Podcast
Behind the Bima
Hosted by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg · EN
Rabbis Efrem Goldberg and Philip Moskowitz from Boca Raton Synagogue, shmooze about contemporary issues. Every week features an unscripted and lively discussion, special guests, and a behind-the-scenes look at leading a large and dynamic Jewish community.
38episodes
Episodes
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Rabbi Daniel Kalish, Community Builder and Shaper of Souls
Feb 26, 202500:45:10Tap to summarizeFrom Boca Raton, Florida, this is Behind the Bima. On this week's episode, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is joined by Rabbi Daniel Kalisch, the Menahel of the Mesivta of Waterbury. Rabbi Kalish delves into the themes of community legacy, the impact of his father's dedication to Torah, and the importance of connection both within the community and in personal relationships. He shares profound insights on maintaining moral integrity, the significance of friendship in marriage, and the transformative power of faith and personal connection. Plus, reflections on contemporary challenges and the role of the Jewish community in fostering unity and resilience. All this and more, Behind the Bima.Can you join us as a Global Ambassador? We am looking for 250 members from our Global community to give or raise $1,800. You can pay it at one time or in installments. If you can commit to this, we have a special gift for you:Give or help raise $1,800 and join us and the BRS Rabbis in New York, Israel or Florida for an exclusive celebratory dinner with an exclusive BRS giveaway.If you can't be one of the 250 helping us with $1,800, please consider giving or raising $1,000 to be acknowledged as a global pillar in our newsletter or $360 to be entered into a raffle for two domestic flights to Florida to join our BRS community for a special Shabbos of Unity.Can you be one of the 250 that we can count on?It would be an enormous help towards our goal and realizing this dream of building our campus and building Klal Yisrael.Donate here: https://donate.charidy.com/40987?team....Create your own fundraising team here: https://view.charidy.com/new_team_pag....
Transcribe →Rabbi Doron Perez, Grieving Father & Resilient Leader
Feb 19, 202500:53:19Tap to summarizeFrom Boca Raton, Florida, this is Behind the Bima. In this week’s episode, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Josh Broide sit down with Rabbi Doron Perez—a dedicated father, compassionate leader, and a unifying force for our Jewish community. Known for his steadfast role as executive chairman of the Mizrahi World Movement, Rabbi Doron opens his heart about the unimaginable pain of losing his beloved son, and yet, the deep resilience that has carried him forward.In this intimate conversation, Rabbi Doron shares how he has navigated the painful duality of grief and hope—balancing personal loss with his public mission of bridge-building and unity. He reveals how his journey has inspired him to reach across divides, fostering connection and healing within a community often challenged by discord.Join us as we delve into Rabbi Doron Perez’s reflections on loss, leadership, and the power of togetherness, and learn how one man’s strength is lighting the way for a more united future. All this and more, behind the bima.
Transcribe →Ben Shapiro and His Dad on War, Peace, Music, and Everything In Between
Feb 12, 202500:45:42Tap to summarizeFrom Boca Raton, Florida, this is Behind the Bima! This week, prepare for a powerful father-and-son duo who’ve made an indelible mark on both the Jewish community and the broader cultural landscape. Join Rabbi Efrem Goldberg as he sits down with the one and only Ben Shapiro and his father, David Shapiro, in an intimate, heartfelt conversation that explores everything from Ben’s path into political commentary to the profound impact of David’s musical genius on his son’s life and career.They’ll take us behind the scenes of their remarkable collaboration on the new musical “We Will Rise,” a stirring production spotlighting the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising that moved Israeli audiences to tears and ignited renewed hope in challenging times. Discover how a shared love of learning, faith, and the power of music forged an unbreakable bond between father and son—and glean parenting insights from David on raising a child who not only sits at your side in synagogue, but partners with you on grand creative endeavors.All this and more, Behind the Bima.
Transcribe →Douglas Murray
Jul 10, 2024Tap to summarizeFrom Boca Raton, Florida, this is Behind the Bima. On this week’s episode, host Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is joined by author and journalist Douglas Murray.Douglas Murray is a renowned British author, journalist, and political commentator. He is the associate editor of The Spectator and the author of several best-selling books, including “The Madness of Crowds” and “The Strange Death of Europe.” Murray is widely respected for his incisive analysis and eloquent defense of Western values and freedom of speech. His recent work has focused on defending Israel and combating anti-Semitism.Murray discusses his unwavering support for Israel, explains the root causes of media bias against Israel, and shares his personal experiences and observations from his travels to the region.All this and more, Behind the Bima.00:00 - Introduction7:07 - Interview
Transcribe →Mark Levin
May 22, 2024Tap to summarizeMark Reed Levin is an American broadcast news analyst, columnist, lawyer, political commentator, radio personality, and writer. He is the host of syndicated radio show The Mark Levin Show, as well as Life, Liberty & Levin on Fox News. Levin discusses his powerful trip to Israel, the importance of defending our homeland, and the dire situation in America. He shares his profound connection to Judaism, his learning sessions with a local Chabad rabbi, and his perspective on the current political landscape. The conversation also touches on the significance of history, the role of music in Rabbi Broide's life, and the unique 'Shabbos Green Room' practice. Don't miss this insightful and passionate discussion with one of the most influential voices defending the Jewish people today.00:00 - Introduction13:29 - Interview
Transcribe →Special Guest - David Sacks
Dec 1, 2022Tap to summarizeDavid Sacks is an American television writer and producer. His writing and producing credits include seasons five and six on 'The Simpsons', for which he won an Emmy Award, '3rd Rock from the Sun', for which he received a Golden Globe Award, 'Malcolm in the Middle', 'Murphy Brown', and more. 00:00 - Intro 12:59 - Interview 1:09:31 - Outro Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: Rabbi, Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). Rabbi Philip Moskowitz: Associate Rabbi, BRS. Rabbi Josh Broide: Outreach Rabbi, BRS.
Transcribe →Special Guest - Coach Bruce Pearl
Apr 7, 2022Tap to summarizeBruce Alan Pearl (born March 18, 1960) is an American college basketball coach, and the head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball program. A video of Pearl (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_nRO8KEEFo) went viral in which he said at a press conference: "My Hebrew name is Mordecai, and I think my family gave me that name for this reason. Mordecai talked to Esther the queen and said, 'Look, Esther, you might survive this for a little while, but you won't survive this. He's really going to kill all the Jewish people and your family.' And he gave Esther the courage to try to see if she could turn the King's heart, and she did. And saved the nation. So some of you may be uncomfortable — you guys asked the question, right? You asked the question about Ukraine. We say never again. I was born in 1960, 15 years after they opened up the gates, and they saw 6 million Jews were murdered and 3 million more people. So if Tara VanDerveer wants money for 3-pointers, I'll up whatever they're offering. I'm in. I'm all in. Help the Ukrainian people survive that." 00:00 - Intro 18:44 - Interview 52:21 - Outro Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: Rabbi, Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). Rabbi Philip Moskowitz: Associate Rabbi, BRS. Rabbi Josh Broide: Outreach Rabbi, BRS.
Transcribe →Special Guest - Myron Sugerman
Feb 3, 2022Tap to summarizeMyron Sugerman was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938, and at the age of twenty-one he followed his father's footsteps into the family business--Coin-operated amusements. Like his father, Barney "Sugie" Sugerman, Myron sold and operated slot machines, jukeboxes, cigarette machines, and anything else that accepted coins and entertained people in bars, nightclubs, and other hangouts around the world. The vocation took him all over the world's six habitable continents--to everywhere but Antarctica.For well over half a century, Myron did business with some of the most dangerous characters known to the public, including top-ranking members of the Genovese and Gambino crime families, La Corporacion, the Yakuza, and the Cali Cartel, among others. Today he lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with his wife Clara. He is semi-retired, but sought after for his counsel by the up-and-coming generation of the gambling machine business, to whom he is known as the "chief rabbi." He has three sons-- one of whom is a real rabbi and a well known rabbinical scholar--and eight grandchildren. Myron Sugerman's memoir, The Last Jewish Gangster: From Meyer to Myron, is more than just a riveting account of the author's nearly sixty-year career as an international outlaw in the field of slot machines and casinos. Its Also a fascinating meditation on a variety of themes: aging, respect, adventure, greed, and man's tendency to be his own worst enemy. Connect with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: Website: https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/efrem.goldberg Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabbigoldberg Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: Rabbi, Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS). Rabbi Philip Moskowitz: Associate Rabbi, BRS. Rabbi Josh Broide: Outreach Rabbi, BRS.
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