A live conversation with my mother about joy, reflections on life when living so close to hardship, her work caring for people in their most tenuous moments, the privilege of being in a position of giving, raising children with Jewish values outside of a Jewish community, letting yourself dream, and so much more. Rochel Lazaroff is the co-founder and co-director of Aishel House, a hospitality home for patients and their families visiting the Texas Medical Center, a shlucha, mother of eleven, and Torah teacher. Find out more about her work here: aishelhouse.org. Contact her at [email protected] Join our new virtual Tanya class! We will be hosting a live, three part series on the divine soul, through Chapter 2 of the Tanya, a space to explore the text through shared study, poetry, curated illustrations, songs, and guided reflection. Link to join us here: https://humanandholy.mykajabi.com/tanyaclass * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected] To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

In honor of Rosh Chodesh Adar, we talk about the mystical underpinnings of this month of joy: why humor is the very space where contradictions can breathe, how the soul finds expression in lighthearted depth, why taking ourselves less seriously can be a conduit for our fullest expression, and play as a way to find expression for our soul's experience. * * * * * * * Join our new virtual Tanya class! We will be hosting a live, three part series on the divine soul, through Chapter 2 of the Tanya, a space to explore the text through shared study, poetry, curated illustrations, songs, and guided reflection. Link to join us here: https://humanandholy.mykajabi.com/tanyaclass To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected] To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

Shoshana Manssouri stumbled into the role of being a mikveh attendant as a young woman. Over the years, she has developed a deep reverence for the experience of accompanying women to immerse in the mikvah's holy waters. Today, she shares the deeper meaning behind mikvah immersion, what makes these ritual waters holy, and the experiences that made her fall in love with her role. * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected] To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation exploring the introduction to the Zohar, through some of life's biggest questions, like: Why are we here? Why do humans suffer? If everything is part of a divine plan, what is our role in G-d's broader story? We explore the opportunities for growth in facing our own resistance, what our suffering can invite us to, the call to adventure within daily life, studying mysticism while remaining connected with reality, and testing spiritual ideas in our own lives. This episode is part 1/3 of a series on the Introduction to the Zohar: The Wisdom of Truth by Rabbi Yehudah Leib Ashlag, co-hosted by Tonia Chazanow and Charlotte Broukhim. Find the book here: https://korenpub.com/products/introduction-to-the-zohar?srsltid=AfmBOoob-Gp3WIs3jbSf1s7CA7pdFPNBn8B91jTles8xkN39SDMBQM89 Charlotte Broukhim is a Jewish mom from Los Angeles who explores the intersections of Jewish mysticism, science, and politics. She studied comparative religion at Harvard, and her upcoming Substack will share practical reflections and insights at the crossroads of ancient wisdom and today’s world. Find her on instagram @cbroukhim and contact her at [email protected]. * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected] To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation about the deaths and rebirths that we experience throughout our lives, the existential shift of motherhood, the personal language required to choose faith, the philosophy behind Chabad outreach and how it democratizes spirituality, why the concept of Moshiach (messiah) cannot be disentangled from the purpose of the Jewish people, and the small concessions to our vices that have outsized negative impacts on our lives. This episode is part 3/3 of a series on the Introduction to the Zohar: The Wisdom of Truth by Rabbi Yehudah Leib Ashlag, co-hosted by Tonia Chazanow and Charlotte Broukhim. Find the book here: share.fund/zoharhhUse code ZOHARHH at checkout for 20% off Charlotte Broukhim is a Jewish mom from Los Angeles who explores the intersections of Jewish mysticism, science, and politics. She studied comparative religion at Harvard, and her upcoming Substack will share practical reflections and insights at the crossroads of ancient wisdom and today’s world. Find her on instagram @cbroukhim and contact her at [email protected]. * * * * * * EPISODE SPONSOR: Today’s episode is sponsored by SHARE, a global initiative connecting individuals to the timeless teachings of the inner dimension of Jewish wisdom, known as Pnimiyut Hatorah. Their mission is to inspire soulful living and learning by translating ancient insights for the contemporary moment. You can learn more on Share.Fund. To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected] To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction & Charlotte's Background 03:28 - The Intersection of Mysticism and Science 06:20 - Messianic Vision as Core Jewish Purpose 11:12 - Looking Forward vs Looking Backward 15:45 - Shabbat is a Dress Rehearsal for Redemption 20:31 - Resurrection of the Dead in Modern Times 24:16 - Releasing Our Attachments to our Roles and Accomplishments 27:53 - Becoming a Channel for God Through Unexpected Questions 30:21 - Matrescence and the Ego Death of Motherhood 34:21 - Intergenerational Healing 38:46 - Who is the Zohar's Author? 42:04 - Torah Ideas Are More Powerful Than Historical Proof 46:29 - Faith is a Choice We Make 50:40 - Emunah vs. Blind Faith 55:07 - Spiritual Maturity 59:05 - Mysticism Awakens the Deepest Parts of Our Souls 01:02:29 - Should We Lead With the Mystical Parts of Torah? 01:04:38 - The Democratization of Spirituality 01:09:48 - Even Following Traffic Laws Can be a Mitzvah 01:14:58 - Hashgacha Pratis: Making Meaning of Every Moment 01:17:38 - Is Time Management Holy? The Trap of Wasting Time & Scrolling 01:21:55 - Upping the Stakes Helps Us Overcome Our Vices 01:24:24 - Intensity Driven by Purpose, Not Shame 01:27:11 - Delayed Pleasure Comes Through the Work 01:31:13 - Falling in Love with the Process

Orthodox Jewish singer Shaindy Plotzker discusses her journey within the music industry, using our talents and voices for the sake of a higher purpose, performing for women’s only crowds and the blessings she’s seen come of it, seeing G-d as the source of both our successes and hardships, learning how to rest, elevating other women in her industry, advice for aspiring artists, and the deep intention that guides her every move. Discover more from Shaindy Plotzker at shaindyplotzker.com and by streaming her music on Youtube, Spotify and all music streaming platforms. Connect with her on instagram via @shaindyplotzkermusic. Episode Partners: TOVEEDO: An online children's streaming subscription featuring exclusive Jewish content created and sourced by Toveedo. Use code HH10 for 10% off at Toveedo.com. ZELDA HAIR: A wig company that champions the holistic process of hair covering for Jewish women. Shop Zelda Hair at zeldahairshop.com and discover the heart behind the brand on Instagram @zeldahair.To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected] support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨Human & Holy podcast available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. 0:15 Toveedo Sponsorship 1:06 Host's Introduction 2:20 Welcome Shaindy Plotzker  3:00 What Makes Shaindy Who She Is? 5:17 Shaindy's Journey into the Music World 8:02 What Do I Want to be Known For? 9:50 Putting the Spotlight on Others 11:00 The Spiritual Significance of Women's Concerts 14:20 The Challenges & Rewards of Singing for Women Only  15:45 Getting Halachic Guidance on Her Career 18:10 Seeing Open Blessings from Doing the Right Thing 20:00 I Am Not Motivated by Self Expression 25:00 My Talent is a Vessel for G-d 27:28 How Does Faith in G-d Impact Her Business? 30:26 Put Your Trust in G-d, Not People 31:30 The Jewish People's Story (Kol Isha) 35:35 Advice On Faith When Business is Hard 38:00 My Voice Doesn't Define Me 39:30 Defining Yourself Beyond Success 42:12 Lifting Up Fellow Artists in Her Industry 49:16 Can Jewish Music Hold Sorrowful Emotion? 54:55 Music Writing Process 56:15 Joy and Sadness Can Coexist 58:35 Being Intentional About How I Share  59:42 A Moving Concert in Israel After Oct. 7th 1:06:27 Hold Onto Hope  1:08:54 Knowing When to Say No to an Opportunity 1:12:04 Learning How to Rest 1:21:18 Advice to Jewish Women With Unique Talents 1:25:08 Stop Being a Perfectionist and Start Somewhere 1:30:00 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts 1:37:12 Zelda Hair Sponsorship & Host's Outro

What revived the public conversation about Mikvah? How can we educate our children about it, so the concept is natural to them as they age? And how can we, in our own lives, navigate the practical struggles that come up when observing the details of this process, and support each other in honoring this sacred mitzvah? || Chassi Rivkin is the Director of Operations at mikvah.org, an organization dedicated to bringing awareness and a deeper understanding of the mitzvah of Mikvah through online courses, podcasts, and dozens of resources that help support people in their observance of and connection to this precious mitzvah. To find out more about their work, visit www.mikvah.org. || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To join our online community, visit humanandholy.com/community. To become a patreon of the podcast, visit patreon.com/humanandholy.

A conversation with a practicing marriage and family therapist about the limits of therapeutic language. Fraida establishes the enormous gifts of therapy in giving people the ability to come face to face with their humanity and inner healing, and suggests that as Jews, we don't have to stop there. We can weave the reality of our divine souls and infinite potential into the story of our vulnerability and humanity. The women's siddur is back in stock and available for purchase on humanandholy.com/shop. We love hearing your feedback! Email us at [email protected] sponsor an episode, reach out to us via email or visit ⁠humanandholy.com/sponsor⁠.Become a monthly supporter of the podcast on ⁠patreon.com/humanandholy⁠.