JEDCast

Hillel Rapp
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education

Exploring the challenges and trade-offs of Jewish education in North America. hillelrapp.substack.com

  1. Oct 21

    JEDCast Episode 16: Is the Shidduch System Really Working?

    In this episode, Rabbi Yosef Kurtz, Sarah Zahavi, and I discuss the case for the Shidduch system and the best way to approach dating in the Modern Orthodox sphere. Articles mentioned: What two religions tell us about the modern dating crisis by John Birger Le-Dor Va-Dor, and then There’s Me by Matt Brandstein 5 Steps for Systemic Change in The Shidduch Crisis by Channah Cohen About Rabbi Yosef Kurtz: Rabbi Yosef Kurtz is a graduate of Yeshivat Or Chaim and has been teaching at Bnei Akiva Schools since 2015. After graduating from Yeshivat Or Chaim, Rabbi Kurtz studied at Yeshivat Hakotel for two years and completed his degree at York University. While at York, he discovered his passion for Jewish education and began working with NCSY Canada. Previously, Rabbi Kurtz taught Jewish Philosophy, Religious Studies and Jewish Ethics at Torah High. While working for NCSY, he completed an MBA at the Schulich School of Business, specializing in Marketing and Finance. Rabbi Kurtz is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Yeshiva University. In addition to teaching and managing religious programming in the school, Rabbi Kurtz currently serves as the Mashgiach Ruchani of BAS and Director of Israel Guidance. Rabbi Kurtz lives in Toronto with his wife Stephanie and their three children. About Sarah Zahavi: Sarah Zahavi is a graduate of Ulpanat Orot. She completed a Bachelor of Technology in Graphic Communications Management from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), and is currently pursuing a Professional Master of Education at Queen’s University. Sarah has been teaching at Bnei Akiva Schools since September 2022, and currently heads the Art and Technology Department. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

    JEDCast Episode 16: Is the Shidduch System Really Working?

  2. Oct 5

    JEDCast Episode 15: Who are the Gedolim? Torah Authority and the Orthodox Jewish Community

    In this episode, Boruch Clinton and I discuss the idea of Gedolim and Da’as Torah as discussed on his Substack, B’chol D’rachecha. About Boruch Clinton: Boruch Clinton spent twenty years teaching in yeshiva and Bais Yakov high schools and currently works with system administration and data analytics workloads. He also writes the B’chol D’rachecha Substack publication. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

    JEDCast Episode 15: Who are the Gedolim? Torah Authority and the Orthodox Jewish Community

  3. Sep 23

    JEDCast Episode 14: Authentic Assessments

    In this episode, Rich Dlin and I discuss Rich’s blog post, “Want Good Grades? Then Forget About Getting Good Grades!” in conjunction with Grant Wiggin’s article, “The Case for Authentic Assessment.” About Rich Dlin: Rich Dlin is a veteran educator who believes that guiding young people along their path is one of the highest honours and greatest responsibilities. This is why he is drawn to education and why he has been so focused on improving the student experience. Rich’s journey as an educator includes university lecturer, international lecturer, high school teacher and math department head. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics from the University of Waterloo and a degree in education from the University of Western Ontario. Rich is passionate about the joy of learning and has found that the study of mathematics is a perfect path to discovering that joy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

    JEDCast Episode 14: Authentic Assessments

  4. Sep 2

    Failing to Master Learning-to-Mastery

    In this essay, Hillel Rapp reflects on his first year back in the classroom and his efforts to implement a learning-to-mastery style of education. Read this essay on Substack. To hear more, visit hillelrapp.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

  5. Aug 27

    JEDCast Episode 13: What’s Wrong with Ivrit Education?

    In this episode, Rabbi Elliot Diamond and I discuss Meirav Kravetz’s article in Lehrhaus, “Hebrew Fluency Is Not Enough: Why Hebrew Teachers Need Professional Training.” About Rabbi Elliot Diamond: Rabbi Diamond has been an educator and community Rabbi in Toronto for over six decades. Most recently he was CEO of Aish Toronto. Previously he was a founder and Head of Jewish Studies at Netivot HaTorah Day School. He holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto, a Masters in Education from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, and received rabbinical ordination from the late Chief Rabbi of Montreal, Rabbi Pinchas Hirzprung, z”l. He is Rabbi of a minyan at Shaarei Shomayim. He and his wife Rochelle have three children, Avi, Eliana and Amiel, and ten grandchildren. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

    JEDCast Episode 13: What’s Wrong with Ivrit Education?

  6. Aug 19

    JEDCast Episode 12: Is Education Technology Bad for Learning?

    In this episode, Jonathan Parker and I discuss Molly Worthen’s guest essay in the New York Times, “You Can’t Game Your Way to a Real Education.” About Jonathan Parker: Mr. Jonathan Parker was born in Buffalo, New York, and has been teaching in Toronto since 2003, when he began at Yeshivat Or Chaim and Ulpanat Orot as an English teacher. After four years of teaching English at Bnei Akiva Schools, Mr. Parker taught Judaic Studies at Associated Hebrew Schools. Following that, he taught Social Sciences at TanenbaumCHAT and was the Dean of Students, in addition to being Advanced Placement Program coordinator. Mr. Parker returned to Bnei Akiva Schools in 2017. As Principal, in addition to his teaching, he oversees compliance with standards set by the Ontario Ministry of Education, implements the school’s educational vision in alignment with our Mission Statement, and coordinates the professional development and oversight of all faculty. He also coaches the Junior Volleyball team and coordinates the Duke of Edinburgh program. He has undergraduate degrees in English and History from S.U.N.Y. Binghamton, a Master’s Degree in Teaching English from Boston University, and is a graduate of the Senior Educators Program at Hebrew University where he wrote his thesis on Tanakh education. Mr. Parker received his Principal’s Qualification from York University. He recently graduated from the Mandel Teacher Education Institute, with a focus on evaluation and professional development practices. Mr. Parker has presented on the exciting innovations at Bnei Akiva Schools both at MTEI and the Network for Research in Jewish Education (NRJE). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

    JEDCast Episode 12: Is Education Technology Bad for Learning?

  7. Aug 13

    JEDCast Episode 11: Orthodox Jewish Affordability

    In this episode, Menachem Alter and I discuss Zev Stub’s article in the Times of Israel, “How much does Orthodox life cost in America? Increasingly, more than families can afford.” About Menachem Alter: Menachem Alter lives with his wife and five children in Toronto. He has owned and operated several businesses and is currently focused on EV charging solutions. Menachem has been engaged with concerns facing the Orthodox Jewish community in Toronto, and has recently dedicated himself to understanding and discussing issues relating to affordability for Orthodox Jewish families. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

    JEDCast Episode 11: Orthodox Jewish Affordability

  8. Aug 5

    JEDCast Episode 10: Is it Time to Leave the Diaspora?

    In this episode, Rabbi Yosef Kurtz and I discuss David Magerman’s letter in the Times of Israel Blog, “An apology from your American Jewish parents.” About Rabbi Yosef Kurtz: Rabbi Yosef Kurtz is a graduate of Yeshivat Or Chaim and has been teaching at Bnei Akiva Schools since 2015. After graduating from Yeshivat Or Chaim, Rabbi Kurtz studied at Yeshivat Hakotel for two years and completed his degree at York University. While at York, he discovered his passion for Jewish education and began working with NCSY Canada. Previously, Rabbi Kurtz taught Jewish Philosophy, Religious Studies and Jewish Ethics at Torah High. While working for NCSY, he completed an MBA at the Schulich School of Business, specializing in Marketing and Finance. Rabbi Kurtz is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Yeshiva University. In addition to teaching and managing religious programming in the school, Rabbi Kurtz currently serves as the Mashgiach Ruchani of BAS and Director of Israel Guidance. Rabbi Kurtz lives in Toronto with his wife Stephanie and their three children. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hillelrapp.substack.com

    JEDCast Episode 10: Is it Time to Leave the Diaspora?
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Exploring the challenges and trade-offs of Jewish education in North America. hillelrapp.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Hillel Rapp
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hillel Rapp
  • Show Website
    JEDCast

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