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Jewish Ideas to Change the World

Valley Beit Midrash
Judaism
Torah
Israel
Social Justice
Holocaust
Anti-Semitism
Jewish Law
Jewish Identity
Jewish Ethics
Spirituality
Talmud
Midrash
Purim
Community
Jewish History
Ethics
Zionism
Compassion
Kabbalah
Resilience

Jewish Ideas to Change the World delivers thought-provoking content by leading Jewish thinkers with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. It is produced by Valley Beit Midrash. Valley Beit Midrash (VBM) is dedicated to social justice as driven by Torah ethics. VBM's mission is to improve lives through Jewish learning, direct action, and leadership development. Listen to VBM's other podcasts: • Soc... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1036Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityJudaismEducation

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Artwork for Jewish Ideas to Change the World

Latest Episodes

A virtual event presentation by Professor Elias Sacks

About The Event:

What can Jews learn from Christianity, and what can Christians learn from Judaism? What might we gain from interreligious dialogue, and what challenges can such conversations ... more

Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz sits down with the Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Japan, Rabbi Scheer.

Rabbi Andrew Scheer was born and raised in Woodmere, New York. He studied at Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion and earned his BA in Jewish History from N... more

A virtual event presentation by Professor Sylvia Barack Fishman

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About The Event:

This class will draw on recent American and Israeli novels that portray what it’s like to be a Jew in each count... more

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Sid Schwarz

About The Event:

America is suffering from a spiritual “deficit”. It has been made worse by social media, ideological polarization, and an erosion of key parts of the American ethos. Rabbi Sid has... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rabbi Andrew Scheer
Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Japan
Jewish Community of Japan
Episode: The Jewish Community of Japan: An Interview in Tokyo with Rabbi Scheer
Sylvia Barack Fishman
Joseph and Esther Foster Professor of Judaic Studies, Emerita
Brandeis University
Episode: Who’s the Anomaly? American Jews and Israel/Israelis in Contemporary Novels
Sid Schwarz
Rabbi, author, founder of Covenantal Communities; CLI program founder
Clergy Leadership Incubator (CLI); Kenessa Communities of Meaning; Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
Episode: Building Intentional Spiritual Communities
David Shyovitz
Associate Professor of Jewish History at Northwestern University; author
Northwestern University
Episode: Cain’s Children: Mysticism and Monstrosity in the Jewish Tradition
Michael Fishbane
Professor and author of Primacy's Experience, and the main interview guest
University of Chicago
Episode: Primacies: Experience, Expression, and the Jewish Imagination
Benji Lovitt
Comedian and author
Comedian and author
Episode: Jewish Comedy Post October 7th, A Conversation with Benji Lovitt
Amanda McVann
New Hood Justice Director for Tikud Ha'ir
Tikud Ha'ir (Milwaukee)
Episode: Love Is a Verb: Jewish Wisdom for Building Meaningful Relationships
Rabbi Mike Feuer
Educator, content creator, and spiritual counselor
Jewish Heroism Project
Episode: Models of Heroism and Independence in Our Time
Sara Tropper
Poet and editor; author of White Heat
Author, Poet Editor
Episode: Forging White Heat: A Post–October 7 Haiku Journey

Host

Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
Host of the Valley Beit Midrash Podcast; guides interviews and leads discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 45 ratings
  • Boycotts work

    Laura Geller is a z!onist and anyone who platforms her is the same.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Camera_add
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • I look forward to every episode

    Though not Jewish, nor even a resident of Phoenix, I treasure the learning that is shared on the podcast. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz brings great thinkers to share their wealth of knowledge and wisdom with the congregation. I love the interaction with the audience at the end of the lectures.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan'l E. as in elegant
    United States8 years ago
  • Wonderful Content

    This podcast offers truly enriching, thought provoking and relevant material. The speakers mostly approach things from a Jewish background but people of any faith, spirituality (or lack thereof) can find nuggets of wisdom in the lectures offered here. In our busy world, the average person may not have time to study philosophy or Torah but with this VBM podcast you can slip in a little bit of enlightening material in your drive home from work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Theswordandspoon
    United States9 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Honest, challenging, and meaningful explorations of Jewish ideas.
Accessible yet rigorous—great for listeners who want ideas they can apply to life and leadership.
Thoughtful, faith-forward discussions with deep guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Jewish Community of Japan: An Interview in Tokyo with Rabbi Scheer
Q: How does the local culture influence Jewish life in Tokyo?
Tokyo's culture emphasizes politeness, space for others, and communal responsibility, which shape how the community operates—people feel seen, and there's a strong sense of shared space and mutual care.
The Jewish Community of Japan: An Interview in Tokyo with Rabbi Scheer
Q: What has it been like to be part of this community for five years?
The community is exceptional and the diverse background of members makes serving Tokyo feel like serving a global Jewish family, with daily opportunities to learn from multiple traditions.
Who’s the Anomaly? American Jews and Israel/Israelis in Contemporary Novels
Q: Okay, I have one more question for you. Do you have a wish list that you would like to see novelists dealing with, in terms of plots, characters, or settings, that you would love to read in an American Jewish novel?
The speaker suggests openness to future narratives that expand empathy across communities, include non-Jewish characters in positive light, and explore redemptive paths where diverse Jewish experiences intersect with broader social realities.
Cain’s Children: Mysticism and Monstrosity in the Jewish Tradition
Q: What was the reasoning behind presenting a two-headed figure as a monster in this story?
The lecturer suggests that the two-headed figure serves to challenge assumptions about normalcy and to prompt reflection on how difference is interpreted within theological and legal frameworks, ultimately inviting a more capacious view of humanity within Jewish thought.
Building Intentional Spiritual Communities
Q: Rabbi Sid, what would you say are some of the factors contributing to the growth of Covenantal Communities, from four to upwards of sixty across the country?
Over the past 25–30 years there's been a shift away from the old synagogue-centered model toward co-ownership and lay empowerment, with a push to diversify leadership and offerings. The market wants communities that invite active participation, shared responsibility, and multiple portals for engagement beyond traditional services; when synagogues become covenantal, they attract and retain members by delivering meaningful human flourishing rather than just programming.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Jewish Ideas to Change the World

What is Jewish Ideas to Change the World about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful discussions with leading Jewish thinkers spanning theology, history, ethics, literature, and contemporary social issues. Episodes often center on Jewish philosophy, communal leadership, memory and remembrance, and how Jewish values intersect with modern life, technology, and politics. Noteworthy are guest-interview formats that blend scholarly context with practical implications for building inclusive, purposeful communities, often featuring poets, educators, and public figures who bridge tradition and modernity. The show tends to attract listeners interested in rigorous ideas, social justice rooted in Torah ethics, and how Jewish thought can inform everyday action and leadership. A recurring strength is the ability to connect de... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Jewish Ideas to Change the World?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Jewish Ideas to Change the World:

1. Identity/Crisis
2. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
3. Ask Haviv Anything
4. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
5. What Matters Now

How many episodes of Jewish Ideas to Change the World are there?

Jewish Ideas to Change the World launched 11 years ago and published 1036 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Jewish Ideas to Change the World?

Recent guests on Jewish Ideas to Change the World include:

1. Rabbi Andrew Scheer
2. Sylvia Barack Fishman
3. Sid Schwarz
4. David Shyovitz
5. Michael Fishbane
6. Benji Lovitt
7. Amanda McVann
8. Rabbi Mike Feuer

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