Hashivenu

By Reconstructing JudaismSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health Religion & Spirituality Judaism

Hashivenu episodes

May 07, 2018Episode 13: Hebrew Poetry
The holiday of Shavuot is approaching. This year on the secular calendar it begins on Saturday evening, May 19. On Shavuot, we celebrate receiving the Torah, the foundational text of the Jewish people. "Torah" has multiple meanings in Jewish tradition. Most folks know it as the Five Books of Moses. But “Torah” in a broader sense is much more. It’s the collection of each and every generation’s engagement with sacred text and with our efforts to live lives of holiness and connection—to each other and to the divine.
In that expansive spirit, we are bringing you a two-part podcast series leading up to Shavuot. In this episode, I speak with Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz about modern Hebrew poetry, a recent expression of Jewish text. We talk about how modern Hebrew poets take apart traditional language and ideas and create something new from ancient building blocks.
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz.
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Links:
Ritualwell: 5 Resources to Inspire Your Writing
Soul and Gone: Hebrew Poetry
Poetry International
"The Jews" by Yehuda Amichai (PDF)
Tourists - Yehuda Amichai
Our eyes are open but we cannot see the unbelievable - Books - Haaretz.com
Amazon.com: Open Closed Open: Poems : Yehuda Amichai
The Penguin Book of Hebrew Verse (Penguin Classics): Various, T. Carmi: 9780140424676: Amazon.com: Books
From Jerusalem to the Edge of Heaven: Dr. Ari Elon
Amazon.com: The Book of Words: Talking Spiritual Life, Living Spiritual Talk (Kushner) (9781580230209): Rabbi Lawrence Kushner: Books
Shabbat Celebration and Services - Temple Bnai Israel
30 min
April 24, 2018Episode 12: Embodied Prayer
For Rabbi Jonathan Kligler, prayer is a whole-body experience, helping us reboot our awareness of how good it is to be alive, even -- or especially -- in a troubled world. Join us for his deep conversation with Rabbi Deborah Waxman on this episode of Hashivenu.
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Rabbi Jonathan Kligler.
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Links:
10 Embodied Rituals
— Below are 10 embodied rituals recommended by Ritualwell.
Selection of Morning Blessings from Kol Haneshamah
— The Morning Blessings are discussed extensively in this episode. This excerpt from the Reconstructionist prayerbook Kol Haneshamah includes Hebrew, English, transliteration, and commentary on these blessings.
Reconstructionist Press - Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat Vehagim
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler's homepage
Woodstock Jewish Congregation
Recordings - Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Hineni: Essays and Torah Commentaries from Twenty-Five Years on the Bimah: Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
27 min
April 10, 2018Episode 11: Yom HaShoah
In this special extended episode for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), we hear from Rabbi Phillip Lazowski, who survived the Holocaust as a child. He shares experiences that shaped his vision and sense of purpose: amidst horror and loss, episodes of hope and humanity.
A note from Rabbi Deborah Waxman:
Thanks so much for listening to Hashivenu. I want to let you know that this episode is slightly different from most of our episodes. It’s a conversation with my childhood rabbi, Rabbi Phillip Lazowski, a really wonderful man. Rabbi Lazowski is a Holocaust survivor and this episode is to commemorate Yom Hasho’ah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. His story truly embodies resilience, and it’s a very hard story, full of loss and horror. So first, a warning that some of what he talks about is not appropriate for young children.
We made a decision here at Reconstructing Judaism not to cut his story short, so while most episodes of Hashivenu are about 25 minutes long, this is longer, about 43 minutes. This won’t be our habit, but we thought it appropriate for this episode.
I wanted to give you the heads up to listen especially for Mrs. Rabinowitz, the nurse who plays an incredibly important role in Rabbi Lazowski’s survival. She first appears around 7 minutes into the interview, but you’ll hear about her two more times, and it’s an amazing story. Rabbi Lazowski, Mrs. Rabinowitz and everyone he talks about demonstrate that we can, even in the most extreme circumstances, choose to act in ways that affirm life and connection and love. May this remembrance teach us.
Below: Rabbi Phillip Lazowski blessing (now rabbi) Deborah Waxman as she became bat mitzvah on November 17, 1979.
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Special Guest: Rabbi Phillip Lazowski.
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Links:
Reconstructing Judaism
5 Rituals and Prayers for Yom HaShoah from Ritualwell
Profile of Rabbi Lazowski - Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
Rabbi Emeritus Phillip Lazowski (Beth Hillel Synagogue)
Rabbi Philip Lazowski Says Sharing His Painful Holocaust Experiences Has Been Therapeutic; Also An Obligation, So The World Won't Forget - Hartford Courant
Conversation with Rabbi Philip Lazowski - Jewish Ledger
Amazon.com: Philip Lazowski: Books
Rabbi Philip Lazowski blessing (now rabbi) Deborah Waxman as she became bat mitzvah on November 17, 1979.
45 min
March 19, 2018Episode 10: "You Were Strangers in Egypt": Passover and Sanctuary
On Passover, we retell our history as strangers and slaves in Egypt. What obligations flow from this memory? We speak with Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, whose congregation recently made a decision to serve as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. Join us as we discuss the Jewish values that moved his community to action.
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Special Guest: Rabbi Elliott Tepperman.
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10 Social Justice Haggadot and Supplements
— We have gathered ten haggadot and supplements that focus on social justice themes. The haggadot and supplements below explore confrontation, hope, resilience, and finally, the potential for social and political transformation.
Bnai Keshet
Synagogues Show Solidarity With Detained Immigrants on Holy Day - WNYC News - WNYC
Prepare me to be a Sanctuary: Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Mikdash: The Jewish Sanctuary Movement | T'ruah
— T’ruah works as part of an interfaith network to mobilize synagogues and other communities to protect those facing deportation or other immigration challenges. By becoming “mikdash” or sanctuary synagogues, communities pledge to take concrete actions, which may include legal support, housing, financial help, and other assistance for the sojourners in our midst.
Brightness Of Noon
— Rabbi Tepperman appears in this documentary.
Airing on ABC-affiliated stations nationwide, "Brightness of Noon: The Intersect of Faith, Immigration and Refugees," a two-part documentary, highlights the stories of undocumented immigrants and refugees– who fled economic despair and unfathomable violence only to face an uncertain future in the United States – and the faith groups who are posing a question to us all, “Are we willing to take some risks in order to protect human life and basic rights?”
23 min
February 26, 2018Episode 9: Purim and #metoo
The Book of Esther contains striking examples of women speaking out against oppression in ways that both empower and imperil them. Are there parallels to the #metoo movement? Join Judith Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Jewish Women’s Archive, in a wide-ranging discussion with Rabbi Deborah Waxman on resilient responses to trying times.
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Judith Rosenbaum.
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Links:
Archiving #MeToo | Jewish Women's Archive
— Jewish women have #MeToo stories to tell, and we invite you to share yours.
Can We Talk? The JWA Podcast
— Each month on Can We Talk?, JWA's podcast team brings you stories and conversations about Jewish women and the issues that shape our public and private lives.
Queen Esther and Bella Abzug: Costumes, Leadership, and Identity | Jewish Women's Archive
— On Purim we dress in costume to create a new persona. We delight in unexpected images. We poke holes in the humdrum everyday roles of men and women, rich and poor, young and old. Our assumptions about people shift, and thus, the holiday transforms us.
People often choose different costumes and personas as a strategic tool to help them stand up against injustice. In this Go & Learn guide we will focus on two remarkable Jewish women: The biblical figure, Esther, and the historical figure, Bella Abzug. Both women fought for justice and liberation, adopting personas that helped them to achieve their goals. In our featured document, Bella Abzug tells us how she decided to wear distinctive hats and gloves as a strategy for overcoming the disregard she experienced as a young female attorney fighting for justice.
She Said No! | Reconstructing Judaism
— This song by MIRAJ recounts Vashti's heroism during the Purim story.
10 Resources for #MeToo and a Feminist Purim
— In Episode 9 of Hashivenu we learn about the importance of lifting up women's voices as part of the #metoo movement, in the context of the story of Purim. Below are 10 resources to honor women's voices recommended by Ritualwell.
24 min
February 13, 2018Episode 8: Hineni — Being Present
How do we pull ourselves together when we feel scattered or unfocused? In this episode of Hashivenu, Rabbi Myriam Klotz and Rabbi Deborah Waxman invite us into the spiritual practice of "hineni" -- being present and responsive.
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Rabbi Myriam Klotz.
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Upcoming Shabbat Yoga: Putting the Pause in the Pose at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, March 2-4:
— Let yoga move you through the rhythms of the Sabbath, a day of sacred rest and refreshment. Asana practice serves as your guide to embodying essential qualities of the Sabbath using the uniquely integrative approach of Shabbat Yoga.
Institute for Jewish Spirituality
— Cultivating mindful leaders. Revitalizing Jewish life.
Bekhol Levavkha: A Training Program for Jewish Spiritual Directors - Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
— "Bekhol Levavkha: A Training Program for Jewish Spiritual Directors" is a two-year program for Jewish leaders who feel called to tend to the unfolding life of spirit in themselves and others.
10 Embodied Rituals from Ritualwell
23 min
January 30, 2018A Special Announcement
This is Rabbi Deborah Waxman. Thanks so much for listening to our podcast, “Hashivenu: Jewish teachings on resilience.” Our next regular episode is on its way in February. But I wanted to take a moment to let you know about our organization’s new name: Reconstructing Judaism.
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Links:
ReconstructingJudaism.org
Who We Are and What We Do
— Reconstructing Judaism.
This phrase embodies the decades-long, evolving mission of all who have been a part of Reconstructionist Judaism.
Now, Reconstructing Judaism is the new name of the central organization of the Reconstructionist movement, replacing the former: Reconstructionist Rabbinical College & Jewish Reconstructionist Communities.
3 min
January 22, 2018Episode 7: Ecology
In a wide-ranging conversation about ecology, Tu B'Shvat and shmittah (sabbatical year), Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb and Rabbi Deborah Waxman explore the ways in which Jewish tradition and ecological consciousness provide compelling models for resilience and sustainability.
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb.
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Adat Shalom
— Adat Shalom has a rich and varied history, rooted in an evolving and active Judaism. We are a participatory member-led congregation of singles and families, dedicated to providing innovative and egalitarian services and leadership to our community.
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) | Protecting Creation, Generation to Generation
— The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) deepens and broadens the Jewish community’s commitment to stewardship and protection of the Earth through outreach, activism and Jewish learning.
Writings by Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb
10 Prayers and Rituals for the Environment from Ritualwell
Hazon Shmita Project
— The Shmita Project is working to expand awareness about the biblical Sabbatical tradition, and to bring the values of this practice to life today to support healthier, more sustainable Jewish communities.
Resilience.org
— Resilience.org aims to support building community resilience in a world of multiple emerging challenges: the decline of cheap energy, the depletion of critical resources like water, complex environmental crises like climate change and biodiversity loss, and the social and economic issues which are linked to these.
24 min
January 07, 2018Episode 6: Mindfulness
In challenging times, we often search for firm ground to stand on. In this interview with Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Rabbi Deborah Waxman explores mindfulness as a path that can anchor us, nourish our Jewish lives, and sustain us as we strive to fulfill our Jewish values.
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell.
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10 Mindfulness Rituals and Meditations from Ritualwell
— In honor of the launch of the new podcast Hashivenu: Jewish teachings on resilience, created by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, we are highlighting rituals that have sustained the Jewish people throughout history. In the January 2018 episode we learn about Jewish mindfulness and meditation from Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell. Below are 10 mindfulness rituals and meditations recommended by Ritualwell.
On Resiliency: Cedar and Reed (Video)
— A Jewish mindfulness teaching and practice based on the Talmud, Ta'anit 20a. There are different models for how to be strong in the midst of a storm -- try that of the reed. With Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Cultivating Mindful Leaders. Revitalizing Judaism.
— We believe that leaders who engage in Jewish spiritual practices that are grounded in mindfulness are better equipped to contribute to building Jewish communities that are vibrant, resilient, and wise; they are able to meaningfully address the brokenness of our world.
Our Guest in the News
26 min
December 05, 2017Episode 5: Activism
The story of Hanukkah invites us to kindle lights in the darkness, and to overcome despair with hope and action. In this spirit, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum reflects on the extraordinary work of her community, and how it embodies the fundamental connection between spiritual life and social activism.
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum.
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18 Rituals for Social Activism from Ritualwell
— Below are 18 rituals which address, inspire, and motivate social activism, as recommended by Ritualwell.
House of Peace Jewish-Muslim Outreach
Jews And Muslims Come Together In These Touching Photos
— On a recent Friday, members of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) arrived at the Islamic Center at New York University in ponchos and rain boots. They dried their laminated signs that read, “Jewish New Yorkers support our Muslim neighbors,” and greeted worshippers attending the weekly Jummah Prayer.
CBST: Building a Bold Spiritual Community of Resistance and Love | Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
— CBST is engaging in a process of discerning what it will be to be a powerful spiritual community of resistance and love. This is a marathon - as Heschel said in 1944 - just as evil as the forces of fascism are, we must be as forcefully good.
Shabbat at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
28 min

About Hashivenu

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Hashivenu is a podcast about Jewish teachings and practice around resilience. Cultivating resilience in challenging times, both individually and collectively, is an essential path to personal renewal.…