Jewish Insights with Justin Pines

Every year, Israel moves in a single day from its deepest grief to its greatest celebration — from Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, to Yom Ha'atzmaut, Independence Day. How do we hold both? And what does it mean to love Israel from across the ocean?

Rabbi Sam Klibanoff — spiritual leader of Congregation Etz Chaim in Livingston, NJ (https://www.etzchaimnj.org/about-us/clergy/), and one of the most passionate advocates for Israel in the American rabbinate — joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines for a wide-ranging conversation about memory, resilience, solidarity, and the enduring bond between the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

How does a visionary Hasidic leader simply… vanish?

In this episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines sits down with historical detective and scholar Rabbi Pini Dunner to uncover a decades-old mystery, a secret identity, and a journey home. 

Discover the unbelievable life of Yechezkel Taub (The Yabloner Rebbe)—a world-renowned leader who led hundreds of pioneers from pre-Holocaust Poland to found a village in pre-state Israel, only to vanish and reappear decades later as an 80-year old secular psychology student in Los Angeles.

He didn't just leave his village; he left his identity behind. For four decades, he lived anonymously in Southern California as George T. Nagel—a real estate developer and later a volunteer in a psychiatric facility.

The secret to his "hidden years" was buried in a forgotten manuscript titled "Paradise Cove"—until Rabbi Dunner spent twenty years hunting for the truth.

In this episode, we explore:

The Visionary: The radical story of this unique "Hasidic Aliyah" and the founding of Kfar Hasidim.

The Disappearance: Why a spiritual giant chose to walk away from his crown.

The Manuscript: What a 1970s memoir about a Malibu psych ward reveals about a hidden Jewish soul.

The Return: The emotional story of how the Rebbe returned to the land of Israel to face the community he left behind.

"Each person is an entire world." Join us for a conversation about identity, the weight of leadership, and the "Jewish spark" that can never truly be extinguished.

Get the Book: "Paradise Cove: They Escaped the Cuckoo’s Nest" by George T. Nagel (Edited by Rabbi Pini Dunner) - https://www.paradisecovebook.com/

About the Guest: Rabbi Pini Dunner is the Senior Rabbi of Beverly Hills Synagogue and a world-renowned expert on the "margins" of Jewish history. He is the author of Mavericks, Mystics & False Messiahs and the host of the hit series "Rogues, Rascals and Rapscallions."

What if your Haggadah could meet you exactly where you are this year — checked out, overwhelmed, full of joy, or somewhere in between? Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky, therapist, author, and creator of the Attached Haggadah - https://www.amazon.com/Attached-Haggadah-Rabbi-Yakov-Danishefsky/dp/B0GN9NDTC1-, joins us for one of our most ambitious episodes yet: unlocking the entire Pesach Seder in one hour.

We explore the Attached framework and what it means to bring your full, authentic self to the Seder table. Yakov shares the vision behind the Attached Haggadah — a Haggadah built on dialogue between your inner world and the text — and why this is the Haggadah our generation has been waiting for. We talk about the shift from physical survival to emotional and spiritual coherence, and what it means to truly live with your mind, your marriage, your children, your fears, and your relationship with Hashem.

Then we unlock the whole thing — a lightning round through all 14 stages of the Seder, with Yakov bringing a taste of depth and meaning to each stage.

Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky, LCSW, CSAT, is a Chicago-based therapist specializing in trauma, addictions, and couples therapy. He is the author of the bestselling Attached, the newly released Attached Haggadah, and the forthcoming The Delight of Shabbos. He leads Avodas HaLev in Chicago and hosts The Attached Life Podcast. 

Learn more about Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky: https://www.attachedliving.com/

What if the 25 hours of Shabbat weren't just a break from your week, but the very engine of your spiritual growth?

Host Justin Pines sits down with Dr. Alan Morinis — founder of the Mussar Institute and a leading voice in the contemporary revival of Mussar, the Jewish tradition of character refinement — to explore his new book, The Shabbat Effect: Jewish Wisdom for Growth and Transformation.

Together they dive into how practicing Shabbat with conscious intention creates lasting change — not just on the seventh day, but across the six days that follow.

In this episode:

The Wine and the Cup — Why spiritual depth requires the structure of religious practice

Mussar and Shabbat — How the lens of character refinement transforms weekly rest

Hitlamdut (Self-Reflexive Learning) — How to treat your own life as your greatest teacher

Complete vs. Temporary Rest — Why a true Shabbat should leave you a different person by Havdalah

Joy, Trust & Peace — A deep dive into three of the core traits that Shabbat cultivates

Whether you're a lifelong observer or simply curious how ancient wisdom can enhance modern life, this conversation offers a genuinely fresh lens on a 3,000-year-old practice.

How do you turn 2,000-year-old prayers into modern hits?

For the 100th episode of Jewish Insights, Justin sits down with the world-renowned Hasidic folk-rock duo, Zusha. Shlomo Gaisin and Zachariah Goldschmiedt open up about their journey from wordless niggunim to electronic soundscapes, and the "idol smashing" required to keep their art authentic.

In this episode:

The Creative Process: How Zusha bridges the gap between the ancient and the modern.

The Evolution: Moving from folk melodies to atmospheric electronic music.

God's Voice: Bringing God into their lyrics.

Soulful Performance: Exclusive live versions of "Don’t Leave Me On My Own" and "Pull Me Through."

Visit the band on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zushamusic/