The Orthonomics Podcast

Mark Trencher
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  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
The Orthonomics Podcast

The Orthonomics Podcast explores issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish community, through the dual lenses of data – drawn from a wide range of sources – and informed conversations with knowledgeable and often opinionated experts. Each episode also includes a segment titled “What do you want to know about the Orthodox community?” In which our guest, as well as our listeners, get to pose their questions on issues that intrigue them, and we answer your questions.

  1. 1D AGO

    (31) Orthodox Divorces: Why? Why? Why? … with Betzalel Rothstein

    Betzalel Rothstein is a Certified Divorce Coach and Mediator who is highly regarded and has been involved in hundreds of divorce cases over the past 10 years either as Mediator, Coach, Parenting Coordinator or Consultant. He has extensive experience in dealing with difficult topics such as parental alienation, blended families, relocation, and what to do when parents differ about hashkafah. Betzalel has personal experience with many of these topics and he has learned from many of the leading experts in high-conflict divorces. Betzalel’s Contact Information: Website: www.shalomfamilymediation.com Email: Betzalel@shalomfamilymediation.com Phone: 646.493.9783 As noted in this episode, we plan to soon do a broad communal survey on the topic of divorce. We are giving all of our listeners the opportunity to chime in on issues they would like us to explore, as well as to sign up to get the survey form as soon as it is released. Just go to this link to participate: http://bit.ly/orthodox-divorce-2025

    32 min

  2. MAR 11

    (30) Rabbi Steven Gotlib: A Thoughtful and Bold Voice for Our Complicated Times

    In this episode, we have a wide-ranging discussion, touching on such topics as: •  Significant differences between US and Canadian Jewry/Orthodoxy • Interactions and public conversations across among various denominations • The evolving role of women in Modern Orthodoxy  • Has politics become a “Jewish issue” (and/or divisive), including attitudes toward Israel and Zionism • Struggles with faith and rationality  • What factors lead to Orthodox couples getting divorced Steven Gotlib is Associate Rabbi at Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue in Philadelphia.  A graduate of Rutgers University, he received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University (RIETS), a certificate in mental health counseling from the Ferkauf School of Psychology in partnership with RIETS, and a START Certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship from the Glean Network in partnership with Columbia Business School. He also manages the marketing at RIETS, A popular guest speaker throughout the US and Canada, Rabbi Gotlib has written for various websites and publications.  He strongly believes in making Jewish theology, philosophy, and law as accessible as possible to all who seek guidance and comfort within our tradition. He can be reached at rabbisgotlib@mekorhabracha.org.

    30 min

  3. FEB 24

    (29) Aliza Bulow: Empowering Orthodox Jewish Women & Strengthening Our Homes

    Aliza Bulow is an author, educator and mentor to Jewish women around the world, who founded CORE, an organization that empowers and connects Orthdox Jewish women.  Core connects, develops and sustains women who engage in klal (the collective community) work. Core supports women in three main ways: 1) MMC (Mashpia-Mentor-Counselor) Program: Core offers 2.5 years of training to develop women who are pillars of spiritual support within our communities 2) Communities of Practice: Core connects women who share a field of Jewish service and offers continuing inspiration and education 3) Core Circles: Core supports women who facilitate Core Circles, small groups that strengthen relationships in local communities, and networks those Circles both regionally and internationally For more information, see http://coretorah.org. ---------- Before founding Core she directed Ner LeElef’s North American Women’s Program for 11 years where she coached rebbetzins and provided strategic development for outreach organizations in Canada, the US and Mexico.  Her love of Jewish texts and philosophy was developed at Michlelet Bruria, Hebrew University and Hunter College where she graduated with honors in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. In her early career, she worked for Partners in Torah and The Jewish Experience. Even before entering college, Aliza’s passion for strengthening Jews and the Jewish community led her to campaign on behalf of Soviet Jewry and build settlements in Israel while serving in Nachal. That early passion has only grown with time. Over the past four decades, Aliza has worked with hundreds of women in over 50 cities and 5 continents, strengthening the social fabric of Klal Yisroel.   A few of the terms used in this episode: Mekarvot - Women involved in Jewish outreach Ratzon - Will; and Bitachon – Faith Kallah – Bride Hashkafah - Overall religious guiding philosophy / worldview Taharat Ha'Mishpacha – Jewish Halachic laws relating to marital relations  Kedushah - Holiness; and Tahara – Spiritual clanliness Chevra Kadisha - Jewish Burial Society Kavanah - Religious understanding and purpose

    30 min

  4. FEB 3

    (28) Moish’s Believe It or Not! Bet you didn’t know that about Orthodoxy ...

    In this episode we present some surprising facts about Modern Orthodoxy and the Orthodox community as a whole, based upon Nishma Research surveys between 2016 and 2024. We explore the size and growth of the community, religious beliefs and practices, political views, the finances of living an Orthodox Jewish life, the role of women in Modern Orthodoxy, and the levels of optimism vs. pessimism among several denominations across the American Jewish community.        Did any of this surprise you? Do you have questions or suggestions for future research or podcast episodes? Would you like a follow-up episode sharing additional factoids? Contact us at orthonomics@nishmaresearch.com. All of the research cited may be found at this LINK.

    28 min

  5. JAN 7

    (27) Haredi Expert, Researcher and Founder of Mispar.com, Dina Goldman

    Dina Goldman is at the frontier of researching and understanding the Chasidish and Yeshivish communities. She has spent over a decade working in marketing and advertising within the Orthodox Jewish community. Seeing how many businesses really lack solid information that they need, she founded Mispar – The Jewish Community, a Story of Numbers, a company focused on providing rich, timely data to help businesses and non-profits make informed decisions. Dina and her team conduct all kinds of studies, and she often uses creative methods to reach the Orthodox community … and that can be challenging. Mispar has also Orthodox Jewish research panel, giving researchers and businesses access to authentic voices within this community. In this episode we discuss how Orthodox and Charedi businesses and non-profit organizations can better understand their customers and the public, to develop and sell products, and meet their need. We also discuss some of the really fascinating issues she has explored, such as Orthodox finances, the businesses that Orthodox people are involved in and the related challenges, Shidduchim, and lots more. Raised in a Chasidish family, Dina now lives in Monsey with her husband and their happily blended family of four. In the episode closing we discuss some of our political research, which can be found in our 2023 Study and 2024 Study.

    26 min

  6. 12/22/2024

    (26) The First-Ever Community Middot Report Card

    Middot (and we’re talking mainly about interpersonal behaviors) are so important, especially in these stressful days. So we are pleased to present this as a dual-platform episode, being released on both Orthonomics and The Franciska Show … both covering important issues in the Orthodox Jewish world, and both available at all podcast platforms. Much of this episode deals with findings from the recent survey: The Middot “Report Card”: How We See Our Community and How We See Ourselves Across 19 Middot “Bein Adam L’chavero.”   This episode is being co-hosted by Mark Trencher of Orthonomics, and David Sheril, a member of the Franciska Show Discussion Group. (Thanks to Franciska for recommending David to participate.)    David Sheril grew up in Chigwell, a suburb of London. His family became baalei teshuvah when he was nine years old.  When David was eleven, his family moved to the Bayit Vagan in Jerusalem. He moved to the U.S. at age 22, in 2005. David’s yeshivah education includes Mir Yerushalayim and Ner Yisroel. He served as a rebbe at a Russian-American Jewish high school in Brooklyn for several years before going to law school. He is currently General Counsel for a privately-held real estate transactional, management, and lending company. David resides in Clifton, New Jersey, with his wife Miriam (formerly an officer at the Federal Reserve Bank and now Head of Product at an international fintech startup) and their three children.

    37 min

  7. 12/02/2024

    (25) Author, Educator, Coach, Speaker … Ruchi Koval

    Ruchi Koval is a parenting coach and motivational speaker who has inspired personal transformation in thousands of people. She is the co-founder and Associate Director of JFX (Jewish Family Experience), an innovative community in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Jewish educator for two decades, leading self-development groups for adults and teens, and mentoring educators around the world. Ruchi is also a musician, author, mother of 7, and grandmother. She is a Momentum Educator, inspiring thousands of women on their journeys in Israel. She is also the author of three books: "Conversations with God," “Soul Construction,” and her newest book, “Soul Purpose: Your Daily Dose of Wisdom from Pirkei Avot.”    Find Ruchi on Facebook and Instagram; on her blog at outoftheorthobox.com; and her two podcasts. Download her “Ruchi Koval” app to listen to many of her lectures online.

    26 min

  8. 11/12/2024

    (24) Interview with an Orthodox therapist, Dr. Chaya Lieba Kobernick

    Dr. Chaya Lieba Kobernick is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Founder and Director of The CBT/DBY Center (https://www.thecbtdbtcenter.com/ … email  DrK@TheCBTDBTCenter.com), with clientele in both Israel and the U.S. She received her doctorate at Long Island University, and also trained at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Northwell Health, and Rutgers University.   Among the topics discussed are her services and types of clients within the Orthodox community, attitudes toward getting mental health treatment (stigma?), how she melds her personal Orthodoxy with her treatment and the value that brings to the table, the rise in mental health issues among teenagers, the impact of the war, and more.

    26 min
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    About

    The Orthonomics Podcast explores issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish community, through the dual lenses of data – drawn from a wide range of sources – and informed conversations with knowledgeable and often opinionated experts. Each episode also includes a segment titled “What do you want to know about the Orthodox community?” In which our guest, as well as our listeners, get to pose their questions on issues that intrigue them, and we answer your questions.

    Information

    • Creator
      Mark Trencher
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      32
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      ©2024
    • Show Website
      The Orthonomics Podcast

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