Finance Debate: Larry Rothwachs and Leslie Ginsparg Klein
About this episode
This episode features a debate on the financial practices within the Orthodox Jewish community, focusing on the extravagance of semachot and lifestyle choices.
In this annual debate episode of the 18Forty Podcast , David Bashevkin moderates a discussion on finances within the Orthodox Jewish community. The specific resolution is: The current state of semachot in our community and the level of spending on them, as well as extravagance in lifestyle in general, is problematically excessive and should be significantly curtailed. Rabbi Larry Rothwachs defends the affirmative, while Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein argues the negative. In this episode we discuss: —Are extravagant weddings a detriment to the Jewish community, or do the benefits outweigh the negative externalities? —What should the Jewish community spend more and less money on? —Could financial education in Jewish schools alleviate cultural financial pressures? Tune in to hear a conversation about what we desire as a community and how we can attain it. Debate begins at 6:17. Rabbi Larry Rothwachs is a rabbi, therapist, and educator who has led Congregation Beth Aaron in Teaneck, New Jersey since 2002. A longtime teacher and leader within Yeshiva University and RIETS, he currently serves as Director of Professional Rabbinics at RIETS, head rabbi of Camp Morasha, and founding rabbi of…
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