Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein tenderly leads "Tree of Life" by Nefesh Mountain while Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz shares of his most recent trip to Israel.

Sermon: Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz

Music & lyrics by Nefesh Mountain - sung by Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein & Matt Turk, Music Director

Originally broadcast - Erev Shabbat 8/1/25

Theme Music & Production by Matt Turk

TBJ Alum and Coordinator of Chapter Engagement and Strategy at Israel Policy Forum, Rebecca Mandelbaum shares her profound insight on her trip to Auschwitz this spring, her work in Israel advocacy and conflict resolution, and how she holds on to hope during uncertain times.

A bit about Rebecca:

Rebecca Mandelbaum is IPF Atid Coordinator of Chapter Engagement and Strategy. She received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Judaic Studies from Brown University and her master’s degree in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Columbia University. Prior to joining IPF, Rebecca served as an intern at the Anti-Defamation League, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Principal Legal Advisor, the Jewish Distribution Committee, and a research assistant at the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution.

In a world overwhelmed by hardship and division, the story of Balaam reminds us that wisdom, holiness, and the power to bless can come from unexpected places—even outside our own community—and that by staying open and attentive, we can bring more goodness and peace into our lives and to our world.

Rabbi Hannah Ellenson shares her thoughts about this week's Torah portion - Balak.

Rabbi Perolman reflects on how Judaism models that a loving relationship spurs us to action.

Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman offers her reflections on Parshat Sh'lach Lecha and how we manage our fear during these unprecedented and uncertain times.

Originally aired Erev Shabbat - June 20th, 2025

“Yatzah MiMitzrayim by Elana Arian and Noah Aronson” sung by Cantor Lucy Fishbein and Matt Turk. Original theme music by Matt Turk.

As we approach the end of the Passover holiday, listen as Cantor Lucy Fishbein shares about the time honored Passover tradition that in every generation each of us should imagine that we ourselves experienced the exodus from Egypt.

Rabbi Karen Perolman's inspired sermon begins with Jonathan Larson's infamous rock musical quote: "The opposite of war isn't peace...it's Creation!"

Originally aired March 28, 2025.

Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz' sermon takes light from TBJ children's wisdom to his recent mission to Kibbutzim Nir Oz and Erez, meeting with freed Israeli hostages, being in chance proximity to a terror attack, approaching wholeness in Jerusalem and finding the compelling need for healing and completion of this stage of the October 7th war.

More of "Nobody Wants This!"

Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman and Lauren Rutkin (who happens to be married to TBJ's Senior Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz) sit down to discuss more about the hit Netflix show-- what rang true, what was over the top, and what they hope to see in Season 2.

On October 7, the Cohens hid in their bomb shelter with their two young sons in their home in Kibbutz K’far Aza for nearly 30 hours. They quieted their older son, Adam, by watching 'Cocomelon' on his iPad. Eleven-year-old TBJ member Cody Braverman, who voices the main character on the show, was able connect with Adam, which is what brings the Cohens to TBJ on January 5, 2024. This is their harrowing story of survival against all odds.

Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director