Episodes

Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Thank you for listening to all five episodes of "Shofar, So Good!"
Today, we're featuring a bonus episode of the podcast "Martini Judaism," in which Kate was a guest. The show, hosted by Rabbi Jeff Salkin, is for people who want to be shaken and stirred. Episodes are well-produced, deep, and thought-provoking.
Listen to Martini Judaism wherever you listen podcasts, read Jeff's column here, and watch this space for more information on Season 2.

Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Jonah Platt is a multi-talented activist and performer whose work's taken him from Broadway ("Wicked"), to Hollywood ("Being the Ricardos") to -- most recently -- the world of podcasting.
Jonah's the host of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, a podcast that highlights the range of Jewish identity and voices.
This is one of Shofar, So Good's bonus episodes while we're in between seasons. If you'd like to support the production of Season 2, please visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support, or simply spread the word about this show.

Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein was the perfect person to talk to as I was grappling with what it meant to be Jewish.
He's a rabbi, educator, meditation teacher, MC/poet and director of Applied Jewish Spirituality, an online portal that brings the tradition's spiritual wisdom to life. Among his other accomplishments: He's a cofounder of Lines of Faith, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective.
Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to support our Season 2 efforts.
Producer: Kate Mishkin
Music: Nan Schwartz
Show Art: Laura Mishkin
Made with support from the Jewish Writers' Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Early on in my career, I packed my bags and moved to West Virginia to work as a journalist. That’s where I first met Rabbi Victor Urecki, rabbi at B’nai Jacob Synagogue.
I immediately appreciated who he was within the walls of the synagogue, but outside — Rabbi Urecki engaged with the community, often in interfaith conversations, consistently as a positive presence for West Virginians.
In this episode, we talk about belonging, religion as a tool to bring people together, and how Rabbi Urecki’s meeting the moment with new traditions.
Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.
Producer: Kate Mishkin
Production Assistant: Jack McDonald
Music: Nan Schwartz
Show Art: Laura Mishkin
Made with support from the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
The forces that’ve kept me from Judaism, including interfaith marriage and anti-semitism, are not unique to my family. But they have uniquely kept me from being Jewish.
In this episode, I try to learn where Judaism was lost in my family, and why it might be more difficult than expected to reclaim my heritage.
This episode is about what it means to be lost and found, and who’s considered Jewish by law.
Learn more about Rabbi Lisa Rubin, Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch, and Rabbi Mark Washofsky.
Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.
Producer: Kate Mishkin
Editor: Lacy Roberts
Music: Nan Schwartz
Sound design/mixing: Jesse Perlstein
Show Art: Laura Mishkin
Production Assistant: Jack McDonald
Made with support from the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
One of the traditions that’s most drawn me to Judaism is the annual tradition of reflection and atonement.
Turns out, that's kind of daunting. But it might make us better people in the end.
In this episode, I talk to three rabbis about what it means to atone. Then, I talk to my younger sister about how her life experiences made her incredibly comfortable saying sorry.
Learn more about Rabbi Joshua Aaronson, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, and Rabbi Susan Goldberg.
Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.
Producer: Kate Mishkin
Editor: Lacy Roberts
Music: Nan Schwartz
Sound design/mixing: Jesse Perlstein
Show Art: Laura Mishkin
Production Assistant: Jack McDonald
Made with support from the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
In this episode, I learn about how we mourn, and how we remember the dead.
But even more importantly, I learn about how Jews’ relationship with death informs the way we live our lives today.
I’ll call two rabbis whose work requires them to look death head-on.
Learn more about Eitan Levine, Rabbi Lynn Liberman and Rabbi Morris Panitz.
Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.
Producer: Kate Mishkin
Editor: Lacy Roberts
Music: Nan Schwartz
Show Art: Laura Mishkin
Sound design/mixing: Jesse Perlstein
Production Assistant: Jack McDonald
Made with support from the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
If and when we pray, who are we praying to? Is anyone listening?
In this episode, I talk to rabbis who help me understand different types of prayers, and how to find -- and keep -- the faith.
Learn more about Rabbi Morris Panitz and Rabbi Josh Rose.
Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.
Producer: Kate Mishkin
Editor: Lacy Roberts
Sound design/mixing: Jack McDonald
Music: Nan Schwartz
Show Art: Laura Mishkin
Made with support from the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.

Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Growing up, many of my friends’ families had Shabbat dinners. It wasn’t a tradition in my house, but I’ve always liked the idea of slowing down and sharing a communal meal after a long week. But I’ve also found it incredibly daunting.
In this pilot episode, I call on two rabbis — one who considers Shabbat a slowing of time, and one who sees it an opening of space. Both explain their reasons for Shabbat, and help me understand mine.
Learn more about Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman and Rabbi Marc Margolius.
Producer: Kate Mishkin
Editor: Lacy Roberts
Sound design/mixing: Zachary Goldberg
Music: Nan Schwartz
Show Art: Laura Mishkin
Production Assistant: Jack McDonald
Made with support from the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab and the Maimonides Fund.
Additional thanks to Robert Mishkin, Natalie Mishkin, Andrew Mishkin, Conrad Pope, Barbara Mutnik, Matt McKinney, Rekha Murthy, Ian Coss, Janine Okmin, Sarah Lefton, Rebecca Friedman, and the Digital Storytellers Lab cohort.
Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.

Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Coming January 22: A series about a search for lost identity and what it means to be human. From how we apologize, to how we think about a higher power, host Kate Mishkin interviews rabbis and children about what we believe and why.
This is "Shofar, So Good!"
For more on the podcast, including how to support the show, visit https://www.shofarsogoodpodcast.com/