In Such A Time: Conversations on Jewish Life, Leadership & Meaning

Discover the complex choices parents face when balancing the value of Jewish identity and community with the desire for diversity and public engagement.

In this revealing conversation, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy dive into their own varied educational journeys—from private Jewish day schools to public classrooms in diverse American cities and even Israel. Together, they wrestle with the personal and communal mo...

Discover how the history of Jewish resilience—summed up in the power of saying “no”—can help us better understand both modern anti-Semitism and the ongoing challenges facing the Jewish community today. Why does Jewish success often provoke new forms of hatred, and is there a deeper pattern to the ways in which Jews are scapegoated over time?

In this Yom Kippur sermon episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe draws from D...

Questioning our core beliefs can lead not to distance, but to a deeper, more meaningful connection with our identity. What happens when a rabbi—at the intersection of personal faith and worldwide struggle—dares to ask, "Why am I Jewish, and what does that mean today?"

In this powerful Kol Nidre sermon, Rabbi Leora Londy shares a deeply personal journey through doubt, dialogue, and discovery. Navigating crises of faith am...

This week’s episode of In Such A Time is taken from Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe’s Rosh Hashanah sermon.

Discover how ancient traditions can provide a powerful antidote to modern loneliness and meaninglessness. What can the Jewish story teach us about overcoming the personal dislocation so many face today?

Listeners are invited on a deeply personal and thought-provoking journey—beginning with a young adult’s search fo...

Finding balance between caring for others and safeguarding our own well-being is not just a seasonal challenge—it's a lifelong dance. But can empathy ever go too far?

In this thoughtful Rosh Hashanah episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy examine the power and perils of empathy—personally, communally, and even politically. From dissecting “The Giving Tree” to exploring boundaries in relationship...

Discover why the High Holidays aren’t just about reflection—they’re also an opportunity for renewal, forgiveness, and connection to community and self. What does it mean to face a season of atonement and new beginnings?

Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy unpack the tension, joy, and gravity of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, exploring personal practices, communal rituals, parenting paradoxes, and the deep le...

How can we balance genuine care with respect for privacy, especially in the public sphere?

In this thoughtful episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy delve into the boundaries of concern, critique, and support, using the recent controversy surrounding Ariana Grande’s public health and body image as a lens. Drawing from Jewish wisdom and sharing personal and communal experiences, they reflect on how best to interve...

When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we discover the true strength of community. What happens when support systems fail those most desperately in need?

In this powerful episode, Rabbi Leora Londy and Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe tackle the deeply complex subject of women's mental health, inspired by the devastating Lindsay Clancy case. Drawing on personal experience, Jewish tradition, and real-world community dynamics, they explore qu...

Engaging in respectful, challenging conversations—even when we disagree—can strengthen our communities and deepen our understanding of Jewish values. But what does Jewish tradition teach us about handling polarizing public issues like the recent Senate hearings with Dr. Fauci?

In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy reflect on the intersection of political theater, the preservation of life (pikuach ne...

Standing up for critical thinking and nuance in tumultuous times, this episode examines how political rhetoric at the highest levels can impact Jewish communities—and why thoughtful, honest conversation matters more than ever.

The conversation focused on recent controversial statements from the New York City mayoral office and unpacked the layered impact on Jewish identity, safety, and leadership. One concept discussed was th...

Righteous anger can fuel justice, but when does it cross the line?

In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy dive into the role of anger in Jewish tradition, asking whether anger is a blemish on character or a vital ingredient for social change. Touching on biblical texts, personal experiences, and pivotal moments in history like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, their conversation explores t...

Rebuilding can only begin once we honor our losses—so what can the most sorrowful day on the Jewish calendar teach us about hope and resilience? In this powerful episode,

Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy dive into the meaning, history, and contemporary relevance of Tisha B'Av. They explore the motifs of destruction and rebirth embedded in Jewish tradition, the deeply human need for collective mourning, and how Tisha...

What happens when the words we use to describe hate actually cloud our understanding rather than clarify it?

In this episode, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy tackle the complicated language around "antisemitism," debating whether the term still serves us—or if it now obscures the nuanced realities of Jewish life and hatred today. Through layered discussion, personal stories, and historical insight, they dissect how ...

Discover why the language we use shapes not just debate but our very sense of belonging—especially when it comes to one of Judaism’s most loaded words: Zionism. Should we retire the term altogether?

Join Rabbi Leora Londy and Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe as they tackle whether ongoing arguments over “Zionism” help or hinder honest conversation about Israel, Jewish identity, and inclusion in the Jewish community. Alo...

Amid the ever-shifting landscape of global politics, adaptability and historical memory remain vital.

What happens when Israel can no longer rely on longstanding alliances—or when old assumptions about safety and security are challenged by new realities? In this episode, the conversation focused on the recent Iran memorandum of understanding, its implications for Israeli politics and security, and how American Jewish communit...

What if rooting for laundry is the closest most people will get to a spiritual experience?

In this episode of "In Such a Time," Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy reveal powerful (and surprising) parallels between sports fandom and religious identity—from sacred rituals to communal belonging, group pride, and even prayer for teams at B’Nai Mitzvah.

Explore how being a Knicks fan or cheering at the World Cup conn...

What if the ancient Jewish blessing for newborns—to study Torah, perform good deeds, and one day get married—no longer fits our modern lives?

This episode dives headfirst into the evolving role of marriage within Jewish tradition, asking whether meaningful lives require sacred relationships or if today’s realities demand more inclusive interpretations. The conversation focused on how liturgy, cultural expectations...

What if the very heart of Reform Judaism—its relationship to Israel—was up for debate in the ordaining of new rabbis?

This episode of "In Such a Time" plunges into the charged question rocking Hebrew Union College and the wider Reform movement: Should future clergy be required to support the existence of the State of Israel?

Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy reflect on their experience at the recent Recharging R...

Could loving your favorite band put your safety—or your conscience—at risk?

This episode of "In Such a Time" confronts a dilemma that many are now quietly struggling with: What should you do when beloved artists publicly express harshly critical or anti-Semitic views? The conversation focuses on the personal and communal challenges of reconciling artistic appreciation with ethical boundaries, especially when those bound...