Episode 10 — Compassion, Curiosity, and Bridge-Building (Rabbi Zelman Castel)

In Episode 10 of Chocolate and Coffee Break, host Andrea Putting sits down with Rabbi Zelman Castel to explore what compassion really means—and how we build bridges across faith, culture, and community in divided times. Zelman shares his upbringing in a tightly insulated Jewish community, the pivotal moment visiting a Muslim school in Sydney, and the deeper realization that the most meaningful parts of being human—wanting to be good, loved, and purposeful—are universal. You’ll also hear about Together For Humanity, powerful school-based exercises that challenge stereotypes, and practical ways everyday citizens can engage with compassion without collapsing into binary thinking.A show, a movement, and a mission to break down the barriers that divide us. In a world growing louder with hate, division, and misunderstanding, we choose a different frequency: love, compassion, and the courageous power of connection.