Rabbis Frimmer, Cohen and Cantor Coyot, aspiring to fulfill the Jewish people's ancient moniker, "The People of the Book", discuss the books they are currently reading in preparation for the High Holy Days. As we anticipate asking God to write us into the Book of Life for the New Year, Isaiah clergy share highlights from a few books that might guide us in a process of personal and communal cheshbon nefesh.

So, take a look: What books are on *your* nightstand? Which one might be the perfect fit for the month of Elul as we prepare to enter a season of reflection and renewal? Choose one today and let us know what you're reading!

Book 1:

We Killed: Women in Comedy

Book 2:

This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared

Book 3:

Antisemitism: Here and Now

Links for SoundCloud:

We Killed: Women in Comedy

https://www.amazon.com/We-Killed-Women-American-Comedy/dp/1250037786

Antisemitism: Here and Now

https://www.amazon.com/Antisemitism-Here-Deborah-Lipstadt/dp/0805243372

This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared

https://www.amazon.com/This-Real-Completely-Unprepared-Transformation/dp/0316739081

Rabbis Frimmer, Klein Miles, Cohen and Cantor Coyot discuss the Jewish tradition's commitment to spiritual preparation in advance of the New Year. Isaiah clergy offer personal anecdotes and practical suggestions for congregants of all ages including book recommendations, conversation starters, the use of rituals like shofar and mikvah, and reviewing your calendar from the past year.

The month of Elul begins at sundown on Friday, August 30. For more ideas on how to prepare, please contact any of the Isaiah clergy. Shana Tova!

Rabbis Frimmer and Timoner come together for one more conversation after an evening conversation with Tal Becker and Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellows at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. How can Progressive Zionists use power in a world in which powerlessness is seen as more moral? How do we close the gap between Diaspora and Israeli Jews when it comes to radically different answers to the question, "What type of nation will keep the Jews safe?"

Each time the Jewish people have entered the land of Israel, from ancient times until now, there is a turning point in our collective history and identity. There is an unintended rupture within the community of Clal Yisrael: If Israel is now our home, what do we call the land outside of Israel in which Jews live? If Peoplehood is reborn in the land, by what name do we call our People who live outside her borders? On this Shabbat, Rabbi Frimmer examines the creation of the first Diaspora Jewish community as 2.5 tribes ask for permission to plant their roots on the East Side of the Jordan River while the rest of the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Listen to the inspirational story of five biblical women known as Tzelafchad’s daughters. They act according to Jewish values: they speak out against injustice, teach us that Judaism must evolve, and preserve the legacy of their father.

Rabbi Dara Frimmer and Rabbi Rachel Timoner discuss Jewish Identity Politics and the conflicting, and seemingly contradictory, experiences of being both vulnerable and powerful. How does the historical (and contemporary) Jewish experience of trauma and oppression as a minority group make us stronger allies in the fight for justice? How does our power/privilege complicate our efforts to join coalitions? Thanks to Dr. Mijal Bitton, Fellow in Residence and faculty member at Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, and the Rosh Kehilla and co-founder of the Downtown Minyan in New York City, for her lecture on this topic.

Rabbi Dara Frimmer and Temple Isaiah’s Emeritus Cantor, Evan Kent, sit down in Jerusalem for a pre-Shabbat talk about life-after-aliyah, Israeli politics, Jewish identity and (feral) cats. Thanks to everyone who shared their questions online.

Dara is going to Israel in January, 2020.

Hear Rabbi Josh Weinberg talk Israel election results from April 9, 2019.

Evan's Website.

SoundCloud Links:

Hear Rabbi Josh Weinberg talk Israel election results from April 9, 2019:

https://soundcloud.com/user-455229363/israelis-cast-their-vote-for-the-21st-knesset-who-won-who-lost-and-what-comes-next

Dara is going to Israel in January, 2020:

http://templeisaiah.com/israel

Evan's Website:

https://evankent.com/

From an Airbnb kitchen in Jerusalem, Rabbi Frimmer shares a Clergy Suite conversation with her friend and colleague, Rabbi Rachel Timoner. Reflecting on the theme of Peoplehood and the recent teachings by Dr. Elana Stein Hain, Scholar in Residence and Director of Faculty at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, Rabbis Frimmer and Timoner discuss inclusion, opting-out, the necessity of rebuke and the power of loyalty and love.

The Clergy Suite's final episode of Season 1 explores the simple and provocative question: How's Your Heart? Taken from Omid Safi's article, The Disease of Being Busy, Safi writes: In many Muslim cultures, when you want to ask them how they’re doing, you ask: in Arabic, Kayf haal-ik? or, in Persian, Haal-e shomaa chetoreh? In reality, we ask, “How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?” Rabbis Frimmer, Klein Miles and Cohen reflect on the end of the year for Temple Isaiah (June 30) and the start of our next (July 1) with personal changes, losses, and challenges. They also give a sneak peak at the exciting programs in the year to come.

Omid Safi's article.

Tablet magazine on Rabbi Richard N. Levy (z'l).

LINKS for Soundcloud:

Omid Safi's article: https://onbeing.org/blog/the-disease-of-being-busy/

Tablet magazine on Rabbi Richard N. Levy (z'l): https://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/287036/rabbi-richard-n-levy-1937-2019

Rabbis Frimmer and Klein Miles discuss a provocative article from The New York Jewish Week, “20 Years In The Rabbinate: ‘They Didn’t Teach Me This In Rabbinical School’”, about the state of synagogues, rabbinic leadership and the ever-changing and challenging nature of Jewish communities. Tune in to hear what Isaiah clergy learned (and missed out on) in rabbinical school. Why do people join Isaiah? What do they expect from their clergy and community?

Links for Soundcloud:

Article: https://tinyurl.com/y5v489gx

Dara's Short & Sweet from Family Camp:

https://tinyurl.com/yyyl8egc

Links for Podcast Apps:

20 Years In The Rabbinate: ‘They Didn’t Teach Me This In Rabbinical School’ by Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove.

Link to Dara's Short & Sweet from Family Camp.