Podcasts about rabbi sharon brous

Shavuot Tikkun All-Night Study Session with Rabbi Sharon Brous, at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, June 1, 2025. How does the messenger impact the message? Join us for a close reading of a Talmudic story that explores the boundaries between blessings and curses, speakers and listeners, parents and children. (Youtube) Special Guest: Rabbi Sharon Brous.

After the antisemitic murder of two young beloveds on a DC street, there are four things I know. Parashat Behar-Behukotai 5785

A strange, mysterious half-story told in the Torah hints at a failure of leadership and a failure of law, and calls us to be brave and bold, especially when our dreams seem furthest from reality.

A blessing for strength in spirit and body for a new Pope in a time when spiritual and moral leadership matters more profoundly than ever.

Today, Michael speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous. Sharon is the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a leading-edge Jewish community based in Los Angeles, and the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World, a national bestseller. She was named #1 on the Newsweek/The Daily Beast list of most influential Rabbis in America and has been recognized by The Forward and Jerusalem Post as among the most influential Jews alive today. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post, and her 2016 TED talk, “Reclaiming Religion,” has been viewed by more than 1.5 million people. Sharon is in the inaugural cohort of Auburn Seminary's Senior Fellows program, which unites top faith leaders working on the frontlines for justice, she sits on the faculty of REBOOT and serves on the International Council of the New Israel Fund, and the national steering committee for the Poor People's Campaign. Highlights from Michael's and Sharon's insightful conversation include:  -Sharon's spiritual awakening and a deep dive into her seminary journey, her love for Talmudic texts, and the realization that her feminist, activist voice was missing from the tradition, and needed to be included -The deep spiritual yearning among disaffected Jews and the need for a new, imaginative religious expression that is both prophetic and rooted in justice -The criticism and threats Sharon received for calling people to compassion, and the spiritual imperative to resist polarization by turning toward, not away from, each other -Poignant stories from Sharon's community and life, including a powerful lesson from her mentor that taught her the sacred responsibility of simply showing up -Themes from Sharon's celebrated sermon, The Amen Effect, and how it turned into a national best-selling book -The link between social disconnection and the rise of tyranny, and a story of how an ideological conflict helped catalyze a life-changing shift in someone -The “18 minutes of joy” practice from Sharon's grieving friend, redefining joy as a form of resistance and spiritual resilience, and so much more! Finally, Michael leads a guided meditation on expanding love from a personal to global scale, culminating in gratitude, spaciousness, and divine compassion.  Learn more about IKAR and Sharon's work at https://ikar.org/ and on social media. Remember to Subscribe or Follow and set an alert to receive notifications each Wednesday when new episodes are available! Connect with Michael at his website – https://michaelbeckwith.com/ – and receive his guided meditation, “Raise Your Vibration and Be Untouchable” when you sign up to receive occasional updates from Michael! You can also connect with him at https://agapelive.com/. Facebook: @Michael.B.Beckwith https://www.facebook.com/Michael.B.Beckwith  IG: @michaelbbeckwith https://www.instagram.com/michaelbbeckwith/  TikTok: @officialmichaelbeckwith   https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmichaelbeckwith  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqMWuqEKXLY4m60gNDsw61w  And as always, deep gratitude to the sponsors of the Take Back Your Mind with Michael B. Beckwith podcast: -Agape International Spiritual Center: https://agapelive.com/ and -NutriRise, the makers of Michael's AdaptoZen product line, a few of which include: -Superfood Greens: https://nutririse.com/products/greens-superfood  -Superfood Reds: https://nutririse.com/products/adaptozen-superfood-reds    -ELEVATE+: Organic Fermented Mushrooms: https://nutririse.com/products/elevate-fermented-mushrooms-powder

…Because there is a space between stimulus and response. What we do in that space is our choice. So please: tell me you're scared. I'm scared too. Tell me times are tough. Tell me we're facing a narrowing landscape of possibilities. But please do not tell me there's nothing we can do. There's always a choice to make. Parashat Tazria-Metzora 5785—May 3, 2025

This episode is the first in the 2nd half of our Hard Conversations series. Kelly speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous, who she discovered at the Aspen Ideas Festival and was so captivated by that she waited backstage to invite her onto the podcast. Together they explore forgiveness through ancient and modern perspectives, examining a powerful ritual where those with broken hearts walked against the crowd at the Temple Mount and were asked simply, "What happened to you?" Rabbi Sharon unpacks the Jewish process of teshuvah (repentance), shares why sitting beside someone in their darkness can mean more than offering solutions, and reveals how truly seeing one another might help us bridge our deepest divides. Their exchange offers fresh insights for anyone seeking to repair relationships or create meaningful connections after harm. Check out Rabbi Sharon's book: The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend our Broken Hearts and World. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this deeply moving episode, Corey Nathan welcomes Rabbi Sharon Brous, the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a groundbreaking Jewish community based in Los Angeles. Rabbi Brous is also the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World. Together, they explore ancient traditions, mental health, spiritual leadership, and how to foster deeper, more compassionate human connections even across profound divides. What We Discuss: The ancient ritual of turning toward the brokenhearted and its modern relevance. The profound impact of being seen and embraced in moments of vulnerability. How leaders carry and process communal pain—and why that matters. Practical wisdom on staying curious and compassionate across ideological divides. The role of community design in spiritual experiences. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Rabbi Brous explains the Mishnah Middot and the ritual of turning toward the brokenhearted. [00:08:00] Corey and Rabbi Brous discuss the concept of sin as a burden like mental illness. [00:15:00] The transformative power of being truly seen and how crying makes space for new realities. [00:20:00] Rabbi Brous reflects on the toll leadership can take and how caregivers must process pain. [00:24:00] The design of IKAR's prayer space and how it fosters visibility and community. [00:34:00] Navigating discomfort with changes in religious leadership and traditions. [00:42:00] How to stay at the table with those who hurt or anger us—and why it's critical. [00:53:00] A powerful story about transformation through simple presence and blessing. Featured Quotes: "Sometimes you don't even want to get out of bed. Yet, sacred tradition compels us to show our brokenness—and trust that we will be held with love." — Rabbi Sharon Brous "If you don't metabolize pain, it will metastasize inside of you." — Rabbi Sharon Brous "We can create new neural and spiritual pathways—by allowing ourselves to be seen and to receive love." — Rabbi Sharon Brous "It takes courage to be curious about someone who hurt you, but that's the only way to heal." — Rabbi Sharon Brous Resources Mentioned: The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous: https://ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea/ IKAR Jewish Community: https://www.ikar.org/ How to Know a Person by David Brooks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks/ Fierce Love by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis: https://jacquijlewis.com/fierce-love/ I Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica Guzmán: https://www.moniguzman.com/book

In this deeply moving episode, Corey Nathan welcomes Rabbi Sharon Brous, the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a groundbreaking Jewish community based in Los Angeles. Rabbi Brous is also the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World. Together, they explore ancient traditions, mental health, spiritual leadership, and how to foster deeper, more compassionate human connections even across profound divides. What We Discuss: The ancient ritual of turning toward the brokenhearted and its modern relevance. The profound impact of being seen and embraced in moments of vulnerability. How leaders carry and process communal pain—and why that matters. Practical wisdom on staying curious and compassionate across ideological divides. The role of community design in spiritual experiences. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Rabbi Brous explains the Mishnah Middot and the ritual of turning toward the brokenhearted. [00:08:00] Corey and Rabbi Brous discuss the concept of sin as a burden like mental illness. [00:15:00] The transformative power of being truly seen and how crying makes space for new realities. [00:20:00] Rabbi Brous reflects on the toll leadership can take and how caregivers must process pain. [00:24:00] The design of IKAR's prayer space and how it fosters visibility and community. [00:34:00] Navigating discomfort with changes in religious leadership and traditions. [00:42:00] How to stay at the table with those who hurt or anger us—and why it's critical. [00:53:00] A powerful story about transformation through simple presence and blessing. Featured Quotes: "Sometimes you don't even want to get out of bed. Yet, sacred tradition compels us to show our brokenness—and trust that we will be held with love." — Rabbi Sharon Brous "If you don't metabolize pain, it will metastasize inside of you." — Rabbi Sharon Brous "We can create new neural and spiritual pathways—by allowing ourselves to be seen and to receive love." — Rabbi Sharon Brous "It takes courage to be curious about someone who hurt you, but that's the only way to heal." — Rabbi Sharon Brous Resources Mentioned: The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous: https://ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea/ IKAR Jewish Community: https://www.ikar.org/ How to Know a Person by David Brooks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks/ Fierce Love by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis: https://jacquijlewis.com/fierce-love/ I Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica Guzmán: https://www.moniguzman.com/book

Ours is not the first generation in which telling this story, reiterating these foundational ideas, is risky. Dangerous, even. And perhaps that is the greatest reason of all to tell this story truthfully.  April 5, 2025 – Pesah 5785

Let us not turn to the garden—or the theater, or the studio—to escape this world, but to enrich the soul, to strengthen our hearts to plant for a better future. Making art, tending gardens, telling stories, especially from within the narrowest constraints—all of these can be sacred acts of defiance.

This is an archive of IKAR's Adult learning class: The Amen Effect with Rabbi Sharon Brous

Lunch & Learn from Shabbat 3.21.2025 - Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum in conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous.

An archive of Rabbi Sharon Brous's The Amen Effect Class from 2.25.2025

An archive of Rabbi Sharon Brous's The Amen Effect class from 3.11.2025

Using Jews as a wedge to break apart the world order is not new.  We must be honest about what's happening here.

On March 3rd, we welcomed Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu Sarah, Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the forefront of a burgeoning new peace movement in conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous.

When your most precious resource faces grave risk, you create a sanctuary to protect and nurture it. You hold close the seeds, so that when the conditions are right, you can replant and rebuild.

In a time of loneliness and isolation, social rupture and alienation, what will it take to mend our broken hearts and rebuild our society? Join Rabbi Brous in a series of text studies that explore the Jewish sources that form the core ideas behind her new book, The Amen Effect.

Hear from Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Khaled Abu Awwad, leaders of Roots/Shorashim/Judur, an Israeli-Palestinian grassroots initiative for understanding, nonviolence, and transformation. They represent a unique network of local Palestinians and Israelis who have come to see each other as partners in the work to make changes to end the conflict. They share with Rabbi Sharon Brous and Melissa Balaban their personal stories of struggle and transformation as well as their vision of mutual national recognition and reconciliation.

Yitro reminds us, in the twisted reality of our time: do not quiet your intuition. Defy the new norms. Live from your deepest moral convictions, not your most callous political calculations. And do not eat the tainted grain— no matter how hungry you are. Keep searching for an alternative food source. There is always another food source.

Four postures our tradition warns against, in the face of grave threat: Do not snail. Do not capitulate. Do not meet become the mirror image of your enemy. Do not render yourselves preemptively powerlessness. Instead: do what you know.

How do American Jews navigate complex conversations about Israel and Palestine across generations? And what does it take to truly listen to each other? Rabbi Sharon Brous sits down with IKAR's CEO Melissa Balaban and her daughter Emma Wergeles to reflect on their recent trip to Israel and the West Bank with Encounter. From different generational perspectives, they share what challenged them, what moved them, and why direct engagement with both Palestinian and Israeli perspectives is essential for for any hope of a lasting and just peace.

After 15 months of catastrophic loss, unspeakable heartache, and the utter undoing of not one but two peoples—in body and spirit, we stand—at this moment—at an inflection point. May this be the beginning of the end of the suffering. May it be the beginning of the path toward a just peace. Read the sermon here.

Even as the fires burn, let us hold on another, give voice to what we have lost, and turn toward what remains.

Welcome back to Just For This, a new podcast. Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. Inspired by the story of Esther, we feature powerful stories of women who stand out in their fields, who have stepped up just for this moment.   Our last guest of the season is Rabbi Sharon Brous, senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a leading edge Jewish community based in Los Angeles. She is also author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World, a national bestseller. We discuss the power of openhearted human connection and the diversity in expressions of faith. View the transcript here. If you enjoyed the second season of Just For This, be sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to your podcasts. We'll be back soon with more “just for this moments” in Season 3. Follow Just For This on instagram: @justforthispodcast

“All who entered the Temple Mount entered by the right, circled to the right and exited by the left, except for one to whom something had happened, who entered and circled to the left...” (Mishnah Middot)   We're on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/@politicsandreligion   Rabbi Sharon Brous, the founding rabbi of IKAR and author of THE AMEN EFFECT, delves into ancient Jewish rituals, the role of pain in human connections, and the transformative power of compassion and curiosity. Through heartfelt stories and profound insights, she explores the importance of staying engaged with those who challenge us and how communities can support each other in moments of deep sorrow and joy. The discussion also touches upon inclusivity in Jewish worship, dealing with vicarious trauma, navigating hard conversations such as differences over what's happening in Israel and the results of the U.S. election, and the significance of asking and truly listening to Malakh: "tell me about your heart."   00:52 Introducing Rabbi Sharon Brous 01:21 Exploring the Mishnah Middot 04:05 The Power of Ritual and Compassion 06:53 Personal Reflections on Sin and Mental Health 11:49 The Role of Community and Vulnerability 17:41 Balancing Leadership and Personal Burdens 24:22 Innovative Practices at IKAR 36:53 Challenges and Changes in Jewish Leadership 38:47 Navigating Differences in a Diverse Congregation 39:53 The Power of Curiosity and Compassion 47:05 The Importance of Staying at the Table   We're on Patreon! Join the community:  https://www.patreon.com/politicsandreligion   It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:  https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics    Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.   Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com   You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as bsky.app/profile/coreysnathan.bsky.social   ikar.org   ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea

Jacob tried to flee from his estranged brother. Did he fear more the battle, or the potential reconciliation? What happens when victimhood is built into our self-definition? What do we lose when we stay at the table, and what might we gain? What will it take for us to understand that there is no future until we see one another? Vayishlah 5785

We are thankful for YOU! Enjoy this recent episode with gratitude. And if you're thankful for Chutzpod please consider making a donation to support the show.Rabbi Shira and Hanna are joined by Rabbi Sharon Brous to talk about what she calls the “The Amen Effect” – what it means to be heard and seen during times of joy and grief and how a deeper connection to the Jewish community can actually help us cross tribal lines. Rabbi Brous is the founder of IKAR, an influential progressive Jewish congregation in Los Angeles and the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World.Support Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Follow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on InstagramFollow Shira on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on Instagram

Now we must learn the lesson our ancestor Avram learned: one day our dreams will be realized. Just not today. And not tomorrow. And maybe not for many years. But just as hope doesn't die, dreams don't die. The dream we share for America didn't die because our dream— the dream of a just and merciful multiracial democracy in which all people live in dignity— that dream is the right dream. It is the only future… it's just now clear that it will take much longer to achieve than any of us had hoped.

How optimizing this skill can change your life – and the world.Rabbi Sharon Brous has some extremely practical tips for how to improve what psychologists call your social health. She is the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a Jewish community in LA. Her new book, a bestseller, is called The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World.Related Episodes:This Neurobiologist Wants You To Ask One Question To Reframe Anxiety, Depression, And Trauma | Dr. Bruce Perry (Co-Interviewed by Dan's Wife, Bianca!)Sign up for Dan's newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/rabbi-sharon-brous-852See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After the death of a beloved child in our community to suicide, we reaffirm our commitment to combatting shame with tenderhearted love, to meeting one another in the dark, to never giving up on each other. May Benjamin Ellis's memory be a blessing.

We must be careful lest we get trapped in a bad story-- one that repeats grave harm. Instead, let's write something new.

Hope doesn't die, and despair is a privilege we cannot afford.

Text study and conversation between Alex Edelman and Rabbi Sharon Brous on the Torah of Joy, and the Power, Promise, and Necessity of Laughter in Dark Times.

Rabbi Sharon Brous is the founding rabbi of IKAR, a Jewish community in Los Angeles, and the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World. In this conversation, Rabbi Brous emphasizes the importance of “sacred encounters,” people truly see and hear each other's stories, particularly in times of grief or pain. She also points to the Jewish ritual of asking the brokenhearted, “Tell me what happened to you?” as a model for deep, empathetic listening. This episode serves as an epilogue to our series on the Peace Initiative for Israel and Palestine at Commune Topanga. You can listen to all the episodes from that series at onecommune.com/peace-initiative-for-israel-palestine. This podcast is supported by:Bon ChargeGet 15% off when you order at boncharge.com and use promo code COMMUNEApollo Neuro:Get 15% off your purchase of the Apollo wearable at ApolloNeuro.com/commune SEED:Get 25% off your first month of Seed's DS-01® Daily Synbiotic.with code 25COMMUNE. Head to Seed.com/commune Timeline:Timeline is offering the Commune community 10% off your first order at timeline.com/partners/jeff-krasno-commune LivOn LabsGet free samples with any purchase at livonlabs.com/commune EudēmoniaEudēmonia will take place in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 1-3. For more information and to purchase your ticket, visit https://eude.me/commune 

Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi of Ikar in Los Angeles, joins Rabbi Yoshi for a conversation focusing on her new book, "The Amen Effect." In a time of loneliness and isolation, social rupture and alienation, Rabbi Brous suggest ways that we can mend our broken hearts and rebuild our society.Rabbi Brous also shares about the ways that she has tried to navigate these challenging months since October 7 all the while mourning her father who died a few weeks before Rosh Hashanah in 2023.To learn more about "The Amen Effect," visit the link below:  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720048/the-amen-effect-by-sharon-brous/

Grief can paralyze us. Most of us aren't given a manual about how to comfort someone grieving or how to ask for help with our own pain.  That's why I wanted to revisit one of my favorite conversations, with Rabbi Sharon Brous. I talked with her about being present to someone else's pain and what it means to heal together in the loneliness epidemic.  Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her book, The Amen Effect, Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other. This...is A Bit of Optimism.For more on Sharon and her work, check out:her book The Amen Effect her congregation iKARSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabbi Shira and Hanna are joined by Rabbi Sharon Brous to talk about what she calls the “The Amen Effect” – what it means to be heard and seen during times of joy and grief and how a deeper connection to the Jewish community can actually help us cross tribal lines. Rabbi Brous is the founder of IKAR, an influential progressive Jewish congregation in Los Angeles and the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World.See Chutzpod! live in D.C.! Read Mishnah Midot 2.2Support Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Follow Shira on InstagramFollow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on TwitterFollow Hanna on Twitter

Hope seems like a simple concept, but the feeling can be difficult to hold onto. And when times are difficult and chaos swirls around us, it's more important than ever. How do we find and practice hope when it's elusive? Spiritual and religious leaders rely on centuries of experience and wisdom to continually guide people back to hope, and this episode's discussion from the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival draws from these experts. Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber founded the House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, and doesn't shy away from unorthodox methods of ministry. Rabbi Sharon Brous is the founder and leader of IKAR, a nondenominational Jewish congregation in Los Angeles. Humanist chaplain Greg Epstein works with the populations at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Union Theological Seminary professor and the former director of the Religion and Society Program at the Aspen Institute, Simran Jeet Singh, introduces and moderates the conversation. aspenideas.org

Six beloved hostages were executed in a tunnel beneath Rafah, leaving behind broken-hearted loved ones and a shattered nation. We must be clear about who is responsible.

Episode 53 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder and senior rabbi IKAR, a vibrant Jewish community in Los Angeles known for its inclusive approach to Jewish life. Rabbi Brous delves into the themes of her new book, The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World, which explores love, loss, community, and connection. She and Andrés touch on the current crises impacting the Jewish world, and how her insights are particularly relevant in these challenging times. Rabbi Brous shares her profound thoughts on the importance of building sacred community bonds and addressing the pervasive loneliness in our society, drawing from both ancient texts and contemporary experiences.

Some years, the mourning and reflection of Tisha b'Av can feel performative. This year, it will be deeply personal. Even as we approach the abyss, we must remember the redemptive vision planted deep within our souls. Parashat Devarim, Shabbat Hazon -- 5784

Today on the show, Fareed is joined by Financial Times columnist Edward Luce and staff writer at The Atlantic David Frum to discuss the fallout from Thursday night's presidential debate. Should Biden drop out of the race? They discuss the calculations taking place within the Democratic Party and the stakes of a potential second Trump term. Next, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert talks to Fareed about why Olmert believes the US Congress should rescind its invitation for PM Netanyahu to speak to a joint session. They also discuss the potential for a devastating war with Lebanon.    Finally, Rabbi Sharon Brous joins the show to discuss the frightening rise in antisemitism and how American Jews are grappling with their identities as the war in Gaza drags on.    GUESTS: Edward Luce (@EdwardGLuce), David Frum (@davidfrum), Ehud Olmert, Rabbi Sharon Brous (@SharonBrous) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we are honored to share with you a conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous, author of the The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World. From the moment we started reading Sharon's book, we knew that she had a special message, and that she would be an incredible guest. Sharon's book is a beautiful blend of ancient Jewish wisdom, contemporary science, and deep personal experience that shows how humans throughout history have taken up the responsibility to sit with each other as sacred witnesses to life's most vulnerable and most joyous moments.Sharon makes the case that when we sit with each other in “celebration, sorrow, and solidarity,” we are connecting in ways that not only forge deep and lasting relationships, but contribute to a larger healing in our communities and in the world. One of the things we loved about Sharon's book and the conversation with her was that she shared experience from her own life in which she's succeeded here as well as where she's failed. None of us do this perfectly, and so often we feel like we don't even know how to—Sharon was wise and generous in giving herself and all of us grace for now always showing up for people the way we could have, but also practical advice that help us see how we can do this better.Sharon's speaking from the perspective of a Jewish Rabbi, but her work reminds us of our own sacred texts and our promises to be willing to “mourn with those that mourn.”  We loved that Sharon explained that these principles of connection and solidarity really are universal, and we all get at them in our own languages and through our own rituals and traditions.This episode cuts straight to the heart of what it feels like to be human; it was impossible for it not to get personal, since we all know grief, joy, and connection intimately. We absolutely loved talking with Sharon and consider this a special episode. We hope that you enjoy it as much as we did!

Lovett or Leave It is back and this time, it's personal. Minnie Driver answers our most massive questions. Jenny Yang unearths nightmarish 90s artifacts. Rabbi Sharon Brous talks about empathy, isolation, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. D'Arcy Carden dares you to answer the question, “Was she in this?” And the gang convenes once more to figure out what to do with the additional hour of sunlight that just fell in our laps. Tour dates & cities: crooked.com/events