The concept of making the world a better place is a cornerstone of Judaism. There's even a phrase for it: Tikkun Olam. In the Shofar, So Good! Season 2 finale, host Kate Mishkin explores the ancient concept, its mystical interpretations, and how the idea evolved and entered our collective consciousness.

Further reading and resources:

• Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World (My Jewish Learning)

• Aleinu: A Call to Divine Service (My Jewish Learning)

• Tikkun Ha'am: Repairing Our People by Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin

• The Shalom Center (Detroit, Michigan)

• Martini Judaism Podcast (Religion News Service)

• Repair the World

• American Jewish World Service

• The Talmud on study vs. action (Sefaria)

• Pirkei Avot on doing work you may not finish (Sefaria)

Credits:

• Writer/producer: Kate Mishkin

• Story producer: Gabrielle Birkner

• Fact-checking: Rachel Scheinerman

• Sound design/mixing: Jonathan Shifflett of Studio Phonic

• Interstitial music: Written and performed by Nan Schwartz

• Outro music: "Swirls & Eddies," written and performed by Grace Corsi

• Art direction: Grace Yagel

Shofar, So Good! is a podcast from My Jewish Learning, a division of 70 Faces Media. Ami Eden is the CEO of 70 Faces Media, and Rebecca Phillips is the publisher.

This podcast was originally developed in the Jewish Writers Institute Digital Storytellers Lab and produced with support from Maimonides Fund. Special thanks to Rebecca Friedman.

* Word of mouth is important. So if you like what you heard this season, please share Shofar, So Good! with a friend. For more information about Jewish rituals and practices, visit myjewishlearning.com. From holidays and history to belief and big questions, My Jewish Learning helps people explore Judaism's traditions, ideas and how they shape modern Jewish life. You can also join our warm and welcoming daily kaddish minyan and take classes — ranging from mahjong basics to biblical Hebrew.

In this episode, host Kate Mishkin explores the Rosh Hashanah atonement ritual of tashlich, tells us what Judaism says about repentance and forgiveness — during the High Holidays and year-round — and gets some practical advice for saying "I'm sorry" from Jewish experts on apologies.

Further reading and resources:

• Tashlich, the Symbolic Casting Off of Sins (My Jewish Learning)

• Teshuva, Or Repentance (My Jewish Learning)

• The 10 Days of Repentance (My Jewish Learning)

• Sorry, Not Sorry: The Real Path to an Apology (At the Well)

• 6.5 Steps to a Good Apology (Sorry Watch)

• Pirkei Avot on Appeasing an Angry Person (Sefaria)

• How To Repent: Teshuva In 7 Steps (Rabbi Seth Goldstein on TikTok)

• Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies by Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy

• Getting to Sorry: The Art of Apology at Work and at Home by Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy

• Jewish Broadcasting Service

• Nashuva

Credits:

• Writer/producer: Kate Mishkin

• Story producer: Gabrielle Birkner

• Fact-checking: Rachel Scheinerman

• Sound design/mixing: Jonathan Shifflett of Studio Phonic

• Interstitial music: Written and performed by Nan Schwartz

• Outro music: "Swirls & Eddies," written and performed by Grace Corsi

• Art direction: Grace Yagel

Shofar, So Good! is a podcast from My Jewish Learning, a division of 70 Faces Media. Ami Eden is the CEO of 70 Faces Media, and Rebecca Phillips is the publisher.

This podcast was originally developed in the Jewish Writers Institute Digital Storytellers Lab and produced with support from Maimonides Fund. Special thanks to Rebecca Friedman.

In this episode, host Kate Mishkin explores the role of the chevra kadisha, or Jewish burial society. She talks with volunteers who ensure that dead bodies are ready for burial according to Jewish tradition. Their work, Kate discovered, is physical, emotional and surprisingly life-affirming.

Further reading and resources:

• Tahara, Preparing the Body for Burial (My Jewish Learning)

• How To Form A Chevra Kadisha (My Jewish Learning)

• Email mini-course: A Jewish Journey Through Grief (My Jewish Learning)

• Kavod v'Nichum

Credits:

• Writer/producer: Kate Mishkin

• Story producer: Gabrielle Birkner

• Fact-checking: Rachel Scheinerman

• Sound design/mixing: Jonathan Shifflett of Studio Phonic

• Interstitial music: Written and performed by Nan Schwartz

• Outro music: "Swirls & Eddies," written and performed by Grace Corsi

• Art direction: Grace Yagel

Shofar, So Good! is a podcast from My Jewish Learning, a division of 70 Faces Media. Ami Eden is the CEO of 70 Faces Media, and Rebecca Phillips is the publisher.

This podcast was originally developed in the Jewish Writers Institute Digital Storytellers Lab and produced with support from Maimonides Fund. Special thanks to Rebecca Friedman.