Behind the Bima

How does a Chassidic Jew end up shaping global economic policy... and speaking fluent Chinese along the way?In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg sits down with Mitchell Silk, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, for a conversation about global finance, China, and the unlikely path that brought him from Torah life into the highest levels of government.Fluent in...

In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Senter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Aderes HaTorah in Jerusalem, for a conversation about Torah education, resilience, and the responsibility of shaping the next generation.Drawing on his own family legacy, the influence of his rebbeim, and years of guiding talmidim, Rabbi Senter...

What do the labels dividing Israeli society actually mean?In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Yehuda Lapian for a thoughtful conversation about identity, community, and the complexity of religious life in Israel.Growing up surrounded by multiple Jewish cultures, from secular Chilonim to Dati and Charedi communities, Lapian experienced...

Boca Raton Synagogue welcomed former hostages Sasha Troufanov and Sapir Cohen for a powerful evening titled Light in the Darkness. Hosted by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, this conversation offered the community an opportunity to hear directly from those who endured captivity and returned with a renewed perspective on faith, resilience, and the human spirit.In a candid and composed dialogue, Sasha and...

After his viral interview with Tucker Carlson, Ambassador Mike Huckabee joins Rabbi Efrem Goldberg for a candid and wide-ranging conversation recorded in Israel.This conversation discusses: What really happened in the Tucker Carlson interview The danger of half-truths and clipped narratives Whether antisemitic rhetoric should be ignored or confronted Rising political fractures on both the right...

Is Judaism meant to feel good — or to build strength?In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Rabbi Daniel Kalish for a candid conversation about modern chinuch culture and whether the pendulum has swung too far toward emotional comfort.They explore: The rise of “gishmak” Judaism Emotional validation vs emotional discipline Whether struggle...

Can social media inspire Torah growth? Can AI expand access to Jewish learning? And what happens when young Jews are influenced more by online personalities than by communal institutions?In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz are joined by Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Jewish outreach and...

In this deeply moving episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Mark Halawa, who grew up Arab and Muslim in Kuwait, immersed in a culture where Jews were demonized, and ultimately chose a radically different path.Mark shares the quiet, human moments that began unraveling everything he thought he knew: curiosity, kindness, questions, and a single act...

This bonus episode of Behind the Bima addresses a question many people asked — and some criticized:Why invite an Arab Muslim to speak at a synagogue?Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is joined by Loay Alshareef, an Arab Muslim educator who speaks openly about antisemitism within the Arab and Muslim world, the narratives he was raised with, and the personal consequences of challenging them publicly.Rather than...

What does paying attention over time teach you about people?In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz are joined by Rebbetzin Shoshana Schachter for a thoughtful conversation about dating, raising children, and the relationships that shape our lives.Drawing from decades of lived experience, Rebbetzin Schachter reflects on how emotional awareness and...