In preparation for the start of Passover, Rabbi Shira and Josh (back from hiatus!) delve into the six--yes, six--senses of the seder. How do taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight help enhance the Jewish sixth sense: memory? How do your memories and traditions (new and old) enhance the seder experience? Listen today to learn more. 

In honor of International Women's Day (March 8), we discuss Lilith, Adam's supposed first wife, a demonized figure associated with stealing children and seducing men. But she is also an incredibly powerful and feminist figure. Who is Lilith really, and what can she tell us about the mixed multitudes of women today?

This week on Chutzpod we celebrate Purim! We embrace the gallows humor (pun intended) and joy of the holiday by highlighting five up-and-coming Jewish comedians (Orli Matlow, Sam Morrison, Becca Nix Tham, Evelyn Frick, and Dylan Adler) and their favorite Jewish jokes. Plus a megillah reading and, of course, a spiel.

Episode Time codes:

(13:00) 1st Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(20:15) Orli Matlow Joke

(22:00) Sam Morrison Joke

(24:40) 2nd Megillah Reading

(26:00) Beca Nix Tham Joke

(28:00) Evelyn Frick Joke

(31:15) 3rd Megillah Reading

(33:00) Dylan Adler Joke

(36:45) 4th Megillah Reading

(38:41) Daniel Olson Parody Song to Close (Tayler Swift)

This week we step back and answer your questions. Listen to Rabbi Shira and Sarah Podemski dig into the ideas of spirituality, what it means to be Jewish, the tension between keeping kosher and protecting our environment, and "God's plan." A trigger warning: this podcast does discuss death by suicide at the 38:30 mark.

Episode Timecodes:

(50:15) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Sarah Podemski discuss the (in)famous Torah passage "an eye for an eye." Wouldn't this make the whole world blind? We also discuss the importance of dual identities and what it means to be "half Jewish." Listen today!

Episode Timecodes:

(41:45) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Spoiler alert: a guest co-host! Reservation Dogs actor Sarah Podemski joins Rabbi Shira and Josh to delve into Jethro's (the father-in-law, not the band) visit to Moses after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. What did Jethro teach Moses about how to lead his people and how to avoid burnout? What lessons can we learn, as well? We also discuss the new Netflix film You People.

Episode Time codes:

(03:50) Discussion of You People

(10:40) Diving into the Torah Portion of Yitro

(37:40) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

We're back to the beginning of the Chutzpod cycle with our second episode on Tu Bishvat! On this week's episode, Rabbi Shira and Joshua take on food insecurity and justice with Abby Leibman, CEO of MAZON, a Jewish Response to Hunger. Learn about the Israelites' hunger after crossing the Red Sea and what hunger looks like in today's America. Stick around at the end for a special teaching from Dr. Adrienne Krone from Allegheny College.

Episode Time codes:

(12:30) Abby Leibman Interview

(42:10) Dr. Krone Special Message

Rabbi Shira and Joshua delve into the final three plagues and the Hebrews' liberation from Egyptian slavery. The story is difficult to digest--the last three plagues are devastating. Does the pursuit of justice require violence? Who really hardened Pharoah's heart? And should the new Chutzpod merch have a slash of lamb's blood on it? Listen now to find out.

Episode Timecode:

(38:00) Rabbi Shira Guided Meditation

The Exodus story continues, and with it, questions about what oppression does to both the oppressed and the oppressor, and the importance of breath in pushing back against injustice. We also coin the term "vicious squiggles," critically important for understanding any religious or political movement in history.

We've begun the book of Exodus just in time to mark Martin Luther King Jr's birthday and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. This first parsha packs a lot in: Moses' birth, growing up Egyptian, the burning bush, and starting to fight against oppression. But it's the Hebrew and Egyptian women who really spark the first acts of civil disobedience--getting into good trouble. Learn more about the connections between MLK and the Civil Rights Movement and Exodus by listening today!

Episode Timecode:

(39:00) Guided Meditation by Rabbinic Student Evan Traylor