Abigail Lulko

After October 7th, it felt like everyone started becoming more observant and closer to God.   For me it was the complete opposite; I was angry and did not understand why God would do this.  Seeing such a unity of the Jewish people was great, but on the other hand I didn’t understand why it took such a tragedy to create the unity.   It’s still hard for me to process October 7th because of my love for Israel.   In May of this year I went on Birthright and to the Nova Music Festival vigil.  I am in a college environment where I see antisemitism, which is hard, but I think surrounding myself with Jews and also making time to listen to The Podcast Fellowship has helped me with my relationship with God.

I did not grow up in an observant household at all but I knew about the big main holidays.  My mom is from Russia and my dad from Ukraine.  I don't think I have any interesting stories about my ancestors.

I heard about this podcast from my sister Halley Lulko, she went to seminary in Israel called Be'er Miriam, and one of her teachers, Chaya Sara (Behar, now of Kotel Connections) told her about TPF.

The offer of the $15 is what motivated me to start with TPF.

I don't think so.

Every single podcast I listened to so far has been great.  I learn so much from them, and I also take notes so I can discuss it with my mentor Tzipora Portowicz (of Exhibit J Staten Island)  Notes are also helpful if I ever want to go back to reread what I wrote.  Tzipora is a great mentor; she listens to what I learn, I ask her questions and we build a nice discussion.   When the high holidays were coming up, she recommended I listen to a podcast about Elul/ Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur.    Those podcasts helped me with a better understanding of those holidays.

My favorite topic that I listened to so far was “Understanding Suffering and the Purpose of Life” by Mrs Batya Burd, because she discusses her upbringing and how she thought life was only about money, eventually recognizing that life is about getting closer to God.  She talked about something tragic she went through and how she persevered and stayed close to God.  It was very inspirational.  Mrs Jackie Engel is my favorite speaker because she keeps the podcast interesting in the way she talks to her students in class.  In one of her podcasts called “Torah and Psychology” she talks about a lot of things that most people would probably be interested in,  like love, fear, anxiety and how to deal with it.

I never went to a Jewish school, so listening to these podcasts gives me some knowledge that I can take with me.  I really learn a lot from them.  Also, once I speak to my mentor about a podcast and ask her questions, I get a deeper understanding of a topic.

I am more spiritual and love learning Torah.  This change happened since I started The Podcast Fellowship.  I am involved in different things, like Exhibit J in Staten Island and Oorah etc., but with TPF, I can just pick any topic I feel like learning that day and it’s great.

"The Podcast Fellowship makes me feel like there are other people that are similar to me; I’m not the only one that either struggles with my Judaism or did not have a observant Jewish upbringing."