Growing up in a Satmar community, a new world opened up for Esther Malka when her father began a secret, late-night study of Tanya when she was a young girl. Through being exposed to chassidic teachings, she discovered a way of relating to God and Jewish life that was shaped not just by rules or fear, but by joy and connection. That sense of connection also informs the way she parents. How do we give our children Jewish values while making room for them to become themselves? Esther shares what she’s learned about guiding children with love and how being called to something beyond ourselves can draw out strengths we didn’t know we had. EPISODE SPONSOR: Finds by Rivkah is like having a personal shopper who sifts through the sale pages to find the best modest clothing deals! Link to join the group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KequICzm2BDFZMeTkQtwva?s=cl&p=i&mlu=4&ilr=4&iam=2 Link to kid's chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Iysqn1OSAERFgTAszyUzyg?s=cl&p=i&mlu=4&ilr=4&iam=2 * * * * * * * Esther Malka Groner grew up in a Satmar community before her family joined Chabad and moved to Israel, where she studied education. An educator with over 35 years’ experience, she directs a childcare center and co-founded Chabad Glen Eira with her husband. Contact her here: [email protected] Join the Human & Holy Yud Tes Kislev event here: https://humanandholy.com/upcomingevents Join our monthly membership: humanandholy.com/join 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 — Introduction02:14 — Esther introduces herself and her path to Melbourne04:19 — Growing up in a Satmar community05:02 — Her father begins studying Tanya08:28 — Esther discovers her father’s Chabad books10:34 — Making Chassidus more accessible beyond community walls14:27 — Esther’s early experience of rule based Judaism18:30 — Moving from fear of God toward love and joy21:09 — Staying connected to Jewish identity while serving others22:02 — Welcoming people and finding purpose in community27:26 — Purpose as a source of growth and motivation29:20 — Raising children with both guidance and love32:09 — Letting children follow their own relationship with God34:24 — Respect, privacy, and warmth between siblings37:42 — Evolving as a parent as children’s needs change40:57 — Rapid fire45:03 — Episode outro

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

Chanukah is all about Pirsumei Nisa, publicizing the miracle that G-d did for us long ago. Today, Leah Rubashkin publicly shares her own Chanukah miracle: when G-d released her husband, Sholom Rubashkin, from prison, against all odds. What was it like to experience a miracle like this up close? And what does it look like to hold onto hope, when redemption does not seem possible? Join us, as we celebrate G-d's open miracles. || Today's episode is sponsored by Toveedo. To get 15% off your annual subscription, put in HH15 at checkout at Toveedo.com || To sponsor an episode of Human & Holy or give in any amount, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor or email us at [email protected]

The Torah opens up with failure after failure, we have laws of repair (teshuvah) baked into our Judaism, and yet many who live a value-driven life live in enormous fear of failing. Why are we harder on ourselves than G-d is? Today, we talk about the Jewish perspective on failure, along with Karen's own experiences. How do you hold your mistakes seriously without becoming them? Does forgiving yourself mean letting yourself off the hook? We get into the Rambam's laws of teshuva, Rav Soloveitchik's framework of fate versus destiny, and a seminary interview answer that always made Karen uncomfortable. * * * * * * * With more than 25 years of dedicated experience in Jewish education, Karen Hochhauser brings a deep passion for learning and leadership to her role as Co-Director of the Miriam Glaubach Center. In this senior leadership position she helps guide the Center’s mission of supporting, educating and certifying Yoatzot Halacha—women trained as halachic advisors—and of strengthening communities across North America and beyond. Prior to this appointment, Karen spent 17 years at Tiferet, a thriving seminary in Ramat Beit Shemesh, both as a teacher and an administrator. During that time she developed expertise in mentoring young adults, designing and implementing enriching programs, and cultivating vibrant educational communities.She holds a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University. Karen lives in Beit Shemesh with her husband. Dr. Carl Hochhauser, and their five children. Find her on instagram @torahwithmymother. Karen can be reached 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. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 — We are much harder on ourselves than G-d is 1:16 — Why the Torah begins with a series of human catastrophes 2:46 — "Failure is almost a four-letter word in my house" 5:04 — Adam, Kayin, Noach: what the Torah's biggest stumbles have in common 8:55 — Failure is inevitable. So why did Hashem design it that way? 9:01 — The Rambam's radical idea: return is always possible 10:53 — Asking for forgiveness vs. granting it, which is actually harder? 11:18 — The mirror exercise: what it really means to forgive yourself 12:38 — The seminary interview answer Karen couldn't stand 13:51 — The difference between shame that destroys and accountability that heals 15:26 — Chapter one of Tanya: why calling yourself a rasha is dangerous 17:32 — Rav Soloveitchik's fate vs. destiny 21:10 — From "why is this happening to me" to "what am I going to do with this" 22:01 — Can failure be fate? 23:59 — The missed train on the way to a lecture about failure 25:22 — "You don't have to do it alone" 26:22 — Was your worst mistake destined? 28:41 — The responsibility to respond 44:23 — Why letting your kids fail at small things is an act of love 45:59 — When the suffering isn't your fault at all 46:00 — The rabbi of the Warsaw Ghetto, what he wrote in his final year 48:50 — "G-d is right next to us, crying" 50:50 — What it means to not be alone in your pain 52:37 — "Hashem believes in you. So you need to believe in yourself."

Motherhood is deeply spiritual work, yet many mothers feel inadequate, as if their contribution doesn’t count by the world’s standards of success, or as if motherhood falls outside the spiritual work Judaism so often celebrates. Today, with guest Miri Lipskier, we explore Jewish and Chassidic teachings on motherhood, including the biblical prophetess Chana’s choice to remain home with her son and the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s teachings on the dignity and sanctity of the private act of motherhood. We explore what the Kohanim's physical service in the Temple can teach us about domestic work, how spiritual meaning can get lost in the daily demands of caring for children, and how mothers can make room for prayer, learning, and support without guilt. * * * * * * * Support Human & Holy for $18/month and receive virtual live events and bonus resources around holiday seasons. Visit humanandholy.com. Thank you for bringing our work into the world! Miri Lipskier is a wife, mother and shlucha in Chabad Youth of Melbourne, Australia, overseeing educational and community programs for children, teens, and young women. She directs Bnos Chabad, CGI day camps and high school overnight camps, and YLIV, a volunteer organisation of 200 people. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Miri is passionate about mentorship, meaningful relationships, and empowering every individual to grow into the best version of themselves. Contact: [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. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 “I’m a Mother”: The Feeling of Inadequacy 00:33 A Jewish Perspective on Motherhood 02:33 Meet Miri Lipskier 04:18 Motherhood and Communal Work 06:38 The Lubavitcher Rebbe on Womanhood and Motherhood 08:38 The Spiritual Value of Raising Children 12:18 Chana’s Choice to Stay Home 15:00 Why Chana’s Story Matters Even If You Aren't a Stay at Home Mother 17:20 Motherhood and Society’s Measures of Success 21:08 Can Any Choice Protect Us from Regret? 22:22 The Physical Demands of Motherhood 24:00 A Morning in the Life of a Mother 26:00 Finding G-dliness in the Physical 28:28 The Kohanim and the Holiness of Domestic Work 31:09 When Caregiving Feels Spiritually Disconnecting 33:25 Making Room for Prayer and Learning 36:18 Spiritual Nourishment Without Guilt 38:00 Finding Inspiration Through Motherhood 41:20 Asking for Practical Support 42:03 Building a Joyful Jewish Home Together 43:37 Celebrating Jewish Holidays With Creativity 45:40 Using Music to Shape the Home 46:10 Household Help as an Investment in the Family Unit 47:00 Creating a Personal Home for Hashem 48:51 “I Already Sent Someone”: Recognizing Your Own Strength 50:54 Closing Reflections

Nissan, the month of freedom, is an invitation for personal freedom. Today, we explore the many dimensions of personal freedom: lack of external attachments, knowing our life force, taking a leap, finding the words, allowing ourselves to feel the bitterness of our slavery, and being able to tolerate the uncertainty of what comes after our own personal exile. * * * * * * * Based on Pesach teachings from the Maharal, Sfas Emes, Chidushei Harim, Arizal, Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Alter Rebbe. 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 lesson from the Purim story about self-education, becoming a student of life, waking up to the gap between where we are and what is possible for our soul's expression in this world, and the internal, conscious choice that the Jews during the Purim story were finally able to make to accept the Torah in their lives. Source: Maamer Vekibel Hayehudim 5738 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.

The power of having our blindspots revealed to us, why seeing ourselves clearly (both our flaws and potential) is the beginning of all growth, the spark of Moshe in each soul that allows us to experience an unfiltered version of our soul's descent, and the subtle movements we make in our lives that initiate a much larger expansion. Source: Maamer Vekibel Hayehudim 5738 Join our new virtual Tanya class! We are 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. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & Tanya Class Info 01:15 – Part One Recap 02:02 – A Life of Learning 03:00 – Seeing Your Inner Gap 04:50 – Two Types of Enemies 06:18 – Blindspots and Honest Self-Awareness 08:40 – Humility 09:10 – A Spark of Moshe Within 11:01 – The Soul's Descent 13:27 – The Purim Story 15:38 – The Gift in Response to Our Initiation 17:54 – Shema Yisrael: Witnessing G-d's Oneness 19:00 – God As Our Shadow 20:17 – Accepting the Torah from Within