Liane went to Japan while working as a journalist, never imagining that she would fall in love with a Japanese man while there, and live there, raising children, and finding out exactly what it meant to be Jewish in Japan. We speak to Liane about Assimilation, Peace in Marriage, and Chabad's outreach in places all over the globe.…

After searching for truth for years, Roy Neuberger and his wife Leah realized that what they had been searching for in religions the world over existed in their heritage all along, and in the religion of their ancestors, Judaism. Since then, their lives have been a whirlwind of outreach, Torah learning, and matchmaking. In 2000, Roy published his a…

One year, before Purim, Yaakov Klein's life was changed forever when he went to a Breslov shiur on Megillat Esther. Since then, he's been doing his utmost to spread Chasssidus, most recently focusing on reinvigorating the frum community and bringing the soul back into our Tradition. Last year, Rabbi Yaakov Klein published his third book, the Story …

Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein's fascination lies with writing in English on potentially obscure areas of Jewish History and Halacha. This time, he's chosen to paint an exhaustive portrait of Jewish history with Idol Worship, using the Tanakh and Midrashim as his backdrop. We speak to Rabbi Klein, finding out what exactly constitutes idol worship, and if…

For Millenia, Jews all around the world count the days between 2 holidays, Passover and Shavuot. They count 49 days in a time period known as the Omer. This period on the Jewish calendar has Mystical and Kabbalistic significance. Jew see this time period as a time to unlock potential and reveal our true selves. Several authors have written on the w…

Rabbi Shmuli Phillips has spent almost two decades in yeshiva and kollel, and has managed to pick up a law degree during that time from the University of London. He's best known for his groundbreaking book, Judaism Reclaimed, which has been a massive success. Judaism Reclaims "takes back" Judaism from Academic Critics, and also reintroduces the Mai…

Jenna Maio Esq. is a wife, mother, and freelance writer. She studied English and creative writing at Emory University and then completed a joint degree in Law and Environmental studies from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Over the years, she learned at Neve Yerushalayim and Midreshet Rachel V’Chaya in Jerusalem, where she deepened her Je…

With a career spanning over 30 years on Wall Street, Moshe Silver is not your average Rabbi. He's written a book on the Parsha with a refreshing twist: It's not just for Religious Jews, or indeed, for Jews at all. The Weight of Gold by Moshe Silver is a book for all people and all nations. With much thanks to G-d, we at Open Book speak with Rabbi M…

פורים 5781

Purim Sameach! We are so grateful here in Jerusalem for a THREE DAY Purim. Rabbi Francis Nataf originally learned under Nechama Leibowitz and Rav Aharon Lichtenstein. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book series on Chumash, Redeeming Relevance, and the host of the "Parsha!, etc. with Francis Nataf" Podcast. Drawing a hard line when it c…

שיריו ודבריו של הרב שלמה כץ נקראים ונשמעים ברחבי העולם. אמנם מפעלו לא נעצר אך ורק בכך. הוא ערך בצורה יוצאת דופן וייחודית מדבריו של הרב שלמה קרליבך שעליהם נדבר היום, ועל אישותו המיוחדת של הרב קרליבך. הצטרפו אלינו למסע המרתק על דבריו חייו ומפעליו של הרב שלמה קרליבך. הצטרפו אלינו לשיחותינו על עריכת הכתבים ועל צורת השפעתו של הרב שלמה על היהדות. ישבנו ע…

We took a break from our normal programming and did a tribute show to the late Rabbi Twerski, beloved leader, rabbi, writer, and psychiatrist, whose actions, words, and guidance saved thousands of lives. Though on the show we normally focus on divisive issues, we put that aside this week and had a deeper look at the values Rabbi Twerski embodied. R…

הרב חיים סבתו יליד מצרים לוחם במלחמת יום הכיפורים וראש ישיבה. פרק על ספרו המרתק של הרב השוזר את מעורותיו ואמונתו במלחמת יום הכיפורים. המיוחדות של שילוב מלחמה ואמונה נכתב בצורה פואטית ומלאת רגש.

Rav Aharon Halevy lived for years in Yavniel and heard stories and classes straight from the Tzaddik of Yavniel's mouth hundreds of times. You ever look at those Breslov Pamphlets that have been handed out to you on the streets of Jerusalem or New York and you wonder, who wrote these? Well, he was known as the Mohara"sh, and his followers called hi…

האם הפילוג בין המגזרים בציבור הישראלי בין שומרי המצוות ואלו שעדיין אינם שומרים יכול להיות מוכל ונעים? האם התכנים שנכתבו לפני 50 שנה עדיין רלוונטים לדור שלנו? כל זה ועוד בפרק הבא של ספר פתוח. הפעם פרק בעברית על הספר מכתהים לטליה שנכתב על ידי שני אנשים דוב אינדיג וטליה. לא כדאי לפספס את הפרק הזה. תגובות, הערות או תיקונים שלחו לנו אותם בכתובת המייל הב…

In our latest episode, we discuss contemporary Jewish writer, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, and dive into his book, the Power of Words. Is Jewish Education doing enough to teach kids about kindness? How does Eitan feel about Itai? How can not wearing Shaatnes make you a better person? All this and more in our latest episode that you don't want to miss. We m…

ברוכים הבאים לפרק הראשון שלנו בעברית מה הרב יהודה הלוי היה אומר על המחלוקות הפילוגים וריבוי הדעות בין מגזרים ורבנים בדור שלנו האם הכוזרי היה ספר מהפכני והאם הוא עדיין רלוונטי להיום מה היו השפעות של רבי יהודה הלוי על התפילות במחזור האם הספיק הרב להגיע לארץ ישראל לפני מותו אנחנו דנים בכל הדברים הללו ויותר בפודקאסט שלנו, אתם לא רוצים לפספס גובות, הערו…

Welcome to our first show. A discussion on Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, but there are also questions we ask. Is Islam inherently violent? Should Christianity be considered avodah zarah? Is world peace possible between all faiths? All that and more in our very first episode. We mamash love reading, and we want you guys to be able to read too. Listeners of …

Next Motzei Shabbat (Jerusalem time) the show starts. If you're in the states please wait until YOUR motzei shabbat until playing. Keep up with us on Instagram: instagram.com/jewcast