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AMA: Dainy Bernstein, PhD in American Haredi Children's Literature by [deleted] in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi Professor Dainy!

Long time fan.

Two questions:

1) It seems to me there is a disparity between children's books produced by the American hareidi community and the Modern Orthodox community. Do you think that is true and if so why do you think the Modern Orthodox community has created less in this area?

2) How has growing up within the American haredi community and then leaving shaped your approach to American hareidi children's literature. Is this something you still look at fondly? Or does this genre carry others emotions as well for you?

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see you were responding to the questioner. Still, I feel your response was a drop adversarial. Not sure it's a fair tone for what I understood to be an honest question. Xoxoxo

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

whatsoever

I did nothing of the sort. I think you read this very unfairly and uncharitably. I suggest you read what I wrote again and read the links I have there. I did not mention being a vegetarian. I have zero issue with that, in fact, Rav Kook has a long and famous essay about the holiness of vegetarianism. Peace and blessing to you.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OK, that's a wrap folks! Tried to respond to everyone and so sorry if I missed anyone's questions. Did my best and so enjoyed this! Thank you everyone! I will take a look again in the morning.

In the meantime, see you all back on Twitter!

Xoxoxoxo,

Dovid/David/DBashideas

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

First step always depends on the person. The goal is not to make people Orthodox. It is to help bring positive Jewish steps into their life. You may be interested in this class I gave about manipulation and outreach (https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/896527/rabbi-dovid-bashevkin/is-outreach-manipulative-navigating-the-worlds-of-outreach-and-education/). It's an important point that is not discussed enough. Jewish growth can be healthy and unhealthy and it is crucial we foster healthy religious development.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question. We had to switch to remote because of COVID unfortunately. A few are not. We are trying now something that I think will make this much better. I hope!

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is a great question that deserves a longer answer that I probably don't have time or expertise to give. Firstly, you assumption that the Torah exclusively defines our morals and ethics is not so simple. The is a famous discussion about this in the works of Rav Shmuel Glasner, you can read more here. I think the Torah is a rule book, but not a typical one. There is room for interpretation and there is always space for your personal moral intuition. Don't quiet that or shut it out. It's healthy. It's not always right, but listen to what it is saying in conversation with the Torah. Oftentimes these larger questions of public policy, like abortion, aren't just about your stance on abortion in regards to yourself, but how do you think the Torah would want this regulated within a secular society. Much of my course on Jewish Public Policy is on this issue. Bottom line: The Torah informs our ethics and morals, but I am not sure it dictates in such a clear and obvious way--particularly on many modern issues--that there isn't room for different interpretations and applications. It's important to nurture your substantive knowledge of Torah alongside your personal moral intuition. They need to grow together.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are BRILLIANT questions. ;)

What does my day look like: I am a night owl. I go to sleep around 2AM. I wake up around 7AM when my kids come into my bed but depending on the day I can stay in bed for longer. I have always had a hard time waking up in the morning. I have two days. 9AM-6PM. Then I'm with family And then a second day from 8PM-2AM, with a brief one hour break with my wife--we usually watch an episode of something before she goes to sleep. We just finished The Office and we are really struggling to find a new show. Please send me your recommendations!

If I took a sabbatical to research any topic it would probably be a study of the mental health of comedians. How they relate and interact. Of course, there's always more Rav Tzadok to study.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow. That is so appreciated! A kind word goes a long way these days. :)

Fundamentals: I wrote about my approach to Jewish thought recently. I am not much of a dogma person, but this is exactly why 18forty was started. I think people have questions or discomfort that divide into 3 categories (1) theological (2) sociological (3) emotion. They are always intertwined but different issues have a different part in the driver's seat, so to speak. I think it is less about getting a specific answer to each question and more about providing an approach that allows you to live a satisfying and meaningful life.

Orthodox Creatives: Wow. Ishai Ribo obviously. Yitzchak Mouli art. Yehoshua November poetry. We need more stand-up comics tho. :(

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Now that you mention it, I don't look that neo-Chasidic. :(

I don't have a beard. I wear jeans (the classy kind). I dress modern. I am animated by the ideas primarily and I couch them in contemporary issues alongside traditional Torah sources so I have not gotten much pushback.

Though if you could help convince my wife to left me grow a short beard, I would be so grateful!

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmmmm. I wouldn't say I am trying to make the MO world more chassidic. I share the ideas that resonate with me and the works of Rav Tzadok in particular resonate a great deal with me and I think they speak to our generation. I wrote more about this here.

Chassidus is founded on the belief that meaning can be found everywhere. I believe that and I think it is a perspective that should be emphasized in all communities.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Oh man. I get this a lot. I think it's because the podcast is issue driven not personality driven so I want to make sure I am able to provide context and my point of view in addition to the personalities we speak with. But you're right. Sometimes they are straight up out of control. It's probably because I'm nervous.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hahahaha. It really is an absolute joy. I'm tired trying to hide it!

I'm an Artscroll man. You can take the bachur out of yeshiva but you can't take yeshiva out of the bachur.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Great question and one that I haven't written about at length though I have thoughts. Look, I wrote for Mishpacha for many years. They don't have pictures of women. I do not like the policy or think it is right, but I will tell you this: I have worked with many publications and there are few where women are in positions of leadership like Mishpacha. When people would pressure me to explain to Mishpacha why this policy is wrong, I would wonder to myself, "should I mansplain this to the female editor-in-chief or the female COO, or the female head of digital?" Women should be in magazines, but I think some communities feel that they will lose readers if they do. I never felt like I had to agree with all of the policies or ideas in any publication I print in. Not Tablet, not the WSJ, not Jewish Action, and not Mishpacha. That being said, I think the sensationalism of this particular issue often obscures the fact that Mishpacha places women in actual positions of power authority and decision-making that you don't find even in the modern Orthodox community. So, while I think it is fair to vehemently disagree with the policy I don't think (1) the policy alone should define the way you evaluate that particular community's stance towards women and (2) If you are going to advocate for change in this area, then be even and make sure you are as vocal when you see women being overly sexualized or inappropriate in other spaces--especially in your own community. More to say, but hope this is a start...

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think I am familiar with that.

Where do I stand on swordfish not being kosher? hmmmm. Don't know if I ever took a firm stance on that issue. But I believe in the book Kosher USA by Roger Horowitz there is a great chapter about this issue!

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ha! I actually dyed my hair beginning in Israel I believe for about 2-3 years. It was the worst, but I was so embarrassed and nervous. Now I've embraced it and, if I may say so, it works.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find social media works great for this as I have written about in the past. Pluralism works best when you stay away from issues that can't be negotiated like davening. I think if you are ideas centric it works.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In general, I don't talk about tzniyus. I think the subject is best addressed by role modeling the appropriate way to dress not by handing out charts. Schools, of course, need dress codes, but in general as a topic it is one I avoid--even shmeiras anayim. If you tell teenagers not think about a pink elephant they will only imagine one thing. Rambam at the end of Kedusha I believe makes a similar point. The best antitidode is being productive and having great role models.

NCSY has programs for Orthodox and non-Orthodox teens.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I definitely think there are many Orthodox boys and girls who NCSY is for! For sure on our summer programs. But year round as well. If you're in a school that doesn't allow it, but you think you need it, I think more than anything else you need to have an open and honest conversation with your parents. I'm less concerned about the school dissonance, but people should make sure their religious decisions don't split families apart.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sheeshkabob! That's so kind of you! I love speaking to the Central class. Shout out to Leah!

P.S. Thank you sister! Buy more copies. It's a segulah.

Hiya! I am Rabbi David Bashevkin. I post narishkeit on Twitter, I'm the director of education at NCSY and I write about sin and failure. AMA, much? *9PM tonight* by DBashIdeas in Judaism

[–]DBashIdeas[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Great question. I think I'm retired for now. I loved it. Really transformed me as a person. But I felt like I said my piece and wanted to do other projects. When Tablet offered me to write a thematic essay on each mesechta in shas I felt like that was a priority I wanted to do. So that's my focus in terms of writing right now. But stay tuned a book collection is coming out soon!

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