Nadell reviews the unexpectedly long history of women in the rabbinate, dating back to debates during the 19th century women's movement.

Rabbi Schwarz examines the concept that following a set of rules can make a chosen pursuit more successful, be it in dating, writing, sports, or life and death. Does God put on a striped shirt and referee our lives?

In recent years, books have asked if God is a delusion, and if religious beliefs are at the root of man's violence. Schwarz argues that God is a force in the universe through which people can fulfill themselves ethically and spiritually.

Rabbi Safra discusses why we remember - to bring justice, to inspire others, and to bring meaning to the lives we live now.

Rabbi Safra focuses on "tradition and change." We can transform our ideology through the values of honesty in education, dedication to tradition, and a commitment to spiritual growth.

West suggests that t'shuvah means more than a return, more than "change you can believe in." He suggests that free will is a critical aspect of creation, that the ability to make bad choices is part of free will, and that t'shuvah can rectify the impact of failings.

Dr. Brown discusses the merging of sound, sight, and time in the Akedah, and the shofar as a representation of the Jewish people's entanglement and redemption.

Rabbi Chinn recalls past feelings during High Holidays: discomfort, doubt, questioning self-worth. He discusses the solace in a new understanding of "One God" as "One Address": for prayers, faith, and questioning.

Dr. Brown contrasts Rosh Hashanah, with its focus on the ultimate privacy of a spiritual experience, with other holidays that are oriented to family and friends.

Gringras discusses how exploring the arts can help us learn about Israel – beyond what we read in the media.

Gregory discusses getting a sense of his Jewish identity through community, belonging, and study. Becoming a father and wanting to live, pray, and practice Judaism in a way that had meaning for him and his family.

Why being a journalist is a truly Jewish profession: it's part of our identity to be dissatisfied with what doesn't work, and our goal to make things better.

Lederman suggests that the emergence of visionary leadership is rare, but that Click here to view the text of this podcastMoses and MLK share a remarkable set of similar experiences with respect to the vision, the leader, and the people they lead

*This podcast is part of the Foundation for Jewish Studies Distinguished Scholar Series.  For more on Rabbi Aiello and the Distinguished Scholar Series, click here .

Sharansky explains that strengthening one’s identity as a Jew is essential for freedom. He reviews his experiences as a Prisoner of Zion, head of an Israeli political party, and as current head of the Jewish Agency.

Weiner explains the need to restore the Jewish spiritual experience and to enfranchise the Jewish deaf community in the totality of Jewish ritual, while undertaking the daunting task of creating a deaf Jewish congregation.

In completing the preparations for her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, Jacobs contemplates the struggle to balance the religious aspects of the event with the celebratory party.

Paula Sayag describes the importance of children learning through exploration and play and how that prepares them for what comes later in life- from sitting through first grade to navigating relationships.

Rosenthal explains that we can build bonds and help our children grow by listening with empathy (“active listening”). She offers five ways to listen with acceptance when a child has negative feelings.

Jacobs talks about supporting her son's efforts in the ring. She recalls the rich history of Jews in professional boxing, and explains finding a strength she never knew she had, by connecting her physical self with her spiritual self.

Rabbi Freundel discusses the challenges of prayer; it’s non-expedient, but it has the capacity to express our thoughts and can be a remarkably healing process. It is reflexive, authentic, and honest.

Rabbi Freundel examines a traditional Jewish view of abortion, explaining that traditional Jewish sources support an abortion to save the life of the mother, but also recognize the humanity of a fetus, arguing for limitations on the procedure.