Judaism Unbound

Yom Kippur is here! For the past few years, Yom Kippur has been the single most popular day — all year — for folks to listen to the Judaism Unbound podcast. So to those of you incorporating our podcast into your observance of this holiday, wishing you a beautiful and unbound Yom Kippur. In this episode, Brad Lander -- a candidate for Congress in New York's 10th district -- joins Lex Rofeberg and Rena Yehuda Newman for a conversation about observing Yom Kippur in 2026. Together they explore topics ranging from Un'taneh Tokef (the 'Who by Fire' prayer), to the book of Isaiah, to Yiddish curses, all in the interest of building a world that "distributes suffering less unequally." Head to JudaismUnbound.com/classes to check out our up upcoming courses in the UnYeshiva! Judaism Inbound (our intro to Judaism course) begins in just a few days, and four other amazing learning opportunities begin in October! Financial aid is available. Access full shownotes for this episode via this link . If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

There’s a biblical story about Moses encountering a bush that burns but is never consumed. He stops. He turns and looks closer. And through that turning, he finds his call, and transforms the future of his people. That moment, was not just a once upon a time moment. But rather, an everyday moment. We believe burning bushes are still everywhere. They are the moments that interrupt us. Awaken us. Break us open. The experiences of untold wonder that shape who we become and change how we see what we thought we already knew. Your host is Miriam Terlinchamp, and on Everyday Mystics, we tell the stories of Jewish people who stumble across their own burning bushes and come away seeing themselves, their lives, and Judaism differently. These are stories about the moments when the everyday becomes sacred. When the familiar becomes mysterious. When something we thought we understood, Judaism, becomes beautifully unbound. Because sometimes, the miracle isn’t that the bush is burning. It’s that we stop long enough to notice. The first episode of the 10 episode series drops October 7

ASHERAH is a new journal of Jewish liturgy — past, present, and future. Its name comes from an ancient goddess, related to a tree of the same name, and its first issue kicks off with a provocative quotation from Abraham Joshua Heschel: "Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive." Shaul Magid , Asherah's founder, and Lila Rimalovski , one of its co-editors, join Lex Rofeberg and Miriam Terlinchamp for a conversation about weaving tradition and subversion seamlessly together, in artistic and linguistic forms. Looking for an intro to Judaism course? The UnYeshiva's gotchya covered, via our course Judaism Inbound: An Introduction to Judaism for Everyone . Head to JudaismUnbound.com/2026-courses/p/inbound-9-26 to learn more! Financial aid is available for all who need it.

On this final episode of Shabbat Dinner Party, we have the real dinner. First, Neil Spears talks about how when we go somewhere over and over, we become known. Then, Gefelteria’s Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Liz Alpern put the final touches on their Shabbat dinner, and teach us about a dinnertime ritual where everyone touches the challah and we connect to break bread together. Finally, Kate works up the courage to have a real-life Shabbat dinner table. Shabbat Dinner Party is a production of Judaism Unbound. Senior Producer is Joey Taylor, and Executive Director is Miriam Terlinchamp. This episode was mixed by Justin Newton. Send us your comments, recipes, and Shabbat thoughts: mishkin@judaismunbound.com Resources: Learn more about The Gefilteria Listen to Liz and Jeffrey’s podcast, Meet Me At The Deli Learn more about Judaism Unbound During the episode, one of Kate’s dinner guests says that Shabbat is “too holy for the angels.” This is a creative interpretation of Shalom Aleichem. Check out more information on Shalom Aleichem here .

Elul is the 12th and final month of the Jewish calendar year. Elul Unbound is a Judaism Unbound initiative all about making Elul meaningful, through creative digital modalities. In this conversation, Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash ask what the Torah portion Nitzavim (from Deuteronomy, meaning "standing") can teach us about what it means to gather en masse -- with other Jews on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, or as a broader community beyond just Jews. This Elul episode is the fourth and final conversation in a series of four episodes being released as part of Elul Unbound 2026 . -------------------------------------- Looking for an intro to Judaism course? The UnYeshiva's gotchya covered, via our course Judaism Inbound: An Introduction to Judaism for Everyone . Head to JudaismUnbound.com/2026-courses/p/inbound-9-26 to learn more! Financial aid is available for all who need it. To check out all our Elul bonus episodes from previous years, which can still be relevant to your experience of Elul this time around, click here . Join our bi-weekly journey through Elul Unbound 2026 by signing up at this link , and sign up for our Elul Unbound Shabbat gatherings here , where we will be forging our kavanot (intentions) for the new year in real time with fellow Unbounders.

On this episode of Shabbat Dinner Party, we return to the imaginary Shabbat Dinner Table. Neil Spears talks about how to rid ourselves of the ‘tyranny of always having to produce.’ Gefelteria’s Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Liz Alpern return to the kitchen to teach Kate how to braid challah, a centerpiece of the Shabbat dinner table that carries layers of memory from the ancient practice of setting aside a portion of dough as an offering to the two loaves that recall the double portion of manna gathered before Shabbat in the wilderness. Finally, Comedian and Writer Eliot Glazer talks about how Judaism’s become more complicated in the past few years, and how we think about the spiritual-but-not-religious perspective. Shabbat Dinner Party is a production of Judaism Unbound. Senior Producer is Joey Taylor, and Executive Director is Miriam Terlinchamp. This episode was mixed by Justin Newton. Send us your comments, recipes, and Shabbat thoughts: mishkin@judaismunbound.com Resources: Follow Eliot Glazer’s work Buy The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Gay Learn more about The Gefilteria Listen to Liz and Jeffrey’s podcast, Meet Me At The Deli Learn more about Judaism Unbound

Elul is the 12th and final month of the Jewish calendar year. Elul Unbound is a Judaism Unbound initiative all about making Elul meaningful, through creative digital modalities. In this conversation, Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash explore questions of who/what God is, and how Elul might be a perfect time to explore questions around divinity. This Elul episode is the third in a series of four that are being released as part of Elul Unbound 2026 . -------------------------------------- Looking for an intro to Judaism course? The UnYeshiva's gotchya covered, via our course Judaism Inbound: An Introduction to Judaism for Everyone . Head to JudaismUnbound.com/2026-courses/p/inbound-9-26 to learn more! Financial aid is available for all who need it. To check out all our Elul bonus episodes from previous years, which can still be relevant to your experience of Elul this time around, click here . Join our bi-weekly journey through Elul Unbound 2026 by signing up at this link , and sign up for our Elul Unbound Shabbat gatherings here , where we will be forging our kavanot (intentions) for the new year in real time with fellow Unbounders.

On this episode of Shabbat Dinner Party, we return to the imaginary Shabbat Dinner Table. Neil Spears talks about how to have Shabbat dinner with a purpose, and why it can feel so hard to enter new Jewish spaces. Gefilteria’s Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Liz Alpern return to the kitchen to prep challah and talk about how there’s no such thing as a Bad Jew; what matters is that we’re on our own journeys, with an interest in learning. Finally, Hana Mendel talks about building her own Manhattan Shabbat practice and how, after trial and error, she found what she calls a “Shabbat of Peace.” Shabbat Dinner Party is a production of Judaism Unbound. Senior Producer is Joey Taylor, and Executive Director is Miriam Terlinchamp. This episode was mixed by Justin Newton. Send us your comments, recipes, and Shabbat thoughts: mishkin@judaismunbound.com Resources: Hana Mendel’s website Shabbat: A photo series for Verklempt Magazine by Hana Mendel Learn more about The Gefilteria Listen to Liz and Jeffrey’s podcast, Meet Me At The Deli Learn more about Judaism Unbound

Elul is the 12th and final month of the Jewish calendar year. Elul Unbound is a Judaism Unbound initiative all about making Elul meaningful, through creative digital modalities. In this conversation, Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash explore what it means to enter a "Thurs-Year" (a "Thursday" of years in the Shmita cycle, as a 5th year out of seven overall). This Elul bonus episode is the second in a series of four that will be released as part of Elul Unbound 2026 . -------------------------------------- Energized about Jewish learning and unlearning? Dive into our upcoming 3-week mini-courses in the UnYeshiva! Classes include Jewish Time Travel: Discovering the Shapes of Our Past and Future (Xava De Cordova) , Avinu Malkeinu? Is God "Our King" (Laynie Soloman) , and Hannah, Hagar, Sarah: The Women of Rosh Hashanah (Alicia Jo Rabins) . Head to JudaismUnbound.com/classes to learn more! Financial aid is available for all who need it. To check out all our Elul bonus episodes from previous years, which can still be relevant to your experience of Elul this time around, click here . Join our bi-weekly journey through Elul Unbound 2026 by signing up at this link , and sign up for our Elul Unbound Shabbat gatherings here , where we will be forging our kavanot (intentions) for the new year in real time with fellow Unbounders.

Shabbat Dinner Party, an auditory exploration through a Shabbat dinner, returns to the appetizer table, the kitchen, and the dinner table to go through all things Shabbat dinner. In this episode, Neil Spears talks about how Shabbat could be the perfect antidote to burnout through the act of guarding and remembering. The Gefilteria’s Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Liz Alpern talk about their personal approach to Shabbat and religion, and how resting by yourself is different than resting in community. Finally, writer and comedian H. Alan Scott talks about how working on several different creative projects doesn’t mean you can’t rest on Shabbat. Shabbat Dinner Party is a production of Judaism Unbound. Senior Producer is Joey Taylor, and Executive Director is Miriam Terlinchamp. This episode was mixed by Justin Newton. Send us your comments, recipes, and Shabbat thoughts: mishkin@judaismunbound.com Resources: Follow H. Alan Scott’s work Learn more about The Gefilteria Listen to Liz and Jeffrey’s podcast, Meet Me At The Deli Learn more about Judaism Unbound For more reading: A good spin on the oft-quoted Isaiah 58:5-6 bible verse "Is this the fast I desire..." https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.58.6?lang=bi What Does It Mean that Every Soul Was at Mount Sinai When We Received the Torah? - Jew in the City

Elul is the 12th and final month of the Jewish calendar year. Elul Unbound is a Judaism Unbound initiative all about making Elul meaningful, through creative digital modalities. In this conversation, Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein Lash kick off this year's Elul Unbound experience. This Elul bonus episode is the first in a series of four that will be released as part of Elul Unbound 2026 . -------------------------------------- Energized about Jewish learning and unlearning? Dive into our upcoming 3-week mini-courses in the UnYeshiva! Classes include Jewish Time Travel: Discovering the Shapes of Our Past and Future (Xava De Cordova) , Avinu Malkeinu? Is God "Our King" (Laynie Soloman) , and Hannah, Hagar, Sarah: The Women of Rosh Hashanah (Alicia Jo Rabins) . Head to JudaismUnbound.com/classes to learn more! Financial aid is available for all who need it. To check out all our Elul bonus episodes from previous years, which can still be relevant to your experience of Elul this time around, click here . Join our bi-weekly journey through Elul Unbound 2026 by signing up at this link , and sign up for our Elul Unbound Shabbat gatherings here , where we will be forging our kavanot (intentions) for the new year in real time with fellow Unbounders.

Welcome to Shabbat Dinner Party, an auditory exploration through a Shabbat dinner. In this episode, we meet resident Shabbat expert Neil Spears, Gefilteria’s Jeffrey Yoskowitz and Liz Alpern, and comedian Mike Liebenson. Resources: Mike Liebenson’s comedy on Instagram Learn more about The Gefilteria Listen to Liz and Jeffrey’s podcast, Meet Me At The Deli Learn more about Judaism Unbound Shabbat Dinner Party is a production of Judaism Unbound. Senior Producer is Joey Taylor, and Executive Director is Miriam Terlinchamp. This episode was mixed by Justin Newton. Send us your comments, recipes, and Shabbat thoughts: mishkin@judaismunbound.com

Shabbat Dinner Party is an audio exploration through a Shabbat dinner from setting the intention, to making the dinner, to the dinner conversation — all with audio. Each week over five episodes, Kate Mishkin talks to people we wish were at the real Shabbat dinner table with us because they think carefully about what to put on the table and help us to understand how this ancient tradition remains relevant and necessary today. If you're looking to slow down and be more intentional in a fast-paced digital world, how to find a spiritual center, or even how to just have a good dinner party, we want you at this imaginary dinner party. First episode drops on August 12th! Lex, Rena Yehuda and Miriam introduce Shabbat Dinner Party, the new podcast and discuss themes such as the anxiety of being "Jewish enough," the tension between tradition and innovation, the idea that Judaism has always evolved, and how authentic Jewish practice can be both deeply personal and connected to a broader community. Ultimately, they argue that Shabbat is not about achieving a single "correct" form but about cultivating intentional practices that balance recognizable tradition with creative experimentation, helping each person discover a version of Shabbat that feels both meaningful and life-giving. Check out Rena Yehuda's illustration on their instagram. If you're feeling brave, navigate to notjewishenough.com for a surprise! --------------------- Don't miss our 3-week mini-courses in the UnYeshiva (Judaism Unbound's digital center for Jewish learning and unlearning) -- teachers this time around include Xava De Cordova, Alicia Jo Rabins, and Laynie Soloman. Register at JudaismUnbound.com/classes! ----------------------- Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

Lexi Kohanski is a trans Jewish writer and educator, who recently created a Jewish TTRPG (table-top role-playing game) called Worlds to Come: The Hebrew Role-Playing Game . She is also a brand-new member of Judaism Unbound's staff team (our Education Content & Design Specialist)! Lexi joins Lex (confusing, we know!) and Rena Yehuda in this episode, for a podcast diving into the power of Jewish play, and the magic of weaving worlds through language. Also, for the first time ever, Judaism Unbound itself turns into a roleplaying game for 10 minutes? It's a modified version of Worlds to Come , featuring Jewish time-travel, magical creatures, and that thing many of you are thinking about all the time (the Roman empire). --------------------- Don't miss our 3-week mini-courses in the UnYeshiva (Judaism Unbound's digital center for Jewish learning and unlearning) -- teachers this time around include Xava De Cordova, Alicia Jo Rabins, and Laynie Soloman. Register at JudaismUnbound.com/classes! ----------------------- Eight incredible students from the UnYeshiva's certificate program in Unbound Judaism will be graduating, on August 2nd! Mark your calendars, so that you can be there to celebrate their amazing achievement. You can register to attend via this link! Access full shownotes for this episode via this link . If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

Shabbat Dinner Party is an audio exploration through a Shabbat dinner from setting the intention, to making the dinner, to the dinner conversation — all with audio. Each week over five episodes, Kate Mishkin talks to people we wish were at the real Shabbat dinner table with us because they think carefully about what to put on the table and help us to understand how this ancient tradition remains relevant and necessary today. If you're looking to slow down and be more intentional in a fast-paced digital world, how to find a spiritual center, or even how to just have a good dinner party, we want you at this imaginary dinner party. First episode drops August 12th!

Welcome to Shabbat Unbound , the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The third episode focuses on Ana B'Koach. [1] Interested in learning more about Ana B’Koach? Lex compiled this incredible list of resources including multiple translations, tunes and essays. [2] Jacob’s Ladder has an incredible repertoire of Jewish music. Check out their newest album, HaMakom/The Place here. [3] Here’s a picture of Lex’s ring . Want your own? Us too. Here are a few options by artisans. [4] Lex mentions the role of the 42 names of of God, you can read the original text in the Talmud (Kiddushin 71a:13) that introduces this concept. [5] Richard Levy z”l, Rabbi, poet, teacher, and modern liturgist, published an exceptional translation of psalms, Songs Ascending , an incredible compilation for any poetic, creative, or lover of ancient poetry. [6] Want to watch the music video of our version of Ana Bakoach? Great you can find it here .

Rest to Return is a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: Who do we become when we rest? Lecha Dodi is the song that ends Kabbalat Shabbat (the service that helps us transition into Shabbat) before we move into the Ma’ariv prayer service. The idea that Creator finished creation on the seventh day comes from Genesis 2:2 . Tranquility, satisfaction, calm, and quiet being created on the seventh day comes from Genesis Rabbah 10:9 . The idea of creating change that’s “slow, deep, and irreversible” comes from artist and activist Ricardo Levins Morales . I learned the mussar practice of clarifying our ratzon by asking “what do I want? What do I really want?” from Rabbi David Jaffe of Kirva . You can learn more in Chapter 1 of his book, Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change. This quote has been misattributed to Courtney Carver. It is instead referenced by Carver in her book, Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less and Live the Life You Actually You Want . The quotation itself comes from Psychologist Nicola Jane Hobbs who teaches, “Instead of asking, 'Have I worked hard enough to deserve rest?' ask, 'Have I rested enough to do my most loving, meaningful work?'” Enjoy the live version of Lay it Down, Let it Go here . Check out the Rest to Return webpage for photos, info about the Rest to Return retreat, and more! This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality . Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS ’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org , including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira and others on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Keshira's latest class at IJS on Mindful Speech as a Spiritual Practice Learn more about Shevet , IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information . Join our mailing list to be notified about our upcoming fall courses, including Keshira's Earth, Moon, Mindfulness year-long class.

Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av) is an annual observance on the Jewish calendar, often understood as the saddest day of the year. It commemorates many different destructions and catastrophes throughout Jewish history, including (but not limited to) the destruction of the first and second temple in Jerusalem, thousands of years ago. Lex Rofeberg and Rena Yehuda Newman are joined by Andy Kahn, a rabbi and executive director of the American Council for Judaism , and Dania Rajendra, a community organizer and writer who is currently serving as interim director of the In Our Name Fund , to explore the history and contemporary practice of this holiday. This episode is the second in a two-part mini-series exploring the past, present, and future of the 9th of Av. Eight incredible students from the UnYeshiva's certificate program in Unbound Judaism will be graduating, on August 2nd! Mark your calendars, so that you can be there to celebrate their amazing achievement. You can register to attend via this link! Access full shownotes for this episode via this link . If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

Rest to Return is a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: What makes time sacred? The concept that each of us is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the Divine Image, comes from Genesis 1:27 . The first person who I heard crystalise the idea that we need to reach REM sleep in order to dream was Rev Dr Tony Lim, during a gathering of Spiritual Innovators at the Fetzer Institute . The idea that dreaming is one-sixtieth of prophecy comes from Berakhot 57b . The concept of the Jubilee can be found in Leviticus 25:8-16 . I first learned about Soli-lunar time from Seasons of our Joy: A Modern Guide to the Jewish Holidays by Reb Arthur Waskow z”l. Geoffrey Chaucer was a writer and poet who lived in the 1300s; he was best known for having written The Canterbury Tales. I learned “ Who Make the Future? ” at Let My People Sing ; the song is by Abigail Bengson of the Bengsons . Enjoy the live version of Lay it Down, Let it Go here . Check out the Rest to Return webpage for photos, info about the Rest to Return retreat, and more! This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality . Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS ’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org , including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira and others on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Shevet , IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information . Join our mailing list to be notified about our upcoming fall courses, including Keshira's Earth, Moon, Mindfulness year-long class.

Lex Rofeberg and Rena Yehuda Newman discuss the history, shadow-sides, and positive possibilities for observing the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av (the 9th of Av) — understood by many to be the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. What is Tisha B'Av? How has it been observed -- and, often, not-observed -- in American-Jewish communities? How can it help us consider the flow of the Jewish calendar as a whole? This episode is a first in a two-part mini-series exploring the past, present, and future of the 9th of Av. ------------------------ Eight incredible students from the UnYeshiva's certificate program in Unbound Judaism will be graduating, on August 2nd! Mark your calendars, so that you can be there to celebrate their amazing achievement. You can register to attend via this link! Access full shownotes for this episode via this link . If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound , please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!