Rabbi Jim‘s Podcast

It is hard to imagine, but at several points in history Jews and Arabs have managed to come together and do sacred work.  It started when Isaac and Ishmael went to bury their father Abraham.  What seemed natural then appears to be almost impossible today.
This summer I began to be worried when read an article by Peter Beinart about the state of Zionism among American Jewish liberals.  It was followed by a sharp attack by Noah Pollack in Commentary Magazine. These two gentlemen were then interviewed on Radio Times and it was weird to say the least.  The stalemate in the Jewish conversation about peace and the problem with Iran may be creating more danger by sending the wrong message to our enemies.  At this point in time, we need a new paradigm, a different way of thinking about the problem that is new, innovative, and changes the landscape of the issues.

This Rosh Hashannah I wanted to share the idea that our values are the real foundations of our homes.  As we go through life, we often take our values with us whether it is praying with our feet, to the value that we place on our Judaism, home is an interpretation of our most deeply held sense of importance.

The recent events off the coast of Israel and Gaza have bothered many.  In this podcast I will explore our moral and religious duty to the issue at hand and explore those article who may (or may not) be hitting the mark.
ARZA Statement
NYT - Oren
Krauthammer

NYT - Kristof
NYT- Gordis
WSJ - Halevi
URJ - Yoffie

How do we wrestle with the idea of meaning?  While we all believe that we understand the concept, for many it is elusive at best.  On the holiday of Passover, we are asked to engage the idea of meaning.  What does that require us to do?

This week saw a series of horrible headlines between Israel and the United States play out on the front pages of too many newspapers.  The scary piece is what has begun to happen in our country as certain generals are calling upon Israel to change and are openly questioning the relationship between American and Israel.  Having Bibi's brother-in-law call Obama an anti-Semite did not help. Please listen, consider, and then call your representatives and share your support for Israel at this difficult juncture.

In an attempt to learn Hebrew after a trip to Israel, I found myself listening to a podcast about a Purim party.  What does a Purim party have to do with searching for who we are and who we might be?  Good question.  The answer is found in the word for costume which also may imply a search for ourselves.

Terumah is the Torah portion that describes the first call for a sacred space in the Israelite community.  Interestingly some believe that this parasha is out of order, and that the Golden Calf should come first.  Should it?  I would love to hear your take on this question!

Dear listeners,
As you know, I usually don't ask for money unless there is a significant cause.  This is one of those days where I feel the need to reach out to you for help.  A group of people are going down to Haiti to help that country recover from the devestating earthquake and aftershocks that have hit the country.  Please take a minute to join me in giving what you can to support this group.
"All who save a life, it is as if they have saved a world." (Talmud)

These are the comments at our last Bridges program.  Bridges is the program that speaks to the transitions in life and how we address these moments a Jews.

This podcast will focus on the the issues surrounding Laban, Iran and Israel.  How could these be connected (you might ask)?  Let's just say that nuclear threats, stealing a Nobel Prize, and executing people sentenced to ten years in prison should make us wonder about the stability (mental and otherwise) of the Iranian regime.  Additionally, when Israel arrests a woman for wearing a tallit, all Jews should pause and wonder.