The Rev and The Rabbi Podcast

The Rev & The Rabbi Special | 03-01-26

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2026 43:06

Today's special episode captures a high-stakes dialogue concerning international security, religious duty, and the historical parallels of modern conflict. The conversation centers on a major retaliatory strike from Iran and the subsequent threats to civilian life in Israel, while also exploring the moral obligations of leadership and community protection during difficult times. Through a mix of political analysis and spiritual reflection, the participants discuss the necessity of unity between different faiths and nations to combat global hatred and terror. The text also includes a significant segment featuring a statement from Bill Clinton regarding the Epstein files, which the hosts use to spark a debate on political accountability and the ethics of past American administrations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-22-26

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 46:28

Reverend A.R. Bernard and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik host New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to explore the intersection of spiritual faith and public service. The dialogue highlights how the traditions of Lent, Ramadan, and Yahrzeit serve as catalysts for moral reflection and a sense of communal responsibility, framing religion as a "North Star" for navigating social challenges. DiNapoli details his approach to fiscal oversight and the management of pension funds, emphasizing that his commitment to integrity and transparency is rooted in a religious rejection of pessimism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Comp. Tom DiNapoli (D-NY) | 02-22-26

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 37:03

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli joins host Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard to discuss the intersection of faith, public service, and fiscal responsibility. The conversation begins with a reflection on religious traditions like Lent and the Jewish Yahrtzeit, emphasizing how spiritual discipline and the memory of loved ones should inspire a forward-looking sense of moral responsibility rather than mere ritual. DiNapoli argues that his Catholic upbringing provides a "North Star" of optimism, allowing him to reframe societal despair through a lens of hope while maintaining a commitment to integrity and bipartisanship in his political role. Transitioning to state affairs, the dialogue covers the challenges of the New York budget, where DiNapoli advocates for efficiency and vigilance against fraud to manage long-term deficits. He further explains the Comptroller's duty to protect the pension fund's stability against political pressures, framing his conservative investment strategy as a necessary safeguard for the retirement security of over a million public workers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-15-26

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026 45:53

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard host Deacon Kevin McCormack to discuss the financial and emotional crisis facing the Catholic school system in Brooklyn. The conversation highlights the heartbreaking closure of several local schools due to declining enrollment and a lack of public funding, prompting an urgent plea for New York to adopt federal scholarship tax credits. Beyond policy, the speakers reflect on their long history of interfaith dialogue, emphasizing that religious education provides a vital moral foundation and a sense of "mystery" that young people increasingly crave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Dcn. Kevin McCormack | 02-15-26

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026 21:14

AR Bernard and Joseph Potsanik discuss the educational and financial crisis facing Catholic schools in Brooklyn, highlighted by the heartbreaking decision to close seven institutions due to dwindling enrollment. Deacon Kevin McCormack explains that these schools lack the city subsidies provided to public and charter counterparts, forcing parents to shoulder costs that the "system" fails to adequately support. To address this, the speakers advocate for a federal scholarship tax credit and urge New York's governor to opt in, arguing that educational choice and competition are essential for institutional survival and the benefit of all students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-08-26

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 49:00

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend AR Bernard explore the intersection of faith, community, and current events through the lens of Super Bowl Sunday. They begin by characterizing the sports holiday as a modern American Sabbath that fosters family unity, eventually transitioning into deeper discussions about combating anti-Semitism and the importance of understanding historical context in global conflicts. The speakers emphasize that education alone is insufficient for social harmony; instead, they advocate for a moral education and the necessity of communal support to bear the world's burdens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Allan Abramson | 02-01-26

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2026 34:49

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. The discussion centers on the death of Alex Pretti, a licensed gun owner who was killed by ICE agents, and highlights the growing tension between civil liberties and militarized law enforcement. Abramson critiques the lack of transparency and inadequate training of federal personnel, contrasting their aggressive tactics with traditional police methods of de-escalation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-01-26

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2026 45:51

Hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a nuanced dialogue with criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis. The conversation centers on the death of Alex Frety, a licensed gun owner, utilizing his case to highlight the dangers of rushing to judgment before independent investigations are complete. Abramson emphasizes the critical need for de-escalation training and professional accountability, noting that modern law enforcement often lacks the rigorous preparation required for complex street encounters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 01-25-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2026 52:08

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett to explore the dual nature of religion as both a source of humanitarian compassion and a tool for extremist indoctrination. Dr. Bennett discusses her book, Half Jew, Full Life, which details the Holocaust-era struggle for identity and the dangers of authoritarianism and hate speech. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the Multifaith Alliance, highlighting Dr. Bennett's work in building bridges between sworn enemies and providing aid to Syrian war victims. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Dr. Georgette Bennett | 01-25-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2026 26:15

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett regarding her extensive humanitarian career and her new book, Half Jew for Life. The conversation highlights Bennett's work with the Multifaith Alliance, where she successfully bridged divides between Syrians and Israelis by providing massive amounts of medical and humanitarian aid to war victims. A central theme of the discussion is the dual nature of religion, exploring how sacred texts can be manipulated to justify violence or harnessed to inspire interreligious understanding and compassion for the stranger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Alireza Jafarzadeh | 01-18-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2026 35:41

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview policy expert Alireza Jafarzadeh to examine the systemic oppression and growing internal resistance within modern Iran. Jafarzadeh details how the ruling theocracy maintains power through violent repression, economic mismanagement, and the strategic misuse of religion, contrasts that with the "stolen revolution" that replaced the monarchy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 01-18-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2026 45:46

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard host Alireza Jafarzadeh to discuss the ongoing struggle for democracy in Iran and the deep-seated corruption of its current theocracy. Jafarzadeh, a prominent policy expert, details how the regime has weaponized religion to justify brutal repression while simultaneously plunging the nation into an unprecedented economic collapse by diverting wealth to nuclear ambitions and foreign proxies. The dialogue moves from the historical failure of the Shah's monarchy to the modern necessity of a grassroots, women-led resistance capable of establishing a secular, representative republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Alan Abramson | 01-11-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2026 24:38

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Alan Abramson to analyze the legal and ethical implications of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The conversation centers on the extraction of Nicolás Maduro, with Abramson arguing that using the military for law enforcement actions violates international law and bypasses the established constitutional process of congressional approval. The participants explore the tension between the moral desire to remove despots and the danger of eroding the balance of power between government branches, particularly as it relates to executive overreach and the pursuit of oil interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 01-11-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2026 46:36

In this episode of "The Rev and the Rabbi," hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a spirited dialogue with guests to explore the intersection of faith, law, and national identity. The program first examines the rise of Christian nationalism, featuring Reverend Dr. Michael Faulkner, who clarifies that while the United States was culturally shaped by Judeo-Christian principles, its democratic foundation necessitates a separation of church and state to ensure religious freedom for all. Shifting toward foreign policy, the hosts then consult attorney Allan Abramson to critique a recent military intervention in Venezuela, questioning the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Rev. Dr. Michael Faulkner | 01-11-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2026 21:22

In this radio broadcast, hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Reverend Dr. Michael Faulkner to explore the complex intersection of faith and governance in the United States. The dialogue centers on the distinction between shared Judeo-Christian principles and the more extreme ideology of Christian nationalism, which Faulkner defines as a dangerous form of triumphalism that seeks religious dominion over the state. By distinguishing between cultural influences and state religion, the speakers argue that while biblical ethics shaped America's founding, the nation must remain a pluralistic society where religious freedom and civic equality are guaranteed for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Allan Abramson | 01-11-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2026 23:38

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson to analyze the legal and ethical implications of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The conversation centers on the extraction of Nicolás Maduro, with Abramson arguing that using the military for law enforcement actions violates international law and bypasses the established constitutional process of congressional approval. The participants explore the tension between the moral desire to remove despots and the danger of eroding the balance of power between government branches, particularly as it relates to executive overreach and the pursuit of oil interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 01-04-26

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2026 47:36

In the first show of 2026, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard critique the inaugural actions of New York City's new mayor, specifically his shift toward collectivism and his decision to rescind executive orders regarding anti-Semitism and the BDS movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 12-28-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 50:58

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard reflecting on the significant religious, social, and political transformations of the past year. The dialogue serves as a provocative retrospective on a second Trump administration, touching on the President's unconventional diplomatic successes in the Middle East and his radical restructuring of American governance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Noam Laden | 12-28-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 25:28

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard join news anchor Noam Laden to review the pivotal political and social milestones of the past year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 12-28-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 50:58

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard reflecting on the significant religious, social, and political transformations of the past year. The dialogue serves as a provocative retrospective on a second Trump administration, touching on the President's unconventional diplomatic successes in the Middle East and his radical restructuring of American governance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Rabbi Menachem Creditor | 12-21-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2025 22:18

Rabbi Menchem Creditor comes on to talk about how his brother-in-law survived the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 12-21-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2025 48:29

AR Bernard and Joe Potasnik discuss current events through the prism of faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Pearl | 12-14-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2025 23:58

Rabbi Jonathan Pearl comes on to talk about the meaning of Hanukkah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Fmr Gov. David Paterson (D-NY) | 12-14-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2025 24:31

Former Governor David Paterson comes on to talk about dealing with Mamdani as a Cuomo supporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 12-14-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2025 49:04

Reverend AR Bernard and Rabbi Joe Potasnik give their thoughts on the news of the week through the perspective of faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 12-07-25

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2025 46:36

Reverend AR Bernard and Rabbi Joe Potasnik give their thoughts on the current events of the week from the view of religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 11-30-25

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2025 48:17

On The Rev & The Rabbi, the pair are joined by Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about being grateful and having thanks ahead of Thanksgiving. They also discuss the culture of entitlement, interfaith unity and finding facts and truth in the modern political landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Cardinal Timothy Dolan | 11-23-25

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2025 23:55

Cardinal Timothy Dolan joins The Rev & The Rabbi to talk about being thankful and respecting our neighbors ahead of Thanksgiving Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Rev & The Rabbi | 11-23-25

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2025 48:17

On The Rev & The Rabbi, the pair are joined by Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about being grateful and having thanks ahead of Thanksgiving. They also discuss the culture of entitlement, interfaith unity and finding facts and truth in the modern political landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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