Rabbis Mona Alfi, Chuck Briskin, Fred Greene, Elisa Koppel, Stephanie Kramer, Jason Rosenberg, and Sue Shankman get together to talk what it's been like to go through the Yamim Noraim (the High Holy Days) during a pandemic.

We know that we should treat everyone as if they're special. But, do we think enough about what the effects of doing so might actually be?

Rabbi Leora Kaye, Director of Program at the Union for Reform Judaism, explores a favorite story, with Rabbi Jason Rosenberg

The article that Rabbis Kaye and Rosenberg talk about was written by Rebekah Taussig in Time Magazine. You can find it at https://time.com/5881597/disability-kindness/?fbclid=IwAR0tzEhI0r82aoKNdwiYLbyQdV0Hh8rOq2WRQu7uFQUHPOcZm6dWTjw7OMk

How can we be fully present, even in the face of the pain and disruption of this time? 

Rabbi Mona Alfi from Congregation B'nai Israel in Sacramento, California explores the prayer "Hin'ni:  Here I am, The Confession of a Broken Heart" by Rabbi Karyn Kedar, with Rabbi Stephanie Kramer and Rabbi Chuck Briskin

You can find the prayer at https://ravblog.ccarnet.org/2020/08/hinni-i-am-here/

Sometimes, it's easier to be kind and forgiving to others than it is to ourselves. But, it's no less important.

Rabbi Rabbi Lisa Goldstein explores a teaching from Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav, with Rabbi Jason Rosenberg. 

You can learn more about Rabbi Goldstein at www.RabbiLisaGoldstein.com

How can we do more than just get through our struggles? Is it possible to use them, and to grow from them? 

Rabbi Stephanie Kramer, the Senior Associate Rabbi at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, California explores the poem "The Cure" by Albert Huffstickler, with Rabbi Mona Alfi and Rabbi Chuck Briskin

You can find the poem at http://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2015/12/albert-huffstickler-cure.html

Finding friends is about more than hanging out; it's also about finding someone with whom we can share, and find, our deepest secrets.

Rabbi Elisa Koppel explores Avot d'Rabbi Natan a8 (on Pirkei Avot 1:6) with Rabbi Fred Greene

When do we walk out on God, and when should we stay? How do we keep going, and how do we find meaning, when our lives get hard?

Rabbi Yael Splansky of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto explores a Talmudic text (Ta'anit 25b) with Rabbi Lisa Goldstein and Rabbi Jason Rosenberg.

Is it ever possible to "just be there," or do we always influence a situation by being present? What voices are we missing when we don't notice who is there?

Rabbi Jill Maderer of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia explores a section of Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer about a woman named Serach bat Asher, with Rabbi Elisa Koppel and Rabbi Chuck Briskin

What does it mean to study Torah with someone else, and what does it feel like to feel God's presence in that study? Is Torah just an ancient text, or can it be something in us? 

Rabbi Sue Shankman of Washington Hebrew Congregation explores Pirkei Avot 3:2 with Rabbi Fred Greene.