Episodes

In this episode of Bina hosts Aviva Feder, Yarden Crane, Nolan Valdivia sit down with Burt Feldstein, a retired finance executive, 12-year police volunteer, and Brotherhood president at Congregation Beth Chaim. Burt traces a winding path from an Orthodox upbringing in Rochester, to the Reform movement where he found warmth, equality, and a community worth building.


The conversation looks at Burt’s belief in chesed as a lived practice, from teaching kids with Down syndrome to swim, to finding ...

In this episode of Bina, hosts Aviva Feder and Yarden Crane sit down with Michael Tejeda, an 81-year-old volunteer, book collector, and self-described rebel who converted to Judaism after decades of spiritual exploration. Michael shares how he went from a Catholic upbringing to becoming president of Congregation B'nai Shalom, driven by a love of community and the satisfaction of building something with his own hands.


The conversation ranges from the perils of social media permanence and the f...

In this episode, Yarden Crane, Aviva Feder, and Nolan Valdivia sit down with longtime Better Together participants and lifelong learners Sheldon Schwartz and Thelma Bronet for an intimate, multi-generational conversation about Jewish values, identity, and growing up. Together they explore what they wish they’d known as teenagers, how to navigate a “winding road” of careers and life choices, the balance of risk versus utility, the importance of choosing friends wisely, and why you don’t need your...

In this episode, we sit down with Hana Berger Moran, a Holocaust survivor, chemist, and beloved member of the Better Together community. Born in a Nazi concentration camp in 1945 and saved through a series of extraordinary acts of courage and luck, Hana shares her mother’s bravery, her own journey from survival to a scientific career, and her lifelong commitment to giving back. We discuss Jewish identity today, facing antisemitism in high school, the power of education and great teachers, and th...

What happens when the past meets the future?
Welcome to Bina, a new series where we pull up a chair and bridge the gap between generations. Created by the students and staff of Contra Costa Midrasha, this podcast is all about the magic that happens when Jewish teens and elders sit down to truly listen to one another.

Spanning generations, these episodes dive into reflections on heritage and resilience, alongside honest questions about purpose and belonging. Whether it’s the wisdom of lived expe...