Rabbiting On

When faced with a difficult conversation, what better way to deflect than to talk about what you had for breakfast? In this final conversation in the current series, the rabbis discuss why it is so hard to talk about Israel and its complex democracy. And they take up the challenge of doing so, at a time when Israelis all over the world are protesting in the streets in defiance of the new ultra-right wing coalition that threatens the beating heart of their democracy.

At every moment in Judaism we time travel because we're living between the world as it was and the world as it is. Yet, every year on the 14th of Adar, Purim turns everything on its head... With many thanks to the Queen of Jewish Early Childhood Music, Ellen Allard for permission to use 'The Whole Megillah':IG: @ellenallardmusic • FB:@ellenallardmusic WEBSITE: https://www.ellenallard.com

Creating liturgy is a long process but like any creative art, it draws inspiration from a great many sources. In the context of Judaism, many minds and hearts play their parts too and in this episode Rabbi Mark Goldsmith crosses the threshold to join the Rabbiters in a very special conversation about the creation of a new prayer book for the High Holy Days. Out in 2024, the new MRJ Machzor promises beauty, tradition and of course, meaningful change. Click here for information about how to make a dedication in the new 2024 Machzor

Are you a spendaholic with your carbon budget or do you save for the future? What are your favourite life-hacks and why is Judaism's answer to a better life so radical for some? Join the rabbis this week at TuBishvat to wish a big Rabbiting On! happy birthday both to Rabbi Debbie and to the trees!  With thanks to Jackson Mercer for permission to use Esa Eynai - All rights reserved.

People who live in communities tend to live longer and Jewish community can be a protective factor but it's not always the case. Western cultures often value personal independence over communal interdependence and yet more people than ever are self-reporting the need for support with their mental health. Louise Kermode from Jewish mental health charity Jami joins the show to talk connection, empowerment and how we can create the right conditions for people to thrive ahead of this Mental Health Shabbat. Get Help Now: https://www.samaritans.org/ https://jamiuk.org/get-involved/mhas/ https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/category/mental-health-well-being/ https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/prayer-for-mental-health-awareness-shabbat/

Jewish communities in Ethiopia, descended from the Tribe of Dan, migrated south during the Biblical period. Today, they remain devout communities many of whom wish to move to Israel. Many are entrepreneurs and university-educated but faced with poverty and complexities with Israeli immigration laws, they are being supported by charitable organisations such as Meketa, run by Rabbi Sybil Sheridan who joins Rabbiting On! to discuss her work. Following Maimonidean principles of empowerment and the teaching of Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh - the idea that all Jews are responsible for one another,  you can support the work of Meketa by visiting  www.meketa.org.uk #rabbitingonpodcast

After Rabbiting On Live the rabbis are still buzzing and whether it's to do with fire safety or being out and proud with your Judaism, this Chanukah is all about being intentional. Happy Chanukah from the Rabbiting On Team and all at MRJ. Support The MRJ Chanukah Appeal Download your Chanukah Booklet

Will future generations be Jewish? How do I find love? How can we elevate our friendships? If we could change one thing about Judaism - what would it be? In Rabbiting On Live! the studio audience asked the rabbis some rather interesting questions. Recorded on location at JW3 with music from Daniel Cainer and Cantor Zoe Jacobs, join us for Rabbiting On Live! 2022. Also available as a video podcast: https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/podcasts/rabbiting-on/ With thanks to Rabbi Lev Taylor, Christina and Alex, Adam and Shereen, Debbi and Sion and JW3. Photgraphy by  Kate Swerdlow.

Will future generations be Jewish? How do I find love? How can we elevate our friendships? If we could change one thing about Judaism what would it be? In Rabbiting On Live! the studio audience asked the rabbis some rather interesting questions. Also available as a video podcast: https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/podcasts/rabbiting-on/ Recorded on location at JW3 with music from Daniel Cainer and Cantor Zoe Jacobs. With thanks to Rabbi Lev Taylor, Christina and Alex, Adam and Shereen, Debbi and Sion and JW3. Photgraphy by  Kate Swerdlow.

Does what's on TV tell us something about ourselves? Is it healthy to watch so much news and do MPs eating animal body parts in exchange for redemption make us want to laugh or cry? Find out what the Rabbis think in this episode of Rabbiting On. Come meet the rabbis in person for an evening of lively chat about love, friendship, relationship and the future of our community with music and some special guests; it's the Rabbiting On Live at JW3 on Thursday, 1st December at 7:30pm - Tickets are on sale now: Visit: https://www.jw3.org.uk/whats-on/rabbiting-live

Whether it's the language we use for God or ideas about an interventionist God, the rabbis share their thoughts on what feels natural and what about believing is harder to swallow as they head into one huge conversation. TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THE RABBITING ON LIVE! Thursday 1st December @JW3 - £12. Join the rabbis for an evening of lively conversation about life, love, relationships and how future generations will be Jewish. With some special guests and music from our very own rabbiter Daniel Cainer.  Book tickets: https://www.jw3.org.uk/whats-on/rabbiting-live

The Rabbis are back for Season 2 of Rabbiting On with news of disaster, spiritual renewal, hilarity and rest over the summer. For some big news coming up for the show this Season and important guidance on how not to be the ‘muffin mum', have a listen, share and get in touch on media@rjuk.org Show Links: Anthony Nolan: https://www.anthonynolan.org/ FRS and Gareth Malone: https://youtu.be/kWRZWa1OsIQ The Honeycomb Project: https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/hone… Rabbi Debbie's Sermon: https://www.ehrs.uk/kol-nidre-people-… Rabbi Miriam's Sermon: https://www.frs.org.uk/sermons.html

The Rabbis are back - subscribe and tune in from 21st October!

Join us for the finale of series one of Rabbiting on, as we look back together over a truly remarkable year.

Anne Frank's diary was first published in English, this week, 70 years ago in 1952. Today, the book is one of the most famous in the world and the ideas that its author proposes inspire empathy, joy, and hope and speak truth of the human condition. While Rabbi Debbie is away on the March of the Living in Poland, Chief Executive of the Anne Frank Trust, Tim Robertson, joins the show to discuss a book that serves both as a bedrock of Holocaust education and to fight contemporary prejudice in all its forms. https://annefrank.org.uk/ Due to the nature of the content, this episode contains graphic descriptions of parts of the Holocaust.

We are what we eat and the foods we choose at Passover remind us of those facing war and oppression while offering insight into our family dynamics and even our identity as a people. As family traditions are passed down through the generations, what action will your seder table inspire this Pesach?

What's the connection between a jar of marmalade and the dynamics of community, the difference between equality and equity, the power of music and idolatry of industrialisation? Our Rabbis and Cantors each bring a unique gift to the world. On this week's show they share these passions with the Rabbiting On audience from their annual conference Kallah. 

The Purim story is one of power, subversion, and ultimately survival but who is the real feminist hero and is all this fact, folklore or just plain old drag? Combine activism with humour and you have a force for change on your hands. And possibly a wig on your head. Happy Purim from all of us at Rabbiting On. To watch this episode with subtitles and wigs/hats visit: https://youtu.be/nx--iW7MTj4

For International Women's Day 2022, Rabbi Jackie Tabick, the UK's first ordained women rabbi, shares memories of the early days of her career and the things people say and do to women rabbis, reminding us how far we've come and how far we are yet to go. Hands of G-d Holy Sparks Press Release: http://huc.edu/news/2022/01/04/holy-sparks-celebrating-fifty-years-women-in-rabbinate Turn to page 8: http://huc.edu/sites/default/files/Holy-Spark-LIVE-R19.pdf RSY-Netzer Summer Programmes now open for bookings: https://rsy-netzer.org.uk/

This Rabbiting Re-Run is from July 2021 when Rabbi Robyn interviewed her husband Anthony about his early experiences of being in a youth movement. Like so many of those who grew up in Jewish Youth Movements, the skills and experiences Anthony learnt through youth leadership set a course for success in his professional career. This episode of Rabbiting On explores the beauty of friendship, responsibility and a powerful connection to Jewish identity. RSY-Netzer Summer programmes are open for bookings: https://rsy-netzer.org.uk/

What are the joys and occupational hazards of being a rabbi? Whether in synagogue, on the school-run, on holiday, or just on the sofa, being a rabbi means bringing your whole self to the job every day of the week.

What do we need to grow, what brings us down and what builds us back up? After a week in which we celebrated TuBishvat, we also stand in solidarity with Congregation Beth Israel in Texas. This week the rabbis discuss personal growth, the power of eulogies and how they would like to be remembered. https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/honeycomb

Judaism is full of ideas to connect body and soul. Ahead of Mental Health shabbat, the rabbis welcome to the show Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, Sharon Daniels to discuss how we can care for both our physical and our mental health. Show Notes: If you are in need of immediate help you can contact one of the below services: Call 999 or NHS Direct on 111 (England) or 0845 46 47 (Wales) Ring your GP or out of hours service for an emergency appointment Go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department Contact your Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) if you have one Ring Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day) or the Jewish Helpline on 0800 652 9249 (Sunday – Thursday 12:00 – 00:00; Friday 12:00 – 15:00) Contact Shout via their 24/7 free text service if you're struggling to cope or need immediate help. Text Jami to 85258 Call the Papyrus HOPELINEUK, on 0800 068 41 41 or text 07860 039 967 if you are under 35 and worried about how you are feeling. Or call if you are worried about a young person Jami UK - https://jamiuk.org/ Shout - https://giveusashout.org/ Kooth – for children and young people https://www.kooth.com/ Qwell (via JAMI) – for adults https://www.qwell.io/jami MeeToo – for young people https://www.meetoo.help/ Wellspring UK - https://www.wellspringprojectuk.org/ Ben'oni L'Benyamin: From Sorrow to Strength: My Journey With Depression  Safeguarding - https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/safeguarding-policies/

In the midst of World War II, at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on 4th January 1942, delegates from six disparate Jewish communities attended an historic conference that marked the beginning of the Movement for Reform Judaism as we know it today as it was felt that 'concerted effort by the congregations here represented would be of great value for the common good.'  In this special birthday episode, historian David Jacobs joins the rabbis to kick off a year of celebrations to mark the anniversary, as they discuss both the past and the future of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

10th December marks Human Rights Day when, in 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the most translated document in the world and proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being. In this episode of Rabbiting On, Rabbi Robyn, shares her experiences as a Human Rights Lawyer, as we reflect on what is at the core of being human and our identities as Jews.

Chanukah is a time for dedication, be it the rededication of the temple, a renewed commitment to protect the natural world, to bring light into our lives or simply to wear matching Chanukah jumpers. Hear all about the Rabbis' plans for this Chanukah, their views on whether we should even look at xmas lights, or contemplate kosher turkey or xmas bagels with this Rabbiting On Chanukah special!

This week on Rabbiting On, Rabbis Robyn, Debbie and Miriam talk about the joys (and scary moments) of conducting weddings and mixed-faith blessings. Find out what they would do differently at their own weddings, why both partners receive a ring, the complex laws that govern marriage, the real basis of the veil and how Brit Ahava, a Covenant of Love, steeped in Jewish ritual and learning, is an alternative to a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

This week the rabbis talk about what makes them angry and what gives them hope. As world leaders assemble in Glasgow to face up to the Climate Emergency, the rabbis wonder how we incentivise each other to act in the interests of others. Calculate your own carbon footprint for free by visiting: https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/ For information about the Eco Synagogue Movement, visit: https://ecosynagogue.org/ Catch up on the latest developments from COP 26: https://ukcop26.org/news/

The rabbis are back after the High Holy Days with Yolanda Savage-Narva from the Union for Reform Judaism to talk about racial equity and inclusion. As society continues to stand up against racism in the shade of the murder of George Floyd in 2020, this week's episode asks us to be really honest with our personal approach to being anti-racist, what we mean by Audacious Hospitality, and how we can promote compassion-culture in our spaces. Reference Material and Links from the episode: Audacious Hospitality Homepage Resources for Audacious Hospitality from the URJ Ibram X. Kendi defines what it means to be an antiracist Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community Board of Deputies of British Jews Report on Racial Inclusivity

Facing Yom Kippur is physically, psychologically and spiritually challenging, and highly personal. In this episode, the rabbis discuss their personal approach to embodying Yom Kippur with intentionality and compassion, and how this year carries with it beauty and pain, as we remember those we have lost.    Resources and links discussed in the programme: https://www.doyou10q.com/ https://hesped.org/ https://www.ritualwell.org/

Join the Rabbis as they share their last minute preparations for the High Holy Days, remember the horrors of 9/11 ahead of its 20th anniversary and contemplate another Rosh Hashannah full of uncertainty, in this Rabbiting On special. For information on Synagogue reopenings and services visit: www.reformjudaism.org.uk

Music is mysterious yet universal and its power to move us has been evident for centuries in the way we pray, in our culture and as a voice for change. Joining the podcast this week, is a celebrated and award-winning performer, broadcaster and songwriter; Daniel Cainer joins the rabbis for a chat about how he approaches his work and the way music connects us through the generations. Show Notes and Links: DANIEL'S WEBSITE: http://www.danielcainer.com/ BOOK TO SEE DANIEL CAINER'S - JEWISH (NEW YEAR) CHRONICLES: https://www.radlettcentre.co.uk/What-s-On/Music/Daniel-Cainer?booking

Youth Movements provide unique spaces for young people to feel included, celebrated and to make friends. So many adults who grew up in Jewish youth movements like RSY-Netzer, and others, go on to flourish professionally and live out their values as activists and leaders. Leadership (Hadracha), interpersonal and social skills, creativity, a sense of social justice and passion for repairing the world (Tikkun Olam) are the fabric of our Jewish Youth Movements and this week the rabbis remember their own experiences with a special interview from Rabbi Robyn's husband, Anthony Ashworth-Steen.

How do we hold love, fear and grief and make space for them in our lives? Be it through wailing and crying or singing and eating, ahead of 18th July, the rabbis discuss the significance of remembering the destruction of the ancient temples, and what Tisha B'Av means to us today.

This week on Rabbiting On, the rabbis are joined by their first guest - former RAF firefighter and Lord Mayor of Manchester Carl Austin-Behan OBE to talk about Pride, solidarity between communities, inclusive language, visibility and acceptance. Carl Austin-Behan Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue Finchley Reform Synagogue Manchester Reform Synagogue Manchester Pride   Supporting & Understanding Young People in the LGBT Community   Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life.   KeshetUK has a vision of a world where no one is forced ​to choose between their LGBT+ and Jewish identity.   LGBTQ in Israel: The unfiltered reality   European Union for Progressive Judaism Shabbat

The challenges and joys of parenting present themselves to many of us in different forms. This week the rabbis contemplate raising children in community, how the pandemic has affected families, and seeing G-d in the eyes of others.

In this second episode of Rabbiting On, the rabbis reflect on the many ways volunteers contribute to the wellbeing of the community. Ahead of National Volunteers' Week, they recognise and give thanks to the multitude of people who share their time and their skills for free.

The Movement for Reform Judaism proudly presents our brand-new podcast “Rabbiting On” with Rabbis Robyn Ashworth-Steen, Miriam Berger and Debbie Young-Somers. This week, reflecting on the anguish of the state of affairs in Israel and Palestine, the run up to Shavuot and the Covid rules being relaxed on Monday, join us by tagging @ReformMovement on Twitter or by sending an email to Media@rjuk.org. Shabbat shalom!