Our first new episode in a long time... But it's a good one that's been worth the wait. In this episode we are joined by Thea Lavin who rolls her sleeves up to do the dirty work of trauma education and peacebuilding. This episode has a poignancy brought on by the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza. A conflict and war that took the lives of many innocent children. Thea teaches us what it means to step up to the table and share a voice for the purposes of bringing strength and resiliency to the lives of others.

In our newest episode I sit down with Jewish educator extraordinaire and friend, Julee Snitzer Levine. Julee shares her experiences finding herself and the excitement she feels expressing her deepest values. She reminds us how important it is, particularly during a time of pandemic, to hang on and seek out kindness and help when necessary.

It was great to catch up with an old student of mine who challenged me as a younger rabbi, and who now challenges all of us. Ethan's message about loving ourselves to the point where we see how infinite we are internally is a necessary message for today. In his life Ethan has transcended not only the limits that others placed on him, but also the one we mistaken place on ourselves.

In our conversation Rabbi Iggy teaches us what it means to transcend what we, and other people, might think about us through living a life of juxtaposition and awe. And what couldn't be more of a juxtaposition than a rabbi who bears the Torah on his skin.

These is the quote from Rabbi Heschel and Rev King that I reference in the episode:

I solemnly pledge to uphold the fair name of Jews. Not only because we need their friendship, and surely we do, but mainly because bigotry in any for is an affront to us all. (Rev Martin Luther King Jr.)

One hundred years ago, the emancipation was proclaimed. It is time for the white man to strive for self-emancipation, to set himself free of bigotry. (Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel)

In this episode, Aaron Bock takes us on journey around the world and his spiritual development. During our discussion we also venture into the topic of dual-identity and explore the overlap between Jewish and American values.

Alan is a great guy and with a wonderful journey. In this episode we learn that Alan's tattoos are an expression of who he is, and the journey he has taken.