About REALLY JEWISH with Yair Eldan and Oliver Joseph
Your podcast of Jewish enquiry, growth and emotional honesty.
Judaism is a religion that in every generation has had to reinvent itself and endure moments of transformation from the outside in and from the inside out. Our small tribe is one of striving and struggle. Join the conversation about what happens next…
This podcast was founded by Oliver Joseph and Yair Eldan, Oliver is a rabbi, religious, based in London, UK. Yair, secular, a Jewish law professor based in Jerusalem, Israel.
Oliver and guests run this weekly podcast examining all things Jewish with an eye on Jewish tradition, its connection to real life experience and our emotional and spiritual journey. Yair has become a regular contributor to the podcast.
We invite you in for an inside take on a conversation which has endured for more than 2000 years, across continents. We would love your feedback and to welcome you to the Really Jewish family.
Join Oliver Joseph and friends for REALLY JEWISH!
REALLY JEWISH SE2:E6 - dealing in normal, boring as good?
The conversation between Rabbi Oliver and Sarah-Beth Neville in New York explores the themes of routine and the mundane in Jewish life, particularly during the month of Mar Cheshvan, contrasting it with the emotional highs of the previous months filled with festivals. This is the second part of a conversation that started in SE2:E4 with Rabbi Joel Levy. This week, Sarah-Beth Neville and Oliver Joseph discuss the paradox of seeking stability while also craving adventure, and how social media influences perceptions of normalcy and excitement. The conversation explores the gradual journey into Jewish life, emphasizing the importance of consistency and continuity in religious practice. It discusses the challenges and rewards of living a religious life, the significance of learning, and finding beauty in the mundane aspects of daily life
Takeaways
Boring can be comforting
Routine offers relief after chaos Embracing continuity in Jewish life
Finding beauty in the mundane
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context of Marcheshvan
02:57 The Value of the Mundane
05:47 Social Media and Perceptions of Life
12:12 The Journey of Rabbinical Study
17:51 The Balance of Study and Life
27:08 Journey into Jewish Life
29:04 Learning Opportunities in Judaism
32:36 Challenges of Religious Observance
37:58 The Cost of Religious Life
41:16 Finding Beauty in Restrictions
15 Oct 2026
REALLY JEWISH SE2:E5 - Turning the tables – Alon in the hot seat
SPECIAL EPISODE, Alon Ben Joseph in the host hot seat with Oliver Joseph and Yair Eldan.
We talk motivations and experiences of hosting the Really Jewish podcast, focusing on personal journeys, the significance of their discussions, and the feedback they receive from listeners. The hosts reflect on the impact of their podcast on their understanding of Judaism and their personal growth. The conversation delves into the challenges and experiences of hosting a podcast focused on Jewish identity, community, and the complexities of feedback received from listeners. It highlights the personal journeys of the hosts, their professional roles, and the impact of their discussions on both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences.
Takeaways
Exploration of Jewish identity
Impact of podcasting on personal growth Navigating negative feedback
Importance of community connection
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Really Jewish Podcast
05:08 The Motivation Behind the Podcast
10:07 Personal Reflections on Spirituality
14:59 Listener Feedback and Engagement
19:48 The Future of the Podcast
27:15 The Landscape of Online Feedback
31:34 The Role of the Podcast in Community
33:27 Personal Journeys and Professional Lives
39:01 Exploring Jewish Identity and Tradition
44:56 Rabbinical Roles and Responsibilities
8 Oct 2026
REALLY JEWISH SE2:E4 - After the Holy Days, takeaways
The conversation explores the emotional and spiritual transition from the Jewish High Holy Days to everyday life, considering how to carry the lessons learned during the festivals into daily routines. Rabbi Joel Levy discusses the significance of returning to normalcy after the intensity of the holidays, emphasizing the importance of integrating profound experiences into mundane life. The conversation explores the complexities of balancing personal responsibilities with spiritual practices during the Jewish holidays, particularly focusing on the themes of community, presence, and the emotional toll of these periods. It delves into the significance of silence, vulnerability, and in the week of Simchat Torah and October 7th, the importance of remembering those murdered on October 7th and in the tunnels of Gaza. Finally we reflect on the challenges of maintaining joy amidst life's mundane realities.
Takeaways
Transitioning from holidays is complex
Integrating insights into daily life Balancing responsibilities and spirituality
The importance of community and remembrance
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Achrei Hageem
02:57 The Complexity of Returning to Normalcy
06:11 Reflections on the High Holidays
08:55 Carrying Lessons into Everyday Life
11:53 The Significance of Transitioning in Torah
15:07 The Joy and Despair of Returning to the Beginning
24:28 Navigating the Mundane and Spiritual
25:53 The Exhaustion of Holiday Responsibilities
27:22 Moments of Connection in Prayer
28:21 The Discrepancy Between Ambition and Exhaustion
29:13 Different Stages of Life and Holiday Experiences
31:01 The Luxury of Immersion in Community
32:00 Exploring the Theme of Silence
34:35 Loneliness and the Human Experience
37:24 Vulnerability and Presence in Spirituality
43:22 Remembering the Victims of October 7th
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Contact REALLY JEWISH with Yair Eldan and Oliver Joseph
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