In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, Avram Mandell—founder of Tzedek America—joins host Shep Rosenman for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about empathy, community, and the healing power of story and song. Through memories of New York City playgrounds, transformative civil rights journeys, and meaningful encounters across borders and on Skid Row, Avram reflects on how human connection can turn personal pain into strength and shared understanding.

Inspired by the song “Waiting” (drawn from Psalm 89) by Liz Hanellin and Shep Rosenman, this episode invites listeners to explore how storytelling and music can bridge divides, challenge indifference, and ignite action. Together, they dive into immersive social justice programs, discuss the fight against hate in schools, and consider what it truly means to move from bystander to upstander in pursuit of a more compassionate world.

What happens when ancient psalms meet modern songwriting? In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Dr. Sarah Bunin Benor to talk about “Into the Wow” — a song they wrote inspired by Psalm 118 that turns timeless text into fresh musical and spiritual expression.  

Together, they explore what it means to find community at the heart of Judaism, to experience awe beyond traditional God-language, and to discover rituals that make everyday life feel sacred. Sarah reflects on her personal recovery, reimagines prayer through a human-centered lens, and shows how joy, creativity, and connection can become forms of faith.  

From lyrical wordplay to musical multilingualism (check out Sarah's podcast, Heritage Words), this conversation dives deep into how Jewish language, melody, and meaning weave together — and how wonder can surface anywhere: in nature, in movement, in a shared meal, or in a simple moment of song. 

This week's guest on The Rest is Commentary is Rabbi Steve Greenberg, founding director of Eshel, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ and their families in the Orthodox community.  Steve and host Shep Rosenman to dive into the song “Like Sailors”—a piece inspired by Psalm 148 and co-written by Shep and Liz Hanellin. Their conversation blends music, theology, and wonder, exploring what it means to stand in awe of creation and to see prayer as joining a vast cosmic chorus of praise.  

The discussion widens into a moving exploration of moral responsibility: how we shape a world worthy of future generations, what inclusion looks like within Orthodox communities, and how different modes of prayer can transform us. Along the way, Rabbi Greenberg weaves in rich metaphors of ocean, river, and even “slinky time,” inviting us to hold past, present, and future together—with hope, curiosity, and heart. 

What does it mean to stay open — as an artist, a parent, and a person — when life asks you to both take control and let go?

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, director Vicente Amorim sits down with host Shep Rosenman to talk about “Infinite Light,” a song Shep co-wrote with Liz Hanellin, inspired by Psalm 36. Their conversation drifts from creative inspiration to the messy beauty of real life — the push and pull between control and surrender, listening to your inner teenager, and how romance and storytelling shape the way we create and connect.

Together, they reflect on what it means to show up vulnerably — in art, in love, and in family life. Vicente shares what it’s like to make career choices that honor his inner child and how playfulness and responsibility can actually go hand in hand. It’s a warm, thoughtful exchange about finding joy, depth, and meaning in the creative process — and in the everyday stories we tell those we love.

What does it really mean to live a Jewish life guided by Torah—not politics?  

In this episode, Chava Mirel joins us for an honest and deeply heartfelt conversation about Judaism, identity, and what happens when faith and nationalism start to overlap. Chava reminds us that Judaism was never meant to be a political movement. Instead, it’s a living tradition rooted in how we treat one another—with compassion, justice, and awareness.  

Together, we explore how Torah can guide the way we show up in the world, not through power or political ambition, but through moral clarity and everyday kindness. It’s a conversation about returning to the core of Jewish life—where our actions reflect our values, and where being a Torah Jew means choosing ethics over ego.  

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to center Torah in a complicated world, this episode is for you.  

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman welcomes renowned and award winning Jewish educator and storyteller Clive Lawton for a wide-ranging, down-to-earth conversation sparked by the song “Weaving a Garment of Light” (also known as “Work of Our Hands”), inspired by Psalm 19 and written by Shep and Ruby Corbyn-Ross. Together they explore how Jewish tradition holds both cosmic awe and everyday responsibility at the same time, asking what it means to live with wonder while still showing up for real people and real problems. 

They talk about embracing contrasting ideas in Jewish thought, the call to social and moral action, and why rigid either/or thinking can be so dangerous in an age shaped by technology and AI.  The conversation also turns to Holocaust education, communal duty, and practical ways Jews and anyone else can engage locally and globally, including how creative work and Jewish learning can deepen that sense of responsibility and hope for the future, including hope for the Mashiach (Messiah).

In this powerful episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Robby Berman — Israeli tour guide, author, comedian, and activist — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about hope, heartbreak, and humanity in today’s Israel.  

Inspired by the song "What Would It Take?” (written by Shep and Liz Hanellin and drawn from Psalm 22), their dialogue delves into the personal and political — from Robby’s journey out of religious orthodoxy to his decades witnessing the beauty and turmoil of Israeli life firsthand. Berman speaks openly about violence, extremism, and the moral crossroads facing Israelis and Palestinians alike, challenging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths while holding onto empathy.  

At once intimate and provocative, this episode explores whether hope can survive in a landscape of fear — and what it would really take to build a more just future. 

When Shep Rosenman sits down with Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson, the conversation becomes a journey—through grief, faith, and the mysterious power of music to hold them both.  In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, they unpack Shep’s song “Holy Hands,” drawn from Psalm 134, exploring how melody and lyric intertwine to express what words alone cannot.  

They talk about songwriting as a dialogue between clarity and mystery, about how mourning shapes creativity, and about the ways we keep speaking to those we've lost. Along the way, the two reflect on family, tradition, and the beauty found in different paths of belief. It’s a conversation about legacy and love, about art that prays even when it can’t explain.  

Don't miss this episode!

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Texas musician and storyteller, Joe Buchanan for a deeply moving conversation about divine love and the power of good deeds. Together, they remind us that there is one God and nothing wrong with any of us — we are each loved, exactly as we are. Acts of kindness aren’t about rewards or fear, but about bringing more good into the world. Spirituality and goodness cross every boundary, and it's in our everyday intentions that we find comfort, strength, and meaning. Tune in for an uplifting exploration of how understanding divine love can transform lives, and how good deeds are their own reward. And get to hear four live performances, two from Joe's new album, Heaven & Earth, which can be found on his website, www.joebuchananmusic.com and wherever music is streamed or purchased, in addition to the songs Shep plays that start and end their conversation.

Get ready for an unforgettable episode as Shep Rosenman welcomes Professor Jeff Proske and Rabbi Julia Knobloch to dive deep into the creation of the Psalm-inspired song, “I Forgot What Happened in Babylon,” co-written by Shep and Julia. Experience the vibrant energy of Los Angeles reimagined as a modern Zion, and uncover the powerful stories and symbolism behind Babylon, love, loss, and transformation.

This lively discussion explores the search for meaning, the impact of change, and the ways Biblical wisdom and life experiences fuel creativity and music. Discover how community supports healing, and how art can help us embrace joy and purpose in everyday life.

The episode wraps up with moving insights into songwriting, memory, and Shep’s ambitious project of setting the Psalms to music—offering inspiration, hope, and renewal for anyone navigating times of transformation.