Jewish Insights with Justin Pines

Justin Pines on Searching for Truth with Tali Rosenblatt Cohen

If truth is one of the foundational pillars of any stable society, how do we navigate a world which often feels post-truth?
In this special JI episode in honor of Jewish Book Month’s 100th anniversary, Justin sits down with Tali Rosenblatt Cohen, host of The Five Books podcast.
They begin by exploring Tali’s own mission for The Five Books Podcast: the profound power of Jewish literature to foster empathy and a sense of shared purpose, especially during moments of crisis. Tali also shares her insights on the expanding landscape of Jewish storytelling in 2025, 2025, from the enduring resonance of Holocaust literature to the rise of stories exploring Sephardi, Mizrachi, and romantic Jewish experiences.
Then, Justin steps into the guest seat to share the five books that shaped his life and led to a lifelong quest for authenticity and truth (Emet)—a search he views as the central project of the Jewish tradition.
Listen as Justin shares his five books and discusses:
How a classic American novel sparked his obsession with "phonies."
Why the Jewish tradition is a centuries-long debate aimed at "getting the answer, not being right."
The revolutionary theological concept that every human we meet is a messenger from God.
This conversation is a powerful celebration of reading, identity, and the spiritual journey that connects them both.
 
Rabbi Justin Pines' Five Books:
The Catcher in the Rye
The Jewish Way: Living the Jewish Holidays
The Story of Joseph and His Brothers
Living Emunah: Achieving a Life of Serenity Through Faith
Ohr Yisrael and Other Writings

Rabbi Dr. Benjy Epstein | Mindfulness, Judaism, & The Art of Being Present

We spend most of our lives living in the past or worrying about the future. But what if the deepest spiritual connection—and the greatest psychological relief—can only be found right here, right now?
In this episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Justin sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benjy Epstein, a clinical psychologist and author of Living in the Presence: A Jewish Mindfulness Guide for Everyday Life. They explore the fascinating intersection where modern cognitive therapy meets ancient Jewish wisdom. From the challenge of "Radical Presence" to the story of Reb Zusha, Dr. Epstein teaches us how to stop fighting our reality and start finding Divinity in the "here and now."
They also discuss parenting with presence, navigating ADHD, and why Abraham’s hardest test wasn't what you think it was. Stick around for a powerful guided "Shiviti" meditation at the end of the episode.
Learn more about Dr. Benjy here: https://www.drbenjy.com
#JewishMindfulness #MentalHealth #TorahWisdom #BenjiEpstein #Presence #Psychology #Spirituality #GuidedMeditation #JewishInsights #RadicalAcceptance

Leading Through Fire: Eric Goldstein on 12 Years of Crisis, Antisemitism, and the Surge in Jewish Pride

How does the largest local Jewish philanthropy in the world navigate a decade defined by crisis?
In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin sits down with Eric Goldstein, the outgoing CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, for a candid and profound reflection on his 12-year tenure. From leaving a prestigious legal career to leading the Jewish community through the 2014 Gaza War, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the aftermath of October 7th, Eric shares the lessons he’s learned about leadership, resilience, and the power of community.
We discuss the rise of antisemitism—revealing how UJA’s security budget went from $0 to over $6 million in just a few years—and the incredible "surge" of Jewish engagement and philanthropy seen since October 7th. Eric also outlines his vision for the future: moving beyond just fighting enemies to investing in "robust Jews" who are educated, proud, and resilient.
Whether you are concerned about the future of American Jewry or seeking inspiration from Jewish leadership, this conversation is a must-watch.

David Stav: Uniting Israelis Through Faith

What’s holding Israel together after so much pain and division? Rabbi David Stav, founder of Tzohar, joins Justin to share how faith is helping Israelis reconnect — and how a new spirit of unity is reshaping the nation’s soul. In a time of war, loss, and rebuilding, few voices speak more powerfully about Jewish unity than Rabbi David Stav — founder and chairman of Tzohar, one of Israel’s most influential Modern Orthodox movements. In this conversation with Justin Pines, Rabbi Stav shares how Tzohar is helping Israelis of every background reconnect through weddings, Shabbat gatherings, study sessions, and its groundbreaking media channel MASHAV, which now reaches millions each month. Together, they explore questions at the heart of Israel’s spiritual recovery:
-What does faith mean in a nation under fire? -How can religious and secular Jews find shared purpose again?
-And what will define Israel’s Jewish identity in the years ahead?
Watch this inspiring discussion about unity, leadership, and the rebirth of Israel’s spiritual resilience.

Jennifer Apple on the Lion Heart of Hannah Senesh

Jennifer Apple, the star of the show "Hannah Senesh," presented by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, joins Justin to discuss taking on this role, and the impact and legacy of Hannah Senesh. Jennifer originated the role of Anna in the Tony Award-winning "The Band’s Visit" First National Tour and received an Elliott Norton Award for Outstanding Lead Performance as Dina in the Huntington/SpeakEasy Stage production.
Learn more at: https://www.jenniferapple.net
You can learn more about NYTF’s Hannah Sennesh at: https://nytf.org/hannah-senesh/

The Structure and Soul of Judaism with Mark Wildes

Rabbi Mark Wildes, founder of the Manhattan Jewish Experience, a Jewish outreach organization in New York and Tel Aviv with over 20,000 young adult attendees each year, joins Justin to discuss how he brings people into Jewish community, and his new book, The Jewish Experience: Discovering the Soul of Jewish Thought and Practice. Together they explore God, Torah, Prayer, Compassion, Shabbat and Tikkun Olam, and why understanding the “why” of Judaism is more important than ever.
To learn more about the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), visit their website: https://www.jewishexperience.org

Ambassador David Friedman: Trump, Israel, the Return of the Hostages

On October 13, 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that brought homeall twenty surviving Israeli hostages and freed nearly two thousand Palestinian prisoners. What does this deal really mean — for Israel’s security, for the region, and for the future of U.S.-Israel relations? In this exclusive conversation, Ambassador David Friedman — former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and a key architect of the Abraham Accords — joins Justin Pines to unpack the ceasefire, President Trump’s role, and the profound challenges and opportunities ahead for Israel and the Jewish people.

“Rebuilding Jewish Life Then and Now": Ezra–Nehemiah with Yael Leibowitz

The relatively unknown Biblical book of Ezra–Nehemiah isn’t just ancient history. Yael Leibowitz, author of "Ezra-Nehemiah: Retrograde Revolution," explores how the return from exile, the rebuilding of Jewish life, and the struggles of identity in these biblical books speak directly to the challenges we face today.

The Deeper Meaning of Sukkot: Shmuly Yanklowitz on Joy, Humility and Responsibility

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the lessons of Sukkot, the call to justice, and the future of Jewish life. Discover how joy, humility, and activism intersect in Jewish tradition today. Rabbi Yanklowitz is President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, founder of Uri L’Tzedek, Shamayim, and YATOM, and the author of 30 books on Jewish ethics.

The “Soldier’s Rabbi”: Putting Torah and Faith into Action with Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon

In this special Yom Kippur episode, Justin is joined Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, President of the World Mizrachi Movement, and one of the most transformative rabbinic visionaries of our time to discuss the value and impact of Torah, his approach to social change for Israel’s most vulnerable communities, his role in supporting IDF soldiers, and his faith-based approach to navigating tragedies like October 7.
Learn more:
https://www.sulamot.org/en/
https://www.sulamot.org/en/kuma/
https://www.laofek.org/en/laofek/