Podcasts about havurah

“So, Rabbi, in your more than forty years in the rabbinate, what are those things that surprised you – those things that you never expected, or that you once expected that didn't actually come to pass?” There would be a long list, but here is the one that moves me in particular. Forty years ago, we never would have expected that so many Jews would turn to God as the location of their Jewish energies – that trend that we call Jewish spirituality. In particular, we never would have expected that so many people – Jews and gentiles alike – would flock to the study of the teachings of Jewish mysticism – what we sometimes sloppily lump together into a bulging file folder called kabbalah. My guest on today's podcast – talking about Jewish mysticism, and Hasidism, and neo-Hasidism, and Jewish spirituality – is one of the veteran teachers – may I say rebbes, even gurus? – of the new Jewish spirituality – Rabbi Arthur Green. At the age of 82, Art Green is nothing less than a living legend. Consider the chapters in his Book of Life: In 1968, he founded Havurat Shalom, an experiment in Jewish communal life and learning that birthed the Havurah movement. (Check out this podcast with another pioneer of that movement, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld). He taught in the Religious Studies Department of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1984 he became dean, and then president, of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. In 1993, he was appointed Philip W. Lown professor of Jewish Thought at Brandeis University. And then, obviously needing yet another rabbinical seminary to lead (because they're like potato chips -- you can't have just one!) -- he became the founding dean of the non-denominational rabbinical program at Hebrew College in Boston.  We are talking to Rabbi Green today because of his new commentary on the Jewish prayerbook -- "Well of Living Insight: Comments on the Siddur." You will never read another commentary quite like this one -- a book that focuses on phrases that are filled with light, and which speak to our inner lives. Because that is who Art Green is -- a teacher who helped create the GPS of the inner life of the Jew. Listen to the podcast, and join us as we talk about Art's childhood; his earliest influences; how contemporary Judaism became stale, and how it can awaken; how we dropped the ball on God; and what it means for us to be seen by God. And another thing (which I discussed in my review of the new work by Paul Simon): how we need more metaphors for God. It is not as if we need to invent them, as Paul does (fun fact: Paul Simon and Art Green are precisely the same age). Rather, Art reminds us that the metaphors for God are already there, embedded in Jewish mystical literature. God as sea, garden, soil, river -- even Jerusalem. My partial solution to the crisis in Judaism: We need more metaphors for God. Let's find them. The Jewish people depends on it. And maybe, even God.

This Passover, please support the work of Evolve and Reconstructing Judaism with a donation so we can continue to build participatory, joy-filled communities that engage Jews, seekers, and our loved ones: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/make-your-impact-this-passover/ Half a century ago, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld — a leader of the countercultural Havurah movement — co-edited “The First Jewish Dialogue.” The book, which sold an astounding 300,000 copies, presented tangible practices for do-it-yourself Judaism. His new book, “Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century” argues that, some 2,000 years after the birth of rabbinic Judaism, it's time to fashion Judaism into something new. In fact — newsflash — he suggests it might be time to do away with Shabbat services, at least in current form. A few weeks before Passover, he talks about how his ideas might apply to the Passover seder, and presents four new, alternate questions. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/39 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org (https://ReconstructingJudaism.org). Special Guest: Rabbi Michael Strassfeld.

Michael Strassfeld was one of the co-authors of The Jewish Catalog, a book released in 1973 (happy 50th anniversary!) that served as a kind of "Jewish do-it-yourself kit" -- and became one of the bestselling Jewish books of all time. He joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg to speak about a new book of his being released in 2023, entitled Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century.Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. And if you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation. Support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!

Sermon titled “It's Not Over ‘Til It's Over!” by Dr. Nina Baratiak Download or stream audio here

Sermon titled "In the Beginning" by Pastor Myles Weiss Download or stream audio here

Sermon titled "Blow the Trumpet In All the Earth" by Pastor Myles Weiss Download or stream audio here

Sermon titled "Comfort My People" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or stream audio here.

A term that doesn't seem to have any obvious connection with drinking חבורה (havurah) - yet, it comes up not infrequently within a drinking context in early rabbinic (tannaitic) literature. As such, the 112th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show is dedicated to exploring this connection featuring Dr. Orit Malka.Dr. Malka is a researcher of Talmud and early Jewish law. Her research focuses on the political aspects of Talmudic Halacha in its historical context, and the study of early Jewish law as a key to understanding important legal-political trends of antiquity. Orit earned her PhD from Tel Aviv University, where she wrote her dissertation, "A Set of Witnesses: Testimony and Political Thought in Tannaitic Halakhah". In 2021-2022, she was a postdoctoral fellow in the Taube Center for Jewish Studies at Stanford University; this year, she has joined the faculty of the law school and the Talmud department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.Support the show

Sermon titled "Israel and World Revival - Blessing or Cursing" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or stream audio here.

Arts Respond with Lucy Gellman: Havurah Mending Minyan by WNHH Community Radio

Sermon titled "Who's Your Daddy?" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or stream audio here.

The Havuradhcast is back! After a year long hiatus, we are bringing you an extended conversation that Rabbi Hannah had just before she went on maternity leave last year. She spoke with Havurah member Keiana Mayfield. Keiana is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methods. Her research focuses on ways to help families support child and adolescent development and well-being. The conversation ranges from children, to race, to Judaism, and so much more.

Sermon titled "Recognizing Jesus" by Michelle Shelfer. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "He Came For You" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Keep Calm and Esther On" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

There is something fascinating emerging out of the body of Christ that is notable in the amount of light and in opposition to the darkness -- a remnant!In this episode, explore the meaningfulness of righteous Gentiles sent as helpers to the Jews, encounters with glory in heaven and on Earth, and the continued significant impact of the Hebrew year 5782. You are, in fact, the answer to the world's problems.Be yourself.Visit our blog at mkhop.org for up-to-date global and local news that is impacting you.Support the show (https://www.mylesandkatharineweiss.org/donate/)

Sermon titled "The Remnant Goes Forth!" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Let The Remnant Arise!" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Merry Messiahmas" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Will Messiah Find Faith on the Earth?" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Jesus, The Last Supper and Dinner with Judas" by Jay McCarl. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Countdown To The Fall Feasts" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

The changing culture of American Jewry after the Yom Kippur War in Israel and the Vietnam War meant leaving old neighborhoods, a surge in Zionism and new developments in the Jewish community like the Havurah movement. We explore the publication of the First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit edited by Richard Siegel, and Michael and Sharon Strassfeld and the shift from left-wing liberal to neo-conservative in the writings of Commentary Magazine editor Norman Podhoretz. Plus, Rav Mike gets personal and talks about his own Jewish upbringing.

The changing culture of American Jewry after the Yom Kippur War in Israel and the Vietnam War meant leaving old neighborhoods, a surge in Zionism and new developments in the Jewish community like the Havurah movement. We explore the publication of the First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit edited by Richard Siegel, and Michael and Sharon Strassfeld and the shift from left-wing liberal to neo-conservative in the writings of Commentary Magazine editor Norman Podhoretz. Plus, Rav Mike gets personal and talks about his own Jewish upbringing.

Sermon titled "Come Holy Spirit!" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

If you have missed going to museums this past year, you are going to love this episode. Rabbi Hannah talks to Havurah member Susan Ades, Director of Smithsonian Exhibits. Susan works with museums across the Smithsonian, and has been in museum education for 30 years. She tells Rabbi Hannah about some of the powerful experiences that inspired her career. Rabbi Hannah also shares some thoughts for this Shabbat, on the eve of Passover.

When parents find their child struggling at school, they may end up at Havurah member Cheryl Shapiro's office. Cheryl is a clinical psychologist who specializes in psycho-educational testing. These are the assessment that help parents identify if their child has a learning difference, and if she or he does, how to address that difference so that their child can function better. Cheryl and Rabbi Hannah talk about the nuts and bolts of testing, learning differences, and the human brain. Rabbi Hannah also shares her thoughts on the current moment of "in-between."

In episode 38, Rabbi Hannah speaks with Havurah member Annie Karni, the current White House correspondent for the New York Times, about what it's like to cover the Biden White House after four years of Trump Administration drama and chaos. Also, do Jews believe in Heaven? And tweeting about religion can be tricky. Rabbi Hannah shares her final thoughts on Stranger Things and Purim, and our closing music is Zum Gali Gali from the beautiful Elana Jagoda.

Sermon titled "Let My People Go!" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Before the horrific attack on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, Rabbi Hannah interviewed Havurah member Mark Sherman, a reporter who has been covering the Supreme Court for the last 14 years. He shares insights about his work, and a crazy story of work crashing into life: the moment he found out a Supreme Court justice passed, just minutes before his daughter was to become a bat mitzvah. This episode, while not directly connected to the events of the past week, highlights the critical work of journalists in our democracy. Rabbi Hannah ends the episode with reflections on the latest parshat. Our closing music is the amazing Aviva Chernick, performing Min Hameitzar. Enjoy!

Havurah member and social worker Leslie Feder tells Rabbi Hannah about a communications tool she uses when she counsels couples in relationship therapy: the "one to ten scale." Then we'll hear another song from the soulful Aviva Chernick: "Buena Semana," sung in Ladino, is a traditional greeting in Sephardic communities at the conclusion of Shabbat, expressing hopes and desires for the sweetness of Shabbat to move into the week to come. Play it again on Saturday evening!

Sermon titled "Open Our Eyes, Lord!" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here.

Topic: Rambam and Rashbam at Avraham's Tent-Flap Source Sheet: https://tinyurl.com/y62m5c9g

In this episode, Rabbi Hannah interviews Havurah member and certified nurse-midwife Zoe Gutterman. Zoe works at Unity Health Care, as well as Howard University Labor and Delivery Unit. and she teaches at Georgetown University. She talks to Rabbi Hannah about how she started her career in midwifery, how social justice issues shape her approach to midwifery, and what it's like to be a midwife in the age of Covid.

Sermon titled "Rosh Hashanah: Hope For The New Year" by Jason Ruiz. Download or Stream Audio Here

Havurah member Brad Sherman joins Rabbi Hannah in this episode of the Havurahdcast, and talks about splitting his time between his family in DC and his Congressional district in Southern California, the Trump presidency, foreign affairs and what Rep Sherman thinks will happen this November.

In this episode, Rabbi Hannah talks to two experienced educators about the daunting issue of school openings. Havurah members Patti Kolb and Rachel Breitman both work at Washington Latin Public Charter School, and bring their administrative, teaching, and parenting/grandparenting insights to the conversation.

In this episode of The Open Door, co-hosts Jim Hanink and Mario Ramos-Reyes interview Lawrence Feingold concerning the Association of Hebrew Catholics. 1. Can you please help us understand the significance of Vatican Council II's Nostra Aetate?2. What is the Scriptural context for speaking of the irrevocable calling of the people ofIsrael?3. What is the Association of Hebrew Catholics?4. Is there a place in the Association for members who do not have a Jewish background?5. Can you tell us about the distinctive liturgical practices of some Association members?6. Do you foresee a time when there would be a personal ordinariate for HebrewCatholics?7. How does the Association differ from Messianic Jews?8. What is a Havurah?9. Does the Association directly address the phenomenon of increasing anti-Semitism?10. You are delivering a series of lectures for the Association on the sacramental economy.Why did you choose this topic?11. How might we distinguish between proselytizing and evangelizing? How might Catholicsand Jews best witness to one another?12. Could you introduce our listeners to Alphonse Ratisbonne, Edith Stein, Elias Friedman,and Jean-Marie Lustiger?

In this midsummer episode, Rabbi Hannah interviews the Hill Havurah's newest elected Board member Chris Jaikaran - baseball fan, cybersecurity analyst, and one of many interfaith family members in the Havurah. Chris tells Rabbi Hannah about growing up in his own interfaith family in Guyana, and answers Rabbi Hannah with her own internet privacy questions. After talking to Chris, Rabbi Hannah marks this saddest day of the Jewish calendar, Tisha B'av (July 29-30), by reciting the entirety of a contemporary poem written for Tisha B'Av in the age of this pandemic: Eli Tsiyon v’Areha — Coronavirus, by Daniel Olson & Rabbi Benjamin Goldberg.

As Deputy Chief Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee, Havurah member Aaron Hiller had a front row seat to the historic hearings to impeach President Trump. He worked closely with U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler on the proceedings, and opens up to Rabbi Hannah about that time, how he balanced working the impeachment hearings with his family life, and his Jewish upbringing. Aaron's 4th grade son Joey zooms in from Massachusetts, where he is staying with his grandparents, to chat with Rabbi Hannah about his golf game and his thoughts about school this fall.

In Episode #12, Rabbi Hannah talks to Havurah member Katya Hoppe about how to protect yourself against the physically toxic effects of social isolation, and her own struggles with living alone. Katya has been part of the Havurah's effort to reach out and call every member, to check in and see how they are doing. Then, Rabbi Hannah chats with her friend and child development expert Jillian Best Adler about how to talk to young kids about George Floyd, police brutality, and racism. Rabbi Hannah reached out after seeing Jillian talk with her own 5-year-old son, in this Facebook video: https://www.facebook.com/100012209014313/videos/978240022592956

In this episode, Rabbi Hannah talks with Havurah member Jonathan Make. Jonathan is Executive Editor of Communications Daily, which covers the telecoms and media industry. Rabbi Hannah ask him how journalists in these emotional times can remain neutral and how they express their personal views, if they can at all. Jonathan also talks about how - given all he knows about the industry - he manages his son's internet use. Then Rabbi Hannah listens to another guest, who is being completely public about her personal and political views: Catherine Sherman is a rising senior at Washington Latin Public Charter School and has been attending the recent Black Lives Matters protests in Washington D.C.

In this Havurahdcast, Rabbi Hannah interviews Havurah member (and founder) Sig Cohen, and Brenda Richardson. The two belong to the Cross River Dialogue, a circle of African American and Jewish community builders from both sides of the Anacostia River who meet regularly to share experiences, find common ground, and support each other. This interview was recorded before the social unrest exploded across the country, but while the conversation starts with the pandemic, it quickly shifts to deeper issues that come up in the Dialogue: police brutality, and social inequity, and the importance of building relationships and trust across lines of race and social class. The Havurahdcast is edited and produced by Jessica Smith. Artwork by Sarah Burford, @sarahmburford on Instagram. Original music by Rabbi Hannah Spiro.

Want to know how to pull off a Zoom Bar/Bat/B'nai Mitzvah? In this week’s episode of the Havurahdcast, Rabbi Hannah speaks with Havurah member Adam Ruben about his sons' recent B’nai Mitzvah, which required tough decisions and creative thinking. Adam is Campaign Director for the Economic Security Project, a non profit that’s been involved on the stimulus check programs coming from Congress, so Rabbi Hannah asks him about his work, and his insights into stimulus politics.

Rabbi Hannah Spiro is back with another episode of the Hill Havurahdcast, her weekly chat with Havurah members about life, work, the pandemic and spirituality. This week, Rabbi Hannah talks to Rachel Usdan, a structural engineer who left her job to become a full-time volunteer activist, and is now the DC Chapter Leader of Moms Demand Action, the anti-gun violence organization. Rachel talks to Rabbi Hannah about her decision to change course, her own connections to gun violence, and growing up Jewish in Squirrel Hill, PA site of the 2018 synagogue shooting. Rachel's 8-year-old makes a cameo, to test out his best jokes, and Rabbi Hannah offers some thoughts on the roots of Tikkun Olam. Edited and produced by Jessica Smith. Artwork by Sarah Burford, @sarahmburford on Instagram

In episode #7, Rabbi Hannah talks to Havurah member David Drucker, dad to two young boys and Senior Political Correspondent for the Washington Examiner. David talks to Rabbi Hannah about growing up Jewish in Malibu, CA, the influence of 1980s and 1990s talk radio on his career, and offers his thoughts on how the pandemic will affect the November election. Edited and produced by Jessica Smith. Artwork by Sarah Burford, @sarahmburford on Instagram

In this episode of the Havurahdcast, Rabbi Hannah speaks with Havurah member Joanna Cohen about her work as an pediatric emergency medicine physician in the ER at Children's National Hospital: how the pandemic has changed her work, and some of the upsides of new pandemic-related policies at the hospital. Joanna has three kids and also talks about the complications, as a hospital physician, of keeping her family safe from infection. Her 5th grader Simone also reveals a new talent she's developed with her guinea pig Haribo. In every Havurahdcast episode, Rabbi Hannah connects with a member of the Hill Havurah to talk about life, work and spirituality. Edited and produced by Jessica Smith. Artwork by Sarah Burford, @sarahmburford on Instagram

In Episode #2 of the Hill Havurahdcast, Rabbi Hannah Spiro interviews Havurah member and JetBlue flight attendant Aarin Roozen. A mom of two elementary school girls, Aarin talks about her unique California Jewish upbringing, and her interracial and interfaith family. In every Havurahdcast episode, Rabbi Hannah connects with a member of the Hill Havurah to talk about life, work and spirituality. Edited and produced by Jessica Smith. Artwork by Sarah Burford, @sarahmburford on Instagram.

In Episode #1 of the all new Havurahdcast, the Hill Havurah's Rabbi Hannah Spiro interviews one of her congregants, Amy Nevel. Amy works in the Department of Health and Human Services alongside the top officials managing the Covid-19 pandemic. She shares the astonishing, and bittersweet, story about how she became a mother, and talks about life in lockdown with a teenager. In every Havurahdcast episode, Rabbi Hannah talks about life, work and spirituality with a different member of the Havurah. Edited and produced by Jessica Smith. Artwork by Sarah Burford, @sarahmburford on Instagram. Original music by Hannah Spiro.

Sermon titled "Do Unto Others" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Israel and Iran" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Reuben's Rejection" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Go Get Benjamin!" by Guest Speaker Dr. Nina Baratiak. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Returning Simeon" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon spoken at July's Havurah service by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

On this episode of the CHK podcast, hear about the first Shabbat of second session, a Havurah murder mystery, cabin activity night for Leadership, and our CHK musical theater critics' review of Mean Girls.

Sermon titled "A Day of Good News!" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here

Part 2 of the series, "Look Up - Look At - Look Out" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Priestly Warfare" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "God's Got This" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Open Heaven" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "Morning by Morning" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "The Fall Feasts" by Pastor Myles Weiss. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "The Hidden of God and The Test of Our Faith" by Guest Speaker Aharon Levarko. Download or Stream Audio Here

Part 4 of the series "The Restoration of All Things" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here

Sermon titled "The Restoration of the Church" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here

12th Grade Confirmation Service at Emanu-El in San Francisco, 05-18-2018

Part 1 of the series "The Restoration of All Things" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here

Part 3 of the series "All Around the Throne" by Pastor Myles Weiss and guest speaker Brother E. from China. Download or Stream Audio Here

Part 3 of the series "Call and I Will Answer" by Pastor Kathi Shaw. Download or Stream Audio Here.

Sermon titled "The Hidden Face of God" by Guest Speaker Orna Grinman. Download or Stream Audio Here

April 8, 2010 | Jewish feminism has existed in many forms since the 19th century, but it took a particular turn during the late 1960s in response to the early stirrings of second wave American feminism. Its effects were more radical and far reaching within Judaism than any previous movement because it challenged fundamental assumptions about gender and Jewish law that were grounded in the western enlightenment. Riv-Ellen Prell examined the ways in which gendered boundaries have challenged efforts to create American Jewish practices since the late 19th century and why Jewish feminism(s) continues to complicate, rather than resolve, the challenge. She discussed the meaning of equality in a pluralist system in order to understand the cultural dynamics of boundaries. The discussion drew on both ethnographic studies of American Jewish women in egalitarian Jewish communities and Jewish feminist writing about equality. Riv-Ellen Prell, an anthropologist, is Professor of American Studies at the University of Minnesota where she is affiliated with the Center for Jewish Studies and the Department of Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies. Among her publications are Gender, Class and Jewishness: New Approaches to the Study of Identity (2011), Fighting to Become Americans: Jews, Gender, and the Anxiety of Assimilation (1999), and Prayer and Community: the Havurah in American Judaism (1989). Her edited volumes include Women Remaking American Judaism (2007) and Interpreting Women's Lives: Personal Narratives and Feminist Theory (1989). She is also working on a forthcoming book on Jewish youth, cultural citizenship, and the post-war period in the United States. Prell holds a BA from the University of Southern California and a MA and PhD from the University of Chicago.

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.” This month: if prayer is about pouring our hearts out to God, what do we do when we pray on Shabbat, where we don’t ask God for anything at all?

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.” This month: if prayer is about connecting to God, what is the purpose of heaping all that effusive praise on God so characteristic of Jewish prayer?

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.” This month: if prayer is about connecting to God, what is the purpose of petition, asking God for things we need?

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.”

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.”

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.”

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.”

Rabbi Knopf digs into the Slonimer Rebbe’s extraordinary essay on prayer, “Prayer is the Service of the Heart.”

Confirmation of 12th Grade Havurah Asher at ONE SHABBAT by Congregation Emanu-El

Beginning this week exclusively on Radio Chavura, we launch our annual series on preparing for the High Holidays. This year we are proud to feature another prominent group of Colorado spiritual leaders, starting with Rabbi Evette Lutman, the spiritual leader of B’nai Havurah, the Denver Reconstructionist Congregation that serves more than 240 households. B’nai Havurah is an egalitarian and participatory community, open to multiple perspectives and forms of religious expression. Rabbi Lutman, who is affectionately called “Rabbi Evette” by her congregants, was hired in July 2010 upon her rabbinic ordination for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA.  She has a law degree from Ohio State University. Our interview with Rabbi Lutman was conducted in June 2014, just prior to her departure for Israel.  The rabbi is passionate about Israel and urges her congregants to visit and stay engaged. Rabbi Lutman discusses her personal and congregational preparations for the High Holidays, which begin this year on Wednesday evening, September 24th.   In future segments, we’ll feature Rabbi Daniel Rapp, visiting professor of Talmud and Associate Dean of Students at Yeshiva University (East Denver Orthodox Synagogue); Rabbi Raphael Leban, The Jewish Experience; and Rabbi Brian Field, Judaism Your Way. Although the rabbis represent a variety of approaches and Jewish denominations, each rabbi shares insights certain to make 5775 relevant and inspirational.  Fresh episodes of Radio Chavura are available on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm at Chavura.com as well as from the iTunes store. The program is hosted and produced by Maxwell and Dean Rotbart.

Rabbi Evette Lutman and her congregation, B’nai Havurah, were at Pride again this year.  B’nai Havurah is a welcoming and