"Shalhevet Unplugged" takes you inside the walls of Jewish education with unfiltered conversations about all things policy, problems, and possibilities. Are schools too fun? Should phones be banned? Is the current Talmud Torah formula working? Think of this podcast as your "inside scoop" on Jewish schools today.
Join Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi for everything from the classroom and beyond. This podcast is perfect for Shalhevet students, parents, faculty, or anyone else connected to the community — or interested in the state of Jewish education.
Have topics in mind? Send us an email!
With the 12th Annual Glouberman Tournament on the horizon, Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi discuss an age-old feature of Jewish day schools: sports.
Sports are a mainstay of Modern Orthodox communities — and even in more "Yeshivish" ones — but where is the line between a healthy engagement with sports and a misaligned obsession? (Basketball in particular dominates the calendar with yeshiva league tournaments and community games.)
In this episode of Shalhevet Unplugged, we break down the pros and cons of a sports-centered culture and when a heartfelt passion can interfere with Jewish values.
18 Sept 2026
What Energy Will You Bring into Yom Kippur?
The new Jewish year carries all sorts of emotions: hope, fear, excitement, anticipation. But aside from what the year promises us, what do we promise it?
In this special episode, Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi are joined by Dr. Sheila Keiter to speak through the intensity of Yom Kippur — regret, compassion, forgiveness. This conversation about teshuva is filled not only with Torah but with personal reflections and ideas that connect our educators to this Day of Awe.
Tune in for a candid conversation about preparing for Yom Kippur.
28 Aug 2026
Back to School with Shalhevet Unplugged
No one is immune from pre-school year jitters — not even rabbis.
In their first back-to-school podcast, Rabbis Yagil Tsaidi and Ari Schwarzberg talk about their summer breaks, school year aspirations, and what lessons they’re bringing in as educators.
From doppelgängers and ego, to divrei Torah and education, this episode welcomes you back to Shalhevet Unplugged — and the year ahead — with the candor and fun you know and love.
5 Jun 2026
Inside a Jewish Teen's High School Years
Educators and parents love to dissect the Jewish high school experience. But how often are actual high school students included in those conversations?
In the season finale of Shalhevet Unplugged, Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi talk to Shalhevet seniors Sonya Katzin and Yakov Liberman about what it’s like to be a Jewish student today: the struggles, aspirations, unexpected experiences, and inside perspectives.
Join us for a candid conversation about the four-year transformation from freshman to senior.
21 May 2026
How to Get Holocaust Education Right
Over 80 years since the Holocaust decimated European Jewry, educating our students about it has never been more important. But how should we teach about it? Is it about guilt? Mortality? Memory and history? Beyond that, how do we speak about Hashem and Yiddeshkeit in the shadow of the Shoah?
Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi discuss Shalhevet's annual Senior Poland-Israel Experience — which begins with Europe's shetls, ghettos, and concentration camps, and ends at the Kotel in Jerusalem — and why setting an "agenda" is the wrong move.
24 Apr 2026
Should Our Schools Push Aliyah and IDF Service?
A comedic video made the rounds on social media: a parody of "every" Zionist and Yeshivish rebbe talking on Yom Ha'atzmaut.
The joke poked at the tension Jewish schools face over their relationship to the State of Israel, specifically: Should our schools be pushing aliyah and IDF service?
As always, Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi speak about Zionism, living in the diaspora, and how to approach the question of living in the Jewish state.
Tune in for a candid, unfiltered conversation about aliyah.
17 Apr 2026
How Should We Teach Gemara in High School?
The challenge of engaging high school students in the rigor and commitment of Talmud Torah is nothing new, but as yeshivot in Israel explore new methods — and as rebbeim and teachers try to improve upon old ones — the question must be asked: Is there a right way to teach Gemara in high school?
Rabbi Gabe Falk joins Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi to discuss what goes into formulating a Talmud Torah curriculum at various levels, and balancing Jewish values and student experience in the ever-changing pedagogy of Jewish schools.
Tune in for a candid, unfiltered conversation about teaching Talmud Torah.
19 Mar 2026
The Relationship of the School & The Parents in High School
What's a teacher's role in their student's high school experience — and how does it differ from a parent's?
Students' academic, social, and religious growth often falls under a microscope during their four years of high school. Sometimes, that scrutiny helps to support students stepping into adulthood. Other times, it creates undue stress that can derail a student's journey.
Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi talk about how to understand the collaborative work of teachers and parents in helping students thrive — what does a good partnership look like? When should students be given more space? When is more involvement called for?
Tune in for a candid, unfiltered conversation about facilitating the high school experience.
6 Mar 2026
Is It Assur to Watch the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
This is a classic question Jewish schools encounter whenever February rolls around, and the Super Bowl hype begins to bubble. But aside from the question itself, how should students think about these types of questions?
Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi talk about Super Bowl halftime shows, secular culture, and what thoughtful Modern Orthodoxy can look like — how often do we think about our values? Our relationship to the secular world? When should we engage and when should we draw the line?
Tune in for a candid conversation about perspectives in Jewish education amidst a modern and secular world.
18 Feb 2026
What Does It Take to Run a Jewish School?
What's it like teaching Jewish students? How does it differ from leading a school of Jewish students? Why move from teacher to Head of School?
Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi talk with Rabbi David Block — Shalhevet's Head of School — about his professional journey, the struggles of Jewish education, being the "boss" of your friends, and the beauty of teaching in every part of life.
Tune in for a candid, unfiltered conversation about what it takes to run a Jewish school.
5 Feb 2026
Should Schools Be Fun?
From social media and smartphones to color war and bonding Shabbatons, Jewish schools are not what they once were. Today, they are really, really fun.
Is that a bad thing? Is it successful?
Rabbis Ari Schwarzberg and Yagil Tsaidi talk about their childhood memories, the teacher-student relationship, what parents want out of school, and how vastly the past differs from the present.
Tune in for a candid, unfiltered conversation about whether Jewish schools are too fun.
31 May 2024
Why Jewish Students Need Poland Trips Now More Than Ever
Many Jewish high schools bring their upperclassmen on an annual trip to Poland—bearing witness to the Holocaust’s horrors, discovering Jewish heritage, and facing history. But are Poland trips still relevant, or important? What’s the point of them, and should we rethink their purpose?
On the heels of Shalhevet’s Poland-Israel trip for seniors, Rabbi David Block is joined by Judaic Studies Faculty Rabbi Yagil Tsaidi and guidance counselor Gabriella Marcus to breakdown what these trips entail, what their goals are, and if they are achieving something worthwhile for Jewish students.
19 Apr 2024
Fighting Israel’s Digital War: Meet IDF reservist and former Firehawk Rachel Lester '12
Rabbi Block sits down with former Shalhevet Firehawk, Rachel Lester '12, on what she's been up to since she graduated, her IDF service and her role in the IDF Spokesman's office since October 7th defending the State of Israel in its digital war. Rachel gives some great tips on how to effectively engage with others online.
16 Feb 2024
‘What We’re Missing’: Does Modern Orthodoxy Need Neo-Chassidus?
Last week, we spoke about Neo-Chassidus from a more analytic, sociological perspective — why it’s here, why Modern Orthodoxy is drawn to it, etc. Today, we explore Neo-Chassidus from the “inside”: What does it promise, feel like, offer? Infusing our Judaism with rich spirituality and deep meaning is crucial to Modern Orthodoxy today. How does it highlight what we were missing before?
Rabbi David Block is joined by Shalhevet Judaic faculty Rabbis Derek Gormin and Yagil Tsaidi, to explore the world of Neo-Chassidus from the inside — and from the world of Modern Orthodoxy — taking last week’s episode to a new level.
8 Feb 2024
How is Neo-Chassidus Changing Modern Orthodoxy?
There seems to be a shift in Modern Orthodoxy toward neo-Chassidus, a more emotionally charged Judaism. We see this in the community as a whole, as well as in the high school educational experience. Modern Orthodoxy, in its purest form, has historically been expressed as a “colder” intellectual endeavor, and we may be experiencing a correction to embrace those in the community that crave something more, something different.
Rabbi David Block is joined by Shalhevet Judaic faculty Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg and Dr. Sheila Keiter, to explore the changes in Modern Orthodoxy and how neo-Chassidus has changed our community and relationship with G-d and Judaism.
2 Feb 2024
119 Days Later, Are We Keeping Israel Front and Center?
Are we still connected to Israel? Over four months since October 7, Jews everywhere are struggling to stay connected to Israel while also living our lives and tending to daily obligations. How do we keep Israel front and center?
Rabbi David Block is joined by Sarah Emerson, Shalhevet COO, and Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, Shalhevet Judaic Faculty, to break down these questions and search for some answers.
21 Dec 2023
Antisemitism and Applications: Should We Change Our Approach to College?
Since October 7, antisemitism has raged across the world — but especially on college campuses. How should that affect Jewish students applying to colleges, and more specifically, Jewish schools preparing them to apply?
Rabbi David Block is joined by Sarah Emerson (Chief Operating Officer), Malka Popper (Chief Academic Officer), and Jordan Moss (Director of College Counseling) to break down these questions and search for some answers.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Contact Modern Orthodoxy's Town Hall
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
