x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

edJEWcation

Your weekly dose of Jewish wit and wisdom. Each week Rabbi Abba Perelmuter, Chayaleah Sufrin, and Jay Covitz explore Jewish history, culture, and writings. Whether you"re a relapsed Jew or an old pro there is something for us all to learn.

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

01:04:06

Pogroms, Trauma, and the Echoes of October 7

edJEWcation ·

2025/10/30

This week, Jay and ChayaLeah sit down with Professor Jeffrey Veidlinger of the University of Michigan — historian, author of In the Midst of Civilized Europe, and director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute — for a hauntingly relevant conversation about the pogroms that swept through Ukraine between 1918 and 1921.They explore how ordinary neighbors became murderers, why humiliation often cuts deeper than death, and how centuries of trauma ripple through Jewish identity to this day. From the streets

en

01:04:12

From Dostoevsky to the Sukkah

edJEWcation ·

2025/10/23

This week on edJEWcation, we go full wandering-Jew with an episode that starts in the December Project (a book about preparing for death) and somehow winds its way through Hemingway, Dostoevsky, Hasidic storytelling, Masada, Jonathan Sacks, the Nakba, Judge Caprio, and why your neighbor’s sukkah is basically Jewish Home Depot cosplay.In between, we wrestle with:Why fiction can sometimes tell the truest storiesHow Jewish stubbornness, sacred texts, and a portable identity kept us alive when every

en

01:08:39

From Tehran to Torah: An unlikely path to Judaism

edJEWcation ·

2025/10/16

This week on edJEWcation, we sit down with William Mehrvarz, whose story takes us from the streets of Tehran to the Shabbat tables of New York. Born into a devout Shia Muslim family in Iran, William’s path veered when a camp roommate handed him a Bible written in Farsi. What followed was years of secret study, political upheaval, and dangerous choices, culminating in his escape from Iran, asylum in America, and ultimately, conversion to Judaism.We talk with William about:The contrasts between

en

01:04:56

What’s in a Name, a Prayer, and an Apology: From...

edJEWcation ·

2025/10/09

In this episode, Jay contemplates changing his Hebrew name, which leads ChayaLeah and the Rabbi into a conversation about identity, the mystical energy of names, and how prayer has become the least-popular Jewish pastime (sorry, Pew survey). Along the way, we talk about why Jews often find davening uninspiring, how Hasidic meditation works (hint: it’s not sitting cross-legged with Sam Harris), and why prayer is less about Amazon-delivery miracles and more about dialogue. We also wrestle with

en

01:07:40

Shofar, So Good: Casting off sins is easier than...

edJEWcation ·

2025/10/01

As the High Holidays come into focus, we take a step back to reflect on prayer, community, and the meaning behind the words we say in shul. From the powerful sound of the shofar to the quiet struggles with Hebrew versus English prayer, we share honest conversations about connection, detachment, and what it really means to stand before G-d. Along the way, we discuss Tashlich by the lagoon, the challenge of keeping students engaged, the rise of alienation in modern life, and why screens can never

en

01:24:56

Pride and Frustration: The Forgotten Anglo-American...

edJEWcation ·

2025/09/25

This week on edJEWcation, we dive into a nearly forgotten chapter of Jewish history: the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry of 1946. Born out of the Harrison Report (which we discussed previously) and Truman’s pressure to open the gates of Palestine, this joint British-American commission investigated the plight of Holocaust survivors, Arab opposition, and the realities on the ground in Mandatory Palestine.Jay and ChayaLeah unpack the committee’s findings, calls for 100,000 Jewish visas, the

en

01:14:04

In Honor of Charlie

edJEWcation ·

2025/09/18

In this week’s episode, we pause from our usual lighthearted approach to reflect on a tragedy shaking the Jewish and wider American communities: the assassination of Charlie Kirk. However one viewed his politics, Charlie was a forceful supporter of Israel and a vocal opponent of antisemitism, unafraid to confront hostile audiences on college campuses and beyond. His final, unfinished work on the importance of Shabbat reminds us that wisdom can sometimes come from unexpected voices.In his honor, we

en

00:59:32

Absalom, My Son: David’s Darkest Hour

edJEWcation ·

2025/09/11

This week on edJEWcation, the saga of King David gets darker, messier, and more painfully human. Forget the Sunday-school highlight reel, we’re diving into the tragedy of Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom.It’s a story of lust, betrayal, revenge, and rebellion: a prince consumed by desire, a sister left broken and silenced, a brother plotting justice with the patience of a viper, and a father-king paralyzed between love and duty. By the time Absalom’s flowing hair gets tangled in a tree, the whole House of

en

01:07:04

Customs, Conflicts, and Keeping the Faith

edJEWcation ·

2025/09/07

This week on edJEWcation, Jay and ChayaLeah sit down with Dr. Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, professor at the University of Pittsburgh and head of the Center for Governance and Markets, for a conversation that bounces from Uzbekistan to Squirrel Hill, from Hasidic wedding songs to Taliban tribal law.We explore:Why minhag Yisroel Torah hi (“Jewish custom is Torah”) resonates far beyond Jewish life.How customs in Afghanistan and Central Asia parallel Hasidic practices.The heartbreak of Tree of Life,

en

00:55:44

Thou Shalt Not Covet (David, Bathsheba & A Biblical...

edJEWcation ·

2025/08/28

This week on edJEWcation, we dive into one of the most famous and scandalous stories in the entire Bible: King David, Bathsheba, and Uriah. Was David guilty of adultery, deception, and murder? Or was he fulfilling a divine destiny with Bathsheba? The Rabbi breaks down the clash between text, commentary, and morality, while Jay and ChayaLeah wrestle with the very human side of the story.We cover:Why this episode of David’s life would never make it into a fourth-grade Hebrew school curriculumWhether

en

01:03:56

Dueling Rabbis

edJEWcation ·

2025/08/22

This week on edJEWcation, we’ve doubled the rabbis and turned up the volume. ChayaLeah invites her friend Rabbi Daniel Levine to go head-to-head (in the nicest, most Jewishly passive-aggressive way possible) with her father. The topic? What’s gone wrong with Jewish education and how to fix it, without losing our kids to boredom, bagels-only Judaism, or anti-Israel campus mobs.We cover:Why Hebrew school might be the Blockbuster Video of Jewish educationRituals vs. ideas: Which one actually keeps

en

00:56:13

The Report That Shamed the Allies: Earl Harrison and...

edJEWcation ·

2025/08/14

This week on edJEWcation, Jay and ChayaLeah kick the Rabbi off the mic and dive deep into a little-known but wildly important post-Holocaust document: the Harrison Report. After hearing disturbing rumors that Jewish survivors were being kept behind barbed wire alongside former Nazis (yes, really), President Truman sent Earl Harrison: lawyer, non-Jew, and moral compass, to investigate.What he found was horrifying: Jews still wearing concentration camp uniforms, starving on moldy bread, living next to

en

01:00:51

When the Prophet Says "Wait": The Book of Samuel Part 3

edJEWcation ·

2025/08/07

This week on edJEWcation, we return to the Book of Samueland things are getting biblical in the worst way. Saul’s kingship is off to a promising start: he wins battles, his son Jonathan shows promise, and even the livestock is plentiful. What could go wrong?Everything.We dive into Saul’s fateful mistakes impatience, misplaced piety, and a tragic inability to just do what he’s told. Rabbi breaks down the spiritual calculus of fasting before battle, the moral complexity of annihilating Amalek, and why

en

01:04:42

No Showers, No Steak, No Spotify: The Sacrifices of...

edJEWcation ·

2025/07/31

This week on edJEWcation, we’re going full Nine Days mode, which means no meat, no music, no manicures, and absolutely no Martha Stewart-level Shabbat table décor.ChayaLeah and Jay kick things off with a discussion on Bob Dylan’s Orthodox daughter, Paul McCartney’s politics (or lack thereof), and why Regina Spektor just became the patron saint of Jewish pride at concerts. But don’t worry it’s not just a classic edJEWcation tangent-fest (well, it is, but on purpose). Because all this music talk was

en

01:00:10

Of Kings and Kvetching: The Book of Samuel, Part 2

edJEWcation ·

2025/07/10

In this week’s edJEWcation bonus episode, Jay ditches Montreal, loses his tefillin (almost), and gains a crash course in the most Hamish transit option known to mankind: Hyman’s bus. We then pivot—seamlessly, obviously—from gefilte-fish-scented buses to one of the most dramatic political moments in Tanakh: the Israelites demanding a king.Why did God get so cranky about the request for a king when He literally told them they’d have one? What makes a king kosher? And does asking nicely actually matter

en

00:57:44

The Birth of a Prophet

edJEWcation ·

2025/07/03

This week on edJEWcation, we dive into the opening chapters of the Book of Samuel—because nothing says Jewish tradition like a barren woman, a holy ark, and a plague of hemorrhoids.Before we get biblical, we briefly address our deep concern over Brad Pitt's Zionism (verdict: our gut says yes) and tackle a listener question about antisemitism. Rabbi’s answer? Retreat is never the answer. Jewish pride is. And if you're not sure what you're proud of—educate yourself.Then we jump into the

en

00:50:55

Bombs, Birthright & the Rebbe’s Air Force

edJEWcation ·

2025/06/26

This week on edJEWcation, ChayaLeah returns from an impromptu war-zone detour with 40 Birthright students, a cruise ship, and a newfound appreciation for bomb shelters. What started as a sunny student trip to Israel turned into a harrowing 12-day ordeal as Iran launched a massive missile attack, Ben-Gurion shut down, and Birthright scrambled to evacuate thousands.We unpack her experience taking shelter from missiles in Jerusalem, fleeing to Cyprus by boat, partying awkwardly at sea, and witnessing

en

01:10:23

Where is ChayaLeah?!?!?!

edJEWcation ·

2025/06/19

With ChayaLeah on her reverse Exodus from Israel and an interview that fell through this week, we are re-running our episode about the Jewish perspective on happiness from a few months ago, because we couldn't all use that right now?However, this one comes with an extended director's cut that includes Jay's commentary on current events in Israel.What more could you ask for at the moment?Enjoy and see you all next week.

en

00:59:44

The Book of Judges: Warts and All, Part 3

edJEWcation ·

2025/06/12

This week on edJEWcation, we conclude our epic journey through the Book of Judges—and let's just say, we didn’t exactly end on a high note. Join us as we unpack two of the wildest, most uncomfortable stories you (probably) never learned in Hebrew school: the idol of Micah and the tragedy of the concubine in Givah.Along the way, we uncover shocking details like why Moses’ own grandson ends up running an idol-worshipping pop-up shul and how Israel’s first civil war unfolded in the most disastrous

en

00:56:45

The Book of Judges: Warts and All, Part 2

edJEWcation ·

2025/06/06

This week on edJEWcation, Jay, ChayaLeah, and the Rabbi dive deeper into the Book of Judges — and let's just say, things get complicated. From Gideon’s 300 hand-picked warriors (yes, it involves water-drinking techniques) to Yiftach’s infamous vow and the tragic fate of his daughter, we unpack the highs, the lows, and the downright puzzling. Plus, we tackle the legendary strongman Shimshon (Samson) — a one-man wrecking crew with a weakness for bad relationships and very good hair.Expect theological

en

85 results

Similar Podcasts

Jeff Haygood, Pastor

PodPoint

PASTOR ALVARO VALENCIA

Pastor Alvaro Valencia

Grace Life Church CT.

PodPoint

Pleasant View Church

Ted Nance

Christian Heritage Church"s Podcast

PodPoint