Flexigidity Podcast

Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur - in fact the period from Elul to Sukkoth - is the Jewish version of growth mindset and, among other things, the symbolic origin of human rights and compassion. In _Secular In Shul_ I explore the non-religuious aspects of Judaism, taking God out of the equation. In this episode, I discuss with Tikvah Weiner the groundbreaking ideas of Rosh HaShanah and the Days of Awe.

Taglit Birthright and other groundbreaking initiatives exist also because of Jeff Solomon’s approach to venture philanthropy. Working with Charles Bronfman, Jeff has been one of the most prominent professionals and influential thought leaders of Jewish philanthropy.

Federations and similar organizations have been the backbone of Jewish communities for thousands of years, including in the U.S. John Ruskay, who led UJA Federation of NY for nearly two decades, is the person to explain why they are so crucial for our communities.*Intro: 00:00Early Career and Childhood 7:16The Chavurah 11:10Path to leadership: 13:20The Peoplehood Organization: 15:20Federation Crisis Response: 20:40Overperforming and Underperforming Federation traits: 29:30What to expect from Federations: 31:40Federation as a sign of success: 34:20Conclusion: 37:50Outro: 43:10*

Gidi Grinstein is the author of the Flexigidity: The Podcast of the Hebrewman, and author of Flexigidity: The Secret of Jewish Adaptability. He is the founder and president of the Reut Institute and Tikkun Olam Makers. Prof. Ari Afilalo is a professor of law at Rutgers University and President of the West Side Sephardic Synagogue.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s productivity was mind-boggling. How could he have published 41 books, 750 essays and hundreds of other creations? Gidi explores these questions with those closest to Rabbi Sacks, Joanna Benarroch and Dan Sacker.00:00 Intro 04:10 Into the World of Sacks 13:30 Why Do You Write Like You’re Running Out of Time 15:49 The Sacks Routine 22:30 The Covenantal Cycle 26:57 The Rabbi’s Day 30:42 The Sacks Playlist 39:18 Who Inspired Sacks? 43:30 What Did the Rebbe and Rabbi Soloveitchik Mean to Sacks? 47:49 The Bridge Between the Jewish and Secular Wisdoms 55:00 To Approach Sacks 58:15 When Entering the King’s Courts 1:07:08 Sacks as the World’s Chief Rabbi 1:14:54 The End of His Journey 1:26:21 Sacks’s Legacy 1:34:34 Conclusion

Statecraft is an elegant word for national security strategy, and Dennis Ross is one of the world’s leading experts on the topic. In this episode, Gidi challenges Ross to apply the idea of statecraft to the Jewish People. 00:00 - Intro 05:10 - Welcome to Podcast 08:18 - Early Life 11:39 - What is Statecraft? 16:15 - The Jewish People’s Statecraft 22:30 - The National Security of the Jewish People 28:15 - American Jewry’s Long Term Goals 30:55 - Community Relations as Peoplehood Security 40:00 - Between Washington and Jerusalem 45:18 - When Israel and America Synchronized 53:31 - Dennis, According to AI 59:11 - Kissinger’s Influence 1:04:30 - Conclusions

Jewish Peoplehood is the most powerful story that binds Jews, and Avraham Infeld is its living preacher.   00:00 Intro 04:10 Early Life 12:20 Peoplehood Defined 16:10 Peoplehood Vs. Nation Vs. Religion 19:20 The Rain of the Jews of South Africa 21:00 Top Jewish Educators 26:25 Uniformed Vs. Unified 29:20 Community Shaliach 37:40 Bleibt in Chinuch 41:42 The Birth of Birthright 57:45 Conclusion

American Jewry is the most successful Jewish diaspora community in history. How did it rise to be so remarkable? Prof. Jonathan Sarna, the most prominent scholar on the topic, has answers. 00:00 Intro 04:33 Sarna’s Upbringing 06:04 American Judaism: A History 10:56 Why Jews Thrive in America 20:57 The Great Diaspora of Our Times 33:07 Zionism and American Jewry 37:48 Israel–US Relations 44:15 Inflection Point for American Jewry 49:45 Bifurcation of American Jewry 54:25 Why Is Today Different Than Before 1:02:24 Jewish Florida 1:06:44 American Jewry in 2054 1:11:33 Next Big Story for America 1:13:43 Conclusions

What is the secret sauce of Jewish resilience, recurring prosperity and leadership?Gidi Grinstein answers: Flexigidity, which is how the Jewish People combines innovation and tradition, old and new, flexibilities and rigidities.In this episode, Boaz Gilad, the host of the Unmask Podcast, interviews Gidi about the Flexigidity Podcast. 00:00 Intro 02:01 What is Flexigility? 06:13 Why the Flexigility podcast? 07:43 How to balance the podcast 08:55 Why Tune In? 12:45 Conclusion