Polish-American Conservative Judaism Rabbi
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Memorial Day: Remember - Ken WetmoreThis Memorial Day, we remember those who gave all—and how God has led us through every season. Let that remembrance go beyond one weekend. #MemorialDay #FaithfulGod #NeverForgetLet us know your thoughts by reaching out and joining the conversation with your questions and comments using the information below:Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607Email: podcast@wholelife.church#ThisIsWholeLifeBooks Mentioned in this Episode: Lincoln's Battle with God: A President's Struggle with Faith and What It Meant for America by Stephen Mansfield: https://a.co/d/38vtsLbThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel :https://a.co/d/hRdi6Y4Join our ‘This Is WholeLife Podcast' Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/XuJaTRAt - Get access to pictures, videos, and other occasional easter eggs! If we mention in the episode that it's in our Discord Channel, you'll find it here! Download the Discord App from your device's app store, or go to https://discord.com/ and create your free account today!REGISTER FOR ‘True North' VBS at WholeLife, June 16 -20! https://wholelife.church/vbsGet Connected with WholeLife! Reach out and let us know how we can serve you: http://wholelife.church/connectSUBSCRIBE NOW to our weekly companion podcast, Speaking of Grace, to listen to the message this episode is based on and where our pastors and guest speakers invite you into a lifelong friendship with God. Never miss another message or series again! Take it with you in the car, at home, on your phone, on your smartwatch, and in your earbuds, wherever life takes you!This Is WholeLife features Pastors Ken Wetmore and Melanie Bockmann, with Assistant Communication Director Lucas Moraes, and Communication Director Randy Magray as the host. It is available everywhere you listen to podcasts! If you've enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform and share it with your family, friends, and social media, where you will find us at the following links! X,
The vast majority of work on Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel is academic: summaries, clarification, footnotes and so on. In this series of classes, I'm here to show you how to live Heschel's religious philosophy, not understand it. In this first lecture, I show how one begins this process by first gathering three philosophies: 1) Schleiermacher, 2) Pragmatism, and 3) Phenomenology. With these basics, one is ready to identify what connecting to God looks like, whether you've ever done it yourself, and how it creates and informs Judaism.
In his book The Prophets (1962), Abraham Joshua Heschel sought to resurrect before us the prophetic experience. In this lesson we will read his commentary on the book of Jeremiah in order to meet the prophet who cries at the destruction of Jerusalem. For him, it was not just a national or religious destruction; he cried out for God's pain.
How do we confront systemic injustice without falling into despair or self-righteousness? That's what we're exploring in this episode as we dive into Chapter 2 of Richard Rohr's new book, The Tears of Things, titled "Amos: Messenger to the Collective." Mike and Paul begin by talking with Richard about Amos's unique approach: critiquing the collective culture rather than scapegoating individuals, and turning anger over injustice into fuel for change. Following the conversation with Richard, co-hosts Mike and Carmen are joined by Rabbi Or Rose, founding director of the Miller Center of Hebrew College and author. Together in conversation, they explore Abraham Joshua Heschel's understanding of the prophet, the challenge of holding righteous indignation without self-righteousness, the power of teshuvah (return), and practical ways to remain spiritually grounded and committed to justice and peace work in overwhelming times. Rabbi Or Rose is the founding Director of The Miller Center of Hebrew College, and serves as a senior consultant to Interfaith America. Among his recent publications is the award-winning, co-edited volume With the Best of Intentions: Interreligious Missteps & Mistakes (Orbis Books). His forthcoming book, My Legs Were Praying: A Biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel for teen readers will be published in May 2025 (Monkfish Book Publishing). Resources: Grab a copy of The Tears of Things here, where you can get a free reader's guide, discover a new course, and other offerings related to the book. Read more from Rabbi Or Rose here
In this episode we explore the spiritual discipline of Sabbath with a reading from Abraham Joshua Heschel's book ‘The Sabbath'.
Each of us wants to discover even more of the good stuff life offers. That good stuff often comes with empowerment born of wisdom gleaned from sacred wounds. Jan shares the ultimate question posed by Abraham Joshua Heschel, one that helps us see the invisible gifts right in front of us.
Rabbi Jack Riemer is a master story teller and preacher and one of the most frequently quoted rabbis in the U.S. who artfully describes the relevance of timeless Jewish wisdom in our modern world. He is often referred to as the “rabbi's rabbi” among Jewish clergy, because he has taught and mentored so many of his colleagues. The late Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel wrote: "Jack Riemer's words are songs of hope and faith. Listen to them as I do." Rabbi Riemer is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth Tikvah (now Shaarei Kodesh) in Boca Raton, Florida. He is co-author, with Rabbi Elie Spitz, of Duets on Psalms: Drawing New Meaning From Ancient Words. To inquire about an autographed copy, contact Ben Yehuda Press. Rabbi Riemer is also the author of Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning Finding God in Unexpected Places: Wisdom for Everyone from the Jewish Tradition and coeditor of So That Your Values Live On: Ethical Wills and How to Prepare Them.Rabbi Riemer's retelling of a story about Rabbi Paul Plotkin is found in Rabbi Paul Plotkin's book, The Lord Is My Shepherd: Why Do I Still Want?Here is an excerpt in which Rabbi Paul Plotkin shares in his own words the story that Rabbi Riemer refers to in the podcast. Thank you to Rabbi Paul Plotkin for granting permission to share this excerpt. For more about Natan Sharansky, see his memoir Fear No Evil. Check out the other podcast hosted by Rabbi Ed Bernstein: My Teacher Podcast. Check out the other podcast hosted by Rabbi Ed Bernstein: NeshamaCast: the Podcast on Jewish Spiritual Care, produced by Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains.
Rabbi Jack Riemer is a master story teller and preacher and one of the most frequently quoted rabbis in the U.S. who artfully describes the relevance of timeless Jewish wisdom in our modern world. He is often referred to as the “rabbi's rabbi” among Jewish clergy, because he has taught and mentored so many of his colleagues. The late Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel wrote: "Jack Riemer's words are songs of hope and faith. Listen to them as I do." Rabbi Riemer is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth Tikvah (now Shaarei Kodesh) in Boca Raton, Florida. He is co-author, with Rabbi Elie Spitz, of Duets on Psalms: Drawing New Meaning From Ancient Words. To inquire about an autographed copy, contact Ben Yehuda Press. Rabbi Riemer is also the author of Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning Finding God in Unexpected Places: Wisdom for Everyone from the Jewish Tradition and coeditor of So That Your Values Live On: Ethical Wills and How to Prepare Them.Rabbi Riemer's retelling of a story about Rabbi Paul Plotkin is found in Rabbi Paul Plotkin's book, The Lord Is My Shepherd: Why Do I Still Want?Here is an excerpt in which Rabbi Paul Plotkin shares in his own words the story that Rabbi Riemer refers to in the podcast. Thank you to Rabbi Paul Plotkin for granting permission to share this excerpt. For more about Natan Sharansky, see his memoir Fear No Evil. Check out the other podcast hosted by Rabbi Ed Bernstein: My Teacher Podcast. About our host:Rabbi Edward Bernstein, BCC, is the producer and host of NeshamaCast. He serves as Chaplain at Boca Raton Regional Hospital of Baptist Health South Florida. He is a member of the Board of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains. Prior to his chaplain career, he served as a pulpit rabbi in congregations in New Rochelle, NY; Beachwood, OH; and Boynton Beach, FL. He is also the host and producer of My Teacher Podcast: A Celebration of the People Who Shape Our Lives. NeshamaCast contributor Rabbi Katja Vehlow was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary and is Director of Jewish Life at Fordham University. She trained as a chaplain at Moses Maimonides Medical Center in New York. Previously, she served as Associate Professor of Religious Studies at University of South Carolina. A native German speaker, she is planning a forthcoming German-language podcast on the weekly Torah portion with a focus on pastoral care. Support NeshamaCast and NAJC with a tax deductible donation to NAJC. Transcripts for this episode and other episodes of NeshamaCast are available at NeshamaCast.simplecast.com and are typically posted one week after an episode first airs. Theme Music is “A Niggun For Ki Anu Amecha,” written and performed by Reb-Cantor Lisa Levine. Please help others find the show by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or other podcast providers. We welcome comments and suggestions for future programming at NeshamaCast@gmail.com. And be sure to follow NAJC on Facebook to learn more about Jewish spiritual care happening in our communities.
As Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Otis Moss carries the torch for generations of church and civil rights leaders, including his own father, a regional director in the SCLC, and a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King. But it is his late sister Daphne whose influence most impacts his ministry and social advocacy. A brilliant young woman who struggled with schizophrenia, Daphne introduced a young Otis to what he calls “the continuum” – a spirituality born of poetry, literature and jazz that has woven its way through our history. Drawing as much from the beats of J Dilla as from the speeches of Dr. King; from the politics of Public Enemy as from the poetry of Langston Hughes; from John Coltrane and Miles Davis as from Reinhold Niebuhr and Abraham Joshua Heschel, Pastor Moss shares a timely, deeply personal story about the American jazz narrative — how a disparate and diverse people who are not supposed to make music together do — and do so beautifully.Music by Ryan Holladay and Jonathan Mouton. Follow Jonathan on Instagram: @entertainer4lyfeIf this episode resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we'd be so grateful.Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What does true worship look like in light of God's Sabbath rhythm? Join us as we explore how Sabbath keeping shapes our understanding of what God finds precious. We'll dive into Scripture to uncover how our worship - not just on Sundays, but every day - can align with God's heart for justice, healing, and rest for all of creation. --- For reflection & discussion: In what ways is it easy for your practice of Sabbath to become “sabbish,” more of a day off than a day of worship? How do you enjoy God? What practices, disciplines, or activities bring you genuine joy in God? What “false gods” are you tempted to worship, which, while they may be very good things (or not), pull you away from your holy center in God? What does it mean to you that the land itself needs rest? How might this understanding change our approach to environmental stewardship? Jesus often performed healings on the Sabbath. How might this inform our own Sabbath practices? What could "healing" look like in our context? How might adopting a "Sabbath imagination" change the way we engage with issues of justice, rest, and care for the vulnerable in our community? Exercise for the week: Plan a Sabbath feast! Ideally, do this together with the people around you, such as your small group or your family. Whether it's 20 people for a giant cookout in the backyard or just one or two close friends out to dinner, plan out a meal together. Cook or order your favorite foods. Make sure there's dessert. If you drink wine, save your best bottle for this meal. Don't forget, this is an incredible chance to practice hospitality. If you have a home or apartment, host. If you know how to cook, use your skills. If you know people who don't have community or family, bring them in. Reach across the lines that divide our society–socioeconomics, race, politics, etc. Jesus' dream is for our dining room tables to look as diverse and beautiful as the kingdom of God, where every tribe, tongue, and nation is on display. Recommended Resources for continuing the journey: Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath Dan Allender, Sabbath “Sabbath” and “Practicing the Way Course” at www.practicingtheway.org Rule of Life, Podcast
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings explore the depths of Shabbat with Josh Bossé.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are breaking Shabbat with Josh Bossé.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Joey Taylor & Sam Pressler speak with Pete Davis about Join or Die, which he directed with Rebecca Davis.The Lost Prophets PodcastPete's Interview with SamDedicated by Pete DavisBowling Alone by PutnamThe Upswing by PutnamSum of Us by McGheeAgainst Everyone with Conner Habib PodcastWeird Studies PodcastLindy Effect - Nicholas Nassim TalebThe MaintainersQuest for Community by NisbetFebruary 2nd, 1968 by Wendell Berry Small is Beautiful by SchumacherThe Creation of the American Republic by WoodOur Divided Political Heart by DionneTriplets of Evil Speech by KingBoy in the Bubble by Paul SimonJane Macelevy, Eddie Glaude, Frederick Law Olmsted, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Jane Jacobs, Buckminster Fuller, Ralph Nader, Paul Goodman, Ella Baker, Ivan Illich, Dorothy Day, Peter Maurin, Marshal McLuhan, Tony Judt, Thomas Merton, Michael Lind, Frank Capra, Elias Krim, Roberto Unger, Alexis De Tocqueville, Priya Parker
Brent Billings and Reed Dent join Josh Bossé in remembering Shabbat.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelRRR (2022 film)I Asked for Wonder by Abraham Joshua Heschel and Samuel H. DresnerWho Is Man? by Abraham J. Heschel
Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks keep Shabbat with Josh Bossé.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelBEMA 331: Sanctuary — Resting with the MishkanNerts — Wikipedia
We've had a lot of new listeners join us of the past year, so while we're hard at work on our next season, we thought we'd share some favorites you might have missed from the archives. Since this episode was first published, the Surgeon General has issued an advisory about the effects of social media on youth mental health, and, more recently, called for warning label on all social media platforms. Time with family, friends and loved ones is supposed to be at the center of the holiday season … but in our screen-dominated world, how many of us can say that's still true?Our devices are purposefully designed to monopolize our attention and make themselves hard to put down. So even though we know that spending too much time staring at screens is bad for us, the addiction can be hard to break. With the New Year almost upon us, why not try to make a new start? Join Dave as he tries to put down his phone and find a little spiritual renewal with advice from marketing professor Adam Alter and Tech Shabbat advocate Rabbi Sydney Mintz. Adam Alter is the author of Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked. To find out more about Adam's work, including his forthcoming book, Anatomy of a Breakthrough, visit his website. In addition to serving as the Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco for 25 years, Sydney Mintz is also an activist, writer, and performer. Find out more about the many projects she's involved in on her website. Find out more about the ideas behind Tech Shabbat in Tiffany Shlain's book 24/6: Giving Up Screens One Day a Week to Get More Time, Creativity, and Connection. To learn more about the spiritual aspects of Shabbat, Rabbi Mintz recommends reading The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel.
I'd love to know what you think of this episode. Text me here. The great Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel coined the expression “Words create worlds”. What this means is that there is great power in what we say and in how we express it. It's a concept that has also been used in Native American culture and is most evident in ceremonies they perform for healing. One of the most effective ways they use their words is with invocations. These are energetic narratives that connect us with spirit guides, angels and divine helpers. Billie Topa Tate, a third generation Mescalero Apache Medicine Woman, writes about the invocations she uses in her healing practice in her new book Spirit Guide Invocations: Seeking Wisdom from Sacred Helpers. On this episode she shares some of her transformative insights including:· the magic of invocations· how she talks with and uses angels in her practice· the role of dreams in healing· where and when to use invocations· how to make your invocations more effective· what enlightened language is and how to use it· how her invocation led to a cancer cure· how to create positive energy in your life Learn how the use of invocations can transform the energy in your life in this life-affirming episode of Dream Power Radio. Billie Topa Tate is a third generation Mescalero Apache medicine woman who mentored under her mother, grandmother, and elders. Topa Tate is dedicated to presenting the sacred principles, doctrines, and teachings of her Native Culture and many ancient wisdom systems from around the world, creating synthesis through harmony of many lineages. She is dedicated to being of service to anyone who is seeking wellness, spiritual growth, mindfulness and training to build on current healing practices. She has been offering services for over 28 years in the North Shore Evanston Community - MSI Wellness Center.Website: msi-healing.comWant more ways to find joy in your life? Check out my website thedreamcoach.net for information about my courses, blogs, books and ways to create a life you love.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Tommy Brown, author of The Ache for Meaning. He is a pastor and contemplative teacher with a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry and master's degrees in divinity and management, and a former little league baseball coach.The Ache for Meaning by Tommy BrownWhat Is the Palouse?Dark Night of the Soul — WikipediaThe Seven Money Types by Tommy BrownThe Torah for Dummies by Arthur KurzweilThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelSabbath as Resistance by Walter BrueggemannTommy Brown's Website Special Guest: Tommy Brown.
Rabbi Held is a theologian, scholar, and educator. Named as one of the most influential rabbis in America, he is the President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at the Hadar Institute, which he co-founded in 2006 in New York City. He is the author of several books, including a biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel; and The Heart of the Torah, a collection of essays on the Hebrew Bible. His newest book is entitled Judaism is about love: Recovering the heart of Jewish life. Shai joins the podcast to discuss his family's complex relationship with Jewish tradition, the centrality of love in Judaism, and his advice for people feeling overwhelmed by societal challenges. What did you think of this episode? Let us know with a rating and a review! Still curious? https://www.templeton.org/news is where you can find the latest stories from our grantees, our staff, and contributing writers from around the world. Join the conversation on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Elle Grover Fricks consider the words of Psalm 8.The Message of the Psalms by Walter BrueggemannVisual Commentary on Psalm 8 — BibleProjectThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelReflections on the Psalms by C. S. Lewis“Rabbi Simcha Bunem's Favorite Sayings” by Julie Danan — SefariaMidrash Tehillim on Psalm 8 — SefariaPsalm 8 — Wikipedia“Stars” by Switchfoot — YouTube“Friend of God” by Israel Houghton — YouTube
The main book I reference in this episode is Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel. The artwork for this episode is taken from one of the wood engravings in the book by Ilya Schor. It really speaks to me of the way the workaday world holds us captive and the great promise of cessation and rest that the idea of sabbath offers. The first two poems I read are When Will You Be Ready and This Is All The Life You Have from Arriving in Magic. Purchasable at www.adriangrscott.com . The last one - A Moment In Each Day is from A Sheffield Traipsing that will be available on my website from the 15th of March. This is the day of my Book Launch and if you are in Sheffield and want to join me - it will be at 7pm at the Kelham Island Museum ( more details on my website). To book a ticket click here - https://www.wegottickets.com/event/609358
When we describe God, we can only use similes, analogies, and metaphors. All theological language is an approximation offered tentatively in holy awe. That's the best human language can achieve. We can say, “It's like . . .” or “It's similar to . . .”; but we can never say with absolute certainty, “It is . . .” We absolutely must maintain a fundamental humility before the Great Mystery; otherwise, religion worships itself and its formulations instead of God. -Richard Rohr Anyone who loves their life [psyche] will lose it, while anyone who hates their life [psyche] in this world will keep it for eternal life [zoe]. John 12:25 It's a matter of sequence 01 001 10 100 1,000,000,000,000 Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement…get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed. Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. -Abraham Joshua Heschel
QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”~Source Unknown “Darkness is only the absence of light. Turn on a light and it banishes the darkness.”~Terry Pratchett (1948-2015), English author and satirist “There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”~Edith Wharton (1862-1937), first woman to win Pulitzer Prize in Fiction “The darkness always passes, and the light comes back.”~Khaled Hosseini in The Kite Runner (2003) “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”~Victor Hugo in Les Misérables (1862) “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”~Martin Luther King Jr. in Strength to Love (1963) “The deepest thing in Christianity is God's love for earth. That God is rich in his heaven is something known also by other religions. That he wanted to be poor together with his creatures, that…he wanted to and did indeed suffer for his world, and that through his Incarnation he enabled himself to prove the suffering of his love to his creatures: this is the hitherto unheard-of thing.”~Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988), Swiss Theologian “The Bible is God's anthropology rather than man's theology.”~Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972), leading Jewish theologian-philosopher of the 20th centurySERMON PASSAGEJohn 1:1-5, 9-14; 3:16-21, 8:12 (ESV)John 1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 3 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 812 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
YOU - The Master Entrepreneur - A Guide to True Greatness with Stan Hustad
Most likely you have heard of Hanukkah and you certanily have heard of Hamas... One is a wonderful celebration and the other is an evil from the pit of hell ,,, but they are connected in a strange way ... ..and one commentator said that if Hamas had known more. about Hanukkah they might have reconsidered the move which is now hopefully leading to their destruction. But that brings me on me to one of my heroes ...Abraham Joshua Heschel. and that is what my story is about and about how you and I should live our life from the beginning but certainly starting now! Thanks Stan
From Rabbi Panitz's class on 11.21.2023
In this podcast we reflect on the words of the ancient Hebrew prophet Micah and the rabbi from Nazareth named Jesus, to discover wisdom that will help us navigate the turmoil and chaos that surrounds our lives. "Remember to build your life as a work of art." - Abraham Joshua Heschel
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are with Reed Dent to begin a journey deep into the prophecy of Isaiah by considering what we can learn from Abraham Joshua Heschel about the prophetic pathos.The Prophets by Abraham Joshua HeschelIsaiah: History — Reed Dent, Campus Christian FellowshipA Collision or (3+4=7) by David Crowder*BandCollected Poems of W. H. Auden (see Part IX)Lost in the Cosmos by Walker PercyNIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible“I Have a Dream” (Martin Luther King Jr. speech) — Wikipedia“I've Been to the Mountaintop” (Martin Luther King Jr. speech) — Wikipedia
Guest: Dr. Cornel West is a renowned philosopher, author, and activist who is running to be the U.S. Green Party Presidential Candidate. He is a professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Dr. West is known to be an outspoken advocate for social justice in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Fannie Lou Hamer, and bell hooks. The post Dr. Cornel West Takes Listener Calls About Presidential Run appeared first on KPFA.
On the occasions of the recent yahrzeit (death anniversary) of Abraham Joshua Heschel, and 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, Peter Geffen, founder of The Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York City and The Kivunim Institute, and Rabbi Cosgrove discuss in front of a live audience Heschel and King's relationship and the bridges they built together. This is part two of a special two-part episode. For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook. Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.
On the occasions of the recent yahrzeit (death anniversary) of Abraham Joshua Heschel, and 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, Peter Geffen, founder of The Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York City and The Kivunim Institute, and Rabbi Cosgrove discuss in front of a live audience Heschel and King's relationship and the bridges they built together. For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook. Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.
In this podcast, we consider Jesus' parable about "The Friend at Midnight" and how it might inform our desire to connect with God. "Any god concerned with me but not with you is an idol.” - Abraham Joshua Heschel
Listen as Pastor Clint explores the practice of Sabbath, and how this ancient practice--woven into the very fabric of creation--serves as our cure for busyness. Sermon Resources: 1. “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing” -Ecclesiastes 1:8 2. “Desire alone, of acquiring goods and possessions for ourselves and our nearest friends, is insatiable, perpetual, universal.” -David Hume 3. “I can't get no satisfaction.” -Mick Jagger 5. Article on workism: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/religion-workism-making-americans-miserable/583441/ 6. Study on overwork in American culture compared to other cultures - see International Labor Organization stats in "Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus," p. 140 7. A.J. Swoboda, "Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World" 8. C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity" 10. “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you.” -Augustine of Hippo, "Confessions" 11. John Walton, Commentary on Genesis 12. “In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest. All life requires a rhythm of rest. There is a rhythm in our waking activity and the body's need for sleep. There is a rhythm in the way day dissolves into night, and night into morning. There is a rhythm as the active growth of spring and summer is quieted by the necessary dormancy of fall and winter. There is a tidal rhythm, a deep, eternal conversation between the land and the great sea. In our bodies, the heart perceptibly rests after each life-giving beat; the lungs rest between the exhale and the inhale. We have lost this essential rhythm. Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment are better than rest, that doing something--anything--is better than doing nothing. Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever-growing expectations, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. We miss the compass points that would show us where to go, we bypass the nourishment that would give us support. We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom. We miss the joy and love born of effortless delight. Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest, our lives are in danger.” -Wayne Muller, Sabbath: Finding Rest, "Renewal, and Delight In Our Busy Lives" 13. Study on overwork: https://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/26/working-more-than-50-hours-makes-you-less-productive.html 14. Study on Microsoft work experiment: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50287391 14. Seventh-Day Adventist Life Expectancy: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/seventh-day-adventists-life-expectancy_n_5638098 15. “The Sabbaths are our great cathedrals.” -Abraham Joshua Heschel, "Sabbath" 16. “He who wants to enter the holiness of the day must first lay down the profanity of clattering commerce, of being yoked to toil. He must go away from the screech of dissonant days, from the nervousness and fury of acquiring. He must say farewell to manual work and learn to understand that the world has already been created and will survive without the help of man. Six days a week we wrestle with the world, wringing profit from the earth; on the Sabbath we especially care for the seed of eternity planted in the soul. The world has our hands, but our soul belongs to Someone Else.” -Abraham Joshua Heschel, "Sabbath" 17. “Sabbath is not simply the pause that refreshes. It is the pause that transforms. Whereas Israelites are always tempted to acquiring, Sabbath is an invitation to receptivity, an acknowledgment that what is needed is given and need not be seized.” -Brueggemann, “Sabbath As Resistance: Saying No To The Culture of Now” 18. “If the devil can't make us bad, he'll make us busy.” -Corrie Ten Boom
Who knew there was such a thing? Well, Laurel Lehman discovered it along her conversion journey when, in college, her pastor told her there was a "well-trodden path" through the Episcopal Church to Judaism. And that's where she ended up. Apparently even though Bible study was never her thing, the intense pedantry we embrace and employ in our Torah study discussions really rang her bell. And so, while following an obsessive need to understand whether or not there was an “h” at the end of a transliterated Hebrew word, Laurel discovered her nascent Jewish soul. Laurel, welcome home. Some of the names you heard in this episode include Rabbi Aaron Miller and Rabbi Eliana Fischel, whose rabbinical duties at Washington Hebrew Congregation include teaching adult education classes such as the 12 Jewish Questions Laurel mentions in the episode. Abraham Joshua Heschel was a Polish rabbi and philosopher, deported from Germany by the Nazis in 1938, whose writings about Jewish spirituality, work on interfaith dialogue, and active presence in the American Civil Rights Movement made him well-known and respected among leaders across faiths during his lifetime.GLOSSARY:Tsuris: Yiddish for aggravation or distress.Pedantic: to be annoyingly concerned with minor details, formal rules, or correcting small errors, especially as a way to show off knowledge.Minion: A group of 10 people, the minimum amount of Jewish adults (traditionally men) that is required to say certain prayers that must be said communally. Challah: the braided egg bread especially traditional to Ashkenazi (of Central or Eastern European descent) Jews and eaten on holidays, especially Shabbat, the Hebrew word for "sabbath." Tzedakah: often translated as “charity,” the word actually means “justice.” While “doing tzedakah” may involve giving money or time to charities, it's based on the idea that everyone is entitled to certain things in life, like enough food to eat, shelter and dignity, and helping to provide those things is not charitable, it's balancing the scales of justice. Mitzvah: often translated as “good deed,” the word actually means “commandment,” but has expanded to impart the idea that doing good deeds or "doing the right thing" is not a favor; it's not optional, it is required. G'mar Chatimah Tovah: (also spelled “g'mar chatima tova”) the greeting said at Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) meaning “a good final sealing” to wish someone a good year to come by being sealed in the Book of Life.Kabbalah: A form of Jewish mysticism that became widespread in Provence and Spain in the 12th and 13th centuries and, among other things, involves searching for secret knowledge and hidden meaning in texts. Tikkun Olam: meaning “world repair,” is a concept that all human beings are responsible for one another and the world, and for repairing harm and damage through their actions, big or small.Hanukkiah: the 9-branched candelabra used to celebrate HanukkahLINKSSupport the showLike the show? Support it! Or don't, that's cool too. Just glad you're here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2196108/supporters/new
In this edition of his Search for Meaning podcast, Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback hosts writer, educator, and human rights advocate Rabbi Michael Marmur, Ph.D. Until 2018, Rabbi Marmur served as the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Before that, he served as Dean of HUC-JIR's Jerusalem campus, where he hired Rabbi Yoshi to be the Director of HUC-JIR's Year-in-Israel Program in 2009.Rabbi Marmur was born and raised in England, the son of two Polish immigrants by way of Sweden. His father, Rabbi Dov Marmur, was proud of the family's working-class background, particularly his own father, who served as a factory foreman. It wasn't until after World War II that the elder Rabbi Marmur pursued a career in the rabbinate. When the elder Rabbi Marmur, a renowned educator, was asked if he came from a distinguished rabbinical family, he would answer, "No, but my children do."Michael knew he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps for as long as he can remember. He wound up doing so in more ways than one.Taking his bachelor's degree in Modern History at Oxford, he married his natural affinity for theology with a passion for study. In 1984, he moved to Israel, where he completed his studies in the Israel Rabbinic Program of HUC-JIR in Jerusalem while studying for his master's in Ancient Jewish History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.For six years after he was ordained in 1992, the younger Rabbi Marmur worked as rabbi and teacher at the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa, where he began to delve into the writings of Rabbi Abraham Heschel as he pondered a subject for his doctoral thesis. As Rabbi Heschel became somewhat of a fascination for the younger Rabbi Marmur, he discovered that his father, too, had read Rabbi Heschel with great interest, carefully annotating his own copies of Rabbi Heschel's works."Since then, he's been a major part of what I think about and what I do," Rabbi Marmur says. "Heschel has been a major intellectual, spiritual, religious preoccupation of mine for many, many years."In 2016, he wrote his first book: Abraham Joshua Heschel and the Sources of Wonder (2016), an exploration into how one of the most significant Jewish thinkers in modern times read, interpreted, and used traditional Jewish sources.Rabbi Heschel rejected the notion that the spiritual and social/political were separate and distinct, and did not believe that religion should be confined to one's own home. He cited Biblical prophets who advocated for the widow, the orphan, and the poverty-stricken, and the fact that God repeatedly demands justice. Not surprisingly, Heschel actively mobilized for the Civil Rights Movement and voiced his opposition to the Vietnam War."Heschel is a good bridge ... [between] my current theological project and my involvement in Rabbis for Human Rights," says Rabbi Marmur.Rabbi Marmur, who describes himself as "Israel's least significant soldier in its entire history," began his journey to RHR while serving the IDF as a jailor at the Megiddo Prison. As he sat in that prison's synagogue, reading Eugene Borowitz's Renewing the Covenant, he contemplated what happens when Judaism is re-introduced to political sovereignty after a 2,000-year gap.Rabbis for Human Rights deals with the implications of that paradigm shift. The group of Israeli rabbis promotes and protects civil rights of all who live in Israel and beyond not despite their identities as rabbis, but because that's why they are. Rabbi Marmur serves on the organization's board and was its Chair for three years.
In this reflection on the story of Pentecost from Acts chapter 2, I'm struck by the initial evidence of the Spirit's coming is the sanctified gift of language to break through the barriers of existential alone-ness that plague us all. “Any god concerned with me but not with you, is an idol.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel
Brent Billings, Josh Bossé, and Elle Grover Fricks muse on the mysteries of rest and holiness, and conclude the anthology on the tabernacle.Presentation for Sanctuary — Resting with the Mishkan (PDF)Strong Bad Email #58: Dragon — YouTubeThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelWhen You Believe from The Prince of Egypt — YouTubeDoubting Doubts by Citizens & Saints — YouTube
For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.James is a “pillar of the church” (Gal 2:9), brother of the Lord, and highly respected leader. But he also speaks prophetically—his tongue dipped in the white-hot fire of God's justice and righteous indignation.Try to feel the strength, the conviction, the vehemence of his words (ten selections from the NAB, adapted and abbreviated). Listen closely. Let these direct and challenging words sink in (1:6-8, 9-11, 22, 26; 2:19-20; 4:3-4, 8-9, 12, 14-16; 5:1-5).“No New Testament document… Has such a socially sensitized conscience and so explicitly champions the cause of the economically disadvantaged, the victims of oppression or unjust wage agreements, and the poor who are seen in the widows and orphans who have no legal defender to speak up for their rights. The rich merchants and luxury-loving agricultural magnates are held up to a withering and scornful reproach. Not only are their practices condemned as part of their profound attitude that forgets God and boasts in proud achievement. Their treatment of the workers and the needy is just as forthrightly exposed. And, to cap it all, James directs his shafts not simply at their amassing of wealth, nor even at the wealth itself – represented in the grain and the gold and the garments that were their trademark – which is doomed to be blighted. The rich people themselves will share the fate of their possessions. This indictment marks one of the Bible's most thoroughgoing judgments on wealth and its possessors.” (Ralph P. Martin, James in the WBC, lxvii).Questions for you and me:When do we get indignant? When our rights are infringed, or when we see the powerful taking advantage of the powerless?Are we regularly reading the prophetic portions of Scripture, or do we neglect them? (Highly recommended: Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Prophets.)Are we speaking up—in church, at work, wherever there is injustice—or holding silent?Are we sharing our wealth with the needy, or giving in order to alleviate their pain and suffering?Next: James the Peacemaker
We are all inevitably shaped by the "dusty old books" of the Jewish past: our institutions, ideas and identities are built on the thought and work of our intellectual forbearers, even when we ultimately repudiate their teachings. Host Yehuda Kurtzer is joined by David Ellenson, Chancellor Emeritus of Hebrew Union College and professor emeritus at Brandeis University, to discuss three key figures who were instrumental in the making of American Judaism as we know it today: Abraham Joshua Heschel, Mordecai Kaplan, and Joseph B. Soloveitchik. They examine what these three iconic rabbis stood for, and try to understand how their legacies have shaped American Judaism as we live it.
In this episode, Ryan talks about finding truth in the most unexpected places. Why we find universality in the particular stories, experiences, and Truth all around us. Ryan also talks about wonder and why it's essential to a deep life, and a deep life of art. Mentioned in the Show:* Ryan's essay: * Abraham Joshua Heschel book: “I Asked for Wonder.”* Rick Rubin book: “The Creative Act: A Way of Being.” * “Big” with Tom Hanks: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094737/* Subscribe to The Art of Paying Attention newsletter. Get 7 Things I'm paying attention to each week. Never miss a thing! Get full access to The Art of Paying Attention at ryanjpelton.substack.com/subscribe
In honor of Abraham Joshua Heschel's 50th yahrtzeit, we revisit the central claims of his theology, exploring how wonder and a personal relationship with God can reorient our approach to a meaningful life. Wonder reminds us that we are recipients of a gift, summoning us to the ultimate question: what are we to do with this gift?
Do we know how to truly rest? Who would we be if we did?I've been wrestling with these questions since I read Abraham Joshua Heschel's stunning book “The Sabbath” in college. The ancient Jewish ritual of the Sabbath reserves a full day per week for rest. As it's commonly practiced, that means about 25 hours every week of no work, very little technology and plenty of in-person gathering.But the Sabbath is a much more radical approach to rest than a simple respite from work and technology. Implicit in the practice of the Sabbath is a stinging critique of the speed at which we live our lives, the ways we choose to spend our time and how we think about the idea of rest itself. That, at least, is a central argument of Judith Shulevitz's wonderful book, “The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time.”Shulevitz is a longtime culture critic and currently a contributing writer for The Atlantic. Her book isn't just about the Sabbath itself, it's about the world the Sabbath tries to create: one with an entirely different conception of time, morality, rest and community. It's the kind of world that is wholly different from our own, and one whose wisdom is urgently needed.So, to kick off the new year, I invited Shulevitz on the show to explore what the Sabbath is, the value system embedded within it and what lessons it holds for our lives. I left the conversation feeling awed by how such an ancient practice can feel simultaneously so radical and yet so incredibly urgent.Mentioned:The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelI and Thou by Martin BuberBook Recommendations:Adam Bede by George EliotThe Seven Day Circle by Eviatar ZerubavelOn the Clock by Emily GuendelsbergerThoughts? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. Guest suggestions? Fill out this form.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.“The Ezra Klein Show” is produced by Emefa Agawu, Annie Galvin, Jeff Geld, Rogé Karma and Kristin Lin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, Mary Marge Locker and Kate Sinclair. Original music by Isaac Jones. Mixing by Jeff Geld. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Pat McCusker.
Time with family, friends and loved ones is supposed to be at the center of the holiday season… but in our screen-dominated world, how many of us can say that's still true? Our devices are purposefully designed to monopolize our attention and make themselves hard to put down. So even though we know that spending too much time staring at screens is bad for us, the addiction can be hard to break. With the New Year almost upon us, why not try to make a new start? Join Dave as he tries to put down his phone and find a little spiritual renewal with advice from marketing professor Adam Alter and Tech Shabbat advocate Rabbi Sydney Mintz. Adam Alter is the author of Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked. To find out more about Adam's work, including his forthcoming book, Anatomy of a Breakthrough, visit his website. In addition to serving as the Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco for 25 years, Sydney Mintz is also an activist, writer, and performer. Find out more about the many projects she's involved in on her website. Find out more about the ideas behind Tech Shabbat in Tiffany Shlain's book 24/6: Giving Up Screens One Day a Week to Get More Time, Creativity, and Connection. To learn more about the spiritual aspects of Shabbat, Rabbi Mintz recommends reading The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Karen sits down with Erin and Maggie, two beloved members of the Smashing Life community, to chat about their respective Jewish conversion stories. They give honest accounts of the ups and downs of conversion, share their tips for those considering converting or already in the process, and delve into how the Smashing Life community (especially the Convert Club, a private space for those who have converted or are currently converting) has helped them grow and connect Jewishly. This episode is a must-listen if you have converted, are converting, have ever considered converting - or if you just want to better understand what it's like being a convert in the Jewish world, and how communities can work to be more inclusive and welcoming. You'll find out: - What got Erin and Maggie interested in Judaism - How and when they knew Judaism was right for them - The importance of taking it slowly - Whether or not it's a myth that rabbis will reject a prospective convert three times - The biggest challenges Maggie and Erin faced in their conversion journeys - How long the conversion timeline was for each of them - Erin's book recs for prospective converts - Their biggest tips for those currently in the conversion process - What it was like for Erin, who grew up Christian, to share her journey with her family - Why you should never ask anyone if they're converting for marriage - The importance of Jewish community - How the wider Jewish community can be more accepting to converts - The parallels Maggie's found between her experiences as a convert to Judaism and as an immigrant to Australia - A reminder that learning about Judaism is a lifelong process - whether you converted or were born Jewish LINKS: Smashing Life, my Jewish community https://smashinglife.club/ Brides Club https://brides.smashingtheglass.com/ Choosing A Jewish Life by Anita Diamant https://amzn.to/3OZN7Ef To Life! by Harold Kushner https://amzn.to/3OQopGi The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel https://amzn.to/3ugQ7T6
Guest Info/Bio:This week we speak with the incredible Rabbi Arthur Green PhD. Rabbi Green is one of the preeminent authorities on Jewish thought and spirituality. He was the founding dean and is currently rector of the Rabbinical School and Irving Burdnick Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Religion at Hebrew College. He is Professor Emeritus at Brandeis University, where he occupied the distinguished Philip W. Lown Professorship of Jewish Thought. He is both a historian of Jewish religion and a theologian; his work seeks to form a bridge between these two distinct fields of endeavor. Educated at Brandeis University and the Jewish Theology Seminary of America, where he received rabbinic ordination, Dr. Green studied with such important teachers as Alexander Altmann, Nahum N. Glatzer, and Abraham Joshua Heschel, of blessed memory. He has taught Jewish mysticism, Hasidism, and theology to several generations of students at the University of Pennsylvania, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (where he served as both Dean and President), Brandeis, and now at Hebrew College. He has taught and lectured widely throughout the Jewish community of North America as well as in Israel, where he visits frequently. He was the founder of Havurat Shalom in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1968 and remains a leading independent figure in the Jewish Renewal movement.(Selected) Published Works: Radical Judaism: Rethinking God and Tradition; Ehyeh: A Kabblah for Tomorrow; See My Face: A Jewish Mystical Theology; & Judaism's Ten Best Ideas: A Brief Guide for Seekers.Guest Website/Social Media:http://artgreen26.comhttps://soundcloud.com/rabbiartgreenTheme Music by: Forrest Clay “This Water I am Treading & You Must Go” found on the brand new EP, Recover.You can find Forrest Clay's music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found!This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by John Williamson Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social mediaJoin our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists Website by Ryan BattlesAll photos by Jared HevronLogos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen PfluigT-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner. This episode is brought to you by Dwell. Dwell lets you listen to scripture the way that fits you. It's an app that reads the bible for you! Go to www.dwellapp.io/deconstruct for 10% off your annual subscription or 30% dwell for life!Starting your own podcast? Try Riverside! https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-williamsonOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor 75 and use my code deconstruct50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Reed Dent to finish examining the sixth chapter of John, and attempt to bring some closure to this challenging portion of the Text.I Asked for Wonder by Abraham Joshua HeschelPrototype by Jonathan MartinBEMA 230: Mandy Smith — UnfetteredUnfettered by Mandy SmithThe Experience of God by David Bentley HartJoin the BEMA Slack