Episodes
What a night. Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie discuss the election results and how the Middle East is impacted with a change in the US Administration and what we can see coming from what happened in the last few decades. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the...
Published 11/06/24
Join us for a discussion and look as the history of the relationship between the US and Israel in this pre-election episode. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro...
Published 10/30/24
Published 10/30/24
Season 4 kicks off with a macro view of where in Jewish history we are right now. Sometimes it's hard to recognize we are literally living through seismic historical events when you are right in the middle of it. This is what is happening right now for the Jewish people and seeing where we are on the historical timeline helps us understand why the stakes are so high and what we can do to move things forward in the best way possible. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from...
Published 10/13/24
This week we are delving into the history and definition of the terms Dati Leumi, Religious Zionism, Modern Orthodox and Mizrachi to name a few. Who is this important section of the religious community and why do we know so little about it in North America? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand...
Published 09/26/24
A bit of a continuation of the last episode. What are Western Values? What is it about America and Israel that people both love and hate? How do we make sure we don't fall prey to what ended the other great empires and countries of history? Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro ⁠⁠https://www.myjfi.com/events-and-classes⁠⁠ Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.KenSpiro.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more...
Published 09/18/24
What is really going on between Israel and Iran? Is western democracy really what we think it is, and why are America and Israel seen as partners? Perhaps liberal values are not what we thought they were... This week we are learning the history of Lebanon and Hezbollah and trying to understand why they are involved at all in this war. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro ⁠https://www.myjfi.com/events-and-classes⁠ Check out more about Rabbi...
Published 09/05/24
This week we are learning the history of Lebanon and Hezbollah and trying to understand why they are involved at all in this war. Register for the new Weekly Jewish History Crash Course on Zoom with Rabbi Ken Spiro https://www.myjfi.com/events-and-classes Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.KenSpiro.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Ellie Bass and her work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.elliebass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about The Jewish Family...
Published 08/28/24
In this episode, Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass explore the evolving political landscape of Western Jewish communities, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023, events. The discussion delves into the shifting political affiliations among Jews, with a noticeable trend towards the political right as concerns about antisemitism and Israel's security become more pronounced. The hosts examine the historical context of left-wing antisemitism, tracing its roots in early socialism and...
Published 08/21/24
In response to Ellie's student reading on of Ilan's books, we take a tour of some of his claims and take his narrative of events to task in order to really understand the origins of Israel and the importance of nuance. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the...
Published 08/15/24
This week Rabbi Spiro and Ellie are discussing the Jewish history and perspective on war and peace, the history of the UN and how Judeo-Christian values were the foundation stone upon which the rules of engagement were created. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan...
Published 08/15/24
In this episode we are digging into the history of Iran and why they are the major agitator in the region and why it's important to address them as one of the central pillars of this conflict. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Check out more...
Published 07/15/24
Join Rabbi Spiro and Ellie as they discuss Shavout and what it means to be a Jewish people and how do we see this holiday as a reminder of our mission.
Published 06/11/24
What is it that the protestors are really fighting for? Western civilization is really what is being questioned and fought against, let's talk about how and why. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the future. Check out more about Rabbi Ken Spiro and his work...
Published 05/13/24
Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie jump back on for a special episode discussion the game changing events of this last weekend as Iran fires directly on Israel, and how this relates to our history and the 3337th Seder that the Jewish people are about to partake in. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand...
Published 04/17/24
What happens if God forbid Israel loses, and Hamas achieves its aims and wipes it out? What are the broader global implications of a Middle East with no Israel? Understanding this is key to understanding what is happening right now in that region and around the world. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can...
Published 04/17/24
When we talk about Radical Islam what do we mean? In this episode we are trying to define our terms and understand some of the history of the Middle East, Hamas and Israel and what the west and the rest of the world mean when they use these terms. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is...
Published 04/03/24
As the war continues on for more than 140 days, the tensions between the religious world and the secular in Israel are beginning to show up again, this time over the long history of who should serve in the army and all that entails. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and...
Published 02/29/24
When we say we want peace what does that mean? A ceasefire? Unicorns and rainbows? A tenuous pause or a lasting connection? In this episode Rabbi Spiro and Ellie discover what is the true meaning of peace from a Jewish perspective and what are the chances of "peace in the Middle East" now? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the...
Published 02/22/24
Redeeming captives and hostages is not a new task in the annals of Jewish history. This discussion talks about what is a hostage vs a prisoner, what are some of the Jewish laws around negotiating for hostages release, and what is our history of getting them back and how does this help us understand what is happening today with over 102 hostages still in captivity in Gaza? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther...
Published 02/14/24
What is the history of colonization in the Middle East? Are the Arabs indigenous to the Middle East? Are the Jews? Join us as we trace back the more than 3000 years of colonization, empire building and settlement in the cradle of civilization. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is...
Published 12/27/23
From biblical to modern times what is the history of war in Israel? Rabbi Ken Spiro and Ellie Bass discuss the purpose of war Jewishly and what is it about Jewish ideology that makes us different when it comes to warfare? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can understand what is happening now and plan for the...
Published 12/21/23
What is the war of Gog and Mgog? What is the Ishmaelite Exile? How does the question of what is truth relate to what is happening today and historically for the world and the Jewish people? This is Part 2 of the End of Days - Rabbi Spiro gives us a new/old way of looking at what is happening right now in terms of prophecy, history and Jewish theology. What is this unique time in history that we are a part of right now and how can we begin to understand it in the long arc of the Jewish story?...
Published 12/05/23
Rabbi Spiro gives us a new/old way of looking at what is happening right now in terms of prophecy, history and Jewish theology. What is this unique time in history that we are a part of right now and how can we begin to understand it in the long arc of the Jewish story? Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way back, so we can...
Published 12/01/23
There is something trending on TikTok right now called JQ, The Jewish Question is a deeply laden paradigm that is both antisemitic and also goes to heart of how we understand ourselves as Jewish people, our mission and what is going on right now in the Middle East and around the world. Want more history? Go back and listen to this series from the beginning, as Winston Churchill once said “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” so we are going all the way...
Published 11/16/23