Orthodox Conundrum

In the most recent issue of Jewish Action, Rachel Schwartzberg wrote an important article entitled, "The Great Teacher Shortage." She outlined the fundamental problem of day school teachers leaving the profession, without an equal influx of new teachers starting out. She explained some of the reasons why this problem has become acute, and some of the work that is being done to combat it. Because this article has generated a fair bit of discussion, Scott invited Rachel Schwartzberg and three veteran educators - Rabbi Moshe Simkovich, Olivia Friedman, and Rabbi Pesach Sommer - to discuss the issue of teacher retention, the reasons that teachers leave, the reasons young people are reluctant to become teachers, and what we as a community can do to change this. Because if we truly believe that chinuch is the essence of our community's uniqueness, and the source of its strength, we dare not let the problem linger or even get worse. The problem is serious and must be addressed. To read "The Great Teacher Shortage" go to https://jewishaction.com/religion/education/the-great-teacher-shortage/. To see the Predictive Index referenced on the podcast, go to https://www.predictiveindex.com/?creative=544500752127&keyword=predictive%20index&matchtype=b&network=g&device=m&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_content=bofu-brand-general&utm_term=predictive%20index&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9efx3-3N-AIVBuXICh1T9AFiEAAYASAAEgLI9fD_BwE&fbclid=IwAR35tBPoJEAgP7L3ZrAg2tjv1cB5pFrNxcIBVuAdYGRiBbrDZXqK3LMkfs4. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

The position of rabbi is perhaps the most important and central role in Jewish communal life… and no one gets as much grief from the people around him, either. The rabbi is honored and respected, unless he's completely disrespected and disliked. It's not easy being completely honest and forthright to the people who pay your salary. Beyond the problems with congregants, being a rabbi involves other challenges, as well. The rabbi has to perform many functions and fill many roles for which he may or may not be prepared; there's a good chance that he's wildly underpaid; his wife is often expected to work for the synagogue for free. Frankly, the halachic training that is necessary to become a rabbi may end up being the easy part of the job. It's everything that comes along with it that can make the position of rabbi exceptionally demanding. Rabbi David Fine acknowledges the difficulties, but nonetheless loves being a rabbi and can't imagine doing anything else. He cofounded an organization, Barkai, which trains rabbis in Israel in the practical rabbinic knowledge that they likely never learned in yeshiva. And while he doesn't shy away from acknowledging the challenges that rabbis and rabbinic couples face, he has a very optimistic view of what the life of a rabbi can be. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Two weeks ago, on Yom Yerushalayim, many marchers walked into the Old City of Jerusalem, and honorably and admirably celebrated the reunification of Jerusalem 55 years ago. Many thousands of people said prayers of thanksgiving to Hashem Who gave us the merit to live in a time of Jewish sovereignty over a united Jerusalem - a merit that not long ago would have been utterly unfathomable. On that same day, there were some marchers who shouted at and taunted Arab residents of Jerusalem, used racist language against them, chanted "Death to the Arabs" and more. And while this was far from the majority - it certainly was nowhere near the majority - the numbers were significant enough to be upsetting and concerning. And yes, it happened; the video evidence is incontrovertible. Perhaps there are loud voices coming from the Religious Zionist leadership condemning the actions of these individuals; but they haven't been loud enough for many of us to hear them. This is not the religious Zionism of ten or twenty or thirty years ago. It's certainly not the religious Zionism that was dominant fifty years ago. Something has changed, moderating voices seem to be drowned out, and that should concern all of us. And make no mistake: these issues are not political issues; they go to the heart of what it means to be a religious Jew who is also a supporter of the State of Israel Is it inappropriate to point this out, as if mentioning these elements is thereby painting all religious Zionists with the same castigating brush? Are these taunts an inappropriate but understandable response to constant Palestinian rejectionism? How else should religious Zionists act and believe, given the deep seated traditional belief that all of Yehuda v'Shomron belongs to Israel? Is refusing to march with flags through the Damascus Gate a sign of moderation, or a form of timidity which will be exploited by our enemies? How can a proud religious Zionist balance valid and deep-seated belief in a unified Jerusalem with respect for its non-Jewish inhabitants? And finally, is ascending the Temple Mount - the focal point of Jewish longing for 2000 years - an act of religious courage, or a dangerous game that gambles with Jewish lives? To discuss this and much more, Scott spoke with Yossi Klein Halevi, the author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor and other books. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com Photograph by Ethan Roberts

The phenomenon of the individual who grew up in an extreme Chassidish community, then rejects it entirely while physically escaping from it, has become part of everyday discourse regarding Orthodoxy thanks to books and Netflix series such as Unorthodox. It has almost become a type of stereotype, and we might assume that most who leave hold on to bitterness, and feel extreme animosity. Yet Leah Forster does not fit this stereotype at all. She grew up in a Chassidic community in Boro Park, and after she broke some of the norms of the community, she was instructed by her mother not to attend her eventual funeral; that was their final communication. But Leah defends her community, expresses love for her family, and demonstrates genuine faith. Scott and Leah talked about the community she came from, when she realized that she was attracted to women, what was the last straw that drove her family to reject her, how crucial it is to address mental health issues, whether she actually left Orthodoxy at all, and much more. But the purpose of this interview transcends Leah's story. It can teach us about the trouble with labels; it identifies the danger of caring primarily about what people will think, rather than what is best for our children; it points out that life is far from black and white, and that we can choose to love and defend even the people who hurt us the most. These are lessons that apply to all of us, and we need to take them to heart to ensure that we and our various communities live up to the values that matter most, rather than the values that we want other people to believe that we possess. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

On Yom Yerushalayim, we thank G-d for the miraculous gift of a united Jerusalem - and, lest we forget, the miracle of winning the Six Day War which, many had originally feared, would destroy the State of Israel and precipitate a second Holocaust. While some celebrate, many others suggest that Israel doesn't belong to us at all. In fact, they say, the entire State of Israel is an illegitimate enterprise, born in sin and destined to be transformed into a binational state without a Jewish character. It seems to many that those voices are growing louder and louder. Last month, the Harvard Crimson published an editorial entitled In Support of Boycott, Divest, Sanctions and a Free Palestine (https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/4/29/editorial-bds/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1651260876-1). Are voices like the Crimson's getting louder? Is Israel losing the battle for world public opinion? Should Yom Yerushalayim be a day of celebration, or a day of dread? Rabbi Uri Pilichowski does not accept this doomsday narrative. He argues that Israel is better off than it has ever been before, including in the area of public relations. Listen to this fascinating and hopeful interview to find out why. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

One of the more troubling realities of the Modern Orthodox world today is an apparent disconnect between the tenets of Modern Orthodoxy and the beliefs of its adherents. It seems that there are many who identify with the community while lacking traditional beliefs; others live within Orthodoxy but yearn for a life of greater spirituality. What is actually going in the minds and hearts of Modern Orthodox Jews - and does Modern Orthodoxy have a future? Are these problems endemic to Modern Orthodoxy, or do they exist across the Orthodox spectrum? Is there anything that can be done to reinforce spiritual values in our families, synagogues, classrooms, and communities? Scott spoke with Rabbi Johnny Solomon in order to address these questions. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

After the tragic events at Meron last year, a safety commission has put new safety protocols in place to ensure that the Lag BaOmer celebrations will proceed without any danger. What are the new rules, will they be implemented, and how effective will they likely be? Scott spoke to Jerusalem Post reporter Eliav Breuer to find out the details. After that interview, Scott offered his own perspective about the correct way for Torah observant Jews to approach Lag BaOmer in Meron this year. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

This episode continues our conversations about the roles of Jewish women in Orthodoxy. Scott speaks to the individual who created one of the most important innovations we've seen so far - Rabbanit Chana Henkin, the founder of Nishmat and the force behind the Yoatzot Halacha. Yoatzot halacha, or halachic advisors, have studied in order to become experts in the laws of Nidah or Taharat Hamishpacha. It's likely that yoatzot halacha are at least as qualified, and often far more qualified, to talk about hilchot nidah than the average rabbi. And given their training in women's health as well as other areas that are unknown by most rabbis, they maintain a unique position - and fill a huge role - in the halachic scene today. The conversation includes questions about yoatzot halacha, what they can and cannot do, the criticisms Rabbanit Henkin has received, and much more. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

On Monday, May 2, Politico obtained a draft majority opinion, written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 court decision that broadly granted federal protection of abortion rights. The Court has affirmed that the leaked document is authentic, but also said that it's preliminary. Regardless, this means that the 49-year-old constitutional right to abortion may soon be overturned, and instead each of the fifty states will make its own legislative decision regarding the legality of abortion. Jewish people on both sides of this issue are lining up to support or denounce the potential Supreme Court decision, but it seems to be - perhaps only anecdotally - that many are doing so without a full investigation or understanding of what halacha actually says about abortion. As Orthodox Jews, we may or may not want halacha to inform public policy decisions; but we also should at least know the approach of Jewish law before wading into the debate. In order to get a better grasp of the halachic thinking that surrounds abortion, Scott invited Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Wieder back on the podcast to explain the issues involved, as well as to assert what he feels should be the Orthodox approach toward the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade. (Rabbi Wieder asked me to issue a correction: at 23:08 he cites a second explanation of the Baalei Tosafot for why a person can desecrate Shabbat to save a fetus. This terminology used - "חלל עליו שבת אחת" - is used by Ramban, not Tosafot. Tosafot adopt the same fundamental stance, though they actually call it פקוח נפש.) This halachic discussion with Rabbi Wieder includes a significant amount of halachic terminology. While much of it is translated in the course of the podcast, some of it might be unfamiliar to many listeners. With that in mind, I am including a glossary of sorts, along with the time signatures where terms first appear, in posts in the Orthodox Conundrum Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/OrthodoxConundrum/posts/pfbid0teaNi4YJoVHNYYMJKjKX26KqE66Kq2VUomDq4JLZb5CDK4K8pmbPmeiFiBTLfAoul) and the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). If there are other terms that are unclear, please go to the post in the Discussion Group, comment there, and I or another listener will try to explain what the terminology means. Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

After the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance become embroiled in controversy last month, many people have begun questioning the future of Orthodox feminism. With that in mind, the Orthodox Conundrum will be releasing several episodes dealing with questions of women and their place in Orthodoxy. In today's episode, Scott interviews Dr. Hannah Lebovits, who discusses structural issues in right wing Orthodoxy that prevent women from becoming knowledge holders, questions regarding "commodification" of great rabbis, why she remains part of the right-wing Orthodox world, and more. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com