Why we need to find our why now: new TJI podcast

Antisemitism, the Royal Commission, Bondi, Iran, Israel, Zionism, Jewish Schools, Netanyahu and the Albanese government. These are topics that come up at many Shabbat tables across Australia on Friday nights. Rightly so, they arise repeatedly because how we think about these issues has real implications for the safety and well-being of our community. 

But let's imagine, for a moment, that they didn't. Let’s imagine that all of those anxiety-inducing topics were off limits when we gather weekly for precious family time. 

What would you talk about instead?

That’s the question we asked ourselves, which led to the development of our new podcast, Finding Our Why. In a world that seems to be shouting at us and for us, what exactly are we fighting for? 

We both grew up in the heart of Melbourne's Jewish community, but our journeys have taken us to opposite sides of the world. Today, we find ourselves tackling questions about what it means to be Jewish today, and how to find meaning in this broken world.

Listeners will hear two people process what it means to choose Jewish life today. You’ll hear candid conversations that move beyond the headlines to explore the rich, complex tapestry of everyday Jewish life and thought. Across the episodes, we will dive into the timeless tension of “oy versus joy” –  whether connection to Judaism should be motivated by fear or love.

We question the role of education across the life cycle, debating whether formal schooling holds all the answers or if vibrant learning happens in unexpected spaces.

You will also hear us grapple with evolving understandings of God, prayer, and how to experience the richness of ritual without necessarily holding traditional dogmatic beliefs. We also explore the meaning behind grief and resilience when bad things happen to good people.