Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the lessons of Sukkot, the call to justice, and the future of Jewish life. Discover how joy, humility, and activism intersect in Jewish tradition today. Rabbi Yanklowitz is President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, founder of Uri L’Tzedek, Shamayim, and YATOM, and the author of 30 books on Jewish ethics.

In this special Yom Kippur episode, Justin is joined Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, President of the World Mizrachi Movement, and one of the most transformative rabbinic visionaries of our time to discuss the value and impact of Torah, his approach to social change for Israel’s most vulnerable communities, his role in supporting IDF soldiers, and his faith-based approach to navigating tragedies like October 7.

Learn more:

https://www.sulamot.org/en/

https://www.sulamot.org/en/kuma/

https://www.laofek.org/en/laofek/

In this special Rosh Hashanah episode, former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz joins Justin to discuss her bold new book "As a Jew." Together they explore how antisemitism has shaped Jewish identity—and how we can break free of its grip to uncover the divine light within, reclaiming the fullness of what it means to live as a Jew today.

What does it mean to interpret Torah in today’s world? On the occasion of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ fifth yahrzeit, Justin sits down with Dr. Erica Brown to explore the legacy of Rabbi Sacks and the launch of the Magerman Edition Koren Shalem Humash, featuring his new Torah translation and commentary.

Dr. Brown — scholar, author, and Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University — studied under Rabbi Sacks and leads the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership.

Together, they discuss:

• Rabbi Sacks’ unique voice as an interpreter of Torah
• The vision behind this new Humash
• The enduring lessons of Rabbi Sacks for Jewish life and thought today
• The role of commentary and interpretation today

This special live conversation took place at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, NJ, as part of the event “A Conversation on Interpretation: Rabbi Sacks’ new Torah commentary.”

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines exploring timeless Jewish wisdom for our lives today.

Justin is joined by Elana Stein Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash and Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, in anticipation of the JBS premiere of TEXTing, her popular series that addresses issues of our day through the lens of classical Jewish texts.

Ilana Kurshan, award-winning author of the memoir "If All the Seas Were Ink," joins Justin to discuss her next book, "Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together," which explores her experience of reading Jewish and secular books with her children, and the cumulative impact on her and her family. You can learn more at ilanakurshan.com

What are the different models of Jewish leadership? How do leaders activate other leaders in their community while still leading their community? Rabbi Elie Weinstock joins Justin to discuss his style of leadership through generosity of spirit. Rabbi Elie Weinstock is Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach on Long Island, serves as a Nassau County Police Department Chaplain and is Immediate Past President of the New York Board of Rabbis.

Why is Tu B’Av—just six days after Tisha B’Av—one of the happiest days in the Jewish calendar?

What do white dresses, vineyard dances, and ancient tribal unity have to teach us today?

Gila Fine, award-winning author of The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic, returns to to Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the mysterious holiday of Tu B’Av. With her signature depth, clarity, and soul, Gila unpacks the surprising origins of Tu B’Av in the Torah, its connection to romantic and spiritual love, and its powerful message for our understanding of love today.

You can learn more about Gila Fine at https://gilafine.com/

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