R' Mark Wildes: The Spiritual and Political Challenges and Opportunities of American Jewry and Jewish Leaders

Help support the podcast! On Wednesday, April 29th, The LEV Experience is having it's annual online matching campaign. This campaign is crucial in enabling the great work of Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Buxbaum which includes all the classes and content such as this podcast. You can make a donation here: https://causematch.com/tle26---Rabbi Berel Simpser is an international speaker and the founder of the first English speaking Breslov Yeshiva, recently renamed "Yeshivas Uvacharta BaChayim". Prior to that  he founded an outreach organization in Des Moines in 1999 and established Aish HaTorah of Minnesota in 2006.  He has served as a pulpit Rabbi in Tamarac and Aventura, Florida. In Dec. 2023, he and his wife made Aliyah to Yerushalayim where he founded the Breslov Yeshiva and  he has taught a wide variety of inter-denominational classes – ranging from Basic Judaism to Kabbalah. His current passion, besides running the day to day operations of the Breslov Yeshiva, is to educate others - through the lens of the deeper teachings of torah - in recognizing that believing in oneself is the key medium to serving Hashem properly.---Other podcast mentioned in this episode and related:R' Nasan Maimon: Hope, Happiness, and the Transformative Teachings of BreslovGedale Fenster: Elul, The Path to Purity, Recovery, and Living Consciously R. Yaakov Klein: Searching for the Lost Passion of JudaismLag B'Omer: The birth of Kabbalah and its place within Judaism

Rebbetzin Esti Hamilton is a Torah teacher, spiritual mentor, and motivational speaker with over 20 years of experience. She has guided thousands of students around the world, using the eternal wisdom of Jewish tradition alongside insights from modern psychology to help people navigate today’s challenges. With a background in psychology and education, she has taught across four continents, founded and directed a women’s seminary in Israel, and developed curricula that are still in use today. Now based in Florida with her husband, Rabbi Yoni Hamilton, a practicing psychotherapist, and her six children, she continues her outreach through schools, universities, online platforms, and support groups.If you enjoy this episode, check out these other episodes as well:Soul Construction: Ruchi Koval on Shaping Your Character, Radical Acceptance, and Dealing with Difficult PeopleYaffa Palti & Devorah Buxbaum on #MyOrthodoxLife, Netflix, and Stepping "Out of the Box"---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @shlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: TheLevExperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠⁠⁠-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

This podcast was originally posted May 20th, 2024. It is just as inspiring today and very applicable for this time of the year, Sefirat HaOmer, and relates to current world events as well.Rav Dovid'l Weinberg is an educator, musician, and author living in Jerusalem. He is a Rabbi at Yeshivat Orayta in the Old City of Yerushalayim and the author of "Birth of the Spoken Word: Personal Prayer as the Goal of Creation" among other books. ---Enjoyed this episode? Here are some other episodes that relate to the period of Sefiras Ha'Omer:Lag B'Omer with Zevi Slavin: The Zohar, Kabbalah Conundrums, and the Mysticism that Unites UsLag B'Omer: The birth of Kabbalah and its place within JudaismThe Omer & The Mystical Roots of Rabbi Akiva and his Students---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @shlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: TheLevExperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠-⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky, LCSW, is a Chicago-based therapist specialized in treating trauma, sexual addictions, and couples counseling. He is the founder of Mind Body Therapy, a private group practice. He is also the author of a bestselling book, Attached: Connecting to Our Creator - A Jewish Psychological Approach. He recently published his second work, The Attached Haggadah, and his third book, The Delight of Shabbos, is set to hit stores shortly. He leads Avodas HaLev, a Chicago organization devoted to meaningful learning and community programming. Yakov hosts The Attached Life Podcast and has been featured on a variety of other podcasts and platforms as well. He is known for bringing depth, passion, and warmth to everything he teaches.---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @shlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: TheLevExperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠⁠-⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

Coach Daniel Ratner is a highly successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author. He speaks and coaches on topics such as relationships, self-esteem, and spirituality. His unique insights and captivating speaking style have helped countless individuals achieve their goals and transform their lives. He offers straightforward, no-nonsense advice that empowers his students to gain clarity in dating and marriage. This is his second appearance on the EJL podcast. In this episode we discuss his new book "Emotional Vampires: How to Protect Your Happiness From People That Suck Yours Dry". His first appearance on the podcast can be found here:Coach Ratner: The Playbook to Achieve Wealth, Energy, and Infinite Relationships---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @shlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: TheLevExperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠-⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

This episode was originally posted in June 2025 and reposted in March 2026 based on world events. Efraim Palvanov is among the world’s most sought-after Torah educators, celebrated for his unique blend of scholarly depth and engaging delivery. The author of five influential books, including the widely acclaimed Secrets of the Last Waters and Garments of Light series, Efraim is also one of the most popular Jewish speakers on YouTube, captivating audiences with his profound insights. His extensive scientific background, including multiple degrees in Science and Education, enriches his Torah teachings with a distinctive, resonant perspective. Through his widely-read blogs, Mayim Achronim and Jew of the Week, Efraim brings readers into a deeper exploration of Jewish thought and history. An esteemed educator at Toronto’s Yeshivat Or Chaim and Ulpanat Orot, Efraim's diverse experiences, including service in the Canadian Armed Forces, lend a dynamic, multifaceted approach to his work.---Related Episode:R' Lawrence Hajioff: Does this all mean the Messiah is coming? Seeing current events as a prelude to redemption---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @ShlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: @levexperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

Nechoma Birnbaum is a Torah educator and Imago Relationship Coach from Atlanta, where she lives with her husband and children. For the past 14 years, she has taught adults and high schoolers in a wide range of Torah subjects, guiding her students to engage deeply with Torah while integrating it with their unique personalities, life experiences, and spiritual voices. She is also the author of a companion and guided journal based on Alei Shur, the teachings of Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, available on Amazon, as well as guided journals for Elul, Chanukah, and Purim.You can order the Purim journal here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZAbdVnOV1UVzfBqtBguhClnKF3KxhGlp6oypNwbaWRc33dQ/viewform---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @ShlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: @levexperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

Rabbi Y Y Rubinstein is w orld-renowned lecturer and author. Originally from Scotland, he was the official campus rabbi for the 14 universities of the Northwest of England for 23 years and was a regular Broadcaster on BBC Radio and TV but resigned in 2022 over what he saw as its institutional anti-Semitism. He is the author of fourteen books including "The Little Book for Big Worries", "Jewish Life and Jewish Laughter" and most recently, "Never Alone...The book for teens and young adults who've lost a parent." ---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @ShlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: @levexperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

Naomi Salfati is an artist and astrologer and the founder of AstroTorah, an online platform that offers content that combines astrology, Torah, mysticism, and world events. Her content includes a popular Instagram account, courses, a podcast, virtual groups, and personal readings.---Other episodes mentioned in this podcast: What Astrology Taught Me About Myself and What It Can Show You! Featuring Yitzchok A. Pinkesz, Kosher AstrologerBeneath the Surface of Sefirat HaOmer, Lag B'Omer, and Jewish Meditation with R' Daniel Bortz, The Millennial Rabbi------Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @ShlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: @levexperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.

Rabbi Mark Wildes is the founder and director of the Manhattan Jewish Experience, a social, educational, and spiritual events organization for young adults that draws more than twenty thousand attendees each year to Shabbat dinners, classes, and special events and trips. He earned a law degree from the Cardozo School of Law and a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University before being ordained from Yeshiva University. He actively blogs for the Times of Israel and Huffington Post, runs a YouTube channel, and has made appearances on HuffPost Live and Fox News. He lives in New York City.He is the author of 3 books: Beyond the Instant: Jewish Wisdom for Lasting Happiness in a Fast-Paced, Social Media World, The 40 Day Challenge: Daily Jewish Insights to Prepare for the High Holidays, and The Jewish Experience: Discovering the Soul of Jewish Thought and Practice---Please rate and review the Empowered Jewish Living podcast on whatever platform you stream it. Please follow Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum and the Lev Experience on the following channels:Facebook: @ShlomobuxbaumInstagram: @shlomobuxbaumYouTube: @levexperienceOrder Rabbi Shlomo' books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of an Empowered Life: A Guidebook to Discovering Your Inner World and Unique Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Four Elements of Inner Freedom: The Exodus Story as a Model for Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Personal Breakthroughs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can order a copy on⁠ Amazon⁠ or in your local Jewish bookstore.