This week, we are ecstatic to bring you our interview with Eliana and Batya Levine. Batya (they/them) is a communal song leader, musician, shaliach tzibur (Jewish prayer leader), cultural organizer, and co-founder and the Director of Programs at Let My People Sing! We explore adversarial relationships with t’fillah, modeling pouring-out-your-heart davening, and how to nurture the song leader in you. 

Support the creation of Batya's new album here!

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/episode-59-batya-levine  

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This week, in our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana and Ellen explore the Kiddush. Topics include the opening the Shabbat space/time portal, toasting time, and how to exercise our awe and wonder muscles. Plus, we listen to our favorite interpretations of the Kiddush! 

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/episode-58-kiddush 

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This week, we are proud to bring you our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Josh Cahan. A t’fillah (prayer) educator in NYC, Josh compiled and edited the Yedid Nefesh bencher and is introducing the new Yedid Nefesh Haggadah this Spring. We explore the origin story of a t’fillah nerd, praying at sleepaway camp, and the challenges and opportunities of teaching t’fillah to kids.

Is there a t’fillah nerd in your life who has inspired you as a pray-er? Join our ⁠facebook group⁠ to comment and connect. 

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/podcast/episode-57-tfillah-nerd

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This week, in our second episode of our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana, Ellen, & Josh explore the liturgy of Shalom Aleichem. Topics include angels of good and evil at the table, different melodies used for the text, and what this poem sparks in us. Plus, we listen to our favorite versions of Shalom Aleichem! 

What is your favorite Friday night Shabbat memory?

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/episode-53-shalom-aleichem 

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This week, in our third episode of our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana and Ellen explore the family blessings. Topics include the origin of this tradition, the Human-G?d-Compassion triumvirate of blessings, why should we want our kids to be like ephraim and Menashe, and how to choose your spouse anew each week. Plus, we listen to our favorite family blessing songs, including Eliana’s!

What challenges have been passed down to you that can be viewed as blessings? Join our facebook group to comment.

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @

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This week, we are proud to bring you our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Doctor Professor Ruth Langer. Professor Langer is a liturgy scholar and director of graduate studies at Boston College's Theology Department. We explore how liturgical change gets squashed, how the Talmud set the course for future liturgical halacha, and how prayers emerged throughout history. 

What is the value of knowing liturgical history to the pray-er?

Join our ⁠facebook group⁠ to share your thoughts. 

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/podcast/episode-55-liturgy-origins 

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Welcome to our second SPARK! A more free-wheeling, connective conversation between our hosts that we hope sparks something new in you. In this SPARK, Eliana, Ellen & Josh explore Hanukkah gematria, rituals that light up our lives, and spiritually exercises for the heart muscle. Plus, we listen to some of our favorite songs for the season! 

Are there enough blessings for all of us?

Join our facebook group to connect and comment. 

Check out this week’s show notes (including links to songs referenced) and transcript @ lightlab.co/podcast/episode-54-spark-hanukkah

And check out the light lab podcast hanukkah spotify playlist!

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This week, in our first episode of our Shabbat at Home series, Eliana, Ellen, & Josh explore lighting the Shabbat candles. Topics include why we light, different melodies used for the blessing, and what this blessing sparks in us. Plus, we listen to our favorite songs about lighting Shabbat candles! 

When does it start to feel like Shabbat for you?

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/episode-52-candles

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This week, we are privileged to bring you our interview with Eliana and Rabbi Kohenet Jill Hammer, PhD. Hammer is an author, teacher, midrashist, mystic, poet, essayist, and priestess. We explore where to look for g?d, how to call on g?d, and the venn diagram of poetry and liturgy. Plus, we dive into Hammer’s new book, Undertorah!

How can dreams impact our liturgical selves? Join our facebook group to connect and comment. 

Check out this week’s show notes @ lightlab.co/podcast/episode-51-under-torah

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This week, Eliana, Ellen, & Josh go behind the music with Eliana’s new album: ORAH HI. Topics include how to make an album with friends, making Hebrew songs accessible, and accessing vulnerability through song. Plus, we learn about the magic behind these sweet new tracks! 

Is it more important to correctly conjugate g?d language or let the prayer flow uninhibited?

Listen to ORAH HI on Spotify or support the artist and buy the album!

Read the liner notes and purchase ORAH HI sheet music @ elianalight.com/orah-hi 

Check out this week’s show notes and transcript @ lightlab.co/podcast/episode-50-orah-hi 

Follow us on facebook and instagram @thelight.lab. Join our facebook group to connect around each episode. 

Support our show! Donate here, and please rate, subscribe, and share around. Thank you!