Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with his good friend Professor Shai Davidai to dive into his new book "The Jewish Experience: Discovering the Soul of Jewish Thought and Practice. Buy Rabbi WIldes' new book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jewish-experience-book-tickets-1689309473109?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this moving episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with Israeli art therapist and visionary artist Rakefet Hadar (founder of Soul Pages) to explore the healing power of creativity in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. Following the violent attacks on October 7th that devastated communities across Israel — including women living on a kibbutz — Rakefet shares how intuitive art journaling and Kabbalistic wisdom can serve as profound tools for emotional and spiritual healing. Together, she and Rabbi Wildes discuss the intersection of Jewish mysticism, art therapy, and resilience, uncovering how artistic expression can help survivors reclaim their voice, process trauma, and reconnect to the divine. 💡 Topics in this episode: • The transformative power of art for trauma recovery • How Kabbalah inspires Rakefet’s healing methods • Women’s emotional journeys after 10/7 • The role of spirituality in post-trauma growth 🖌️ Learn more about Rakefet’s work at https://soul-pages.com/ — Subscribe for more episodes on faith, spirituality, and resilience from the MJE Podcast. #ArtTherapy #Kabbalah #IsraeliArt #JewishHealing #RakefetHadar #RabbiMarkWildes #SoulPages #TraumaRecovery #MJEpodcast Website: jewishexperience.org Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience

Rabbi Wildes sits down with Shabbos Kestenbaum to talk about Jewish identity, leadership, and the growing hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people — from elite universities to global politics. They discuss Shabbos’ lawsuit against Harvard, media narratives on Iran, and the importance of Jewish education rooted in values, not just victimhood. A timely and honest conversation about unity, resistance, and hope for the Jewish future.

Judaism doesn’t dismiss beauty—but it doesn’t worship it either. This episode begins with our human hunger for beauty, journeys through the tension between Greek and Jewish ideals, and arrives at a distinctly Jewish idea of beauty: one that’s rooted in holiness, shaped by restraint, and never far from the divine. We explore beauty’s power, its purpose, and its place on the path toward the divine.

Last night at MJE’s Yom HaShoah event, we had the honor of hearing from Dr. Aliza Erber, a Holocaust survivor, medical doctor, and chaplain. As a hidden child during the war, Dr. Erber lost both of her parents in concentration camps. Her story was raw, powerful, and deeply moving. Over 100 people gathered to hear her speak and every single one left impacted. What made the evening even more meaningful was her honesty. She didn’t sugarcoat the trauma, and in doing so, gave everyone present a deeper appreciation of the strength, courage, and resilience of our people. May her words continue to echo, and may we never forget.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes is joined by Dr. Noam Weissman, the voice behind the acclaimed podcast Unpacking Israeli History. Together, they dive deep into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, explore the historical roots of Gaza, and ask the difficult questions: Is the two-state solution still viable? How should Israel be taught to the next generation—both Jewish and non-Jewish? What role does bias, history, and education play in shaping our understanding of Zionism? What are the biggest misconceptions about Hamas and Palestinian leadership? Dr. Weisman shares personal insights from decades of Israel education and breaks down complex issues with clarity and honesty, offering a nuanced look at one of the most polarizing topics of our time. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes. 🎧 Listen to Dr. Weisman’s podcast: Unpacking Israeli History 🔔 Follow for more deep dives into Jewish thought, modern Israel, and meaningful conversation. #Israel #Gaza #Zionism #JewishEducation #MiddleEastConflict #UnpackingIsraeliHistory

In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, we sit down with Natan Sharansky, a Soviet dissident, human rights activist, and former Israeli politician. Sharansky shares his harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in the Soviet Gulag, where he endured nine years of imprisonment, and his fight for Jewish freedom during the Cold War. We dive into: ✅ His extraordinary journey from Soviet oppression to Israeli leadership ✅ The refusenik movement and the struggle of Jews in the USSR ✅ How he survived years of solitary confinement with resilience and faith ✅ His political career in Israel, standing against disengagement from Gaza ✅ Modern antisemitism, the challenges faced by Jewish students, and his message to young Jews today ✅ His thoughts on Trump’s peace plan, Israel’s future, and the fight against Hamas Sharansky’s story of courage, conviction, and unwavering identity is a must-listen for anyone passionate about freedom, Jewish history, and human rights. 🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode with your friends!

What does it take to turn unimaginable tragedy into a source of strength and inspiration? 💔➡️💪 In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, I sit down with Rabbanit Racheli Frankel, a true beacon of resilience and wisdom. After losing her son Naftali in 2014, she has dedicated her life to uniting the Jewish people and strengthening our faith. 🇮🇱✨ We dive deep into: 🔹 How her personal loss connects to the pain of October 7th 🔹 The emotional complexity of hostage negotiations 🔹 Rising antisemitism and the global Jewish response 🔹 The rapid growth of women’s Torah scholarship 📖👩‍🏫 🔹 Finding hope and joy even in the darkest times Rabbanit Frankel’s perspective is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, a reminder that even through sorrow, we can choose gratitude, strength, and faith. 🌿✡️ 🎧 Tune in now and let us know what resonated with you the most in the comments! 👇💬 #JewishStrength #Resilience #Faith #Podcast #Israel #Torah #JewishWomen #JewishLearning #Hope #JewishCommunity

Join Rabbi Wildes in interviewing Rabbi Dr. Marc Shapiro for a fascinating chat about balancing faith and scholarship, misconceptions about observance, Judaism in politics, and the limits of Orthodox theology. We also dive into challenges facing Jewish identity, handling Israel criticism, and why students are showing more interest in Judaism. A thought-provoking episode you won’t want to miss!

In this compelling podcast episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with Professor Shai Davidai from Columbia University to explore a wide range of pressing issues affecting the Jewish community today. Professor Davidai shares his thoughts on notions of peace, why he continues to teach at Columbia, and the complex decision of whether or not to send children to institutions where antisemitism persists. They delve into the importance of fighting for Jewish civil rights, the contrasts between Israeli and Diaspora Jews, and how to preserve Jewish identity in challenging times. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on why Judaism is worth defending, how political labels impact our political climate today, and the importance of standing up in the face of prejudice.

Join Rabbi Wildes for a meaningful conversation with Rabbi Judah Mischel, Executive Director of Camp HASC and author of the inspiring book "Baderech". In this episode, we explore how to become happier, more spiritually connected individuals, just in time for the High Holidays. Rabbi Mischel shares practical tips on how to embrace joy, positivity, and teshuvah during this reflective period.

In this episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes interviews former IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus. They discuss the potential war with Hezbollah, American involvement, the recent presidential debate and elections, the situation in post-war Gaza, and actionable steps we can take. Tune in for a deep dive into these pressing geopolitical issues and their global implications.

In this compelling episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with Dr. Einat Wilf, former member of the Israeli Knesset, for an insightful discussion on key issues shaping the Middle East. They delve into the Western indulgence of the Palestinian dream and its implications, the transformative impact of the Abraham Accords, and the legacy of the Oslo Accords. The conversation also touches on the policies of the Trump administration to support Israel and how those policies stand now. Additionally, Rabbi Wildes and Dr. Wilf explore the rising phenomenon of university protests and encampments, examining their roots and influence on public discourse. Join them for a thought-provoking dialogue that navigates the complexities of peace, politics, and protest in today's world.

Join Rabbi Mark Wildes and former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren as they delve into the complexities of modern Israel. In this podcast, Rabbi Wildes engages Ambassador Oren in candid discussions about the ongoing war dynamics, the involvement of Iran, misconceptions about the war being reported in the media, and a compelling comparison of the youth culture in Israel versus the United States. Delve deep into the heart of Israeli society and IDF soldiers, its challenges, triumphs, and the nuanced perspectives.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation as we sit down with a remarkable guest: a first-generation Persian Jew, Sheila Nazarian. In this insightful episode, we explore her unique perspective on war, contrasting her experiences with those of established Ashkenazi Jews in America. Delving into the nuances of identity and heritage, we uncover how her cultural background has influenced her journey in medicine. From navigating the complexities of conflict to the profound impact of healing, we gain profound insights into her medical career and the intersection of her cultural identity with her professional path.

Join Rabbi Mark Wildes in this captivating episode of The Wildescast as he sits down with Hillel Fuld, a renowned global advocate for Israel and a leading Israeli-American technology business advisor, blogger, and vlogger. Together, they delve into the crucial developments surrounding Israel since October 7th and explore the Western perspective on these events.

Held at MJE on February 14th, Rabbi Mark Wildes taught a class on the Dos & Don't of Dating. This discussion dives into Jewish teachings that offer valuable insights for everyone, regardless of background. Discover practical tips for navigating relationships and finding love in today's world.

My remarks from the funeral of my beloved father. To see the whole ceremony click here: https://www.legacycelebrated.com/leon-wildes/ May we only know Simchas