Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg's Website. Rabbi@jonathanginsburg.net

Dear Rabbi,

I wanted to write to you to tell you how much of an inspiration and guiding light your videos have been to me.

I grew up with no spiritual guidance and very little Jewish custom (the occasional pass-over and rosh hashanah if my older brothers were around). British Columbia, especially Victoria, has few Jews and a very quiet Jewish community so I was kept away from most of what I consider my birthright: knowledge and understanding of my faith.

Basically I have always identified deeply with Judaism and have always considered myself Jewish despite an extreme lack of guidance. Recently I have moved where there is a vibrant Jewish community and I've met and fallen in love with a fantastic Jewish girl . I've been enjoying my life incredibly since I've started observing Shabbat, eating Kosher and celebrating the festivals and high holidays (we even counted the Omer this year).

Since I moved here 7 months ago I've been watching your videos regularly and they have been an amazing source of knowledge for me as I explore and try to understand Judaism and it's role in my life. I can't thank you enough.

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Thank you again,

Video impact and there is hope...

Dear Rabbi:

" I wanted to write to thank you for taking the time to develop and place online the series of videos covering the Jewish tradition, prayer and custom. I want to let you know that your videos I believe are very useful and I find it truly inspiring that -- when you made the videos --you had no idea that they would touch me or any other person, per se, yet you took the time to develop the series and had the foresight to see that people, myself included, would benefit from the series. Thank you.

By way of background, I grew up outside of Boston in a Jewish household. I never, ever like Hebrew school and did just about everything I could to avoid or skip it. I was Bar Mitzvahed, then almost immediately -- to put it mildly -- religion fell out of favor with me. (It probably fell out of favor long before). Today is my 25th birthday. About six months ago when I was living in Boston, I called my cousin and said "Would you and your wife like to do Shabbat this weekend?" He says back "What do you mean by that?" ... I say, "I mean, I provide the Chullah, you provide the wine." ... About five minutes later he calls me back and says "Pam wants to know if you want to do the candles?" ... I say "It wouldn't be shabbat without them." ... Five minutes later he calls me back and says "Pam wants to know if you are serious." Every week after that, our Shabbat dinner stated to include more and more of the "grandchildren" (my cousins) and what was amazing is that there was no adult standing there telling us we had to do it. Now that I moved to Texas, I am getting involved in the local Temple, and it's really nice to have your refreshers to study and get up to speed. Thanks again and please keep posting new videos. With kind regards,

Shalom Rabbi Ginsberg,

Just wanted to write a quick email to say how much I admire your work through your websites. I came across a video on youtube, which led me to reading more about your work, a fantastic idea. Although I don't come from a remote community in Scotland, our numbers are dwindling, ., I wish you lots of success and if I can be of help or support in promoting my word of mouth or any other way, I would be genuinely happy to do so.
sCOTLAND

Dear Rabbi,
Thank you for the videos you have posted online. You are helping to make Judaism accessible.
I am learning as an adult, and teaching my three-year-old son along the way.
Thank you and best wishes,
Martin
Toronto, Canada

Good evening Rabbi,

My name is . While I am not Jewish, I was, at one time, a Jewish studies major during my undergraduate years. I stumbled across your video series a few days ago after reading an article on the Time magazine website that featured your video series as a new way of using YouTube as a conduit for religious discussion. I find them informative and interesting, so thanks for that.

Islam and Judaism

Thank you for the peaceful message on your video.

Ibrahim, UK

Thanks for the videos

I thought I message you to thank you for taking the trouble to record all your very informative videos. For a non-jew (living in Ireland) they have been very educational (the jokes are particularly good - I'm still smiling at the passover one).

All the best Conor

Shalom

I am not jewish but i find great joy in your videos because i am interested in different cultures. I have thought about conveting to judaism, but is so hard when youve brought up to believe in one thing ( more like brain washed). Please respond.

Whitney

general

I love what you do ,you are a great rabbi and a great person

Hi Rabbi,
Your stuff from You tube is great keep it coming!
B'shalom
Curriculum Coordinator

Hello!
I teach 7th grade social studies. As part of the Indiana curriculum, we are to teach about the three religions that are centered in the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Our textbook is so politically correct, (Yes, it was printed right after 9/11 and goes way overboard on trying to portray Islam as most peaceful.), that it really doesn't say much about Judaism or Christianity - there is no substance. I have never used it to teach these lessons. Instead, I've worked really hard to find authentic sources that really explain how people from each of these religions live. I was thrilled to have discovered your videos on Youtube! Thank you so much for posting them! To be honest, living in this part of Indiana, I never get to meet people of the Jewish faith. I would love to be able to chat over a cup of coffee with someone someday to learn more.
Thanks again so very much! P.S. My husband and I own the movie Ushpizin. It's one of our favorites, and we cry every time we see it. I show parts of it, too, in my class.

4500 Dempster St.
Skokie, IL 60076
ph: 847-675-4141
fax: 847-675-0327
rabbi@jonathanginsburg.net