In this episode, Bill sits down with Rabbi Kenneth Brander, President and Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone, for a profound conversation spanning his personal journey and perspectives on Jewish community and inclusion.

Show Notes:

• Personal Journey: Rabbi Brander shares how his trajectory changed from becoming a dentist to attending Yeshiva University after his transformative experience at Shalavim Yeshiva.
• Influential Relationships: Rabbi Brander discusses his older chavruta who fell in the Lebanon War and how Rabbi Soloveitchik encouraged him to enter the rabbinical world.
• Inclusive Judaism: The conversation explores Rabbi Brander's commitment to building relationships with all Jews regardless of their observance practices.
• Challenging Traditions: Rabbi Brander discusses his willingness to question established standards to foster greater inclusion, including topics like women in the clergy.
• LGBTQ Inclusion: The discussion covers his work integrating the LGBTQ community within a halachic framework, emphasizing the humanity behind these complex issues.
• Living Halacha: Rabbi Brander reflects on how halacha permeates daily life in Israel in ways not experienced elsewhere.
• War and Loss: A poignant conversation about the students Rabbi Brander has lost in the current war.
• Healing Division: The importance of healing divisions within Jewish communities both before and during wartime.
• Community Building: Their conversation concludes with thoughts on the vital importance of community for all Jews in Israel.

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This podcast was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com