At a time when being Jewish often involves a fight, Finding our Why with Ittay Flesher and Courtney Winter-Peters explores what drives us to be Jewish, asking not what we are fighting against but what we are advocating for.
Join them to discover the drivers that makes us dig in and embrace the joy of being Jewish.
Listener feedback is welcome at:
findingourwhy@thejewishindependent.com.au
On this penultimate episode of Season 1, we explore the meaning of October 7 and our ever-changing relationship to the land and state of Israel. Feedback on this episode is welcome at findingourwhy@thejewishindependent.com.au Episode Music: Hineni Band - Mitachat Lashamayim Hineni Band - Al Kol Ele Jaale Band Slichot Concert in Nachlaot Jerusalem, August 27, 2026.
30 Sept 2026
The Arts that Made Us
What role do the books, music, film, and the paintings on our walls play in enhancing our Jewish identity? - Books mentioned in this episode include: As a Driven Leaf, Milton Steinberg The Amen Effect, Sharon Brous The Heart of a Stranger, Angela Buchdahl - Music Featured in this episode: Olivia Rodrigo Adon Olam (Stupid Song) - Covered by Ittay and Charlotte Eizenberg Dolly Parton 9-5 in Yiddish - by Lea Kalisch Dolly Parton Joellene in Hebrew - by Edut Eish Yemmini Hineni...
23 Sept 2026
Both Sides Now
Why is our religion so centred on arguments? Is this a weakness or a strength? In what way do arguments help us find meaning in troubled times? What does it mean to “argue well”? The book discussed is Beyond Dispute: Rediscovering the Jewish art of constructive disagreement by Daniel Taub Full conversation between Rabbi Sharon Brous and Rabbi David Ingber on the Jonah Platt podcast on the subject of “To criticise publicly or privately.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cvgpx...
16 Sept 2026
The Places You’ll Go
Why do we travel, and what happens to our sense of identity when we leave our comfort zones? In this episode, we unpack the transformative power of journeys and ask whether we hit the road simply to see new places or to see ourselves differently. From camping trips in Australia to formative journeys across Malaysia and Kenya, we examine why so many foundational Jewish stories are rooted in wandering and exile. Is there a uniquely Jewish lesson in learning through travel? Looking t...
9 Sept 2026
Chag Sameach
As we approach the High Holy Days, we ask: What is the purpose of Jewish rituals? We explore the complex link between belief and practice, debating whether our traditions offer deep personal meaning or just a sense of inherited obligation. Tune in as we celebrate the rituals we cherish and get honest about the ones that challenge our identity. Feedback on this episode is welcome at findingourwhy@thejewishindependent.com.au Music: This episode features the Shira choir singing Lecha...
2 Sept 2026
Everybody Hurts, Sometimes
Like religion and politics, grief is often treated as a taboo topic in everyday conversation. We stay quiet to spare those who are hurting, but what if our silence actually makes the pain worse? In this episode, we sit down with special guest Ruby Kraner-Tucci to explore what happens when we break the silence around loss, how to navigate the awkwardness of grief, and why talking about death is essential to finding meaning. Read Ruby’s writing: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/health/mental-health...
27 Aug 2026
You can’t always get what you want
This episode explores several questions about faith and meaning. Do people who believe in a higher power and prayer have more meaning in their lives? Can someone fully experience the richness of Jewish ritual and festival observance without belief in God and Halacha? Is it appropriate to adapt sacred texts, such as rewriting the Shema, to better reflect contemporary values? Who is ultimately responsible for the good and bad in our world? Feedback on this episode is welcome at findingour...
19 Aug 2026
Teach your children well
What is the difference between Jewish education that simply passes along information and learning that truly stays with you for a lifetime? In this episode, we address a critical question facing our community: Should we focus our resources on fighting antisemitism, or invest them in strengthening Jewish literacy and engagement? We wrap up with a traditional, chavruta-style Talmud study, examining how Ben Zoma’s teachings in Pirkei Avot (4:1) offered a new framework for Jewish continuity after...
12 Aug 2026
From Oy to Joy
In Episode 2 of Finding Our Why, we tackle the tension between fear and love, obligation and inspiration, asking what truly sustains Jewish identity today - "Oy vs. Joy." Along the way, we reflect on parenting, rituals, and the challenge of creating a meaningful Jewish life that people are drawn to - not because they have to, but because they genuinely want to. Feedback on this episode is welcome at findingourwhy@thejewishindependent.com.au
5 Aug 2026
What is Your Why?
In the debut episode of 'Finding Our Why’, co-hosts Courtney Winter-Peters and Ittay Flescher introduce a new podcast from The Jewish Independent that shifts the conversation from communal survival and safety to the enduring joy and meaning of Jewish life. Broadcasting from the Gold Coast and Jerusalem, the co-hosts open up about their personal journeys; how growing up in the heart of the Melbourne Jewish community shaped their early understanding of Judaism, and how living on opposite ...
12 Jun 2026
Trailer: Finding Our Why
At a time when being Jewish often involves a fight, Finding our Why with Ittay Flesher and Courtney Winter-Peters explores what drives us to be Jewish, asking not what we are fighting against but what we are advocating for. Join them to discover the drivers that makes us dig in and embrace the joy of being Jewish. Listener feedback is welcome at: findingourwhy@thejewishindependent.com.au
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