Hill Havurahdcast

Havurah member and social worker Leslie Feder tells Rabbi Hannah about a communications tool she uses when she counsels couples in relationship therapy: the "one to ten scale." Then we'll hear another song from the soulful Aviva Chernick: "Buena Semana," sung in Ladino, is a traditional greeting in Sephardic communities at the conclusion of Shabbat, expressing hopes and desires for the sweetness of Shabbat to move into the week to come. Play it again on Saturday evening!

Some people like being out front calling for change. Others wield their power behind the scenes. This week, Havurah member Becca Epstein, a consultant and coach to social justice organizations and their leaders, talks with Rabbi Hannah about how she trims the chaos out of progressive nonprofits to help them become more effective. Then, another selection from Rabbi Hannah's playlist: Josh Warshawsky's "Echoes in the Valley."

In episode #30, Rabbi Hannah interviews Havurah member Maya Ajmera, the President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public. Maya grew up in North Carolina, the daughter of Jain Indian Immigrants. She talks about growing up Jain, in the South, but in a global university community that included Jewish neighbors who became close friends. She talks about the moment that moved her to start, at age 24, the nonprofit Global Fund For Children. Then.... this week's musical highlight! Oseh Shalom by composer, performer and prayer leader Elana Jagoda, Thanks to Maya AND Elana.

Episode #29 contains a special treat, one that we hope to make a regular feature. First, you'll hear Rabbi Hannah's superbly well-timed interview with the insightful and experienced child psychologist Keri Linas. It was recorded just before election day but remains relevant. Then... we bring you, for the first time, music from the talented Jewish-Canadian artist Aviva Chernick. This is the first time we are featuring new musicians and we'll be introducing you to more of the music Rabbi Hannah loves to listen to herself.

Havurah member Ken Eisner talks to Rabbi Hannah about his work as Director of Worldwide Education Programs for Amazon Web Services. The two also talk about Eisner's marriage to a devout Catholic, and how as Jew he grapples with Jesus. Rabbi Hannah also recites a powerful prayer for Election Day. (link and poem in episode notes)

In Episode #27 of the Hill Havurahdcast. Rabbi Hannah talks to writer and labor organizer Kim Fellner. Fellner travelled to Germany recently to visit the town where her mother was born, and fled on a Kindertransport to England in order to escape the Nazis. Fellner's father also escaped the Nazi's. Fellner focuses on her mother's story in an article she published online, and talks to Rabbi Hannah about that article, and also growing up as the child of two Holocaust survivors.

In Episode #26. Rabbi Hannah indulges in wine talk with Elyse Genderson, fourth generation owner of the renowned wine and spirits store, Schneider's of Capitol Hill. Elyse talks about the store's history, her own path into the industry, her return to a more active Jewish life, and she also offers tips for fall wine buying. Then Rabbi Hannah shares her own thoughts on this week's Parsha, Parshat Noach. It's not Noah's Ark, but the Tower of Babel story that has Rabbi Hannah wondering....

In episode #25, Rabbi Hannah talks to veteran journalists Barrie Hardymon and Steve Lickteig about their work at NBC and NPR, podcasting and media life and spirituality, and being a news filter for their young kids.

Havurah member and urologist Eric Emanuel has spent his career healing others. Then he discovered he had cancer. He spoke to Rabbi Hannah - candidly, movingly, and humorously - about his journey from symptoms to diagnosis, then from treatment to recovery.

In this episode, Rabbi Hannah interviews Havurah member and certified nurse-midwife Zoe Gutterman. Zoe works at Unity

Health Care, as well as Howard University Labor and Delivery Unit. and she teaches at Georgetown University. She talks to Rabbi Hannah about how she started her career in midwifery, how social justice issues shape her approach to midwifery, and what it's like to be a midwife in the age of Covid.