Hand in Hand

Rabbi Deren: Four Here, Four in Heaven

In the season finale, host Amanda Spiro speaks with Rabbi Yisrael Deren, who together with his wife Vivy has faced the unimaginable — the loss of four of their eight children. Instead of retreating into grief, they chose to transform their pain into purpose, becoming a source of strength and comfort for others walking through darkness. Rabbi Deren shares deeply personal stories, from turning a hospital room into a place of joy to hearing his child cry out, “This golus stinks.” With honesty and faith, he reflects on how each loss reshaped their lives, the blessings that sustained them, and the small “drop of faith” that carried them forward.This is not only a story about grief, but about resilience, community, and the eternal bond between parent and child. Rabbi Deren offers hard-won wisdom on finding G-d in life’s darkest corners, transforming loneliness into connection, and discovering meaning even in the depths of pain. As he movingly says, “We have eight children, four here and four in heaven. And they’re still shining.”

Marylyn's Story: From Crisis to Connection

In this episode of Hand in Hand, host Amanda Spiro sits down with Marylyn Scheuer, a woman whose profound Jewish journey and unshakable faith illuminate what it means to turn hardship into growth. Marylyn embraced Shabbat observance and found a home within the Chabad community. But her faith was put to the ultimate test when her husband Eliot suffered a devastating 50-foot fall while hiking. Instead of despair, Marylyn’s first words were gratitude: “Thank You, Hashem. He’s alive now. Let’s do this.” With strength and clarity, she rallied her community with Tehillim, acts of tzedakah, and unwavering trust in God’s plan.Marylyn’s story is one of resilience, love, and the choice to see life’s challenges as blessings in disguise. Through tragedy, she and Elliot discovered deeper spiritual practices, a renewed sense of purpose, and a powerful closeness to God.

Morgan’s Story: A Caregivers Journey

In this episode of Hand in Hand, we sit down with Morgan Buchsbaum, a woman who radiates joy despite having navigated immense loss and challenges. Morgan shares her deeply personal journey as the primary caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 glioblastoma and given only six months to live. Her world, already deeply intertwined with her mother's as an only child of a single parent, came crashing down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Morgan recounts the extraordinary circumstances of getting married by her mother's bedside and her transformative experience at the mikvah, which brought unexpected spirituality, community, and peace during an overwhelmingly dark time. Following her mother's passing just four days after the wedding, Morgan grappled with overwhelming depression and the loss of her identity as a full-time caregiver. She found purpose and healing by leaning into her Jewish faith and community, working at the Friendship Circle, and eventually having a daughter, Esther, named after her beloved mother. This episode explores resilience, finding meaning in grief, the importance of self-care for caregivers, and the profound impact of the Torah and Mitzvot in life's most challenging moments. Join Amanda and Morgan as they delve into a story that beautifully blends personal struggle with universal truths and timeless Jewish wisdom, illuminating paths to connection and hope even when surrounded by darkness.

Allegra's Story: From Flatline to Faith

This episode features Allegra, a mother of five whose life has been a testament to spiritual and physical resilience. Allegra’s journey began at just eight years old when a virus resulted in paralysis, sparking her first profound understanding of the connection between body and soul. This early experience set her on a spiritual path which led to her conversion to Judaism. Decades later, she faced another life-altering health crisis, this time a cardiac arrest that required open-heart surgery.In this powerful conversation, Allegra shares how these descents into physical illness led her to a spiritual ascent. She discusses finding unshakable trust in God (bitachon), the surprising lessons of her healing process, and the immeasurable support of a community that showed up when she needed it most. Her story is a moving exploration of faith, identity, and the profound wisdom that comes from facing mortality and choosing to live with a deeper sense of gratitude and purpose.

Randi's Story: Love, Loss and a Mothers Mission

In this deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Randi, a woman who survived a devastating car crash only to face the unimaginable loss of her newborn son, Spencer, a couple years later. She shares how she and her husband navigate the raw reality of grief, and how Jewish wisdom and acts of kindness have become a path to healing and hope. Randi’s story is a powerful testament to the enduring bond of love and the ways we can keep lost loved ones close; through meaning, mitzvot, and community.