Some things in Jewish education happen because they are fads. Let's Take a Step Back challenges that tendency and asks parents and educators in Jewish day schools to really think about what we are trying to achieve and how we get there. Since real change is driven by parents and communities, each episode ends with a simple challenge to move the conversation forward. This podcast is here to spark ideas and connect people who are interested in tackling the same challenges. Whether you are a parent, educator, or just someone who cares, this podcast will give you fresh ideas to explore.
What motivates some students to become deeply invested in Talmud study while others struggle to connect with it?
In this episode of Inside the Teen Mind: Day School Students Explain, I share findings from interviews with 47 students from 12 Orthodox high schools and 9 students from 3 Pluralistic high schools. Rather than relying on theories about student motivation, I asked students directly what sparked their interest in Gemara and what inspired them to pursue further opportunities for learning.
Despite the diversity of schools and students, one factor emerged more strongly than any other. In this episode, you'll hear students explain—in their own words—the experiences and perspectives that helped build their passion for Talmud study.
If you're an educator, parent, community leader, or anyone interested in helping young people connect more deeply with Torah learning, this episode offers valuable insights directly from the students themselves.
Inside the Teen Mind: Day School Students Explain is a series that explores what students say helps them learn, grow, and engage in Jewish life and learning.
For additional resources and related episodes, visit https://letstakeastepback.my.canva.site/ (https://letstakeastepback.my.canva.site/).
15 Jan 2026
The Truth about Religious Growth- Inside the Teen Mind: Day School Students Explain Part I
What actually helps students grow religiously? I asked Yeshiva Day School students: “Can you name one or two things your school has done that helped you grow religiously?” Their answers were eye-opening.
Tune in to hear directly from students about what helped them grow and why. This episode highlights the most common themes from interviews with students at Orthodox schools as well as the patterns that emerged among Pluralistic school students.
A valuable listen for educators, parents, and community leaders interested in strengthening religious development and improving school programming.
Time Stamps:
3:10 -The top hits of means of religious growth mentioned by students in Orthodox Schools
14:31-The secondary hits (Orthodox Schools)
23:27- The final repeating theme (Orthodox Schools)
24:36- Pluralistic Schools- The results & how they differed from the results in Orthodox Schools
26:10 Summary of the Findings & lessons to take-away
Credits:
Music- Higher by Thank You Hashem & Aryeh Rubin
15 Dec 2025
Just Ask
We often guess what motivates people and don’t realize how much we could learn if we simply asked.
In this introductory episode, you’ll hear what inspired the upcoming series “Inside the Teen Mind: Day School Students Explain”—where the idea came from, what you can expect to hear, and how its core message can help parents and educators better understand the teens in their lives.
Join the conversation about how we can more effectively support our teens in reaching the goals of Torah observance and character development—by asking them what truly helps them grow, and what challenges stand in their way.
17 Nov 2025
I Am Right! : The New Way Students Engage with Opposing Opinions
Recent crises make it easy to blame student incivility on stress. But is something deeper happening? Are we seeing a broader shift in how students communicate?
In this episode, we break down what’s really driving these tense exchanges, explore the roots of the problem, and share practical steps educators can take. You’ll hear about compelling programs developed by innovative educators Jonah Hassenfeld and Rachel Dingman to help students build the skills needed for deeper, more empathetic conversations.
Don’t miss the end—Rachel shares what teens had to say after experiencing her new program.
Leave a comment about your thoughts on this issue-something you noticed about how kids talk, a story you have, or a solution you can imagine. Respond to others' comments to keep the conversation going.
Scroll down for the episode timeline & more ways to get involved...Episode Timeline:
I.Analysis of the Problem
0- Introduction of the incident: tension between students over the politics in the current situation in Israel
4:07- What to make of this/Why our students started acting this way
5:46- What was the ultimate cause of these troubling student exchanges about the war in Israel
8:28- Did this shift happen in all schools?
9:46- Why didn’t we notice this shift happening?
11:04- Now that we notice a change in communication is there something to do?
12:35- If we want to give it a try, what should we do about it?
II. Potential Solutions
14:17- Dr. Jonah Hassenfeld’s program that focuses students on the “why” of their positions
16:33- Rachel Dingman’s program that trains students to listen instead of argue
20:51- Summary
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Leave feedback, share ideas for new episodes, or initiatives you are considering on this issue at letstakeastepback25@gmail.com
16 Oct 2025
Gemara is not my thing.
Gemara Is Not My Thing
It’s hard to ignore how many high school students say, “Gemara just isn’t my thing.” Whether they openly resist Gemara class or quietly disengage, we need to take a closer look. Are their feelings simply a sign that Gemara is passé — or is there something deeper going on?
In this episode, Gemara Is Not My Thing, we explore what’s really behind students’ lack of connection. You’ll hear stories of teens who went from Gemara-haters to Gemara-lovers, an inspiring experiment that points to a solution, and practical steps you can take to make a difference.
We shouldn’t settle for “you have to learn it because your ancestors did.” Our goal should be to make every student’s Talmud learning a meaningful experience that strengthens their connection to Judaism.
16 Sept 2025
Why Don’t My Kids Sit Quietly When We Go to Shul on Shabbat?
Have you ever sensed that something’s not quite right—but couldn’t put your finger on why?
Maybe you’ve felt it while attending a Day School Tefillah service: on the surface, everything seems normal—just as you’d expect. But beneath that, there’s a nagging sensethat something’s missing. What is it?
"Why Don't My Kids Sit Quietly When We Go to Shul onShabbat?" explores what might be missing in how prayer is approached in day schools—and why so few seem to notice.
This episode examines whether the current reality can change and highlights a recent pilot program that puts a new theory to the test.
Tune in to explore what a quiet revolution in Tefillah education might look like—and whether you want to be part of it.
Time-Stamps:
1:21 What's missing in our Tefilla education
3:41 Why has this issue not gotten a lot of attention
8:41 Here's where your role comes in
13:37 What moved me from denial about Tefilla education to a sense of urgency and action
18:28 A glimpse of the pilot program
23:35 Summary
More information:
To learn more about the spirituality awareness one-session program that was piloted at Maimonides School and to get advice how to design a similar program for your school, contact those involved in the pilot:
Visionary of the program and facilitator: Yael Asen (yael@asenweb.com)
Head of School at Maimonides School: Rabbi Yaakov Green- a facilitator of the sessions (ygreen@maimonides.org)
Podcast Host: Yael Jaffe - coordinator of the pilot program (jaffe.yael@gmail.com)
Music Credits:
Ten li Tefillah by Shmuel
15 Aug 2025
I Just Want my Child to Love Judaism
Episode Description:
Parents’ sentiment that only the goal-post matters—has quietly shaped the landscape of Jewish education in recent years. But has this mindset truly led us to a better place, or are we overlooking important consequences?
In this episode, I explore how this reactive approach to a new educational vision may be affecting our Yeshiva Day Schools—often in ways that fly under the radar. Whether you're a parent, educator, or community leader, this is a conversation worth tuning into.
Stay with me through the end for actionable insights on how you can help shift this trend in a more thoughtful, impactful direction.
Connect with others to discuss/work on this issue:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Tfemvgm_u4C7flaZlB75B02aF7jjpaVajTtyLv6KlNc/edit?usp=sharing
Sign up here, and connect directly with others interested in the topic who sign up as well. Or email the host if you want to be part of a facilitated group to discuss/work on the issue.
(doc will stay open for 7 days after episode is posted; after that can email host at jaffe.yael@gmail.com to add you)
Episode Summary:
The trend:
New sentiment: "I Just Want my Child to Love Judaism"
Result: school systems focused more on fun
Reason for the trend:
Parents watched Yeshiva students end up not religious
The impact of the trend:
Nourishing of the Jewish soul took a backseat
Is the parent slogan of use?
Yes, don't get rid of deep learning, but shape it
What parents can do:
1. Focus questions about 'how was your day,' on ideas
that your children learned or contributed
2. Thank schools for the day-in-day out skill-building
and deep learning at least as much as for special events
Sources:
Link to research about school enjoyment:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5663305/ (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5663305/)
To contact host:
jaffe.yael@gmail.com
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