Inteview with Rabbi Yitzchak Goldstein on SHMITA

We spoke to Rabbi Yitzchak Goldstein of the Diaspora Yeshiva on Mt. Zion, the author of "The Laws of Shmita Clarified" (in Hebrew - that's an English translation of the title) during Chanukah about the upcoming Shmita Year (which will actually start two Rosh HaShanas from now). We're going to be talking a LOT about Shmita this year, because it's extremely possible that when the next Shmita year comes, the MAJORITY of Jews in the world will be living in Erertz Yisrael (G*d willing!) and the keeping of Shmita will be not simply of rabbinic decree, but a decree directly from the Torah Itself, therefore the laws of Shmita need to be learned, clarified and agreed upon quickly. After all the original exile (the Babylonian exile) was decreed upon the Jewish People because they DIDN'T keep Shmita while living in the Land of Israel - and the Land must have Her "rights," as ordered by HaShem - and if we don't give her what is her due, HE will make sure she gets it one way or another. This is serious, folks! DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to this fascinating interview with the top authority on Shmita in Jerusalem, and start learning the laws of Shmita now - we've got some national and individual decision-making to do, and not a lot of time to do it!

Darkness At The Edge of Town - Our Interview at the Protest against Pedophiles in Nachlaot

Shavua Tov ... we didn't get a chance to post about this last week, and it's not our "usual" subject matter, but it needs to be discussed and shared. The word "Nachlaot" is, unfortunately, not ONLY related to good and groovy things such as our radio station, but in fact has been in the news a lot lately because of the discovery of a Pedophile Ring that has been operating in the community here. Over 100 children (mostly in the Charedi sector) have been affected, families are traumatized, the community feels violated and vulnerable, and the police and social services have been remarkably inept. Last Thursday there was a public demonstration on Betzalel Street of some concerned citizens, demanding that the "authorities" step up and do something - become more proactive, do more to educate the community, address the particular needs of the Charedi community with cultural sensitivity, etc. We were there and recorded an interview with the protesters: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW AT THE PROTEST. 
For those who want to "do something themselves, a few different individuals have stepped up and initiated ideas that they've put into action. Chana Jenny Weisberg (www.jewishmom.com) is collecting donations to help pay for therapy for the children affected, and she's also trying to organize a field trip / tyule for these kids, all of whom are too traumatized to play outside anymore and basically stay inside all day. Rabbi Moshe Pesach Geller (rebmoish@gmail.com) is organizing a community watch and calling for volunteers to help "shadow" the 8 Pedophiles currently NOT in custody (four have been arrested and are still in jail, the other eight were arrested but released because of "tainted evidence" - mostly due to bungling by police and social services not correctly instructing the parents what to do when discovering their children had been molested). You can get in touch with either Jenny or Reb Moishe to help in those particular ways.
Most of all, we need help for the children of this community, and we need our streets to be safe from predators. The Charedi community is particularly vulnerable because of the gentle and trusting nature of the Charedi children (many/most of whom have never even seen television) and the reticence within the community to speak of things considered outside the bounds of "modesty," which would include anything sexual. Parents need to know in a practical way HOW to educate their children - without frightening them or exposing them to ideas that would upset them beyond their capacity to absorb - about the fact that there are bad people "out there," who might approach them, and what to do. This isn't easy - but it has to be done. We'll continue to report on the subject as news emerges - and now back to our regularly scheduled programming, folks!

The Hesh, Inc.! Heshy R Live on Radio Free Nachlaot, 28 December 2011

Our friend Heshy R (a.k.a. "The Hesh, Inc.") - singer/songwriter/composer - visited us in Undisclosed Studio A during his trip to Jerusalem, and it was a real treat to hang out with him - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN, and if you're in Jerusalem tonight (Wednesday December 28th) come see Heshy perform at the Off the Wall Comedy Basement (King George & Ben Yehuda) at 8pm!

Shabbos Chanukah Havdala and Melava Malka

We had such a special Havdala and Melava Malka on Shabbos Chanukah with Bruce ("RebbeSoul") Burger and Benzion Lehrer! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN, you'll really enjoy it!

Benzion Lehrer's "Zot Chanukah" Edition of "Developing Your Neshama Through the Jewish Year"

"Zot Chanukah," the 8th Day - Benzion brings it down and gives it over, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to his "Developing Your Neshama Through the Jewish Year" class from December 27th, 2011.

Benzion Lehrer "Developing Your Neshama" (SPECIAL CHANUKAH EDITION) 20 Dec. 2011

It's the special CHANUKAH EDITION of Benzion Eliyahu Lehrer's "Developing Your Neshama Through the Jewish Year" series! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to this great class - just one of many in the ongoing series, live on RFN every Tuesday at 6pm!

Chaim Clorfine's 3rd Temple Model Interview

Erev Chanukah 5772 - Lorelai visits Chaim Clorfine in Tzfat, where his incredibly beautiful model of the 3rd Temple as described in the Book of Ezkiel (with a lot of help from Rashi) was just put together for the very first time Erev Chanukah! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to this fascinating interview and pictures of the model (and our visit) are available via Facebook (click here to see them).

To Shave or Not to Shave? That is the Question!

In light of the recent "Beardgate" scandal (the shaving of former "Chassidic Reggae Superstar" Matisyahu's beard), we not only played the Broadway musical "HAIR," but followed it up with a lively discussion between Lorelai and Benzion Lehrer regarding facial hair and why or why not to grow it, show it, shave it, save it, etc. A fun discussion stimulated by Matisyahu but going "beyond!" CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN.

Audio of our Interview with Shlomo Katz on Reb Shlomo Carlebach's 17th Yartzeit

Finally, we've got the audio from our awesome interview with Shlomo Katz that we did on Reb Shlomo's 17th Yartzeit (13 November 2011 / 16 Cheshvan 5772). CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PART ONE of the interview, and CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PART TWO of the interview - really worth hearing!

Benzion Lehrer "Developing Your Neshama Through the Jewish Year" 13 Dec. 2011

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to Benzion Lehrer's truly awesome Chanukah-themed class from December 13th, 2011 and visit his web site at www.thereturninglight.com for more information about the Jewish Year Diet.

Shma Yisroel Witt on "Sunday Night Live," Week 5 of the 9 Weeks of Shlomo (Dec 11th, 2011)

We were so honored to host SHMA YISROEL WITT as our special guest for Week 5 of the 9 Weeks of Shlomo on "Sunday Night Live," December 11th, 2011 which took place in Tzfat. Shma Yisroel Witt (one of the 14 Witt children who grew up literally at the feet of Reb Shlomo, who made his home-away-from-home in Jerusalem at the Witt house in Nachlaot) shared the deepest and most awesome Torahs and stories of Reb Shlomo with Lorelai and Benzion. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN!

Fantuzzi live on Radio Free Nachlaot!

FANTUZZI, the international musical life-force who has been part of the counterculture entertainment world since the '60's, dropped by Radio Free Nachlaot on Lorelai's birthday and gave us such a sweet interview! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO FANTUZZI and visit his web site at www.fantuzzimusic.com to find out more about his history, his music, and what he's doing now!

Benzion Lehrer "Developing Your Neshama Through the Jewish Year" December 6th, 2011

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to Benzion Lehrer's class on Developing Your Neshama Through the Jewish Year, recorded on December 6th, 2011. Benzion's web site is: www.thereturninglight.com and his email is: benzion@jewishyeardiet.com - be in touch with him!

Sharya Witt on "Sunday Night Live" for Week 4 of the 9 Weeks of Shlomo

SHARYA WITT was our special guest on Sunday Night Live for Week 4 of the 9 Weeks of Shlomo, and it was more of a gevaldt than ever. Sharya literally grew up at the feet of Reb Shlomo - his parents home in Nachlaot was Shlomo's home-away-from-home - and all the Witt children inherited the love of Shlomo Torah and music from pre-natal days onward. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to Sharya Witt on "Sunday Night Live" from December 4th, 2011 - you won't want to miss this show!

AWESOME Interview with Moshe Schlass of Jerusalem's Old City

Moshe Schlass - original beatnik, founder of  the first-ever macrobiotic restaurant in Greenwich Village, proto-hippie, confidante and traveling companion of gurus and glitterati - and finally, the ultimate happy hassid of the Lubavicher Rebbe - interviewed in Jerusalem's Old City, Moetzi Shabbos Parsha Vayatze (December 3rd, 2011). DOWNLOAD PART ONE at this link, and then DOWNLOAD PART TWO at this link! Funny, fascinating, enlightening and heart-opening - don't miss this special interview!