Shofar, So Good!

Kate Mishkin
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Judaism

In Season 2 of Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin teams up with My Jewish Learning to explore Jewish rituals and practices — where they came from, how they evolved and why they endure.

  1. 2h ago

    EPISODE 3: For Heaven's Sake

    In Episode 3, Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin delves into havruta learning, the Jewish tradition of studying Torah in pairs. The goal of this paired endeavor: arguing "for the sake of heaven." Kate explores what exactly that means, teaches us about Jewish history's most famous study partners, and learns how AI is changing havruta learning. Then, Kate and her dad become havrutas. Further reading and resources: Havruta: Learning in Pairs (My Jewish Learning) https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/havruta-learning-in-pairs/ Project Zug https://www.projectzug.org/ Whole and Broken Tablets: Aging in Rabbinic Literature (Project Zug) https://www.projectzug.org/courses/whole-and-broken-tablets-aging-in-rabbinic-literature Beit Midrash Research Project (Brandeis University) https://www.brandeis.edu/mandel/research/past/beit-midrash-research/index.html Words as Weapons: The Story Of Rabbi Yochanan And Resh Lakish (Exploring Judaism) https://exploringjudaism.org/words-as-weapons-the-story-of-rabbi-yochanan-and-resh-lakish/ AI on Sefaria https://www.sefaria.org/ai Ohrbit.ai https://ohrbit.ai/ Credits: • Writer/producer: Kate Mishkin   • Story producer: Gabrielle Birkner   • Fact-checking: Rachel Scheinerman   • Sound design/mixing: Jonathan Shifflett of Studio Phonic   • Intersitial Music: Nan Schwartz • Art direction: Grace Yagel   Outro music is "Swirls & Eddies," written and performed by Grace Corsi.   "Shofar, So Good!" is a podcast from My Jewish Learning, a division of 70 Faces Media. Ami Eden is the CEO of 70 Faces Media, and Rebecca Phillips is the publisher.   This podcast was originally developed in the Jewish Writers Institute Digital Storytellers Lab and produced with support from Maimonides Fund. Special thanks to Rebecca Friedman.

    EPISODE 3: For Heaven's Sake

  2. Aug 20

    EPISODE 2: Living Waters

    In this episode, host Kate Mishkin visits a mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath, in Los Angeles. She examines the origins and evolution of mikveh immersion —  and how, in some circles, the ritual is stretching itself to adapt.  Further reading and resources:  • What is a Mikveh? (My Jewish Learning) https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-mikveh/ • The Mikveh's Significance in Traditional Conversion (My Jewish Learning) https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/why-immerse-in-the-mikveh/ • Non-Traditional Uses for Mikveh (My Jewish Learning) https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/non-traditional-uses-for-mikveh/ • A Detailed Explanation of Niddah, or 'Family Purity' Laws (My Jewish Learning) https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-laws-of-niddah/ • Mayyim Hayyim Community Mikveh https://www.mayyimhayyim.org/ • Mass Center for Jewish Journeys — Community Mikveh https://aju.edu/maas-center/program/community-mikvah/ • ImmerseNYC https://www.mmjccm.org/jewish-life/jewish-learning-living/immerse-nyc • Adina Blaustein, Yoetzet Halakhah https://www.instagram.com/tasteoftext/ • Dr. Jordana Topp, Yoetzet Halakhah https://www.bethjacob.org/dr-jordana-topp.html • Miriam Ezagui on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@miriamezagui Credits: • Writer/producer: Kate Mishkin   •Story producer: Gabrielle Birkner   • Fact-checking: Rachel Scheinerman   • Sound design/mixing: Jonathan Shifflett of Studio Phonic   • Intersitial Music: Nan Schwartz • Art direction: Grace Yagel   Outro music is "Swirls & Eddies," written and performed by Grace Corsi.   "Shofar, So Good!" is a podcast from My Jewish Learning, a division of 70 Faces Media. Ami Eden is the CEO of 70 Faces Media, and Rebecca Phillips is the publisher.   This podcast was originally developed in the Jewish Writers Institute Digital Storytellers Lab and produced with support from Maimonides Fund. Special thanks to Rebecca Friedman.

    EPISODE 2: Living Waters

  3. Aug 13

    EPISODE 1: 100 Blessings

    In this episode of Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin explores the origins, formula, and meanings behind Jewish blessings — and considers why the Talmud prescribes saying 100 blessings a day. She hears what happens when scientists try to measure whether saying Jewish blessings makes us happier and more grateful. The results: Not what the researchers expected. Further reading and resources: • "Jewish Prayer Has Become My Favorite Morning Ritual" by Avie Herman (Kveller)  https://www.kveller.com/jewish-prayer-has-become-my-favorite-morning-ritual/ • A guide to common Jewish blessings (My Jewish Learning) https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/blessings/ • "The Happiness Prayer: Ancient Jewish Wisdom for the Best Way to Live Today" by Rabbi Evan Moffic https://amzn.to/4wi9jgQ  • Rabbi Meir on daily blessing obligations (Sefaria) https://www.sefaria.org/Menachot.43b.15?lang=en • Sinai & Synapses https://www.sefaria.org/Menachot.43b.15?lang=en • The Social Emotions Lab at Northeastern University https://davedesteno.com/lab Credits: • Writer/producer: Kate Mishkin • Story producer: Gabrielle Birkner • Fact-checking: Rachel Scheinerman • Sound design/mixing: Jonathan Shifflett of Studio Phonic • Interstitial music: Written and performed by Nan Schwartz • Outro music: "Swirls & Eddies," written and performed by Grace Corsi • Art direction: Grace Yagel Shofar, So Good! is a podcast from My Jewish Learning, a division of 70 Faces Media. Ami Eden is the CEO of 70 Faces Media, and Rebecca Phillips is the publisher.  This podcast was originally developed in the Jewish Writers Institute Digital Storytellers Lab and produced with support from Maimonides Fund. Special thanks to Rebecca Friedman.

    EPISODE 1: 100 Blessings

  4. Season 2 Trailer

    Introducing Shofar, So Good! — Season 2

    In Season 2 of Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin teams up with My Jewish Learning to explore Jewish rituals and practices — where they came from, how they evolved and why they endure. The first episode drops August 13, 2026, right in time for Elul. See you then.

    Introducing Shofar, So Good! — Season 2

  5. 04/02/2025

    BONUS: Martini Judaism

    Thank you for listening to all five episodes of "Shofar, So Good!" Today, we're featuring a bonus episode of the podcast "Martini Judaism," in which Kate was a guest. The show, hosted by Rabbi Jeff Salkin, is for people who want to be shaken and stirred. Episodes are well-produced, deep, and thought-provoking. Listen to Martini Judaism wherever you listen podcasts, read Jeff's column here, and watch this space for more information on Season 2.

  6. 03/26/2025

    BONUS: A conversation on 'Being Jewish' with Jonah Platt

    Jonah Platt is a multi-talented activist and performer whose work's taken him from Broadway ("Wicked"), to Hollywood ("Being the Ricardos") to -- most recently -- the world of podcasting. Jonah's the host of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, a podcast that highlights the range of Jewish identity and voices.  This is one of Shofar, So Good's bonus episodes while we're in between seasons. If you'd like to support the production of Season 2, please visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support, or simply spread the word about this show.

  7. 03/12/2025

    BONUS: A conversation with Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein

    Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein was the perfect person to talk to as I was grappling with what it meant to be Jewish. He's a rabbi, educator, meditation teacher, MC/poet and director of Applied Jewish Spirituality, an online portal that  brings the tradition's spiritual wisdom to life. Among his other accomplishments: He's a cofounder of Lines of Faith, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective. Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to support our Season 2 efforts.  Producer: Kate Mishkin Music: Nan Schwartz Show Art: Laura Mishkin Made with support from the Jewish Writers' Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

  8. 02/26/2025

    BONUS: A conversation with Rabbi Victor Urecki

    Early on in my career, I packed my bags and moved to West Virginia to work as a journalist. That's where I first met Rabbi Victor Urecki, rabbi at B'nai Jacob Synagogue.   I immediately appreciated who he was within the walls of the synagogue, but outside — Rabbi Urecki engaged with the community, often in interfaith conversations, consistently as a positive presence for West Virginians.   In this episode, we talk about belonging, religion as a tool to bring people together, and how Rabbi Urecki's meeting the moment with new traditions.   Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.   Producer: Kate Mishkin Production Assistant: Jack McDonald Music: Nan Schwartz Show Art: Laura Mishkin Made with support from the Jewish Writers' Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

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In Season 2 of Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin teams up with My Jewish Learning to explore Jewish rituals and practices — where they came from, how they evolved and why they endure.

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  • Creator
    Kate Mishkin
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Shofar, So Good!