The Orthonomics Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Harry Maryles is the author behind the blog Emes Ve-Emunah (which is now also released as a Substack publication).

For many years he has written extensively and prolifically on issues of Halacha (Jewish law), hashkafa (Jewish philosophy), and contemporary matters affecting Orthodoxy. He does not shy away from sensitive or controversial issues, and his columns are just excellent. I've very much enjoyed reading his column and we have even interacted from time to time.

He is a rabbi and holds a psychology degree, and also publishes essays and commentary for news-and-analysis outlets such as The Times of Israel.

If you want to read his fascinating posts, here is a link to his BLOG, where he has been posting for many years, and here is a LINK to his new Substack, where you can subscribe to get his postings via email.

Elissa Felder is a:

•  Renowned speaker

• Author of the book "From One Life to the Next Life"

• The Coordinator of Core's Communities of Practice

Elissa also mentioned Chai Mitzvah and the excellent Sourcebook and Materials they have prepared for follow-up discussion of the topics she raises.

Ruthie Braffman Shulman is passionate about the importance of women's roles in Torah Leadership positions, and she currently serves as the Director of Women's Torah Leadership at Micah Philanthropies, where she develops and supports women in Torah leadership positions at shuls. Simultaneously, she is the Yoetzet Halacha and community scholar at Young Israel of West Hartford CT.

Ruthie studied at Sha'alvim for Women and Yeshiva University's Stern College and earned an M.A. in Talmud at Yeshiva University's Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women (GPATS). She is also trained and certified as a Yoetzet Halacha.

Ruthie has nearly twenty years of experience in community leadership and Torah education, having worked at institutions such as United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston, Manhattan Jewish Experience, OU-JLIC at University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

She resides in Philadelphia with her husband and four children.

Here is the link to our Survey of Orthodox Jewish Family Life, Marriage & Divorce, available online through June 18, 2025: http://bit.ly/marriage-divorce-2025. 

Rabbi Weinberg is a distinguished Jewish educator, relationship coach, and speaker, renowned for his expertise in fostering healthy relationships and guiding personal development.

He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, he holds a master's degrees in marriage and family therapy, secondary education, and school administration; and a doctorate in education with a focus on adolescent religious development.

He has over 25 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator, including serving as the principal at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck, New York.

He currently lives in Israel, and conducts seminars, webinars, and speaking engagements focused on enhancing relationships between couples, parents and children, teachers and students, and more.

Check out his website at https://www.rabbidrnoamweinberg.com/

 In this episode, our wide-ranging discussion covers the size of the Orthodox and Modern Orthodox community, how and why the Orthodox have become a minority, the cost and standards of living of Orthodoxy, some under-valued benefits, and even some sport trivia!

Our guest, Rabbi Zev Eleff received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. At Yeshiva University, Eleff graduated from Yeshiva College and received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a past Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, a prestigious program for Jewish leaders and professionals.

Zev Eleff is the president of Gratz College. One of the youngest presidents in American higher education, Eleff, at 35 years-old, was elected by the College's Board of Governors in 2021. He was previously chief academic officer of Hebrew Theological College and vice provost of Touro College Illinois.

A prolific scholar, Eleff holds an international reputation for academic rigor and sophistication. He is the author or editor of 14 books and more than 120 articles in the fields of Jewish Studies and American Religion. Eleff's research in American Jewish history has received numerous awards, including the American Jewish Historical Society's Wasserman Prize and the Rockower Award for Excellence by the American Jewish Press Association. He is also a two-time finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, a member of the Academic Council of the American Jewish Historical Society, and one of the youngest faculty members promoted to full professor in Touro College's history.

Eleff resides in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Melissa, and their three children.

In this episode, we mention community feedback on a very wide range of Jewish topics that people want to learn. Here is a LINK to the community feedback on this topic. 

Frieda Vizel was raised in the Satmar Hasidic community. At age 25, she left that community and pursued higher education, culminating in a master's degree at Sarah Lawrence College.

Since 2013, she has been offering walking tours of Hasidic Williamsburg. Her tours provide insights into the community's traditions and daily life, and are noted for their educational, respectful and balanced approach. And they are lots of fun.

Her work offers a unique perspective, bridging her deep-rooted background in the Hasidic community with her academic pursuits and personal journey. She continues to foster understanding and dialogue about Hasidic life through her tours, writings, and her YouTube channel.

Website: https://friedavizel.com

YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@FriedaVizelBrooklyn

If you want to chime in on our upcoming survey dealing with divorce, check out this link: http://bit.ly/orthodox-divorce-2025

Betzalel Rothstein is a Certified Divorce Coach and Mediator who is highly regarded and has been involved in hundreds of divorce cases over the past 10 years either as Mediator, Coach, Parenting Coordinator or Consultant. He has extensive experience in dealing with difficult topics such as parental alienation, blended families, relocation, and what to do when parents differ about hashkafah. Betzalel has personal experience with many of these topics and he has learned from many of the leading experts in high-conflict divorces.

Betzalel's Contact Information:

Website: www.shalomfamilymediation.com

Email: Betzalel@shalomfamilymediation.com

Phone: 646.493.9783

As noted in this episode, we plan to soon do a broad communal survey on the topic of divorce. We are giving all of our listeners the opportunity to chime in on issues they would like us to explore, as well as to sign up to get the survey form as soon as it is released. Just go to this link to participate: http://bit.ly/orthodox-divorce-2025

In this episode, we have a wide-ranging discussion, touching on such topics as:
•  Significant differences between US and Canadian Jewry/Orthodoxy
• Interactions and public conversations across among various denominations
• The evolving role of women in Modern Orthodoxy 
• Has politics become a "Jewish issue" (and/or divisive), including attitudes toward Israel and Zionism
• Struggles with faith and rationality 
• What factors lead to Orthodox couples getting divorced

Steven Gotlib is Associate Rabbi at Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue in Philadelphia.  A graduate of Rutgers University, he received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University (RIETS), a certificate in mental health counseling from the Ferkauf School of Psychology in partnership with RIETS, and a START Certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship from the Glean Network in partnership with Columbia Business School. He also manages the marketing at RIETS,

A popular guest speaker throughout the US and Canada, Rabbi Gotlib has written for various websites and publications.  He strongly believes in making Jewish theology, philosophy, and law as accessible as possible to all who seek guidance and comfort within our tradition. He can be reached at rabbisgotlib@mekorhabracha.org.

Aliza Bulow is an author, educator and mentor to Jewish women around the world, who founded CORE, an organization that empowers and connects Orthdox Jewish women. 

Core connects, develops and sustains women who engage in klal (the collective community) work. Core supports women in three main ways:

1) MMC (Mashpia-Mentor-Counselor) Program: Core offers 2.5 years of training to develop women who are pillars of spiritual support within our communities
2) Communities of Practice: Core connects women who share a field of Jewish service and offers continuing inspiration and education
3) Core Circles: Core supports women who facilitate Core Circles, small groups that strengthen relationships in local communities, and networks those Circles both regionally and internationally

For more information, see http://coretorah.org.

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Before founding Core she directed Ner LeElef's North American Women's Program for 11 years where she coached rebbetzins and provided strategic development for outreach organizations in Canada, the US and Mexico. 

Her love of Jewish texts and philosophy was developed at Michlelet Bruria, Hebrew University and Hunter College where she graduated with honors in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. In her early career, she worked for Partners in Torah and The Jewish Experience. Even before entering college, Aliza's passion for strengthening Jews and the Jewish community led her to campaign on behalf of Soviet Jewry and build settlements in Israel while serving in Nachal. That early passion has only grown with time. Over the past four decades, Aliza has worked with hundreds of women in over 50 cities and 5 continents, strengthening the social fabric of Klal Yisroel.

A few of the terms used in this episode:

Mekarvot - Women involved in Jewish outreach

Ratzon - Will; and Bitachon – Faith

Kallah – Bride

Hashkafah - Overall religious guiding philosophy / worldview

Taharat Ha'Mishpacha – Jewish Halachic laws relating to marital relations 

Kedushah - Holiness; and Tahara – Spiritual clanliness

Chevra Kadisha - Jewish Burial Society

Kavanah - Religious understanding and purpose

In this episode we present some surprising facts about Modern Orthodoxy and the Orthodox community as a whole, based upon Nishma Research surveys between 2016 and 2024.

We explore the size and growth of the community, religious beliefs and practices, political views, the finances of living an Orthodox Jewish life, the role of women in Modern Orthodoxy, and the levels of optimism vs. pessimism among several denominations across the American Jewish community.       

Did any of this surprise you? Do you have questions or suggestions for future research or podcast episodes? Would you like a follow-up episode sharing additional factoids? Contact us at orthonomics@nishmaresearch.com.

All of the research cited may be found at this LINK.