The Avrum Rosensweig Show

PARSHA AND PROSE: NASO & ANNA KARENINA (Audio/Visual)

In this week's Parsha and Prose, we journey through Parshat Naso (Numbers 4:21–7:89) and find rich parallels in Leo Tolstoy’s literary masterpiece, Anna Karenina. What do a Torah portion about vows, purity, and priestly blessings have in common with a 19th-century Russian novel? More than you think. 💬 From the Sotah ritual that examines marital suspicion to the Nazirite vow of sacred discipline, we explore how Torah law and Tolstoy’s narrative both grapple with love, trust, spiritual purpose, and societal norms. 🔍 In This Episode: ✨ The tragic arc of Anna Karenina vs. the moral boundaries in Parshat Naso ✨ Levin’s spiritual awakening and the Nazirite’s vow of devotion ✨ How suspicion, shame, and sanctity intertwine in both texts ✨ The priestly blessings and the universal longing for peace, grace, and connection 📚 Why This Matters: Both Torah and classic literature reflect our deepest human tensions—desire vs. duty, individuality vs. community, and chaos vs. order. This episode invites you to wrestle with those questions and discover timeless insights for modern life. 🕊️ Perfect for: → Lovers of Torah and literature → Students of ethics, psychology, and spirituality → Anyone navigating love, responsibility, and personal growth 🔗 Resources & Links: 🌐 More episodes of Parsha & Prose → [Insert Link] 📝 Weekly Torah insights newsletter → [Insert Link] 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: [Spotify] [Apple] [RSS]

A SURPRISING INTERVIEW WITH 2 CANADIAN JEWISH PROFESSORS (Audio)

Professors David Koffman (York University) and Norm Ravvin (Concordia University) share insights into their roles as Jewish educators on contemporary Canadian campuses and discuss the work of the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies (ACJS). They challenge the perception that university campuses are uniformly "woke" or inherently unsafe for Jewish students, offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of Jewish students today. Tune in to explore their views, engage with their arguments, or connect to share your own perspective. Learn more about the ACJS, its journal, programs, and its mission to foster scholarship on Canadian Jewish history and culture at 👉 https://acjs-aejc.ca/.

A SURPRISING INTERVIEW WITH 2 CANADIAN JEWISH PROFESSORS (Audio/Visual)

Professors David Koffman (York University) and Norm Ravvin (Concordia University) share insights into their roles as Jewish educators on contemporary Canadian campuses and discuss the work of the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies (ACJS). They challenge the perception that university campuses are uniformly "woke" or inherently unsafe for Jewish students, offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of Jewish students today. Tune in to explore their views, engage with their arguments, or connect to share your own perspective. Learn more about the ACJS, its journal, programs, and its mission to foster scholarship on Canadian Jewish history and culture at 👉 https://acjs-aejc.ca/.

PARSHA & PROSE: BAMIDBAR & 'THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION' (Audio)

Join us for an engaging episode of Parsha & Prose with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara as we explore the Torah portion of Bamidbar through the lens of the iconic 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont and adapted from Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. In Bamidbar, God instructs Moses to conduct a census of the Jewish people, assessing their numbers and strength as they prepare to enter Canaan. Rabbi Gemara masterfully connects this parsha to The Shawshank Redemption, drawing parallels between the structured organization of the Israelite camp and the enduring hope of the film’s protagonist, Andy Dufresne, who clings to hope in the face of an oppressive prison environment. Through lively discussions, heartfelt stories, and moments of laughter and reflection, Rabbi Gemara and I (Avrum) uncover the profound themes of hope and purpose that resonate in both the parsha and the film. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation! Am Yisrael Chai.

PARSHA & PROSE: BAMIDBAR & 'THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION' (Audio/Visual)

Join us for an engaging episode of Parsha & Prose with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara as we explore the Torah portion of Bamidbar through the lens of the iconic 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont and adapted from Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. In Bamidbar, God instructs Moses to conduct a census of the Jewish people, assessing their numbers and strength as they prepare to enter Canaan. Rabbi Gemara masterfully connects this parsha to The Shawshank Redemption, drawing parallels between the structured organization of the Israelite camp and the enduring hope of the film’s protagonist, Andy Dufresne, who clings to hope in the face of an oppressive prison environment. Through lively discussions, heartfelt stories, and moments of laughter and reflection, Rabbi Gemara and I (Avrum) uncover the profound themes of hope and purpose that resonate in both the parsha and the film. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation! Am Yisrael Chai.

LUKE FOX: VETERAN SPORTS WRITER SHARES HIS INSIGHT ABOUT THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (Audio)

LUKE FOX: VETERAN SPORTS WRITER SHARES HIS INSIGHT ABOUT THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 👇 ‪@avrumrosensweigshow‬ 🔔 Don’t Forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to stay updated on all things Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL! 🏒 Leafs Talk with Luke Fox | Expert Analysis on the Toronto Maple Leafs & NHL Highlights 🇨🇦 Welcome to Leafs Talk, where die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fans get the insights they actually want! 🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with Luke Fox of Sportsnet—a veteran hockey journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the Leafs and the NHL. 🔥 What to expect: ✅ In-depth analysis of recent Leafs games ✅ Exclusive insights into player performance and team dynamics ✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from the locker room ✅ Commentary on league-wide NHL trends and standout players ✅ Fresh takes on veteran icons and rising stars Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the Blue and White, Luke delivers sharp, informed commentary that keeps you in the loop and ahead of the game. 🧠💯

LUKE FOX: VETERAN SPORTS WRITER SHARES HIS INSIGHT ABOUT THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (Audio/Visual)

LUKE FOX: VETERAN SPORTS WRITER SHARES HIS INSIGHT ABOUT THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 👇 ‪@avrumrosensweigshow‬ 🔔 Don’t Forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to stay updated on all things Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL! 🏒 Leafs Talk with Luke Fox | Expert Analysis on the Toronto Maple Leafs & NHL Highlights 🇨🇦 Welcome to Leafs Talk, where die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fans get the insights they actually want! 🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with Luke Fox of Sportsnet—a veteran hockey journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the Leafs and the NHL. 🔥 What to expect: ✅ In-depth analysis of recent Leafs games ✅ Exclusive insights into player performance and team dynamics ✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from the locker room ✅ Commentary on league-wide NHL trends and standout players ✅ Fresh takes on veteran icons and rising stars Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the Blue and White, Luke delivers sharp, informed commentary that keeps you in the loop and ahead of the game. 🧠💯

SEPHARDIC MEETS ASHKENAZI: MIKE BENHAIM'S 'MEMORIS OF A GOOD JEWISH BOY' (Audio)

What does it mean to grow up Jewish—really Jewish—in a world caught between tradition and change? In Memoirs of a Good Jewish Boy, writer and humorist Mike Benhaim takes us on a nostalgic, laugh-out-loud, and deeply human journey through his upbringing as the child of a Sephardic father and Ashkenazi mother. From mismatched family customs to the cultural comedy of Jewish holidays, Benhaim’s stories will resonate with anyone who’s ever tried to reconcile where they come from with where they’re going.

Sephardic Meets Ashkenazi: Mike Benhaim’s Memoirs of a Good Jewish Boy (Audio Visual)

'Memoirs of a Good Jewish Boy' by Mike Benhaim, is a heartfelt, hilarious Tale of Jewish Identity. What does it mean to grow up Jewish—really Jewish—in a world caught between tradition and change? In Memoirs of a Good Jewish Boy, writer and humorist Mike Benhaim takes us on a nostalgic, laugh-out-loud, and deeply human journey through his upbringing as the child of a Sephardic father and Ashkenazi mother. From mismatched family customs to the cultural comedy of Jewish holidays, Benhaim’s stories will resonate with anyone who’s ever tried to reconcile where they come from with where they’re going.

FROM 'REVENGE OF THE NERDS' TO 'FINDING HAPPY': PETER SAMUELSON UNFILTERED (Audio)

Peter Samuelson is an extraordinary figure—a true Renaissance man whose impact spans film, philanthropy, and literature. His work as a producer on films like 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Return of the Pink Panther' shows his knack for storytelling, while founding seven charities, including the Starlight Children’s Foundation with Steven Spielberg, highlights his commitment to social good. His upcoming book, 'Finding Happy: A User's Guide to Your Life, With Lessons From Mine', seems poised to inspire young adults and parents alike, drawing from his remarkable life. A UK-born "giant" in every sense, Samuelson’s ability to scale walls—literal and figurative—defines his legacy as a serial pro-social entrepreneur, husband, father, and grandfather.