What is a bad jew? What does it take to not be one? Is it anti-Semitic to say? Or is it just a phrase that Jews use to cruelly judge one another? Chaz Volk, a newly observant Jew, shares that the greatest way to embrace your identity is to question everything. And we mean EVERYTHING! Chaz questions the Torah, law, politics, standards, communities and even G-d itself in this confrontational and edgy show.
About Chaz:
Chaz Volk grew up in Thousand Oaks, California where he began Torah studies until he was Bar Mitzva'ed at Temple Etz Chaim. From a young age, he was very aware of his uniqueness and how he was the token-Jew outside of Jewish settings. In middle school, Chaz experienced his first taste of antisemitism which brought him closer to his identity, despite his adversaries' wishes. Later, he'd attend San Francisco State University, where he'd get deeply involved at SF Hillel as a volunteer and intern. SFSU's social climate and its perspective on Jews and Zionism became clear from an early point. He'd later become the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit known today as Volk v. CSU Board of Trustees. In this class action case, Chaz Volk and his representation won. Since then, Chaz has proudly immersed himself in his identity and partaken in communities across southern California. Most recently, Chaz's emotional awakening occurred on an organized trip to Israel. There he adopted new practices that he instilled in his lifestyle to this day. Today, he's a volunteer and frequent of Aish HaTorah's programming and plans to use this show to promote their programs, events, and resources along with valuable Jewish teachings.
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How Do You Ask G-d For Things? with Jesse Orenshein
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 • Duration 37:09
How many times have you clasped your hands together, looked up at the sky, and BEGGED G-d for something only to get crickets in return. Praying to G-d can be a disheartening and even intimidating task for some. This is an incredibly valid and real experience and anyone who believes in G-d would be lying if they said that was never their experience. But what if there was a better way to ask for things?
Jesse Orenshein, known for his valiant and impressive efforts on the famous TV show American Ninja Warrior, tells his story about the eye-opening epiphany that changed the course of his Jewish journey. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, who recently learned how to pray and daven from his most recent trip to Israel, refines his understanding thanks to Jesse and his tried and true experiences.
00:00 Introduction
03:09 Asking G-d for Things
07:16 American Ninja Warrior experience
09:22 Out of Body experience
13:14 Difficulties of competing while religious
18:27 Grace and sacrifice
22:00 Miraculous changes
24:40 Impacts of Israel
26:48 You can't always get what you want
30:06 Persistence and luck
33:58 Custom prayer can follow Rambam's format
35:42 Conclusion
About Jesse Orenshein:
Jesse Orenshein is a children's book author, screenwriter, and 4-time competitor on NBC's hit show, American Ninja Warrior. His recent appearance on Season 16 gained mass Jewish recognition, after Jesse iconically put on a back-up yarmulke when his first one fell in the water. Jesse competes on ANW to inspire Jews around the world, especially the four loves of his life - his wife and three beautiful daughters.
Buy Jesse Orenshein's books at: www.GrandpaHerbiesStories.com
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
Is The IDF The Most Moral Army In The World? with Sam Fried
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 • Duration 37:55
You turn on your TV or go on your phone and the first video that pops up is insurmountable destruction of Gaza. A once complete society is now in rubble, leaving bloodied bodies and children behind. And who's responsible? Israel. Surely this is a genocide, right?
Well, it's true that Gaza is in ruins but characterizing what's going on in Gaza as a genocide is tone deaf. Sam Fried, a former paratrooper and two-time veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces, has continued his fight by speaking on behalf of Israel and the IDF. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, takes common misconceptions and narratives seen from his @badjewpod tiktok account and tests Fried on his responses to dig deeper and find the truth.
00:00 Introduction
03:51 Speaking for peace
06:56 Genocide?
11:22 Echo chambers on social media
16:09 The IDF's draft
18:45 Displacement of Palestinians
20:05 The heinous nature of war
25:40 The principals of the IDF
27:17 Not playing fairly
31:37 Reflections on October 7th
34:43 Dialogue, peace, and disagreement are necessary
36:30 Conclusion
About Sam Fried:
Sam Fried is 27, from New York, works in finance at an international bank, and served in the IDF Paratroopers from 2020-2022. On October 7th, Sam knew he had to take action to protect Jews and eradicate the inhumanity that Hamas brought to the world. Sam is a First-Sergeant Paratrooper reservist in the IDF who recently returned from fighting in Gaza. He served as a commander of a squadron and as a sharpshooter in the middle and south of Gaza for approximately 50 days on the front lines fighting Hamas, as well as several high-priority missions in the West Bank. Since returning home, Sam has been committed to Hasbarah (Israel advocacy), speaking to Jewish and non-Jewish communities around the country whether at universities, churches, mosques, on panels, debates, synagogues, schools, etc. to promote his thee foundational pillars: 1) Empowering Jews and allies to be proud in today’s environment, 2) Peace through dialogue, and 3) Humanizing the IDF.
Connect with Sam Fried:
IG @samfried26
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
How Do You Give A Good Sermon? with Rabbi Daniel Steinberg
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 • Duration 30:58
Just remember what they taught you in grade school: When you're public speaking, just imagine everyone's pants are down... That trick never worked did it? Public speaking is hard. Giving a sermon to a high-expecting congregation is harder.
Rabbi Daniel Steinberg is no stranger to the difficulty of trying to inspire and emotionally elevate a crowd. Being very familiar with the film industry, sales, and Jewish needs within a community, Steinberg teaches Chaz Volk the fundamentals of speaking to a Jewish crowd. Tune in to learn how to engage and communicate with the broader Jewish community.
00:00 Introduction
05:39 Existential doubts
09:42 Speaking to needs
12:04 Ethos, Pathos, and Logos behind Bad Jew
14:40 Commandments
16:48 Stand-up comic's connection to audience reactions
22:48 Unexpected movie sparks discussion about Zionism symbolism
25:12 Public speaking is about authenticity, not polish.
27:19 Conclusion
About Rabbi Daniel Steinberg:
It's true. I was an intern for SNL, wrote for Howard Stern, & spent 2 years performing stand-up comedy in NYC and San Francisco clubs before moving to Palo Alto, CA to pursue a career in community outreach & Jewish education.
After 6 years of community-building work, I assumed the role of Marketing Director for a start-up co-founded by Alan Dershowitz.
I then went on to start a digital marketing & e-commerce consultancy, where my innovative storytelling & copywriting skills helped my clients earn upwards of $1MM in yearly revenue.
These days, I draw on my eclectic experiences in the worlds of entertainment, education and marketing to help rabbis find their authentic voice, craft meaningful Drashos & build strong relationships with their congregations.
Connect with Rabbi Daniel Steinberg:
Linked In: Daniel Steinberg
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
Is God (Scientifically) Real? with Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Elie Feder
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 • Duration 34:14
Probably the most challenging question any religious person could answer from an agnostic person is "Is God Real?" The religious person might say "Of course he is real!" "And how do you know?" "Can't you feel it?" Of course, we all know 'feeling' is not enough.
Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Elie Feder produced a podcast called "Physics to God" to go beyond the feeling of God. Using the scientific method along with their understanding of physics and mathematics they are able to quantifiably prove that Hashem made the universe and is indeed the embodiment of everything we know.
00:00 Introduction
05:02 Math and Physics
06:26 Proof of God
11:56 Laws of nature
15:45 Atoms and life
19:10 Fine tuning and constants
21:30 Parallel Universes
25:06 Intelligent Creator
27:39 Laws of nature
30:07 Conclusion, Physics to God
About Rabbi Aaron Zimmer:
After earning a physics degree and receiving rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Yisrael Chait, Aaron Zimmer considered furthering his education through graduate school. However, his intellectual curiosity extended far beyond the realm of physics, encompassing a diverse array of fields, including philosophy, mathematics, and psychology. Capitalizing on his blend of analytical and philosophical skills, Aaron utilized his personal resources to venture into commodity futures trading. This endeavor involved commodities such as oil, natural gas, cotton, sugar, and coffee. His strategic approach was deeply rooted in the conceptual frameworks of physics and the Brisker Method for Talmudic analysis. After an eleven-year career marked by success in commodity trading, Aaron decided to retire. In his retirement, Aaron channels his intellectual energy into studying various branches of knowledge, including the Talmud and physics. He resides in Lawrence, New York, along with his wife and their five children.
About Rabbi Elie Feder:
Elie Feder earned a PhD in mathematics from the CUNY Graduate Center and received Rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Yisrael Chait. Since 2004, Elie has been a mathematics professor at Kingsborough Community College. He has published many papers and delivered numerous talks in graph theory, which is his field of mathematical research. As a teacher, Elie has a passion for simplifying complex topics for his students. Recently, he authored a book "Gematria Refigured," which presents a rational, nonmystical approach to gematria as a tool of uncovering the significance of quantity and fine tuning in Torah, life, and the universe. For more information, you can visit Elie’s website, GematriaRefigured.com, and listen to his podcast, Gematria Refigured+. Elie resides in Far Rockaway, New York, with his wife and their four children.
Connect with Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Elie Feder
Facebook: @Physics to God (Page; not group)
X/Twitter: @PhysicsToGod
Instagram: @physics_to_god
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
What Is The Real Story Of Shavuot? with Sruly Meyer
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 • Duration 31:55
WE FINALLY RECEIVED THE TORAH! Time to enjoy the taste of milk and honey. But why? Can our Jewish stomachs really handle all of that dairy and what are we actually celebrating when we look at the history of the Torah - the constant tug-of-war we have with the values God laid out for us? Have we, an exiled people, really earned a celebration?
Sruly Meyer, known for his incredible online recipes, embraces Shavuot - his favorite out of all of the favorite holidays. Aside from it being a tasty holiday, Meyer highlights how the Torah is our marriage contract and how our relationship with God has been "on a break" and why. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, enjoys an educational 30 minutes of learning why Shavuot stands as one of the most unique metaphysical experiences.
00:00 Introduction
05:58 Our relationship with God
06:33 Hashem's marriage contract with us
12:20 Relationships and Shavuot
15:15 Improving our relationship with God
17:34 Israel, the ultimate gift
20:20 Spiritual connection
25:49 Jewish resilience post October 7th
28:02 Torah is sweet
30:09 Conclusion
About Sruly Meyer:
Sruly runs a marketing agency in Hollywood, Florida. He is a home cook and recipe developer who runs a food and travel blog, discussing local food scenes and daily Jewish life. He is a proud Jewish father and business owner.
Connect with Sruly Meyer
IG and TikTok @srulycooks
www.SrulyMeyer.com
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
How Can You Bring Light Unto Nations? with Solomon Friedman
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 • Duration 33:28
It goes without saying that the internet can be a disgusting display of human nature. Anonymous trolls, scams, and false information run rampant and they're not hard to run into. A centerpiece to this disturbing reality is the adult entertainment industry which has never been known to treat people with dignity. Exposing people of all ages to this content can do a variety of harmful things but the worst is that it enables everyone to participate in it including the young.
Solomon Friedman of Ethical Capital Partners recognized this truth. While his calling was not a religious one, he has helped make the internet a safer place by incorporating device-based age verification technology and sharing such recognition software with law enforcement. Friedman is responsible for putting up roadblocks in front of every nefarious action that takes place on a variety of adult sites. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, learns that bringing light to the darkest of places means taking on unpopular projects while showing proud leadership and poise.
00:00 Introduction
05:35 Adult industry pioneered key internet innovations
07:06 Surprising ideas about ethics in internet marketing
11:19 Online platforms need moderation and safety measures
16:14 Opting out, age gates needed for online content
19:47 Internet privacy is essential for freedom and democracy
22:40 Jurisdiction of freedom
23:51 Tech giants and governments needed for safer platforms
26:55 Legal, meets safety standards, limits certain content
30:16 Conclusion
About Solomon Friedman:
Connect with Solomon Friedman
Solomon is a trial and appellate lawyer, representing individuals and organizations before all levels of court in Canada. He is certified as a specialist in criminal law by the Law Society of Ontario.
For over a decade, Solomon has been a trusted voice at Parliament, regularly appearing before Standing Committees of both the House of Commons and Senate in Canada, providing testimony about criminal, regulatory and constitutional law matters.
Solomon is a legal author and commentator. He has published dozens of academic and popular articles and is the co-author of Canada’s leading text on firearms law and regulation.
He also lectures widely to audiences of defence lawyers, judges and police officers on a wide spectrum of criminal and regulatory law topics.
Solomon's work has been recognized by his peers in both the legal and broader business community. In 2014, he was named one of the Forty under 40 by the Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Chamber of Congress. In 2016, he was given Precedent Magazine's Precedent Setter Award. In 2018, he received the Regional Senior Justice Award by the County of Carleton Law Association.
Solomon is an adjunct law professor, teaching The Law of Evidence and Advanced Criminal Evidence at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law.
Prior to his call to the bar, Solomon clerked for Justice Morris Fish of the Supreme Court of Canada. Solomon came to the law following rabbinical studies in Israel, where he was ordained in 2005.
Connect with Solomon Friedman:
EthicalCapitalPartners.com
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
How Do I Find Love? with "Coach" Daniel Ratner
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 • Duration 37:14
Do you feel lonely? Do you feel it's time to find your true love? Do you feel hopeless in the romance department? Many of us do including me. If you're like me, Chaz Volk, the host of this show, you have spent many sleepless nights staring at the ceiling wondering what the future holds and if you're even worthy of your desires.
In the quest to find my b'sheret ("meant to be"), I interview "Coach" Daniel Ratner hailing from Israel to explain the necessary pieces that need to be in place in order to find love. Coach draws from the wisdom of workshops he has led and books he has written to explain what necessary elements must be existent in order to survive the four stages of love.
00:00 Introduction
04:42 Discipline
08:40 The Four Phases of Love
09:37 Listening is key for meaningful relationships
14:32 Embrace growth
18:13 Physicality and attraction
20:43 The issue with getting physical too soon
24:05 Fully understanding your partner
29:19 Attracting the right people
31:55 The beauty disadvantage
35:15 Conclusion
About Coach Daniel Ratner:
Coach Ratner was a world-class rare coin dealer & real estate developer in America. He has now transitioned himself into an influential educator for organizations who seek inspiration. His focus is on fostering meaningful relationships, building self-esteem, and providing spiritual motivation. His 5th book, “Infinite Marriage: The 4 Phases of Loving Relationship”, was released in May 2024.
Connect Coach Daniel Ratner:
Podcast: Living in Clarity - available on all podcast platforms!
www.coachratner.com
Connect Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
How Do You Do Jewish Activism? with Marla Friedson
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 • Duration 39:10
Now more than ever before, your people need YOU! Anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rallies have spread like wildfire across the nation. Students get harassed on campus just for being Jews. The few Jews that do join the encampments are tokenized and glorified in hypocritical ways. No matter how much light we shed on the situation, our adversaries come back more aggressively. This is an uphill battle.
Such battles don't stop Marla Friedson, co-host of Schmuckboys, from joining the counterprotests. Marla and her friends regularly post on social media and take to the streets to share their voices proudly. Friedson joins Chaz Volk on Bad Jew to discuss what it takes to effectively and accurately speak on behalf of Israel. Volk takes this opportunity to assess how the international Jewish community is doing when it comes to sharing information as well. Tune in to become inspired to take the streets and speak on behalf of those that can't!
00:00 Introduction
03:12 Judaism as a moral basis for activism
08:39 Unity within activism
09:42 The value of attending rallies
13:21 Avoiding misinformation
18:42 Credibility
20:19 Responsibility in influence
23:44 Accuracy and literacy
26:29 Jewish intimidation and antisemitism
31:22 Zionism
34:12 The undeniable tie of Judaism and Zionism
36:47 Education is key to combating antisemitism
About Marla Friedson:
Marla Friedson is the receptionist at Circle of Confusion, a tv/film production and management company. She is also a freelance producer, having worked on a variety of content from unscripted TV to short films to the US Tennis Open. Marla is the co-host and co-producer of Schmuckboys, a podcast about Jewish dating, Jewish identity and antisemitism. Her and co-host Libby Walker interview Jewish guests from all walks of life and release new episodes every other week through the Jewish Journal Podcast Network. Marla is very involved in Jewish organizations in L.A. serving on the board of AishLIT and working part-time as the Head of Operations for Jews Talk Justice, a Tel Aviv Institute project. She is a vocal activist for the Jewish people, using her social media platform to help educate others.
Connect with Marla Friedson:
IG @marsbars36
Tune into Schmuckboys on your favorite podcast platform
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
Who Are The Mizrahi Jews? with Tal Oran
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 • Duration 35:26
One message this podcast has tried time and time again to explain... Jews come in all shapes and colors. The Jews from the Middle East are called Mizrahi Jews and they are just as culturally tied as Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews are.
Tal Oran, better known as The Travelling Clatt, steps away from his travel vlogging to share the full overview of Mizrahi Jewish culture. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, goes through a learning curve to uncover the impactful contribution Mizrahi Jews have had on all of us and embraces the personal survival story of the Oran family.
00:00 Decade of travel, YouTube success, pro-Israel advocate.
05:12 Mizrahi Jews struggle with silencing and race
08:36 Challenged the portrayal of Jewish culture in media
12:12 Mizrahi Jews from Iraq and Azerbaijan bond
14:24 Iraqi Jewish dialect is separate language from Iraqi
17:44 Mizrahi cuisine
21:10 The long history of violence
23:35 Family fled Iraq to Iran, then Israel
26:47 Christians, Jews, and peace throughout history (myth)
30:56 Moroccan celebration Mimouna embraced by diverse cultures
31:36 Moroccan music, food, and traditional attire
About Tal Oran:
Tal makes content about Israel, Palestine, The Holy Land, Religions, and what makes us all come together or go apart. He wants to make peace and show love. His journey can be seen on his Instagram and YouTube channel where he produces content full time.
Follow Tal Oran:
Ig: @thetravellingclatt
YT: @thetravellingclatt
TT: thetravellingclatt
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
What Are Holocaust Survivors Like? (Yom HaShoah Special) with Michael Ruskin
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 • Duration 31:17
As we commemorate Yom HaShoah, we dedicate this week’s episode to understanding the lives and legacies of those who survived the Holocaust. Our guest, Michael Ruskin, offers an intimate glimpse into his life as the last surviving member of his family who escaped the horrors of the Holocaust. He shares tales of his own upbringing under the shadow of his parents’ past traumas and how these experiences shaped their family dynamics.
Michael also discusses his book, "The Vow," which not only documents the atrocities of the Holocaust but captures the extraordinary love story of his parents finding their way back to each other post-war. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, emphasizes the resilience of survivors along with the impact of generational trauma on later generations.
00:00 Introduction
03:27 Poor upbringing and protective Holocaust-survivor parents
08:37 Found family history
10:23 Love over wealth, reflection of 'The Vow'
12:48 Difficulty conveying past experiences
17:37 Writing the book
25:16 Research, learning, and resilience
26:54 How his parents lived
29:44 Conclusion
About Michael Ruskin:
Michael Ruskin (born Meyer Ruksen), was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the beautiful city of Perth Amboy, New Jersey (central New Jersey). He is the youngest son of David and Dora Ruskin and the younger brother of the late Allen Ruskin. A graduate from Kent State University in Ohio, he received a B.A.
in Political Science and Psychology. Michael spent most of his 40-year career in corporate Human Resources and private consulting. Mr. Ruskin, now retired, lives a very active lifestyle which includes traveling, tennis, dancing, hiking. He is a student of spirituality, world history, and an avid researcher. He has one niece and enjoys spending time with friends and making new ones. Michael is the last surviving member of his immediate family. The Vow: A Love Story and the Holocaust is Mr. Ruskin's first book, but not his last. He currently resides in Roswell, Georgia.
Connect with Michael Ruskin:
Buy 'The Vow' on www.TheVowALoveStory.com
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
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