Podcast Episodes

Great American Jewish Cities #3: Crown Heights

Episode 161

One of the many Brooklyn neighborhoods that was a center of diverse Jewish life for decades, Crown Heights is also unique in many ways. From its pre war days and the first JCC in America, to the infl…

Published on 5 years, 7 months ago

The Crown of Aleppo

Episode 160

The oldest complete Tanach in the world, the Aleppo Codex, known as the "Keter", was and still is revered as a national treasure. As a source and guide for the text and vowelization of Tanach, it was…

Published on 5 years, 7 months ago

Great American Jewish Cities #2: Baltimore

Episode 159

One of the most storied Jewish communities in the United States, Baltimore has a fair amount of "firsts". First ordained Orthodox Rabbi to serve in the US - Rabbi Joseph Rice, first Day School outsid…

Published on 5 years, 7 months ago

A Kingdom Restored: Belz in the Holy Land

Episode 158

The rebuilt Belz Chassidic community of today is a story of miracles and change. From almost total decimation during the war, they sustained an additional blow with the passing of the previous Rebbe,…

Published on 5 years, 7 months ago

The Center of it All: Great Rabbis in Warsaw

Episode 157

Capital of the Jewish world, Warsaw played a central role in all aspects of Jewish life - politically, culturally, socially and of course religiously. Great rabbinical figures served in official capa…

Published on 5 years, 7 months ago

Great American Jewish Cities #1: Far Rockaway

Episode 156

With this new series, Jewish History Soundbites seeks to explore the growth of various Jewish communities both within the great urban centers and across the golden plain.

Our pilot episode touches on…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

A Pioneering Scholar: The Travels & Works of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kasher

Episode 155

One of the most prolific writers in the Jewish world of recent times, Rav Menachem Mendel Kasher (1895-1983), was quite an enigmatic character as well. As a prominent Gerrer Chussid in Warsaw, he was…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

King of Galicia: The Divrei Chaim of Sanz

Episode 154

Leading Halachic authority, founder of an influential Chassidic dynasty and a master of simplicity, charity and care for his followers, are all apt descriptions of Rav Chaim Halberstam of Sanz (1797-…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

My Father The Netziv: The Extraordinary Life of Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan

Episode 153

As the youngest child of the Netziv, Rav Meir Bar Ilan (1880-1949) grew up in the world of Volozhin. With the closing of the Yeshiva and the loss of his father while he was still a child, he moved on…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

A Citadel of Torah: The Presidents, Personalities & Roshei Yeshiva of RIETS/YU Part II

Episode 152

In this second installment, we'll examine another few personalities who were associated with the growth of Torah in the United States through their involvement with RIETS/YU.

An unparalleled genius, …

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago