Chutzpod!

As Passover has arrived, we welcome to the Chutzpod! Seder Table a very different Jewish background and perspective from Shira & Joshua. Rabbi Sandra Lawson is one of the world’s first African American, queer, female rabbis. She works with Reconstructing Judaism to help it realize its deeply held aspiration of becoming an anti-racist organization and movement.

Episode Timecodes:

(03:51) Rabbi Sandra Lawson Interview

(34:42) Rabbi Shira’s Reads a Moving Speech from Alla Gutnikova

Our hosts discuss the upcoming festival of Passover, and the symbols and goals of a meaningful seder. Plus, Rabbi Shira chats with The Sporkful's Dan Pashman about Passovers past, and a spiritual connection to eating.

Episode Timecodes:

(20:32) Dan Pashman Interview

(39:27) John Ross Bowie defines Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in our episode

(44:35) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

…because on all other episodes we talk about what we want to talk about, but in THIS episode we talk about what you want to talk about! And never mind four, we answer SIX listener questions. Get your hosts’ takes on therapy, Luther, volunteerism, and more!

Episode Timecodes:

(40:05) Hrishikesh Hirway defines Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in our episode

(42:58) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

Fins, and scales, and split hooves…. oh my! The Rabbi and Josh get back to the text, as they look at the Torah portion Shmini, which includes the laws of keeping kosher, and they ponder how to sanctify the act of eating.

Episode Timecodes:

(38:19) Noah Emmerich defines Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in our episode

(40:47) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

As Purim begins at sunset on Wednesday, “Chutzpod!” follows suit. This is a unique episode as you will hear a live Zoom taping where Joshua & Shira were joined by a legion of the “Chutzsquad”. Multiple guests came by as we do our best to fulfill all of the Purim Mitzvot (Commandments). Coming your way are Megillah Readings, the “Jewish or Antisemitic” game show, virtual costume changes, drinking games, Larry David stories, raising money to feed the less fortunate, and so much more all in under an hour.

Episode Timecodes:

(00:00) Purim Shpiel

(08:57) First Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(09:46) Elon Gold (Actor) swings by

(23:11) Second Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(25:30) Eitan Levine (Comedian) leads “Jewish or Antisemitic” Game Show

(35:10) Third Megilah Reading by Scott Weiner

(39:45) Fourth Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(43:18) Joshua’s Guided Meditation

In March of 1922 in New York City, twelve year-old Judith Kaplan had the first ever Bat Mitzvah and we are here to celebrate this momentous occasion. Rabbi Shira tells Joshua about her own Bat Mitzvah and explains the reasoning for why this rite of passage occurs when it does. Our interview this episode is with Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Hermann, who works at SAJ, where Judith made history 100 years ago. We also sprinkle in other touching first-hand Bat Mitzvah stories for you to enjoy.

Episode Timecodes:

(05:17) Malina sisters share their Bat Mitzvah memories

(16:13) Interview with Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Hermann

(43:44) Rabbi Shira’s Bat Mitzvah Speech

As tragedies continue in Ukraine, Joshua & Rabbi Shira dedicate this episode to the 200K+ Jewish people who live there and are in harms way. The episode begins by letting people know the ways they can help and what Jewish relief organizations are lending their support. Then we are joined by Oksana Galkevich, born in Ukraine and as of the past few years living in Israel, who has assisted the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) with many operations in Ukraine and the Former Soviet Union.

(05:30) Rabbi Shira’s quick primer on the Jewish Worldwide Relief Organizations

(07:58) Interview with Oksana Galkevich

(27:40) Special Joint Meditation reading

What is the purpose of a community? Rabbi Shira and Joshua look at this very simple yet complex question in this episode that aligns with the Torah portion “Vayakhel”. They are then joined by the esteemed author Wajahat Ali for his unique viewpoint on the subject.

Episode Timecodes:

(17:32) Wajahat Ali Interview

(41:07) Dule Hill & Jazmyn Simon define the Hebrew & Yiddish (and even Aramaic) terms used in our episode

(43:37) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

Our hosts welcome the Queen of TikTok Talmud to the show, and they discuss the Golden Calf, feeling lost without a leader, and the rabbi under your bed.

Episode Timecodes:

(18:20) Miriam Anzovin Interview

(39:21) James Roday Rodriguez defines Hebrew/Yiddish terms used in the episode

(42:18) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt to the show, to discuss antisemitism in general, and Whoopi Goldberg’s comments on the Holocaust in particular. Also, we talk about what we’re wearing, who we’re wearing, and why we’re wearing. And…our hosts welcome their spouses to the show!

Episode Timecodes:

(05:40) Melissa Merwin (Joshua’s wife & costumer) Interview on the performative nature of wearing clothing

(29:41) Jonathan Greenblatt Interview

(45:57) Russell Shaw (Shira’s husband) defines the Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in the episode

(48:40) Rabbi’s Shira’s Guided Meditation