored by Nishmat, whose Summer Beit Midrash offers transformative Torah learning in the heart of Jerusalem for women of all backgrounds. Find more information here. Take our annual survey. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we launch our new topic, Outreach, by talking to Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, a senior staff member at …

Take our annual survery: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WZKXNWR We don't have a new episode this week, but we want to share with you an episode of our podcast 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers, recorded on Jan. 13. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday. Antisemitism and assimilation are threatening the Jewi…

It sometimes feels like many Anglos live a contradition. They call themselves Charedim, while many of their beliefs and practices stand in sharp contrast to the Israeli definition of the term. How do they deal with that - and why?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

We don't have a new episode this week, but we invite you to revisit our initial conversation with Professor Haym Soloveitchik, originally aired on Feb. 8, 2022. In this episode of 18Forty Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Professor Haym Soloveitchik, University Professor of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University. Professor Soloveitchik i…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we hear questions, criticisms, complaints, thoughts, and feedback from our listener community. We respond to your comments about the direction of the podcast, the diversity of Jewish experience, and the increased centrality of Israel of our lives. In this episode we discuss: How has the 18Forty mission evolve…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik—a pioneer and leader in the study of the history of Jewish law—about how halacha mediates our relationship to God in 2025. We’ve already spoken with Dr. Soloveitchik in our Halacha series, but a closer reading of his essential work, "Rupture and Reconstruction," deman…

We don't have a new episode this week, but we invite you to revisit our conversation with Reuven and Shani Taragin on the future of Religious Zionism, originally aired Jan. 16, 2024. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rav Reuven and Rabbanit Shani Taragin, educational directors of World Mizrachi, about what comes next for Israel’s D…

We're taking a week off from our main podcast, but we want to share with you an episode of our new podcast, 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers, recorded on Nov. 25. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday. The true enemy in Israel's current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls "Palestinianism." Once part of…

Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner as they analyze the misguided analogy of religion and race in Israel (even as they disagree about what, exactly, is misguided). And, how to deal with positions they expect you to believe when you really can't.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at [email protected] for more details. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to a panel of rabbis about yeshiva, seminary, and the “year in Israel.” Additionally, we hear from Dov Rosenblatt, who more than two decades ago wrote the satirical song “Flippin’ Out.” …

This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at [email protected] for more details. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Mickey and Ortal Flaumenhaft—David Bashevkin’s Israeli neighbors in Teaneck—about their experiences living Jewishly in three different countries. When the Flaumenhafts were in Israel …

This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at [email protected] for more details. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky—a rosh mesivta of Yeshiva Sha’alavim—and Dr. Ilana Turetsky—a Yeshiva University faculty member supervising student-teachers in Israel—about their experience rai…

This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at [email protected] for more details. Noam Taragin, son of our recent guest Rabbi Moshe Taragin, was seriously injured in Lebanon. We ask to pray for his quick healing: Noam Avraham ben Atara Shlomit. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Shayna Goldberg—a te…

This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at [email protected] for more details. Noam Taragin, son of our previous guest Rabbi Moshe Taragin, was seriously injured in Lebanon. We ask to pray for his quick healing: Noam Avraham ben Atara Shlomit. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Malka Simkovich—a …

Now that the US elections have come and gone, should Torah Jews be doing anything differently? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a stimulating and sometimes surprising conversation. We want to hear from you! Write to [email protected] to let us know what you think.…

This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at [email protected] for more details. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rav Moshe Taragin, rosh mesivta at Yeshivat Har Etzion, about the interrelated missions of American and Israeli Jews—and the stake that each of us holds in the Jewish redemptive story…

We're taking a week off from our main podcast, but we want to share with you an episode of our new podcast, 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers, recorded on Sept. 9. Subscribe to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday. Until Hamas is gone, Haviv Rettig Gur says, Gaza will be unable to recover after the war. The Times of…

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to musician Matisyahu Miller—known as “Matisyahu”—who has publicly re-embraced his Judaism and Zionism since October 7. Matisyahu’s public persona has long been subject to scrutiny and analysis. Compa…

In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, in honor of the anniversary of October 7, we revisit and reflect on the conversations we’ve had that have helped us process this tumultuous time. The past year has been long and painful, and we’ve been constantly reminded that the trajectory of Jewish history is still at stake. This makes it imperativ…

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Emmi Polansky, known on social media as @livingemunah, about her journey finding agency as a single mother. Sometimes, when we talk about teshuva, we’re referring to repentance for our specific sin…

Is kiddush Hashem always coupled with the performance of mitzvos? Can it be performed even without intention? Even at the same time as doing an aveirah?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Tuvia Tenenbom, a formerly Haredi and now secular Jew and the author of Careful, Beauties Ahead!, about how he developed a new love for Haredi religious life. When Tuvia Tenenbom wrote a book about…

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yussie Zakutinsky, rabbi of K’hal Mevakshei Hashem in Lawrence, New York, about his vision for a Judaism that unites the entire Jewish People—no matter how wide the gaps between us. Since October 7…

Join us as we interview pioneer podcaster Rabbi Avremel Kivelevitz. You can find Rav Kivelevitz's podcasts here.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Joshua Leifer and Shaindy Ort, married progressive activists who are reembracing traditional Jewish life. Joshua and Shaindy grew up in Conservative and Yeshivish communities, respectively, but str…

This episode is sponsored by Nishmat, the Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women, whose Online Beit Midrash returns on Sept. 8. Women of all backgrounds can learn Talmud, Tanach, Halacha, and more from the comfort of home. For a full class schedule and registration, go here. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to…

What is the Torah's preference about dealing with challenges to our way of life?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

Why are some intent on ruling out G-d's presence in absolutely all matters, while some believe it is obviously the case? How do these views impact upon our behavior?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak to the Perez family, whose son Daniel, Hashem yikkom damo, was killed defending Israel and the Jewish People on October 7. We’re joined by Daniel’s father, Doron; his mother, Shelley; and his siblings, Shira, Adina, and Yonatan, to hear about Daniel’s courageous life and the unfathomable loss endured…

We're taking a week off from our main podcast, but we want to share with you an episode of our new podcast, 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers Subscribe to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday. The Israeli government’s draft of Haredi men is no simple matter—but Yehoshua Pfeffer has some ideas for moving forward. Rab…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eli Rubin—a scholar, Lubavitcher Hasid, and author of the forthcoming book Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism—about life’s big cosmic questions. Chabad and the Rebbe are so ubiquitous in Jewish life that we tend to overlook Chabad’s underlying philosoph…

Join our email list to receive, among other great 18Forty content, a coupon code for 10% off your Koren Publishers order, good through Aug. 31. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yosef Bronstein—a rabbi, writer, and scholar—about the philosophy of Chabad and the Lubavitcher Rebbe. For much of the Jewish world, the Chabad movement pl…

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Chava Green—an emerging scholar who wrote her doctoral dissertation on “the Hasidic face of feminism”—about how the Lubavitcher Rebbe infused American sensibilities with mystical sensitivities, paying particular attention to the role of women. Some stereotype mysticism as something out of this worl…

Overheated rhetoric - the many prices we pay for it, including assassination attempts, hopeless division, and blindness to the truth.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to renowned Chabad speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson about Chassidus, Chabad, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In honor the Rebbe’s 30th yahrtzeit, YY Jacobson helps us explore the purpose of Creation, our role in the world, and how the soul of the universe relates to the soul of the human being. In this episode we…

This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we follow up with Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch to break down the anti-Zionist crisis facing the Reform Movement. As young Jews feel increasingly disconnected from the Jewish People, America’s non-Orthodox synagogues, summer camps, and …

Subscribe to 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday. — If you want to understand Israel, then you need to know Benny Morris. Prof. Benny Morris is a leading Israeli historian who revolutionized the field of Israeli history by digging into the government’s declassified archives in the …