Opening UP

Rabbi Binyamin Krauss recently hosted Sydney Altfield, CEO of Teach Coalition, on the Opening Up podcast to explore advocacy for Jewish education, the role of civic engagement, and how partnerships with policymakers are helping strengthen Jewish day schools and support families navigating the cost of education. Chapters (00:00:00) - Sidney Altfield on the Fight for Jewish Education(00:04:56) - Under the ACA, What are the Different Bills?(00:09:34) - Stem and STEM funding(00:13:23) - Non-public school advocates on school lunch funding(00:16:37) - Judaism and Tuition(00:24:04) - Civics in the States(00:27:41) - NY state schools and the federal bill(00:32:41) - Jewish Governors: Opting into the Voucher Program

Rabbi Binyamin Krauss sat down with Rabbi Avi Weiss to explore spiritual activism, the legacy of Natan and Avital Sharansky, and how students can “show up” for Am Yisrael with courage and care. Their conversation offers clear guidance, hopeful honesty, and a path for the SAR community right now. Chapters (00:00:00) - A message from Rav Avi Rabini(00:02:57) - Rabbi Benoit on the Mamdani inauguration(00:10:57) - "Anti-Semitism is a Double Standard"(00:12:02) - Rabbi Goes to Australia after the Bondi Beach tragedy(00:14:31) - The Remarkable Presence of the Rebbe(00:19:01) - Rabbi Ben Elton on the Australian Hara(00:25:38) - Never Again Jewish Violence(00:26:46) - Nathan Sharansky and his wife(00:30:19) - The First Time I Met Avital Yonah(00:35:46) - Solidarity Day and the Free Soviet Jews(00:40:53) - Avital(00:43:14) - Nathan Sharansky on His First Day in Prison(00:47:59) - Our Kids and the 2020 election(00:51:06) - The Test of Leadership for Jews

Join Rabbi Binyamin Krauss for an inspiring conversation with SAR alum Joe Teplow as they explore the intersection of chesed and entrepreneurship and his journey from launching tzedakah initiatives at SAR to becoming a visionary entrepreneur. As co-founder of Rebel and Good Today—a global giving movement rooted in Torah values and honored by Forbes 30 Under 30—Joe reflects on how his values shaped his path, including most recently bringing the Nova Exhibition to the U.S. Chapters (00:00:05) - Coming soon: Medinat Israel's 14th Anniversary(00:00:58) - Sliding for Sirot: Rabbi Heartstock's Story(00:03:51) - How a pre-med student started a charity in Israel(00:07:39) - Dropping Out of YU For Good(00:10:59) - What Israeli Medics Did(00:15:51) - Scooter on the Day of the Attack(00:16:17) - The Nova Massacre Exhibit in New York(00:19:12) - The Undoing the Holocaust Exhibit(00:23:34) - The Power of the Exhibition

In this episode, we sit down with SAR alumna and NYU student Bella Ingber to discuss her recent journey in confronting antisemitism on campus, both vocally and legally, and her impactful testimony before congress. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, advocacy, and combating hate on both local and global stages. Chapters (00:00:00) - Opening Up: Bella ingber's Story(00:01:44) - Sar High School Student on Her Graduation(00:02:53) - Alumni speak out about the SAR School(00:05:48) - Post-Israel experiences at NYU and Nyu(00:07:53) - The Fight for Israel on Campus(00:10:48) - The Day of the Israel Attack(00:13:58) - Pro-Israel Students at NYU(00:18:51) - The Fight for Israel on Campus(00:21:46) - The Israel Lawsuit(00:25:56) - Tom Bowman on His Testimony Before Congress(00:29:06) - In the Elevator With Tamron Hall(00:30:06) - Where do you think this goes for you?(00:31:14) - Should I Go to NYU or Columbia?(00:33:59) - SIR Alumna speak to the Bat Mitzvah

Join us as Hillel Fuld shares his inspiring journey from SAR student to top Israeli tech marketer and startup advisor. Discover how his very personal experiences with terror and October 7th, reshaped his mission to provide real-time information and hope during conflict. Tune in to hear how Hillel approaches advocacy, combats online hate, and stands firm against antisemitism. Chapters (00:00:00) - A message from Rabbi Hillel Fuld(00:02:42) - Aliyah from Khoreb to Israel(00:03:39) - The Life of SAR Rabbi Eisenberg(00:06:57) - How I started my consulting business in Israel(00:09:45) - Steve Blank on Israel and His Professional Life(00:12:00) - Ari Was Killed In The Israel Attack(00:14:46) - The Fight for Israel Since October 7(00:18:01) - In the Elevator With Pro-Israel Voices(00:19:29) - Israel's social media users(00:22:29) - You're an American citizen, but you don't vote in Israel(00:27:47) - How Anti-Semitism is comparable to 1936 in America(00:29:33) - President Obama on Israel's Safety(00:30:48) - Trump: There's No IDF in Israel

Host: Rabbi Binyamin Krauss Ft: Sam Herreid This week, we welcomed back our teachers and introduced the theme of the year, "Reaching Out." In alignment with this theme, we had the privilege of engaging with Sam Herreid, an individual of exceptional talents and fortitude. He shared his journey, encompassing significant challenges that he handles with remarkable strength and composure. Sam's experiences provided valuable insights for our teachers and all of us, reminding us of the importance of resilience and grace in the face of difficulties. Chapters (00:00:00) - Opening Up Podcast(00:01:11) - Sam Herrod at our Service Program(00:02:04) - Sam Herrod Gets the Spotlight(00:02:25) - A single Ashkenazi rabbi's touching message(00:04:53) - Exploring Fairbanks, Alaska(00:08:20) - How to get a PhD in glaciology(00:12:52) - Marathoner Runs the Jerusalem Full Marathon(00:16:26) - Can You Play Drums and Piano At the Same Time?(00:19:37) - Can an Orthodox Jewish Runner Run a 100-Mile Ultra(00:25:32) - I Revealed My Huntington's Disease Diagnosis(00:30:51) - A message from Chesshbon Hanefesh(00:35:31) - How do you get to the top of a glacier?(00:37:00) - Climbing and Orthodox Judaism

Host: Rabbi Binyamin Krauss Ft: Rabbi Yitz Greenberg To mark the 90th birthday of Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, one of the founders of SAR Academy,  Principal Rabbi Bini Krauss sat down with the author and advocate to discuss the early days of our institution and how we got to where we are today.    Chapters (00:00:00) - Ralph Greenberg Celebrates His 90th Birthday(00:01:46) - Rav Yitz Greenberg on His 90th Birthday(00:08:57) - The Secret of SCR(00:12:08) - On the Open School(00:16:17) - The Selim Elokim School(00:23:38) - The steps of Yom Hazikaron(00:24:21) - The Special Education at Sar High School(00:28:08) - The mission of SAR Day School(00:30:07) - The Life of Rabbi Yaakov(00:33:48) - The challenge of Modern Orthodoxy(00:40:11) - The Challenge of the Jewish People(00:48:38) - A message for 90th birthday guest

Host: Rabbi Binyamin Krauss Ft: Alana Gelnick and Dr. Shoshana Dachs Listen in as our host, Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, opens up about celebrating the simcha of Adar at SAR, with Alana Rifkin Gelnick (ELC Associate Principal) and Dr. Shoshana Dachs (ELC Psychologist).Join us as we discuss the excitement, and considerations, surrounding celebrating this joyous time with our young children. Chapters (00:00:00) - Opening Up: Purim and Happiness(00:01:48) - Rabbi Kraus on Purim(00:04:15) - Dr. Shoshana Maura on Purim(00:09:26) - How to manage your emotions during the holiday season(00:13:58) - Purim and all the things that are tricky(00:16:40) - Happy Purim! Let's dress up!(00:20:05) - What can we encourage parents to do meaningfully around Purim?(00:22:20) - Pre-Purim Costumes

Host: Rabbi Binyamin Krauss Ft:Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz We invite you to listen in as our host, Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, opens up about how we educate our students to love, celebrate, and stand by Israel, in the context of a broader cultural discourse, with guests Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz of SAR High School. Chapters (00:00:00) - Opening Up SARS: Hard Topics(00:00:25) - Meet Rabbi Hartstark(00:01:28) - Dr. Schwartz(00:02:06) - What is Medinat Israel's mission and culture?(00:04:21) - The Hardest Part of Teaching Israel(00:07:08) - Loving Israel: The Culture of the State(00:15:30) - Palestinian perspectives on the Israel-Palestinian conflict(00:21:21) - Does the Introduction of Complexity Reduce Love for Parents?(00:25:41) - Should everyone be welcome to speak at Machon Siich?(00:29:49) - RCA Educators on a Trip to Israel(00:31:13) - The UNRWA teachers' visit(00:33:32) - President Obama on the Presidential trip(00:34:15) - The Experience of the Israel trip(00:40:15) - Jewish and Muslim Leadership on the Israel/Palestine Trip

Host: Rabbi Binyamin Krauss Ft:Alan Silverman and Jeremy Joszef Listen in as our host Rabbi Binyamin Krauss opens up with camp directors Alan Silverman (Camp Moshava IO) and Jeremy Joszef (Camp Morasha) about the importance of creating that educational, spiritual and experiential link between summer camp, school, and the home.