Ken Brodkin: A Shul Becomes Orthodox [Outreach 5/5]

18Forty Podcast

18Forty

Judaism, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 706 Ratings

🗓️ 4 March 2025

⏱️ 117 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Ken Brodkin, rabbi of New Jersey’s Congregation B’nai Israel, about how he helped turn it into “the Orthodox synagogue for all Jews.”

We also speak with Eli Kramer—a congregant instrumental in helping the shul affiliate as fully Orthodox—and Emily Appledorf, one of the newer members the shul set out to attract. In this episode we discuss:

How can one persuade a century-old congregation with mixed seating to add a mechitza?
Why would a young couple finding their way religiously join a newly Orthodox synagogue?
What draws an Orthodox rabbi to a career serving the whole spectrum of Jews?

Tune in to hear a conversation about the art of building a Jewish community.

Interview with Eli Kramer: 14:23
Interview with Emily Appledorf: 41:46
Interview with Ken Brodkin: 1:05:37

Rabbi Ken Brodkin is the rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Manalapan, New Jersey. Rabbi Brodkin has dedicated his rabbinate to welcoming Jews of all backgrounds to the community and helping them along their Jewish journey. Rabbi Brodkin was hired by the Shul to help lead CBI’s transition to full Orthodox affiliation.

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References:

18Forty Podcast: “Lizzy Savetsky: Becoming a Jewish Influencer and Israel Advocate”

Mishnah Berurah by Israel Meir Kagan

“The Grandfather I Thought I Knew” by Mrs. Elana Moskowitz

The Tikvah Podcast: “David Bashevkin on Orthodox Jews and the American Religious Revival”

Tanya by Shneur Zalman of Liadi

Eruvin 53b

Shemot Rabbah 2

Aryeh Kaplan Anthology

Tales Out of Shul by Emanuel Feldman

The Book of Our Heritage by Eliyahu Kitov

Works of the Ramchal

Works of the Maharal

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi friends, a few months ago we advertised the birth of a new community in Israel.
0:05.4	Eden Bait Shemesh, a community tailored made for all those of us in need of a five-year plan,
0:12.7	and let's face it, we are living in a time when every single one of us should be drafting the five-year plan for our futures in Israel.
0:20.5	Our own listeners from within the 1840 community have purchased in Eden, an opportunity which
0:26.4	they will longingly watch unfold into a reality, a shul, and a community.
0:32.1	I am so proud that the leaders behind Aden are none other than Rabbi Benny and Khani Krohn. I know them personally because they are the rabbi and Rebitten of my own
0:42.4	personal community and they are the ones leading this new development community. And I know for my own life that
0:49.6	their stewardship, their leadership is you know this is going to be a welcoming, joyous, incredible
0:55.7	community where everyone is going to be able to feel comfortable and build a home.
1:00.2	On June 29th, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project.
1:07.6	In order to register, please click the link below or email info at
1:12.7	Edenbateshemesh.com to find out more. Once again, that's info at Edenbateshemesh.com
1:20.2	to find out more. The Koran Tanakh of the land of Israel offers a groundbreaking way to experience the Hebrew Bible,
1:31.2	spearheaded by editor-in-chief David Arnowitz and featuring a fresh English translation by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Zatzal.
1:40.8	This edition brings the biblical world to life by blending the sacred text with cutting-edge
1:47.1	insights from archaeology, history, and ancient near-eastern studies. Unlike traditional editions,
1:54.1	this Tanakh places the events, laws, and prophecies of the Bible into the rich, historical,
2:00.3	cultural, and geographic context in which they
2:03.3	occurred, offering a deeper, more accurate understanding of the text. Readers explore the world of
2:10.0	the Tanakh as it truly was, from architecture and politics to poetry and language, making ancient
2:16.6	stories vivid, relevant, and alive.
2:19.9	Five volumes are currently available. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Samuel,
	...

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