TBE Richmond Podcast

In this week's parshah, Korach leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Korach argues that Moses has taken on too much power and challenges his leadership. Drawing from the book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes are High, TBE member Tiffany Washington explains what we can learn from Korach's failure to prepare for his conversation with Moses and provides tips for creating and maintaining healthy dialogues even when emotions run high. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Groupthink can cause a society to wilt and wither away, and without having our individual voices within a group, communities become stagnant and the talents and traits gifted to us are stifled, especially when it comes to standing up for the oppressed. In this message (recorded at TBE's Shabbat morning service on June 5, 2021), TBE member LeAnne Whitlow explains that, while wandering in the wilderness, God commands the Israelites to stand up for the oppressed because we also were "once strangers in a foreign land.” So why do we seem to have lost our unique voices and our acceptance of diversity? The simple answer is fear and lack of faith. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Birkat Kohanim, or the Priestly Blessing, is the oldest known text in the Bible. In his Shabbat message for Parashat Nasso, recorded at Temple Beth-El on May 22, 2021, Rabbi Michael Knopf explains that the Priestly Blessing expresses a challenge to build a better world by pursuing justice, making peace, and making the world more godly. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

The festival of Shavuot commemorates the giving of the 10 Commandments at Mt. Sinai — the building blocks for living an ethical life and building a just society. In honor of the holiday, State Sen. Jennifer McClellan joined Rabbi Michael Knopf for a conversation about the connections between the 10 Commandments, Sen. McClellan's work, and the values that drive her. Together, they explore issues such as racial justice, labor justice, criminal justice reform/mass incarceration/solitary confinement, affordable housing, gun violence, and the rise of white supremacist violence. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

A Torah portion about a census? Riveting stuff, right? We are familiar with census taking, for both the good of managing resources and community programs, as well as for excluding or retaliating against populations. But a census can tell a deeper story than a simple count of a population. Homeless services rely on Point In Time counts, but the number tells a larger story of school performance, history of redlining, and even voting access. TBE member Emily Jasper explains that in order to truly practice Tikkun Olam, we must know our community through the numbers. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

In parshat Behukotai, God makes two sets of promises to the Israelites: A series of “blessings” if they follow God's commandments, and a series of “curses” if they don't. Is one of these motivations nobler than the other? Why is it that sometimes, even when we follow God's commandments, evil things still happen - and what is the relationship between evil and free will? TBE member Rachel Ringgold offers her perspective! Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

The Shabbat after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, Rabbi Michael Knopf explains that Parashat Aharei-Mot Kedoshim teaches how death can inspire us to build holier communities, and how tragedy and trauma can propel us to make a more just society. Recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat evening service on April 23, 2021. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

The double Torah portion known as Tazria-Metzora is all about identifying and healing the sick. Rabbi Michael Knopf explores what it can teach us about identifying and healing our society's illness of racism, of which police brutality, gun violence, and COVID-19 death rates continue to be pervasive symptoms. Recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat evening service on April 16, 2021. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Rabbi Michael Knopf explains how the biblical story of the death of Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu teaches us about accountability and holding everyone to the same standard. Recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on April 10, 2021. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Rabbi Michael Knopf explains how the biblical story of the splitting of the Sea of Reeds teaches us what we learn by stepping back and witnessing our reality from a different vantage point, and why that is so important in our time. Recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat and Pesah morning service on April 3, 2021. And Cantor Dara Rosenblatt shares a powerful Yizkor message (recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Pesah morning service on April 4, 2021), about how we find God's presence in the face of loss. As we cherish and remember the memories of loved ones lost, may we continue to hold onto the strength that the Divine provides us in challenging times. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Rabbi Michael Knopf answers the congregation's Passover questions in this live Q&A. Recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Pesah morning service on March 27, 2021. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Why do we celebrate Passover, ostensibly a “festival of freedom” by observing a rigid, stringent, and restrictive set of rules? Drawing a comparison between the biblical Exodus and Flood stories, Rabbi Michael Knopf discusses what the discipline of Passover teaches us about what it means to be free. Recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Pesah morning service on March 28, 2021. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

What is our calling? Why are we here on this Earth? Rabbi Michael Knopf discusses what parashat Vayikra (March 20, 2021) and the Book of Leviticus teach about our purpose. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Whether you're an online shopper or a yard sale savant, the past year has probably changed how you've related to the things in your space. Through the lens of the double parsha Vayakhel-Pekudei (March 13, 2021), TBE's Student Rabbi in Residence Talia Kaplan offers perspective on the ways in which we can make room for the sacred. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

In Parashat Ki Tissa, we encounter the infamous episode of the Golden Calf. What does this story say about us, and what does it teach about God? In this episode (recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on March 6, 2021), TBE member Dr. Gary Goldberg discusses “the unbearable grace from the face and the trace left behind by the loving, living, God”, in a Dvar Torah inspired by the medieval mystic Rabbi Isaac Luria, the 20th-century French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, and contemporary sage Rabbi Yitz Greenberg. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

In Parashat Tetzaveh, we learn about the intricacies associated with priestly breastplates, and how each stone and inscription has a key role in the beauty and completeness of the piece. In this episode (recorded before Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on February 27, 2021), TBE member Sherrina Gibson interviews Dr. Sarah Kranz-Ciment, physical therapist and disability advocate, in honor of Jewish Disability Inclusion Month. The pair discuss how each member of our community is a precious gem, key to the mosaic that is our holy community. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

From God's commandment to Moses and the Israelites to build a sanctuary in the wilderness, to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, to our own synagogue, what does Parashat Trumah teach about building sacred space then and now? In this episode (recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on February 20, 2021), special guest speaker and chair of TBE's “Building for Our Next 90 Years” campaign, Frances Goldman, connects the Torah portion with plans for making Temple Beth-El as glorious 90 years from now as it has been for its first 90 years. And Rabbi Knopf explores how the images of angels in the Tabernacle's design were meant to remind us to look beyond ourselves toward something greater, much like NASA's Persistence rover, which recently landed on Mars. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

What does the Torah say about the treatment of the stranger and the transformative power of justice? In this episode (recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on February 13, 2021), special guest speaker and TBE Social Action/Tikkun Olam chair Kristin Gorin discusses the Torah's commandments regarding the “stranger” and argues that committing to love the stranger can propel us to make efforts to restore the balance of justice. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

The story of the revelation at Mt. Sinai is one of the most dramatic and consequential narratives in the Torah. What can that critical text reveal to us about the call for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our time? In this episode (recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on February 6, 2021), Rabbi Knopf and special guest Mona Siddiqui, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer in Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Northam for immigrant and refugee affairs, and a leader in Richmond's Muslim community discuss the connections between Parashat Yitro and the challenge of building a more just and inclusive Virginia and nation today. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

What do the 2011 movie Moneyball and the Exodus story have in common? In this episode (recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on January 30, 2021), special guest speaker and TBE past president Rita Ruby discusses what the Oakland Athletics 2002 baseball season and the Jewish people's encounter at the Sea of Reeds can teach us about the process of personal and collective change and transformation. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

 In the biblical Exodus story, God afflicts the oppressive Egyptians with a plague of darkness, in which “People could not see one another.” In this episode (recorded at Temple Beth-El's virtual Shabbat morning service on January 23, 2021), Rabbi Knopf and special guest Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Justice Reform Organizer at Virginia Interfaith Center for Public policy, discuss the connections between the plague of darkness and modern-day injustice, and a justice agenda for Virginia and the nation in 2021. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.