The Jewish Experience

In this episode Rabbi Wildes shares ten insights that will help you have a more meaningful Seder experience. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Rudy Rochman. Rochman is a noted speaker and writer on Jewish rights. Rochman's argument about the state of Israel's right to exist centers around the idea that Jews are indigenous to the land. He views Zionism as a movement of decolonization. Rochman has also criticized intersectionality because of how it has been used to demonize Israel. He has notably stated that Judaism is not a religion, but rather an ethnic group that is indigenous to the land of Israel. Rochman is also know for his work as a Pro-Israel activist on social media. He has thousands of followers and subscribers on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Rochman currently serves on the board of The Israel Innovation Fund, which is a philanthropic fund. In 2018, Rochman received the 36 Under 36 award for being one of the most influential Jews in the world. Currently, Rochman is running the Vision slate in the World Zionist Congress elections. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

God didn’t design the Seder to put your kids to sleep. Instead, the Seder is an experience your family should love, treasure and remember. Have you ever wondered that there might be something more to Passover, the Seder and in the Haggadah―something that just might hold the secrets to living the life of joy and meaning that you were intended to? In The Telling, Mark Gerson, host of The Rabbi’s Husband podcast and renowned Jewish philanthropist, shows us how to make the Seder the most engaging, inspiring, and important night of the Jewish year. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with Angela Himsel. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Jewish Week, Forward, Lilith and elsewhere. Her column Angetevka” on Zeek.net American won two American Jewish Press Association Awards. Angela holds a BA from Indiana University, which included two years at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and an MFA from The City College of New York. She grew up the seventh of eleven children in rural southern Indiana in a fundamentalist, doomsday, Christian faith. She converted to Judaism and lives in New York City. A River Could Be a Tree traces that journey.  Website: jewishexperience.org Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Sarah Hurwitz. She's the author of "Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life--in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)." After a decade as a political speechwriter—serving as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, and chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign—Sarah Hurwitz decided to apply her skills as a communicator to writing a book . . . about Judaism. And no one is more surprised than she is. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

In this episode Rabbi Wildes interviews Liel Leibovitz. Liel Leibovitz is an Israeli-American journalist, author, media critic and video game scholar, and co-host of the wildly popular podcast Unorthodox. When he was 9 years old, he became interested in the United States after visiting relatives resident there and his interest has never died. Leibovitz was a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Spokesperson’s Unit of the Israel Defense Forces. He worked at a hardware store and then at the Israeli Consulate as a senior press officer, producing "Israel Line," a daily summary of significant news taken directly from Israeli media. He received his B.A. from Tel Aviv University and after moving to New York City where his love of America continued to bloom, he received an M.S. in journalism and a Ph.D. in communications from Columbia University. He served as culture editor of the Jewish Week and has written for The Nation, as well as for The New Republic. At Tablet magazine, Leibovitz serves as senior writer and executive producer of video and interactive media. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with author and Signature bank founder Scott Shay. Scott Shay is a leading businessman, thought leader and author of two widely read books. Scott co-founded Signature Bank in 2001; the bank has become one of the best banks in New York for private business owners.Scott's second book, In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism, has been recognized as one of the best books of 2018 by Mosaic Authors and earned a finalist award from National Jewish Books.Scott gives talks around the country and is interviewed on TV, radio, and podcasts many times throughout the year. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

In this episode Rabbi Wildes speaks with Walt Disney Studios Animator and MJE alumnus Saul Blinkoff. Saul began his career as an animator for the Walt Disney Studios working on the hit films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, & Tarzan. He made his directorial debut with the hip action-adventure series Spy Groove for MTV. Shortly thereafter, he re-joined DISNEY, directing the films Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo & Kronk's New Groove- starring Eartha Kitt & David Spade. Saul also consulted in development on the DISNEY films: Tinkerbell, Fox and The Hound II, Brother Bear II, Cinderella III, and Dumbo II. Saul has directed high profile commercials for clients such as Best Buy, Dunkin' Donuts, ESPN, Subway, Mercedes Benz, EA Sports & Build-A-Bear. For NETFLIX, Saul was Consulting Director on the hit show Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures and was Supervising Director on Llama Llama starring Jennifer Garner. Currently, Saul is the Supervising Producer on the DREAMWORKS hit show Madagascar: A Little Wild on HULU/PEACOCK. Saul, a proud, knowledgable and observant Jew, speaks around the world sharing practical tools for success, meaning and fulfillment in all aspects of life! He also hosts the inspirational weekly podcast; Life of AWESOME! Saul lives in Los Angeles with his wife Marion and their four children. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

In this episode Rabbi Wildes talks with acclaimed professional matchmaker Danielle Rudoff. They talk about online dating, platonic relationships that heat up, and whether or not to go on the second date, along with a host of other topics. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

D Lichtenstein is one of the most successful real estate developers in the country and a world class Torah Scholar. He is the host of “HEADLINES” - the single most popular podcast in the Orthodox Jewish community. A wonderful philanthropist and religious educator, David is CEO of The Lightstone Group which he founded in 1988. Among other things, Rabbi Mark asks David how to balance a life of professional success with Torah observance, how to manage our precious time, and what’s a Jew to do when a politician has values you can’t stand but polices you love. Website: jewishexperience.org  Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/  Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/