Congregation Ahavat Olam Podcast

In this special Shabbat service, Congregation Ahavat Olam commemorates the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht and honors Veterans Day through personal testimony, prayer, and music.

CAO member Judy shares her mother's experiences during Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany, reflecting on the importance of remembering history in the face of contemporary antisemitism.

In recognition of Veterans Day, CAO member Audrey offers a special prayer honoring those who have served, followed by Rabbi/Cantor Idan Irelander's rendition of America the Beautiful.

A meaningful evening of remembrance, gratitude, and our enduring responsibility to stand against hatred and discrimination.

Recorded November 6, 2026, at Congregation Ahavat Olam in North Andover, Massachusetts.

00:10:55 Ahavat Olam (song/performance)

00:30:23 Special Shabbat sermon, Remembrance

00:45:00 'Oh Lord My God ' (song/performance)

00:47:36 'Veterans Day Prayer' (reading)

00:49:23 'America the Beautiful' (song/performance)

00:51:44 Weekly Announcements

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐦!

Congregation Ahavat Olam | North Andover, Massachusetts

🌐 https://ahavatolam4all.org

© 2026 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** Rabbi Idan's sermon for this Shabbat, Parashat Vayera, is: “The Courage to Carefully Examine the Options” ***

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:35:07 Sermon

00:38:53 Marc Freedman sings Imagine (John Lennon)

00:47:40 Weekly Announcements

00:57:17 Best Birthday Wishes to Audrey (39 again 🤗🎶😲)

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

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© 2026 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** Rabbi Idan's sermon for this Shabbat, Parashat Emor, and the upcoming holiday of Lag BaOmer, is: “Lag BaOmer: The Fire That Warms.”***

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:39:13 Sermon

00:54:51 Weekly Announcements

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

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© 2026 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

Our service featured a special keynote speaker: our member Bill Rosenberg, who will share his parents’ remarkable survival story, “A Place Called Sosúa: A Haven for Jews in 1938.”

We were grateful to welcome Tutti and Ron Druyan, who brought their musical talents to this meaningful evening. Six memorial candles were lit in honor of our brethren who perished.

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:24:04 Bill Rosenberg's Story

00:44:09 Tutti’s breathtaking rendition of “I Won’t Light a Candle” from Schindler’s List

00:47:46 Memorial candle lighting

00:55:56 Weekly Announcements

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

_________________________ 

Receive weekly updates from Congregation Ahavat Olam.  Follow this link to sign up: https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/#newsletter 

_________________________

© 2026 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** For the final Shabbat of 2025, the service is offered virtually only. Rabbi Idan's sermon  for this Shabbat, Parashat Vayigash, is: “Drawing Near Toward One Another and Toward a Better Year.” ***

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:28:57 Sermon

00:24:18 Poem Reading, ‘Being a Blessing

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

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Receive weekly updates from Congregation Ahavat Olam.  Follow this link to sign up: https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/#newsletter 

_________________________

© 2025 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** Welcome to our joyful annual CHANUKAH NIGHT OF MUSIC Shabbat service, featuring the Ahavat Olam Ensemble. Rabbi Idan's sermon for this Shabbat Chanukah, Parashat Miketz, is: “Lyrics and Melodies: Light for the Ears.”***

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:33:09 Sermon

00:55:31 Weekly Announcements

00:58:04 Special President Announcement

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

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Receive weekly updates from Congregation Ahavat Olam.  Follow this link to sign up: https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/#newsletter 

_________________________

© 2025 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** Rabbi Idan's sermon for this Shabbat, Parashat Vayeshev, is: “Rebuilding Trust in a Fractured Jewish Family.” ***

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:33:05 Sermon

00:49:13 Weekly Announcements

00:54:54 Poem reading, ‘Lamps Within’

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

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Receive weekly updates from Congregation Ahavat Olam.  Follow this link to sign up: https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/#newsletter 

_________________________

© 2025 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** This week’s uplifting, musical Shabbat service. A Special "College Shabbat" edition. The Ahavat Olam Ensemble performs, and we will hear from students Eliza Gibbs & Alexander Gibbs about their Jewish experiences at college.” ***

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:37:08 College Students share their College experiences

00:47:09 Corey Freedman, CAO Alumni, sings ’Honesty’ written by Billy Joel

00:56:27 Weekly Announcements

01:01:08 Congregants sing ‘America the Beautiful.’

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

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Receive weekly updates from Congregation Ahavat Olam.  Follow this link to sign up: https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/#newsletter 

_________________________

© 2025 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** This week’s uplifting, musical Shabbat service. Rabbi Idan lead tonight’s Shabbat Service and the L’dor V’dor, Legacy in Motion presentation and celebration, including the installation and dedication of new names on Congregation Ahavat Olam’s Yahrzeit Wall.” ***

“Tonight, we gather as a community to honor the legacies of Congregation Ansha Sholum, Lawrence, and Temple Emanu-El, Haverhill, and to welcome their cherished artifacts into the life of Congregation Ahavat Olam.”

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:05:29 WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS - Max Dawson, Founding Member

00:10:31 (Speaker) Frayda Koffman - Final president of Congregation Ansha Sholum

00:14:08 (Speaker) Caril Ann Goldberg - Chair of the Sacred & Precious Artifacts Committee at Temple Emanu-El, Haverhill

01:11:18 Unveiling of the ‘Heart of the Ark’, memorial wall/plaques, and other artifacts.

01:25:50 Weekly Announcements

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To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

_________________________ 

Receive weekly updates from Congregation Ahavat Olam.  Follow this link to sign up: https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/#newsletter 

_________________________

© 2025 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.

*** This week’s uplifting, musical Shabbat service. Rabbi Idan's sermon  for this Shabbat, Parashat Vayera, is: “Between Abraham and Sarah: Faith with Eyes Open.” ***

SHABBAT SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:32:00 Sermon

00:46:26 Weekly Announcements

00:48:51 Reading of special Veteran’s Day Prayer

00:50:17 Congregation sings ‘God Bless America.’

_________________________ 

To learn more about Congregation Ahavat Olam, please visit our website: AhavatOlam4all.org (https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/ )   

_________________________ 

Receive weekly updates from Congregation Ahavat Olam.  Follow this link to sign up: https://ahavatolam4all.org/home-1/#newsletter 

_________________________

© 2025 Congregation Ahavat Olam. All rights reserved | Congregation Ahavat Olam is a Massachusetts-registered Nonprofit Organization.