179. Seen and Remembered: Making Space for Everyone This High Holiday Season with Rabbi Yisrael Motzen

As the High Holidays approach, many of us gather with family, see old friends at shul, and catch up on a year’s worth of life. But for those who don’t fit the “expected” mold—singles, people without children, divorced or widowed individuals, single parents—these moments can feel isolating instead of uplifting.

In this episode, Dr. Aimee Baron sits down with Rabbi Yisrael Motzen, who recently launched "Kol Echad," an Orthodox Union initiative to make sure no one in our community is overlooked or left behind. Together, they talk about:

• Rabbi Motzen's background and how/why he came into this work.

• How so many people feel unseen in Jewish communal life, and how "Kol Echad" aims to fix it

• Simple and practical suggestions that synagogues, hosts, and individuals can make to be more inviting and inclusive

• Impressing upon people that we all need to be involved in this to make a difference

This conversation is both honest and hopeful, reminding us that true community is built not only at the family table but also in the act of making space for each other—especially those carrying unseen stories.

Whether you’re someone who has felt “forgotten,” or someone who wants to do better at seeing others, this episode offers wisdom, compassion, and a path forward.

Mentions: 

Unmatched by Sarah Lavane

More about Rabbi Yisrael Motzen: 

Rabbi Yisrael Motzen is the rabbi of Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Congregation in Baltimore, Maryland. He serves as special assistant to the executive vice presidents of the Orthodox Union and is also the director of Kol Echad, a new OU department dedicated to creating communities where every single person matters.

Sign up for the Kol Echad E-Magazine here

Connect with Rabbi Yisrael Motzen: 

- Follow him on Instagram

- Connect with Kol Echad on Instagram

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