Orthodox Conundrum

Orthodox Judaism often has a fraught relationship with the arts, characterized by both tension and fascination. Some Torah sources emphasize the great spiritual potential in music and the visual arts, while others consider art a waste of time - or worse. In this live episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn is joined by Franciska Goldschmidt Kosman and a panel of experts - Abie Rotenberg, Simcha Leiner, Moshe Braun, and Chaim Aizenshtat - to discuss Judaism and the arts. They address the way to relate to creative endeavors, how an artist can remain true to both Halacha and his artistic calling, issues surrounding kol isha, including art in school curricula, and much more. 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 our Patreon site for bonus episodes, merch, and more at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Shaina Be Hirsch was visiting the Temple Mount and videoing it on Facebook Live, when she was accosted by a security guard who demanded that she retract her factual claim that there was a Temple on the site before there was a mosque there. When she refused, and continued to insist on factual accuracy, she was literally arrested by the Waqf. Join Scott Kahn for a disturbing interview with Shaina as she recounts her story, and discusses what has been done and what further needs to be done to ensure that history itself is no longer denied. You can read Shaina's account and watch her FB video here: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/in-the-waqfs-custody/ Check out jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit our Patreon site for bonus episodes, merch, and more at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Professionals expect to be paid, and rightly so. Why, then, are so many educators and rabbis in the Jewish world expected to teach, lecture, and officiate for free - and are often viewed as hypocrites when they ask for payment? In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn speaks with veteran educator Sarah Rudolph, a teacher living in Cleveland whose frustration about this very issue inspired her to write a well-received article in The Forward, "The Injustice of Asking Jewish Educators to Do Unpaid Work." Check out jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit our Patreon site for bonus episodes, merch, and more at www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

During this time when many of us are effectively isolated in our homes, many religious questions arise. What should be done about minyan? Should weddings be delayed? Should yeshivot stay open despite the determination of government authorities? What special tefilot should we say? How can we use this time effectively? How should we explain this situation to our children? In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott speaks with Rav Chayim Soloveichik shlit"a, the rabbi of Ohr Shalom in Ramat Beit Shemesh, who provides his unique insights into these and other questions. [NOTE: After the release of this podcast, and after additional restrictions were imposed in Israel, Rav Chayim Soloveichik has decided to close the shul until further notice.] Check out jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit our Patreon site for bonus episodes, merch, and more at www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

"Until then, I only thought I was Jewish." Elisheva Rishon was born in Brooklyn to Orthodox parents, and as a young child, loved everything about being Jewish. Sadly, the response of too many Orthodox Jews to her skin color made her feel excluded from the Orthodox community, and taught her the unfortunate lesson that she would always be treated differently from others. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott interviews Elisheva about her experiences, her perspective as a Black Jewish woman on racism in the Orthodox world, and what concrete steps we all need to take to eliminate this scourge from our community. Elisheva created the empowerment-based brand, Eli7 Designs, to help people heal and learn to love themselves through fashion. Visit her website at https://eli7designs.com/. 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 our Patreon site for bonus episodes, merch, and more at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Purim is, if not the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, then certainly the most "fun." And therein lies the problem: are we teaching our children and students that having fun requires alcohol? Is teenage alcohol abuse a real danger, or is it healthy to let loose given that it's only one day a year? Is worrying about Purim drinking and the effects of kiddush clubs alarmist, or necessary? What should be done if you suspect that your kid has a problem, and how is "problem" even defined? Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Dr. Zev Ganz in this important and timely episode. 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 our Patreon site for bonus episodes, merch, and more at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

In our previous episode, we discussed the problem of racism within the Religious Zionist community. Left unanswered, however, was the question of why some Religious Zionist communities tend to move in that direction. What is it about Religious Zionist philosophy which can engender racist attitudes? Is it as big a problem as it appears? And what can be done to fight it? Join Scott Kahn and his special guest, Daniel Goldman, for a frank discussion about these and other issues. Join our team, support this podcast, and get great extra stuff! Go to www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse to learn more. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

We are rightly proud when religious Jews act in a manner that is a kiddush Hashem. And recently, we have heard of a number of such examples. On the other hand, when there is a chilul Hashem, too often we write it off, attribute it to some bad apples, or perhaps to someone who doesn't represent our community. For people in the Orthodox world in general, and in the Dati Leumi community in particular, it's time to acknowledge something rotten that has made its way into our world - and we barely even acknowledge it. Join our team, support this podcast, and get great extra stuff! Go to https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse to learn more. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Antisemitism is a growing problem... and 25,000 people marched in New York as a protest against it. Are we just trying to make ourselves feel better? What are its causes. and can anything be done to reduce it? How is the rise of antisemitism related to Israel, and is it forcing supporters of Israel to go underground? Are Chassidic communities, which have largely been victimized more than other segments of the Jewish world, being adequately supported by other Jews? Join me and Shira Hanau of the New York Jewish Week, and the New York Press Association's 2018 Rookie of the Year, for a discussion which is - perhaps surprisingly - simultaneously somewhat depressing and somewhat hopeful. Go to https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ to check out our updated site, with new podcasts, a blog, and more! Join our team, support this podcast, and get great extra stuff! Go to https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse to learn more. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Sexual abuse is horrific, and can ruin a person's life. When the abusers are community leaders - and the community has a vested interest in making sure that they remain leaders in good standing - there's a double betrayal. Scott Kahn asks Genendy to relate her own story of sexual abuse, along with her message of healing. Genendy was one of subjects of Dalit Kimor's documentary, Unkept Secrets, and is the author of a memoir, The Price of Truth. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com