Radio Chavura
Thinking Beyond The Four Questions - A Conversation With Ari Hoffman

 

Denver psychotherapist and wilderness guide Ari Hoffman believes that the four traditional questions asked during the Passover Seder are just the beginning of the questions that we should be asking ourselves.

Indeed, Ari explains in this compelling discussion, the Exodus story can teach all of us something about human nature, overcoming adversity, and internal growth. But - before we can get to that point, we must ask the question:

"What do I want to be free from this year?"

To speak with Ari Hoffman about his therapy sessions - which are designed to help families, couples, and individuals escape their proverbial Egypts and traverse the desert towards Israel - call him at 303-803-4832. Listen to our complete interview with him here.

Direct download: 041314_RadioChavura_AriHoffman.mp3
Category:Community Leaders -- posted at: 10:46am MDT

 Paula's Window: Papa, the Bielski Partisans, and A Life Unexpected

By Paula Burger (As told to Andrea Jacobs) 

 

Purchase
Paula's Window on Amazon
 
 
Paula Burger was only a child when she and her younger brother, Denver's beloved Cantor Isaac Koll, survived the Holocaust with the Bielski partisans. 
 
Now Paula, an accomplished painter and grandmother, has written an account of her harrowing childhood experiences and the heroic efforts of her father, Wolf Koladicki (z'l), to protect his children under the most trying of circumstances.  On this week's edition of Radio Chavura, Paula explains her reasoning for writing with book and the lessons it provides.  

 

Writes Robert Bielski in the foreword to the book: "Paula's story brings the pain and suffering of her experience to the forefront so that her family, students and all generations to come will learn of the evil brutality that Paula, her brother Isaac and her father Wolf endured."

 

[Note: Those who read Paula's Window will immediately recognize the skilled and moving writing of Andrea Jacobs, the senior writer at the Intermountain Jewish News.  For 2 1/2 years, Andrea meet weekly with Paula to capture and relay Paula's experiences.  Andrea "possesses a rare and beautiful gift - a heart that hears," Paula writes in the book's acknowledgements.  "Without her talent, dedication, sensitivity and compassion, this book would not exist."

 

Paula will be featured at a BMH-BJ luncheon on Sunday, June 8th.  Come hear her speak and purchase a signed copy of her book.  

T4T

Direct download: 040614_RadioChavura_PaulaBurger.mp3
Category:Holocaust Topics -- posted at: 10:22am MDT

The Jewish Ethics of Public Relations - Denver Community Kollel

Hear the unedited audio from the April 2, 2014 Torah 4 Tycoons business ethics lunch and learn series, presented by the Denver Community Kollel.

The topic was, "In the Eye of the Beholders: The Ethics of Public Relations." The panel was moderated by Daniel Woodrow and featured Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher, senior lecturer, Denver Community Kollel; and Dean Rotbart, co-host of Radio Chavura and Business Unconventional (710 KNUS AM in Denver).

The questions discussed included:

  • Is it okay to present a front that may be misleading?
  • What are the ehtics of making contributions to make an impression of generosity when ulterior motives are the driving force behind them?
  • Does the Toray actually obligate one to put on a good face for the general public?
  • How far does Halacha expect one to go to avoid suspicion of wrongdoing even when nothing has been perpetrated?

Radio Chavura is proud to be a supporter of the Denver Community Kollel.

Photo (clockwise):  Actor, Ron Moody who played "Fagin" in the 1968 movie, "Oliver;" presenters Dean Rotbart and Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher; Fagin; participants in the Torah 4 Tycoons luncheon on April 2nd.  

Direct download: 040214_Denver_Community_Kollel_PR_Ethics.mp3
Category:Denver Community Kollel -- posted at: 9:08pm MDT

Flashback: Exclusive Interview with Esther Pollard - November 2006

In November 2006, Radio Chavura co-host Dean Rotbart conducted a broadcast interview with Esther Pollard, wife of Jonathan Pollard, the former American naval intelligence analyst who pled guilty to passing classied secrets to Israel and has been in prison since 1985.

Joining Dean was Dr. Donald Salem, a respected Los Angeles dentist and an expert on the Pollard case and Israel advocacy.

While Pollard's action were illegal, the program highlights the inequity of his extended jail sentence and the duplicity of American politicians and citizens who argue for Pollard's continued incarceration.

Mrs. Pollard was interviewed for Israel This Week, a precusor to Radio Chavura.  The program was broadcast live in 2006 on Sunday nights in Los Angeles on 870 KRLA AM, a leading news/talk station.

Although Radio Chavura co-host Maxwell Rotbart was not featured on air, he was a behind-the-scenes producer for the program.

Sim Shalom, the opening and closing song on Israel This Week, was peformed by Talya Rotbart.

For more information on Jonathan Pollard and the facts of his case, visit: http://www.jonathanpollard.org/facts.htm

Direct download: Israel_This_Week_Esther_Pollard.mp3
Category:Israel This Week -- posted at: 7:58pm MDT

1