Homesick for Lubavitch

Homesick for Lubavitch

An exploration of Lubavitch identity in 2023, hosted by Bentzi Avtzon.

  1. JAN 18

    Ep. 84 // "When We Run Out of Answers" w/ R' Gershon Schusterman

    Reb Gershon Schusterman grew up in Brooklyn and today lives in Los Angeles. Almost forty years ago he was on shlichus in Long Beach, California when his first wife and mother of their eleven children suddenly passed away. In the years since he remarried, raised his children and continued to build his life, but he has also spent his time thinking about the religious and chassidic approach processing tragedy. Not just what the texts say about it, but what they can't say, the space of faith that is beyond answers. In this episode we discuss his upbringing and how it framed his approach to dealing with personal tragedy. ____ His book, "Why God Why" can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Heaven-When-Hurts-Like/dp/0826608469 ____ Support this podcast at: https://www.hflpodcast.com/donate If you would like to sponsor an episode or advertise on the podcast please reach out to bentzi@yuvlamedia.com ____ This week's episode is brought to you by "This World Is A Garden," a new film and live concert production by Yuvla Media based on the Rebbe's first talk, Bosi Lgani. Combining beautiful cinematography with a live performance by a string quartet, this production is a meditation on hope and holding on to a vision even as time passes by. Now you can bring this groundbreaking experience of Bosi Lgani to your community. For more info please visit: ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com/thisworldisagarden ____ Homesick for Lubavitch is a project of Yuvla Media. Bentzi Avtzon is a filmmaker who specializes in telling the stories of thoughtful and heartfelt organizations. Business inquiries only: hello@yuvlamedia.com Connect with Bentzi Website | ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com

    1h 41m
  2. JAN 11

    Ep. 83 // "On The Topic of Closeness" w/ Rabbi Leibel Korf

    Rabbi Leibel Korf grew up in Crown Heights and is a shliach today in Los Feliz, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.In this episode, we discuss what it was like growing up in Crown Heights in the home of the famed chossid Reb Pinye Korf a"h and his father Reb Sheia Korf a"h, all in close proximity to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and the environment of 770.The episode is a beautiful survey of three generations of chassidim, all growing up in vastly different epochs and yet all connected by a through line of commitment, closeness and devotion.____Support this podcast at: https://www.hflpodcast.com/donateIf you would like to sponsor an episode or advertise on the podcast please reach out to bentzi@yuvlamedia.com____This week's episode is brought to you by "This World Is A Garden," a new film and live concert production by Yuvla Media based on the Rebbe's first talk, Bosi Lgani.Combining beautiful cinematography with a live performance by a string quartet, this production is a meditation on hope and holding on to a vision even as time passes by.Now you can bring this groundbreaking experience of Bosi Lgani to your community.For more info please visit: ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com/thisworldi...____Homesick for Lubavitch is a project of Yuvla Media.Bentzi Avtzon is a filmmaker who specializes in telling the stories of thoughtful and heartfelt organizations. Business inquiries only: hello@yuvlamedia.comConnect with BentziWebsite | ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com

    2h 4m
  3. 11/30/2025

    Ep. 80 // "The Temptation to Spiritualize" w/ Rabbi Meni Even Israel

    Rabbi Meni Even Israel was born and raised in Jerusalem and lives there to this day.In this episode, we hear what it was like to be raised by his parents, Rabbi Adin and Chaya Even Israel (Steinsaltz), and how their iconoclastic personalities fit and didn't fit into the general Chabad identity.We discuss a number of fascinating anecdotes from his father's interactions with the Rebbe, and the Rebbe's insistence that their relationship stay grounded in the world of the here and now.____To find out more about the new Steinsaltz Rambam please visit:https://www.steinsaltz-center.org.Use the code ST10 at checkout for 10% off____If you would like to sponsor an episode or advertise on the podcast please reach out to bentzi@yuvlamedia.com____This week's episode is brought to you by "This World Is A Garden," a new film and live concert production by Yuvla Media based on the Rebbe's first talk, Bosi Lgani.Combining beautiful cinematography with a live performance by a string quartet, this production is a meditation on hope and holding on to a vision even as time passes by.Now you can bring this groundbreaking experience of Bosi Lgani to your community.For more info please visit: ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com/thisworldisagarden____Homesick for Lubavitch is a project of Yuvla Media.Bentzi Avtzon is a filmmaker who specializes in telling the stories of thoughtful and heartfelt organizations. Business inquiries only: hello@yuvlamedia.comConnect with BentziWebsite | ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com

    1h 24m
  4. 11/23/2025

    Ep. 79 // "Aiming for Higher" w/ Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

    Rabbi Michoel Gourarie grew up in South Africa and today directs Binah, a center of adult learning and growth in Sydney, Australia.In this episode, we discuss his parents very different Chabad family histories and what led them to South Africa.We discuss how the study of Chassidus impacts an individual, the potential and the limits of engrossing the mind in the study of G-d, and the need to measure ourselves against impossible standards.____This week's episode is sponsored by Jnet, a project of Merkos 302.Join over ten thousand volunteers sharing their Torah knowledge with fellow study partners around the world.Visit jnet.org for more info.Support this podcast at: ⁠https://www.hflpodcast.com/donate⁠___If you would like to sponsor an episode or advertise on the podcast please reach out to bentzi@yuvlamedia.com____This week's episode is brought to you by "This World Is A Garden," a new film and live concert production by Yuvla Media based on the Rebbe's first talk, Bosi Lgani.Combining beautiful cinematography with a live performance by a string quartet, this production is a meditation on hope and holding on to a vision even as time passes by.Now you can bring this groundbreaking experience of Bosi Lgani to your community.For more info please visit: ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com/thisworldisagarden____Homesick for Lubavitch is a project of Yuvla Media.Bentzi Avtzon is a filmmaker who specializes in telling the stories of thoughtful and heartfelt organizations. Business inquiries only: hello@yuvlamedia.comConnect with BentziWebsite | ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com

    1h 41m
  5. 11/16/2025

    Ep. 78 // "We Need To Ask & Question Everything" w/ Rabbi Mendel Zirkind

    Rabbi Mendel Zirkind grew up in Crown Heights and was recently appointed to fill the position of his late grandfather, Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner a"h, as Moro D'asra of the Chabad community in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, we discuss the challenge of "filling the shoes" of such an enormous personality and on a more general level, finding our own place in a heritage with such a rich past and endless future. Along the way, we discuss the growing need for courage, not certainty, in a world and time that forces us to challenge all assumptions and make them our own. ____ This week's episode is sponsored by Jnet, a project of Merkos 302. Join over ten thousand volunteers sharing their Torah knowledge with fellow study partners around the world. Visit jnet.org for more info. ___ Support this podcast at: ⁠https://www.hflpodcast.com/donate ⁠___ If you would like to sponsor an episode or advertise on the podcast please reach out to bentzi@yuvlamedia.com ___ This week's episode is brought to you by "This World Is A Garden," a new film and live concert production by Yuvla Media based on the Rebbe's first talk, Bosi Lgani. Combining beautiful cinematography with a live performance by a string quartet, this production is a meditation on hope and holding on to a vision even as time passes by. Now you can bring this groundbreaking experience of Bosi Lgani to your community. For more info please visit: ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com/thisworldisagarden ____ Homesick for Lubavitch is a project of Yuvla Media. Bentzi Avtzon is a filmmaker who specializes in telling the stories of thoughtful and heartfelt organizations. Business inquiries only: hello@yuvlamedia.com Connect with Bentzi Website | ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com

    1h 47m
  6. 11/10/2025

    Ep. 77 // "The Ability To Adapt" w/ Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie

    Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie is a shliach and author in Yorba Linda, California.In this episode, we discuss his recently published book, "Undaunted: How the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn Saved Russian Jewry, Reimagined American Judaism, Ignited a Global Jewish Renaissance."We discuss his approach to learning and writing about a Rebbe's life and the lessons he learned from the Friediker Rebbe's ability to adapt to a life of many varying challenges.Book can be purchased on Amazon____This week's episode is sponsored by Jnet, a project of Merkos 302.Join over ten thousand volunteers sharing their Torah knowledge with fellow study partners around the world.Visit jnet.org for more info.Support this podcast at: ⁠https://www.hflpodcast.com/donate⁠___If you would like to sponsor an episode or advertise on the podcast please reach out to bentzi@yuvlamedia.com____This week's episode is brought to you by "This World Is A Garden," a new film and live concert production by Yuvla Media based on the Rebbe's first talk, Bosi Lgani.Combining beautiful cinematography with a live performance by a string quartet, this production is a meditation on hope and holding on to a vision even as time passes by.Now you can bring this groundbreaking experience of Bosi Lgani to your community.For more info please visit: ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com/thisworldi..⁠.____Homesick for Lubavitch is a project of Yuvla Media.Bentzi Avtzon is a filmmaker who specializes in telling the stories of thoughtful and heartfelt organizations. Business inquiries only: hello@yuvlamedia.comConnect with BentziWebsite | ⁠https://www.yuvlamedia.com

    1h 45m
4.8
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

An exploration of Lubavitch identity in 2023, hosted by Bentzi Avtzon.

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