Dave Vaisberg

This week we share a conversation recorded on Dave's recent trip to Israel with Danny Miran, the father of Israeli hostage Omri Miran, 46-year-old, held in Gaza since October 7, 156 days as of the release date of this podcast. Danny's account is heart-wrenching and yet hopeful. Given the emotional weight of his burden, Danny Miran spoke with us in Hebrew, and Daniel Shek, former Israeli…

Dave is back from leading the synagogue's Solidarity Mission to Israel. It was an emotionally intense and moving trip, where participants volunteered throughout the country (mostly in the food and agriculture sectors) and brought and distributed donations. They met with survivors from the October 7 massacres, grieving and pained family members of people killed and hostages, displaced families…

This week we speak with Shemtov Hollinger, a special forces reservist who has been serving in the West Bank since the national alarm went off on October 7. By the time this is released, for the first time since, Hollinger is returning to his regular work as a nurse. Listen for a fascinating conversation of a first-hand account of what's happening on the ground along with his perspective on what…

This episode is dedicated to Seth's father Lou on his second yahrtzeit. This week, we spoke with Malka Shaw, LCSW. Malka shares with listeners her work at Kesher Shalom, an organization dedicated to supporting mental health professionals with everything connected to the October 7th attacks, the recent rise in Antisemitism, and the general Jewish experience today. Mental health professionals need…

In episode 25 (a quarter of the way to 100!), Dave and Seth discuss what it means for Israel to have a “moral” military. We explore the issues raised in the Newsweek article, “Israel implemented more measures to limit civilian casualties than any other nation in history.” (link at the end). Is it possible for an army to be moral? They also discuss the current political climate in the United…

The Israel-Hamas saga continues. The International Court of Justice took South Africa's genocide suit against Israel seriously. Fortunately, in their announcement (interestingly shared the day before International Holocaust Remembrance Day). At the same time, they did not call for a ceasefire, they did call for Israel to take every possible step to limit the afflicting of Palestinians in Gaza,…

We ring in 2024 with Episode 23! Seth and Dave discuss the presidential election and the problematic misinformation we anticipate. It's vital that we seek out the truth and that we can hold multiple truths simultaneously. One can criticize Israel while NOT being Antisemitic. How? We'll share with you! Jonathan Kasler's article on the [inadequate] responses to what's happening in Gaza:…

WARNING: Episode 22 contains conversation about extreme violence and should be listened to with caution. This week, Seth and Dave are joined by Rabbi Dan Cohen of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (www.tsti.org) for a very difficult conversation. With several clergy, political staffers, and police chiefs, Dan and Dave bore witness to the October 7 atrocities as they watched the 47-minute documentary…

Episode 21 is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D. David was one of the great rabbis of this generation. Among other roles, he was the head of Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion when Dave studied there and the one who gave him s'michah (ordained him). He was a brilliant scholar and an incredible human being, respected by Jews from all backgrounds. He died at the…

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Redeemer of Captives. At the time of the episode recording, Dave and Seth discuss the current ceasefire and the release of some of the hostages. To what degree is this all good for Israel and Hamas, and what are the many potential pitfalls and downsides to this current path of action? Separately, Chanukah is coming, and no Jew-ish podcast is complete without a…

Tsahi Shemesh, founder and chief instructor of Krav Maga Experts in NYC, joins Seth and Dave. Tsahi shares his perspectives as an instructor and life-long practitioner of Israel's unique self-defense system, Krav Maga (roughly translated as “close touch”), as an Israeli and Jew living in New York City, and as a parent too. Dave and Tsahi first met when Tsahi came to Dave's congregation to teach a…