What if being a Jewish leader today meant navigating both unprecedented pride and relentless adversity—all at the exact same time?
In this episode of Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond, you’ll hear firsthand how Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy are answering that challenge for their community, and what lessons their journey might hold for all of us during turbulent times.
Co-hosted by the ever-insightful Michelle Katz, Lou brings you an uplifting, thought-provoking conversation exploring faith, identity, and the surprising power of disagreement. The rabbis share their distinct paths to leadership, their emotional response to recent global events affecting their community (including the aftermath of October 7th), and reveal how anti-Semitism has fostered a deeper sense of purpose—and clarity—within their roles.
You’ll also get an exclusive peek into their podcast, In Such a Time: a daring initiative at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester that confronts divisiveness with honest, respectful dialogue. The rabbis discuss why modeling disagreement is sacred, how Jewish tradition champions debate, and what they've learned about creating content in a rapidly changing world.
Catch this episode for:
Timestamped Overview:
00:00:02 – Intro Announcer introduces the show and host Lou Diamond
00:00:26 – Lou Diamond welcomes listeners and co-host Michelle Katz
00:01:54 – Michelle Katz introduces guests Jonathan Jaffe and Rabbi Leora Londy
00:02:45 – Jonathan Jaffe shares his journey to Temple Beth El
00:03:46 – Rabbi Leora Londy shares her path from Israel to the congregation
00:05:00 – Discussion on transitioning into a new community and building leadership
00:07:41 – How Jewish identity and anti-Semitism are shaping community responses
00:12:18 – The emotional toll and responsibility of spiritual leadership
00:14:32 – Introduction and purpose behind the In Such a Time podcast
00:17:26 – Content creation as a relational and spiritual gift
00:22:23 – Where to find the rabbis’ podcast and community resources
00:22:42 – “Speakeasy Pub Crawl”: Rapid-fire fun questions and personal insights
00:29:02 – Closing remarks: reflections on leadership, community, and hope
Whether you’re seeking inspiration, understanding, or just great conversation about thriving in extraordinary times, this episode is guaranteed to deliver.