JEDCast

Hillel Rapp

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

Episodes

  1. JEDCast Episode 8: What's Causing Grade Inflation in Our Schools?

    4d ago

    JEDCast Episode 8: What's Causing Grade Inflation in Our Schools?

    In this episode, Sarah Zahavi and I discuss “The Real Problem Behind Grade Inflation” by Beth McMurtrie, published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Other links: America Is Sliding Toward Illiteracy The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books Our previous episode: The Dying Humanities 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

    1h 6m

  2. May 13

    Don’t Give Up On Skills In Jewish Education

    In this essay, Hillel Rapp discusses the importances of teaching skills in Judaic learning. Read this essay on Substack. 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

    10 min
  3. JEDCast Episode 7: Do Our Kids have a Drinking Problem?

    May 6

    JEDCast Episode 7: Do Our Kids have a Drinking Problem?

    In this episode, Rabbi Yosef Kurtz, Chaim Rutman, and I discuss a 2021 JTA article, “The data don’t lie: Yeshiva high school students have a binge-drinking problem” by Rivka Press Schwartz and Rabbi Tully Harcsztark. Our previous episode: Why Aren't Our Kids in Shul? 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 Chaim Rutman: Chaim Rutman is a community leader in Toronto’s Jewish community and has spent the last twenty years specializing in education and community welfare. As past president of one of Toronto’s largest Jewish day schools, he led the school through a critical financial and structural transformation, leading to the development of the largest capital campaign in its history. Chaim serves as CEO of the Burning Bush Foundation where he oversees critical community initiatives. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of several community institutions and countless individuals and is recognized internationally for resolving some of the most pressing issues and delicate situations. 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

    1h 19m
  4. JEDCast Episode 6: The "Kiddush Hashem" Speech

    Apr 13

    JEDCast Episode 6: The "Kiddush Hashem" Speech

    In this episode, Rich Dlin and I discuss his post “Jewish Identity and Excellence: The Challenge of Impossible Standards” from his blog, Experience Has Made Me Rich. About Rich Dlin: Rich Dlin is a veteran education 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

    1h 25m
  5. JEDCast Episode 5: The Dying Humanities

    Mar 23

    JEDCast Episode 5: The Dying Humanities

    In this episode, Sarah Zahavi and I discuss Tyler Austin Harper's 2023 article in The Atlantic, "The Humanities Have Sown the Seeds of Their Own Destruction." 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

    1h 4m
  6. JEDCast Episode 4: A Conflict of Visions

    Mar 16

    JEDCast Episode 4: A Conflict of Visions

    In this episode, Jonathan Parker and I discuss Thomas Sowell’s 1986 book, A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. 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

    1h 19m
  7. JEDCast Episode 3: The OU "Off-The-Derech" Study

    Mar 2

    JEDCast Episode 3: The OU "Off-The-Derech" Study

    Read the Orthodox Union's 2025 study on Attrition and Connection in American Orthodox Judaism here. 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 Dr. Eric Saltsman: Dr. Eric Saltsman completed his PhD through the Faculty of Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Influenced by his interactions with former students, his thesis investigated post-secondary decision-making within the Canadian Modern Orthodox Jewish community. He also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and Classics from Dalhousie University and a Master of Teaching degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at U of T. 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

    1h 23m
  8. JEDCast Episode 2: Why Aren't Our Kids in Shul?

    Feb 23

    JEDCast Episode 2: Why Aren't Our Kids in Shul?

    Read Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz's 2011 article: Why Aren't Our Kids in Shul? 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 Chaim Rutman: Chaim Rutman is a community leader in Toronto’s Jewish community and has spent the last twenty years specializing in education and community welfare. As past president of one of Toronto’s largest Jewish day schools, he led the school through a critical financial and structural transformation, leading to the development of the largest capital campaign in its history. Chaim serves as CEO of the Burning Bush Foundation where he oversees critical community initiatives. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of several community institutions and countless individuals and is recognized internationally for resolving some of the most pressing issues and delicate situations. 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

    1h 29m

  9. 10/24/2025

    Why I Quit Being Principal to Become a Teacher Again

    In this essay, Hillel Rapp reflects on leaving his role as principal to become an ordinary teacher. Read the essay on Substack here. 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

    20 min

  10. 03/26/2025

    JEDCast Episode 1: The Problem with Jewish Education

    Read Manette Mayberg's 2018 Jewish Journal article: The Problem With Jewish Education 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

    1h 21m
  • 10 Episodes

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
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hillel Rapp
  • Show Website
    JEDCast

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