Awake with Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt

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How do we stop and notice that incredible, holy things happen to us every day. My name is Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt and this is Awake - finding the holy in the every day. On this show, I bring the teachings from Jewish mystical texts into everyday life in less than 10 minutes. When you listen, I hope you will take a few minutes to pause and to open yourself to the possibility that holiness, connection and presence are around us all of the time.  

Adas Israel Congregation


    • Mar 1, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 32 EPISODES

    5 from 109 ratings Listeners of Awake with Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt that love the show mention: torah, awake, meaningful, deep, need, great, life, best, thank, rabbi holtzblatt, rabbi lauren.



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    Latest episodes from Awake with Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt

    "If Only You Knew"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 9:32


    There are so many stories that are beneath the surface. And once and a while, we get to know what they are, when we make space and we listen. When we pause.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Going Towards The Unknowing"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 16:36


    I am terrified of flying. And now I've committed to flying at least once a month to Utah to see my son. On my most recent flight, I had a realization...Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “Do What You Can...”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 12:25


    This week I was listening to a podcast called “The Hidden Brain,” where they were discussing the formula ancient Stoics followed to minimize pain and maximize joy in life. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "God In Adversity"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 15:17


    I'm back and it's great to be with you. This episode is about a conversation I had about the fear of all the good things in one's life and how we can find God in adversity. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Cultivating The Soul"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2020 15:04


    I’ve been thinking a lot lately about prayer, moments of exaltation, moments of deep sorrow, moments of joy. All of the highs and lows that bring us to spiritual experiences. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "The Sound Of The Soul"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2020 11:58


    Today I want to talk about music, the sound of the soul. I have two stories to share, one of a glorious end, and one of a glorious beginning. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Wishing You A Happy Elul"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2020 11:10


    In the first episode of a month-long series on Elul, I’ll be talking about tshuva, sharing some of the teachings and stories that I have found most helpful in my journey. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Dealing With Pandemic-Mind"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2020 10:14


    Pandemic-mind is a term I coined for the monotony of space that leads to our thoughts running wild with fear and the unknown. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “A Longing To Connect Again”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 7:48


    When I was a kid I had a lot of anger about the world. Inevitably, I would be sent to my room, which would be followed by me longing to connect with my family again.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Stories Help Us"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 10:01


    My kids have been asking me recently to tell them stories of my youth. Stories help mold us, they help us figure out who we are, and how to deal with the world. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Spiritual Journeys"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2020 9:51


    I’ve been talking with a friend about the different parts of this pandemic, and the phases we’ve gone through. And it’s had me thinking about journeys. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "The Places That Call Us"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 9:55


    During this time, many of us have found ourselves being very comfortable in our homes, staying in a single spot. And yet, there are other places that call us.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "About My Chicks"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2020 10:27


    So one thing I have not spoken about on this podcast, is my chicks. When reflecting on them, I came upon a midrash which sung to me.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "I Sing For You"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 12:08


    What’s been coming back to me again and again over the last few weeks are the words of Ilana Kaufman, “binary thinking is what seeks to divide us.”Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Everyone Needs Justice"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020 10:47


    As many of you know, I live in Washington, DC, where there have been sustained protests for the last 10 days. Last week, my son and I participated.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Language Can Create Or Destroy"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020 10:05


    I come to you today feeling the pain that we are feeling the streets of our cities. While there is no way to fix this pain, I want to offer you a teaching about leadership.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “Torah Is Like Rain”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 12:26


    Shavuot begins this week. In my quest to ‘keep it real’ with you all, today we are going to talk about repentance and Torah, the great magnifier. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “It’s The Little Things”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2020 9:20


    I noticed the other day, we have a yellow rose bush on our front lawn that blooms every year. As I was out with my son yesterday smelling the roses, I saw something...Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "The Last Dance"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2020 8:54


    My family has been watching the documentary series “The Last Dance” about Michael Jordan and I’ve been obsessed. I’ve been asking myself, “what it is about him that makes people so enamored?”Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "A Mouse & The Mission"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2020 9:04


    I’m sure like many of you, there are stories that are happening in your house during this pandemic, that may not have happened before. For my family, we have been having a little bit of a mouse problem.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "A Little Light In A Very Dark Time"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2020 8:55


    The past few months have been brutal. As I was at the cemetery burying a beloved congregant who passed from COVID-19, I was reminded of a passage in the Zohar, about homecomings. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “The Things That Give Us Structure”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 7:40


    As I’ve been recording this podcast in my house, I’ve been thinking about the things that give us structure during times of chaos. This week, I found it in a Torah portion in the book of Leviticus.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Guilt Is The Seed Of Change"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2020 5:50


    My daughter recently got into an argument with some of her friends. We had a long conversation, and we got to talking about the difference between shame and guilt.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "The World Upside Down"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2020 6:59


    Over the last few weeks in quarantine I have been working on my headstand. I've noticed that this is a perfect parallel to where we are in the world right now. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Taking Time To Discover The Self"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 6:31


    In the time we live, taking time to discover the self and develop a spiritual practice is more difficult than ever. In the midst of our daily chaos, we must take the time to ask ourselves: Who am I?Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "We All Need Moments Of Redemption"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2020 10:19


    This week I've been thinking a lot about redemption. This reminds me of the story of Moses parting the Red Sea and the formula that the Torah gives us for noticing redemption in our lives. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "Being A Witness To The Other"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2020 7:49


    One of the holiest parts of my partnership with my co-Rabbi Aaron Alexander is watching the other in moments of tremendous joy or pain with a congregant. This is a story of how I recently witnessed the transition of a congregant into the holy unknown.Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    "I'm Ready To Walk Out Of Here"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2020 6:05


    As I spoke with the teens at Adas about some of the big issues they are facing regarding gun violence and climate change, I was reminded of the story of Exodus, the final plague and what it means to be willing to stand up for what you believe in, at any cost. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “Two Different Sides Of Ourselves”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2020 8:29


    Last night after dinner, I was craving a sweet. After enjoying a chocolate chip cookie, and then immediately wanting more, I thought about the yetzer hatov and yetzer hara, and the need to find balance in our lives. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “I’m Drowning in Spaghetti”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 5:59


    As I spent time with a congregant who was recovering from an illness, she told me that she was drowning in spaghetti. This reminded me of finding a balance between hesed (love) and gevurah (justice) - how to receive love and set healthy boundaries at the same time. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “How Will I Ever Learn Everything I Need To Know?”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 4:22


    As we were walking home one crisp evening, my son asked me, “Mom - How will I ever learn everything I need to know?” I thought hard about it, and then I told him this…Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

    “God Was In This Place And I Didn’t Know It”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 6:55


    For the last few days I’ve had this tweak in my back. Many of you know that when you’re in pain in any way, that becomes your singular focus. In the story of Jacob’s Ladder, we can learn how to zoom out from that focus, look at the big picture, and find God in the every day. Thank you so much for listening. You can always check out more episodes at adasisrael.org/awake or on your favorite podcast provider. Please make sure to hit subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review to let us know you like the show, it helps us to get the word out. Finally, you can email us at awake@adasisrael.org to give feedback about the show - let us know what you like and what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening, wishing you a holy encounter this week.

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