Jewish Matters

How Did Shmini Atzeret (8th day Holiday) Become Simhat Torah? with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Simhat Torah is one of the most joyful days of the Jewish calendar, yet is is a relatively recent holiday.  Some say that Shmini Atzeret, the 8th day of the Sukkot festivities, is the most special day of the year. How can that be if there is not specific mitzvah associated with it, and why did it get merged with Simhat Torah?

Sukkot: Finding Spirituality and Joy in Nature with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast.

Sukkot is a fun holiday, yet the deeper meaning seems to be tied to our appreciation of nature: being outdoors in the sukkah and the four species.  We will explore how this is meant to bring us joy, and a greater appreciation for wonders of the natural world. 

Harnessing Yom Kippur for Personal Change and Growth on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Kippur is not so fun, so why is it one of the most attended Jewish holidays?  Because we sense its power and its potential to be a meaningful day.  We will look at how to use Yom Kippur as a vehicle for change and personal growth.  We will also discuss how to navigate YK this year with no/limited synagogue opportunities. 

Drawing Inspiration from the Rosh Hashanah Serivce #3 Holidays Series on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

High Holiday Services can be very overwhelming, and for good reason.   The service is not short, the language of the prayerbook is not simple and it is an intimidating day. The good news is that we can make Rosh Hashanah an inspiring and uplifting day by looking at the meaning of the prayers and how they can speak to us in our lives.

How To Succeed For the Coming Year with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman.  

This year has been full of  challenges, how do we transform next year into a year of success?  Learn how to use Rosh Hashanah as a tool for happiness and blessings in the coming year.  We will use Jewish Wisdom to look at the High Holiday service as guidebook to personal fulfillment. 

The Power of the Shofar # 2 The High Holidays Series on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Blowing the Shofar is an unusual way to celebrate the New Year, how do we make it into a transformative experience.  We will explore the different meanings behind the shofar and the sounds we blow, and how we can make hearing the shofar into a deeply meaningful moment.

Ze’ev Jabotinsky “Jewish Pride and Strength” # 13 Great Jews with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Jews had been the victims of anti-semitism for millennia, Ze’ev Jabotinsky would teach our people to defend ourselves and fight for our lives and for a Jewish State.  He created the Revisionist Zionist movement to inspire Jews to take our fate into our own hands, and through the Beitar youth group and the Irgun fighters he tirelessly worked towards Jewish independence.

Sunset Series #9 New Generation New Conversation: An Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue for Moving Forward with Sulaiman Khatib  & Rabbi Yehuda HaKohen on Jewish Matters Podcast

Hear West Bank Jew and Palestinian discuss the failures of the peace process, the rival narratives contextualizing our conflict and fresh ideas for achieving a real peace that can satisfy both peoples.

Elul: Preparing for the High Holidays on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

The Month before Rosh Hashanah is a the most special month of the Jewish year.  It is the time when we prepare ourselves through introspection, personal growth and self-improvement.  Will discuss the themes of the holidays and practical steps to personal self-transformation. 

Theodor Herzl "The Father of Modern Zionism"  on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Herzl   dedicated his life to his vision of a Jewish State, founding the World Zionist Congress and lobby word governments for the right of Jews to their own homeland.  Tragically he died at a young age driving tirelessly towards his goal.