Fraidy Reiss was trapped in an abusive marriage, which was arranged, for fifteen years before she could liberate herself.

She then went on to found an organization, Unchained at Last, to help liberate other women from forced arranged marriages. In her free time, she advocates to ban underaged marriages across all 50 states.

She was trapped in an abusive marriage for 15 years

A tribute to the writers and actors of the Israeli TV series, "Shtisel."

Lyrics:

Just be a Shtisel

Verse 1:
Kive paints another lovely portrait
Kaufman offers him a sterling fee
Shulem is about to cry “oy vay iz mir”
Once again he’ll throw away the key

Giti bakes her challah in the kitchen
Ruchami dreams of love without a care
Lippe makes a crafty new investment
Chanina greets us with his Shabbos prayer

Chorus:
Just be a Shtisel, not superficial
a schlimiel, schlimazel,,you should never act that  part
Just be a Shtisel, even if a bissel
It's like a missile, that is whistling toward your heart.

Elisheva flies in all the way from London
Libbe smells a plot and she’s upset
Kive’s once again so indecisive
Another canceled wedding you can bet

Esti cannot find another suitor
cries all day, she's praying for a hug
Bubbe watches TV up in heaven
Who will come along and pull the plug?

Chorus:
Just be a Shtisel, it's beneficial
a schlimiel, schlimazel, that is really not your style
Just be a Shtisel, even if a bissel
Oh please don’t bristle, 
show your Shtisel golden smile

Bridge:
Nuchem schemes all day in sunny Antwerp
Watch out now he’s stirring up the pot
He gets his hands on (oh so) many shekels
Time to steal another family plot

Anshin has a new falafel restaurant
Kive is still single, can’t pretend
Takes a call from Libbe on his cell phone
Then orders noodle kugel for his friends

If you miss your prayers at Giti’s table
A plate of Tsuris will appear instead
Distracted by sad tales of Argentina
Giti takes some time to clear her head

Chorus:
Just be a Shtisel, not superficial
a schlimiel, schlimazel,, that is surely not your fate
Just be a Shtisel, even if a bissel
Just eat the gristle, that is sitting on your plate

Menucha waits outside the new Yeshiva
Sets her sights upon the widowed reb
Now it rains all day in Mea Shirim
She’s about to weave her spider’s web

Shabbos is now right around the corner
Maybe Tsvi will sing a sacred tune
Bubbe's ghost appears and they will mourn her
Kive's bride--we pray shall be here soon

Shulem he is never disappointed
as he smiles smokes his cigarette
all the Shtisels they have been annointed
a mispucha that we will never forget

Chorus:
Just be a Shtisel, it's beneficial
a schlimiel, schlimazel,, you should never act that  part
Just be a Shtisel, even if a bissel
It's like a missile, that is whistling toward your heart.

Just Be A Shtisel

Rabbi Dunner’s rendition of Hamalach merges his voice with the original recording from Yigal Calek’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration album of the London School of Jewish Song (1978). The song is a soothing lullaby traditionally sung to children at bedtime, and features a beautiful melody perfectly aligned with the words. For Rabbi Dunner, this remix is both personal and emotional—a way to honor the music he once performed under Yigal’s direction. (With thanks to Sam Glaser for the studio production.)

YIGAL CALEK'S HAMALACH

In this remix of Lema'an Achai, Rabbi Dunner revisits his time as a member of Yigal Calek's renowned choir, blending his own voice with the original 1976 London Live recording. This heartfelt song, centered on the theme of brotherly harmony and unity, has remained a meaningful part of Rabbi Dunner’s life. Singing it again alongside the choir evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia and pays tribute to the musical legacy that shaped him. (With thanks to Sam Glaser for the studio production.)

YIGAL CALEK'S LEMA'AN ACHAI

Chabad traditional song for a part of the Hallel prayer.

Eli Ata

תחייך למישהו שעובר ברחוב יש מצב זה יעשה לך טוב

יעשה לך טוב

Today we talk about hope. Our world is in great need of hope and in the telling of the story of God's love for us we know hope is still alive.  Listen to this story about the 18th century Hasidic master, Baal Shem Tov, told below, and understand that hope remains as does the promise that God will be with us.

“It is told that in every generation there are times when hope threatens to leave this world. At such times, the Baal Shem Tov, the great Jewish mystic, would go into a secret place in the forest. There he would light a special fire and say a holy prayer speaking the long-forgotten most sacred name of God. The danger was averted and hope stayed alive.

In later times when disaster threatened, the Maggid of Mezrich, his disciple, would go to the same place in the forest and say, “Ribono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe, I do not know how to light the fire, but I can say the prayer.” 

Still later, his disciple, Moshe Leib of Sasov, would go to the same place in the forest and say, “Ribono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe, I do not know how to light the fire or say the prayer, but I found my way to this place, and that must be enough.” And it was. Hope stayed alive.

And later when Israel of Rizhyn needed intervention from heaven, he sat in his chair with his head in his hands and said, “Ribono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe, I no longer know how to light the fire nor how to say the prayer, I can’t even find my way to that place, but I can tell the story and that must be enough.” And it was.
And it still is. As long as stories are told, hope stays in the world.”

Episode 71 : From Sinai to Bethlehem - Tell the Story of Hope

🎧 Tanya in 4 Parts | Part 2
Rabbi Y. Kaufmann | Mayanot Women’s Learning Program

Dive deeper into the timeless teachings of the Tanya — the foundational work of Chassidic thought written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi over 300 years ago. In Part 2 of this transformative series, Rabbi Y. Kaufmann continues to guide us through the soul's journey, the nature of good and evil, and what it means to serve G-d with joy, purpose, and clarity.

Whether you're new to Chassidus or continuing your learning, this series brings ancient Jewish wisdom to life — relevant, real, and deeply inspiring for today’s spiritual seeker.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

The inner psychology of the soul

How to overcome spiritual struggle

Real tools for emotional growth and divine connection

The Tanya’s practical guidance for daily life

🎙️ Subscribe to hear all 4 parts of this essential Tanya series and explore more classes from Mayanot.

🔗 Learn more: www.mayanot.edu

The teachings of Chabad Chassidus unveiled. Tanya in 4 Parts. Lesson 2

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Connecting Scripture and Life podcast explores the way God speaks in different times and places with the same wisdom that lead to a happy life. Scripture teaches us how to live. Through conversations with people who love, teach, and live it we will explore our own lives in the pages of the sacred.

Connecting Scripture and Life is a ministry of the Catholic Bible Institute, Office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

In the late 1990s Rabbi Dunner presented his own daily 2-hour radio show on London’s multiethnic station, Spectrum Radio. Tens of thousands of listeners – Jews and non-Jews alike – tuned in every day to hear Rabbi Dunner’s take on current events. In 2011 Rabbi Dunner relocated to the US and became the senior Rabbi at Beverly Hills Synagogue. 

Weekly the Rabbi holds a parsha shiur that delves deeper into the Parsha of the week.

Empowering Young Jews Through Education. Mayanot is a revolutionary journey of self discovery, personal and spiritual growth. Located in the heart of Jerusalem, providing a highly academic Judaic studies program taught by dynamic staff in a welcoming atmosphere. Mayanot's unique curriculum encompasses both the intellectual and inner dimensions of Torah study. This series features some of our world-class educators and gives you a look into our classes straight from Jerusalem. www.Mayanot.edu

New tracks tagged #hasidic