140 avsnitt • Längd: 30 min • Månadsvis
Chochmat Nashim was founded to fight injustice in the Orthodox Jewish world and bring about positive change. Join Anne Gordon and Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll as they speak from within the community out of love for Judaism, respect for tradition, and the need for justice.
The podcast The Chochmat Nashim Podcast: Women Talk Judaism is created by Jewish Coffee House. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Shoshanna and Anne take a hard look at the impact of the recent national events on the local experience of travail - the bombardment of so much emotional news and ongoing uncertainty that leave many of us feeling pulverized. And how do we function at a time when everything seems to be too much for so many (from deep breaths to a day at the beach to the stunning song of Daniella Gilboa).
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
All eyes and attention are on the returning hostages in awe, pride, empathy, and reverence. They have made us, Shoshanna and Anne, reconsider how we define our role models, including their Torah observance, and not only because of it. May we never face such depraved adversity, but we find we must extrapolate from their perseverance and strength for our own lives.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Meeting the right person is never easy, but dating seems to be harder these days, with the guys having expectations of supermodels, while failing to be "mentsches" themselves. "Abby" and "Gila" (identities protected) join Shoshanna and Anne to talk about the unpleasant underbelly of what it takes to begin the process of finding Mr. Right.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Ben Shapiro's recent article posed a challenge for Anne, Shoshanna, and their guest, Dr. Yardaena Osband: Where can Modern Orthodoxy improve? Together, they raise concerns about what the community faces and the need for leadership and personal conviction going forward. (Originally released on December 25th, 2022)
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
The Modern Orthodox community knows about the problem, but it's not going away. What YOU can do to fight erasing women -- Shoshanna and Anne weigh in after more than a decade on the front lines.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
When the people you believe will be your natural partners in activism denigrate you for your religious observance, that's painful. But when others ignore the middle ground for the sake of their own entrenched beliefs, that's just wrong. Shoshanna and Anne spotlight this positioning in Jewish (and Israeli) society, and call out the extremism of both right and left for being... extremist.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
After one person's complaint led the OU-Torah Tidbits to remove images of women from the back cover, Chochmat Nashim worked to increase women's profiles in the publication, especially in writing more of the Torah columns. But what would have happened without those behind-the-scenes efforts? A case study in the value in speaking out.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Since October 7, it has been painful for many people of faith to approach God, to find the words to respond to our changing, impossible reality. A new book - AZ NASHIR brings all the pathos and the hope, providing words for those who can't find their own. Compiled and edited by Shira Lankin Sheps, Rachel Sharansky Danziger, and Anne (!), this moving anthology brings together the poetic, prayerful words of prayer of more than 50 contributors and 15 artists, with prayers for nearly every circumstance of the past year. By women, for women, in their many varied voices.
To buy the book in Israel: click here.
For the English book launch, go to https://tickchak.co.il/70368.
Foro the Hebrew book launch, go to https://tickchak.co.il/70793.
Music: "Misery"by The Whips
Another blow in Israel with Hamas's cold-blooded murder of six hostages on the verge of being rescued alive by the IDF. Shoshanna and Anne probe the country's state of raw emotion, call out the evil of Hamas, acknowledge the conflict of being put between a rock and a hard place, and offer tips for the things we all can do to make the world a better place.
Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg joins Shoshanna and Anne to explain the toxicity and dysfunctionality facing too many couples and families in our community. Importantly, he also offers tips and tools to help people avoid these pitfalls.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Sometimes, all the progress lands society right back at the beginning. Just ask the women who would like to be on Israel's committee to select rabbis. Or the female tank soldiers. Or the liberal left who would never tolerate discrimination, except when it comes to Orthodox women. Anne and Shoshanna review the things that have changed, but remained the same.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Known for his revolutionary - and often controversial - TikTok videos calling out the worst in frum society, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb chats with Shoshanna and Anne on kabala, his worldview, and why women must keep fighting for Torah to win.
When Avi was called up on October 7 (for 5 of the next 8 months), his wife, Bazy, became a "Milu-Ima" (a reservist is called a miliumnik). Home with 4 beloved children and an uncountable number of diapers to change, Bazy was one of 70 women in comparable situations in her neighborhood alone. She set out to do something for her neighbors... and her country. Along the way, she became an international online sensation, sharing the comedy and poignancy of real lives "back home" when so many men are at war.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll has a deep end insightful conversation with Sony Perlman of Brainstorm Podcast on how we've outsourced our Judaism, and gone far from the source.
Even as the war rages in Israel, American campuses have become a whole other front line. Anne and Shoshanna speak to two US college students about their experiences of antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus, and marvel at the strength of these incredible young people.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
How can we celebrate when our people are in captivity? Yet, Passover isn't cancelled this year, even if you feel it should be, so how do we make sense of it? In what is now an annual pre-Passover episode to help boost our seder experience, Anne and Shoshanna talk to Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz about how to approach the holiday this very difficult year.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Six months into Israel's war with Hamas, and nearly all sectors of Israeli society are feeling it, but extended army service and a sadly rising death toll have turned Israeli attention to the Haredim who (for the most part) do not serve in the IDF. Much of Israel is irate, but with the yeshiva exemptions newly canceled, Haredim are irate too. Anne and Shoshanna discuss the change in the air.
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Adina Sash has set the Orthodox world buzzing about the strike she hopes will help agunot. Shoshanna and Anne talk to Adina about her campaign and what has come of it (so far).
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Yes, representation in Israeli politics really matters. Shoshanna and Anne delve into why women running for municipal office is so important (even during the war). For all that elected officials should represent the concerns of the entire population, it is too easy to miss issues that don't touch one directly. Thus, the need for women to focus on concerns that a male-only government is unlikely to even notice.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Does "Together, we will win" inspire you or depress you? Shoshanna and Anne "take the temperature" of how people are reacting differently to the same general experience of war, from how it is a different experience for Israelis as compared to those around the globe, and how it is different for every Israeli.
As promised in the episode, the insane story - here in the show notes: https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-allegedly-impersonated-soldier-entered-gaza-stole-weapons-posed-with-netanyahu/
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Shoshanna and Anne speak with the very talented Shani Weinmann Kay about her experience as a religious woman in the IDF, especially during this time of war, and how her experiences have strengthened her commitment to the army, her family, and her personal religious practice.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
In one of our more personal (and we think powerful) episodes, Shoshanna and Anne speak frankly about their respective decisions to tour some of the destroyed communities of the Gaza Envelope -- and to avoid doing so.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Eve Barlow, Fleur Hassan Nahoum and Adiel Cohen are warriors on the front lines of the media war against Israel - joined of course by our own Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll. In this special double-length episode, Anne and Shoshanna talk to these pros about how they do what they do, how YOU can do it too, and why being cancelled is actually a great thing.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Were the pre-October 7th warnings dismissed because they originated with women? Are the men of the old-boy network at a disadvantage because they have been trained to think in certain ways? Shoshanna and Anne recognize the women who were involved in so many various aspects of October 7th and the war since, with an eye to how women can (and we'll say should) contribute in new crucial ways.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Since October 7, Israel has tragically, devastatingly seen more people burying loved ones and sitting shiva than the country could ever have been prepared for. Enter the newly founded organization Chesed Shel Emet, and Pnina Pfeuffer, who speaks with Shoshanna and Anne about how four Haredi women have stepped up (with others) to make this painful process smoother, no matter the Jewish affiliation of the bereft. May the shift in priorities across communities last.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Antisemitism is the oldest hatred in the book, yet, even in the wake of the October 7th massacre, it's new for each generation, and each person experiences it fresh. Shoshanna and Anne call attention to what's been going on, and consider how we as a people stick together to combat the hatred against us. Plus, a postscript on the American Jewish community's mass march on Washington, a profound showcase of love and solidarity for the Jewish world.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
The new reality of Israel and really all Jews is stressful and even traumatic. Anne and Shoshanna talk with Sherri Mandell, a certified pastoral counselor, a founder of the Koby Mandell Foundation, and the bereaved mother of Koby Mandell Hy"d, about how to navigate this challenging time, from parenting to handling oneself to helping others.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Shoshanna and Anne have been nearly at a loss for words to reflect on Hamas's horrific massacre of some 1,400 people (updated number from recording). But we need words to podcast, so here we are with our experiences of that day, and a range of responses and reactions to it, from widespread chesed to social media warriors to some hypermodesty nonsense.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
You've seen their art, now meet the artists. Anne and Shoshanna speak with the artists who have given life to Chochmat Nashim's new project, illustrating biblical and historical women. Come hear why they chose the figures they did, why they depicted them as they did, and what surprised them in the endeavor. A longer-than-usual episode, to introduce the talented women responsible for the SEEN images.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
The idea that Israel's beautiful natural pools would have separate hours for men and women to swim is, at first blush, amazingly considerate for the religious populations. But when the very people MK Idit Silman's stalled pilot program is supposed to help don't want it implemented, Shoshanna and Anne are reminded why gender segregation outside of the synagogue isn't good for anyone.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Israel's government voted for the first part of Israel's judicial reform, the "reasonableness" clause, and everyone has an opinion about it, but Anne and Shoshanna focus on other actions of this coalition that are less known and may be even more significant, especially if you're a woman in Israel.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Look at your shelf of Jewish books, and you'll see that you have far fewer books authored by women. Rabbanit Sara Wolkenfeld joins Anne and Shoshanna to elaborate on Sefaria's new writing circle to foster books of Torah scholarship written by women, some of the challenges - and also profound and practical hopes for the future women writers of Torah.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Politics have real impact on the lives of Israeli citizens, and the recent passing of the budget means the current ultra-religious, ultra-nationalist government can expect to be in place for some time. Anne and Shoshanna task guest Haviv Rettig-Gur, senior analyst at The Times of Israel, to explain the implications of it all. To do so, he also described the development of Haredi society and the Israeli government's role in shaping the world of ultra-Orthodoxy as we now know it.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
In an era of choice, we have many options how we approach our loved ones, communication, our experience of Judaism, and more. Shoshanna and Anne delve into the "languages" we employ, and how the fact that there are many of them is both liberating and a challenge.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Chani Apfelbaum's most recent cookbook, Totally Kosher, was the subject of pride, then consternation, and now pride again. Anne and Shoshanna share the story, including the sometimes unpleasant underbelly of fundraising and a win against erasing women.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips.
Dr. Chavi Kahn joins Anne and Shoshanna to reflect on the legacy of her father, Rabbi Moshe Kahn, z"l, beloved Talmud rebbe at Stern College -- and the recent brouhaha when Stern (temporarily) cancelled its lower level course offerings in Talmud. Why does it matter whether Stern College offers Talmud to its female students? And why should women be learning Talmud to begin with?
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
You know already that hyper-tzniut gets Chochmat Nashim riled up - it's literally the incarnation of the slide to extremism that harms Judaism for everyone. This time it's a cross-body bag, giving Shoshanna and Anne reason to remind everyone that this very Jewish value can be taken too far.
Music: "Misery" By The Whips
In our annual Seat at the Seder Table episode, Anne and Shoshanna are pleased to partake of Rachel's powerful insights that help bring the Haggadah's driest parts to life, from the blurring of time to putting ourselves into the story.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Would more women in Israel's coalition change its policies? Who knows, but they'd make a more representative government. Shoshanna and Anne discuss the reversals to women's rights that we'd never have thought would be in danger, in the wake of International Women's Day, no less.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
The Israeli public is deeply divided over legislation aimed at dramatically changing the judicial system in Israel, specifically the relationship between the government and the Supreme Court. Israelis don't agree (of course) on how best to protect the country. Anne and Shoshanna make sense of the political temperature in Israel.
Our annual fundraiser. Check out the video based on the testimony of an agunah. We need you to make a difference! https://causematch.com/chochmatnashim
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
It was a brand new Chochmat Nashim project when Shoshanna and Anne first told you about it back in August, and now that it's well underway, it's ripe for an update. How many courts are reviewed on the site? Why did one dayan complain about his rating? How is it helping people who think they might want a divorce? And what about that new training program to help the judges get the perfect 5-star reviews they want?
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
SPECIAL EPISODE: Chochmat Nashim crossover with Orthodox Conundrum. Join Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll and Rabbi Scott Kahn in a powerful conversation about how disappointment in rabbinic figures lead her to be the person she is today.
When there's so much going on that each story demands our attention, in brief, Anne and Shoshanna bring you 5 "shorts": To die an agunah; Rabbi Moshe Kahn z"l; Erased women fail to inspire; Can a witness invalidate herself?; and Israel's newly certified learned women.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
What are we to do when those who hold positions of responsibility don't rise to the occasion of their office? Worse, what do we do when they criticize local efforts for tackling the very thing they should have addressed, but didn't? Shoshanna and Anne wrestle with the need for righteous moral leaders and the terrible absence of enough such people.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
Ben Shapiro's recent article posed a challenge for Anne, Shoshanna, and their guest, Dr. Yardaena Osband: Where can Modern Orthodoxy improve? Together, they raise concerns about what the community faces and the need for leadership and personal conviction going forward.
Music: "Misery" by The Whips
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.