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Just For This

Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch

Just For This Podcast inspires women in leadership to talk about women and leadership. Hosted by Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch, CEO of Women of Reform Judaism, Just For This is committed to sharing powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields.

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26 episodes
weekly
Avg 37 min
English

Episodes 26

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S6 · E7
Monday · 38 min
Han Jones — Our Bodies, Our Voices, Our Votes
Welcome back, Just For This listeners! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, it has been up to individual states to make decisions about abortion care, ultimately deciding who has access to bodily autonomy and who does not. WRJ could not be silent as the clock was turned back 50 years and have continued to support state-based campaigns to enshrine abortion access in state constitutions. This November, Virginia will face a similar ballot initiative. Voting yes to Question 1 on the ballot would add a fundamental right to reproductive freedom to the Virginia Constitution: the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care, without government interference or criminal punishment. Our guest this week is Han Jones, Political Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and Campaign Director of Virginians for Reproductive Freedom, the coalition leading the Yes on 1 campaign. We discuss the long journey of getting this initiative on the ballot, the intersectionality of voting and reproductive rights, the stories of the women who inspire her work in reproductive justice, and the strength it took to transform grief into action after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Learn more about the Virginians for Reproductive Freedom coalition and what it means to Vote Yes on Question One: https://va4reprofreedom.org/ Don't live in Virginia, but interested in getting involved? Join WRJ and Virginians for Reproductive Freedom virtually on Tuesday, October 20 to call Virginia voters and ask them to vote "yes" on Question 1. Never phone banked before? A short training will be provided at the beginning of each event! Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S6 · E6
October 12 · 30 min
Jean Meltzer – A Jewish Happily Ever After
Welcome back, Just For This listeners! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest today is Jean Meltzer, bestselling author of books like The Matzah Ball, Kissing Kosher, Magical Meet Cute, and more. Jean's commitment to uplifting Jewish stories and voices had made her a leading figure in Jewish literary advocacy. Jean is the founder and CEO of Jewish Joy LLC, the umbrella organization to Jewish Women Talk About Romance Books, The Jewish Joy Book Club, and The Jewish Joy Box. Her work is informed by personal experience—most notably her decades-long journey with chronic illness and her background in Jewish learning and media. We discuss how all of her stories about Jewish life also involve Jewish holidays, what it means to hold on to faith when it feels impossible, and the importance of Jewish stories with happy endings, especially after the last few years in the Jewish world. Jean's books are available for purchase from major book distributors and on her website. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S6 · E5
October 5 · 28 min
Maggie Siddiqi — "The Solidarity of Coming Together"
Welcome back, Just For This listeners! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest today is Maggie Siddiqi, Senior Advisor of the Interfaith Alliance. Maggie is an expert in faith-based advocacy for social change, coalition-building across lines of difference, and public policy on religious freedom and standing up against hate. She recently concluded her appointment to the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Education under the Biden-Harris administration, where she served as Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. We discuss the importance of coming together, even and especially when it's hard, how a love of religion led to a career in interfaith organizing, and what has changed about the coalitions between the Muslim and Jewish communities in the wake of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Gaza war. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S6 · E4
September 28 · 44 min
Shira Berkovits — "Finding and Meeting a Need"
Welcome back, Just For This listeners! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest today is Shira Berkovits, President and CEO of Sacred Spaces. She has worked with Jewish communities across five continents to prevent, handle, and heal from institutional abuse. Bringing a uniquely Jewish lens, Shira partners with leaders to build healthy and accountable institutions, whose culture and daily operations foster sacredness and reduce the risk of harassment, abuse, and other forms of interpersonal harm. We talk about curiosity, the importance of community and self-care in this heavy profession, and the ways that we shift our work as professionals to meet the moment. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S6 · E3
September 14 · 34 min
Shelley Niceley Groff — Better Together
Welcome back, Just For This listeners! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest today is Shelley Niceley Groff, chair of the North American Board of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Reform Judaism is the largest, most diverse Movement in North American Jewish life. We talk about different paths into Jewish leadership and involvement, oftentimes outside of a congregational setting, and ways to broaden our tent. Some terms that may be unique to URJ insiders include: Scheidt Seminar - convenes congregational presidents and president-elects to learn, network, build relationships, and enhance leadership skills Youth Summer Immersives – URJ operates 14 summer camps, multiple Israel programs, and NFTY: The Reform Youth Movement, engaging more than 50,000 young adults this summer. Every Voice, Every Vote – the Religious Action Center's 2026 campaign that organizes participation in phone and text bank opportunities to join in community with others while ensuring that all eligible voters can exercise their right to vote. We also discuss the upcoming WRJ Fried Women's Summit and URJ Biennial this December in Philadelphia. Make sure to sign up by September 30 for an early bird discount! You can register for either or both conferences at: https://events.urj.org/event/2026Biennial Just For This will be off next week for observance of Yom Kippur. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S6 · E2
September 7 · 30 min
Sara Loffman — Breaking Bread
Welcome back, Just For This listeners! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest today is Sara Loffman, co-founder and CEO of Challah Back Girls, an organization that braids together a love of challah baking with social activism. Sara started Challah Back Girls with her three siblings during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic first to support frontline workers, and then to act as a fundraiser and social media amplifier for various social justice organizations dedicated to equity and justice. We discuss thinking globally and acting locally, the experience of sharing a challah with loved ones, and intergenerational connections that appear when baking together. Make sure to place your last-minute Rosh Hashanah orders or learn how to plan a challah baking program within your community at: https://challahbackgirls.org Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S6 · E1
August 31 · 39 min
Michelle Citrin — What Are We Waiting For?
Welcome back, Just For This listeners! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Season 6 kicks off with Jewish singer-songwriter Michelle Citrin. Michelle will soon serve as the musician-in-residence at Women of Reform Judaism's Fried Women's Summit, December 9-10 in Philadelphia. All those who identify as women, nonbinary, or genderfluid are welcome to attend this special gathering grounded in sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. Make sure to register before September 30 to secure an early bird rate! Special young adult rates and scholarships are also available. Fried Women's Summit will immediately precede Union for Reform Judaism's Biennial, the Reform Movement's largest gathering of Jews in North America, where Michelle will also help led the group in music. In today's episode, we talk about celebrating Jewish identity through joy and humor, how to model authenticity coupled with vulnerability, and the differences between vertical and horizontal connections. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E14
June 15 · 43 min
Shira Kline — This Too Will Pass
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our final season 5 guest is Shira Kline, storyteller and co-founder of Storahtelling and Lab/Shul NYC, where she serves as the spiritual leader. We talk about the season's theme of spiritual resistance, the art of song leading, and the power of the "smush." Many thanks to Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, NY that hosted this conversation in person. Stay tuned for more Just For This moments next season. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E13
June 8 · 27 min
Shira Zemel — A New Chapter of the Fight
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Shira Zemel, Director of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)'s abortion access campaign. We discuss the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom, the current battle for medication abortion access, and what it means to be in community with intergenerational activists. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E12
June 1 · 41 min
Alicia Jo Rabins — Girls in Trouble
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Alicia Jo Rabins, writer, musician, and composer who specializes in exploring spirituality, Biblical women, and creative expression within her work. We talk about the concept of beginner's mind, the practice of devotion, and the feminist approach to Jewish text. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E11
May 18 · 35 min
Rabbi Charley Baginsky — Movement Building
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-Lead of the Movement for Progressive Judaism in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Our conversation explores the emotional weight so many Jews in the UK are carrying right now. We discuss the large task of finding consensus in a group, adapting to change, and the importance of holding onto compassion in this moment. Just For This will be off next week for observance of Memorial Day. Tune in after the break as we wrap season 5! Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E10
May 11 · 32 min
Ariel Zwang — Shared Responsibility
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Ariel Zwang, CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization operating in 70 countries worldwide. We discuss the transition from the corporate world to Jewish nonprofits, how to best pivot in moments of crisis, and the shared responsibilities of the Jewish people. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E9
May 4 · 39 min
Mandana Dayani — Stand in Your Power
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Mandana Dayani, a lawyer and founder of I am a voter, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to increase voter turnout and registration. Since October 7, 2023, she turned her attention and advocacy toward fighting antisemitism. More recently, Dayani was appointed by President Biden to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council Board of Trustees. We talk about the gender implications of imposter syndrome, personal connections to the current conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and the importance of centering those with lived experiences in any conflict. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E8
April 27 · 34 min
Naomi Firestone-Teeter — People of the Book
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Naomi Firestone-Teeter, CEO of the Jewish Book Council. Each year the council reaches 900,000 readers while celebrating books that reflect the diversity and richness of Jewish experience. We discuss how books create meaning, prominent authors who help shape leadership journeys, and the importance of uplifting Jewish authors in this moment. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E7
April 21 · 40 min
Rabbi Arielle Stein — Fashion is Power
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Rabbi Arielle Stein. She currently serves as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Sholom in New York City. Together with Rabbi Rafi Ellenson, Stein started the Instagram account @rabbinicfitcheck — a style diary for the rabbinate and beyond. We discuss the transformation of what a rabbi looks like over time, the integration of arts into Judaism, and how fashion brings levity into everyday life. Make sure to follow @rabbiariellestein and @rabbinicfitcheck, in addition to @justforthispodcast on Instagram.
S5 · E6
April 13 · 46 min
Naomi Azrieli — Pay Attention with Intention
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Naomi Azrieli, Chair and former CEO of the Azrieli Foundation, the largest non-corporate public foundation in Canada. In her work, she leads initiatives in education, scientific research, caregiving, Holocaust education, community resilience, and social impact. This conversation was recorded live at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, ON earlier this season when Rabbi Hirsch had the privilege of joining the congregation as a scholar-in-residence. We discuss the power of personal connections in philanthropy and how to lead through a lens of shared humanity. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E5
March 30 · 35 min
Rev. Stephanie Kendell — Ministry of Presence
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Rev. Stephanie Kendell, the first female Senior Minister and President of the historic National City Christian Church and Foundation in Washington, DC. Last year, Rev. Kendell and Rabbi Hirsch led an interfaith vigil in support of immigrants, refugees, and houses of faith. We talk about what it means to love your neighbor, showing up for one another as a person of faith, and how the story of Esther transcends religion. Just For This will be off next week for the observance of Passover. Make sure to catch up on more just for this moments when we return after the holiday. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E4
March 23 · 40 min
Yifat Bitton — Believing Women
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Yifat Bitton, president of Achva Academic College of Education and Science and cofounder and chair of Tmura, the Israeli Center for Equality. Most recently, she led a team researching sex- and gender-based violence committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. We discuss the importance of believing women, the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, and the mental health needs in Israeli society today. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E3
March 16 · 31 min
Leah Donnella — Communities of Belonging
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Leah Donnella, editor of NPR's Code Switch — a podcast, blog, and newsletter that explores race and how it shapes every part of society. We talk about how identity shapes peoples' lives, how to speak truth to power through a Jewish lens, and how to see joy as resistance. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast
S5 · E2
March 9 · 38 min
Mimi Kravetz — The Surge
Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Mimi Kravetz, the Chief Impact & Growth Officer at the Jewish Federations of North America. We talk about the Surge, a term coined in JFNA national surveys that describes an uptick in Jewish engagement across the United States post-October 7, 2023. Many people indicated that they centered their Jewish identities for the first time within their communities or for those already involved they increased engagement in Jewish life. We discuss what it means to feel deeply Jewish and unpack the debates about the Zionism gap in our Jewish communities. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast

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