The Grand Conversation: The Machon Siach Podcast Castos https://www.machonsiach.org/inside-the-conversation/ The Grand Conversation: The Machon Siach Podcast Machon Siach @ SAR High School, honoring the memory of Belda K. Lindenbaum, z"l, is the research arm of SAR HS where faculty bridge theory and practice on matters of Jewish education, curriculum, and culture that are central to the Modern Orthodox Community. The Grand Conversation podcast features the fellows of Machon Siach discussing their papers and the research process. Host: Shmuel Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash at SAR HS and Co-Director of Machon Siach. Producer: Avi Bloom, Director of Technology at SAR HS Fri, 23 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000 en © 2023 US IL https://episodes.castos.com/64a706fdc390c1-89592189/images/podcast/covers/c1a-k34gv-92k7j8v7uwq5-nwgvtt.png The Grand Conversation: The Machon Siach Podcast https://www.machonsiach.org/inside-the-conversation/ The Grand Conversation: The Machon Siach Podcast Machon Siach @ SAR High School, honoring the memory of Belda K. Lindenbaum, z"l, is the research arm of SAR HS where faculty bridge theory and practice on matters of Jewish education, curriculum, and culture that are central to the Modern Orthodox Community. The Grand Conversation podcast features the fellows of Machon Siach discussing their papers and the research process. Host: Shmuel Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash at SAR HS and Co-Director of Machon Siach. Producer: Avi Bloom, Director of Technology at SAR HS Machon Siach episodic The Grand Conversation: The Machon Siach Podcast Machon Siach @ SAR High School, honoring the memory of Belda K. Lindenbaum, z"l, is the research arm of SAR HS where faculty bridge theory and practice on matters of Jewish education, curriculum, and culture that are central to the Modern Orthodox Community. The Grand Conversation podcast features the fellows of Machon Siach discussing their papers and the research process. Host: Shmuel Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash at SAR HS and Co-Director of Machon Siach. Producer: Avi Bloom, Director of Technology at SAR HS machonsiach@sarhighschool.org (Machon Siach) machonsiach@sarhighschool.org false https://feeds.castos.com/1knx1 yes <![CDATA[Ep. 30 - Supporting Sephardic Students in our School]]> Fri, 23 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/2045014 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-30-supporting-sephardic-students-in-our-school This episode of The Grand Conversation: "Supporting Sephardic Students in Our Schools" features an important conversation between Rabbi Shmuel Hain and Ms. Denise Samstein, Judaic Studies faculty member and Director of Sephardic Engagement at SAR High School. Questions discussed include: What is the experience of Sephardic families and students in schools where they are a minority? What more can we do to include Sephardic history, culture and halakha in our school life?

]]> full 30 false This episode of The Grand Conversation: "Supporting Sephardic Students in Our Schools" features an important conversation between Rabbi Shmuel Hain and Ms. Denise Samstein, Judaic Studies faculty member and Director of Sephardic Engagement at SAR High School. Questions discussed include: What is the experience of Sephardic families and students in schools where they are a minority? What more can we do to include Sephardic history, culture and halakha in our school life?

]]> 00:33:27 <![CDATA[Ep. 29 - Am V'Ometz: Building Jewish Confidence]]> Tue, 06 May 2025 21:07:40 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/2026290 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-29-am-vometz-building-jewish-confidence This episode of The Grand Conversation is devoted to the subject of Building Jewish Confidence. In the podcast, Rabbi Shmuel Hain is in conversation with Ms. Adina Shoulson, Chair of SAR High School’s History Department and Dr. Caryn Keller, History faculty at SAR HS. Ms. Shoulson and Dr. Keller were the coordinators of Am V’Ometz: Building Jewish Confidence Conference. This conference, along with a number of curricular and co-curricular activities at SAR HS and ongoing projects at Machon Siach are designed to instill and reinforce students’ confidence in their Jewish identity.

]]> full 29 false This episode of The Grand Conversation is devoted to the subject of Building Jewish Confidence. In the podcast, Rabbi Shmuel Hain is in conversation with Ms. Adina Shoulson, Chair of SAR High School’s History Department and Dr. Caryn Keller, History faculty at SAR HS. Ms. Shoulson and Dr. Keller were the coordinators of Am V’Ometz: Building Jewish Confidence Conference. This conference, along with a number of curricular and co-curricular activities at SAR HS and ongoing projects at Machon Siach are designed to instill and reinforce students’ confidence in their Jewish identity.

]]> 00:23:45 <![CDATA[Ep. 28 - Jewish Sexual Ethics with Ms. Shuli Taubes]]> Fri, 31 Jan 2025 03:00:45 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1954694 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-28-jewish-sexual-ethics-with-ms-shuli-taubes This special episode of the Grand Conversation is devoted to the subject of teaching Jewish sexual ethics at SAR high school and in the broader modern orthodox community. Rabbi Hain speaks with Ms. Shuli Taubes, the author of This Too is Torah, SAR High School's tenth grade beit midrash program on Jewish sexual ethics, values and practice.

]]> full 28 false This special episode of the Grand Conversation is devoted to the subject of teaching Jewish sexual ethics at SAR high school and in the broader modern orthodox community. Rabbi Hain speaks with Ms. Shuli Taubes, the author of This Too is Torah, SAR High School's tenth grade beit midrash program on Jewish sexual ethics, values and practice.

]]> 00:37:28 <![CDATA[Ep. 27 - It's Deeper than College Admissions: A Conversation with Professor Daniel Markovits]]> Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:01:06 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1937530 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-27-its-deeper-than-college-admissions-a-conversation-with-professor-daniel-markovits American Jews have benefited greatly from access to higher education and the professional pathways it opened to them. Today, here is a great deal of concern about the culture and climate for Jews and Zionists on campus. But our students are still striving for acceptance into competitive universities, and we still see our students struggling with the endless demands of the college admissions process, one that seems to get more daunting with every year. Even as we reconsider whether our community should remain bought in to this system, is there any way to rethink how we define, demonstrate, and reward merit? Is it possible to enjoy the benefits of striving for excellence without all of the costs that our current system imposes? Professor Daniel Markovits of Yale Law School, author of The Meritocracy Trap: How America's Foundational Myth Feeds Inequality, Dismantles the Middle Class, and Devours the Elite, speaks with Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz about the nature of problem, how we got here, and what we might do about it. * This was recorded prior to October 7th, 2023.

]]> full 27 false American Jews have benefited greatly from access to higher education and the professional pathways it opened to them. Today, here is a great deal of concern about the culture and climate for Jews and Zionists on campus. But our students are still striving for acceptance into competitive universities, and we still see our students struggling with the endless demands of the college admissions process, one that seems to get more daunting with every year. Even as we reconsider whether our community should remain bought in to this system, is there any way to rethink how we define, demonstrate, and reward merit? Is it possible to enjoy the benefits of striving for excellence without all of the costs that our current system imposes? Professor Daniel Markovits of Yale Law School, author of The Meritocracy Trap: How America's Foundational Myth Feeds Inequality, Dismantles the Middle Class, and Devours the Elite, speaks with Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz about the nature of problem, how we got here, and what we might do about it. * This was recorded prior to October 7th, 2023.

]]> 00:58:48 <![CDATA[Ep. 26 - Lifnai V’Lifnim/Vaad with Rabbanit Lisa Schlaff & Ms. Shira Schiowitz]]> Thu, 21 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1903777 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-26-lifnai-vlifnimvaad-with-rabbanit-lisa-schlaff-ms-shira-schiowitz In this episode of the Grand Conversation, Rabbi Shmuel Hain discusses SAR High School's Vaad program with Rabbanit Lisa Schlaff and Ms. Shira Schiowitz. Vaad enhances the spiritual growth and meaning making of our faculty and students by devoting one period a week to their inner world. Listen to find out how SAR HS teachers and students develop the skills and dispositions to support one another in their religious and emotional journeys. SAR High School's Vaad program was developed in partnership with Lifnai V'lifnim, an organization dedicated to deepening connections and transforming relationships with oneself, with others, with community and with Torah and God.

]]> full 26 false In this episode of the Grand Conversation, Rabbi Shmuel Hain discusses SAR High School's Vaad program with Rabbanit Lisa Schlaff and Ms. Shira Schiowitz. Vaad enhances the spiritual growth and meaning making of our faculty and students by devoting one period a week to their inner world. Listen to find out how SAR HS teachers and students develop the skills and dispositions to support one another in their religious and emotional journeys. SAR High School's Vaad program was developed in partnership with Lifnai V'lifnim, an organization dedicated to deepening connections and transforming relationships with oneself, with others, with community and with Torah and God.

]]> 00:37:26 <![CDATA[Ep. 25 -Election Season at SAR High School - A conversation with Rabbi Jonathan Kroll, Principal and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz, Associate Principal]]> Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:40:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1871011 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-25-election-season-at-sar-high-school-a-conversation-with-rabbi-jonathan-kroll-principal-and-dr-rivka-press-schwartz-associate-principal On this special episode of the Grand Conversation, Rabbi Shmuel Hain hosts a discussion with Rabbi Jonathan Kroll and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz about the upcoming presidential election. In this polarized moment, how has SAR High School tried to foster an environment where all members of our community, staff and students, can engage in political discussion with civility and respect?

Transcript Notes: Election Education: A Presidential election provides an opportunity for our students to explore important issues that affect the future of our country. While the political theater is often full of divisiveness we believe that our students can engage issues civilly and with deep respect for each other. A committee of staff members is coordinating educational programming for our students over the course of the next few months. During in-service we shared this draft of an affirmative set of principles that guide the way we as a community approach the election.

]]> full 25 false On this special episode of the Grand Conversation, Rabbi Shmuel Hain hosts a discussion with Rabbi Jonathan Kroll and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz about the upcoming presidential election. In this polarized moment, how has SAR High School tried to foster an environment where all members of our community, staff and students, can engage in political discussion with civility and respect?

Transcript Notes: Election Education: A Presidential election provides an opportunity for our students to explore important issues that affect the future of our country. While the political theater is often full of divisiveness we believe that our students can engage issues civilly and with deep respect for each other. A committee of staff members is coordinating educational programming for our students over the course of the next few months. During in-service we shared this draft of an affirmative set of principles that guide the way we as a community approach the election.

]]> 00:35:49 <![CDATA[Ep. 24 - Ungrading: It Turns Out that Getting Rid of Grading Changes Everything (Well, A Lot)]]> Thu, 19 Sep 2024 19:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1838432 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/eo-24-ungrading-it-turns-out-that-getting-rid-of-grading-changes-everything-well-a-lot
SAR educators, Dr. Rivka Schwartz, Ms. Sarah Medved, and Ms. Rebecca Glassberg, who have experimented with different forms of ungrading--removing teachers' grading power in the classroom and making students responsible for their own learning--talk about their experiences, what brought them to ungrading, and the anticipated and unanticipated outcomes.

 
]]> full 24 false
SAR educators, Dr. Rivka Schwartz, Ms. Sarah Medved, and Ms. Rebecca Glassberg, who have experimented with different forms of ungrading--removing teachers' grading power in the classroom and making students responsible for their own learning--talk about their experiences, what brought them to ungrading, and the anticipated and unanticipated outcomes.

 
]]> 00:47:52 <![CDATA[Ep. 23 - Confidence Project with Rabbi Tully Harcsztark, Mr. Aaron Mitchell & Mr. David Sable]]> Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:52:49 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1834464 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-23-confidence-project-with-rabbi-tully-harcsztark-mr-aaron-mitchell-mr-david-sable David Sable and Aaron Mitchell join Rabbi Harcsztark to discuss The Confidence Project, a Machon Siach initiative to connect SAR students and faculty with their peers in three Bronx high schools. This follows on the relationship that SAR Academy has developed with Atmosphere Academy in Riverdale. As we began to bring SAR students together with students from Comp Sci High, The Theater and Arts Production Company School (TAPCo) and the Fannie Lou Hamer School, our teachers worked with Aaron Mitchell and David Sable to prepare our students for conversations across cultural differences. David and Aaron share their professional experiences and guidance as Rabbi Harcsztark shares his vision for this project.

 
 
]]> full 23 false David Sable and Aaron Mitchell join Rabbi Harcsztark to discuss The Confidence Project, a Machon Siach initiative to connect SAR students and faculty with their peers in three Bronx high schools. This follows on the relationship that SAR Academy has developed with Atmosphere Academy in Riverdale. As we began to bring SAR students together with students from Comp Sci High, The Theater and Arts Production Company School (TAPCo) and the Fannie Lou Hamer School, our teachers worked with Aaron Mitchell and David Sable to prepare our students for conversations across cultural differences. David and Aaron share their professional experiences and guidance as Rabbi Harcsztark shares his vision for this project.

 
 
]]> 00:57:32 <![CDATA[Ep. 22 - American Jews and Higher Education: Past is Prologue]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1689898 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-22-american-jews-and-higher-education-past-is-prologue American Jews and Higher Education:
This series will explore the experience of American Jews in higher education, and consider some of the challenges raised in recent years by shifting campus culture and changes in law and policies around admissions, discrimination, and free speech on campus. As a school committed to the "grand conversation between Torah and the world", the majority of whose graduates continue on to secular college, how are we thinking about some of these issues, and what work do we need to do to prepare our graduates to engage them?
Episode 1: Past is Prologue
In this episode, Rabbi Shmuel Hain interviews Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz about the history of Jews' experiences on American college campuses, from the arrival of waves of Eastern European immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th century, through decades of exclusions and quotas through greater acceptance on campuses after World War II. How was higher education once seen as an essential component of American Jews' "making it"? And how has shifting campus culture, and shifting cultural and educational norms, in the last part of the 20th and early 21st century, affected that acceptance, and Jewish students' comfort on campuses?

]]> full 22 false American Jews and Higher Education:
This series will explore the experience of American Jews in higher education, and consider some of the challenges raised in recent years by shifting campus culture and changes in law and policies around admissions, discrimination, and free speech on campus. As a school committed to the "grand conversation between Torah and the world", the majority of whose graduates continue on to secular college, how are we thinking about some of these issues, and what work do we need to do to prepare our graduates to engage them?
Episode 1: Past is Prologue
In this episode, Rabbi Shmuel Hain interviews Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz about the history of Jews' experiences on American college campuses, from the arrival of waves of Eastern European immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th century, through decades of exclusions and quotas through greater acceptance on campuses after World War II. How was higher education once seen as an essential component of American Jews' "making it"? And how has shifting campus culture, and shifting cultural and educational norms, in the last part of the 20th and early 21st century, affected that acceptance, and Jewish students' comfort on campuses?

]]> 00:39:03 <![CDATA[Ep. 21 - What the Numbers Tell Us, And What They Mean]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:13:49 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1664701 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-21-what-the-numbers-tell-us-and-what-they-mean In this episode, Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz speaks with two individuals who understand how to gather and use data to offer insight into schools' successes and areas for improvement. Her first guest is Rabbi Joseph Beyda, principal of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School, who discusses his use of data to take the measure of his school community and assess the effectiveness of its programs. Her second guest is Jake Trumbo, project coordinator at Bach Harrison, who oversaw the three administrations of the survey gathering data about substance use among Modern Orthodox adolescents. He discusses the process of surveying, and what it looked like from his side.

This is the second episode in our new series: Substance Use among Modern Orthodox Adolescents: Identifying Problems, Implementing Solutions.

]]> full 21 false In this episode, Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz speaks with two individuals who understand how to gather and use data to offer insight into schools' successes and areas for improvement. Her first guest is Rabbi Joseph Beyda, principal of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School, who discusses his use of data to take the measure of his school community and assess the effectiveness of its programs. Her second guest is Jake Trumbo, project coordinator at Bach Harrison, who oversaw the three administrations of the survey gathering data about substance use among Modern Orthodox adolescents. He discusses the process of surveying, and what it looked like from his side.

This is the second episode in our new series: Substance Use among Modern Orthodox Adolescents: Identifying Problems, Implementing Solutions.

]]> 00:48:13 <![CDATA[Ep. 20 - A Conversation with Dalene Beaulieu]]> Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1637123 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-20-series-substance-use-among-modern-orthodox-adolescents-identifying-problems-implementing-solutions-episode-title-a-conversation-with-dalene-beaulieu For the past six years, Machon Siach has been working to understand the scope of the substance use problem among Modern Orthodox adolescents, and to identify and implement evidence-based interventions to address that problem. This eventually led to the implementation of the Guiding Good Choices parenting program for all 9th grade parents. In this work, we have been guided by Dalene Beaulieu, an expert from the University of Washington's Social Development Research Group. Listen as we explore what we learned from her, and what she learned about our community, over these years.

This is the first episode in our new series: Substance Use among Modern Orthodox Adolescents: Identifying Problems, Implementing Solutions.

]]> full 20 false For the past six years, Machon Siach has been working to understand the scope of the substance use problem among Modern Orthodox adolescents, and to identify and implement evidence-based interventions to address that problem. This eventually led to the implementation of the Guiding Good Choices parenting program for all 9th grade parents. In this work, we have been guided by Dalene Beaulieu, an expert from the University of Washington's Social Development Research Group. Listen as we explore what we learned from her, and what she learned about our community, over these years.

This is the first episode in our new series: Substance Use among Modern Orthodox Adolescents: Identifying Problems, Implementing Solutions.

]]> 00:31:36 <![CDATA[Ep. 19 - Translating Talmud Series: Shema, Time and Gender]]> Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:32:10 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1630603 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-19-translating-talmud-series-shema-time-and-gender In this episode, Rabbi Harcsztark and Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz discuss Dr. Kattan Gribetz's book and research on ​Time and Difference in Rabbinic Judaism. Key questions include: What do we learn from how the rabbis conceptualized time and how can we translate some of these insights and values to our high school students? How do we deepen our understanding of gendered time including the differences between men and women in Jewish law rooted in the conceptualization of time? What is the relationship between the academic study of Talmud and the religious engagement of Talmud Torah?

]]> full 15 false In this episode, Rabbi Harcsztark and Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz discuss Dr. Kattan Gribetz's book and research on ​Time and Difference in Rabbinic Judaism. Key questions include: What do we learn from how the rabbis conceptualized time and how can we translate some of these insights and values to our high school students? How do we deepen our understanding of gendered time including the differences between men and women in Jewish law rooted in the conceptualization of time? What is the relationship between the academic study of Talmud and the religious engagement of Talmud Torah?

]]> 00:46:05 <![CDATA[Ep. 18 - Conflict, Crisis, and Communication: A Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1611561 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-18-teaching-students-about-religions-role-in-this-complex-conflict This episode features an eye-opening discussion between Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth- the director of Mosaica, an Israeli NGO focusing on insider religious mediation.

What exactly does the work of insider religious mediation look like during a war?

Is there ongoing dialogue between religious leaders in Muslim and Jewish communities in the Middle East at this terrible time?

What should we as high school educators be teaching our students about the role of religion in this seemingly intractable conflict?

]]> false This episode features an eye-opening discussion between Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth- the director of Mosaica, an Israeli NGO focusing on insider religious mediation.

What exactly does the work of insider religious mediation look like during a war?

Is there ongoing dialogue between religious leaders in Muslim and Jewish communities in the Middle East at this terrible time?

What should we as high school educators be teaching our students about the role of religion in this seemingly intractable conflict?

]]> 00:49:20 <![CDATA[Ep. 17 - Our Kids On Campus: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going?]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2023 21:02:11 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1599143 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-17-our-kids-on-campus-where-are-we-now-where-are-we-going This special episode of the Grand Conversation, recorded at the end of October, is devoted to important, complex, and ongoing issues being discussed in our community in this Post-October 7th world:

How can we meaningfully connect with and support our alumni on college campuses, and how are we helping parents and current SAR HS students navigate the college guidance process?

Our guest host is Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz, Associate Principal of SAR HS and Director of Research and Program Development at Machon Siach. Our two guests are leaders of SAR High School’s College Counseling team, Mr. Michael Courtney, Director of College Counseling at SAR HS and Ms. Michelle Biller-Levy, Associate Director of College Counseling at SAR HS and Director of Post-Graduate Initiatives, at Machon Siach.

]]> 12 false This special episode of the Grand Conversation, recorded at the end of October, is devoted to important, complex, and ongoing issues being discussed in our community in this Post-October 7th world:

How can we meaningfully connect with and support our alumni on college campuses, and how are we helping parents and current SAR HS students navigate the college guidance process?

Our guest host is Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz, Associate Principal of SAR HS and Director of Research and Program Development at Machon Siach. Our two guests are leaders of SAR High School’s College Counseling team, Mr. Michael Courtney, Director of College Counseling at SAR HS and Ms. Michelle Biller-Levy, Associate Director of College Counseling at SAR HS and Director of Post-Graduate Initiatives, at Machon Siach.

]]> 00:34:48 <![CDATA[Ep. 16 - The Heroes of Israel's Volunteer Civil Service]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2023 17:30:00 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1599032 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/ep-16-the-heroes-of-israels-volunteer-civil-service This special episode of the Grand Conversation emerged from the meaningful UJA mission to Israel that our Founding Principal Rabbi Tully Harcsztark was fortunate to join. On that mission, Rabbi Harcsztark ran into Effie Shoham- Shteiner in Jerusalem, an historian specializing in Medieval Jewish History. He is an associate professor at Ben-Gurion University in Be’er-Shevah. Since October 7th, Effie has not been pursuing his academic interests. Instead, he has been volunteering around-the-clock on behalf of the citizens of Medinat Yisrael, especially those from the south who were most directly impacted by the October 7th attack. We are honored to share with you Rabbi Harcsztark in conversation with Effie about the work he has been doing since October 7th.

]]> full 13 false This special episode of the Grand Conversation emerged from the meaningful UJA mission to Israel that our Founding Principal Rabbi Tully Harcsztark was fortunate to join. On that mission, Rabbi Harcsztark ran into Effie Shoham- Shteiner in Jerusalem, an historian specializing in Medieval Jewish History. He is an associate professor at Ben-Gurion University in Be’er-Shevah. Since October 7th, Effie has not been pursuing his academic interests. Instead, he has been volunteering around-the-clock on behalf of the citizens of Medinat Yisrael, especially those from the south who were most directly impacted by the October 7th attack. We are honored to share with you Rabbi Harcsztark in conversation with Effie about the work he has been doing since October 7th.

]]> 00:42:36 <![CDATA[Ep. 15 - Translating Talmud Series: Bridging Scholarship and Students - Episode 1]]> Wed, 25 Oct 2023 02:43:37 +0000 Machon Siach https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/54933/episode/1583423 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/translating-talmud-bridging-scholarship-and-students This special series of the Grand Conversation is devoted to the topic of Gemara Education. Our guest host is Rabbi Tully Harcsztark, Founding Principal of SAR HS and Dean of Machon Siach.

In this first episode of the series, Rabbi Harcsztark and Dr. Elana Stein Hain have a timely discussion on whether and how to teach the talmudic sugya of redeeming captives in the aftermath of the Hamas terror attacks and taking of some 200 Israeli hostages. They also discuss Dr. Stein Hain's research (and soon-to-be-published book Circumventing the Law) on legal loopholes in rabbinic literature and how to teach this subject to high school students and adults.

]]> full 15 false This special series of the Grand Conversation is devoted to the topic of Gemara Education. Our guest host is Rabbi Tully Harcsztark, Founding Principal of SAR HS and Dean of Machon Siach.

In this first episode of the series, Rabbi Harcsztark and Dr. Elana Stein Hain have a timely discussion on whether and how to teach the talmudic sugya of redeeming captives in the aftermath of the Hamas terror attacks and taking of some 200 Israeli hostages. They also discuss Dr. Stein Hain's research (and soon-to-be-published book Circumventing the Law) on legal loopholes in rabbinic literature and how to teach this subject to high school students and adults.

]]> 00:39:31 <![CDATA[Ep. 14 - Israel @75: Israel Education at SAR HS]]> Thu, 04 May 2023 20:55:46 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:6452b1dcc4d2dd6145dfa957 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/israel-at-75-israel-education-at-sar-hs In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Tully Harcsztark Rebecca Wolf, and Yossi Ben-Harush discuss several important questions about Israel Education at S.A.R. High School, including: How has our approach to teaching Modern Israel evolved over the years? How do we navigate critical discussions of Israel current events in our history classrooms? How do we educate our students to participate in difficult discussions about Israel as insiders? What role does advocacy play in Israel education?

]]> full 14 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Tully Harcsztark Rebecca Wolf, and Yossi Ben-Harush discuss several important questions about Israel Education at S.A.R. High School, including: How has our approach to teaching Modern Israel evolved over the years? How do we navigate critical discussions of Israel current events in our history classrooms? How do we educate our students to participate in difficult discussions about Israel as insiders? What role does advocacy play in Israel education?

]]> 00:38:24 <![CDATA[Ep. 13 - Gemara Education: The High School Classroom and Beyond]]> Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:59:01 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:64262792eb65631554d630d2 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/gemara-education-the-high-school-classroom-and-beyond In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbanit Lisa Schlaff joins Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss the goals of high school gemara education, recent trends in gemara education in post high school yeshivot and midrashot, and how teaching Torah Shebe'al Peh at S.A.R. High School has changed since the school's founding twenty years ago.

]]> full 13 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbanit Lisa Schlaff joins Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss the goals of high school gemara education, recent trends in gemara education in post high school yeshivot and midrashot, and how teaching Torah Shebe'al Peh at S.A.R. High School has changed since the school's founding twenty years ago.

]]> 00:38:24 <![CDATA[Ep. 12 - Making Sense of Gemara in the High School Classroom]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2023 16:37:36 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:63cf3eeaefcb4e716aeb1791 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/making-sense-of-gemara-in-the-high-school-classroom In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Jeffrey Rubenstein and Rabbi Tully Harcstark join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss methods and tools which are valuable in teaching gemara to high school students, including both academic and conceptual/lomdus approaches.

]]> full 12 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Jeffrey Rubenstein and Rabbi Tully Harcstark join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss methods and tools which are valuable in teaching gemara to high school students, including both academic and conceptual/lomdus approaches.

]]> 00:37:45 <![CDATA[Ep. 11 - To Thine Own Self Be True: Authenticity & Spirituality in the Modern Orthodox Classroom]]> Mon, 23 May 2022 19:14:02 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:628bdd015f6b9d48a99541da https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/to-thine-own-self-be-true-authenticity-spirituality-in-the-modern-orthodox-classroom In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Ms. Chana Krasnjanski joins Rabbi Shmuel Hain to reflect on the importance of authenticity and spirituality in the classroom. They discuss the distinction between personal and private information as well as the potential differences and parallels between the secular studies classroom and the Judaic studies classroom.

]]> full 11 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Ms. Chana Krasnjanski joins Rabbi Shmuel Hain to reflect on the importance of authenticity and spirituality in the classroom. They discuss the distinction between personal and private information as well as the potential differences and parallels between the secular studies classroom and the Judaic studies classroom.

]]> 00:27:17 <![CDATA[Ep. 10 - Spirituality and the Modern Orthodox Yeshiva Part II]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2022 22:09:20 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:62043b954b0f010836ee4686 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/spirituality-and-the-modern-orthodox-yeshiva-part-ii In this episode of The Grand Conversation, S.A.R. High School Principals Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Rabbi Jonathan Kroll join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to reflect on the role spirituality has played in the development of S.A.R. High School. How central was the goal of spiritual growth of students in the original vision of S.A.R. High School and how has that goal evolved over the past twenty years?

]]> full 10 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, S.A.R. High School Principals Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Rabbi Jonathan Kroll join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to reflect on the role spirituality has played in the development of S.A.R. High School. How central was the goal of spiritual growth of students in the original vision of S.A.R. High School and how has that goal evolved over the past twenty years?

]]> 00:30:13 <![CDATA[Ep. 9 - Spirituality and the Modern Orthodox Yeshiva Part I]]> Fri, 21 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:61ead1578eff6c405727a30e https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/spirituality-and-the-modern-orthodox-yeshiva In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbanit Lisa Schlaff and Dr. Gillian Steinberg share perspectives on spirituality in yeshiva high schools along with personal reflections on the role of spirituality in adolescents and adults. Part one of two.

]]> full 9 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbanit Lisa Schlaff and Dr. Gillian Steinberg share perspectives on spirituality in yeshiva high schools along with personal reflections on the role of spirituality in adolescents and adults. Part one of two.

]]> 00:25:14 <![CDATA[Ep. 8 - Between School & Home: What Covid-19 Taught Us About Policy]]> Thu, 01 Jul 2021 01:30:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:60f7386fab528f777012498f https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/between-school-home-what-covid-19-taught-us-about-policy In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz and Ms. Shira Schiowitz join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss the Makom B'Siach Research Group. Formed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the alignment of the entire SAR community around individual and communal health, this group of teachers, parents, and alumni explored other areas of potential alignment and tension between the values of school and home.

]]> full 8 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz and Ms. Shira Schiowitz join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss the Makom B'Siach Research Group. Formed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the alignment of the entire SAR community around individual and communal health, this group of teachers, parents, and alumni explored other areas of potential alignment and tension between the values of school and home.

]]> 00:28:21 <![CDATA[Ep. 7 - Teaching American Zionism Through Civics Education]]> Mon, 03 May 2021 22:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:60b9432f68a80a07c5ac0ff8 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/teaching-american-zionism-through-civics-education In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Professor Avi Helfand join Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz to discuss their Enounter trip and the Machon Siach research group formed to explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a range of disciplines. How do we as American Jewish educators think about and teach the conflict, especially when current events make it even more charged?

]]> full 7 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Professor Avi Helfand join Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz to discuss their Enounter trip and the Machon Siach research group formed to explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a range of disciplines. How do we as American Jewish educators think about and teach the conflict, especially when current events make it even more charged?

]]> 00:38:22 <![CDATA[Ep. 6 - Israel Education: Teaching The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict]]> Fri, 29 Jan 2021 00:30:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:601183a4ba655709b8375415 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/israel-education-teaching-the-isreali-palestinian-conflict In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Shmuel Hain welcomes the Honorable Robert Wexler and Rabbi Tully Harcsztark to discuss Machon Siach's partnership with The S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace on the Yeshiva High School Educators Cohort, a pioneering program for Yeshiva High Schools principals and educators to engage in deep exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

]]> full 6 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Shmuel Hain welcomes the Honorable Robert Wexler and Rabbi Tully Harcsztark to discuss Machon Siach's partnership with The S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace on the Yeshiva High School Educators Cohort, a pioneering program for Yeshiva High Schools principals and educators to engage in deep exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

]]> 00:48:47 <![CDATA[Ep. 5 - Theological Perspectives: Homosexuality in Contemporary Orthodox Thought]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:5fd7c89c6ff4c43e5f41e445 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/theological-perspectives-homosexuality-in-contemporary-orthodox-thought In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Nati Helfgot joins Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss his paper and to examine pastoral, communal and theological perspectives on Homosexuality in the Orthodox community.

]]> full 5 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Nati Helfgot joins Rabbi Shmuel Hain to discuss his paper and to examine pastoral, communal and theological perspectives on Homosexuality in the Orthodox community.

]]> 00:30:49 <![CDATA[Ep. 4 - Citizenship in the Modern Orthodox Community]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2020 02:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:5f9b19d85d69900cff21108e https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/citizenship-in-the-modern-orthodox-community In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz discusses a research group Machon Siach convevned after the 2016 elections to take a step back and examine several core questions: What aspects of citizenship should be essential to American Modern Orthodox Jews? How do we educate our students towards broader civic engagement in addition to advocacy for parochial concerns? What impact does our commitment to religious Zionism and Medinat Yisrael have on our obligations as citizens?

]]> full 4 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz discusses a research group Machon Siach convevned after the 2016 elections to take a step back and examine several core questions: What aspects of citizenship should be essential to American Modern Orthodox Jews? How do we educate our students towards broader civic engagement in addition to advocacy for parochial concerns? What impact does our commitment to religious Zionism and Medinat Yisrael have on our obligations as citizens?

]]> 00:31:38 <![CDATA[Ep. 3 - Israel Education at SAR: Teaching of Israeli History at a Modern Orthodox Day School]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2020 21:00:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:5f4bfc8ef0feca274115b56f https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/israel-education-at-sar-teaching-of-israeli-history-at-a-modern-orthodox-day-school How do we foster strong identification with Medinat Yisrael while simultaneously teaching history critically and comprehensively?

In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Ms. Adina Shoulson and Dr. Laura Shaw Frank join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to explore this question from a number of perspectives.

The podcast also discusses a number of recent topics relating to Israel education including Seth Rogen's critique of his Israel education and the question of how to present the question of annexation in the classroom.

]]> full 3 1 false How do we foster strong identification with Medinat Yisrael while simultaneously teaching history critically and comprehensively?

In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Ms. Adina Shoulson and Dr. Laura Shaw Frank join Rabbi Shmuel Hain to explore this question from a number of perspectives.

The podcast also discusses a number of recent topics relating to Israel education including Seth Rogen's critique of his Israel education and the question of how to present the question of annexation in the classroom.

]]> 00:28:34 <![CDATA[Ep. 2 - Educational Deliberations: On Teaching the Concept of Shevut]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2020 17:45:54 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:5f2064599eb94c7ad73ecf29 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/educational-deliberations-on-teaching-the-concept-of-shevut In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Rabbi Shmuel Hain discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of Gemara education in Modern Orthodox Yeshiva high schools.

]]> full 2 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Rabbi Shmuel Hain discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of Gemara education in Modern Orthodox Yeshiva high schools.

]]> 00:30:16 <![CDATA[Ep. 1 - The Use of Metaphors in Discussing Homosexuality]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2020 03:55:00 +0000 Machon Siach 5907b743e6f2e1e21c72c0b4:5ee8134fa55bd2373f5945ec:5ee8137467fa8b2fa6dd2593 https://the-grand-conversation-the-machon-siach-podcast.castos.com/episodes/the-use-of-metaphors-in-discussing-homosexuality In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Gillian Steinberg explains her passion for analogical thinking and the use of metaphor in discussions about homosexuality and racism.

]]> full 1 1 false In this episode of The Grand Conversation, Dr. Gillian Steinberg explains her passion for analogical thinking and the use of metaphor in discussions about homosexuality and racism.

]]> 00:37:07