Hebrew School Dropouts

During Passover, two rabbis discuss how the holiday can be both reflective and joyful, aiming to disrupt routine rather than induce suffering. In a “Day in the Life of a Rabbi” segment, one recounts a challenging Hebrew school class interrupted by a student obsessed with shouting “Very nice,” including a reveal from a closet, while the other admits to mocking a teacher’s name as a child and reflects on how Hebrew school behavior doesn’t predict adulthood. The main conversation explores how God often sits in the background of modern Jewish life, how rabbis and congregants hold varied definitions, and how crisis and B’nai Mitzvah work prompt deeper theological questions, including post-Holocaust views rejecting an all-powerful “man in the sky.” They draw on Angels in America, Soloveitchik, Heschel’s radical amazement, and the Torah’s 13 attributes of God. They close with Passover Seder as an ordered yet creative, discussion-based ritual, including using multiple Haggadot (emoji and mystical) to spark participation.

00:00 Intro

01:48 Topic

02:04 Day In The Life Of A Rabbi

07:25 GOD

14:29 Go To Things To Say About God

18:53  We don't need some pomp and circumstance situation to access God, 

32:51 God Text For The Day

36:12 Ritual Of The Week

The anti-semitism episode in which rabbis Noah and Rena sit down with journalist Arno Rosenfeld of The Forward- America’s oldest Jewish newspaper. Arno has been reporting on anti-semitism for the last few years and helps us understand how to think about it in a nuanced way. Is anti-semitism a virus? How is anti-semitism similar to and different from racism? How should Hebrew school drop outs think of anti-semitism? 

Credits

Hosted by Rabbis Rena Singer and Noah Westreich of ⁠Temple Emanu-El San Francisco⁠

Produced and edited by Arielle Nissenblatt

Engineered and scored by David Woje

Production company ⁠Pinwheel by Audily⁠

Note: this episode was recorded before the horrifying shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia.

The Chanukkah / Hanukkah / Chanuka episode... in which the rabbis discuss rebellious b'nai mitzvah children, receiving underwear gifts for Hanukkah, and the right way to light the candles.

In this episode, hosts Noah and Rena get into our modern celebration of Hanukkah. The history, rituals and traditions, latke crispiness hacks, and why decorating is a thing (p.s. it's actually a commandment!)

We want to note that this episode was recorded before the horrifying shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia. We are sending our love to Jews in Australia and Jews around the world who are mourning the loss of those precious lives.

Credits

Hosted by Rabbis Rena Singer and Noah Westreich of Temple Emanu-El San Francisco

Produced and edited by Arielle Nissenblatt

Engineered and scored by David Woje

Production company Pinwheel by Audily

Timestamps

[00:00:00 – 00:03:45] Welcome! From dark chapels to honest teens
[00:03:45 – 00:07:30] Can a Jewish mother be responsible for picking the rabbi that marries her kid?
[00:07:30 – 00:12:45] Hanukkah, capitalism, and competing with Christmas
[00:12:45 – 00:19:45] Why we light the menorah this way
[00:19:45 – 00:25:15] Public miracles, safety, and Jewish visibility
[00:25:15 – 00:33:30] Latkes, handwashing, and mindful rituals

In the pilot episode of Hebrew School Dropouts, hosts and rabbis Noah Westreich and Rena Singer introduce us to the concept of being a Hebrew school dropout. They emphasize that it's more about a mindset than actual credentials. You don't have to have actually dropped out — or gone to Hebrew school at all — to enjoy this show.

Rabbis Noah and Rena introduce the structure of the podcast, which includes segments like "Ritual of the Week," "Big Jewish Idea," and "Rabbi Moments." P.s. if you want to help them rename or officially name these segments, reach out!

Noah and Rena each select a Jewish ritual and bring it to the class. In this episode, Noah shares some words about hakafot, the circles that couples make around one another at weddings — and shares how he adapts it for couples that he marries.

Rena brings the Modeh Ani prayer, highlighting her personal practice and connection to it — and how she's adapted it over the years.

The "Big Jewish Ideas," segment tackles concepts like the understanding of God versus belief, and insights from Martin Buber's Hasidic philosophy that challenges the separation between the sacred and the profane.

This inaugural episode is an exploration of Jewish spirituality, inviting listeners to consider how these ideas and rituals can be integrated into modern life.

"Rabbi Moments" brings personal anecdotes from our hosts, offering a glimpse into the unique responsibilities and humorous situations they encounter.

Credits

Timestamps

[00:05] Intro to The Show

[01:33] Ritual Of The Week

[12:47] Big Jewish Idea

[24:53] Day In The Life Of A Rabbi