“Rabbis have too much power” with Tuli Skaist

“Rabbis have too much power” with Tuli Skaist

From Yenta! by Heeb Media

January 29, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

Tuli Skaist discusses his experiences growing up ultra-Orthodox and the complexities of Jewish identity and power dynamics within the community.

Tuli Skaist is a Jewish music legend, community builder, teacher, executive director of his shul, and one of the wisest Jews we know. He grew up ultra-Orthodox, went to elite yeshivas, rebelled his way out, and somehow became the guy we all go to for Torah, nigunim, and parenting advice. Deep Yenta-heads will also recognize him as Antonia's musical study partner! We love Tuli!We Yenta about: - Growing up ultra-Orthodox and rebelling in tiny ways- Getting kicked out of yeshiva (twice)- Liberal Jews vs Orthodox Jews - Why Torah isn’t owned by one kind of Jew- Nonbinary theology- Rabbis have too much power- Jewish music duh----------------------------------Sponsored by the Mandel Cultural Leadership Program: https://mandelinstitute.org/programs/cultural-leadership/cultural-leadership-application-faq/Announcement! You're invited to take part in the Yenta Matchmaking Experiment!! If you want to be matched with a potential date from the Yenta listener universe, you can submit your profile now! We'll be releasing Patreon episodes of "Yenta Matchmaking" where we go in detail behind the scenes of the matchmaking process. More info here…

People in this episode

Hosts: Raye Schiller, Antonia Lassar

Guest: Tuli Skaist

Topics covered

  • Growing up ultra-Orthodox
  • Rebellion in yeshiva
  • Liberal vs Orthodox Jews
  • Nonbinary theology
  • Power of Rabbis
  • Jewish music

Keywords

  • ultra-Orthodox
  • yeshiva
  • Torah
  • Jewish music
  • nonbinary theology
  • Rabbis
  • community building

Sponsors

Mandel Cultural Leadership Program

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