Shofar, So Good!

In this episode, host Kate Mishkin explores the role of the chevra kadisha, or Jewish burial society. She talks with volunteers who ensure that dead bodies are ready for burial according to Jewish tradition. Their work, Kate discovered, is physical, emotional and surprisingly life-affirming.

Further reading and resources:

• Tahara, Preparing the Body for Burial (My Jewish Learning)

• How To Form A Chevra Kadisha (My Jewish Learning)

• Email mini-course: A Jewish Journey Through Grief (My Jewish Learning)

• Kavod v'Nichum

Credits:

• Writer/producer: Kate Mishkin

• Story producer: G...

In Episode 3, Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin delves into havruta learning, the Jewish tradition of studying Torah in pairs. The goal of this paired endeavor: arguing "for the sake of heaven." Kate explores what exactly that means, teaches us about Jewish history's most famous study partners, and learns how AI is changing havruta learning. Then, Kate and her dad become havrutas.

Further reading and resources:

• Havruta: Learning in Pairs (My Jewish Learning)

• Project Zug

• Whole and Broken Tablets: Aging in Rabbinic Literature (Project Zug)

• Beit Midrash Research Project (Brandeis...

In this episode, host Kate Mishkin visits a mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath, in Los Angeles. She examines the origins and evolution of mikveh immersion — and how, in some circles, the ritual is stretching itself to adapt.

Further reading and resources:

• What is a Mikveh? (My Jewish Learning)

• The Mikveh's Significance in Traditional Conversion (My Jewish Learning)

• Non-Traditional Uses for Mikveh (My Jewish Learning)

• A Detailed Explanation of Niddah, or "Family Purity" Laws (My Jewish Learning)

• Mayyim Hayyim Community Mikveh

• Mass Center for Jewish Journeys — Community Mikveh...

In this episode of Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin explores the origins, formula, and meanings behind Jewish blessings — and considers why the Talmud prescribes saying 100 blessings a day. She hears what happens when scientists try to measure whether saying Jewish blessings makes us happier and more grateful. The results: Not what the researchers expected.

Further reading and resources:

• "Jewish Prayer Has Become My Favorite Morning Ritual" by Avie Herman (Kveller)

• A guide to common Jewish blessings (My Jewish Learning)

• "The Happiness Prayer: Ancient Jewish Wisdom for the Best Way to Live Tod...

In Season 2 of Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin teams up with My Jewish Learning to explore Jewish rituals and practices — where they came from, how they evolved and why they endure. The first episode drops August 13, 2026, right in time for Elul. See you then.

An exciting announcement from "Shofar, So Good!" host Kate Mishkin.

Shabbat Dinner Party is an audio exploration through a Shabbat dinner from setting the intention, to making the dinner, to the dinner conversation — all with audio. Each week over five episodes, Kate Mishkin talks to people we wish were at the real Shabbat dinner table with us because they think carefully about what to put on the table and help us to understand how this ancient tradition remains relevant and necessary today. If you're looking to slow down and be more intentional in a fast-paced digital world, how to find a spiritual center, or even how to just have a...

Thank you for listening to all five episodes of "Shofar, So Good!"

Today, we're featuring a bonus episode of the podcast "Martini Judaism," in which Kate was a guest. The show, hosted by Rabbi Jeff Salkin, is for people who want to be shaken and stirred. Episodes are well-produced, deep, and thought-provoking.

Listen to Martini Judaism wherever you listen podcasts, read Jeff's column here, and watch this space for more information on Season 2. 

Jonah Platt is a multi-talented activist and performer whose work's taken him from Broadway ("Wicked"), to Hollywood ("Being the Ricardos") to -- most recently -- the world of podcasting.

Jonah's the host of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, a podcast that highlights the range of Jewish identity and voices. 

This is one of Shofar, So Good's bonus episodes while we're in between seasons. If you'd like to support the production of Season 2, please visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support, or simply spread the word about this show. 

Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein was the perfect person to talk to as I was grappling with what it meant to be Jewish.

He's a rabbi, educator, meditation teacher, MC/poet and director of Applied Jewish Spirituality, an online portal that  brings the tradition's spiritual wisdom to life. Among his other accomplishments: He's a cofounder of Lines of Faith, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective.

Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to support our Season 2 efforts. 

Producer: Kate Mishkin

Music: Nan Sc...

Early on in my career, I packed my bags and moved to West Virginia to work as a journalist. That's where I first met Rabbi Victor Urecki, rabbi at B'nai Jacob Synagogue.

I immediately appreciated who he was within the walls of the synagogue, but outside — Rabbi Urecki engaged with the community, often in interfaith conversations, consistently as a positive presence for West Virginians.

In this episode, we talk about belonging, religion as a tool to bring people together, and how Rabbi Urecki's meeting the moment with new traditions.

The forces that've kept me from Judaism, including interfaith marriage and anti-semitism, are not unique to my family. But they have uniquely kept me from being Jewish.

In this episode, I try to learn where Judaism was lost in my family, and why it might be more difficult than expected to reclaim my heritage.

This episode is about what it means to be lost and found, and who's considered Jewish by law.

Learn more about Rabbi Lisa Rubin, Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch, and Rabbi Mark Washofsky.

Please support t...

One of the traditions that's most drawn me to Judaism is the annual tradition of reflection and atonement.

Turns out, that's kind of daunting. But it might make us better people in the end. 

In this episode, I talk to three rabbis about what it means to atone. Then, I talk to my younger sister about how her life experiences made her incredibly comfortable saying sorry.

Learn more about Rabbi Joshua Aaronson, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, and Rabbi Susan Goldberg.

Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/rev...

In this episode, I learn about how we mourn, and how we remember the dead.

But even more importantly, I learn about how Jews' relationship with death informs the way we live our lives today.

I'll call two rabbis whose work requires them to look death head-on.

Learn more about Eitan Levine, Rabbi Lynn Liberman and Rabbi Morris Panitz.

Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.

Pr...

If and when we pray, who are we praying to? Is anyone listening?

In this episode, I talk to rabbis who help me understand different types of prayers, and how to find -- and keep -- the faith.

Learn more about Rabbi Morris Panitz and Rabbi Josh Rose.

Please support this podcast! Tell a friend, rate/review the show, and visit shofarsogoodpodcast.com/support to make a financial contribution to the production of Season 2.

Producer: Kate Mishkin

Editor: Lacy Roberts

Sound design/mixing: Jack McDonald

Growing up, many of my friends' families had Shabbat dinners. It wasn't a tradition in my house, but I've always liked the idea of slowing down and sharing a communal meal after a long week. But I've also found it incredibly daunting.

In this pilot episode, I call on two rabbis — one who considers Shabbat a slowing of time, and one who sees it an opening of space. Both explain their reasons for Shabbat, and help me understand mine.

Learn more about Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman and Rabbi Marc Margolius.

Producer: Kate Mish...

Coming January 22: A series about a search for lost identity and what it means to be human. From how we apologize, to how we think about a higher power, host Kate Mishkin interviews rabbis and children about what we believe and why. 

This is "Shofar, So Good!" 

For more on the podcast, including how to support the show, visit https://www.shofarsogoodpodcast.com/ 

I'm Jewish, but was never raised with the religion.

Even so, I've spent my entire adult life trying to reclaim the traditions and values that feel both intrinsic and foreign to me.​

I can imagine I'm not alone.

Enter "Shofar, So Good!", an audio documentary series about my search for Jewish answers.