The Burning Issue Series:

This series is designed to give audiences the tools they need to confront challenges to their identity as Jews in the modern world.

Jihad! (A, T, M)

         Come debate with a 'Palestinian' on who has rights to the Land. He is equipped with all the answers and is quite confident in his rights. Are you? Our presentation opens with Abdul Rachman, a Palestinian-American who hails from Bet Sahour near Hebron but was raised in Dearborn, Michigan and speaks perfect English. Learn his take on suicide bombings, Zionist aggression and whether the Holocaust really happened. The audience is invited to respond to the character, and then we have a short interview with Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi, a Spanish rabbi from the 12th century and one of our greatest liturgical poets. Rabbi Yehuda shares his perspective on just why the Land is so special, and his view on the Land's ownership is quite surprising (I'm not telling). The arguments both ways are thoroughly analyzed and the audience walks away with new perspectives on both the Arab-Israeli conflict as well as the organic connection between the Jews and Eretz Yisrael.

Holy Ghost (A, T, M)

         Meet a 'messianic Jew' who will attempt to convince you that his way is the only way to achieve salvation and still remain an observant Jew. Will you fall prey to his compelling logic? The program begins with our good friend Mike Liebowitz who's an unaffiliated Jewish teen who's trying to be a good person and make sense out of life (see more "Mike Liebowitz programs" elsewhere on this page). Mike has been befriended by a campus missionary during a visit to a local university and he is thoroughly confused. The next character is the missionary himself, who engages the audience. This program details some of the sophisticated techniques used by messianic groups to target Jewish youth on campus. Each argument is carefully demolished and the audience is left with a clear understanding of these groups' deceptive tactics. One recent participant, a Reform teen from the backwoods of Southern Virginia, related that he was constantly bombarded by missionaries both in school and in his neighborhood. "I knew it was a crock," he said, "but I didn't know why until I heard this program."

The Dark Side of the Internet (T,M)

         Mike Liebowitz is in the 11th grade and is hopelessly addicted to the seamy side of the internet. Come meet Mike and see if you can help him get some perspective. Witness live re-enactments of critical psychological research experiments over the last few decades which shed light on the idea of instant gratification and how mindless habit devalues what should be a memorable experience. This program has been successfully used as a springboard to discuss choices regarding chat rooms, MySpace, Facebook and inappropriate Internet activity by students. Information developed by law enforcement authorities and mental health professionals is discussed with the audience for their protection, and the program concludes with the Torah point of view on intimacy.

Hold the Burgers, Hold the Dogs (A, T, M)

         Who decides whether something is moral or immoral? Meet an Xtreme animal rights activist from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) who attacks Jewish practice and calls meat-eating degenerate and Nazi behavior. Go back in history to see 'live' presentations from famous rabbis who share their take on meat and morality, including Rav Yitzchak Luria (16th century), Rav Yaakov Reischer (18th century) and Rav Yosef Albo (15th century). A balanced perspective is sought which ends with support for both sides of the debate, but with a bisseleh sechel. (My dad used to say 'Sechel iz ah tayareh zach', which means common sense is a rarity). This discussion has been an effective springboard to discuss the source of morality and the proper application of the conscience.

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People  (A, T, M)

         This program begins with a skit about a family from Oklahoma on their way to Disney World in Orlando, whose son is determined to spend the entire vacation on a horsie ride at an Orlando Wal-Mart.  Next the audience is presented with a true story about how Shlomo earned his Paratroopers' Wings from the Israeli Army - or did he? Both the story and skit are designed to explain the meaning of the Next World in a highly accessible manner. Then we move back in time to Rabbenu Saadia Gaon (10th century Middle East) and Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel (17th century Holland), both of whom give us their rational or mystical take on suffering. Finally, the audience hears true stories from Holocaust survivors who maintained their deep faith despite their overwhelming suffering. Their question? Where was Man during the Holocaust?! Our journey takes us to a deeper understanding of how our free choice has real meaning and true repercussions. No promises here of a complete understanding of the Almighty - but hopefully we'll get a glimpse of His Ways.

Pressure Cooker! (T, M)

         Peer pressure is so powerful that it has literally meant life and death to many people throughout history. Not all peer pressure is bad, and this program helps to give the audience clear-cut tools for decision-making in this regard. Cutting edge techniques developed for the Dallas Police Department's First Offender program are demonstrated to the audience by way of a dramatic re-enactment of an actual crime committed by a teen, and audience volunteers are summoned onstage for related skits. Couple that with the creation of dramatis personae from Jewish history who successfully battled enormous peer pressure, according to classical Jewish sources, along with some stark facts about alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and there you have it. Here's a comment from a 17-year old participant from Canada: "I really enjoyed and was moved by your presentation... the messages which you brought across are going to be very useful for me in university."
 

The Time Machine Series:

Imagine having the ability to travel backwards in time and experience the emotions and sensations of  powerful events in Jewish history. This series brings you in contact with authentic characters from our rich past.

A Paratrooper in Jerusalem (A, T, M, E)

         Meet a 'veteran' of the IDF Paratrooper Brigade who fought in the liberation of the Old City in '67, only to watch 96 of his buddies die in one of Israel's bloodiest single battles. Witness moments of historic flashback as he relives the rich history of the Temple Mount while dodging bullets and wondering just why he's risking his life.

Plagued by a Question (A, T, M)

         Pretend you're a rabbi in Germany in the early 1700's and you get a letter in the mail from a neighboring village. The questioner says "We're all about to be killed next week if we don't convert. Should we escape before the pogrom or stay and die a martyr's death?" Rabbi Yaakov Reischer, a Torah giant in the early 1700's, was the rabbi who actually opened such a letter. He comes back to life in this session and demonstrates his brilliant Torah insights on this and other life-and-death questions.  Learn the history of this gripping era which included the fearsome Plague of 1713 and see how the Torah was actually used by a master to solve perplexing mysteries affecting real people. (And if you're good he might throw in a Torah thought from one of his commentaries on the Talmud.)

Raid on the Sun! (A, T, M, E)

         On June 8, 1981, eight F-16's from the Israeli Air Force took off from the Etzion Air Base and flew 600 miles to destroy Saddam's nuclear reactor near Baghdad. It was the only time in history that a nuclear reactor was destroyed. In this presentation we meet Yisrael Shafir, the seventh fighter pilot in the bombing formation, and he tells this frightening tale of war and intrigue, firsthand. Then we meet Rabbenu Bachya ben Asher of 13th century Spain, who shares his insights about man's responsibility for preparing for war despite his faith in the Almighty. After that we hear from Rabbi Moshe Luzzatto of 18th century Italy as he explains the reason we must seriously engage in human effort while maintaining our faith. Potiphar, master of Joseph, appears and shares insights about Joseph's ability to involve the Almighty in his everyday affairs. The presentation concludes with the return of Yisrael Shafir who describes the end of the mission, and then shares shocking and recently declassified information about the raid which brings the Almighty's hidden involvement to light in amazing ways.

Poison Pens (A, T, M)

         Get involved in a true story that occurred in the 1930's. A famous Nazi Bible scholar trashed the Talmud in a popular Nazi publication, only to end up debating his former Jewish friend, who just happened to be a well-read rabbi. Walk away with a new understanding of the the philosophical attacks against Jews that continue into the 21st century, as well as the correct way to understand difficult passages in the Talmud, our national repository of the Torah's wisdom. Don't miss the unforgettable ending!

Raiders of the Lost Tribes (A, T, M)

         Which tribe are you from? Admit it, unless you're a Kohen or Levi, you haven't a clue. That's because most of our ancestral Israelite tribes have been lost forever....or have they? This presentation brings to life five characters, who tell the story of just how the tribes got lost. We begin with 'eyewitness testimony" of the rift in the ancient kingdom of Israel into factions in the North vs. South. The Prophet Ezekiel stops by to share his vision regarding the rift and its possible healing. We encounter Eldad of the Tribe of Dan, who showed up uninvited in Tunisia in the year 880, telling fantastic stories of magic rivers and nasty cannibals (who tried to have him over for lunch). Listen to R' Menasseh ben Israel, a Dutch rabbi originally of Portuguese descent, as he weighs in with the view that the Lost Tribes can be found...in Ecuador! Trace the tragic story of our brothers and sisters and examine the evidence of where they might be today. Will they ever return? Does it matter?

Convert or Die! (A, T, M)

         Marranos, or Crypto-Jews, are the descendants of forced converts from 15th century Spain and Portugal. This presentation brings to life those players who caused these conversions as well as those who fought tooth and nail to stick with their Jewish heritage. Meet Tomás de Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor of Spain in the 1480's and hear how he explains why torture was a 'favor' for wayward heretical souls. Learn of the enormous pressure which caused hundreds of thousands to publicly renounce their faith and accept the cross. Hear King Ferdinand read his Edict of Expulsion in 1492. See how rabbis of the time did their best to tend to their flock of both professing Jews and Marranos who made the momentous decision to return. This program ends with a poignant look at where the Marranos are today, and their attitude to their Jewish origins. Hear from the man who 'discovered' Marranos in a distant corner of Portugal in 1917, as well as from a Crypto-Jewish woman from San Antonio, Texas in 2002 as she struggles with guilt over her ancestors' choice to take what she calls 'the easy way out'.

Shattered Dreams (A, T)

         After the disasters in Spain and Portugal in the 15th century (see 'Convert or Die! above), the Jews faced the Cossack massacres in Ukraine in 1648-9. Just when things couldn't get any worse, a Turkish Jew named Shabbtai Tzvi announced that he was the Messiah in 1666 and he nearly completely convinced Jews and Gentiles throughout Europe, North Africa and Turkey. Kings and Sultans were quivering from a possible Jewish insurrection, and Jews themselves fasted and packed their bags for the Holy Land. The fervor was so great that you could barely hire a ship for commercial purposes - "Sorry, sir. The Jews have rented all the ships." This presentation brings to life Shabbtai Tzvi's greatest fan and greatest nemesis (Nathan of Gaza and R' Jacob Sasportas, respectively). Listen to Nathan tell a story of hope, fervor and disappointment. Hear R' Jacob tell the story of his lonely voice of opposition in a Jewish world gone mad.

Last Laughs - Rabbi Akiva (A, T, M)

         Rabbi Akiva is possibly one of the most inspirational Jewish leaders in history. His life story demonstrates that it's never too late to start your spiritual quest, and none of life's challenges is too daunting to deter you. Meet a string of characters who personally 'knew' the legendary sage before and after he began his journey of Torah. Cast includes his former employer Yo'ezer, his wife Rachel, his father-in-law Kalba Savua and his student Rabbi Yehoshua HaGarsi. Don't let the entertainment value fool you - this program was extensively researched and incorporates two thousand years of Torah literature and commentaries.

Touched by an Angel - Your Guide to Celestial Beings  (A, T, M)

         Ever wonder how angels work and if they must follow any rules? Are they greater than we simple humans? Using obscure Jewish sources, this program reveals little-known secrets about the fascinating world of angels, including live appearances of Angels Who Went Wrong and disobeyed their Creator. Find out the fabulous discovery of a great rabbi about the hidden purpose of angels and what we can learn from them about parenting and being a real mensch.

The Jewish Values Series:

This series addresses a wide variety of topics that celebrate the Jewish outlook on life, death and marriage (not necessarily in that order).

BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (A, T, M)

         Why do we do weird stuff at Jewish weddings, like step on glasses and walk in circles seven times without falling? What exactly is written in a Ketuba (marriage document)? Find out how enlightened Judaism is with regards to women's rights and their protection. In this confusing world of crazy relationships, see how the Torah provides a welcome harbor of holiness for every nice Jewish couple.

 

What Happens When You Die? (A, T, M)

         What does Judaism have to say about life after death? Once the soul leaves the body, can it feel pain? Does it know what's going on? Is there a difference between the World of Souls and the Next World? Find out in this session, which includes the remarkable true story of a man who had a near-death experience - he was personally interviewed by Crossroads for this session. This story was taken seriously by the country's leading rabbis.

          We constantly bother Him with the same exact tefilot every day. Why? He knows exactly what we need, right? So why daven at all? He's Good and Just, so He should give us what we deserve, and not what we don't! And how come it's so boring? These questions have plagued Jews for centuries. Come and find out the truth about Tefilah - it may just be the answer to your prayers.

 

The Secret Garden (T, M)

         Why can't you find Gan Eden on Mapquest? Is it a real location, or just a parable? Get spooked out by discovering multiple layers of reality and learn how you might have been in the Garden of Eden without even knowing it! Includes live interviews of people who actually were at the garden, including Alexander the Great and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi.

 

When Moshiach (Messiah) Comes, Can I Quit School/Work? (A, T, M)

         We all can't wait to see Moshiach. But when he gets here, will he disrupt our daily lives so completely and favorably that we no longer need to worry about finals? What exactly will change when he gets here, and what will be the order of events? Find out about the different ways Moshiach can get here, the duality of Moshiach ben Yosef and Moshiach ben David, and heard great Jewish personalities of the past describe what exactly we're waiting for. Characters include Maimonides, Nachmanides, Ramchal, Maharal and Rav Saadia Gaon.

 

Wonders of Creation (T, M)

         What can porcupines and other cool animals teach us about our Creator? Plenty. Learn about the deadly Bombardier Beetle, the devastating Venus Fly Trap and Mind-Controlling Wasps, to name a few. Find out how it's a mitzvah to learn about these amazing examples of His design of the world in order to better understand Him. (not for the squeamish!)

 

Splash! Was Yonah the Victim of Attempted Murder? (A, T, M) 

           We all know that the sailors threw Yonah overboard at his insistence. But what right did they have to willingly kill someone? They certainly thought he was a goner. And what can that teach us about the Torah's viewpoint on hostage rescue? 

 

How to Handle Parents and Teachers (and other forms of Stress) (T, M)

            Shlomo Horwitz, himself a 'teen', went undercover to get married and have kids...just to be able to figure out his parents. Learn his secrets and apply them successfully to your parents and teachers, minimizing the stress in your life. Prominent mental health professionals were consulted for this session.  

 

Does Barney Scare You? (T, M)

         Let's face it. Some religious folks get uncomfortable thinking about dinosaurs. Make no bones about it. They feel that if dinosaurs truly exist, it would put into question the Torah's view of creation. Is there a way to harmonize scientific discovery with the Torah? Witness the odyssey of Mike Liebowitz, an 11th grader who matches wits with a scientist at the Museum of Natural History. Both end up learning a few things in the process. 

Professional Storytelling

Tell us the theme of your Dinner, Luncheon, Shabbaton, Bonfire, Card Game, whatever. We will match up a perfect story for the occasion from our extensive files and deliver it with verve and pizzazz*, weaving in timeless thoughts from our Tradition. Our stories are told in a way that leaves a profound impression on the listener with a 'take home' lesson on themes including Leadership, Divine Providence, Loyalty and Commitment.

*(we don't deliver pizzas, though)