Building a Community: Stories from the Ground Up ft. Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, Founding Director of the OU Women’s Initiative

What does it mean to build Jewish life in places where every person truly counts?In this episode, Rabbi Gil Student sits down with Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, Founding Director of the OU Women’s Initiative, to talk about the power of small communities and the people who help them flourish. Drawing on her nine years as Rebbetzin of the Birmingham, Alabama community, Rebbetzin Shmidman shares what it means to create a vibrant Torah life far from major Jewish centers—and how warmth, consistency, and genuine care can transform a town.Together they discuss what larger communities can learn from smaller ones, the importance of positivity and stamina in leadership, and the daily opportunities to make a kiddush Hashem through simple acts of connection and kindness.This episode was recorded shortly before the sudden passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l, our teacher and friend. The team at Jewish Action dedicates this conversation to his memory, with gratitude for his vision and guidance that continue to inspire our work.