Socially Distant, Spiritually Close

We’re closing out this feed in order to make way for a new show called The TBE Richmond Podcast. Moving forward, that’s where you’ll be able to hear Rabbi Knopf’s sermons, teachings, and conversations with special guests, in addition to other great content from Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia. You’ll still be able to revisit episodes of “Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” right here. Thanks for listening. We hope you’ve enjoyed this podcast, and that it has helped you find faith and hope, enrichment and uplift during this challenging time.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode, Rabbi Knopf offers some perspective on the deadly, presidentially-incited assault on the Capitol and American democracy (January 6, 2021). He argues that what happened Wednesday was in so many ways the inevitable culmination of the past four years, and that while some are doubtlessly guilty, all of us bear some responsibility. The biblical Exodus story teaches us that a different future is possible, but only when we who are part of the system decide to no longer be complicit or complacent.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s virtual Shabbat service on December 26, 2020), Rabbi Knopf and Rev. Jim Somerville, Senior Pastor of Richmond, Virginia’s First Baptist Church, discuss what insights the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers offer us as we turn the page on 2020 and look ahead to 2021.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s virtual Shabbat service on December 19, 2020), Rabbi Knopf speaks about the meaning of the extraordinary events of the past week, in which the first wave of frontline healthcare workers in the US began receiving coronavirus vaccines, and about how it’s not enough to make bold statements. Rather, our actions tell the world who we truly are.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s virtual Shabbat service on December 12, 2020), Rabbi Knopf and Ruth Messinger, Global Ambassador of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), discuss the connections between Hanukkah and working on behalf of oppressed and persecuted communities worldwide.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s virtual Shabbat service on December 5, 2020), Rabbi Knopf and his mother-in-law, poet, author, and master educator Carol Rose, discuss one of the Bible’s most disturbing stories -- the rape of Jacob and Leah’s daughter, Dinah -- and what that terrible tale has to teach us today.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s virtual Shabbat service on November 28, 2020), Rabbi Knopf and Josh Jeffreys, Jewish Chaplain & Director of Religious Life at Univ. of Richmond, discuss the connections between the biblical story of Jacob’s Ladder, the college experience, leaving home, and discovering God in unlikely places.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s virtual Shabbat service on October 23, 2020), Rabbi Knopf and Rabbi Dr. Aryeh Cohen, professor Rabbinic Literature and Social Justice at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, explore the connections between Genesis' flood narrative and gun violence in America today.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s virtual Shabbat service on October 16, 2020), Rabbi Knopf and Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson, Vice President of American Jewish University and Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, discuss Genesis, Creation, and Climate Justice.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.

In this episode (recorded at Temple Beth-El’s virtual Yom Kippur service on September 28, 2020), Rabbi Knopf and Rev. Melanie Mullen, Director of Reconciliation, Justice & Creation Care, The Episcopal Church, discuss what Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, can teach us about living during a time of pandemic, recession, widespread social unrest, and environmental disaster.

“Socially Distant, Spiritually Close” is recorded during virtual gatherings of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia, and is produced by Dr. Gillian Frank. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Our cover art was designed by Judith Rushin, using a photograph by Miriam Aniel. These teachings, presentations, and conversations reflect the dynamism, warmth, passion, and kindness of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA.