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Hosted by Sami Halle and featuring the voices of our incredible Morahs — Janice Huritz, Kayla Jackson, and Ashley Aragon — Episode 2 dives straight into the joyful whirlwind of spring holidays, classroom chaos, and the nostalgia that shapes who we are as teachers.

This week, we bounce from Purim to Passover, covering everything from costumes, glitter, and groggers to matzah, crumbs, and the eternal question: What’s the best thing to eat with matzah? (And yes, we absolutely got into a gross‑smell debate — ketchup vs. syrup vs. peanut butter. You’ve been warned.)

We also tackle the real issues:

• The hardest classroom mess to clean: kinetic sand, glitter, or matzah crumbs
• Spring break plans and the countdown to freedom
• The forbidden foods that somehow still make their way into the school
• Flashbacks to our own school days — from reading maps and counting change to today’s navigation apps and credit cards

It’s chaotic, it’s nostalgic, it’s hilarious, and it’s exactly what makes teacher life so special.

Tune in, listen along, and get ready — because there’s always more Morah to talk about.

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Abe Friedman's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.​ (March 14, 2026) 

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This week’s episode of Havdalah Happy Hour is pure community joy as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck relive the magic of Beth El’s Got Talent. Who knew our community could sing, laugh, play instruments, and showcase so many hidden talents? It was unforgettable, and we’re still riding the high.

Naturally, the conversation spiraled into a very serious debate about pie flavors and shapes—because apparently this is a topic with strong opinions. Comment your favorite flavor below… we’re keeping score.

And in true Havdalah Happy Hour fashion, the weather made its grand reappearance, joined by a new contender: foot and walking traffic, which somehow became its own saga.

As always, we wrap things up with a heartfelt blessing of the week and a perfectly on‑brand shonda of the week.

✨ Tune in and listen.

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Join Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck as they dive into this week’s Parsha. Guess what?— more props this week! 

Tune in to catch all the fascinating ins and outs of the Parsha.

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This week, Jill Suffel and Cantor Emily Ellentuck are back with a special treat: a bonus episode featuring two incredible guests, Hailey and Jenna, fresh off the recent Beth El Israel trip they experienced alongside our fearless chaperones, Emily and Jill.

Together, they dive into all the good stuff — the unforgettable sweet and savory bites, the standout adventures, the true wow moments, and every bit of magic in between. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and full of that signature Beth El energy.

✨ Keep an eye out for future Beth El trips… you never know what stories you’ll bring home.

Tune in and enjoy.

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbinical Student Samson Njogu​'s sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 7, 2026) 

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This week’s episode is a perfect blend of Purim joy, global awareness, and all the things we’re excited about right now. Join Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck as we reminisce about the best Purim ever—the costumes, the chaos, the community energy—and debate the truly important question of the season: which hamantaschen flavor reigns supreme? (Comment your favorite… we’re ready to judge lovingly.)

Our conversation also turns toward the world, touching on what’s happening in Iran, dreaming about future trips to Israel, and sharing the new shows we can’t wait to start.

In a shocking twist, weather and traffic did not make an appearance this week—but don’t worry, we still wrap things up with our signature blessing of the week and a very on‑brand shonda of the week.

✨ Tune in and listen.

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Join Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week’s Parsha. Guess what?— more props this week! 

Tune in to catch all the fascinating ins and outs of the Parsha.

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This week’s episode is a joyful reunion as Jill Suffel and Cantor Emily Ellentuck return from their incredible Beth El trip to Israel—and they come bearing stories. They give us the full rundown: the shopping (obviously), the unforgettable bites, the mitzvah moments, the explorations, and yes… the cereal haul they lovingly brought back for Ben Kreshtool.

Ben, in true Ben fashion, takes that energy and launches us straight into the ever‑dramatic world of weather updates and the traffic monstrosities we’ve all been dealing with lately. It’s chaotic, it’s comforting, it’s classic Havdalah Happy Hour.

As always, we wrap things up with a heartfelt blessing of the week and a perfectly on‑brand shonda of the week.

✨ Tune in and enjoy the adventure.

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Join Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week’s Parsha. Wahoo — even more props this week! We explored incense and played with fire (literally and figuratively). Plus, make sure you tune in for Ben K.’s brand‑new intro — it’s amazing. Comment your favorite scent below, then listen in to catch all the fascinating ins and outs of the Parsha.