Episodes
Nov. 27, 2022
Hanukkah: The Maccabees: The Story of Courage, Faith, and Hope
Hanukkah , a season of God’s light and miracles, is probably one of the most well-known Jewish holidays, primarily because of its proximity to Christmas. But do you know what miracles are remembered and celebrated during thi…
Nov. 20, 2022
Shabbat: Experiencing the Sabbath as a "Day of Delight"
Even since biblical times, the Jewish people have never let go of the Sabbath. As we’ve learned in our five-part series on this ancient ritual, the Sabbath is a weekly reminder to rest and reflect on how life is about connec…
Nov. 16, 2022
Conversations with Yael: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- A Life of Vision and Purpose
Join host Yael Eckstein as she has the incredible honor and privilege of welcoming Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the podcast. Having recently won re-election to the office he held previously for a combined 15 y…
Nov. 13, 2022
Shabbat: Discover the Significance of the Sabbath Candles
One of the most iconic and treasured rituals associated with the Jewish observance of the Sabbath is the lighting of the Shabbat candles each Friday evening at sundown. In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein will share why t…
Nov. 6, 2022
Shabbat: Why We Need the Sabbath More than Ever
Have you ever noticed the irony of our modern world — we have more time-saving technology, but less time to spend on the things that really matter to us? In today’s episode, the third in a series about the Shabbat, host Yael…
Nov. 2, 2022
Conversations with Yael: Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl -- Dedicated to Finding Common Ground
Join host Yael Eckstein as she welcomes college basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who has led the Auburn Tigers to 154 wins, three Southeastern Conference championships, consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, and the program’s firs…
Oct. 30, 2022
Shabbat: The Secret to Experiencing True Freedom
What does it mean to be truly free? As Christian theologian Karl Barth wrote, “A being is free only when it can determine and limit its activity.” And in the Jewish faith, that’s what observing the Sabbath is all about. In t…
Oct. 23, 2022
Shabbat: The Blessings Found in Remembering and Observing the Sabbath
Have you ever wondered the spiritual meaning behind the Jewish tradition of keeping Shabbat (the Sabbath) holy? On today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein shares with us how grateful she is for the blessings of Shabbat — a holy …
Oct. 16, 2022
Simchat Torah: The Secret to Strengthening Our Spiritual Walk with God
As the High Holy Days come to a close, Jews around the world spend one last day in an intense celebration with God before resuming their normal routines. Simchat Torah, which means “Rejoicing in the Torah ,” is unlike any ot…
Oct. 9, 2022
Sukkot: How We Can Live in Unity Despite Our Differences
Do you know the one holy day that the entire world will celebrate in Messianic times? According to the prophet Zechariah, it’s the Festival of Tabernacles, or as it’s called in Hebrew, Sukkot (Zechariah 14:16.). Unity among …
Oct. 2, 2022
Yom Kippur: The Power of Saying “I’m Sorry”
It’s been said that two of the hardest words for people to say are “I’m sorry.” Can you relate? When have you experienced needing to apologize and dreaded doing it? Or maybe, you have been hurt by someone who won’t apologize…
Sept. 28, 2022
Conversations with Yael: Pastor Carlos Ortiz -- Building Bridges with Hispanic Christians and Israel
As America celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, host Yael Eckstein welcomes Pastor Carlos Ortiz, Church Outreach Director for the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and a longtim…
Sept. 25, 2022
Rosh Hashanah: God's Invitation to Return to Who We Really Are
How many of us think about repentance as we celebrate and usher in a New Year on January 1? Probably not many! But when Jews usher in the Jewish New Year on Rosh Hashanah, the main focus is on repentance, or teshuvah, which …
Sept. 18, 2022
The Sounds of the Shofar: God's Spiritual Wake-up Call for Us
Did you know that God has an alarm clock for our souls? Beginning a month before the start of the High Holy Days, the sounds of the shofar, the biblically mandated trumpet, can be heard throughout synagogues across the world…
Sept. 11, 2022
The High Holy Days: Our Spiritual Journey to Real and Lasting Change
Today, host Yael Eckstein begins a six-part series examining the spiritual journey Jews around the world take each year during the High Holy Days and what lessons these holy observances can teach Christians and Jews about ma…
Sept. 4, 2022
Generation to Generation: Teaching Our Children the Joy of Giving to Others
We live in the so-called “selfie generation,” where our focus is often on ourselves — how we look, how many “likes” we get on social media, what we have, and what we do. The irony is that focusing on ourselves does not make …
Aug. 28, 2022
Generation to Generation: How to Raise Our Children to Be “Strong and Courageous”
If we want our children to live according to godly — not worldly — values, then it is essential that we instill in them courage. Host Yael Eckstein shares on the podcast that courage is one of the most important values that …
Aug. 24, 2022
Conversations with Yael: Ilia Golberg, Chief Security Officer, FJC-Ukraine -- Humble Hero on the Frontlines of War
Join host Yael Eckstein as she talks with one of the unsung heroes on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine — Ilia Golberg, Chief Security Officer for the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine. Since the beginning of th…
Aug. 21, 2022
Generation to Generation: Teaching Our Children the Importance of Faith-Living
What’s the greatest distance between two points? As host Yael Eckstein shares on today’s program, it’s the distance between our head and our heart. On an intellectual level, we know what we believe, but acting on that belief…
Aug. 14, 2022
Generation to Generation: Teaching Our Children the Importance of Forgiveness
One of the most difficult practices for any of us to learn is forgiveness —asking forgiveness from God, seeking forgiveness from others, and giving forgiveness. Yet this practice is so critical to living a healthy and happy …
Aug. 7, 2022
Generation to Generation: Teaching Our Children to Always Have Hope
What is the one thing we must teach our children if we want them to never give up and never give in when it comes to their values and beliefs? We must teach them hope. On today’s podcast, host Yael Eckstein shares how an unf…
July 31, 2022
Generation to Generation: Teaching Our Children How to Be Grateful
How can we raise children to be grateful when we live in a culture that’s constantly telling us that we need — and deserve — more? It’s not easy, but as host Yael Eckstein explains in this week’s podcast, the key is helping …
July 24, 2022
Generation to Generation: Teaching Our Children the Power of Asking Questions
What’s the best way for children to learn? Teach them the power of asking questions. For millennia, the Jewish faith has held that the best way to serve God is by constantly learning and growing — and in order to learn, one …
July 20, 2022
Conversations with Yael: UN Ambassador Danny Danon -- Champion for Israel and Her People
Join host Yael Eckstein as she welcomes Israeli statesman and former UN Ambassador Danny Danon to the podcast, as they discuss how he successfully championed Israel and her people in an environment that’s often hostile to th…