ב"ה
Hand in Hand Podcast
Audio | 14:18
At just 17, Amanda’s world shattered with the tragic loss of her best friend. The years that followed were marked by grief, depression, and a search for deeper meaning. Something shifted finally during a conversation with a rabbi on a trip to Israel – a step toward something that began to fill that inner void and offer her new purpose. Then, another trial: a cancer diagnosis. Through it all, her new worldview and the support of her rabbi and newfound community got her through. Now cancer-free and deeply rooted in her faith, Amanda shares her journey of grief, healing, and the eternal wisdom of Chassidism that changed everything.
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Audio | 1:12:42
In this deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Randi, a woman who survived a devastating car crash only to face the unimaginable loss of her newborn son, Spencer, a couple of years later. She shares how she and her husband navigate the raw reality of grief, and how Jewish wisdom and acts of kindness have become a path to healing and hope. Randi’s story is a powerful testament to the enduring bond of love and the ways we can keep lost loved ones close—through meaning, mitzvot, and community.
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Audio | 1:12:36
Allegra’s journey began at just eight years old when a virus resulted in paralysis. Decades later, she faced another life-altering health crisis, this time a cardiac arrest that required open-heart surgery. In this powerful conversation, Allegra shares how these descents into physical illness led her to a spiritual ascent. She discusses finding unshakable trust in G-d (bitachon), the lessons of her healing process, and the support of a community that showed up when she needed it most. Her story is a moving exploration of faith, identity, and the profound wisdom that comes from facing mortality and choosing to live with a deeper sense of gratitude and purpose.
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Audio | 1:27:18
Morgan shares her journey as the primary caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 glioblastoma and given only six months to live. As an only child of a single parent, her world came crashing down. Morgan recounts getting married by her mother's bedside and her transformative experience at the mikvah, which brought unexpected spirituality, community, and peace during a dark time. Following her mother's passing just four days after the wedding, Morgan grappled with overwhelming depression and the loss of her identity as a full-time caregiver. She found purpose and healing by leaning into her Jewish faith and community.
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Audio | 1:12:29
Marylyn embraced Shabbat observance and found a home within the Chabad community. But her faith was put to the ultimate test when her husband Eliot suffered a devastating 50-foot fall while hiking. Instead of despair, Marylyn’s first words were gratitude: “Thank You, Hashem. He’s alive now. Let’s do this.” With strength and clarity, she rallied her community with Tehillim, acts of tzedakah, and unwavering trust in G-d’s plan. Marylyn’s story is one of resilience, love, and the choice to see life’s challenges as blessings in disguise. Through tragedy, she and Elliot discovered deeper spiritual practices, a renewed sense of purpose, and a powerful closeness to G-d.
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Audio | 1:03:04
Rabbi Yisrael Deren and his wife Vivi have faced the unimaginable—the loss of four of their eight children. Instead of retreating into grief, they chose to transform their pain into purpose, becoming a source of strength and comfort for others walking through darkness. Rabbi Deren shares deeply personal stories and with honesty and faith, he reflects on how each loss reshaped their lives. This is not only a story about grief, but about resilience, community, and the eternal bond between parent and child. Rabbi Deren offers hard-won wisdom on finding G-d in life’s darkest corners, transforming loneliness into connection, and discovering meaning even in the depths of pain.
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