Behind the Bima – Details, episodes & analysis

On this week's episode, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Josh Broide are joined by Avi Mayer, the immediate past editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post. With over 250,000 Twitter followers and a monthly reach in the tens of millions, Avi is recognized as one of the leading millennial voices in Israel and the Jewish community worldwide.

Avi shares the challenges and triumphs of navigating the worlds of traditional media and real-time news updates on social media, discusses the importance of accurate information dissemination and shares his thoughts on the differences between traditional media and social media, and the responsibility of representing not just oneself but larger organizations and communities.

Plus, the importance of sleep and the power of ice baths. All this and more, Behind the Bima.

00:00 - Introduction
11:27 - Interview With Rabbi Andrew Shaw

On this week's episode, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Josh Broide are joined by Rabbi Andrew Shaw, director of the Simchas Torah Project and CEO of Mizrachi UK.

Rabbi Shaw shares the inspiration and goals behind the Simchas Torah Project, explains how the initiative honors the victims of October 7th while uniting communities in celebration and remembrance, and describes the challenges and successes of coordinating a global effort to bring new special Torah covers to synagogues around the world.

Plus, a discussion of daily schedules.

All this and more, Behind the Bima.

00:00 - Introduction
13:28 - Interview With Rabbi Andrew Shaw

In this week’s episode, hosts Rabbis Efrem Goldberg, Josh Broide, and Philip Moskowitz are joined by Congressman Richie Torres and Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish student activist at Harvard. 

Shabbos shares his experience on the ground at Harvard and his lawsuit against the university, discusses how he is inspired by the Kotzker Rebbe, and inspires with his fierce Jewish pride and leadership. 

Congressman Torres gives an inside view into his support of Israel and how he has felt isolated. Plus - the rabbis reflect on the world has changed post-October 7th, bringing humility and honesty to us all. 

00:00 - Introduction 
13:29 - Interview with Congressman Ritchie Torres 
27:48 - Interview with Shabbos Kestenbaum

R' Machlis is a truly righteous man, a teacher both by profession and by his very life. He hosts 200 people in his home every shabbos and has inspired thousands. 

His late wife, Rebbetzin Henny, was a truly singular outstanding woman. She lovingly opened her heavenly heart and home to many many tens of thousands of guests from every imaginable background. In her own unique way, Henny served as a caring mother and dedicated role model to so many of these people. 

The Rebbetzin keenly understood the special spiritual significance of hospitality and generosity and - with the help of Hashem - successfully opened new torah gateways and pathways in the cherished areas of chesed and hachnasat orchim. Henny often spoke of the heartfelt appreciation that she felt towards Hashem for allowing her the privilege of living in the holiest of lands and in the holiest of cities. She often remarked that it was the special divine blessing of Yerushalayim which enabled her to actualize so many of her aspirations. 

To learn more about her inspiring life, check out The Story of Rebbetzin Henny Machlis: https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422620694.html. 

To support their mission and help to cover the costs of their shabbos meals, head to https://www.machlis.org/. 

Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: 
Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/ 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg 

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), a rapidly-growing congregation of over 800 families and over 1,000 children in Boca Raton, Florida. BRS is the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Rabbi Goldberg's warm and welcoming personality has helped attract people of diverse backgrounds and ages to feel part of the BRS community, reinforcing the BRS credo of 'Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity. 

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz serves as Associate Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). His warm personality and dynamic, positive spirit make people of all backgrounds and ages feel a part of the BRS community. Rabbi Moskowitz officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling, and serves as halachic advisor and close confidante to hundreds of members. Beyond the engaging and relevant Shabbat morning sermons, delivered to multiple, diverse minyanim, and the numerous regular classes and shiurim in the Shul, Rabbi Moskowitz regularly teaches Torah in private homes, local day schools, and the community at large. 

Rabbi Josh Broide is the Director of the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement (CJE), a Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He is also the Founder & Director of the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE), a rapidly growing outreach and engagement program in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition he also works as the Outreach Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), one of the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in North America.

Dovid Lichtenstein is an American billionaire entrepreneur and real estate investor. He is the founder and CEO of The Lightstone Group, which he founded in 1988. During the early years of the Lightstone Group, Lichtenstein focused on investing in multifamily properties. He rapidly grew his portfolio in the 1990s, before diversifying his portfolio and moving into retail. Lichtenstein in 2003 acquired Prime Retail for $638 million, seen as one of the largest retail purchases in United States at the time. 

He is also the author of three books called Headlines on the Orthodox Jewish perspective on current events and contemporary topics including terrorism, gay marriage, abortion, missionary activities, insanity, genetics, and vaccinations and has also authored a commentary on the Mishna Berura called Mishna Achrona that presents the positions of many contemporary halachic authorities in relation to the text. Lichtenstein also has a weekly podcast with the same name, which covers the Jewish perspective on a different controversial topic each week. The show is well known for including interviews with various prominent Rabbis and Jewish community leaders and the lineup of personalities interviewed includes both Haredi and Modern Orthodox leaders. The show is available at http://podcast.headlinesbook.com/.

00:00 - Intro
16:13 - Interview
1:10:45 - Outro

Find Headlines books at your local seforim store or on Amazon:
Headlines 1: https://amzn.to/3nrjRdB
Headlines 2: https://amzn.to/3qNVB7e
Headlines 3: https://amzn.to/3HzUqyg

Find volume 3 of his Mishna Achrona on HebrewBooks.org:
https://hebrewbooks.org/50327

Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: 

Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), a rapidly-growing congregation of over 800 families and over 1,000 children in Boca Raton, Florida. BRS is the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Rabbi Goldberg's warm and welcoming personality has helped attract people of diverse backgrounds and ages to feel part of the BRS community, reinforcing the BRS credo of 'Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity. 

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz serves as Associate Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). His warm personality and dynamic, positive spirit make people of all backgrounds and ages feel a part of the BRS community. Rabbi Moskowitz officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling, and serves as halachic advisor and close confidante to hundreds of members. Beyond the engaging and relevant Shabbat morning sermons, delivered to multiple, diverse minyanim, and the numerous regular classes and shiurim in the Shul, Rabbi Moskowitz regularly teaches Torah in private homes, local day schools, and the community at large. 

Rabbi Josh Broide is the Director of the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement (CJE), a Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He is also the Founder & Director of the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE), a rapidly growing outreach and engagement program in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition he also works as the Outreach Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), one of the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in North America.

Jamie Geller is an Israeli-American food writer, celebrity chef, television producer and businesswoman. She has been called "The Kosher Rachael Ray" by the Miami Herald and the Queen of Kosher. Jamie Geller is the new Chief Media & Marketing Officer at Aish Global. Ms. Geller brings years of experience in building her media empire that influences millions every day. The award-winning producer, media and marketing executive is the Founder and CEO of Kosher Network international (KNi), the #1 Global Kosher Food Media Company and World's Most Watched Jewish Food Network with an audience of 5 million and 1 billion views. 

00:00 - Intro
13:35 - Interview
57:40 - Outro

Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: 
Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), a rapidly-growing congregation of over 800 families and over 1,000 children in Boca Raton, Florida. BRS is the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Rabbi Goldberg's warm and welcoming personality has helped attract people of diverse backgrounds and ages to feel part of the BRS community, reinforcing the BRS credo of 'Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity. 

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz serves as Associate Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). His warm personality and dynamic, positive spirit make people of all backgrounds and ages feel a part of the BRS community. Rabbi Moskowitz officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling, and serves as halachic advisor and close confidante to hundreds of members. Beyond the engaging and relevant Shabbat morning sermons, delivered to multiple, diverse minyanim, and the numerous regular classes and shiurim in the Shul, Rabbi Moskowitz regularly teaches Torah in private homes, local day schools, and the community at large. 

Rabbi Josh Broide is the Director of the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement (CJE), a Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He is also the Founder & Director of the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE), a rapidly growing outreach and engagement program in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition he also works as the Outreach Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), one of the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in North America.

David Baruch Lau (Hebrew: דוד לאו‎; born 13 January 1966) is the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel. He was appointed after achieving a majority of the vote on July 24, 2013. He previously served as the Chief Rabbi of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Israel, and as the Chief Rabbi of Shoham. Lau is the son of former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau.

00:00 - Introduction 
16:00 - Interview 
51:52 - Outro
 

Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: 
Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/ 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg 

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), a rapidly-growing congregation of over 800 families and over 1,000 children in Boca Raton, Florida. BRS is the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Rabbi Goldberg's warm and welcoming personality has helped attract people of diverse backgrounds and ages to feel part of the BRS community, reinforcing the BRS credo of 'Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity. 

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz serves as Associate Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). His warm personality and dynamic, positive spirit make people of all backgrounds and ages feel a part of the BRS community. Rabbi Moskowitz officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling, and serves as halachic advisor and close confidante to hundreds of members. Beyond the engaging and relevant Shabbat morning sermons, delivered to multiple, diverse minyanim, and the numerous regular classes and shiurim in the Shul, Rabbi Moskowitz regularly teaches Torah in private homes, local day schools, and the community at large. 

Rabbi Josh Broide is the Director of the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement (CJE), a Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He is also the Founder & Director of the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE), a rapidly growing outreach and engagement program in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition he also works as the Outreach Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), one of the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in North America.

R. Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson, also known as YY Jacobson, is an American Chabad rabbi and speaker from Monsey, New York. Jacobson served as editor-in-chief of the Algemeiner Journal, and as a choizer for Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. There were technical issues in the live stream. 

00:00 - Introduction 
14:23 - Interview 
1:33:09 - Outro
 

Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: 
Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/ 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg 

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), a rapidly-growing congregation of over 800 families and over 1,000 children in Boca Raton, Florida. BRS is the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Rabbi Goldberg's warm and welcoming personality has helped attract people of diverse backgrounds and ages to feel part of the BRS community, reinforcing the BRS credo of 'Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity. 

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz serves as Associate Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). His warm personality and dynamic, positive spirit make people of all backgrounds and ages feel a part of the BRS community. Rabbi Moskowitz officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling, and serves as halachic advisor and close confidante to hundreds of members. Beyond the engaging and relevant Shabbat morning sermons, delivered to multiple, diverse minyanim, and the numerous regular classes and shiurim in the Shul, Rabbi Moskowitz regularly teaches Torah in private homes, local day schools, and the community at large. 

Rabbi Josh Broide is the Director of the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement (CJE), a Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He is also the Founder & Director of the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE), a rapidly growing outreach and engagement program in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition he also works as the Outreach Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), one of the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in North America.

Professor Ruth Wisse is the Martin Peretz Professor of Yiddish Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University emeritus. She is a noted scholar of Yiddish literature and of Jewish history and culture.

00:00 - Intro
18:34 - Interview Begins 

Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: 

Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), a rapidly-growing congregation of over 800 families and over 1,000 children in Boca Raton, Florida. BRS is the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Rabbi Goldberg's warm and welcoming personality has helped attract people of diverse backgrounds and ages to feel part of the BRS community, reinforcing the BRS credo of 'Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity. 

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz serves as Associate Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). His warm personality and dynamic, positive spirit make people of all backgrounds and ages feel a part of the BRS community. Rabbi Moskowitz officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling, and serves as halachic advisor and close confidante to hundreds of members. Beyond the engaging and relevant Shabbat morning sermons, delivered to multiple, diverse minyanim, and the numerous regular classes and shiurim in the Shul, Rabbi Moskowitz regularly teaches Torah in private homes, local day schools, and the community at large. 

Rabbi Josh Broide is the Director of the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement (CJE), a Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He is also the Founder and Director of the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE), a rapidly growing outreach and engagement program in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition he also works as the Outreach Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), one of the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in North America.

Avraham Shabsi Hakohen Friedman (Hebrew: אברהם שבתי הכהן‎, born March 22, 1959) better known by his stage name, Avraham Fried, is a popular musical entertainer in the Orthodox Jewish community. 

00:00 - Intro Discussion 
20:00 - Interview Begins 
1:03:20 - Outro Discussion

Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: 

Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), a rapidly-growing congregation of over 800 families and over 1,000 children in Boca Raton, Florida. BRS is the largest Orthodox Synagogue in the Southeast United States. Rabbi Goldberg's warm and welcoming personality has helped attract people of diverse backgrounds and ages to feel part of the BRS community, reinforcing the BRS credo of 'Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity. 

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz serves as Associate Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). His warm personality and dynamic, positive spirit make people of all backgrounds and ages feel a part of the BRS community. Rabbi Moskowitz officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling, and serves as halachic advisor and close confidante to hundreds of members. Beyond the engaging and relevant Shabbat morning sermons, delivered to multiple, diverse minyanim, and the numerous regular classes and shiurim in the Shul, Rabbi Moskowitz regularly teaches Torah in private homes, local day schools, and the community at large. 

Rabbi Josh Broide is the Director of the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement (CJE), a Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He is also the Founder and Director of the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE), a rapidly growing outreach and engagement program in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition he also works as the Outreach Rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), one of the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in North America.