18forty podcast by 18Forty
Last Updated: June 14, 2026
Helping you find meaning in life through the exploration of Jewish thought and ideas.
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.
Listener Feedback with David Bashevkin
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin responds to listeners’ feedback and comments, in conversation with Denah Emerson.
David Bashevkin: ‘We are meant to teach the world how to embrace unchosen identity’ [18 Questions, 40 Mystics]
Ahead of the next episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we invite you to hear David Bashevkin's appearance on 18 Questions, 40 Mystics.
Agunah Revisited: How To Avoid High Conflict Divorce
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we revisit the topic of agunot by talking to Sarah Nissel and Yona Elishis, who run the Jewish Divorce Assistance Center of Los Angeles.
Adam Ferziger: Agents of Change [Israel & Diaspora II 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Adam Ferziger, a historian of modern Jewish movements, about how American Jews have helped shape the evolution of Israeli Judaism.
Alana Newhouse: Why is the Whole World Fighting About Zionism? [Israel & Diaspora II 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Alana Newhouse, the founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet Magazine, about why seemingly everyone is arguing about Zionism.
Michael Olshin: Reimagining the Gap Year in Israel [Israel & Diaspora II 2/4]
This episode is sponsored by Brett and Susan Nadritch, who support creative initiatives that strengthen our love for and connection to the People and Land of Israel, in honor of all the lone soldiers in the most recent Hesder draft, the class of Nisan 5786.
Michael Eisenberg: Iran, USA, Israel: What Comes Next [Israel & Diaspora II 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Michael Eisenberg—a venture capitalist and Torah scholar—about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora.
When a Parent Becomes Estranged [Divergence VI 4/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
David & Sydney Magerman: When a Child Makes Aliyah [Divergence VI 3/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
Shaanan Gelman & His Son: When a Child Becomes Addicted [Divergence VI 2/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
Yakov Danishefsky: Transmitting the Jewish Story with Emotional Health [Divergence VI 1/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
What Garry Shandling's Jewish Comedy Teaches About Purim
This week of learning is sponsored by Zachary Schreiber in honor of Tova Bashevkin, because behind every great man is an even greater woman.
Yehuda Geberer: What's the History of the American Yeshiva World? [American Yeshiva World 3/3]
This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda.
Aaron Kotler: Inside the Lakewood Yeshiva [American Yeshiva World 2/3]
This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda.
Elisheva Carlebach & Debra Kaplan: The Unknown History of Women in Jewish Life [American Yeshiva World 1/3]
This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda.
Eitan Webb and Ari Israel: What's Next for Jewish Students in Secular College? [Denominations 4/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rabbis Eitan Webb and Ari Israel, head of a campus Chabad and Hillel respectively, about Jewish life on college campuses today.
Mark Wildes: Is Modern Orthodox Outreach the Way Forward? [Denominations 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience, about Modern Orthodox outreach.
Zevi Slavin: 'To be a mystic is to be human at its most raw' [18 Questions, 40 Mystics]
This podcast is in partnership with Rabbi Benji Levy and Share. Learn more at 40mystics.com.
Dovid Bashevkin: A Reform Rabbi Interviews an Orthodox Rabbi [Denominations 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations and Jewish Peoplehood.
An Orthodox Rabbi Interviews a Reform Rabbi [Denominations 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations and Jewish Peoplehood.
Yabloner Rebbe: The Rebbe of Change (Teshuva Re-Release)
Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics.
Shais Taub: A Vulnerable Conversation About Shame, Selfhood, and Authenticity [Mysticism III 3/3]
Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics.
Philip Goff: Consciousness, Mysticism, and God [Mysticism III 2/3]
Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics.
Alon Shalev: How Rav Hutner Found Existential Meaning [Mysticism III 1/3]
Check out our new series in partnership with SHARE, 18 Questions, 40 Jewish Mystics.
NEW: 18 Questions, 40 Mystics with Joey Rosenfeld
This podcast is in partnership with Rabbi Benji Levy and Share. Learn more at 40mystics.com.
What To Do When Families Become Estranged [Re-Release]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by Dr. Leah Younger of Younger Psychology.
AI & Halacha: On Transparency and Accountability [AI 4/4]
This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.
Is AI the New Printing Press? [AI 3/4]
This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.
Julia Senkfor & Cameron Berg: Does AI Have an Antisemitism Problem? [AI 2/4]
This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.
Steven Gotlib & Eli Rubin: What Does It Mean To Be Human? [AI 1/4]
This series is sponsored by American Security Foundation.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin: How Torah Gives Us Faith and Hope
This episode is brought to you by Simchat Torah Challenge, a Jewish communal project inspiring tens of thousands of Jews of all backgrounds to read the weekly parsha. The weekly English-language email newsletter and website bring Torah and insights from trusted sources. Join for free at SimchatTorahChallenge.org
Moshe Koppel: Artificial Intelligence and Torah [Prayer Re-Release]
As a hint at our next new series, we want to share with you our 2023 episode with Moshe Koppel—a computer scientist and Talmud scholar—about Torah and its intersection with artificial intelligence.
Moshe Benovitz: Why Religious Change Doesn't Always Last [Teshuva 6/6]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
Naftuli Moster: Leaving Haredi Education Activism [Teshuva 5/6]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
Gayle Kirschenbaum: Learning to Forgive My Mother [Teshuva 4/6]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
Sarah Hurwitz: Reclaiming Judaism from Shame and Blame [Teshuva 3/6]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
DovBer Pinson: The Jewish People's Path of Teshuva [Teshuva 2/6]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
Rochi Ebner: Rav Kook's Return to Our Soul [Teshuva 1/6]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
Joey Rosenfeld: What Does Jewish Mysticism Say About This Moment? [Teshuva Bonus Episode]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
David Bashevkin: My Dating Story [Re-Release]
This episode was sponsored by Jerry and Esther Williams in honor of 18Forty and Shalom Task Force.
How Jews Date in the Modern World (Re-Release)
As the 15th of Av approaches, we are returning to this episode on how different Jewish communities date to honor the Jewish "holiday of love."
Hadas Hershkovitz: On Loss: A Husband, Father, Soldier [Loss 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Hadas Hershkovitz, whose husband, Yossi, was killed while serving on reserve duty in Gaza in 2023—about the Jewish People's loss of this beloved spouse, father, high-school principal, and soldier.
Elissa Felder & Sonia Hoffman: How the Jewish Burial Society Cares for the Dead [Loss 2/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Elissa Felder and her daughter Sonia Hoffman—both of whom have experienced the loss of a child and serve on a chevra kadisha—about what the Jewish burial society teaches us about confronting death. In this episode we discuss:
Shlomo Brody & Beth Popp: Demystifying Death and the End of Life [Loss 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Shlomo Brody and Dr. Beth Popp, who work with Ematai, an organization focused on end-of-life care, about the process of death and how we ought to live with our own mortality.
Micah Goodman: 'I don't want Gaza to become our Vietnam' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)
While we await our next episode, we invite you catch up with 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers.
Ayala Fader: How Do Haredi Jews Deal With Religious Doubt? [OTD 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Ayala Fader—an anthropologist who studies American Haredi communities and their “hidden heretics”—about the personal, familial, and communal factors that pull us toward and push us away from different Jewish communities.
A Debate Between Yitzchak Blau & Itamar Rosensweig: Does Morality Exist Outside of Judaism?
On June 29, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project. In order to register please click here or email info@edenbeitshemesh.com to find out more.
David Bashevkin & Malka Simkovich: Can Judaism Survive the AI Revolution? (Fifth Year Anniversary)
On June 29, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project. In order to register please click here or email info@edenbeitshemesh.com to find out more.
Daniel Hagler and Aryeh Englander: Can Jews Who Stay Talk With Jews Who Left? [OTD 2/3]
18Forty is celebrating its fifth year LIVE in NYC on June 9. Reserve your seats today!
Moshe Krakowski: Why Jews Leave Faith Behind [OTD 1/3]
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Shulem Deen: Faith, Without Faith (OTD Series Re-Release)
In anticipation of our upcoming series, we want to share with you our episode with Shulem Deen, originally released in June 2020.
The Gopins: When a Child Cannot Read [Divergence 6/6]
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Talia Khan: A Jewish Israel Activist and Her Muslim Father [Divergence 5/6]
Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.
Susan Cain: A Daughter’s Bittersweet Longing for Her Mother [Divergence 4/6]
Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.
The Dardik Family: A Child Moves Away From Zionism [Divergence 3/6]
Receive our FREE newsletters at 18forty.org/join.
The Samter Family: American Parents With Israeli Sons Fighting in Gaza [Divergence 2/6]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
Sylvia and Simon Jacobson: How Different Generations Talk About Jewish Life [Divergence 1/6]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
Eitan Hersh: Can the Jewish Left Talk With the Jewish Right? [Outreach: Bonus]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eitan Hersh, a professor of political science at Tufts University, about teaching students of radically different political and religious views how to speak to one another.
David Bashevkin: 5 Things SNL Taught Me About Life (Purim Special)
Subscribe to our email list here.
Ken Brodkin: A Shul Becomes Orthodox [Outreach 5/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Ken Brodkin, rabbi of New Jersey’s Congregation B’nai Israel, about how he helped turn it into “the Orthodox synagogue for all Jews.”
Lizzy Savetsky: Becoming a Jewish Influencer and Israel Advocate [Outreach 4/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Lizzy Savetsky, who went from a career in singing and fashion to being a Jewish activist and influencer, about her work advocating for Israel online.
Ari Lamm: Teaching Non-Jews To Love the Bible [Outreach 3/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, co-founder and president of SoulShop Studios, about doing Jewish “outreach” to non-Jews.
Frieda Vizel: How the World Misunderstands Hasidic Jewry [Outreach 2/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Frieda Vizel—a formerly Satmar Jew who makes educational content about Hasidic life—about her work presenting Hasidic Williamsburg to the outside world, and vice-versa.
Yitzchok Adlerstein: Zionism, the American Yeshiva World, and Reaching Beyond Our Community [Outreach 1/5]
This episode is sponsored by Nishmat, whose Summer Beit Midrash offers transformative Torah learning in the heart of Jerusalem for women of all backgrounds. Find more information here.
Natan Sharansky: 'If you don't have faith or Zionism, your grandchildren will not be Jewish' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)
Take our annual survery: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WZKXNWR
Haym Soloveitchik: The Rupture and Reconstruction of Halacha (Halacha Series Re-Release)
We don't have a new episode this week, but we invite you to revisit our initial conversation with Professor Haym Soloveitchik, originally aired on Feb. 8, 2022.
Listener Feedback with David Bashevkin
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we hear questions, criticisms, complaints, thoughts, and feedback from our listener community.
Haym Soloveitchik: How Modernity Changed Our Relationship to God
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik—a pioneer and leader in the study of the history of Jewish law—about how halacha mediates our relationship to God in 2025.
Reuven and Shani Taragin: What’s Next: The Future of Religious Zionism (Re-Release)
We don't have a new episode this week, but we invite you to revisit our conversation with Reuven and Shani Taragin on the future of Religious Zionism, originally aired Jan. 16, 2024.
Einat Wilf: ‘Jews Are Never Allowed To Win, and Arabs Are Never Allowed to Lose' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)
We're taking a week off from our main podcast, but we want to share with you an episode of our new podcast, 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers, recorded on Nov. 25. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday.
What’s the Goal of the Gap Year in Israel? Ari Waxman, Judah Mischel, and Gershon Turetsky [Israel & Diaspora Bonus]
This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at info@edenbeitshemesh.com for more details.
Mickey and Ortal Flaumenhaft: Diaspora Differences: Israelis Come to Teaneck [Israel & Diaspora 5/5]
This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at info@edenbeitshemesh.com for more details.
Yehuda and Ilana Turetsky: Why Would an American Rabbinic Couple Move to Israel? [Israel & Diaspora 4/5]
This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at info@edenbeitshemesh.com for more details.
Shayna Goldberg: Inside Israel’s Religious Zionist Community [Israel & Diaspora 3/5]
This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at info@edenbeitshemesh.com for more details.
Malka Simkovich: When Did The Jewish Diaspora Begin? [Israel & Diaspora 2/5]
This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at info@edenbeitshemesh.com for more details.
Moshe Taragin: Does Israel Need American Jews? [Israel & Diaspora 1/5]
This episode is sponsored by Eden Beit Shemesh. Contact Rina Weinberg at info@edenbeitshemesh.com for more details.
Haviv Rettig Gur: 'Hamas Is Upset That the Death Toll in Gaza Isn’t Higher' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)
We're taking a week off from our main podcast, but we want to share with you an episode of our new podcast, 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers, recorded on Sept. 9. Subscribe to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday.
Matisyahu: Teshuva in the Spotlight [Teshuva IV 5/5]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.
The Memories We Hold: How October 7 Has Forever Changed Us
In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, in honor of the anniversary of October 7, we revisit and reflect on the conversations we’ve had that have helped us process this tumultuous time.
Emmi Polansky: Finding Agency as a Single Mother [Teshuva IV 4/5]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.
Tuvia Tenenbom: How a Secular Jew Came To Love the Haredi World [Teshuva IV 3/5]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.
Yussie Zakutinsky: Connecting to a Disconnected Jewish People [Teshuva IV 2/5]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.
Joshua Leifer and Shaindy Ort: How Progressive Activists Rediscovered Traditional Jewish Life [Teshuva IV 1/5]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.
Pawel Maciejko: Sabbateanism and the Roots of Secular Judaism [Denominations: Bonus]
This episode is sponsored by Nishmat, the Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women, whose Online Beit Midrash returns on Sept. 8. Women of all backgrounds can learn Talmud, Tanach, Halacha, and more from the comfort of home. For a full class schedule and registration, go here.
On Loss: Defending Israel on Oct. 7
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak to the Perez family, whose son Daniel, Hashem yikkom damo, was killed defending Israel and the Jewish People on October 7.
Yehoshua Pfeffer: 'The army is not ready for real Haredi participation' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)
We're taking a week off from our main podcast, but we want to share with you an episode of our new podcast, 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers Subscribe to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday.
Eli Rubin: Is the Rebbe the Messiah? [Mysticism II 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eli Rubin—a scholar, Lubavitcher Hasid, and author of the forthcoming book Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism—about life’s big cosmic questions.
Yosef Bronstein: Only for Chabad? Modern Orthodoxy and the Rebbe [Mysticism II 3/4]
Join our email list to receive, among other great 18Forty content, a coupon code for 10% off your Koren Publishers order, good through Aug. 31.
Chava Green: What Is Chabad’s Feminist Vision? [Mysticism II 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Chava Green—an emerging scholar who wrote her doctoral dissertation on “the Hasidic face of feminism”—about how the Lubavitcher Rebbe infused American sensibilities with mystical sensitivities, paying particular attention to the role of women.
Rabbi YY Jacobson: How Did the Rebbe Revolutionize Judaism? [Mysticism II 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to renowned Chabad speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson about Chassidus, Chabad, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Ammiel Hirsch: How To Understand Reform Judaism’s Anti-Zionist Crisis [Denominations Bonus Episode]
This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.
Benny Morris: ‘We should have taken Rafah at the start’ (NEW 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)
Subscribe to 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday.
Adam and Mia Raskin: Can Families Live with Denominational Differences? [Denominations 5/5]
This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.
FROM THE VAULT: Samuel G. Freedman: Can Jew vs. Jew Ever Become Jew with Jew?
While we return to Jewish Denominations next week, enjoy this ever-necessary 2020 conversation about Jewish infighting, division, and unity—pulled from the 18Forty vault.
Marc B. Shapiro: Where Does Orthodox Judaism Come From? [Denominations 4/5]
This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.
Jack Wertheimer: A New American Judaism? The Sociology of Jewish Practice [Denominations 3/5]
This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.
Ammiel Hirsch: 'What Did We Do Wrong?' Peoplehood and the Reform Movement [Denominations 2/5]
This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.
Zev Eleff: Is This the End of American Judaism? [Denominations 1/5]
This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin: A Hostage’s Mother Fighting for His Freedom [Divergence 5/5]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
A Haredi Mother Sending Her Children To Serve [Divergence 4/5]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.
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