Jewish Insights with Justin Pines

What do iconic Jewish women from across the centuries teach us about leadership, faith, and inner strength? Justin sits with Dr. Aliza Lavie—author, scholar, and former Member of Knesset—to explore her groundbreaking new book Iconic Jewish Women, a collection of 59 remarkable stories of Jewish heroines, from Bruriah and Sarah Schenirer to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Doña Gracia Nasi, as well as her book.

We also dive into Dr. Lavie’s w...

What role have Jews played in shaping America’s constitutional conversation? And how do core American values—like free speech, religious liberty, and anti-discrimination—intersect with Jewish values?

In this special July 4th episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, legal scholar Professor Michael (Avi) Helfand joins us for a powerful exploration of how Jews contribute to—and are shaped by—the American legal system. Avi is the ...

Internationally renowned Torah scholar and thought leader Dr. Elana Stein Hain, of the Shalom Hartman Institute, joins Justin to discuss her experience of living in Israel during the current war between Israel and Iran, sharing her reflections and offering ways to connect to what’s happening on the ground. 

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Rabbi Herzl Hefter joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the profound and often provocative teachings of the Ishbitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner. Drawing from the Ishbitzer’s seminal work Mei HaShiloach, Rabbi Hefter unpacks ideas about Divine Providence, free will, inner truth, and spiritual authenticity that continue to challenge and inspire today.

Rabbi Herzel Hefter is the founder and dean of Beit Midrash...

In this powerful and timely conversation, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) joins Justin to discuss his role as the representative for Edan Alexander, the American-Israeli hostage who recently returned home. Gottheimer shares what it means to be a Jewish member of Congress at a time of rising antisemitism, how he’s working across the aisle in today’s polarized climate, and how Jewish values shape Gottheimer’s service. A moving, de...

Rebbetzin Rochie Pinson, challah master and author of the international bestseller Rising: The Book of Challah, joins Justin to discuss the hidden power of the mitzvot traditionally unique to woman, including baking challah, lighting Shabbat candles and the mikvah, and how they each can serve as catalysts for an an elevated and meaningful life. To follow Rochie’s challah journey, or to contact Rochie for your next event, whether co...

Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum, founding rabbi of the Zion community in Jerusalem and co-founder and head of the Israeli Rabbinic Seminary at the Hartman Institute, joins Justin to continue our exploration of Pnimiyut HaTorah—the hidden wisdom of Torah, the inner dimension of Jewish spirituality that speaks to the soul and calls us to transformation, with a focus on Zion and Jerusalem, as we also prepare to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim, ...

Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld, Founder and President of Meor and a co-founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Machon Yaakov and Machon Shlomo in Har Nof in Israel, joins Justin to discuss his unique approach to educating young adults on college campuses, the transformative power of the hidden wisdom of Torah, and how that wisdom can inspire and elevate us all. You can find out more at Meor.org

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Why Rebbe Nachman Still Speaks to Us, with Rabbi Zev Reichman (Hidden Wisdom of Torah Part 1)

As we count the Omer and prepare for Shavuot, we begin a new series on Pnimiyut HaTorah—the inner, hidden wisdom of Torah. In this first episode, Rabbi Zev Reichman returns to Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to help us understand why the Omer is such a powerful time for inner growth, how Pnimiyut HaTorah can transform our spiritual lives...

In preparation for Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Remembrance Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, Justin is joined by Dr. Daniel Gordis—renowned author, thinker, and Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College, whose work has profoundly shaped our understanding of Israel’s history, identity, and challenges - to reflect on the meaning of these important dates on the Jewish calendar this year, particularly after October 7. ...

Chiune Sugihara, known as the "Japanese Schindler," risked everything to save thousands of Jews during the Shoah (Holocaust) by issuing life-saving visas against his government's orders. Now, in this powerful Yom HaShoah conversation on Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, his grandson, Chihiro Sugihara, meets Rabbi Avram Mlotek, the grandson of Yosl Mlotek and great-nephew of Avram Mlotek, two of the many Jews Sugihara saved.

Justin...

What was it like to learn from Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century? On the occasion of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s yahrzeit, Rabbi Hershel Reichman—renowned scholar, author, and devoted student of the Rav for several decades — shares rare insights into Rabbi Soloveitchik’s teachings, philosophy, and lasting impact. In addition to serving as Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac ...

Rabbi Judah Mischel joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines for a powerful conversation on the meaning of Passover. He explores baderech—the path to redemption—accepting your higher self, and the beauty of Jewish rituals leading up to the holiday. In a time of rising antisemitism, Rabbi Mischel reminds us of the strength and joy found in proudly living Jewishly. 

*** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia...

On this episode of Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Rabbi Avi Weiss delves into the deep symbolism of Passover, exploring its connection to Israel and our relationship with God. He also shares insights from his new book, Haggadah Yehi Ohr: Let There Be Light, offering a fresh perspective on the holiday’s themes of faith, freedom, and redemption. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation on JBS!

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On this episode of Jewish Insights, host Justin Pines sits down with Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah, to discuss the lifesaving work of his volunteer-based emergency response organization. They explore the concept of Kiddush Hashem—sanctifying God's name through acts of kindness—and the power of a communal approach to helping others in times of crisis. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about unity, compassion, and making ...