Radical Moderation
23 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 59 ratingsIn a discourse dominated by extremes, we must be radical in our return to moderation and listening. In the Radical Moderation podcast, Rabbi Ari Segal, Head of School at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, reinvigorates the art of the civilized debate. Tackling difficult subjects with a range of points-of-view, Rabbi Segal explores the simple truth of modern dialogue: It is important to say what we think, but it is equally vital to think about how we say it.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Episode 22: Created Equal, with Rabbi Nati Helfgot
June 28, 2019 15:00 - 43 minutes - 40 MBIn this episode of Radical Moderation, Rabbi Segal speaks with Rabbi Nati Helfgot, President of the International Rabbinic Fellowship, Rabbi of Congregation Netivot Shalom in New Jersey, and Jewish educator at large. With Rabbi Segal, Rabbi Helfgot retraces his road from Argentina to American Modern Orthodox leadership, discusses tackling mental health challenges in the Jewish community, and clears up misconceptions about expanding womens’ opportunities in Orthodox religious leadership. Rabbi...
Episode 21: Encountering the Other, with Yona Shem-Tov
May 10, 2019 00:05 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBThis week on the Radical Moderation podcast, Rabbi Segal speaks with Yona Shem-Tov, Executive Director at the educational Jewish leadership organization Encounter. Rabbi Segal and Yona explore the role Jewish education plays in building narratives around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the responsibility of leaders to take leaps and engage in new experiences. Yona and Rabbi Segal also discuss the importance of robust and even difficult conversations, her dream resolution to the conflict...
Episode 20: New Eyes on Israel, with Thaly Germain
February 07, 2019 23:14 - 52 minutes - 47.6 MBIn this episode of Radical Moderation, Rabbi Segal’s friend, activist Thaly Germain, returns to discuss her recent trip to Israel. Thaly relates her experiences in finding both diversity and prejudice on her travels, as well as her experiences in Chevron and Jerusalem. Looking at the Middle East from personal, political, and activist perspectives, Rabbi Segal and Thaly explore the impact of distance on problem-solving, what parties involved in conflict really want, and the health quotient of ...
Episode 19: Burning Down the House to Make Toast, with David Frum
December 13, 2018 22:56 - 47 minutes - 43.1 MBOn this week’s episode of Radical Moderation, Rabbi Segal speaks with David Frum, a senior editor at The Atlantic, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, and author of Trumpocracy. Rabbi Segal and Mr. Frum hold a wide-ranging discussion on subjects like building democratic culture, Canadian sports, remaining a Republican in the Trump era, and quirks of Jewish history. Mr. Frum also shares his thoughts on debating Steven K. Bannon and reasons for hope in American politics, relates t...
Episode 18: I'm Curious Why You Feel That Way, with Dr. Tamara Tweel (Part 2)
December 04, 2018 00:21 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBIn the second part of his conversation with Dr. Tamara Tweel, Rabbi Segal challenges Dr. Tweel to the Radical Moderation game. Dr. Tweel tackles topics like changing the Western canon for purposes of diversity, and the power in self-defined pronouns. Rabbi Segal and Dr. Tweel also discuss using religion to bolster academic understanding, the real key to American civic participation, and how it’s possible to see God in the Pope. The book Dr. Tweel recommends in this episode is “Gilead” by Mar...
Episode 17: I'm Curious Why You Feel That Way, with Dr. Tamara Tweel (Part 1)
November 22, 2018 01:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBThis week on the Radical Moderation podcast, Rabbi Segal begins his conversation with Dr. Tamara Tweel, Director of Strategy for the Office of Innovation, Director of Civic Spirit, and professor and scholar of civics and social welfare at Columbia University. Dr. Tweel speaks with Rabbi Segal about the impact of politics and citizenship on her childhood, the ideal of “significant citizenship,” and how she tries to avoid getting addicted to her cell phone. The book Dr. Tweel recommends in th...
Episode 16: Shabbat Table Values, with Rabbi Judah Mischel
November 09, 2018 20:17 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBThis week on the Radical Moderation podcast, Rabbi Segal speaks with Rabbi Judah Mischel, Executive Director at Camp HASC and founder of the educational foundation Tzama Nafshi. Together, Rabbi Mischel and Rabbi Segal explore the limits of radical moderation, and ponder the intricacies of interacting with ideological opponents — even if they are associated with Hamas. Rabbi Segal and Rabbi Mischel also discuss why all Jewish communal issues must be tackled at the Shabbat table, and how the wi...
Episode 15: Students Talk: The Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh
October 26, 2018 02:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBThe Radical Moderation podcast returns for a second season with a few special guests. In this episode, Rabbi Ari Segal is joined by Shalhevet High School students Kate and Evan in a radically moderate discussion of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's nomination and confirmation. Together, Evan, Kate, and Rabbi Segal discuss the benefits and drawbacks to passionate conversations, debate the impact of high school behavior on adult life, and ponder the relationship between ideology and gende...
Episode 14: Reflecting on a Year of Radical Moderation
July 02, 2018 21:35 - 37 minutes - 70.7 MBRabbi Segal takes your questions and looks back on the lessons learned from the first year of Radical Moderation. We'll see you in season two!
Episode 13: The Authenticist with Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin (Part II)
May 25, 2018 17:03 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBIn the second part of his conversation with Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, Rabbi Ari Segal introduces a new challenge: the “Radical Moderation Game.” Together, the Rabbis defend and debate several controversial subjects in the modern Jewish and secular worlds from both traditionalist and radical points of view. Rabbi Bashevkin also shares his philosophy on how to best handle being confronted with offensive behavior, and he and Rabbi Segal trade tips for ‘marking’ pages while reading on Shabbat. Emai...
Episode 12: The Authenticist, with Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin
May 14, 2018 13:45 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBThis week on the Radical Moderation podcast, Rabbi Segal speaks with Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, Director of Education at NCSY. In the first part of their conversation, Rabbi Bashevkin discusses his “quacky” childhood, and how he came to have roots in diverse corners of the secular and religious worlds. Rabbi Segal and Rabbi Bashevkin also explore the importance of authenticity in religious life, their feelings on the roles of other religions, and the surprising inspiration found in “Jesus Camp.” ...
Episode 11: Storytellers, with Thaly Germain (Part II)
April 27, 2018 18:04 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBIn the second part of their conversation, Rabbi Segal and Thaly Germain dig into the ideas of allyship in social justice, and how to find common ground when values conflict -- as they do on subjects like that of Minister Louis Farrakhan. Thaly also shares more stories from her life and work, compares her favorite Jewish holidays with Rabbi Segal.
Episode 10: Storytellers, with Thaly Germain (Part I)
April 24, 2018 18:19 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBThis week, Rabbi Segal is joined by his friend Thaly Germain, a Haitian-American activist and the founder of Equity Partners/Onward. In Part I of their conversation, Thaly shares her inspiring life story, and she and Rabbi Segal discuss the concept of social privilege in America. Rabbi Segal and Thaly also reflect, with some amusement, on how they came to meet at the Aspen Institute.
Episode 9: Inside the OU, with President Moishe Bane (Part II)
April 13, 2018 15:49 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBIn the second part of their conversation, Rabbi Segal and OU President Moishe Bane dive into the question of unity within the Orthodox community. What does it mean to be Orthodox, and how does the Orthodox Union decide when and how to enforce boundaries of dogma? What about practices that skirts the edge of traditional observance, such as female clergy? Rabbi Segal and President Bane discuss the difference between individual philosophies and communal behavior, the role of Open Orthodoxy in th...
Episode 8: Inside the OU, with President Moishe Bane (Part I)
April 10, 2018 15:05 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBThis week, Rabbi Segal speaks with Moishe Bane, President of the Orthodox Union and partner at Ropes & Gray LLP. In the first part of their conversation, President Bane offers an inside look at the OU, and discusses his educational philosophy (for children and adults alike) with Rabbi Segal. President Bane also explores his background as an activist within the Orthodox community, and shares his most powerful moment of the Jewish year. The book President Bane mentions is "30 Lessons for Livin...
Episode 7: One Page at a Time, with Accidental Talmudist (Part II)
March 23, 2018 15:04 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBIn the second part of his conversation with Accidental Talmudist, Rabbi Segal explores Sal and Nina’s approach to discussing politics and anti-Semitism through courteous discourse. The Litvaks also share their secret to finding wisdom in multiple places, spill the assumptions that frustrate them the most, and tell the story of how an imaginary woman helped a troubled kid back on the right path.
Episode 6: One Page at a Time, with Accidental Talmudist (Part I)
March 19, 2018 04:59 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBThis week, Rabbi Segal is joined by the Accidental Talmudist blogger and filmmaker Sal Litvak, and his wife Nina. In Part I of their conversation, Rabbi Segal and the Litvaks reveal the best coffee in Los Angeles, explore Sal's journey to Talmud, and explain the importance of a good lemon-squeezer.
Episode 5: Common Sense Comedy, with Elon Gold (Part II)
March 09, 2018 17:14 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBIn the second part of his conversation with Rabbi Segal, comedian Elon Gold explores his approach to comedy(and other subjects) as a proud radical moderate. Rabbi Segal and Elon also discuss the liberal bent of modern comedy, and Elon shares his thoughts on whether this slant is a positive part of the art, or alienating in our increasingly divided world.
Episode 4: Common Sense Comedy, with Elon Gold (Part I)
March 04, 2018 17:54 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBThis week on Radical Moderation, Rabbi Segal is joined by internationally-renowned comedian Elon Gold. In Part I of their conversation, Rabbi Segal and Elon exchange pleasantries (and more than few jokes) and discuss performing comedy as an Orthodox Jew, political common sense, and the secrets of hummus.
Episode 3: Pulling Up the Ladder, with Rabbi Sharon Brous (Part II)
February 17, 2018 23:44 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBIn the second part of this two-part episode, Rabbi Segal continues his conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous. The rabbis discuss Israeli-American politics, and debate which voices are going unheard in the current Jewish dialogue. Tune in to explore what radical moderation really means as significant issues in the Jewish and global communities continue to evolve.
Episode 2: Pulling Up the Ladder, with Rabbi Sharon Brous (Part I)
February 13, 2018 19:22 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBThis week, Rabbi Segal welcomes Rabbi Sharon Brous to Radical Moderation. A leading voice in liberal American Judaism, Rabbi Brous is consistently ranked among the most influential rabbis in the United States, and joins Rabbi Segal to explore the concept of radical moderation from their differing points of view. In Part I of this episode, Rabbis Segal and Brous discuss Rabbi Brous's remarkable journey to Jewish leadership, a compelling message of Torah, and the value of a good cup of coffee.
Episode 1: The Embassy Question, with Professor Avi Helfand
February 05, 2018 18:39 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBRabbi Ari Segal talks to Professor Avi Helfand of Pepperdine University about President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the fallout in Yeshiva University and the wider Jewish community.
An Introduction to Radical Moderation
January 11, 2018 21:49 - 9 minutes - 8.7 MBWelcome to Radical Moderation by Rabbi Ari Segal! In this introductory episode, Rabbi Segal will introduce you to the goals this podcast, and establish the renewed importance of conversation in our increasingly divided world.