Behind the Bima

*Interview is in Hebrew* What does Ishay Ribo really want from his music? In this special bonus episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg sits down with Ishay Ribo for a personal conversation about music, emunah, creativity, and influence. Ishay shares why he sees his music as a shlichus, what he hopes people take home from a concert, and how music can break down walls between Jews who might otherwise have little in common. He also reflects on Israel and Diaspora Jewry, the spiritual awakening since October 7, and why he's increasingly questioning our relationship with social media. In this episode: What Ishay really wants from his music Music as a shlichus Breaking down walls through song Israel and Diaspora Jewry Jewish unity after October 7 Why Ishay is stepping away from social media Algorithms, distraction, and free choice Why influence starts with yourself

Note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics. Why do so many people feel disconnected today? Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky joins Behind the Bima for a thought-provoking conversation about attachment, relationships, vulnerability, and the growing challenge of genuine connection in modern life. Drawing from both Torah and psychology, Rabbi Danishefsky explains why many of us spend our lives pursuing achievement, productivity, and self-improvement while overlooking the very thing we need most: meaningful relationships. He explores how attachment shapes our connection to Hashem, to other people, and to ourselves, and why disconnection often sits beneath many of the struggles people face. The conversation also explores loneliness, marriage, friendship, therapy, personal growth, failure, resilience, and Rabbi Danishefsky's work helping people navigate addiction and other deeply personal struggles. From the roots of destructive behaviors to the challenge of genuine vulnerability, he offers a compelling perspective on what people are really searching for beneath the surface. This episode is sponsored by Michele Dimont IMO Chayim, on his 5th yahrzeit, and in recognition of the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, the Segula Fund, which Chayim started to help community couples bear the high costs of infertility treatments. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: Why connection is at the center of a meaningful life Attachment theory and Jewish thought Relationships with Hashem, others, and ourselves The loneliness and disconnection facing modern society Productivity versus relationship Marriage, friendship, and belonging The connection between addiction, loneliness, and healing What therapy can teach us about growth Why lasting change begins with understanding why Where Torah and psychology intersect

Note: This episode contains discussion of several controversial topics and stories. Why does Dovi Neuburger make us laugh at ourselves? Dovi Neuburger goes Behind the Bima for a candid conversation about comedy, community, and the frum world through the eyes of someone who has learned how to turn familiar moments into unforgettable jokes. Dovi reflects on his journey into stand-up, the rise of his social media audience, the anxiety and overthinking behind comedy, and the difference between making fun of Judaism from the outside and laughing at our own world from within. He also shares what it was like growing up as a Rrabbi’s son, how that shaped his view of community criticism, and why the best jokes often reveal something true. The conversation also explores social media, crowd work, boundaries in satire, stories that are “truer” than reality, family support, the impact of laughter in Israel after October 7th, and what comedy can give people in difficult times. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: Comedy, satire, and the frum community Why Dovi never set out to be an Instagram comedian The difference between being famous and being meaningful Anxiety, overthinking, and the mind of a comedian The line between funny and too far Why some stories are “truer” than reality Growing up as a rabbi’s son The support of his parents and family Social media, crowd work, and the craft of stand-up Why people need laughter during difficult times

Why does Jewish music feel so different today? Chaim Ghoori goes Behind the Bima for a fascinating conversation about the rise of a new style of Jewish music, one marked by vulnerability, authenticity, emotional honesty, and a deep yearning for connection. Chaim reflects on his journey from early life, to his days at the Yeshiva of Waterbury, to becoming part of a new wave of Jewish music marked by vulnerability, authenticity, and emotional honesty. He explores why so many young people are connecting to music that speaks openly about struggle, growth, belonging, and a relationship with Hashem. The conversation also explores mentorship, community, recovery work, emotional vulnerability, October 7th, and the power of feeling truly seen. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: The story behind his hit song, “ Yidden” Why Jewish music feels different today Vulnerability, authenticity, and songwriting Waterbury's impact on a generation Community, belonging, and being seen Music as a spiritual language October 7th and the unexpected journey of Yidden Recovery, mentorship, and the Living Room The search for deeper connection Chaim's creative process and musical journey

Why do so many teenagers push away the people who care about them most? Rabbi Yossi Bensoussan joins Behind the Bima for one of the most emotionally honest and practically grounded parenting conversations the podcast has had in years. Drawing from decades of crisis intervention, addiction counseling, and working with struggling teens and families, Rabbi Bensoussan argues that many children aren’t rebelling because they want to destroy relationships… but for a deeper reason. The conversation explores shame, vulnerability, emotional safety, addiction, expectations, masculinity, therapy culture, and the hidden fear driving so much teenage behavior: the fear of disappointing the people they love most. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: Why teenagers test relationships The fear of disappointing parents Emotional safety and vulnerability Parenting through addiction and crisis Expectations vs. validation Therapy culture and trauma identity Boys, masculinity, and emotional openness Rebuilding trust with struggling children Technology and modern adolescence

Rebecca Lieberman goes Behind the Bima for a deeply personal conversation about the life and legacy of her father, Senator Joe Lieberman. The episode moves from the chaos of the 2000 presidential campaign to the quieter moments that defined him most: Shabbat dinners untouched by politics, long walks with family, deep listening, bipartisan friendships, and an unusual ability to remain grounded inside public life. Rebecca reflects on what it was like growing up inside one of America’s most recognizable political families while watching her father navigate politics with moral clarity, religious conviction, and genuine humility. The conversation also explores the state of American culture today: rising antisemitism, social media polarization, performative politics, and whether the kind of leadership Joe Lieberman represented can still survive in modern America. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: Joe Lieberman’s 2000 vice presidential campaign Growing up in a national political family Shabbat as an anchor in public life Bipartisanship and political friendship Rising antisemitism in America Social media and political polarization Joe Lieberman’s resilience after defeat Orthodox Judaism in national politics John McCain and cross-party relationships Leadership, integrity, and public service

Rabbi Josh Broide returns to Behind the Bima! After decades helping build Jewish life in Boca, Rabbi Broide reflects on what it’s actually been like starting over in Modi’in during one of the most volatile periods in Israel’s recent history. The conversation moves from missile sirens and wartime uncertainty to the quieter parts of Israeli life that rarely make headlines: crowded kiddushes, spontaneous Torah learning, one-seder Pesach, and the feeling of waking up every morning in a Jewish state. The Rabbis also tackle one of the most emotionally charged conversations in the Jewish world right now: how should aliyah actually be discussed? Does fear motivate people — or push them away? Funny, personal, and thoughtful, this episode explores the emotional reality of building a life in Israel while remaining deeply connected to the Jewish world in America. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: Rabbi Josh Broide’s transition from Boca to Modi’in Living through missile sirens and wartime Israel The emotional reality of aliyah after October 7 Israeli resilience and community culture The “aliyah snob” debate One seder vs. two sedarim Israeli shul culture and late-night learning El Al travel stories and airplane-seat debates

On this episode of Behind the Bima , the Rabbis sit down with Shlomo Levinger, a professional mentalist whose work blends performance, psychology, and precision. What looks impossible on stage isn’t about supernatural ability. It’s about structure, timing, and understanding how people think. Shlomo pulls back the curtain on what mentalism actually is, and why the experience matters more than the method behind it. At the same time, he shares what it takes to build this into a real career—from early gigs to larger stages—and the decisions that come with it. That includes the opportunities he’s walked away from, and how being an observant Jew shapes the way he approaches his work, his image, and his boundaries. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode, we discuss: What mentalism actually is (and what it isn’t) Why performance matters more than the method The psychology behind how audiences experience mentalism Building a career from small gigs to larger stages Turning down opportunities that didn’t align with Torah values Navigating the industry as a frum performer

On this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is joined by Rav Nissan Kaplan for a conversation that goes to the heart of chinuch today: what it means to be a Rebbi, and what talmidim are actually looking for. As expectations shift and access to information becomes limitless, Rav Kaplan offers a grounded perspective on what hasn’t changed… and what has. The conversation explores the role of connection in Torah transmission, what defines real success in yeshiva, and how a Rebbi shapes not just how a student learns, but who he becomes. Rav Kaplan also speaks candidly about personal loss and the way emunah is lived, not theorized, through tefillah, honesty, and continuing forward without simplifying the complexity of pain. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. This conversation explores: The evolving role of a Rebbi in today’s generation Why connection has become central to chinuch Defining success in yeshiva beyond learning The relationship between Torah learning and personal growth Living with loss, tefillah, and emunah Why growth happens through consistency, not moments

On this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Ami Kozak, whose impressions and satire have become a sharp lens on how people speak… and what they actually mean. What makes those impressions resonate isn’t just the humor. It’s recognition. The way people talk about Israel, about Jews, and about each other often carries assumptions, framing, and subtext that go unnoticed until they’re reflected back. This conversation explores how satire exposes those patterns, why certain narratives gain traction, and what it means to have a public voice in a moment where attention, influence, and credibility are often misaligned. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. Topics discussed: How impressions reveal patterns in how people speak and think The language and framing around Israel in public discourse Satire as a way to show ideas rather than argue them When to engage bad-faith voices... and when not to The risks of platforming and false equivalence

On this episode of Behind the Bima , the Rabbis sit down with Rav Gav, a beloved and dynamic educator from Aish who has spent decades teaching in seminaries across Israel and engaging students around the world. Known for his humor, energy, and unfiltered honesty, Rav Gav brings a perspective that is both deeply grounded and refreshingly real. Together, we explore what today’s students are actually struggling with, how educators and parents often misunderstand them, and why the key to growth isn’t control—it’s connection. From navigating crisis in Israel to answering life’s biggest questions about faith, identity, and purpose, Rav Gav shares what he’s learned from years on the front lines of Jewish education. With stories, sharp insights, and plenty of laughter, this conversation challenges assumptions and reframes what it really means to teach, parent, and inspire in today’s world. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. Topics Discussed: Seminary life during wartime and how students process crisis Why students across the spectrum are often asking the same questions The myth of short attention spans vs. ineffective teaching “Parenting vs. ranting” and what kids actually need from parents Support, boundaries, and how real connection is built Educator-student relationships and maintaining proper boundaries The broader question of identity and “modern Orthodoxy”

If Israel is so central to Jewish life… what does that mean for the millions of Jews in the diaspora? In this episode of Behind the Bima , the Rabbis speak with Yael Leibowitz about the growing tension between Israel and the diaspora, and the deeper question of what holds the Jewish people together. Drawing from her own journey from the United States to Israel, Yael reflects on how lived experience reshapes identity, perspective, and even the way we read Tanakh. Through the lens of Ezra-Nehemiah, the conversation explores a moment in Jewish history when not everyone returned, and what that meant for leadership, community, and continuity. Rather than offering simple answers, the episode examines how Jewish life has always required holding competing realities at once, and what happens when that balance begins to strain. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. This conversation explores: The widening experiential gap between Israeli and diaspora Jews Living through crisis vs. observing it from afar The challenge of maintaining Jewish unity across distance Aliyah as an ideal vs. diaspora as a lived reality The emotional and cultural differences between communities Ezra-Nehemiah and the reality of a partial return Rebuilding Jewish life without full national unity Foreign leadership as part of Jewish history (Cyrus and beyond) How Tanakh reflects real-time Jewish challenges, not abstractions The risk of oversimplifying complex Jewish questions

In this episode of Behind the Bima , Rabbi Efrem Goldberg sits down with former hostage Eli Sharabi for a deeply moving conversation about October 7th, captivity in Gaza, survival, loss, and the long road back. Sharabi speaks with remarkable clarity about what it meant to endure the unimaginable, what helped him survive, and how he has chosen to live after returning to a world forever changed. He reflects on fear, faith, grief, and the inner strength that remained even when everything else was stripped away. As Pesach approaches, this conversation carries an added weight. Not because it is a retelling of ancient slavery and freedom, but because it forces us to confront those ideas in real time, through one man’s testimony of darkness, endurance, and the meaning of being free. The conversation also explores: • Eli Sharabi’s firsthand account of October 7th and being taken hostage • What daily life in captivity looked like • The psychological and emotional toll of surviving underground • The role of faith, family, and inner discipline in staying alive • How he thought about hope, dignity, and identity under impossible conditions • What he wants the world to understand about Hamas, Gaza, and what he witnessed • Grief, healing, and rebuilding life after returning home • Why freedom feels different after it has been taken away This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. A powerful conversation about captivity, resilience, and what remains when everything else is taken.

How does a Chassidic Jew end up shaping global economic policy... and speaking fluent Chinese along the way? In this episode of Behind the Bima , Rabbi Efrem Goldberg sits down with Mitchell Silk, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, for a conversation about global finance, China, and the unlikely path that brought him from Torah life into the highest levels of government. Fluent in Chinese and deeply immersed in Asia’s financial world, Silk spent decades working at the intersection of international law, finance, and geopolitics. Yet throughout his career, from years living in Hong Kong to serving in Washington, he remained deeply committed to his identity and values as a Chassidic Jew. The conversation offers a rare inside look at how global economic policy is shaped, the importance of understanding China’s role in the world economy, and what it means to bring faith and identity into rooms where decisions affecting the global financial system are made. The conversation also explores: • How Mitchell Silk first became fascinated with China • Learning Mandarin and building a career across Asia • The path from international law to the U.S. Treasury Department • What it was like serving in Washington as a visibly observant Jew • The role of China in global economic policy • Bringing Torah values into leadership and public service This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. A fascinating look at the intersection of faith, leadership, and global influence.

In this episode of Behind the Bima , Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Senter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Aderes HaTorah in Jerusalem, for a conversation about Torah education, resilience, and the responsibility of shaping the next generation. Drawing on his own family legacy, the influence of his rebbeim, and years of guiding talmidim, Rabbi Senter reflects on what students really need from a rebbe. He speaks about building a yeshiva that feels more like a family than an institution, why great teachers love their students, and how chinuch must balance challenge, warmth, and clarity. The conversation also explores the pressures facing today’s boys, the role of resilience in growth, the tension between different educational philosophies, and why helping talmidim feel proud of who they are matters so deeply. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. This conversation explores: • What separates a teacher from a true rebbe • Why great educators love their students, not just their subject • Building a yeshiva that feels like a family • How to teach resilience without crushing a student • The balance between challenge, warmth, and expectations • Different approaches to chinuch and when each is needed • Helping talmidim develop pride in who they are • The role of parents in choosing the right yeshiva environment • Why discomfort and growth are often connected This is a conversation about what it takes to shape not only better students, but stronger, deeper, and more resilient Jews.

What do the labels dividing Israeli society actually mean? In this episode of Behind the Bima , Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Yehuda Lapian for a thoughtful conversation about identity, community, and the complexity of religious life in Israel. Growing up surrounded by multiple Jewish cultures, from secular Chilonim to Dati and Charedi communities, Lapian experienced firsthand how fluid those categories can be. He reflects on a time when he tried to distance himself from Judaism entirely, only to discover that moments of tradition, like hearing Lecha Dodi on a Friday night, still carried unexpected emotional weight. The conversation also explores Lapian’s work with Peace of Mind , the organization that brings IDF combat veterans to Jewish communities abroad. Those encounters often challenge assumptions on both sides, revealing how Israelis and American Jews see one another... and how those perspectives are changing. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. This conversation explores: • What labels like Chiloni , Dati , and Charedi actually mean in Israeli life • Growing up between religious and secular Jewish worlds • Attempting to walk away from Judaism — and discovering identity runs deeper • The emotional power of traditions like Lecha Dodi • Why Israel’s internal divisions are often misunderstood from the outside • The work of Peace of Mind supporting IDF combat veterans • How encounters between Israeli soldiers and American Jewish communities reshape perspectives This is a conversation about identity, complexity, and what it really means to belong in a society that resists simple labels.

Boca Raton Synagogue welcomed former hostages Sasha Troufanov and Sapir Cohen for a powerful evening titled Light in the Darkness . Hosted by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, this conversation offered the community an opportunity to hear directly from those who endured captivity and returned with a renewed perspective on faith, resilience, and the human spirit. In a candid and composed dialogue, Sasha and Sapir reflect on the experience of isolation, uncertainty, and emotional endurance. They speak about the inner resources that sustained them, the role of identity and emunah under pressure, and what it means to rebuild life after unimaginable circumstances. The evening was not political — it was personal: an honest account of survival, hope, and spiritual strength. Topics discussed: The experience of abduction and early captivity Psychological survival in prolonged uncertainty Faith and identity under extreme pressure Holding onto hope in isolation Community support and the meaning of return Re-entering life after captivity

After his viral interview with Tucker Carlson , Ambassador Mike Huckabee joins Rabbi Efrem Goldberg for a candid and wide-ranging conversation recorded in Israel. This conversation discusses: What really happened in the Tucker Carlson interview The danger of half-truths and clipped narratives Whether antisemitic rhetoric should be ignored or confronted Rising political fractures on both the right and the left The future of bipartisan support for Israel Why evangelical support for Israel is “non-negotiable” Accusations of dual loyalty — and how to answer them Israeli resilience in wartime Faith as an anchor in uncertain times At its core, this is a conversation about conviction — what it means to stand firm without losing composure, and why truth requires courage. === Mike Huckabee is the United States Ambassador to Israel, former Governor of Arkansas, and former presidential candidate. A longtime public advocate for Israel, he has been a prominent voice within the evangelical community and American political life.

Is Judaism meant to feel good — or to build strength? In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Rabbi Daniel Kalish for a candid conversation about modern chinuch culture and whether the pendulum has swung too far toward emotional comfort. They explore: The rise of “gishmak” Judaism Emotional validation vs emotional discipline Whether struggle is being avoided rather than embraced The responsibility of mechanchim in a comfort-driven era Authentic warmth vs performative positivity What builds real resilience in avodas Hashem Rabbi Kalish shares his perspective as a veteran Rosh Yeshiva and educator, offering a thoughtful defense of warmth and authenticity, without surrendering strength or standards. This episode challenges assumptions on both sides of the debate. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin.

Can social media inspire Torah growth? Can AI expand access to Jewish learning? And what happens when young Jews are influenced more by online personalities than by communal institutions? In this episode of Behind the Bima , Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz are joined by Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Jewish outreach and engagement. They discuss the growing influence of digital platforms, the opportunities and risks of AI in Torah education, and the challenge of reaching Jews who are shaped more by TikTok and YouTube than by traditional institutions. Rabbi Burg reflects on the responsibility of leadership in a time when Jewish students are encountering antisemitism on campus, absorbing extreme online voices, and questioning inherited identity. The conversation also explores: The difference between institutional outreach and relationship-driven engagement The rise of online influencers shaping young Jewish thinking Why unity among Jewish organizations is more urgent than ever The role of Aish in strengthening identity and pride How outreach must evolve without compromising authenticity This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. A serious and forward-looking discussion about how to reach farther by thinking deeper.