The Rabbi & the Other Guy
Welcome to ”The Rabbi & the Other Guy,” where Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket dive headfirst into the vast ocean of Jewish curiosity. Join us as we tackle every question under the sun about being Jewish, from the profound to the playful. From exploring religious and cultural nuances to confronting intense conversations, and even delving into the classic age-old question - what really IS the best type of challah?
Episodes
In this episode of The Rabbi and The Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket chat with Rebecca Caspi, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at The Jewish Federations of North America. Rebecca discusses her journey from growing up in a secular Jewish family in New York City to building a life and career in Israel.
Together, they explore the cu...
Jeannie Opdyke Smith joins Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket to share the remarkable legacy of her mother, Irene Gut Opdyke — a Polish Catholic nurse who hid Jews in plain sight during WWII.
When Irene died, Jeannie discovered 11 unfulfilled speaking invitations and decided to honor them herself. That single choice launched her own mission: delivering 150‑plus talks a year and fostering mo...
In our newest episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket sit down with Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove — Park Avenue Synagogue’s senior rabbi and author of For Such a Time as This — to talk about Jewish identity after October 7, generational tensions around Israel, and why this might just be our modern-day "Esther moment."
Rabbi Cosgrove shares the story that changed his l...
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Daniel Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket sit down with Professor Gil Troy — author and Senior Fellow in Zionist Thought at the Jewish People Policy Institute.
Together, they explore loss, resilience, and the enduring joy of the Israeli spirit, while debating the evolving meaning of Zionism and what it means to be both Jewish and democratic. From transformative Birthright experience...
In this episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket sit with Nomi Colton-Max, co-chair of the New Jewish Narrative. Nomi brings insight into the evolving landscape of Progressive Zionism.
Together, Nomi and our hosts discuss what it means to be both progressive and Zionist in today’s world. They unpack Progressive Zionism ideology, equal rights, shared resources, and connection to the Land of Israel.
Join us for a thoughtful conversat...
In this episode of The Rabbi and the Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Shocket welcome Dr. Tsvi Sheleg, Senior Physician in the Ophthalmology Department and the Deputy Director General at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, Israel. Once considered a radical idea, its underground facilities have saved countless lives.
Dr. Sheleg shares how real-time medical technology, mass casualty preparedness, and swift evacuat...
In our newest episode of The Rabbi and the Other Guy, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket sit down with Zack Bodner—founder of the Z3 Project and CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto—to unpack the evolving relationship between Diaspora Jews and Israel. How did the Z3 Project come to life? What is Zionism 3.0? What’s driving the growing disconnect? Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the fut...
In this special episode of The Rabbi and the Other Guy, Dr. Matt Schocket shares his firsthand experience volunteering on a medical mission to Israel during a critical time. Despite uncertainty around a ceasefire, Matt journeyed to northern Israel to assist at the Galilee Medical Center. The mission was organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), Partnership2Gether, and Jewish Federations of North America and brought physicia...
In the final episode of 2024, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schockett are joined by Rabbi Dan Ain, Shalom Austin's Parent Life Educator. Together, they explore the rich history of Hanukkah and delve into its timeless lessons, drawing connections between the festival's story and the challenges of our modern world.
Have a wonderful Hanukkah and New Year! We'll be back in 2025!
In Part Two of our 'What is the Significance of Yizkor?' episode, we continue our heartfelt conversation with Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim. Together, we delve into the meaning of Yizkor, reflect on navigating the High Holy Days in the wake of October 7, and explore Rabbi Blumofe’s thoughtful approach to adapting Yizkor each year to meet the community's evolving needs.
A few weeks ago, Shalom Austin was honored to host Moshe Davidovich, the Mayor of the Mateh Asher Regional Council in Israel.
Moshe sat down with Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket for our very first live recording of The Rabbi & the Other Guy! During their conversation, Moshe shared insights about life in Israel’s Western Galilee before, during, and after the tragic attacks of October 7, highlighting the resilience of his co...
This episode is brought to you by bagels. Whether you prefer plain, sesame, or everything, we've got your carb cravings covered—just no fruit bagels, please.
Join Tom Rosen, the founder and owner of Rosen's Bagels, as he sits down with our hosts to dive deep into the delicious world of bagels. From the history of this beloved bread to how bagels became the iconic American Jewish staple, Tom shares the story of how he fell into the ...
Join Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket as they welcome Ariella and Eyal, Austin’s newest Shinshinim from Israel! In this episode, Ariella and Eyal share insights into the Shinshinim program, reflect on what they've learned about American Jewry since their arrival in Austin, and discuss their excitement for their year-long journey ahead in Texas.
Read more:
In our newest episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket are joined by Jackie Niremberg, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Austin Regional Director, to discuss and break down the question - 'are Jews oppressed?' Together, they explore the complexities of Jewish identity, the nuances of anti-Semitism, and the challenges facing Jewish communities today.
Read more:
https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/the-american-jewish-community-needs-a-new...
Are Jews allowed to celebrate Halloween? What even really is Halloween? In this episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket sit down with Rabbi Eleanor Steinman, Temple Beth Shalom's Senior Rabbi, to discuss all the (not so) spooky details.
As the election draws near, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket sit down with Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and a voice in the Republican community. In this compelling episode, they discuss the intersection of Jewish identity and Republican ideals, the policy matters that resonate with Jewish voters, and what the upcoming election could mean for Jews in the party.
With the election fast approaching, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket welcome former Austin Mayor and prominent Democrat Steve Adler for an insightful discussion. Together, they explore the role of Jewish voters within the Democratic party, the key issues at stake, and how Jewish values align with political platforms. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that delves into the future of Jewish political influence.
In Part Two of our "One Year Later" episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket sit down with Shelly Shwartz, Israeli-American Council Texas Regional Director. Together, they discuss the growing Israeli community in Austin and how the Austin Jewish community can continue to move forward since October 7.
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