Just For This

Shira Zemel — A New Chapter of the Fight

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Shira Zemel, Director of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)'s abortion access campaign. We discuss the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom, the current battle for medication abortion access, and what it means to be in community with intergenerational activists. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast

Alicia Jo Rabins — Girls in Trouble

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Alicia Jo Rabins, writer, musician, and composer who specializes in exploring spirituality, Biblical women, and creative expression within her work. We talk about the concept of beginner's mind, the practice of devotion, and the feminist approach to Jewish text. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast

Rabbi Charley Baginsky — Movement Building

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-Lead of the Movement for Progressive Judaism in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Our conversation explores the emotional weight so many Jews in the UK are carrying right now. We discuss the large task of finding consensus in a group, adapting to change, and the importance of holding onto compassion in this moment. Just For This will be off next week for observance of Memorial Day. Tune in after the break as we wrap season 5! Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast

Ariel Zwang — Shared Responsibility

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Ariel Zwang, CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization operating in 70 countries worldwide. We discuss the transition from the corporate world to Jewish nonprofits, how to best pivot in moments of crisis, and the shared responsibilities of the Jewish people. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast

Mandana Dayani — Stand in Your Power

Welcome back to Just For This. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment. Our guest this week is Mandana Dayani, a lawyer and founder of I am a voter, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to increase voter turnout and registration. Since October 7, 2023, she turned her attention and advocacy toward fighting antisemitism. More recently, Dayani was appointed by President Biden to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council Board of Trustees. We talk about the gender implications of imposter syndrome, personal connections to the current conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and the importance of centering those with lived experiences in any conflict. Follow Just For This on Instagram: @justforthispodcast