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Artwork for Jewish Ideas to Change the World

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
Zionism
Community
Jewish History
Ethics
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1047Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismEducationReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Jewish Ideas to Change the World

Latest Episodes

A virtual class presentation by Dr. Andrew Porwancher

About The Event:

Professor Porwancher debunks a string of myths about the origins of this founding father to arrive at a startling conclusion: Hamilton was probably raised Jewish in his Caribb... more

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Jeff Salkin

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

About The Event:

No, “Soul Train” isn’t just a retro music show—it’s about training our souls to rediscover the sacred power of Jewish prayer. Rabbi Jeff Sal... more

An event presentation by Rabbi Marc Gitler

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

About The Event:

Session 4: “AI, Deepfakes, and the Future of Human Trust” — Can We Still Know What’s Real?

A culminating discussion about artificial intelligence, sy... more

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi David Jaffe

About The Event:

What is at stake in bridging the growing divide in our North American Jewish community between people who feel strongly connected to the project of Jewish self-determination in ou... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Andrew Porwancher
Catholic Professor of Israel and Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas
University of Texas
Episode: The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton
Rabbi Jeff Salkin
Writer and author
Valley Beit Midrash / Wisdom Without Walls (as discussed)
Episode: Soul Train: Learning the Words of the Jewish Heart
Rabbi David Jaffe
Founder and Executive Director of Kirva, education and training organization
Kirva
Episode: A Cry for Wholeness From the Void: Bridging Zionism and Diasporism
Samuel Fleischacker
LAS Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Illinois in Chicago; lecturer for this session
University of Illinois at Chicago
Episode: Are We Idolaters? Yeshayahu Leibowitz on Jewish Spirituality and Jewish Politics
Dr. Joshua Garroway
Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professor of Judeo-Christian Studies and Professor of Early Christianity and Second Commonwealth
Hebrew Union College, Skirball Campus
Episode: Righteous Idolaters? A History of Christianity Through Jewish Eyes
Elias Sacks
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
Episode: Why Should Jews Care About Christianity, and Why Should Christians Care About Judaism?
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

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 Kingdom10 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 States10 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 World of Alexander Hamilton
Q: Could you expand on how Hamilton engaged with Jewish law in his career?
He emphasizes his commitment to equality before the law, citing his closing argument where he insisted on equal justice for Jews and Gentiles.
Are We Idolaters? Yeshayahu Leibowitz on Jewish Spirituality and Jewish Politics
Q: How does Leibowitz view the holiness of the land and the concept of a sacred nation?
He rejects the idea that the land or the Jewish people themselves are sacred; holiness arises from adhering to divine commandments, and any notion that land or people become sacred in themselves risks idolatry and undermines ethical responsibility toward others.
Are We Idolaters? Yeshayahu Leibowitz on Jewish Spirituality and Jewish Politics
Q: Why does he advocate separation of religion and state if Zionism seeks political independence?
He argues that true holiness and commitment must come from personal devotion to God, not from state power, and that a state's involvement in religion tends to distort both religion and politics; true national flourishing requires protections against domination and a space for personal religious commitment.
Righteous Idolaters? A History of Christianity Through Jewish Eyes
Q: Were there any new insights about Christianity and Judaism in today's class that hadn't been covered before?
Yes, the discussion highlighted how later medieval and modern thinkers reframed relations—especially Meiri's approach and the Pittsburgh Platform's rapprochement—showing continuity and shifts in thinking about whether Christians are idolaters and how close Jewish-Christian ties could become.
Righteous Idolaters? A History of Christianity Through Jewish Eyes
Q: What were some of the early rabbinic responses to claims that Isaiah 53 or other biblical passages prove Jesus was the Messiah?
Rabbinic responses typically identified those passages as not bearing the Messiah interpretation and often avoided endorsing Christian readings, choosing instead to emphasize other messianic expectations or to reframe biblical texts to minimize Christian polemics.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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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. For Heaven's Sake
3. Fresh Air
4. The Promised Podcast
5. 10% Happier with Dan Harris

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

Jewish Ideas to Change the World launched 11 years ago and published 1047 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. Andrew Porwancher
2. Rabbi Jeff Salkin
3. Rabbi David Jaffe
4. Samuel Fleischacker
5. Dr. Joshua Garroway
6. Elias Sacks
7. Rabbi Andrew Scheer
8. Sylvia Barack Fishman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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