Episodes

  • Why Don't Jews Proselytize? with Yo Mark Jean

    Why Don't Jews Proselytize? with Yo Mark Jean
    Jul 24 2024
    Have you ever had a religious person knock on your door and ask you to join them at church? Have you ever had a preacher on the street shout at you for living differently than them? Ever notice that none of those figures are Jewish? As a matter of fact, Jews know better than to not try to convert people as it is a sin according to their bible. Yet... the Jewish population is so small. Couldn't they use the numbers? Yo Mark Jean is a hip hop artist and content creator who is in the middle of his conversion process. While he's not officially a Jew at the time of this recording (July 2024) he brings to the podcast a vast amount of Torah wisdom and knowledge that debunks different ideas designed to guilt Jews into converting into other religions. Mark Jean also shares personal stories and discoveries to Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew. 00:00 Introduction 03:53 Proselytizing 08:35 Perfecting the world 12:49 Historical Jewish conversion and reasons behind it 14:03 Mass conversion to Christianity as an easy choice 17:32 Torah authenticity 21:14 Predictions and liberation 25:15 Debates with Christian community 29:11 Torah is not just for Jews 29:48 Conclusion About Yo Mark Jean: Born in Queens, NY, D’Mark Jeantine — known by his artist name, Yo Mark Jean — brings his culture, faith and values to his music. Jean started making music at age 7 with a regimented schedule of private lessons. He’s from a family formed by music; his parents met while his father was a guitarist in a musical group back in New York. As he grew into a professional, Jean found that mixing beats for other artists made way for opportunities and connections. You can hear music from Yo Mark Jean on Apple Music, iHeart and Spotify Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Why Should Gay People Be Zionist? with Marcus Breman

    Why Should Gay People Be Zionist? with Marcus Breman
    Jul 16 2024
    Israel is the only pro-LGBTQ country in the Middle East but does that mean you should automatically be a Zionist? Probably, but for a vast majority of LGBTQ members, especially Jews, they are faced with the inner conflict of crossing political lines and personal values, stepping aside from the guidelines of their political affiliation's doctrine. How can they navigate this dilemma? Marcus Breman, better known on TikTok as @yourfavoritegayzionist, discusses this dilemma from a personal experience. Having lived in both the United States and Israel, Marcus makes commentary paving his own path for his opinions and political stances. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, works to understand this complicated positioning and where U.S. politics fits into the morality that Zionism has built. 00:00 Introduction 03:10 The younger generation 06:32 Switching political parties 11:42 Israel's anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ+ 14:23 Diverse voter motivations in U.S. 17:19 LGBT asylum controversy in the West Bank 20:06 Israel is THE successful decolonization project 23:47 Echo chambers 29:33 Biden vs. Trump's Zionism 30:54 Conclusion About Marcus Breman: Connect with Marcus Breman: TikTok @yourfavoritegayzionist Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • How Do You Find YOUR Judaism? with Melinda Strauss

    How Do You Find YOUR Judaism? with Melinda Strauss
    Jul 10 2024
    One of the most intimidating things about being on your Jewish journey is answering the question, "What kind of Jew are you?" There are so many ways 'to Jew', how can you possibly choose? And once you do, who said you're personally ready to be labeled in a specific way? Instagram and TikTok star Melinda Strauss is no stranger to this concept. Knowing that the Jewish identity is personal, she emphasizes how to navigate the constant barrage of communal standards while giving the breakdown for how to follow mitzvahs and practices that work best for you. 00:00 Introduction 06:11 Funny commentary 09:10 Embrace your identity and choices, and respect others 10:46 Orthodox Judaism: diverse sects united by Torah 13:17 Calling me a sinner is also sin 17:21 Being a Jew is diverse and personal 21:53 Envying others' Jewish school and religious choices 23:05 Discovering Judaism as a couple 27:23 Discovering practical blessings broke my rigid perceptions 32:00 Fear of future, toxic shame, seeking help 32:42 Conclusion About Melinda Struass: Melinda Strauss, a Jewish Content Creator on social media with over 1 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, is well known for her educational videos about Orthodox Judaism, Jewish history, discussing Antisemitism and Zionism, sharing her kosher recipes and her everyday life. Born and raised in Seattle WA, Melinda now lives with her family in New York. Melinda has been blogging and sharing her recipes since 2011 and she will be debuting her first cookbook in Fall 2025. Connect with Melinda: MelindaStrauss.com IG and TikTok: @therealmelindastrauss YouTube: @therealmelindastrauss Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • What Does Yeshiva NOT Teach You? with Daniel Mouyal

    What Does Yeshiva NOT Teach You? with Daniel Mouyal
    Jul 3 2024
    All Yeshivas are notoriously known for giving life-changing education. Teaching Judaism with a higher kind of discipline while embedding principles to live by is not something that happens overnight. You hear of people that stay for a week. You hear of people that stay for years. But does it really provide you with ALL the tools you need in life? Daniel Mouyal is known for his collaborations with musicians like Kosha Dillz. Before the reputation we know today, he desired a complete 180 in his life. He went to Yeshiva and has since thrived off the Torah's teachings while paving his own path. Did Yeshiva teach him EVERYTHING? He discusses this with Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, to highlight his experiences and truth. 00:00 Introduction 03:57 Daniel's pursuits 07:34 A year at Yeshiva 13:52 Seek power through selfless prayer 15:19 Stories of Yeshiva part 1 20:13 Stories from Yeshiva part 2 20:50 Joys of not knowing 25:14 Conclusion About Daniel Mouyal: Daniel Mouyal is 28 years old and resides in Miami, Florida. He is known for his music and does stand up comedy and acting. Connect with Daniel Mouyal: www.linktr.ee/danielmouyal Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • How Do You Give A Good Sermon? with Rabbi Daniel Steinberg

    How Do You Give A Good Sermon? with Rabbi Daniel Steinberg
    Jun 26 2024
    Just remember what they taught you in grade school: When you're public speaking, just imagine everyone's pants are down... That trick never worked did it? Public speaking is hard. Giving a sermon to a high-expecting congregation is harder. Rabbi Daniel Steinberg is no stranger to the difficulty of trying to inspire and emotionally elevate a crowd. Being very familiar with the film industry, sales, and Jewish needs within a community, Steinberg teaches Chaz Volk the fundamentals of speaking to a Jewish crowd. Tune in to learn how to engage and communicate with the broader Jewish community. 00:00 Introduction 05:39 Existential doubts 09:42 Speaking to needs 12:04 Ethos, Pathos, and Logos behind Bad Jew 14:40 Commandments 16:48 Stand-up comic's connection to audience reactions 22:48 Unexpected movie sparks discussion about Zionism symbolism 25:12 Public speaking is about authenticity, not polish. 27:19 Conclusion About Rabbi Daniel Steinberg: It's true. I was an intern for SNL, wrote for Howard Stern, & spent 2 years performing stand-up comedy in NYC and San Francisco clubs before moving to Palo Alto, CA to pursue a career in community outreach & Jewish education. After 6 years of community-building work, I assumed the role of Marketing Director for a start-up co-founded by Alan Dershowitz. I then went on to start a digital marketing & e-commerce consultancy, where my innovative storytelling & copywriting skills helped my ​clients earn upwards of $1MM in yearly revenue. These days, I draw on my eclectic experiences in the worlds of entertainment, education and marketing to help rabbis find their authentic voice, craft meaningful Drashos & build strong relationships with their congregations. Connect with Rabbi Daniel Steinberg: Linked In: Daniel Steinberg Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • Is God (Scientifically) Real? with Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Elie Feder

    Is God (Scientifically) Real? with Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Elie Feder
    Jun 19 2024
    Probably the most challenging question any religious person could answer from an agnostic person is "Is God Real?" The religious person might say "Of course he is real!" "And how do you know?" "Can't you feel it?" Of course, we all know 'feeling' is not enough. Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Elie Feder produced a podcast called "Physics to God" to go beyond the feeling of God. Using the scientific method along with their understanding of physics and mathematics they are able to quantifiably prove that Hashem made the universe and is indeed the embodiment of everything we know. 00:00 Introduction 05:02 Math and Physics 06:26 Proof of God 11:56 Laws of nature 15:45 Atoms and life 19:10 Fine tuning and constants 21:30 Parallel Universes 25:06 Intelligent Creator 27:39 Laws of nature 30:07 Conclusion, Physics to God About Rabbi Aaron Zimmer: After earning a physics degree and receiving rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Yisrael Chait, Aaron Zimmer considered furthering his education through graduate school. However, his intellectual curiosity extended far beyond the realm of physics, encompassing a diverse array of fields, including philosophy, mathematics, and psychology. Capitalizing on his blend of analytical and philosophical skills, Aaron utilized his personal resources to venture into commodity futures trading. This endeavor involved commodities such as oil, natural gas, cotton, sugar, and coffee. His strategic approach was deeply rooted in the conceptual frameworks of physics and the Brisker Method for Talmudic analysis. After an eleven-year career marked by success in commodity trading, Aaron decided to retire. In his retirement, Aaron channels his intellectual energy into studying various branches of knowledge, including the Talmud and physics. He resides in Lawrence, New York, along with his wife and their five children. About Rabbi Elie Feder: Elie Feder earned a PhD in mathematics from the CUNY Graduate Center and received Rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Yisrael Chait. Since 2004, Elie has been a mathematics professor at Kingsborough Community College. He has published many papers and delivered numerous talks in graph theory, which is his field of mathematical research. As a teacher, Elie has a passion for simplifying complex topics for his students. Recently, he authored a book "Gematria Refigured," which presents a rational, nonmystical approach to gematria as a tool of uncovering the significance of quantity and fine tuning in Torah, life, and the universe. For more information, you can visit Elie’s website, GematriaRefigured.com, and listen to his podcast, Gematria Refigured+. Elie resides in Far Rockaway, New York, with his wife and their four children. Connect with Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Elie Feder Facebook: @Physics to God (Page; not group) X/Twitter: @PhysicsToGod Instagram: @physics_to_god Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod TikTok @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • What Is The Real Story Of Shavuot? with Sruly Meyer

    What Is The Real Story Of Shavuot? with Sruly Meyer
    Jun 11 2024
    WE FINALLY RECEIVED THE TORAH! Time to enjoy the taste of milk and honey. But why? Can our Jewish stomachs really handle all of that dairy and what are we actually celebrating when we look at the history of the Torah - the constant tug-of-war we have with the values God laid out for us? Have we, an exiled people, really earned a celebration? Sruly Meyer, known for his incredible online recipes, embraces Shavuot - his favorite out of all of the favorite holidays. Aside from it being a tasty holiday, Meyer highlights how the Torah is our marriage contract and how our relationship with God has been "on a break" and why. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, enjoys an educational 30 minutes of learning why Shavuot stands as one of the most unique metaphysical experiences. 00:00 Introduction 05:58 Our relationship with God 06:33 Hashem's marriage contract with us 12:20 Relationships and Shavuot 15:15 Improving our relationship with God 17:34 Israel, the ultimate gift 20:20 Spiritual connection 25:49 Jewish resilience post October 7th 28:02 Torah is sweet 30:09 Conclusion About Sruly Meyer: Sruly runs a marketing agency in Hollywood, Florida. He is a home cook and recipe developer who runs a food and travel blog, discussing local food scenes and daily Jewish life. He is a proud Jewish father and business owner. Connect with Sruly Meyer IG and TikTok @srulycooks www.SrulyMeyer.com Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod TikTok @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • How Can You Bring Light Unto Nations? with Solomon Friedman

    How Can You Bring Light Unto Nations? with Solomon Friedman
    Jun 5 2024
    It goes without saying that the internet can be a disgusting display of human nature. Anonymous trolls, scams, and false information run rampant and they're not hard to run into. A centerpiece to this disturbing reality is the adult entertainment industry which has never been known to treat people with dignity. Exposing people of all ages to this content can do a variety of harmful things but the worst is that it enables everyone to participate in it including the young. Solomon Friedman of Ethical Capital Partners recognized this truth. While his calling was not a religious one, he has helped make the internet a safer place by incorporating device-based age verification technology and sharing such recognition software with law enforcement. Friedman is responsible for putting up roadblocks in front of every nefarious action that takes place on a variety of adult sites. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, learns that bringing light to the darkest of places means taking on unpopular projects while showing proud leadership and poise. 00:00 Introduction 05:35 Adult industry pioneered key internet innovations 07:06 Surprising ideas about ethics in internet marketing 11:19 Online platforms need moderation and safety measures 16:14 Opting out, age gates needed for online content 19:47 Internet privacy is essential for freedom and democracy 22:40 Jurisdiction of freedom 23:51 Tech giants and governments needed for safer platforms 26:55 Legal, meets safety standards, limits certain content 30:16 Conclusion About Solomon Friedman: Connect with Solomon Friedman Solomon is a trial and appellate lawyer, representing individuals and organizations before all levels of court in Canada. He is certified as a specialist in criminal law by the Law Society of Ontario. For over a decade, Solomon has been a trusted voice at Parliament, regularly appearing before Standing Committees of both the House of Commons and Senate in Canada, providing testimony about criminal, regulatory and constitutional law matters. Solomon is a legal author and commentator. He has published dozens of academic and popular articles and is the co-author of Canada’s leading text on firearms law and regulation. He also lectures widely to audiences of defence lawyers, judges and police officers on a wide spectrum of criminal and regulatory law topics. Solomon's work has been recognized by his peers in both the legal and broader business community. In 2014, he was named one of the Forty under 40 by the Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Chamber of Congress. In 2016, he was given Precedent Magazine's Precedent Setter Award. In 2018, he received the Regional Senior Justice Award by the County of Carleton Law Association. Solomon is an adjunct law professor, teaching The Law of Evidence and Advanced Criminal Evidence at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. Prior to his call to the bar, Solomon clerked for Justice Morris Fish of the Supreme Court of Canada. Solomon came to the law following rabbinical studies in Israel, where he was ordained in 2005. Connect with Solomon Friedman: EthicalCapitalPartners.com Connect with Bad Jew: BadJew.co https://linktr.ee/badjew BadJewPod@gmail.com Ig @BadJewPod TikTok @BadJewPod
    Show more Show less
    33 mins