Rabbi Deborah Waxman continues her conversation with Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, founder of Lab/Shul and subject of the documentary The Sabbath Queen. They explore how to hold complexity in polarized times, discussing "both/and" thinking around Israeli and Palestinian identity, the theology of love and connection (symbolized by the Hebrew letter vav), and building strong Jewish peoplehood without chauvinism or supremacy. Their conversation weaves together personal narrative, liturgical innovation, and theological reflection, modeling nuanced dialogue about coexistence, justice, and evolving Jewish tradition to honor the dignity of all people while navigating disagreement with courage and compassion.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.

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Links:

• The Sabbath Queen (Film Site) — Find a screening near you, background information, and related materials.
• Lab/Shul — Lab/Shul is the experimental, artist-driven, God-optional Jewish community co-founded by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.
• Evolve: Rabbi Toba Spitzer on Chosenness — Rabbi Toba Spitzer argues that “chosenness” implies unjust superiority and needs to be replaced with a sense of shared moral responsibility.
• The World Zionist Congress and Reconstructing Judaism’s Engagement with Israel — Learn about Reconstructing Judaism's efforts to promote a democratic, pluralistic, human-rights-centered vision for Israel and support for a two-state solution.
• Octavia Butler Resources (for contextual reference) — Learn more about Octavia Butler’s writing and themes.
• B'Yachad, Reconstructing Judaism's movement-wide convention — Details about Reconstructing Judaism's 2026 convention, including programming related to peoplehood without chauvinism and community-centered resilience. Registration is open now!

Rabbi Deborah Waxman is joined by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie for a vital conversation about the complexities of Zionism, Israeli identity and progressive Jewish values. As delegates on the Hatikvah slate in the World Zionist Congress elections, Waxman and Lau-Lavie discuss the intersection of personal history, political activism, queer and feminist perspectives and Jewish theology. Each reflects on the legacy of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the power of hope, and the urgency of building a Judaism that is inclusive, resilient and committed to justice for all.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.

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Links:

• Vote Hatikvah Slate in the World Zionist Congress Elections
• Learn more about Hatikvah Slate
• Explore Reconstructionist Resources about the World Zionist Congress
• Where We Stand: The Reconstructionist Movement, Israel and Progressive Zionism
• Watch: The Progressive Israel Network workshop about the World Zionist Congress Elections and why they matter urgently
• Q&A with Hatikvah Slate nominee Rabbi Elliott Tepperman about Hatikvah's progressive vision for Israel and Jewish communities
• Learn more about Lab/Shul
• Learn more about Storahtelling, Inc.
• In case you missed it: Rabbi Deborah Waxman's conversation with Rabbi Jodie Siff and Aaron Siff-Scherr about progressive Zionism, Jewish identity and the importance of voting in the World Zionist Congress elections

In this special episode of Hashivenu, Rabbi Deborah Waxman welcomes Rabbi Jodie Siff and her son Aaron Siff-Scherr to discuss their deep personal and political commitments to progressive Zionism. Together, they reflect on how Jewish education, family experiences, and time in Israel shaped their values and why participating in the World Zionist Congress elections matters. With honesty and nuance, they explore the complexities of modern Zionism, antisemitism, and pluralism within Jewish life. This heartfelt conversation is a call to action for American Jews to raise their voices by casting their votes for the Hatikvah Slate in order to help shape a more inclusive future for the Jewish people. Vote now at http://azm.org

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guests: Aaron Siff-Scherr and Rabbi Jodie Siff.

Support Hashivenu

Links:

• Vote Hatikvah Slate in the World Zionist Congress Elections
• Learn more about Hatikvah Slate
• Explore Reconstructionist Resources about the World Zionist Congress
• Where We Stand: The Reconstructionist Movement, Israel and Progressive Zionism
• Watch: The Progressive Israel Network workshop about the World Zionist Congress Elections and why they matter urgently
• Q&A with Hatikvah Slate nominee Rabbi Elliott Tepperman about Hatikvah's progressive vision for Israel and Jewish communities
• Support Reconstructing Judaism

In preparation for Reconstructing Judaism’s December 15 movement-wide virtual convening, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman and Rabbi Rachel Weiss join Rabbi Deborah Waxman for a deeply thoughtful and nuanced conversation about the difficult and rewarding work of maintaining unity within Jewish communities that sometimes have diverse views on Israel and Palestine and the War in Gaza. Their reflections on how to cultivate spaces of growth, respect and accountability within the synagogue offer a blueprint for creating Jewish communities that are there for us during moments of joy and celebration as well as times of mourning and crisis.

This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guests: Rabbi Elliott Tepperman and Rabbi Rachel Weiss.

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Links:

• Learn more about and register for Reconstructing Judaism's 12/15 event
• Reconstructing Judaism’s Convention, B’Yachad, is coming to Philadelphia in 2026
• Read JRC's Covenant of Speech
• Clip from 2022 Convention: Rabbi Elliott Tepperman on creating a community of belonging that includes people even when they step out of line
• Watch the full "Creating Inclusive Community" panel from Reconstructing Judaism's 2022 Convention
• How Rabbi Rachel Weiss and the JRC approach talking about Israel and Palestine in their community
• Rabbi Elliott Tepperman: Bringing a Community-Organizing Model to the Pulpit
• Explore Evolve's essays about Israel and Palestine
• From Evolve: A Septet of Diverse Reflections on the Year Since October 7
• New from Ritualwell, "A Jerusalem Afternoon in Wartime" by Haviva Ner-David
• Explore these poems, prayers and resources from Ritualwell that address communal tragedy. — "When one of us hurts, others are there to offer comfort..."

With the High Holiday season underway, Deborah welcomes Justin Rosen Smolen, Reconstructing Judaism's Vice President for Thriving Communities and Partnerships, for a wide-ranging conversation about covenantal community. They explore how the idea of covenant, from biblical narratives to contemporary community-building, emphasizes relationships, mutual responsibility and interdependence. They consider how liberal religion can help address societal issues like loneliness and division, and advocate for conversations that build inclusive, thriving communities. Later, Deborah and Justin explore a Reconstructionist understanding of covenant, emphasizing the importance of shared values and intergenerational dialogue, and recognizing that while diverse perspectives may create tension, they also provide opportunities for growth and deeper understanding within the community.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Justin Rosen Smolen.

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Links:

• Watch Deborah's High Holiday teaching on covenantal community
• High Holiday resources from Reconstructing Judaism
• Explore High Holiday prayers and poems on Ritualwell
• Read Deborah in the Times of Israel: As Reconstructionists, Our Litmus Test is Centering Relationships Over Politics
• Read Deborah's latest Evolve piece, "A Jewish Embrace of Democracy: Early Reconstructionist Judaism and America’s Promise"
• Support Reconstructing Judaism with a donation of $36

Rabbi Elyse Wechterman recently announced that she will step down from her position as CEO of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) in June after leading the organization for the past nine years. Elyse stops by Deborah’s office to look back on her tenure and look ahead to what’s next. The two longtime colleagues commiserate over the day-to-day realities of leading an organization, including a friendly debate over the pros and cons of “zeroing out” one’s email inbox (4:54). Elyse explains how being willing to let some things go in order to focus on what’s important has helped her decision making as a leader (9:21). Elyse reflects on how the RRA has changed over the last nine years and on the accomplishments she’s most proud of, such as increased collaboration amongst rabbinical associations (15:30). Deborah and Elyse discuss the nature of change and how although it can be scary, it is often a positive (26:22). Finally, Elyse shares her favorite verse from the Talmud and why it’s resonating with her as she approaches this transition (34:00).

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Elyse Wechterman.

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Links:

• Stay up on the latest from Reconstructing Judaism by signing up for our weekly Virtual Shabbat Box email
• Watch the panel disccussion, "Democracy and Judaism: Does one need the other to thrive?"
• Listen to Elyse's recent appearance on the Evolve podcast
• Learn more about the RRA
• From the NY Times, "Happy 20th Anniversary, Gmail. I’m Sorry I’m Leaving You"
• PIVOT! PIVOT!

Rabbi Deborah Waxman welcomes Cheryl Cook, CEO of Avodah, for a wide-ranging conversation. The two longtime friends and hevrutah partners recall their early conversations about Israel and Palestine (3:00). They discuss the nature of leadership in general as well as their own perspectives as women in leadership (10:10). They touch on the importance of resilience in how they have been able to navigate the turbulence of the last 10 years (12:10). Cheryl lays out the mission and work of Avodah (16:30). Later, Cheryl asks Deborah to reflect on the role of gender in leadership and Deborah shares how her feminist ideals shape her approach (18:15). Cheryl talks about stepping into the role of CEO in 2015 as a mother of young children and how she is making the effort to model a different kind leadership for other women (23:00). They close by looking ahead to future generations of leaders that they hope will include not only women, but Jews of Color and people from underrepresented groups as well (33:03). At the start of the show, Deborah catches us up on all things Hashivenu and previews her upcoming 10th anniversary celebratory event “When Women Lead" (happening Wednesday, April 3rd at 7pm EDT). You can find ticket information here.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Cheryl Cook.

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Links:

• Get tickets to Deborah's 10th anniversary virtual event, "When Women Lead"
• Stay up on the latest from Reconstructing Judaism by signing up for our weekly Virtual Shabbat Box email
• Avodah: Sparking Jewish Leaders, Igniting Social Change
• Learn more about Avodah's Jewish Service Corps
• From The Forge: "Building Resilient Organizations" by Maurice Mitchell

Weeks ago, Rabbi Deborah Waxman and founder Yoshi Silverstein scheduled this discussion about embodied Jewish practice and antiracism. Did it make any sense to have this conversation in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre of Israeli civilians and hostage taking, the subsequent and unfolding war and its tremendous toll on Palestinian civilians? After pausing to consider, they decided that such a conversation is more important than ever, both to themselves and listeners. Silverstein, founder and director of the Mitsui Collective, explains that in difficult times like these, embodiment practices can help us understand and name the extent to which strong emotions are having an impact on us. Awareness and practice are key to being able to respond to stressful stimuli in a healthy way. He outlines several simple practices that can help, including orienting and box breathing, and quotes Viktor Frankl, the psychotherapist and Holocaust survivor whose writing deeply informs how humans understand trauma. "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Yoshi Silverstein.

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Links:

• Deborah teaches box breathing technique
• Learn more about Mitsui Collective
• Ritualwell resources speaking to the current moment
• Explore groundbreaking essays on Evolve
• Reconstructing Judaism on the web

In ancient times on Yom Kippur, the high priest of Israel presided over an elaborate, mystical service atop the Temple Mount. Today, many traditional synagogues recount this ritual with the avodah service. In this episode, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., speaks with Rabbi Vivie Mayer about what the avodah service — which they acknowledge is mainly attended by the “die-hards” — can teach us today. “What Yom Kippur is really enacting and celebrating is collective release,” Mayer says. The two discuss what it means to move from the most intense, holy day of the year to the mundane business of daily life and how to bring insights from the former to the later. They delve into the differences between individual and collective atonement and responsibility; wondering about the collective release and catharsis offered by practices of the Second Temple era. They also lift up a contemporary Israeli song, “Seder Ha'Avodah” by Ishay Ribo.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Vivie Mayer.

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Links:

• Listen to "Seder Ha'Avodah" by Ishay Ribo and follow along with the English translation
• Rabbi Deborah Waxman's High Holiday Video Teaching exploring the avodah service
• Explore Reconstructing Judaism's High Holiday Resources
• High Holiday Resources on Ritualwell
• From Evolve: "Breaking Open: A Paradigm for Jewish Prayer" by Rabbi Nathan Kamesar

In this special episode, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D and Rabbi Sandra Lawson discuss their respective processes of preparing for the High Holidays. This isn’t about leading services, but about how, as human beings, they undertake an accounting of the soul, leading to repentance for their own actions and forgiveness toward others. The two friends and colleagues delve into Maimonides as interpreted by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg in her new book On Repentance and Repair. (Among his many contributions, Maimonides, a medieval Torah scholar, philosopher and physician, outlined five steps needed to make true repentance.) Rabbi Sandra describes her difficult relationship with her late mother, and the forgiveness needed to truly care for her mother during illness. The two widen the lens and examine repentance from a societal point of view: how can society account and repent for harms caused to so many groups: Blacks, indigenous Americans, Asian Americans and so on. The two agree that an American reckoning with its troubled legacy is needed. “I think about teshuvah and when it comes to racial justice work, my focus first of all, is primarily within our Jewish spaces,” Lawson says. “I have found that many Jews who benefit from white privilege tend to continue to look outward on racial justice in the larger world, which is fine. But that also needs to be with our own internal work.”

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Support Hashivenu

Links:

• On Repentance And Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
• Maimonides and Repentance
• "Rabbi Sandra Lawson: The Souls in My Life" for Interfaith America
• "Modeh Ani as a Means for Cultivating Resilience" by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D.
• "Opposites Attract" by Paula Abdul
• The newly redesigned ReconstructingJudaism.org
• The newly redesigned Ritualwell.org
• Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations