Chutzpod!

Rich Jew, Poor Jew

Did you know that 29% of American Jews struggle to make ends meet? What you are about to hear is a session from the 2025 Jewish Federation of North America General Assembly,  the JFNA GA, entitled Redefining Jewish Life Through the Lens of Economic Reality. In this session, we examined 2025 data on Jewish poverty in America, and discussed how our communal narratives about money and class obscure the real experiences of Jews across the economic spectrum. The first speaker you’ll hear is Rachel Sumekh, Entrepreneur and CEO of Together Ending Need. You’ll also hear from Jon Hornstein, Program Director at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and our own Rabbi Shira. To see some of the data referenced in this episode, go to togetherendingneed.org/gaNew episodes of Chutzpod will be back February 25th! Send your questions and comments to chutzpod@gmail.com. Make sure you're subscribed, spread the word, and we’ll talk to you then! Support Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Subscribe to ChutzstackFollow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on InstagramFollow Shira on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Our Traditional Untraditional Torah Study

Rabbi Shira and Hanna end the season with a torah study jam packed with family dynamics, sibling rivalry, maternal manipulations, nation-building and birthright.Read Parashat ToldotSupport Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Subscribe to ChutzstackFollow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on InstagramFollow Shira on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

I Was Invited to a Wedding in Israel, and I Don't Want to Go

Rabbi Shira and Hanna help a listener who was invited to a family wedding in Israel, but doesn’t want to go. How important are weddings? And what if your conflicting feelings and grief are just too painful? This is a must-listen for anyone experiencing a shift in Jewish identity when it comes to a relationship with Israel.  Rabbi Shira and Hanna help a listener navigate his changing feelings and conflicted opinions about Israel.Text on importance of going to Jewish weddings Read more about Hachnasat kallah: the importance of preparing a bride for her wedding Read more about the mitzvah of bringing joy to people getting marriedSuggestions for traveling to Israel right now:MEJDI ToursGreen Olive Tours Follow our Instagram to join the conversation this week: How do you feel about traveling to Israel right now? Support Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Subscribe to ChutzstackFollow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on InstagramFollow Shira on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dogs on a Plane (Revisited)

As many of you are traveling for Thanksgiving this week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes. Dogs on a plane are kosher, but are they annoying? Rabbi Shira and Hanna discuss the Jewish ethics around animals. And, is the Torah ableist? If you have any interesting Jewish travel moments, let us know!Read more about Jewish pet namesRead more about Rosh Hahanah LaBehemah Learn about ableism in the Torah Support Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Subscribe to ChutzstackFollow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on InstagramFollow Shira on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The All Death Episode

Our Chutzsquad sends in so many great questions about death and dying. Today, Hanna and Rabbi Shira attempt to answer as many as possible. Why, how and when do we say Mourner’s Kaddish, and for whom? What happens when you don’t have access to your loved one’s body and what’s the Jewish approach to a eulogy?Listen to Death With Dignity episodeRead more about the Mi Sheiberach Read more about the Jewish afterlifeRead more about TaharaRead more about the Jewish approach to giving a eulogyRead more about what to do when you can’t or don’t want to grieve through prayerSupport Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Subscribe to ChutzstackFollow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on InstagramFollow Shira on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices