Kol Ramah

It came advertised as the best conversation on this week's parsha, and who am I to argue? Lekh L'khah [Genesis 12:1-17:27] covers a lot of ground: the call of Abraham [12:1-6], the Covenant of the Pieces [ch. 15], the Covenant of Circumcision [ch. 17], the War of the Kings [ch. 14], and the story of Hagar and birth of Ishmael [ch. 16]. Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky, and I, Rabbi Barry Chesler did not cover so much ground of the parsha, almost the entire conversation was on the opening verses. Still, we talked for a half hour and more, and had fun! We hope you will, too!

Parashat Noach [Genesis 6:9-11:32] always brings back a flood of memories! Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky, together with yours truly, Rabbi Barry Chesler, discuss the claims to Noah's greatness, the command to leave the Ark when the water subsides, and the disturbing incident of Noah's drunkenness. We find a little time to touch upon the Family of Nations [chapter 10] and the Tower of Babel [first part of chapter 11]. Our conversation has to end at some point, so we did not quite make it to the end of the parashah. Just as last week's parashah concludes with mention of Noah in preparation for this week, so too this week's parashah concludes with mention of Avram [later renamed Avraham] in preparation for next week's. Perhaps this is where we will begin next week.

We now have an e-mail address, so feel free to send comments, questions, and criticisms [gentle, of course!] to: [email protected].

We begin again on Parashah Talk as the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings starts over this Shabbat with Parashat Bereshit [Genesis 1:1-6:8]. What would a discussion about Genesis be without talking at least a little about Creation? We also talk about the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, and the arc of the entire reading [we saved the ark for next week!]. As always, I, Rabbi Barry Chesler am in conversation with Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. What is new this week, in addition to the Torah reading, is a brand new e-mail address, to which you can send questions you would like us to consider, comments, and criticisms [though the technical term is gentle suggestions!]: [email protected]. Shabbat Shalom!

With the celebration of Simchat Torah this Sunday, the annual cycle of Torah Reading comes to an end with the concluding chapters of Deuteronomy [33 and 34] and immediately begins again with the opening chapter of Genesis [plus the first three verses of chapter 2]. So this week, my colleagues Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky and I rabbi Barry Chesler discuss the meaning of Simchat Torah as well as Sh'mini Atzeret, observed this Saturday. There is never enough time to get to everything on our agenda, but we cover enough, I trust, to keep it interesting! Shabbat Shalom, Chag Same'ach, and a great weekend to one and all!!

This week is a special edition of Parashah Talk, featuring discussion about the holiday of Sukkot, the symbolism of the sukkah and the arba'ah minim [the four species, based on Leviticus 23:40], and the significance of the Book of Ecclesiastes [Qohelet in Hebrew], for this time of year. As always great thanks to, Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler!

Asis Eshkol by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Chorale by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Papir Iz Doch Vyse by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Shimu by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

In 1965 at the very beginnings of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, Musicologist Velvel Pasternak, David Tilman and Aviva Kligfeld (Rosenbloom) produced and recorded this vinyl at the brand new Camp Ramah in the Berksires. Tilman and Kligfeld went on to careers as cantors. Thanks to Max Silverstone JTS Cantorial School Class of 2024 for bringing this to Radio Kol Ramah!