Speaking Torah

What happens when we begin reading the Talmud with an assumption of female presence rather than female absence? In this episode of Speaking Torah, Rabbi Dr. Jane Kanarek, Professor of Rabbinics and Dean of Faculty at Hebrew College, joins her longtime havruta partner Dr. Judith Kates to explore Jane's book Beyond Brutality: Reclaiming Female Presence in the Bavli Sotah.

Focusing on Tractate Sotah, a text shaped by a brutal ritual that publicly humiliates women, Jane demonstrates how reading the tractate as a unified literary whole reveals something surprising: the Bavli itself pushes back against that brutality.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-29

What does it mean to be a boundary crosser, to leave what is familiar and find your truest home? In this episode of Speaking Torah, we share a powerful conversation from Hebrew College's event celebrating the release of Rabbi Angela Buchdahl's new memoir, Heart of a Stranger.

You'll discover how she cultivates joy through music and intentional attention, and why she believes that feeling like a stranger is not unique to her story but something that connects us all. Her message offers a vision of community where we can tell each other why we feel we don't belong and create a home together.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-28

Who was Abraham Joshua Heschel, and why does his life story matter to young Jews today? In this episode, Rabbi Or Rose and rabbinical student Risa Dunbar explore these questions through the lens of Or's new young adult biography, My Legs Were Praying. Their conversation reveals how a boy from Warsaw who grew up in a Hasidic dynasty became one of the most influential Jewish thinkers and activists of the 20th century.

Or emphasizes how Heschel dedicated his life to articulating the beauty and profundity of Judaism while working across religious and secular lines for justice and peace. And Risa discusses the comprehensive educational resources she developed to accompany the book, including discussion guides and lesson plans that help readers explore themes of wonder, responsibility, and the integration of prayer and social action.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-27

How can Jewish tradition help us build a world that embraces all bodies? In this episode, we share a powerful conversation between Rabbi Minna Bromberg, author of the new book Every Body Beloved, and her friend and colleague, Jordan Namerow.

Through personal letters, mystical teachings, and reexamined Jewish texts, you'll discover how pursuing health as a mitzvah can include mental and spiritual well-being, not just physical appearance. You'll learn why naming ourselves accurately matters for both fat liberation and Jewish identity, and how being willing to stay with what's painful can build both compassion and fearlessness.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-26

Rabbi Lavitt shares insights from Jewish Studio Project's innovative approach, which combines Torah study with creative practice. Drawing from both ancient Jewish wisdom and modern neuroscience, he explains how creativity allows us to access deeper ways of knowing and understanding. This integration of traditional texts with artistic exploration opens new pathways for problem-solving and personal growth.

Tune in to examine foundational Jewish teachings about creativity. Through practical examples and a structured creative process, Rabbi Lavitt demonstrates how engaging in creative practice helps regulate our nervous systems, process challenging experiences, and discover new perspectives on persistent problems.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-25

Dr. Judith Rosenbaum, CEO of the Jewish Women's Archive, explores the rich legacy of Jewish women's leadership through the lens of biblical and modern examples. Through a careful examination of historical documents and personal letters, she reveals how Jewish women have creatively and courageously shaped their communities while pursuing justice.

Drawing connections between biblical Miriam and contemporary leaders, Rosenbaum and her students unpack key moments when Jewish women challenged existing power structures and reimagined religious practices. From Henrietta Szold's eloquent 1916 letter asserting her right to say Kaddish to the guerrilla activism of Jewish Women Watching in the 1990s, we see how different generations employed varied strategies to effect change.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-24

In the months following October 7th, Israeli poets responded to the tragedy through powerful verses that gave voice to the nation's grief, rage, and despair. This episode explores selections from Shiva: Poems of October 7th, an anthology containing 59 Hebrew poems alongside English translations, examining how poetry serves as a distinctly Jewish response to catastrophe.

Hebrew College faculty member Rav Rachel Adelman joins rabbinical students Deborah Anstandig, and Matthew Schultz, both of whom were in Israel during the October 7th attack, along with translator Michael Bohnen for an intimate discussion of these poems. Through close readings of works by Rabbi Osnat Eldar, they explore themes of faith, doubt, and the complex relationship between God and the Jewish people in times of crisis.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-23

How can Jewish and Christian leaders engage in meaningful dialogue about the most pressing issues of our time? In this episode of Speaking Torah, we explore the power of interreligious learning and leadership through the eyes of two remarkable faith leaders.

Discover how Rabbi Or Rose, director of Hebrew College's Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership, and his colleague Reverend Rob Schenck, a dissenting evangelical voice, are modeling the kind of courageous conversations we need to build bridges of understanding across faiths. Learn about the importance of confronting difficult issues head-on, the demographic shifts happening within religious communities, and the urgent need for honest and informed dialogue.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-22

Over the past year, discussing the subject of Israel has been incredibly difficult for families everywhere. Does it feel like you're speaking different languages when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Many Jewish parents are grappling with a growing generational divide on this complex and emotionally-charged issue.

Join us as we discuss with Rabbi Dan Judson, the Hebrew College Provost, the historical context of Zionism, the impact of recent events on the younger generation's views, and practical strategies for fostering open and honest dialogue within families. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or simply someone who cares deeply about the future of Israel and the Jewish people, this episode offers valuable insights into the changing landscape of the Israel conversation.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-21

Have you ever wondered how traveling to the places where Jewish history unfolded can deepen your understanding and connection to Judaism? In this episode of Speaking Torah, we explore the educational power of travel and learning with Rabbi Leonard Gordon, instructor for Tamid of Hebrew College, and Kim Bodemer, Tamid's director.

Tune in to discover how Tamid of Hebrew College is creating unique travel learning experiences that engage the head, heart, soul, and body. From meeting with civil rights leaders in the American South to imagining Jewish life in medieval Spain, these trips offer a chance to build community, challenge assumptions, and find renewed inspiration for building a more just world.

Get full show notes and more information here: http://hebrewcollege.edu/podcast-20