64. Finding Power in Purim with Rebbetzin Lisa Babich

64. Finding Power in Purim with Rebbetzin Lisa Babich

From Chai on Life by Alex Segal

February 23, 2026 · 59 min · Season 2 · Episode 23

About this episode

Alex Segal speaks with Rebbetzin Lisa Babich about the significance of Purim and its modern parallels.

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal, and today I am speaking with Rebbetzin Lisa Babich all about Purim. Lisa is a Queens-raised New Yorker, full-time Rebbetzin, and licensed speech and language pathologist. She has been involved in Jewish education and outreach since the age of 19, teaching at TBY, EMETT Russian outreach, the Jewish Enrichment Center in the West Village, and now Fifth Avenue Synagogue alongside her husband, Rabbi Eli Babich who is the Rabbi there. She was also very vocal during the NYC mayoral election this past year when unfortunately, Mamdani was elected. Lisa was instrumental in trying to unite the Jewish people in prayer to attempt to stop his win yet even when he did, she did not let the news get her down. She is a strong advocate for the Jewish people and has really become a source of chizzuk, or strength for me, when it comes to the day-to-day issues we’re facing these days. Plus, the whole experience with Mamdani has eerie parallels to the Purim story. He really feels like a modern day Haman and I knew I wanted to speak with Lisa around this time to give us insight into how we can use this experience…

People in this episode

Host: Alex Segal

Guest: Rebbetzin Lisa Babich

Topics covered

  • Purim
  • Jewish education
  • advocacy
  • spirituality
  • community
  • Torah lessons

Keywords

  • Purim
  • Jewish education
  • advocacy
  • spirituality
  • Torah
  • community
  • Mamdani
  • Haman
  • strength

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fifth Avenue Synagogue, TBY, EMETT Russian outreach, Jewish Enrichment Center

Places: Queens

More episodes of Chai on Life

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Chai on Life podcast page.