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 E.T. Phone Shul

An all alien round-up episode!  You asked, and we answered:

Are aliens kosher? Are angels aliens? And does a belief in extra-terrestrial life strengthen Jewish faith or cause a crisis? 

Rabbi Shira and Hanna talk about the boundless ways Judaism can stretch to infinity and beyond, with an extra nod to the Jewish roots of the Vulcan salute.

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Featured on Good Morning America, The Times of Israel, and named as one of The Boston Globe’s 16 podcasts to keep an ear out for in 2022.

Chutzpod: Real life, lived better.

Chutzpod is a frank and wide-ranging conversation on how to build a good life, using real-life quandaries and millennia-old Jewish wisdom. Each week, Rabbi Shira Stutman and journalist Hanna Rosin bring a Jewish lens to life's toughest questions, asked by our listeners: Do I offer forgiveness to a friend who refuses to apologize? Am I right to be annoyed at all the service dogs on the plane with me? How do we work to heal this broken world? It's a podcast for people of all or no faiths; Hebrew school truants and proud yeshiva graduates; those who want to be inspired but don't want to schlep to synagogue; basically, anyone trying to live a meaningful life during these trying times. One part advice column, one part reflection on what Judaism teaches on how to build a good life, using real-life stories and ancient wisdom.

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An all alien round-up episode! You asked, and we answered: Are aliens kosher? Are angels aliens? And does a belief in extra-terrestrial life strengthen Jewish faith or cause a crisis? Rabbi Shira and Hanna talk about the boundless ways Judaism can stretch to infinity and beyond, with an extra nod to the Jewish roots of the Vulcan salute.
As we mourn the lives lost on and after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, Rabbi Shira and Hanna discuss a problem common for many American Jews this election season: Should you support a candidate who aligns with your values on most ev
As we mourn the lives lost on and after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, Rabbi Shira and Hanna discuss a problem common for many American Jews this election season: Should you support a candidate who aligns with your values on most everything…except Israel? We spoke with Nicholas Lemann, Dean Emeritus at the Columbia Journalism School, about how to navigate voting in complicated times.
El Malei Rachamim, God full of Mercy, we remember all of the souls lost to war since October 7, 2023. We honor their memory, and vow to make the world a better place in their name.
El Malei Rachamim, God full of Mercy, we remember all of the souls lost to war since October 7, 2023. We honor their memory, and vow to make the world a better place in their name.
We’re closing out the Tishrei holidays this weekend with Simchat Torah. Chag Sameach, Chutzsquad!
We’re closing out the Tishrei holidays this weekend with Simchat Torah. Chag Sameach, Chutzsquad!
As we move into Simchat Torah, Rabbi Shira meditates on what's ending and what's beginning in our lives at the end and simultaneously beginning of another year of Torah.
Jews and therapy…a perfect match or a complicated pairing? On this week’s episode, Rabbi Shira and Hanna answer a listener question: When should you seek counseling from a rabbi and when should you see a therapist? Get a peek into Rabbi Shira’s alter ego as a therapist and find out why therapy is such a complicated issue in the Jewish community.
Is hatred of Hebrew school a generational cycle that we’ll never escape? Are we doomed to subject our children to the same boring education we got? Can Hebrew school be more than just a B’Mitzvah factory? On our latest episode of Chutzpod, we dive into the lore of Hebrew school, and explore what families and educators can do together to make it a better experience for kids.
Rabbi Shira's meditation from our most recent episode focuses on spreading God's Sukkah of peace over all who need it. We hope you're having a peaceful, joyful Sukkot.
Moadim l'simcha, Chutzsquad! We're continuing to celebrate through Tishrei. Who or what are you bringing into your sukkah this year?
Moadim l'simcha, Chutzsquad! We're continuing to celebrate through Tishrei. Who or what are you bringing into your sukkah this year?
This week on Chutzpod, we're diving into the waters of Hebrew School. We hear from a listener who asks: why is Hebrew school so boring, and can it be more than just a B'Mitzvah factory? Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, Senior Director of Youth & Family Education at Central Synagogue in New York City joins us to talk about the ups and downs of Jewish education, engaging kids at all levels, and what we can do to make our kids care.
An all alien round-up episode! You asked, and we answered: Are aliens kosher? Are angels aliens? And does a belief in extra-terrestrial life strengthen Jewish faith or cause a crisis? Rabbi Shira and Hanna talk about the boundless ways Judaism can
As we mourn the lives lost on and after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, Rabbi Shira and Hanna discuss a problem common for many American Jews this election season: Should you support a candidate who aligns with your values on most ev El Malei Rachamim, God full of Mercy, we remember all of the souls lost to war since October 7, 2023. We honor their memory, and vow to make the world a better place in their name. We’re closing out the Tishrei holidays this weekend with Simchat Torah. Chag Sameach, Chutzsquad!
As we move into Simchat Torah, Rabbi Shira meditates on what's ending and what's beginning in our lives at the end and simultaneously beginning of another year of Torah.
Jews and therapy…a perfect match or a complicated pairing? On this week’s episode, Rabbi Shira and Hanna answer a listener question: When should you seek counseling from a rabbi and when should you see a therapist? Get a peek into Rabbi
Is hatred of Hebrew school a generational cycle that we’ll never escape? Are we doomed to subject our children to the same boring education we got? Can Hebrew school be more than just a B’Mitzvah factory? On our latest episode of Chutzpod
Rabbi Shira's meditation from our most recent episode focuses on spreading God's Sukkah of peace over all who need it. We hope you're having a peaceful, joyful Sukkot.
Moadim l'simcha, Chutzsquad! We're continuing to celebrate through Tishrei. Who or what are you bringing into your sukkah this year?
This week on Chutzpod, we're diving into the waters of Hebrew School. We hear from a listener who asks: why is Hebrew school so boring, and can it be more than just a B'Mitzvah factory? Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, Senior Director of Youth & Family