E Pluribus Unum: Recent Episodes
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E Pluribus Unum: Out of many, one. How can we once again become one nation under God? It's probably not a simple answer. But we can start by returning to the wisdom of the Torah, which is for everyone of every and no faith. We'll explore culture and politics through the lens of Torah and explain the conservative viewpoint.
Passover is a recognition of history and a look forward to the future. Can other cultures learn from the Jewish connection to history? Plus, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Morality, the mixed bags that people are, and analysis of a January 6th parody song.
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We delve into the heavy topics of the day, like the heated debate currently being waged on Tik Tok, and what shoe box branding can tell us about our modern culture.
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Whoopi Goldberg's comments about the nature of the Holocaust were wrong, but almost not as troubling as what "View" co-host Ana Navarro said. And, when will sites like Spotify get off their high horses about dangerous misinformation?
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Why we really need to stop using the term Nazi to describe everyone we disagree with, and how should we be using the teachings from MLK to best honor his memory. Plus, a lesson we can learn from the Israelites' propensity to complain in the wilderness after the Exodus.
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The annoying tendency of rabbis and other Jewish leaders to "condemn bigotry and hatred of all kinds" when anti-Jewish incidents occur. Plus, lessons from this week's Torah portion, including the purpose of freedom, taking responsibility for our choices, and not acting out of fear.
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The debate surrounding abortion - like so many other issues - has become a black/white, yes/no discussion. But, is it possible there is room for some nuance, or at least the ability to understand the other perspective?
Plus, more Instagram memes and an exciting personal announcement!
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Dissecting the self love/ "treat yoself"/"You are enough" messages heard so frequently today. And, a thought on Thanksgiving.
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Systemic racism in the NFL and cheating in the MLB. Who said politicians get to have all of the fun?
Articles used in this episode:
NFL Payout Bias
Astros Cheating Scandal Explained
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Studying history teaches us others' past mistakes, and hopefully how to not repeat them. It also lets us know that there's nothing new under the sun, which should be reassuring as we grapple with the issues of life. Plus, BLM and I agree on an issue.
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Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Jewish High Holidays, are commonly thought of as solemn days of repentance. In truth, they are joyous days celebrating our return to God. The secularization of the world is at the root of all problems, and a return to God can have larger implications than the personal relationship reestablished on the Jewish High Holidays.
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Observations of campers at summer camp lead to ruminations on luck, gratitude, fairness, and equity. Join Emily for an in-the-moment contemplation of these hot-button concepts. Plus, a truly bi-partisan issue we can all support.
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"Always be a little kinder than necessary."
Is it possible to have too much freedom? Also, a YA novel with a pro-gun message and why socialists are secretly the most patriotic Americans.
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The phrase "birthing person" is turning us into the society The Handmaid's Tale warned us about. Plus, living in our own bubbles, buying things from China, and wisdom from Ethics of the Fathers: "If not now, when?"
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As the multitude of rainbow flags indicate, it's Pride Month! We talk about the sincerity of businesses that sell rainbow colored everything, what it means to have pride, and why people make their sexual orientation their whole identity.
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In this episode I answer the burning question: why don't all Jews celebrate Sigd?
Plus, it's "my body my choice," but not when it comes to the COVID vaccine, apparently. I also talk about Israel, explaining why it it NOT an apartheid state and wonder why the world hates that tiny little country so much. And, what a Jewish philosophy can teach us about the absurdity of the idea of cultural appropriation.
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Disneyland has updated its employee dress code to be more inclusive, and several of its attractions are changing to fix the problems of outdated cultural depictions and non-consensual kissing. It seems we might be taking the actions of animatronic figures a tad too seriously.
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Regina King was more right than she thought when she assumed viewers wanted to tune away from the political preachiness of the Oscars. Plus, why proposals and birth control are empowering for women, and a quick tip on how to respond to the dreaded "have you gotten your vaccine?" question.
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Leviticus 19:2 says, "You shall be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy." What does holiness look like? It is more achievable than we may think, and equally so for people of all (and no) faiths.
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A book by Jodi Picoult sparks a discussion about abortion, conspiracy theories, and our choice of what lenses we use to view others.
Can companies please stop preaching at us? I want to buy scented soaps without being berated for my "privilege."
Filling out a government form made me think: do we know what race is?
Our role on this earth is easier than we think. We don't have to become mystics floating on the top of a mountain to increase holiness on earth.
Government involvement in health insurance is a mess, why conservatives prefer community help to government intrusion, the difference between health care & health insurance, and would it kill the MLB to stay apolitical? Plus, does your work matter?
The Jewish holiday of Passover is a connection to the national past. By connecting to the past, we are able to appreciate our present and make deliberate choices about our future. The benefits of celebrating a personal, or communal, exodus are endless.
Just because something is natural doesn't mean it's good. The third book of the Torah starts with a description of sacrifices. The Hebrew word for sacrifice is Korban, with the root "to come close." We come closer to God by elevating our humanity above our animal instincts.
What if everything you know is wrong? It is important to periodically ask oneself that question, and then do research to understand why we believe what we believe (or why we should change our minds.) The news is providing different stories to the right and left - no wonder we all think the other side is nuts.
In the final two portions of Exodus, we learn again about the building of the Mishkan. The repetition of these details is an indication of how important the Mishkan is to God...and our continued reading of the Bible is an indication of how important it is to us. Plus, why we should care what other people think about us.
International Women's Day celebrates women, and so do I. What about women are we celebrating...the ways that they are like men, or the ways in which they are unique? Women's success should be based upon a female standard, not "living up" to men.
The sin of the Golden Calf is a major story in the Bible. This episode in Israelite history has a lot to teach us about the balance of compassion and justice. Plus, National Day of Unplugging.
Having an official national language can help us find unity. It is the only way we can all communicate, connect to our history, and work together to find solutions to problems.
Celebrate Purim with E Pluribus Unum podcast. This joyous, Jewish holiday is more than costumes and candy. There are lessons applicable to our daily lives, including focusing on the positive and having the courage to speak up for what is right.
Young Adult dystopian novels ask all the big questions of life. This episode focuses on Matched, by Ally Condie, which explores the question of safety vs. liberty. This conversation is particularly resonant in times of COVID; but, these two concepts are often in conflict, and striking a balance is key.
ABC's Cougartown has more to offer then self-aware title cards and cameos by "Friends" actors. It also stokes philosophical questions about the role of entertainment on shaping the culture and the difference between being "spiritual" and "religious."
Happy Lunar New Year! Happy Valentine's Day & Presidents Day! Let's revel in all the celebrations. We also talk about the recent "cancelling" of Gina Carano & Morgan Wallen, why we should all be careful before using the Holocaust as a reference point, and the importance of public figures having privacy.
Parsha Mishpatim is filled with laws regarding slavery, murder, theft, etc. What can we learn from the fact that this parsha follows the giving of the Ten Commandments? We go in depth on capital punishment, slavery, and an eye for an eye. Plus, some of the other commandments in this week's Torah portion.
We can all list the Ten Commandments (probably). This episode is about understanding the significance and meaning of the big Ten. Plus, Moses' father-in-law's influence on our modern-day court structure.
We have our first interview on E Pluribus Unum! My mom joins me for a conversation on how she became conservative, how her Judaism impacts her views on life, and the (often wrong) perceptions people have of conservatives. Plus, she shares her hobbies, what animates her, and the danger of EVER using superlatives.
Conservatives are often misunderstood because their motivations are questioned and their ideas dismissed. We break down some of the common accusations leveled at conservatives and explain the conservative perspective on everything from climate change to abortion. Plus, proposed changes to CA curriculum require action if we want students to be taught to think, not how to think.
Can the Jews's exodus from Egypt teach American society how to deal with its own history of slavery? The answer is a resounding yes. Plus, find out the real name of the Red Sea.
Thoughts on the inauguration and the capitol riots. Exploring why we have constant exposure to news and how it affects us. Of course, a Torah thought on how to conduct our lives.
The ads for Amazon Halo are disturbing. The app itself? Much too intrusive. We should be doing things with our own two hands or the help of others, not apps all the time.
After a quick return to the Bookriot article from last week, we plunge into a few thought-provoking topics, including empathy for other public speakers, the lenses through which we view the world, and changing people through love instead of hatred. Also, an inspiring story about courage.
Goodbye 2020, hello 2021! So, how do we rate 2020? Is it an objective or subjective rating? Plus, a look at the parsha thanks to insights from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks & Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.
Recent hate-filled comments on my Instagram give me a taste of how awful the world of social media is, and a newfound empathy for people who apologize to the mob. Also, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and end-of-year donations.
A response to a recent article from bookriot.com, listing the best books to learn about Judaism, from a Christian to other non-Jews. Do we have the responsibility to teach others about our culture? Is the United States a Christian nation? And, what's the proper way to spell folks?
What is this Jew's perspective on the hottest Christmas topics: Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas, Santa Claus, and Baby, It's Cold Outside?
Why do some people become disillusioned with America when they learn the bad along with the good? Maybe we aren't prepared for the harsh realities of the world. And, the Real Housewives of Atlanta get serious...kinda.
Following a brief summary of Parsha Mikeitz, we delve into a few issues raised in the portion. Revenge, dominant superpowers, and staying true to morality in tough situations. This episode has it all!
We talk about the story of Chanukah, how it is celebrated, and some of the meanings and lessons to be learned from the light of the menorah.
Here it is: the official COVID episode. What is the conservative response to COVID? It has to do with costs, and I'm not just talking about money.
There are so many lessons to be learned from this week's parsha. The troubles of showing favoritism to children, the importance of speaking peacefully to those we dislike, why we should fill our heads with good things, and much more.
Is it okay to have doubts and questions as a believer? How is Jacob's biblical wrestling match with the angel a sanction of our struggles with God and faith?
A brief look at the lessons to be learned from the attack on Pearl Harbor, on this 79th anniversary. As we head into the gift-giving season, what are the ethics of shopping?
Debunking the myth that conservatives are obsessed with money. Is it all the Left projecting their own way of looking at the world?
The importance of thinking before we act. As humans, we have the ability to make conscious decisions about what we do and say; we are not strictly beholden to our instincts.
A focus on gratitude, because it's Thanksgiving. Gratitude is such an important character trait, guaranteed to make us happier (and more pleasant to be around.)
A lesson from this week's parsha to be such a source of good in our community that our absence is felt and we are missed when we leave.
The Phillistines stopping up Isaac's wells teaches us about the deleterious effects of envy and why it's a trait to avoid.
Learning life lessons from the Patriarch Isaac's digging of wells. Who knew? Shabbat Shalom!
Get to know your lovely podcast host Emily a little better. What was it like growing up in a conservative household? Was it repressive or a place for growth?
The podcast has a schedule now! In the first Monday Mission, a way to bring the level of discourse back to something approaching courtesy: focusing on issues, instead of personal attacks, when disagreeing with someone. This is necessary for our republic to work. It isn't easy, but it is doable. The 5 - 1 Rule is a practical tip for working towards this goal.
A focus on kindness on this belated celebration of World Kindness Day. Kindness to everyone important, but it is often easier to show kindness to those we love. A lesson on kindness, specifically to strangers, from the Biblical Matriarch Rivkah.
How much better would the world be if we all realized - and cared - that our every action affects other people, and it's up to us to make sure it's for the good. And, don't gossip!
Eternal God, we ask Your continued blessings for our country, the United States of America... that's the beginning of a prayer said weekly at shuls across America. We can extrapolate a lot about unity from the continued recitation of this prayer, no matter who is in office.
Conservatives yearn for smaller government. What do they mean by that phrase and why is it better for everyone if government is limited?
The Torah is chock-full of wisdom. Does one have to be religious, or even a believer in God's existence, to benefit from the wisdom within the Torah? What can the first verse of Torah teach us about combating bigotry?
E Pluribus Unum means "from many, one." That's the goal of this podcast, to help bring our fracturing country to unity through positivity and finding our shared values. We'll also explore the conservative values system and examine culture and politics through the lens of Torah.