

A Tree by the River: Family, Legacy, and Where We Come From (Part 10)
22.12.2025 | 10 Min.
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 In the final episode of the Family miniseries, Rabbi Josh Feigelson reflects on family, ancestry, and legacy through the Jewish image of a tree planted by a river, drawing on his own family’s genealogy, stories of loss and recovery after the Shoah, and the Hebrew ideas of nachal (stream) and nachalah (inheritance) to explore how knowing where we come from helps us understand where we are—and where we’re headed. Weaving together themes from across the series, including chosen family, intergenerational connection, forgiveness, and responsibility to future generations, Josh closes with a guided mindfulness practice that invites listeners to see themselves as rooted in an ongoing stream of family and values, intentionally passing meaning, love, and legacy downstream. Be in touch at [email protected]. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees. --------------- This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media Brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews

Chosen Family: A Jewish Reflection on Love Beyond Biology (Part 9)
15.12.2025 | 13 Min.
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the idea of family beyond biology—the “refrigerator friends” and chosen family who nourish our lives with love, care, and belonging. In part nine of the Family miniseries, Josh invites listeners to expand their definition of family. Drawing on Jewish texts, biblical stories, and personal reflection, Josh offers a guided meditation based on the Priestly Blessing to help cultivate compassion for ourselves, our loved ones, and even strangers. Be in touch at [email protected]. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees. --------------- This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media Brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews

The Jewish Way to Say “I’m Sorry” — And Heal Your Family (Part 8)
08.12.2025 | 9 Min.
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 In the latest episode on family, Rabbi Josh Feigelson explores the Jewish practice of apology and forgiveness—why it matters so deeply in family life and how we can approach it with compassion, humility, and intention. Through a personal story and a guided mindfulness exercise, Josh offers a simple, grounding practice using the five fingers of the hand to help repair strained relationships, cultivate shalom bayit, and begin healing with small, meaningful steps. Be in touch at [email protected]. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees. --------------- This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media Brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews

Ties That Bind: Mindful Jewish Wisdom on Aging and Letting Go (Part 7)
01.12.2025 | 8 Min.
What does it mean to age, remember, and let go through the lens of Jewish mindfulness? The 7th episode in a series on family explore this question. Inspired by childhood memories of tying knots with his father—and the phrase “may their soul be bound in the bonds of life”—Rabbi Josh Feigelson unpacks how the ties that connect us to loved ones both tighten and loosen as we confront aging and mortality. Josh offers a mindful path toward facing life’s hardest truths with more openness, connection, and peace. Be in touch at [email protected]. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees. --------------- This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media Brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews

Holding On, Letting Go: Jewish Mindfulness for Parenting (Part 6)
24.11.2025 | 9 Min.
Rabbi Josh Feigelson unpacks a puzzling bar/bat mitzvah blessing that thanks God for releasing parents from responsibility—and reveals the deep wisdom behind it. What sounds harsh becomes a lens into the lifelong dance of holding on and letting go as kids grow into independence. With Jewish teachings, real family dynamics, and a nod to Kenny Rogers, Josh explores how parents and children evolve together in part 6 of a series on family, ending with a grounding meditation on balancing attachment and release. Be in touch at [email protected]. This episode is sponsored by Jonathan and Kori Kalafer and the Somerset Patriots: The Bridgewater, NJ-based AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees. --------------- This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media Brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews



Soulful Jewish Living: Mindful Practices For Every Day