It's mid-February, and we are about to celebrate the "Birthday for the Trees" - or in some circles, the new year for the trees. Tu B'shvat has been called many things - but how is it relevant to us in the 21st Century? Rabbi Cohen and Dr. Labkoff explore this topic in this week's podcast.

Last week, we spoke about getting along in a multi-faith society. This week, we discuss how to get along with other Jews. This can be a challenge, too. Getting along with ourselves in our own community - consisting of Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist Jews can be extremely challenging, too. This week Rabbi Cohen and Dr. Labkoff discuss challenges from within our own Jewish society.

Getting along in a society with so many different faiths can often be challenging. In the history of our people, we've had long runs where this kind of coexistence has been uneventful and well-tolerated. However, it feels as if, every so many generations, the Jewish people are assaulted to the point of near extinction. This podcast discusses how to get along in a multifaith society.

This is a momentous weekend - there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Some of the hostages are being released. However, their journey to freedom may yet to be over... Having freedom of the mind from an ordeal like this may take weeks, months, or years... Today we discuss freedom of the body vs freedom of the mind. G-d willing, not only their bodies but their minds will be liberated. This is the end of one very long journey - but the beginning of another towards freedom of the mind.

Like medicine, rituals can be taken in does that are either ineffective or toxic. In this second dive into the topic of rituals, we unpack the challenges of what level of rituals can lead to a healthly life, vs an obsessive-compulsive life, or one that's led just be urges alone. Tune in this week to continue our discussion of what is the role (and right dose) of rituals in the 21st Century.

Religious rituals are at the core of most organized religions. But in today's technology-laced world, what are their roles? What is the values of rituals in our secular, everyday world?

All Jews know that the new year begins with Rosh HaShanah, usually in early autumn. However, we live in a secular world - and this week we celebrate the coming of the secular new year. What does Judaism have to say about the celebration of the secular new year? Tune in for this week's discussion with Rabbi Cohen and Dr. Labkoff to find out - oh, and spoilers, "Happy New Year!"

The solstice is upon us and the nights are very long and dark. The holiday of Channukah is all about "finding light" in the dark. Come join us for a discussion about finding the light during this dark but festive season.

And for those who want to learn more about "Pens for Swords" mentioned in this podcast, please use this link to learn more:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/EoBcVuhB2AZ30u0XcXLcMN

Happy Channukah!

What does Jewish Pride look like in the context of "today?" What does the holiday of Channukah have to do with the concept of Jewish Pride? Tune in for this week's discussion.

What constitutes a miracle? What constitutes a miracle in the 21st Century? Let's have a discussion on the relevance and meaning of miracles in this 21st Century Chanukah season .