Honey From The Rock – Details, episodes & analysis

Rabbi Tamar shares her transformative journey from a traditional Sephardic background to becoming a rabbi, sparked by her grandfather Saba Yaish's (Grandpa Hope's) profound words. In this intimate conversation, she explores how having supporters who truly believed in her potential gave her the courage to pursue an unconventional path.

Key Topics:
- The power of trust within religious communities and leadership
- How courage and authentic support shape our life choices
- The impact of Saba Yaish's legacy and wisdom
- Breaking cultural barriers in rabbinic leadership
- The essential role of trust in building and sustaining communities
- Finding strength through people who believe in our potential
- Building resilient Jewish communities through mutual support
- Balancing tradition with contemporary religious leadership
- Finding hope and healing through communal support
- The significance of community during times of celebration and sorrow
- The courage required to step into leadership roles
- How trust enables community transformation

Send us your thoughts at bill@honeyfoundationforisrael.org

visit us at:
https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/

Join the Honey Foundation's work in improving Israeli society today.

This podcast was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com

Join Bill Lipsey for conversations with Israel's innovative spiritual leaders and entrepreneurs. Discover how the Honey Foundation is empowering diverse Jewish expression and building meaningful communities for a more connected Israel and Jewish world.

Visit us at honeyfoundationforisrael.org to learn more about our mission and vision, and become part of this transformative journey.

Be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform so you don't miss a single episode of these powerful conversations.

Join the Honey Foundation's work in improving Israeli society today.

This podcast is produced and edited by thepodwaves.com 

In this deeply moving episode, Bill sits down with Rabbi Chananel Rosen, son of Rabbi Micky Rosen z"l, founder of the renowned YaKar communities in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Their conversation weaves through generations of Jewish leadership and explores the delicate balance of tradition and innovation in modern Jewish life.

Key Topics:

• The rich legacy of the Rosen family's multi-generational commitment to Jewish education and leadership
• Rabbi Chananel's personal journey to the rabbinate and his unique perspective on integrating Jewish life with arts and broader culture
• The profound experience of joining his father in leading the YaKar community
• A touching discussion about loss, mourning (אבילות), and the transformative experience of losing a parent
• The continuing mission of YaKar and its vital role as a spiritual home for diverse Israeli Jews
• Building inclusive Jewish communities where people can grow authentically together

About YaKar: The YaKar community, established by Rabbi Micky Rosen z"l, stands as a beacon of inclusive Judaism in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, creating spaces where all Jews can find their place in Jewish tradition and community life.

Send us your thoughts at bill@honeyfoundationforisrael.org

Join the Honey Foundation's work in improving Israeli society today. 

Visit us at:
https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/

This podcast was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com

Rabbi Ayala Deckel shares her remarkable journey of spiritual transformation and her current role as a spiritual leader during one of Israel's most challenging times. From her Orthodox upbringing to becoming a progressive rabbi, her story intersects with some of the most pressing issues facing Israeli society today.

Key Topics Discussed

Personal Journey

• Growing up in an Orthodox Jewish home
• Childhood memories of accompanying her father to siyum celebrations marking the completion of Talmud tractates
• The complexity of her marriage: an Orthodox woman married to an initially unorthodox man who later became observant
• Her own path away from strict halachic observance and the call to become a rabbi
• Finding her unique rabbinic and spiritual mission

Motherhood During War

• The challenges of raising children while fathers are serving in the military
• Helping children process the loss of their classmate's father in the war
• Strategies for discussing war and loss with children at their developmental level
• Building resilience and emotional maturity in young people during crisis

Leadership at Hostage Square

• Her emergence as the de facto rabbi of Kikar Hahatufim (Hostage Square) in Tel Aviv
• The role of prayer and ritual in supporting families of hostages
• Creating and maintaining community during prolonged crisis
• The importance of spiritual leadership in times of national trauma

Show Notes

This episode explores themes of spiritual evolution, communal responsibility, and finding meaning during times of crisis. Rabbi Deckel's personal journey from Orthodox Judaism to progressive rabbinical leadership provides a unique lens through which to examine contemporary Jewish identity and the role of religious leadership during national crisis.

Her work at Hostage Square demonstrates how traditional Jewish practices can be adapted to meet the urgent spiritual needs of a community in crisis, while her approach to parenting during wartime offers valuable insights for families facing similar challenges.

Send us your thoughts at bill@honeyfoundationforisrael.org

Join the Honey Foundation's work in improving Israeli society today.

This Podcast was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com

In this week's episode, Bill sits down with Rabbi Tani Feintuch for an intimate conversation about community, faith, and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Rabbi Tani brings decades of deep Talmudic and halakhic study to his rabbinical work, with particular expertise in the intersection between halakha and aggadah in the Talmud. His path to community leadership began through his wife's role as rabbanit at Ramban Shul, which ultimately led them to establish their own vibrant community.

Key Topics Discussed

The Evolving Role of Community Rabbi Rabbi Tani reflects on how he views the tafkid (role/mission) of a community rabbi and how this sacred responsibility has fundamentally shifted in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks.

Building Bridges Across Israeli Society The conversation explores Rabbi Tani's vital work connecting with different factions across all of Israeli society, emphasizing the critical importance of these relationships in times of crisis and beyond.

Stories of Heroism and Connection Rabbi Tani shares powerful, personal stories of heroism and profound human connections that emerged from October 7th and continue to develop through the ongoing war, illustrating the resilience of the human spirit.

The Jewish People as Family A central theme emerges around understanding the Jewish people as one family—emphasizing that families sit together through pain and trouble, regardless of differences in political views or personal opinions.

The Power of Community for All Israelis The discussion highlights the essential need for community among all Israelis, transcending geographic, political, and social boundaries to create unity in diversity.

Honey from the Rock continues to explore the depths of Jewish life, learning, and community through meaningful conversations with remarkable individuals shaping Jewish thought and practice today.

FOLLOW THE HONEY FOUNDATION:

Website: https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.honeyfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeyfoundationforisrael

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehoneyfoundationforisrae7795

To be part of creating an Israeli society that is more open, more connected and more reflective of our Jewish values, click here to donate to the Honey Foundation for Israel ➡️ https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/give/

This episode was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com.

In this powerful episode, Bill sits down with Rabbi Nissimi Naim Naor—a unique figure who serves as rabbi, chef, healer, and officer in the IDF reserves. Their conversation explores the intersections of faith, food, trauma, and community healing in Israel.

Rabbi Nissimi Naim Naor uses cooking as a form of therapy and connection. His life's work focuses on trauma recovery and emotional wellness, in military reserves and as a civilian rabbi. 

A Personal Journey of Faith
Beginning with his Tel Aviv roots through building a multidimensional rabbinate in Jerusalem, and in Jewish communities in North America, Rabbi Nissimmi shares how life’s challenges—including his wife’s illness and the COVID-19 crisis—deepened his understanding of faith, healing, and purpose.

Redefining Rabbinical Leadership
Breaking from traditional expectations, Rabbi Nissimmi integrates trauma care, emotional support, and community building into his work—both in and beyond the synagogue.

Healing Through Food and Media
We discuss his Channel 11 program where cooking becomes a tool for processing grief and restoring connection, revealing how nourishment can be spiritual and therapeutic. 

Service and Sacrifice in Uniform
Rabbi Nissimmi reflects on his role as a casualty notification officer in the IDF, sharing the emotional and spiritual weight of delivering news of loss—and the sacred duty embedded in that role.

Parenting and Resilience Amid Crisis
Raising children in times of national trauma, Rabbi Nissimmi speaks to the balance between protecting innocence and preparing for harsh realities—anchored in hope and faith.

The Power of Community
We reflect on how communal bonds enable healing, foster resilience, and help individuals navigate collective trauma through shared experience and sacred presence.

To watch videos of Rabbi Nissimmi's healing through cooking with bereaved families on the Kan Channel 11 network:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4K4gIA0v0s  

FOLLOW THE HONEY FOUNDATION:

Website: https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.honeyfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeyfoundationforisrael

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8BZXaMlyuM&list=PLBvWXVThJky8dAsjPV6TwHsj606qBfkal

In this powerful and timely episode, Bill is joined by the renowned Israeli rabbi and community leader, Rav Binyamin Tzvi (Benny) Lau, for a deeply personal conversation about community, faith, and resilience in challenging times. Together, they explore the transformative power of Torah study, the essential role of community in healing from trauma, and how to maintain hope during some of the most difficult periods in Jewish history.

About Our Guest

Rav Benny Lau is a prominent Israeli rabbi, community leader, activist, author, and public speaker based in Jerusalem.  Rav Lau has dedicated his life to Jewish education, community building, and social activism.

Episode Highlights

History and Heritage 

Rav Benny's story begins with his grandfather's legacy in Poland - who endowed in the family the unequivocal value that "Eretz Yisrael is our home".

The Ramban Story

Rav Lau shares the fascinating story of how he became the rabbi of the Ramban Synagogue and chronicles the remarkable growth of this Jerusalem community over his 20-year tenure there.

Formative Life Stories

Both Bill and Rav Benny open up about pivotal moments that shaped their lives and defined their respective missions, offering listeners intimate glimpses into their religious journeys.

The Inception of 929

They discuss the establishment of the famous and wildly successful 929 project, which brings together thousands of Israelis and people worldwide to study one chapter of the Bible each day, creating a global community of Torah learners.

Community as a Healing Force

They engage in profound discussion on the vital role and importance of community, especially in the aftermath of October 7, 2023 , and how collective support becomes essential for healing from trauma and returning to healthy living.

Israeli Identity and Jewish Community

Rav Lau and Bill delve into a fundamental question facing modern Israeli Jews: Is being Israeli, speaking Hebrew, and living by the Jewish calendar sufficient, or do we still need intentional community while living in Israel?

Staying Optimistic in Dark Times

Rabbi Benny shares his thoughtful perspectives on how to maintain optimism and hope during this particularly painful period for the Jewish people and the world at large, offering wisdom for navigating collective trauma and uncertainty.

About 929: Tanach B'Yachad

929 is Rav Lau's groundbreaking initiative that has revolutionized Torah study by encouraging people worldwide to read the same chapter of the Tanach (Hebrew Bible) each day. This innovative program has created an unprecedented global community of learners, connecting thousands in shared daily Torah study and fostering deep connections across geographic and cultural boundaries.

To learn more about 929: https://www.929.org.il/lang/en/today

FOLLOW THE HONEY FOUNDATION:

Website: https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.honeyfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeyfoundationforisrael

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehoneyfoundationforisrae7795

To be part of creating an Israeli society that is more open, more connected and more reflective of our Jewish values, click here to donate to the Honey Foundation for Israel https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/give/

This episode was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com

Rabba Keren Apfelbaum Riff

In this episode of Honey from the Rock, we speak with Rabba Keren Apfelbaum Riff, a Honey Fellow whose work centers on building spaces where Jewish identity can be explored, questioned, and reimagined. Drawing from her own journey—from a childhood marked by silence around Judaism to becoming a leader in Israeli spiritual life—Rabba Keren shares what it means to create community without labels, hold space for complexity, and trust that the conversation itself can be sacred.

Highlights from this episode include:  

• Her childhood experience growing up in a household where Judaism was not openly discussed, yet feeling a strong inner connection to her heritage.
• A heartfelt story about her maternal grandfather, who humorously claimed to be the messiah, and the profound influence he had on her—despite being secular yet deeply spiritual.
• The path that led her to become a leader in the Jewish community and dedicate her life to Jewish learning.
• Her reflections on her Jewish identity during war and what it taught her about resilience and faith.
• Her leadership position in Mabua, an Israeli Beit Midrash, and the vital role it plays in her life and in fostering Jewish engagement outside traditional religious settings.
• The fundamental role of community, especially during current times of conflict and war, and how it serves as an antidote to cynicism.
• Her insights on the shifts in Jewish life and tradition as people move to Israel.
• Her work in establishing a liberal house of prayer with over 300 weekly attendees.
• Her efforts to bring Jewish education—secular and inclusive—to secular schools.

Join us as we delve into the transformative power of community, faith, and education in shaping Jewish life today.

To Follow Rabba Keren and Mabua: 

https://www.facebook.com/mabua.bmi

https://www.facebook.com/keren.apfelbaum/

FOLLOW THE HONEY FOUNDATION:

Website: https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.honeyfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeyfoundationforisrael

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehoneyfoundationforisrae7795

To be part of creating an Israeli society that is more open, more connected and more reflective of our Jewish values, click here to donate to the Honey Foundation for Israel https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/give/

This episode was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com.

In this episode of Honey from the Rock, Bill sits down with Rachel Ettun, Founder and CEO of Haverut, a family therapist, spiritual caregiver, mentor, and group facilitator. Rachel shares her profound journey rooted in faith, family, and healing—both personal and communal.

Key Topics Covered:

• Rachel’s childhood in a family of seven, where she was raised to ask questions and calmly voice her thoughts.
• The deeply personal story of her second child, Ruth, born with Cystic Fibrosis, and the journey through Ruth’s illness and passing at age 11.
• The inspiring backstory of how Rachel’s experiences led her to co-found Haverut, an organization dedicated to spiritual growth and healing.
• Her transition from asking "Why?" to exploring "For what?"—shifting perspective from questioning to purpose.
• An overview of Haverut, the foundation she leads, and the impactful work they do to foster spiritual healing alongside physical health.
• The importance of healing through belonging, friendship, and community—especially within the Jewish world.
• The distinction between spiritual health and mental health, and how they intersect.
• The powerful role of Jewish life, rituals, and holidays in nurturing mental and spiritual well-being.
• Perspectives on healing as a society from trauma, especially within the Jewish community worldwide.

Join us for this heartfelt conversation about resilience, faith, community, and the continuous journey toward healing.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL ETTUN AND HAVERUT: https://haverut.org.il/about/

FOLLOW THE HONEY FOUNDATION:

Website: https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.honeyfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeyfoundationforisrael

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehoneyfoundationforisrae7795

To be part of creating an Israeli society that is more open, more connected and more reflective of our Jewish values, click here to donate to the Honey Foundation for Israel https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/give/

This episode was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com

In this episode, Bill sits down with Rabbi Matthew Gewritz, who leads a thriving community of 2,000 families at his synagogue in New Jersey. Their conversation explores Rabbi Matt's unique journey to becoming a spiritual leader and his perspectives on Israel, Zionism, faith, and community.

Episode Highlights:

• Childhood Dreams: At just five years old, Rabbi Matt announced to his family his desire to become "a rabbi on a motorcycle" - a dream he later forgot as he pursued a career in business
• Rediscovering His Calling: When he was 23, his mother reminded him of his childhood ambition, setting him on the path to rabbinical studies
• Balancing Act: Rabbi Matt discusses maintaining a strong pro-Israel stance while leading a congregation in a predominantly liberal community
• Personal Connection: The touching story of how Rabbi Matt first fell in love with Israel and how that relationship has evolved over time
• Media Presence: How Rabbi Matt became known as "the rabbi on TV," or "Morning Joe Rabbi" often speaking on behalf of Jewish perspectives in media
• Meaning Crisis: An insightful discussion about the parallel meaning crises in Israel and America, and how Jewish communities approach these challenges differently
• Evolution of Zionism: Exploration of how Zionism served as a replacement for religion for many Israelis for years, and how both secular and religious Israelis are finding that it's not sufficient on its own anymore
• New Book: Introduction to Rabbi Matt's latest book and its central themes

Join us for this thoughtful conversation about faith, community, and finding purpose in a complex world.

Questions or comments? Send us a message bill@honeyfoundationforisrael.org

To suppport the Honey Foundation's work, https://honeyfoundationforisrael.org/give/

This episode was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com