Weekly with Chana

Chana Hirschowitz
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Judaism
  • Weekly

living with the times, bringing the past to the present. weekly with chana is a refreshing new way of seeing ourselves within the parsha and how we can use these lessons to live happier more meaningful lives today. happy listening :)

  1. 4d ago

    Bibi or Tibi? What Avraham, Sarah, Yishmael and Yitzchak Teach Us About the Art of Negotiation, the Courage to Draw Boundaries, and Israel's Future

    When do we negotiate, when do we compromise, and when do we draw the line? In this week's episode of Weekly with Chana, we're exploring one of the most fascinating tensions in Parshat Vayera: Avraham, the embodiment of chesed (loving-kindness), negotiates with Hashem to save the people of Sodom and Amorah. Yet when Sarah insists that Yishmael be sent away to protect Yitzchak's future, Hashem tells Avraham to listen to her. Why does Avraham fight for strangers but struggle to establish boundaries within his own family? What did Sarah understand about protecting the future? And what can these stories teach us about leadership, negotiation, and the difficult decisions facing Israel? Against the backdrop of Israeli politics and the question of who should sit together in a governing coalition, I reflect on my own struggle with making decisions, especially when I can see the good in so many different people, perspectives, and possibilities. In this episode: Why the hardest decisions aren't always between right and wrong, but between two things we value.Avraham's hospitality and the importance of knowing what takes priority.His extraordinary negotiation with Hashem over Sodom and Amorah.Sarah's decision concerning Yishmael and Yitzchak, and the relationship between compassion and boundaries.Why Hashem's care for Yishmael remains an essential part of the story.The Akeidah and the different forms courage can take.Israel's coalition politics: compromise, conviction, Jewish identity, and the question of political unity.Why choosing the future we want sometimes requires letting go of something good.The question at the heart of this episode: Can we see the good in everyone without choosing everything? Because sometimes even chesed needs boundaries. And seeing the good in something doesn't necessarily mean it belongs in the future we're trying to build. Shabbat Shalom! Chana

    Bibi or Tibi? What Avraham, Sarah, Yishmael and Yitzchak Teach Us About the Art of Negotiation, the Courage to Draw Boundaries, and Israel's Future

  2. Oct 22

    Avraham Was 75, I'm 30: The Promised Land, a Famine & the Israeli Elections

    In this episode: Lech Lecha (Bereishit 12:1): Leaving your homeland, birthplace, and family for an uncertain future.Avraham at 75 (12:4): Why it's never too late for a defining new chapter.The famine (12:10): Why arriving in the Promised Land didn't mean an easy life, with insights from Rashi and Ramban.Tanya, Chapter 28: The Alter Rebbe's analogy of two people wrestling, and why resistance can intensify during spiritual progress.The perfume Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 39:2): Discovering that moving somewhere new doesn't require becoming someone else.Avraham HaIvri (14:13; Bereishit Rabbah 42:8): Thinking independently amid Israel's political divisions and upcoming elections.Veheyeh Berachah (12:2): Moving beyond what Israel can give us to ask what we can contribute.The question at the heart of this episode: What if being in the right place doesn't mean everything will be easy? Parsha: Lech Lecha | בראשית י״ב–י״ז Listen, reflect, and share your thoughts. For collaborations, speaking invitations, or feedback: chana.hirschowitz@gmail.com

    Avraham Was 75, I'm 30: The Promised Land, a Famine & the Israeli Elections

  3. Oct 16

    Why I Don't Want Tel Aviv to Think Like Me, Who Am I Voting For in the Upcoming Israeli Elections and the Tower of Bavel

    What was so wrong with the Tower of Bavel? They spoke one language, shared one vision, and worked together. Yet Hashem scattered them. This week, we explore the fascinating difference between unity and uniformity, the surprising connection between Bavel and Avraham, and what Jewish disagreement can teach us as Israel approaches another election. Because maybe the problem isn't that we think differently. It's that we've forgotten how to respect one another.

    Why I Don't Want Tel Aviv to Think Like Me, Who Am I Voting For in the Upcoming Israeli Elections and the Tower of Bavel

  4. Oct 9

    October 7, Bereishit, Before There Was Light There Was Hope

    Why would Hashem create a world He knows will break? And why doesn't He eliminate the darkness? This week on Weekly with Chana, we explore two extraordinary Midrashim, the spirit of Mashiach hovering before the first light, and what Bereishit teaches us about hope, redemption, and our responsibility to rebuild. Because even before there was light, Hashem gave us the spirit of hope. 🤍 Want to sponsor an episode of Weekly with Chana? Email chana.hirschowitz@gmail.com Shabbat Shalom!

    October 7, Bereishit, Before There Was Light There Was Hope

  5. 04/30/2025

    Yom HaZikaron | Guilt & Gratitude

    Summary In this heartfelt conversation, Chana Hirschowitz reflects on Yom HaZikaron, the day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror in Israel. She shares her emotional journey of understanding Jewish unity and the collective grief felt by the community. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, she emphasizes the importance of gratitude, identity, and the sacrifices made for the Jewish people. Chana's insights highlight the deep connections within the Jewish community and the significance of remembering those who have fallen for the sake of their homeland. Chapters 00:00 Reflections on Yom HaZikaron 06:54 The Unity of the Jewish People

    Yom HaZikaron | Guilt & Gratitude

  6. 03/27/2025

    Pekudei | Protests, Self-Hating Jews, Accounting for Every Shekel, Defending Our Indivisible Jewish Identity

    00:00 The Essence of Living in Israel 02:54 Unity and Division in the Jewish Community 06:09 Understanding Our Shared Identity as Jews

    Pekudei | Protests, Self-Hating Jews, Accounting for Every Shekel, Defending Our Indivisible Jewish Identity

  7. 03/20/2025

    Vayakhel | Intimate Reflections

    00:00The Dichotomy of Idealism and Reality 01:52The Power of Jewish Women and Mirrors 06:27Reflections on Life's Challenges 11:33Self-Reflection and Growth

    Vayakhel | Intimate Reflections

  8. 03/10/2025

    Purim | Esther's Story Exposed

    00:00 The Legacy of Esther and Purim 02:44 Esther's Struggles and Divine Silence 05:14 The Courage to Act 07:46 Esther's Connection to God 10:29 The Significance of Purim 12:42 Esther's Story and Its Relevance Today

    Purim | Esther's Story Exposed
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About

living with the times, bringing the past to the present. weekly with chana is a refreshing new way of seeing ourselves within the parsha and how we can use these lessons to live happier more meaningful lives today. happy listening :)

Information

  • Creator
    Chana Hirschowitz
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chana Hirschowitz 2023
  • Show Website
    Weekly with Chana