Podcasts Archives - Jewish Sacred Aging: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Richard Address-Jewish Sacred Aging
A forum for the Jewish Community with resources and texts that feature discussions on the implications of the revolution in longevity for Baby Boomers and their families.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, cantor of Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, NJ, discusses the spiritual significance of music in the high holiday liturgy.
Summary of conversation assisted by AIRabbi Richard Address engages with Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro to explore the profound impact of sacred music in Jewish tradition, particularly during the High Holidays. They discuss the emotional connection that music fosters within the community, the legacy of musical practices, and the evolution of Jewish music as a melting pot of cultural influences. Alisa shares her personal journey and the importance of creating a meaningful prayer experience that resonates with congregants of all ages. The conversation highlights the challenges and joys of being a cantor, the significance of improvisation in prayer, and the hope for healing and connection in a broken world.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestHazzan Alisa Pomerantz-BoroHazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro grew up on Mercer Island, Washington, in a rabbinic home, instilled with a love of Judaism and music. From an early age, she knew she would continue the long family line of rabbis and cantors.
She was ordained as a Hazzan and earned her degree in Sacred Jewish Music from the Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, where she was awarded the Jacobson Memorial Prize in Hazzanut. She was selected as the speaker when she received her honorary Doctorate from JTS. She holds a B.A. in Near Eastern Studies and Music from the University of Washington.
Hazzan Pomerantz-Boro has served as Beth El’s cantor since 2004. For 13 years before that, she served at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, California. While in Cantorial school, she broke new ground as the Assistant Cantor at New York’s Park Avenue Synagogue, that shul’s first female member of the clergy. She was among the first 14 women to be inducted into the Cantors Assembly in May 1991, an international organization she ultimately served as President.
Among numerous recognitions, Hazzan Pomerantz-Boro received the 2011 Hiddur Mitzvah Award presented by Masorti Olami/World Council of Conservative Synagogues to “pillars of leadership in the Conservative Movement”. She was the first recipient of The Cantors Assembly Hazon – Visionary Award and most recently received Hadassah’s coveted Myrtle Wreath Award.
Hazzan and her husband, Stephen, have two beautiful children, Rebecca and Joshua. She hopes and prays that by lifting our voices together, we will continue to build a better world.
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/27/2024: High Holy Days Music with Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, poet and liturgist Alden Solovy discusses his latest book of poems, Enter These Gates: Meditations for the Days of Awe.
Summary of the conversation generated with artificial intelligenceIn this conversation, Alden Solovy discusses his new book, ‘Enter These Gates: Meditations for the Days of Awe.’ He talks about the inspiration behind the book, which was the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel and subsequent war. Alden shares some of his powerful poems and meditations from the book, including ‘Ela Azkara’ and ‘At the Gates.’ He also discusses the themes of history, memory, and mortality in his writings. The conversation concludes with a reading of Alden’s poem, ‘Walking Toward Sunset,’ which reflects on the journey of life and the acceptance of mortality.
About the BookEnter These Gates is a High Holy Day companion for our times, with more than one hundred new poems, prayers, and meditations for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
Poet-liturgist Alden Solovy draws from his unique spirit to blend today’s struggles and joys with classic themes, layering a contemporary voice into beloved motifs. Enter These Gates is a vital resource for individual prayer, study, and communal worship. Themes include confession, repentance, forgiveness, and memory, as well as frailty, seeking holiness, and what Solovy calls “the ancient journey.” A companion to the machzor, Enter These Gates offers a fresh yet deeply rooted approach to heightening our experience of the Days of Awe.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the Guest(Michele Chabin Photo)Alden SolovyAlden Solovy is a modern day piytan, a traveling poet/preacher/teacher who uses Torah and verse to engage and inspire.
Alden embodies the intersection of scholarship and heart. A new voice for ancient yearnings, his writings resonate with the soul and his presence is sought after in Jewish spiritual spaces around the world.
A liturgist, lyricist, and educator, Alden offers a fresh Jewish voice, challenging the boundaries between poetry, meditation, personal growth, and prayer. His writing was transformed by multiple tragedies, marked in 2009 by the sudden death of his wife from catastrophic brain injury.
Solovy’s teaching spans from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem to Limmud and Leo Baeck College in the UK, and synagogues throughout North America.
He is the author of four volumes from CCAR Press: These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah (2023), This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day (2017), This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings (2019), and This Precious Life: Encountering the Divine with Poetry and Prayer (2021).
The Jerusalem Post called his writing “soulful, meticulously crafted.” Huffington Post Religion said “…the prayers reflect age-old yearnings in modern-day situations.”
Solovy made Aliyah to Israel in 2012, where he hikes, writes, teaches, and learns. His work has appeared more than 25 collections, including Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftorah (CCAR Press, 2023), Mishkan R’Fuah: Where Healing Resides (CCAR Press, 2012), L’chol Z’man v’Eit: For Sacred Moments (CCAR Press, 2015), Mishkan HaNefesh: Machzor for the Days of Awe (CCAR Press, 2015), and Gates of Shabbat, Revised Edition (CCAR Press, 2016).
He is a three-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism. His writing appears on Ritualwell.org, ReformJudaism.org, Ravblog.ccar.org, TimesofIsrael.com and tobendlight.com. Alden is also the founder of ManKind Project Israel.
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/20/2024: Poet Alden Solovy discusses his latest book, “Enter These Gates” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jill Maderer and Rabbi Jack Paskoff reflect on the meaning of the High Holidays this year in the wake of the October 7 Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israelis and as antisemitism surges in the United States and around the world.
Summary of the conversation generated with AIThe conversation focuses on the upcoming High Holidays and the challenges and unique aspects of preparing for them. The two rabbis discuss their personal preparations and the spiritual significance of this time of year. They also address the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for open dialogue and understanding. The conversation touches on the importance of joy and connection during the holidays, as well as the impact of the pandemic on synagogue attendance and the opportunities it presents for reaching a wider audience. The rabbis express their hopes for the coming year, including peace, connection, and understanding.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsRabbi Jill MadererJill L. Maderer is the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, where she has served since her ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, NY in 2001.
Rabbi Maderer currently serves on the Board of the Interfaith Philadelphia; in the past she has served as: president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, chairperson of the Center City Kehillah, a member of the Religious Leaders Council (multi-faith) of Greater Philadelphia, as a Mussar Institute instructor training Reform rabbis, as faculty at URJ Camp Harlam, and she has served on the Central Conference of American Rabbis’ Task Force for Experience of Women in the Rabbinate.
Rabbi Jack PaskoffJack Paskoff is in his 32nd year as the rabbi of Congregation Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster, PA. During that time, the congregation has grown in significant ways in terms of membership, childhood and adult learning, and social justice work.
To many, Lancaster seems an unlikely place for meaningful Jewish life, but this community of 330 families has made its presence known throughout Pennsylvania and throughout the Reform movement. Jack often addresses social justice issues in his congregation, and, through his various community activities, has become a voice of Tikkun Olam throughout Lancaster County having participated in and launched projects related to homeless, poverty, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant resettlement. He regularly speaks about this work in a column in the local newspaper and through numerous speaking engagements.
Jack is very involved in Reform Judaism’s youth and camping programs. A number of graduates of the congregation have gone on to active involvement in Jewish life.
Jack has been married to Risa for 38 years. He is the father of Ari (married to Danielle) and Gadi, and recently became the proud Saba of Seth.
Jack is a native New Yorker, graduating from Brandeis University, before being ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Prior to arriving in Lancaster, Jack was the associate rabbi at the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, NJ.
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/13/2024: Rabbis Reflect on The High Holidays appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz discusses his latest book, 45 Great Philosophers and What They Mean for Judaism.
AI-Generated Summary of the ConversationRabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz discusses his book and the importance of engaging with diverse philosophical perspectives. He emphasizes the value of learning from other cultures and voices, and how Judaism has always been in dialogue with different philosophies throughout history. The conversation explores the concept of Jewish philosophy and its relationship with other philosophical traditions, such as Confucianism and existentialism. The role of women philosophers in Jewish thought is also highlighted. The discussion touches on the decline of intellectualism in contemporary American Jewish society and the need to revive the exploration of ideas and deep questions.
About the BookIn this new forty-five-chapter series, Rabbi Shmuly explores forty-five of the most influential philosophers throughout history and how Jewish ideas might engage with each of the philosophers and their philosophical projects. At times, Judaism may need to reject harmful, foreign ideas. Other times, Judaism may need to adapt, integrate, and expand. There are many other approaches we’ll see of how Jewish thought can engage with other philosophies as well. In this exciting new exploration, we learn about Jewish intellectual history and what it means for us today.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Dr. Shmuly YanklowitzRabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America.
Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of nineteen books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK.
Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (Jewish learning center), the Founder & President of Uri L’Tzedek (the Orthodox Social Justice movement), the Founder and CEO of Shamayim (Jewish animal advocacy), and the Founder and President of YATOM, (Jewish foster and adoption network). Rabbi Shmuly, his wife Shoshana, and their four children live in Scottsdale, Arizona. They are also foster parents.
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/6/2024: Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz Discusses His New Book of 45 Great Philosophers appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Jonathan Branfman, Eli Reinhard Postdoctoral Fellow at the Taube Center for Jewish Studies, Stanford University, discusses his book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, & White Supremacy. Branfman is a former resident of Cherry Hill, NJ.
Jewish stars have longed faced pressure to downplay Jewish identity for fear of alienating wider audiences. But unexpectedly, since the 2000s, many millennial Jewish stars have won stellar success while spotlighting (rather than muting) Jewish identity. In Millennial Jewish Stars, Jonathan Branfman asks: what makes these explicitly Jewish stars so unexpectedly appealing? And what can their surprising success tell us about race, gender, and antisemitism in America? To answer these questions, Branfman offers case studies on six top millennial Jewish stars: the biracial rap superstar Drake, comedic rapper Lil Dicky, TV comedy duo Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, “man-baby” film star Seth Rogen, and chiseled film star Zac Efron.
Branfman argues that despite their differences, each star’s success depends on how they navigate racial antisemitism: the historical notion that Jews are physically inferior to Christians. Each star especially navigates racial stigmas about Jewish masculinity—stigmas that depict Jewish men as emasculated, Jewish women as masculinized, and both as sexually perverse. By embracing, deflecting, or satirizing these stigmas, each star comes to symbolize national hopes and fears about all kinds of hot-button issues. For instance, by putting a cuter twist on stereotypes of Jewish emasculation, Seth Rogen plays soft man-babies who dramatize (and then resolve) popular anxieties about modern fatherhood. This knack for channeling national dreams and doubts is what makes each star so unexpectedly marketable.
In turn, examining how each star navigates racial antisemitism onscreen makes it easier to pinpoint how antisemitism, white privilege, and color-based racism interact in the real world. Likewise, this insight can aid readers to better notice and challenge racial antisemitism in everyday life.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestJonathan BranfmanJonathan Branfman is the Eli Reinhard Postdoctoral Fellow at the Taube Center for Jewish Studies, Stanford University.
He researches race, masculinity, and Jewish identity in popular media. His work invites Jewish, feminist, queer, critical race, and media studies to grasp how historical anti-Semitism shapes present-day U.S. visual culture, and how Jewish stars harness this stigma to enter America’s core cultural debates.
The post Seekers of Meaning 8/2/2024: Prof. Jonathan Branfman’s Book, “Millennial Jewish Stars” About Racism and Antisemitism appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Shlomo Brody discusses Ematai.org, a web resource providing guidance from a Jewish perspective for issues of healthcare and end-of-life decision-making.
Ematai helps individuals and their families anticipate the questions they’ll need to answer as they continue on their healthcare journey.
Ematai also explores the big moral questions that society needs to face as technological revolutions change the human experience.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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About the GuestRabbi Dr. Shlomo BrodyRabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody is the executive director of Ematai and the Jewish Law Live
columnist for the Jerusalem Post. He previously served as the founding director of the Tikvah Overseas Student Institute and co-dean of Tikvah Online Academy, a senior instructor at Yeshivat Hakotel, and as a junior research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute.
Brody’s career has focused on making Jewish texts accessible to broader audiences while applying them to contemporary social and ethical dilemmas. His writings have been cited in Israeli Supreme Court decisions and have appeared in Mosaic, First Things, Tradition, The Federalist, Tablet, Tzohar, The Forward, Hakirah, Jewish Review of Books, and other popular publications.
His first book, A Guide to the Complex: Contemporary Halakhic Debates (Maggid), received a National Jewish Book Award. His second book, Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality, was published in January 2024 and will be published in Hebrew at the end of the year.
A summa cum laude graduate of Harvard College, he received rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, an MA in Jewish philosophy at the Hebrew University, and his PhD from Bar Ilan University Law School, where he continues to serve as a post-doctoral fellow. Rabbi Brody has been an invited scholar-in-residence at over 60 distinguished congregations and campuses in the United States, Canada, England, and Israel.
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/26/2024: Rabbi Shlomo Brody discusses Ematai.org, elder and end of life healthcare guidance resource appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address, upper left, chats with (clockwise): Catherine Fischer; Kim Passy Yoseph, and Emili Ghraiyib.On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Kim Passy Yoseph of the Interact Dual Narrative Education Center, and Emili Ghraiyib of MEDJI Tours, joint Palestinian-Israel tours of cultural highlights in the Middle East, along with Catherine Fischer, principal of the synagogue consultancy Sacred-Practice.com, who has been involved in bringing participants to the programs.
The InterAct Education Center uses story-telling, art and technology to help people connect across war-torn divides: whether those divides be political, cultural, ethnic, religious, geographic, or socio-economic.
Dedicated to providing customized itineraries for travel groups as diverse as its destinations, MEJDI Tours is full-service tour company-differentiating itself from the crowd through exclusive access, authentic experiences, extraordinary customer service, and much more – founded on the belief that tourism should be a vehicle for a more positive and interconnected world.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsKim Passy YosephOn October 7th 2023, Kim’s childhood friend was captured and held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. While joining the family’s efforts to successfully bring Yarden home, Kim continued (until today) to believe that a peaceful resolution is the only way forward.
Since 2017, Kim Passy-Yoseph has been serving as the Director of Operations at MEJDITours as well as the non-profit branch, Interact International – both committed to creating a more interconnected and peaceful world —highlighting dialogue, empathy and understanding on a global scale.
Kim holds a master’s degree in Immigration and Social Integration, which laid the groundwork for her innovative approach to exploring the complexities of multiculturalism. She leads guide facilitation and dialogue training sessions inspiring cooperation and fostering a deeper appreciation for complex social dynamics. She is
vocal and often participates on webinars, podcasts and panel discussions on a variety of topics related to conflict resolution, social integration and women’s role in peace
making.
Emili GhraiyibA dedicated peace activist hailing from the Biblical Shepherd’s Field town of Beit Sahour, Emili holds an MA in Public Policy and Political Action from the Universite de Franche-Comte and is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.
Emili is a licensed tour guide and has been contributing her expertise to MEDJI since before joining the operations team in 2023. Before her time with MEDJI, Emili honed her organizational development, project planning, and implementation skills through various administrative roles in local and international NGOs. Her work involved empowering social action groups in the West Bank, with a particular focus on women in the tourism industry.
Catherine S. Fischer, M.Ed.Catherine S. Fischer is the creator of Sacred Practice: Reimagining Synagogue Engagement. In founding Sacred Practice, she aspires to bring the transformational power of Judaism into all aspects of Jewish communal work, from the seemingly most mundane task to the most extraordinary, finding the sacred and lifting it up so that Jewish organizations radiate purpose and thus thrive.
She began her Jewish professional career in 2001 as the Pennsylvania Regional Director of Outreach and Synagogue Community for the Union for Reform Judaism. In 2004, through Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Catherine became the Coordinator for the Center City Kehillah (community), working cross-denominationally to strengthen Jewish life in Philadelphia. She was the Director of Membership, Programming, and Philanthropy at Congregation Rodeph Shalom from 2008 to 2020.
Catherine continues to learn from and be inspired by opportunities offered through The Institute for Jewish Spirituality where she is now in training to become a spiritual director as well as Combatants for Peace, Mejdi Tours and InterAct International where she coordinated Israeli/Palestinian dual narrative learning and is planning a fall 2024 trip to Israel and Palestine. She is an active member of her synagogues, Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia and Congregation Kol Ami in Cherry Hill.
Catherine graduated from Bard College (with honors) and received her M.Ed. from Lesley University and Shady Hill School. Catherine is currently in training to become a spiritual director through the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Before she became a Jewish professional, Catherine spent two decades as an elementary, middle school, and college educator.
Catherine lives in Cherry Hill with my husband, Richard. They are extremely proud of their children – Sarah & Eddy and David & Rachel and cherish their two grandchildren, Oliver and Lily.
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/19/2024: A Bridge-building educational and tourism effort between Israelis and Palestinians appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Elissa Strauss discusses her new book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others.
In this “urgent and necessary book” (Rebecca Traister, New York Times bestselling author), journalist Elissa Strauss explores the powerful role caring for others plays in our individual and communal lives, weaving together research and stories from parents and caregivers with a feminist bent.
Behind our current caregiving crisis, in which a broken system has left parents and caregivers exhausted, sits a fierce addiction to independence. But what would happen if we started to appreciate dependency, and the deep meaning of one person caring for another? If we start to care about care?
With a curiosity and desire to understand more fully one of humanity’s most profound and essential relationships, journalist Elissa Strauss she interrogates our societal obsession with going it alone and poses a challenge to let ourselves be transformed by the act of caregiving. When You Care weaves historical anecdotes and science with conversations with parents and caregivers to the young, old, disabled, ill, and more, revealing a rich array of insights about how care shapes us on the inside and the outside, for the better.
Care is a long-ignored force in our collective and political lives, as well as a deeply philosophical, spiritual, and psychologically potent experience. Moreso, an embrace of care by both women and men will lead to a more gender equitable future and help us reimagine what it means to be productive and live a meaningful life. “A deeply researched—and deeply felt—exploration of the beautiful truth about care: that we find, feed, and know ourselves through our relationships” (Judith Warner, New York Times bestselling author).
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestElissa StraussElissa Strauss has been writing about the politics and culture of parenting and caregiving for over fifteen years. Her work is featured in publications such as the Atlantic, the New York Times, Glamour, ELLE, TheWeek.com, and more. Previously, she contributed to CNN.com and Slate, where her cultural criticism about motherhood was showcased on DoubleX. Her book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others, is available from Gallery Books.
In addition to writing, Strauss is involved in curation and cultural programming. She holds the position of associate director of LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture, a global artist incubator program that draws inspiration from ancient Jewish texts to foster new cultural creations and dialogues. She is also the artistic director of the LABA hub in the Bay Area and serves as the senior curator for the 2024 California Jewish Open at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco.
Strauss resides in Oakland, California, with her husband and their two sons.
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/12/2024: Elissa Strauss, author of “When You Care,” book about caregiving appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Rusty Rosman discusses her book, Two Envelopes: What You Want Your Loved Ones To Know When You Die.
When you die, there are so many things your family and loved ones immediately need to know. Two Envelopes is your voice, conveying your wishes regarding your death and your estate.
With a unique blend of wisdom, humor and empathetic storytelling, Rusty Rosman delves into the often-avoided topic of death, offering readers a guide to navigate the complexities of both practical and emotional aspects of end-of-life planning. Rusty’s wisdom and heartfelt way of guiding her readers make this book unique among the other end-of-life planning workbooks available online.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRusty RosmanRusty Rosman is a former teacher and commercial real estate broker. Rusty has served as president and fundraiser for several nonprofit community organizations. In her community where she has lived her entire life, Rusty is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Property Tax Board. Rusty and her husband Stephen are the very proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to six grandchildren.
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/5/2024: Rusty Rosman, author of “Two Envelopes” Book on End of Life Planning appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Judith Smith discusses her new book, Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change.
Difficult brings to life the conflicts that arise for mothers who are confronted with the unexpected, burdensome, and even catastrophic dependencies of their adult children associated with mental illness, substance use, or chronic unemployment. Through real stories of mothers and their challenging adult children, this book offers relatable, provocative, and, at times, shocking illustrations of the excruciating maternal dilemma: Which takes precedence—the needs of the mother or of the distressed adult child?
With guidance for finding social support, staying safe, engaging in self-care, and helping the adult child, Difficult is a compassionate resource for those living in a family situation which too many keep secret and allows readers to see that they are not alone.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestJudith R. Smith, Ph.D., LCSWJudith R. Smith, Ph.D., LCSW, is a NYC based psychotherapist, professor, and researcher on women’s issues as they age. She is a professor, Emerita, at Fordham University. She offers support groups on-line for mothers with difficult adult children. Her book, Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children through Conflict and Change, is based on a three-year research project, and brings to life the stories of fifty women, each over sixty years old, whose lives were drastically altered by becoming the default safety net for their adult “kids.” To learn more, please visit: https://www.difficultmothering.com
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/28/2024: Dr. Judith Smith, author of “Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, David Zinner, the co-founder and board chair of the Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE) discussed JADE’s interactive web educational tool on Jewish practices and rituals related to death and end-of-life care.
JADE works with the entire Jewish community, affiliated and unaffiliated, large cities and small towns, to provide education and information directly to the ultimate consumer and to those who provide services to them. JADE seeks to identify, and provide resources, to provide information in a way that is personal, sensitive, and meaningful, incorporating traditional Jewish practices in contemporary contexts.
JADE offers spiritual and educational resources to help people understand the rites, rituals, and processes surrounding death. We aim to fill a major void by providing a centralized resource for all the different elements of death and to help death become a mainstream conversation. JADE also provides ongoing education and training for individuals and other organizations that deal with end-of-life issues and bereavement.
Ultimately, JADE’s services aim to comfort families and help them make informed choices during the difficult time of losing a loved one.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestDavid Zinner, co-founder of the Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE)David ZinnerDavid Zinner is the founder and recently retired Executive Director of Kavod v’Nichum, (Honor and Comfort), which has worked to restore to Jewish death and bereavement practice, the traditions and values of kavod hamet (honoring the dead) and nichum avelim (comforting the bereaved) since 2000. He is also the co-founder of the Gamliel Institute, a center for leadership training and advocacy of traditional Jewish practice in the continuum of care at the end of life since 2010.
His 20 years of work for Kavod v’Nichum included traveling around the country conducting chevrah kadisha trainings for local chevrot, coordinating the Chevrah Kadisha Conference, a conference dedicated to sharing knowledge about Jewish end of life practices, and managing the jewish-funerals.org website, a website which includes hundreds of pages of resources on Jewish end of life practices.
David’s newest project – PRINCE – Preservation and Restoration Initiative for Neglected Cemetery Entities matches cemeteries that need labor with prisoners eligible for work release.
As co-Vice-President of the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington, David participates in developing citywide contracts with funeral homes. He is a consumer representative on the State of Maryland’s Advisory Council on Cemetery Operations. He was the Executive Director of Tifereth Israel Congregation, a conservative synagogue in Washington, DC for 10 years.
David is a past president, choir member, succah building coordinator and Chevra Kadisha Chair at the Columbia Jewish Congregation and a bike leader for Cycle to Health, a Howard County sponsored senior cycling group, and a chief election judge in Howard County Maryland.
David received a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO , with a major in non-profit management.
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/21/2024: David Zinner, Co-Founder, Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE) appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, discusses the rising incidence of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the United States and describes some of the programs in Jewish education and interfaith understanding supported by the Center.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Jonah Dov PesnerRabbi Jonah Dov Pesner (he/him) serves as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and has led the Religious Action Center since 2015. Rabbi Pesner also serves as Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, a position to which he was appointed in 2011. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is an inspirational leader and tireless advocate for social justice.
Rabbi Pesner’s work focuses on encouraging Jewish communities to reach across lines of race, class, and faith while campaigning for social justice. In 2006, he founded Just Congregations (now incorporated into the Religious Action Center), which engaged clergy, professional, and volunteer leaders in interfaith social justice efforts. Rabbi Pesner was a primary leader in the Massachusetts campaign for health care access that has provided coverage to thousands and became a model for nationwide reform. Over the course of his career, he has also led and supported campaigns for racial justice, economic opportunity, immigration reform, LGBTQ+ equality, human rights, and a variety of other causes. He is dedicated to building bridges to collectively confront antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate.
Rabbi Pesner is a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, speaks regularly on college campuses, has trained students on all four campuses of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and gives speeches in interfaith and secular venues all over the world. Rabbi Pesner serves as a board member of the NAACP, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, and the New England Center for Children. He is a member of the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council for the Department of Homeland Security, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Solidarity Council on Racial Equity and the Leadership Team of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. He has served as a scholar for the Wexner Foundation, The Chautauqua Institution, American Jewish World Service, the Nexus USA Summit, and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.
Rabbi Pesner was the co-editor of “Moral Resistance and Spiritual Authority: Our Jewish Obligation to Justice,” wrote the afterword to the newly published “Social Justice Torah Commentary,” and is a widely-published author (view the full list).
Ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1997, Rabbi Pesner was a congregational rabbi at Temple Israel in Boston, Massachusetts and at Temple Israel in Westport, Connecticut. A graduate of Wesleyan University and the Bronx High School of Science, Rabbi Pesner is married to Dana S. Gershon, an attorney. They have four daughters: Juliet, Noa, Bobbie, and Cate.
View Rabbi Pesner’s writings, remarks and media appearances
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/14/2024: Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Lawrence Lazarus, MD, discusses the book, Insider’s Guide to Quality, Affordable Healthcare: Practical Strategies to Navigate our Complex System and Save Money
Tired of being overwhelmed with escalating healthcare costs, find your doctors more focused on their computer than on you, and want to be more in command of your healthcare decisions?
If you’re looking for easy-to-apply strategies for obtaining high quality medical care and reducing healthcare expenses, this book is for you.
The authors are doctors with decades of experience in treating patients and their families. They have written this book to serve as your guide and share the inside story about how the U.S. healthcare system really works, so you are empowered to:
- find the best doctors and medical specialists and reduce your medical expenses
- prevent medical errors that account for more deaths each year than car accidents
- obtain a second opinion from a specialist who may save your life
- take advantage of the Affordable Health Care Act and other insurance options
- secure a healthcare advocate (“guardian angel”)
- take more control of your health and obtain the highest quality healthcare
Finally, a user-friendly guide to help everyone choose the highest quality healthcare and learn how to contain their out-of-pocket costs.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestDr. Lawrence LazarusLawrence W. Lazarus, M.D., has spent his forty-year career specializing in geriatric medicine and psychiatry, primarily at Rush Medical School and University in Chicago, Illinois. He was the founding Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program at Rush University. He is a co-editor of the Comprehensive Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry and has authored fifty medical articles for the medical and the lay public. He is a former president of the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry and a recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Geriatric Mental Health Academic Award. Dr. Lazarus is currently in private practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/7/2024: Dr. Lawrence Lazarus, Co-Author of The Insider’s Guide to Quality, Affordable Healthcare appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Dalia Marx, Ph.D., the Rabbi Aaron D. Panken Professor of Liturgy and Midrash at HUC-JIR’s Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem, discusses her new book, From Time to Time, Journeys in the Jewish Calendar.
Time is fundamental to the human experience, and in Judaism it is even more—time is sanctified. Understanding the Jewish calendar is thus essential for fully comprehending Judaism. In From Time to Time, Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD, presents a fascinating exploration of the treasures of the Jewish year. The book artfully blends traditional and contemporary perspectives on each Hebrew month and its holidays. Rabbi Marx’s insights are paired with striking illustrations; each month also features a diverse selection of poetry, prayers, and songs. Taking a distinctively Israeli, feminist, and progressive approach, From Time to Time is a comprehensive, indispensable companion you will want to return to each season.
Download a study guide from the CCAR Press website.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Dalia Marx, Ph.D.Rabbi Dalia Marx, Ph.D., is the Rabbi Aaron D. Panken Professor of Liturgy and Midrash at HUC-JIR’s Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem, and teaches in various academic institutions in Israel and Europe.
Marx, a tenth generation Jerusalemite, earned her doctorate at the Hebrew University and her rabbinic ordination at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem and Cincinnati in 2002. She is involved in various research projects and is active in promoting liberal Judaism in Israel. Marx writes for academic and popular journals and publications.
Marx is the lead editor of the Israeli Reform siddur, Tfillat HaAdam (2020). Her book From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar (Yeditos Sfarim 2018), was translated to several languages, and is available in English from the CCAR Press.
She is the author of When I Sleep and When I Wake: On Prayers between Dusk and Dawn (Yediot Sfarim, 2010, in Hebrew), A Feminist Commentary of the Babylonian Talmud (Mohr Siebeck, 2013, in English), About Time: Journeys in the Jewish-Israeli Calendar (Yediot Sfarim, 2018, in Hebrew) and the co-editor of a few books. See Marx’s website.
Marx lives in Jerusalem with her husband, Roly Zyblersztein, Ph.D. They have three children.
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/31/2024: Rabbi Dalia Marx, author of “From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Lisa David, executive director, URJ Camps/Camp Harlam and URJ Camps Pipeline Strategy, and Lori Zlotoff, inclusion coordinator at URJ Camp Harlam, discuss the importance of summer camp experiences for Jewish children and teenagers.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsLisa DavidExecutive Director, URJ CampsLisa returned to Camp Harlam as the Associate Director in April of 2014 and was promoted to be camp’s sixth Director in history in 2017. Lisa began her involvement with Camp Harlam as a camper in Arava in 1988, continuing through as a camper, CIT, staff member, Assistant Unit Head, and as the CIT Director in the summer of 2000. Her Harlam connections run far deeper, as she also met her husband Ben in the summer of 1988, and she has maintained connections to many of her counselors and campers, serving for a brief time as the Co-President of the Alumni Network as well.
Before returning to Harlam, Lisa worked as Associate Director of Camping for the URJ, working with all of the camps in the URJ system on a range of different programmatic initiatives. She also served as the Director of KESHER, the College Department of the URJ, and as the Assistant Camp Director and Director of Teen Services and the Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey.
Lisa grew up in Bucks County, PA, and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1999 with a BS in Family Studies. In 2001 Lisa received her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and her Master of Jewish Communal Service from Gratz College.
Lisa is thrilled to be back at the camp that inspired her personal and professional path. Beyond the Machanayim scar still visible on her knee (Red Team, 2nd session 1990), camp – and the inspiring leaders and peers she experienced it with – left an indelible mark on her identity as well. They inspired her to grow from a shy, quiet 1st time camper at 11 years old to a Jewish camping professional working to provide a meaningful and fulfilling camp experience for many more Jewish youth.
In Lisa’s role as the Director, she oversees Harlam’s complete summer program and all operations.
Lisa currently lives in Jenkintown, PA with her husband, Rabbi Benjamin David, and their children Noa, Elijah and Sam, and is a member of Temple Keneseth Israel.
Lori ZlotoffLori Zlotoff, LCSW, grew up in Merrick, NY and was an active member of NFTY throughout high school. She attended Kutz Camp as a camper and returned to URJ camping in 1997 for the inaugural year of Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA as a bunk counselor. It was there that she met her future husband, Jacob, who had also been NFTY President.
Lori received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University and her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice in 2001. In addition, she participated in a dual program with Gratz College, receiving a graduate certificate in Jewish education.
For more than 20 years, Lori has worked in New York as a licensed clinical social worker with a variety of clients, and she currently owns her own private practice. Lori is the point-person on Harlam’s inclusion efforts, including the direct support of campers and families prior to and during the camp season. She also oversees the Avodah program.
Lori currently lives with her family in Port Washington, NY, where they are members of The Community Synagogue. Lori is the executive producer of The Community Synagogue Theater Company, which blends her love of musical theater with her love of the Jewish community!
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/24/2024: Jewish Summer Camps, with Lisa David and Lori Zlotoff of the URJ Camps appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Reb Simcha Raphael, Ph.D., discusses his new book of poetry, Musings with the Angel of Death: Poems of Love, Life and Longing.
Intense and deeply personal, this compilation of poetry, grapples with the reality of death, loss, and finding meaning in the face of life’s finitude in contemporary times. For more than three decades, Simcha Paull Raphael has written scholarly books on death and the afterlife, including his groundbreaking study Jewish Views of the Afterlife. In this collection of thirty-six poems, Raphael invites us into the inner sanctum of his own intimate wrestling with death and loss. As Rabbi Jill Hammer writes in the Foreword: “Raphael has done the brave work of exposing his own emotional life, the inner workings of his drive to address mortality and immortality. In a sense, he has let us know the behind-the-scenes of his academic and spiritual work.”
These poems reflect and wrestle with a spectrum of topics: the gamut of Jewish death rituals (funeral & shiva, Kaddish & Yizkor); personal tributes to the author’s deceased parents; his journey of making meaning in the face of grief and loss; challenges of love and marriage; the vicissitudes of family life; and thoughtful poetic reflections on the state of the world today. As a book mirroring the universal journey of awakening to the reality of life’s finality and eternity, Musings with the Angel of Death speaks to the heart and soul.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Simcha RaphaelReb Simcha Paull Raphael, Ph.D.SIMCHA RAPHAEL, Ph.D., is the Founding Director of the DA’AT INSTITUTE. He has worked as a death awareness educator, bereavement counselor and hospice chaplain for over twenty-five years. Ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, he received a doctorate in Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and has written extensively on the topics of death, bereavement and the afterlife
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/17/2024: Reb Simcha Raphael, author of “Musings With The Angel Of Death: Poems of Love, Life and Longing” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, discusses his new book, Reading Reform Responsa: Jewish Tradition, Reform Rabbis, and Today’s Issues, now available from CCAR Press or Amazon.com.
The responsa literature, in which rabbis answer questions about halachah (Jewish law), is a vast treasury reaching back nearly fifteen centuries; Reform rabbis have been writing responsa since the 1800s. In Reading Reform Responsa, Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, presents a deep dive into this literature, boldly arguing that Reform Judaism is indeed a movement fundamentally based on halachah. By inviting and guiding readers to understand Reform responsa with a critical eye, he shows that our movement has always been informed by Jewish law as well as Reform history. A teacher and mentor of generations of students at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Washofsky gives us a peek inside his classroom, making Reform responsa — and their history, framing, and context — engaging and accessible for all.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, is an emeritus professor of Jewish Law and Practice at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. He served as chair of the Responsa Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1996 to 2017. He is currently the chair of the Solomon B. Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah. His publications include Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice, Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century (CCAR Press, 2010), and Reading Reform Responsa: Jewish Tradition, Reform Rabbis, and Today’s Issues (CCAR Press, 2024).
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/10/2024: Rabbi Mark Washofsky, author of book, “Reading Reform Responsa” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Shira Zemel, Abortion Access Campaign Co-Director for the National Council of Jewish Women, discusses the organization’s efforts to protect women’s reproductive freedom.
Since its founding, NCJW has been a leader in the reproductive health and rights movement, and while much advancement has been made in the past 100 years to legally secure a person’s right to abortion and contraception, there is so much more that needs to be done to truly ensure reproductive freedom for all.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestShira ZemelShira Zemel is the Co-Director of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)’s abortion access campaign, the coordinated Jewish movement for reproductive health, rights and justice. In this role, Shira activates and mobilizes the Jewish community to take action for abortion access.
Prior to coming to NCJW, Shira was the Director of Youth Leadership Development at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC). There, Shira led the L’Taken Social Justice Seminars; these high school leadership conferences–focused on advocacy, Jewish values, and the legislative process–bring 2,000 students to Washington D.C. each year to lobby their members of Congress. Over nearly eight years at the RAC, Shira transformed these seminars into the centerpiece of a leadership development pipeline to foster the next generation of Jewish social justice advocates.
Shira serves as president of the ARCH board, a local abortion fund serving patients seeking care in northern Virginia. When not getting into good trouble and fighting for a just world, Shira enjoys curating feminist yard signs for her front lawn, listening to news and politics podcasts, and working on seasonal craft projects–preferably with her two young kids.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York, discusses the upcoming second annual Re-Charging Reform conference, being held at the synagogue May 29-30.
The conference expects to consider these key topics:
- Israel’s and world Jewry’s confidence in the importance of the Zionist enterprise and its most basic promise — to protect the lives, liberty and dignity of Jews;
- Our liberal values and examine the partnerships we’ve spent decades building in pursuit of social justice;
- Liturgy and spirituality, anchoring them to eloquent expressions of Jewish peoplehood and a yearning for Zion; and
- Educational models that guide the next generation in valuing the significance of Israel and the Jewish people to our identity as Reform Jews.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestShahar Azan PhotoRabbi Ammiel HirschRabbi Ammiel Hirsch is the senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. With a fiery voice, a listening heart and a brilliant mind, Rabbi Hirsch articulates a clear vision for the survival and success of American Judaism while tending compassionately to the needs of his growing congregation.
Internationally recognized for his leadership in Jewish affairs, Rabbi Hirsch is frequently cited in the media. In 2018, The Jerusalem Post named him among “The 50 Most Influential Jews of the Year.” City & State praised him as “the borough’s most influential voice” for Manhattan’s more than 300,000 Jews and The New York Observer named him among “New York’s Most Influential Religious Leaders.”
The son of Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch z’’l and Bella Hirsch z’’l, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch grew up in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area before moving to Israel for his high school years. From 1977 to 1980, he served as a tank commander in the Israel Defense Forces.
Rabbi Hirsch earned his LL.B Honors law degree from the London School of Economics and is a member of the New York State Bar. He received his ordination at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, where he was granted numerous awards for academic excellence.
Prior to his arrival at Stephen Wise, he served for 12 years as executive director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), the Israel arm of the North American Reform movement.
Rabbi Hirsch has served on numerous boards of national and international bodies, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, the World Zionist Organization, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He is currently an officer of the New York Board of Rabbis, and a member of the Partnership of Faith, an interfaith body of New York religious leaders, and New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ Black-Jewish Clergy Roundtable.
An accomplished teacher and public speaker, Rabbi Hirsch is also the co-author of the acclaimed One People Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues that Divide Them.
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/26/2024: Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses 2024 RE-Charging Reform Conference appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address offers a Pesach message and some questions for conversation around the Passover table.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Peter Kasdan and Dr. Liz Etkin-Kramer discuss Yodeah.org, their online portal for genetic screening and counseling of Jewish families for the BRCA gene and other genetic markers for cancer risk.
Ashkenazi Jewish men and women are disproportionately more likely to carry hereditary genetic mutations that can markedly increase their lifetime risk of cancer. Most people are not aware, and most will not have a family history. Yodeah’s mission is to educate the Jewish community about hereditary cancer genetic mutations and provide access to affordable, clinical grade testing. Yodeah’s goal is to save lives. Knowledge is power. Knowledge saves lives.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestLiz Etkin-Kramer, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.Dr Liz Etkin-Kramer is a board certified gynecologist in South Florida.
In addition to her private practice, she is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at FIU Herbert Wertheim School of medicine and she holds leadership positions in Florida’s district XII of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She founded Yodeah.org, a nonprofit dedicated to educating the Jewish community on their increased risk of carrying hereditary cancer genetic mutations and facilitating cost effective genetic testing.
With the late Lauren Corduck, founder of One in Forty, she co-founded the Prevent Hereditary cancer coalition. In 2020 she was appointed to the American College of Obstetrics of gynecology presidential task force on knowledge gaps in breast and ovarian cancer risk assessment, management and genetic testing, and created educational videos for practicing OB/GYNs.
She is passionate about breast and ovarian cancer risk assessment, early detection and prevention.
RABBI PETER E. KASDANRabbi Peter E. Kasdan was named Rabbi Emeritus when he retired in July 2001, after serving as Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El of West Essex, Livingston, New Jersey, for thirty years. Known, most widely, for his social justice work, he helped create and was the first president of both the Livingston Interfaith Clergy Association and the Livingston Interfaith Council, as well as the Founding President of NJRC AR (the New Jersey Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights). Taking the title “Rabbi-teacher” seriously, he relished the time he spent working with the B’nai Mitzvah students, as well as with his students in the Confirmation/Post-Confirmation Program. He also taught more than a dozen Adult B’nai Mitzvah classes, helping 187 Adults study in a two-year cycle and enabling them to reach that unique moment in their Jewish lives that, as children, for whatever the reason, they never had the chance to attain.
Since his retirement, Rabbi Kasdan has remained quite active in a variety of endeavors in which he remains passionate: in the search for social justice, continuing his life-long efforts on behalf of the migrant worker community, specifically his support of, and personal friendship with the late Cesar Chavez and the multi-generations of the Chavez-Rodriguez family; in the growth and achievement of our children through his support of NFTY, JFTY’s Urban Mitzvah Corps and the URJ’s Kutz Camp; in his bond with K’lal Yisraeyl, supportive of the welfare of the People and State of Israel, especially through the survival of the Ethiopian Jewish community now living in Israel. He served on the Commission of Social Action of Reform Judaism, on the board of ARZA / World Union, North American Board, as President (and now President Emeritus) of the Scholarship Fund for Ethiopian Jews, and as the Rabbinic Advisor of the Jewish Genetic Disease Consortium, the Canavan Foundation as chair of The Central Conference of American Rabbi’s Taskforce on Jewish Genetic Disease. He was the recipient of the UAHC’s Fund for Reform Judaism Distinguished Service Award, a NFTY Life Membership awarded in 1984 and, in 2007, he was awarded the Central Conference of American Rabbi’s Rabbi Samuel Cook Award for Lifetime Service to Youth Work and, as he retired, Temple Emanu-El awarded him the Temple Emanu-El 2001 Shofar Award for his life-long work in the area of Social Justice and Tikkun Olam.
Rabbi Kasdan and his wife Sheila have lived in Longboat Key, Florida since 2002. There he continues his life-long service to both the Jewish and general community. He is Past-Chair of the Longboat Key Policeman’s Pension Board and currently serves as Secretary of the Longboat Key Consolidated Pension Board and, because of Florida State requirements, is now a Certified Public Pension Trustee. He served as President of his condo association and currently serves on the Bioethics Committee of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He also serves as Chair of the Speakers Committee at his and Sheila’s local congregation, Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key.
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/12/2024: Rabbi Peter Kasdan and Dr. Liz Etkin-Kramer from Yodeah.org, providing genetic cancer counseling for Jewish families appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s ENCORE broadcast of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, South Jersey resident Bill Fisher discusses his wife Carol’s terminal illness and decision to use New Jersey’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) option.
Carol had been a nationally recognized book editor until her retirement in 2016. (You can read her obituary in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.)
Their lives took a dramatic change back in fall 2016, when Carol was diagnosed with brain cancer. Luckily Carol was able to take advantage of a clinical trial at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. She responded well to the experimental vaccine which kept her cancer in check for 7 years. Less than 10% of patients with this form of cancer ever survive this long.
However, in the past year, the Carol’s cancer re-emerged and difficult decisions needed to be considered for the final months of Carol’s life.
Luckily Carol’s faith and support from medical professionals, family and friends helped Carol and Bill navigate the difficult decisions necessary in participating in New Jersey’s Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) program.
With a diagnosis of less than 6 months to live and diminishing functionality, Carol chose to end her life in the comfort of her own home in the presence of her family.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service
You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestBill FisherBill Fisher is a retired real estate executive who was trained as an architect and spent most of his professional life managing the planning, design and construction of commercial, industrial and medical buildings in the mid-Atlantic and Southwest United States and London, England. He currently resides in South Jersey where he and his wife, Carol Fisher raised their two children Haddon and Lauren.
The post ENCORE BROADCAST: Seekers of Meaning 3/8/2024: Bill Fisher discusses Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Joel Soffin discusses his new book, The Mitzvah on Your Forehead: A Rabbi’s Journey to Improve the World.
In The Mitzvah on Your Forehead, Rabbi Joel E. Soffin presents life stories that invite the reader to follow his journey as he shares his experiences and insights into family, community, and social action worldwide. Luminaries in the Jewish world as well as inspirational leaders from all walks of life provide commentary on each of his essays. From discussing personal ethical decisions to relating experiences such as those with Rwandan genocide widows and Ethiopian Jewish immigrants, the stories and essays in this book are thought-provoking, entertaining, and inspirational. Rabbi Soffin contends that each one of us has a unique mitzvah “on our forehead,” a special calling or ability to make life better for others. Here, you’ll discover many of them and perhaps, ultimately, your own. In a world where there is so much chaos and pain, this book is a helpful reminder that we all, both individually and collectively, can find ways to be of service in making the world a better place.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Joel E. SoffinRabbi Joel E. Soffin has been a life-long social activist, addressing the needs of the poor and the vulnerable in many places around the world. He initially studied economics and has a PhD pending at Yale.
In 1971, he began his studies for the rabbinate at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City where he was ordained in 1976. Three years later, he became the Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Succasunna, NJ. While there, he developed a long series of social action projects, rescuing and resettling Vietnamese boat people and Soviet Refuseniks, supporting the Argentinian Jewish community of Mendoza and the Zvenigorodka community of Ukraine and providing over a million meals to Ethiopian Jewish children waiting to make aliyah to Israel.
Rabbi Soffin also created the Adult Mitzvah Corps of the Reform Movement and the teen Bonim Banim – Building Youth projects, organizing weeks of Jewish Religious Living in New Orleans and several other American cities, including home building and restoration projects.
Upon his retirement from Temple Shalom in 2006, generous donors enabled him to create Jewish Helping Hands to continue his important social action work around the world, especially in East Africa and Israel. He often serves as a teacher, mentor and Scholar-in-Residence.
He has been at the Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes, NJ, since 2006, serving as Sabbatical Rabbi, Torah and Talmud teacher.
In his recent book, The Mitzvah on Your Forehead, he and some of his fellow travelers reflect on his personal and professional experiences and the lessons he has learned along the way. . Rabbi Soffin attributes his passion for social action and all of Jewish life to his mother, Sarah Soffin, may she rest in peace. He has been married to Sandy for more than fifty-five years. They have two sons and six grandchildren.
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/29/2024: Rabbi Joel Soffin, author of “The Mitzvah on Your Forehead” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Linda Fodrini-Johnson, author of The Empowered Caregiver: Practical Advice and Emotional Support for Adult Children of Aging Parents, discusses strategies for families to engage in elder care discussions and decision-making.
Taking responsibility for the healthcare, safety, and financial affairs of our parents as they near the end of their life is an immense undertaking and comes with challenges, logistics, and stresses that we don’t always know how to navigate. We want to provide the best care we can and make the right decisions for our parents, but we need tips, tools, and education around this and help and encouragement as we do it. The Empowered Caregiver is a pocket support guide specifically designed to provide you with strategies and solutions for caring for your aging parents. It offers useful interventions to frame your thinking, help you manage difficult situations, and reduce your stress as your parents decline and need greater assistance.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestLinda Fodrini-JohnsonLinda Fodrini-Johnson became a licensed family therapist and professional certified care manager in 1984, was president of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers—now called Aging Life Care Association—and founded Eldercare Services, a full-service care agency in the San Francisco Bay Area that provides care management, home care/caregiving services, advocacy, counseling, support groups and education. She was director of the Dementia Respite Center—one of the first in the San Francisco Bay Area—and pioneered the multi-award-winning Early Stage of Dementia Program.
Her eldercare expertise has been featured in newspapers like the Contra Costa Times, East Bay Business Times and San Francisco Business Times as well as national magazines including Consumer Reports, Forbes, Kiplinger’s, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/22/2024: Linda Fodrini-Johnson, author of “The Empowered Caregiver” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Dayle Friedman, founder and director of GrowingOlder.net, a resource website for seniors, discusses her practice in Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia care for elders.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Dayle FriedmanRabbi Dayle is a spiritual guide, social innovator, chaplain, and scholar. She has been a leader in the fields of spirituality and aging, pastoral care, and Jewish healing. She is currently Special Advisor for Member Support and Counseling for the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Her publications include Jewish Wisdom for Growing Older: Finding Your Grit and Grace Beyond Midlife, and Jewish End-of-Life Care in a Virtual Age: Our Traditions Reimagined, which she co-edited. Her first book, Jewish Pastoral Care: A Practical Handbook from Traditional and Contemporary Sources,is recognized as a foundational text for its field.
Rabbi Dayle was ordained by HUC-JIR; she earned Masters’ degrees in Social Work and Jewish Communal Service from USC and HUC-LA. She trained as a spiritual director with Yedidya Center’s Moreh Derekh program, and as an interim clergy person with the Interim Ministry Network. Her work has been recognized with awards from the Forward, the American Society on Aging, and Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains.
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/15/2024: Rabbi Dayle Friedman on Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, South Jersey resident Bill Fisher discusses his wife Carol’s terminal illness and decision to use New Jersey’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) option.
Carol had been a nationally recognized book editor until her retirement in 2016. (You can read her obituary in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.)
Their lives took a dramatic change back in fall 2016, when Carol was diagnosed with brain cancer. Luckily Carol was able to take advantage of a clinical trial at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. She responded well to the experimental vaccine which kept her cancer in check for 7 years. Less than 10% of patients with this form of cancer ever survive this long.
However, in the past year, the Carol’s cancer re-emerged and difficult decisions needed to be considered for the final months of Carol’s life.
Luckily Carol’s faith and support from medical professionals, family and friends helped Carol and Bill navigate the difficult decisions necessary in participating in New Jersey’s Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) program.
With a diagnosis of less than 6 months to live and diminishing functionality, Carol chose to end her life in the comfort of her own home in the presence of her family.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service
You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
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- Podchaser
- Amazon Music About the GuestBill FisherBill Fisher is a retired real estate executive who was trained as an architect and spent most of his professional life managing the planning, design and construction of commercial, industrial and medical buildings in the mid-Atlantic and Southwest United States and London, England. He currently resides in South Jersey where he and his wife, Carol Fisher raised their two children Haddon and Lauren.
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/8/2024: Bill Fisher discusses Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Stephen Goldfine, MD, chief medical officer of Samaritan Health and a palliative care physician, discusses how seniors can avoid adverse drug interactions, and the emerging options for palliative care.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestStephen Goldfine, MD, DABFP, CAQGM, DABHPChief Medical Officer, SamaritanStephen Goldfine, MD, DABFP, CAQGM, DABHP, is a palliative care physician with more than 30 years of experience. Since 2003, he has served as the full-time chief medical officer where he oversees the care of all Samaritan’s patients in hospice care, palliative medicine, and primary care at home. In addition to his role on Samaritan’s Senior Leadership Team, Dr. Goldfine also serves as Samaritan’s liaison with the medical community and provides direct care for patients at home, at hospitals and long-term care communities.
Dr. Goldfine is certified by both the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the American Board of Family Practice, with added qualifications in geriatrics and hospice and palliative medicine.
An articulate and engaging speaker, Dr. Goldfine has presented a range of educational workshops to healthcare professionals and the public through collaborations with the Goals of Care Coalition of New Jersey, the New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, Medical Society of New Jersey, and the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey. Dr. Goldfine provided keynote presentations for the New Jersey Healthcare Leadership Academy, New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Leadership and Management Conference. Dr. Goldfine serves on the National Partnership for Healthcare & Hospice Innovation’s Physician Forum. Dr. Goldfine completed Faculty Training with VitalTalk, an organization nurturing healthier communication between clinicians and patients on advance care planning, serious illness, and end-of-life care options.
Dr. Goldfine has been a frequent choice as a Top Doc by SJ Magazine and a Top Physician by South Jersey Magazine.
Dr. Goldfine received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and his undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta.
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/1/2024: Dr. Stephen Goldfine on Palliative Care, Guarding against Adverse Drug Interactions appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Steven Cohen (right), founder and board chairman, and Clayton Platt (center), director of outreach with Mediation4Leadership.org describe the nonprofit organization’s meditation programs that benefit individuals and organizations.
Meditation and mindfulness teaching is a growing part of corporate wellness and leadership development initiatives. Meditation4Leadership teaches essential skills for individuals to cultivate greater awareness, connection, perspective and potential in their lives, to improve their professional and personal effectiveness, and to thrive in adversity as well as good times.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsSteven CohenSteven is the founder and chairman of the board of trustees of Meditation4Leadership.org. He is the author if Leading From Within: A Guide to Maximizing Your Effectiveness Through Meditation.The book has now been read by thousands of people and links 13 key leadership traits with associated meditations. His goal is to enlighten readers in understanding how incorporating meditation practices applied to key leadership traits improves personal and organizational focus.
Clayton PlattClayton Platt joined Meditation4Leadership in 2020 following completion of a two year meditation teacher training program, while also serving as a facilitator for virtual digital learning programs. At the time, Clayton was facilitating a Friday morning meditation group and organizing discussions around mindfulness for racial justice and inclusion. Clayton and M4L colleague Lisa Gonzalez worked in coordination with DEI Consultant Lourdes Tango to develop our program: Leading from Awareness: the Power of Inclusion and continues to develop innovative content to meet client business needs.
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/23/2024: Meditation 4 Leadership, Meditation Training for the Corporate Sector appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the second in a series on health issues for seniors. This week’s guest is Meredith Becker, chief operating office of Lions Gate CCRC, a retirement community in Voorhees, New Jersey, who discusses the process of planning for care for seniors.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
https://vimeo.com/912950154?share=copyListen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestMeredith Becker, MHSA, LNHAMeredith Becker, MHSA, LNHA is the Chief Operating Officer at Lions Gate. Meredith has spent over 20 years in the senior living field. She has held a variety of positions including Director of Sales and Marketing, Assistant Administrator, and Executive Director. Meredith holds a BA in Communication and a Masters in Healthcare Administration, with a concentration in Long Term Care Management, both from The George Washington University. In addition, Meredith holds a Nursing Home Administrators License in the State of New Jersey.
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/16/2024: Meredith Becker, Chief Operating Officer, Lions Gate CCRC, on Planning Senior Care appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, we begin a series of programs focusing on health issues relevant for boomers and other seniors. The guest this week is board-certified gerontologist Jesse Abesh, D.O., who practices in South Jersey.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestJesse Abesh, D.O.Jesse Abesh, D.O., is a board certified family medicine physician who is also board certified in Geriatric Medicine.
She grew in Cherry Hill and graduated Rowan – School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2014.
Dr. Abesh practices in the Voorhees and Cherry Hill area, and sees patients in her office, nursing homes, and subacute rehab facilities.
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/9/2024: Health Issues for Seniors, Part 1, with Gerontologist Jesse Abesh appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address discusses the challenges facing Reform and Progressive rabbis in Israel in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks with Rabbi Efrat Rotem, executive director of MARAM, the Council of Progressive Rabbis representing liberal Jewish clergy in Israel.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Efrat RotemRabbi Efrat Rotem serves as a rabbi in central Israel and as the executive director of Maram – the Council of Reform Rabbis in Israel. She was ordained through the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem in 2015. She served as the rabbi of Kehilat HaLev in Tel Aviv. She is a queer environmental activist who integrates Jewish pluralism, critical feminism, and queer identity and worldview into her work as a rabbi. In addition, she holds an MA in Literature from Tel Aviv University and is a translator and editor.
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/2/2024: Rabbi Efrat Rotem, director of MARAM, the Council of Progressive Rabbis in Israel appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Stanley M. Davids and Dr. Leah Hochman discuss their new book, Re-forming Judaism: Moments of Disruption in Jewish Thought.
Throughout Jewish history, revolutionary events and subversive ideas have burst forth, repeatedly transforming Jewish experience. Re-forming Judaism seeks to explore these ideas—and the individuals behind them—by delving into historical disruptions that led to lasting change in Jewish thought. A distinguished array of scholars take us on a journey from the disruptive prophets of ancient times, through rational, mystical, and extremist medievalists, to the impact of Haskalah and early Reform thought in modernity. Contemporary innovations such as changes in liturgy and music, feminism, and post-Holocaust theology are included, as are insights into Sephardic and North African experiences. By showing how Judaism forms—then re-forms, and re-forms again—the contributors demonstrate that tensions between continuity and change have always been part of Jewish life, helping us to both understand the past and contemplate the future.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsRabbi Stanley M. DavidsRabbi Stanley M. Davids is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Case Western Reserve University and was ordained by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in 1965. Following his service as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, he served as senior rabbi in congre- gations in Massachusetts, New York, and Georgia before retiring in 2004 as rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu-El of Atlanta. He was chair of the CCAR Israel Committee, honorary life chair of the Israel Bonds Rabbinic Cabinet, a life member of NFTY, international president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, and past national president of ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. Following his aliyah in 2004, he served for many years both as a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency and as a member of the Executive of the World Zionist Organization. He currently is a member of the Board of Overseers of HUC-JIR’s Los Angeles campus. Resa and Rabbi Davids have three children and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Leah HochmanDr. Leah Hochman directs the Louchheim School for Judaic studies at the University of Southern California and serves as associate professor of Jewish Thought at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles. She is the author of The Ugliness of Moses Mendelssohn: Aesthetics, Religion and Morality in the Eighteenth Century (Routledge, 2014), the editor of Tastes of Faith: Jewish Eating in the United States (Purdue University Press, 2017), and the co-editor, with Dr. Michael Marmur, of Scriptions: Jewish Thoughts and Responses to Covid-19 (https://scriptions.huc.edu).
Raised in the Seattle area, she earned her undergraduate degree at Pitzer College and both her M.A. and Ph.D. in religion and literature from Boston University. She spent significant time in Berlin writing, research and teaching after fellowships at the Moses Mendelssohn Zentrum and the Simon Dubnow Institute. Before joining the HUC-JIR faculty, she held positions at University of Florida and BU.
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/26/2024: Re-forming Judaism Book appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, David Raphael and Jane Shapiro discuss the Jewish Grandparents Network. The network envisions a Jewish world that embraces grandparents as vital to our families, our communities, and our future.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsDavid RaphaelDavid Raphael is the co-founder and CEO of the Jewish Grandparents Network. A graduate of Albany University and the Columbia University School of Social Work, David spent 30 years in Hillel including roles as Assistant International Director, Executive Director of Hillel of Greater Baltimore and Senior Campus Liaison for Hillel International. David was also the founding Executive Director of the Floortime Foundation and the Executive Director of the Maryland Teen Initiative. David and his wife Jo live in Atlanta, have three grown children, two grandchildren, and Maddie the dog. Contact David at david@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
Jane ShapiroA founder of Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning where she teaches a variety of classes and workshops blending text study with other intentional practices. Jane is a graduate of the Mandel Teachers Institute and Vision Projects. Growing up in a family of four girls, Jane wondered what it would like to have a brother. As the mother of four sons and as Bubbie to five grandsons she now knows the answer: it is full of commotion and fun.
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/19/2024: Jewish Grandparents Network appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin discusses his new book, Tikkun Ha’am / Repairing Our People: Israel and the Crisis of Liberal Judaism, and the rising worldwide tide of antisemitism and Jewish support for Israel.
About the BookContemporary Judaism is facing unprecedented challenges. Today’s Jews have the opportunity—and the obligation—to reclaim a Jewish vocabulary of sanctity, activism, and the desire to stand apart from today’s world.
October 7, 2023 was not just one of the most tragic days in modern Jewish history; it represented a profound moral and spiritual challenge to liberal Jewish denominations in America.
It’s a challenge Jews have faced before, and we rose to the occasion; but are Jews of today up to the challenge? We have the opportunity—and the obligation—to reclaim a Jewish vocabulary of sanctity, activism, and the desire to stand apart from today’s world.
Tikkun Ha’am/Repairing Our People is a cry from the heart by one of American Judaism’s most prolific voices. His message: the role of faith is to challenge us as individuals and to challenge society. Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin challenges us to rethink contemporary Jewish identity, Israel, spirituality, and popular culture. Rabbi Salkin invites readers to think deeply about the contemporary world, showing that Judaism has a stake in our world’s political, religious, and cultural battles.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Jeffrey SalkinRabbi Jeffrey Salkin is one of American Judaism’s most prolific rabbis — described as “courageous,” “always relevant,” and “one of American Judaism’s true public intellectuals.”
His column, “Martini Judaism: for those who want to be shaken and stirred,” published by the Religion News Service, has won several Wilbur awards for best religion column of the year. “Martini Judaism” also appears as a podcast. He delivered the keynote on spirituality at the Chautauqua Institution, and has participated in interreligious dialogue with Christian and Muslim religious leaders.
His essays have appeared in the Washington Post, Commentary, the Wall Street Journal, Tablet, Forward, and JTA. He has appeared on CNN and the BBC. He has contributed to scholarly volumes and encyclopedias. His eleven books have inspired vigorous conversations on such subjects as Jewish identity and culture, Israel, and gender, and he has written three Torah commentaries.
His new book is Tikkun Ha’Am: Repairing Our People – Israel and the Crisis of Liberal Judaism. Rabbi David Wolpe of Los Angeles has said of the book: “Tikkun Ha’am” proves once again that Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin is among the wisest observers of our society and our souls — a Rabbi who writes with humor, depth and clarity.” He is currently writing a book for the Reform movement — a commentary for teens on Shabbat liturgy.
Rabbi Salkin lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, and devotes his time to writing, biking, his friends and family, and consuming vast quantities of coffee.
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Rabbi Address was a guest on the “Be Wholly” video podcast hosted by Rabbi Ben Vineburg, BCC. You can watch the conversation in the player below.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Ari Rosenblatt, a rising junior at the University of Wisconsin. Ari, the granddaughter of JewishSacredAging.com contributing writer Sandy Taradash, is active in Hillel and other Jewish organizations on campus, and discussed her recent experiences with antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestAri RosenblattAri is originally from Northern California, but currently is completing her sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin where she is studying Sociology and Communications with certificates in Jewish Studies and Design Strategy. Ari spent 10 years at Camp Newman as a camper and counselor, and served as local and regional president of the National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). She currently works for Hillel as a program creator for alumni fundraising.
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Rabbi Address is the guest on the January 3, 2024 episode of the “Essential Questions” podcast hosted by Rabbi Dan Levin. You can listen to the conversation in the player below. Rabbi Levin is the senior rabbi of Temple Beth El, located in Boca Raton, FL.
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On this week’s encore broadcast episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address discusses the new book, The Year of Mourning: A Jewish Journey, with its editors, Rabbi Lisa Grant, Director of the New York Rabbinical Program and Eleanor Sinsheimer Distinguished Service Professor in Jewish Education Coordinator, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and Cantor Lisa B. Segal, cantor of Kolot Chayeinu in Brooklyn, NY.
The Jewish mourning process is a voyage through pain, brokenness, comfort, resilience, acceptance, and even gratitude. The Year of Mourning: A Jewish Journey offers an expansive array of resources—stories, songs, study texts, poetry, and prayers—to lovingly and patiently guide the bereaved through the first year after their loss. Each week the mourner is encouraged to focus on a particular theme to deepen their Kaddish practice. The book also includes new rituals for shivah, sh’loshim, unveiling, and yahrzeit. The Year of Mourning helps support individuals to regain their grounding after loss and, through the richness of Jewish tradition, deepen their connections to memories of loved ones and to others in the community who are walking a similar path.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
We also maintain a complete playlist of Seekers of Meaning TV Show episodes on YouTube.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsRabbi Lisa Grant, Ph.D.Rabbi Lisa D. Grant, Ph.D., serves as Director of the Rabbinical Program at HUC-JIR/New York. Her research and teaching interests focus on adult Jewish learning, the professional development of Jewish leaders and the place of Israel in American Jewish life. She has published widely on these topics in a range of academic journals, books, and teaching guides.
Rabbi Grant has served on the faculty of HUC-JIR since 2000. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her Ph.D. from The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York; and her rabbinical ordination from HUC-JIR.
Cantor Lisa B. SegalCantor Lisa B. Segal is a founding member of Kolot, where she has served as co-and senior clergy for over 19 years. Cantor Segal was ordained in 2011 by the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) and served as their Cantorial Director for two years (2012-14). With her unique voice and energy, Lisa leads Shabbat, holiday, and High Holy Day services and observances. In addition, she teaches, creates and leads all ranges of life cycle events to enhance Kolot members’ spiritual lives. She composes music, leads community events and regularly performs in concert, on Facebook, and on bimahs around the country.
Cantor Segal collaborates regularly with local Brooklyn and New York City Cantors and musicians in Jewish communal observances and holidays. During the first six months of the Pandemic she created and hosted a twice-weekly Facebook live session of song, meditation and reflections/Torah. Her original composition, Ratzo VaShov/Ebb and Flow, was featured at the opening of the 2021 ACC Convention, and she was commissioned to write a piece for T’ruah’s 2021 Gala, entitled Na’aseh V’Nishma, along with HUC-JIR Cantorial Student Ze’evi (Berman) Levtov. Notable performances include D’var Shirah – Music Meets Text at the Red Sea at the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a benefit she created and produced for the Academy for Jewish Religion, featuring spoken word artists and Jewish musicians in improvisation (music directed by Frank London of the Klezmatics), and Zero Church; the Prayer Project where she sang with The Roches at St. Ann’s Warehouse.
Cantor Segal has appeared in many concerts she created for Kolot – “Off the Bimah!” – with a range of notable and innovative Jewish musicians including Joey Weisenberg, Marty Ehrlich, Marc Ribot, Alicia Jo Rabins, Roy Nathanson, Alicia Svigals, and others, and has performed with numerous cantors and choirs throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond.
She is an Associate Member of the ACC (American Conference of Cantors), an active alumni of AJR and Hevraya, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s Mindfulness meditation clergy cohort, and a longtime member of the Women Cantors Network. Lisa and her husband, writer and maggid Arthur “Ari” Strimling, live in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
The post ENCORE BROADCAST 12/29/2023: Seekers of Meaning 8/4/2023: Rabbi Lisa Grant and Cantor Lisa B. Segal, “The Year of Mourning” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast features a panel discussion of antisemitism. Rabbi Address (upper left) welcomes guests (clockwise from upper right): Randi Boyette, associate regional director for education, Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia; Andrew Goretzky, regional director, ADL Philadelphia, and Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE, executive director of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators.On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, a panel of guests discuss the recent rise in antisemitism in the US following the October 7 Hamas-led mass murder of civilians in Israel. The guests are Andrew Goretzky, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League in Philadelphia; Randi Boyette, associate regional director for education, ADL; and Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE, executive director of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsAndrew M. GoretzkyAndrew M. Goretsky, Ed.D. was named Regional Director for ADL Philadelphia in January 2022. The ADL Philadelphia Regional Office serves eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and the entire state of Delaware. ADL and fights antisemitism and all forms of discrimination through education, advocacy and investigation.
Before joining ADL, Goretsky was Dean of Students at Arcadia University. While there he worked to promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion through daily interactions with students, faculty, and staff, and by leading staff in the development of initiatives that served the needs of their diverse population.
Before joining Arcadia, Goretsky served on both the Committee for International Student Success and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at The George Washington University, serving as a member of the Multicultural Philosophy committee at the University of Maryland, and leading the Native American Special Interest residential community at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Goretsky began his career working with students with learning differences at Landmark College in Putney VT. He holds a Doctor of Education, Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University and a Master of Arts, Student Personnel Administration from New York University.
Randy BoyetteRandi Boyette is a Senior Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League and has served as the ADL Education Director in Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware since 2003. Her responsibilities include managing all of ADL’s anti-bias, anti-bullying, and cyberbullying programs; antisemitism education programming; and ADL Holocaust education initiatives.
Born, raised, and educated in Philadelphia, Randi holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Temple University and a master’s degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College. She is the co-author of Let it Burn, a book about MOVE and the city of Philadelphia.
Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJERabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE is Executive Director of the Assocation of Reform Jewish Educators. A lifelong learner, Stacy is passionate about inspiring excellence, advancing the field of Jewish education, and supporting fellow educators and students. Stacy served as Rabbi Educator for 17 years at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA then went on to work as a Senior Program Manger for Jewish Education at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. She has also worked for as Jewish life advisor at URJ Camp Harlam. Stacy is on the volunteer leadership team of the Religious Action Center-PA, #Onward Hebrew, and serves on the URJ Camp Harlam Camp Council as well as the Union for Reform Judaism Board. She received her MAJE and Rabbinic ordination from HUC-JIR and her undergraduate degree from Emory University. When not at work Stacy volunteers her time with POWER (PA’s Faith in Action organization) and enjoys exercising and spending time with family and friends.
The post ENCORE BROADCAST, Seekers of Meaning 12/01/2023: Fighting Antisemitism with Educational Resources appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Gary Glickstein, co-executive vice president, discusses the mission of the National Association of Retired Reform Rabbis (NAORRR), and how retired Reform rabbis confront the challenges of aging and transitioning to new life stages.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Gary GlicksteinRabbi Gary A. Glickstein was the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Sholom in Miami, FL, between 1985-2018. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1971. He continued his education at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his rabbinical ordination in 1974.
Rabbi Glickstein served as Assistant Rabbi of Congregation Bene Israel/Rockdale in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1974-1977 and then became Rabbi of Temple Sinai in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1977-1985.
In 1985, Rabbi Glickstein came to Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach as a vibrant, young scholar to serve as Senior Rabbi. His vitality and youthful approach have attracted many new members over the years as he has encouraged a greater involvement of the congregation in synagogue and Jewish life.
Rabbi Glickstein has distinguished himself as one of the leaders of the Miami community. He is the founding Executive Director of the Woldenberg Center for Jewish Life and serves on the advisory boards of the Lehrman Community Day School and the Greater Miami Coalition for a Drug Free Community. He is a board member and finance committee member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. He serves as a board member for the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, is a board member and advisory board member for the Golden Care Foundation and is Past President of the Greater Miami Chapter Board of American Friends of the Hebrew University. Rabbi Glickstein is also Past President of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami.
Nationally, Rabbi Glickstein has distinguished himself as Past Chairman, Executive Committee of the UJA National Rabbinic Cabinet, Past Chairman and President of the National Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel Bonds and the Treasurer of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He is also a board member of the American Friends of ALYN Hospital.
Rabbi Glickstein’s commitment to the cross-cultural community in Miami is evidenced by his position as Past Chairman of the Religious Leaders Coalition and membership on the Executive Committee and Past Chair of the Education Committee for the Miami Coalition for a Drug Free Community. He is also a Past Board Member for the Miami Human Rights Commission and the Past Chairman of the Judaic Studies Advisory Committee to the president of Barry University.
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/15/2023: Rabbi Gary Glickstein of the National Association of Retired Reform Rabbis (NAORRR) appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld discusses her spiritual journey as founder of the Nachshon Minyan in Los Angeles and as a “concierge rabbi.”
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Cantor Judy GreenfeldRabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld is not your ordinary “Temple Rabbi.” She founded Nachshon Minyan in 2005, a spiritual and religious community geared toward unaffiliated Jews and Jews who want to update their negative feelings about Judaism.
After a successful career in fitness and wellness, and with a curiosity to explore the spirituality in the faith she was born into, Rabbi Judy enrolled in the Academy for Jewish Religion later in life. That is where she received her Cantorial ordination and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Sacred Music and Rabbinic ordination.
She is a current member of the California Board of Rabbis and serves on the Sandra Caplan Beit Din in Los Angeles. Rabbi Judy is also a lecturer and co-author (with Dr. Tamar Frankiel) of two books: Minding the Temple of the Soul and Entering the Temple of Dreams.
Both a teacher and healer, Rabbi Judy has built a following as a concierge Rabbi serving the Greater Los Angeles community. She weaves an array of healing practices, from dreamwork, meditation, breath work, healing through somatic dance, sound and sonic geometry and incorporates other ways to understand and open up the ancient scriptures and meaning of Torah, Mussar and Kabbalah. For more information on Rabbi Judy, please visit RabbiCantorJudy.org.
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/8/2023: Rabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld, “Concierge Rabbi” at Nachson Minyan, Los Angeles appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast features a panel discussion of antisemitism. Rabbi Address (upper left) welcomes guests (clockwise from upper right): Randi Boyette, associate regional director for education, Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia; Andrew Goretzky, regional director, ADL Philadelphia, and Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE, executive director of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators.On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, a panel of guests discuss the recent rise in antisemitism in the US following the October 7 Hamas-led mass murder of civilians in Israel. The guests are Andrew Goretzky, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League in Philadelphia; Randi Boyette, associate regional director for education, ADL; and Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE, executive director of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsAndrew M. GoretzkyAndrew M. Goretsky, Ed.D. was named Regional Director for ADL Philadelphia in January 2022. The ADL Philadelphia Regional Office serves eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and the entire state of Delaware. ADL and fights antisemitism and all forms of discrimination through education, advocacy and investigation.
Before joining ADL, Goretsky was Dean of Students at Arcadia University. While there he worked to promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion through daily interactions with students, faculty, and staff, and by leading staff in the development of initiatives that served the needs of their diverse population.
Before joining Arcadia, Goretsky served on both the Committee for International Student Success and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at The George Washington University, serving as a member of the Multicultural Philosophy committee at the University of Maryland, and leading the Native American Special Interest residential community at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Goretsky began his career working with students with learning differences at Landmark College in Putney VT. He holds a Doctor of Education, Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University and a Master of Arts, Student Personnel Administration from New York University.
Randy BoyetteRandi Boyette is a Senior Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League and has served as the ADL Education Director in Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware since 2003. Her responsibilities include managing all of ADL’s anti-bias, anti-bullying, and cyberbullying programs; antisemitism education programming; and ADL Holocaust education initiatives.
Born, raised, and educated in Philadelphia, Randi holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Temple University and a master’s degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College. She is the co-author of Let it Burn, a book about MOVE and the city of Philadelphia.
Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJERabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE is Executive Director of the Assocation of Reform Jewish Educators. A lifelong learner, Stacy is passionate about inspiring excellence, advancing the field of Jewish education, and supporting fellow educators and students. Stacy served as Rabbi Educator for 17 years at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA then went on to work as a Senior Program Manger for Jewish Education at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. She has also worked for as Jewish life advisor at URJ Camp Harlam. Stacy is on the volunteer leadership team of the Religious Action Center-PA, #Onward Hebrew, and serves on the URJ Camp Harlam Camp Council as well as the Union for Reform Judaism Board. She received her MAJE and Rabbinic ordination from HUC-JIR and her undergraduate degree from Emory University. When not at work Stacy volunteers her time with POWER (PA’s Faith in Action organization) and enjoys exercising and spending time with family and friends.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi David Levin discusses his recent visit to Israel with a delegation from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. The group spent 56 hours on the ground in Israel getting briefings and touring the sites of the October 7 Hamas-led massacres of Israeli civilians.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi David LevinRabbi David Levin is the founder and manages Jewish Relationships Initiative, a 501c3, dedicated to helping seekers of meaning through Jewish wisdom, focusing on relationships and end-of-life challenges. He teaches nationally on these topics and maintains the following websites: www.RabbiDavidLevin.com and www.EthicalLegacy.com, sharing his work with others.
His book Jewish End Of Life Care In A Virtual Age: Our Traditions Reimagined is available through Amazon;https://amzn.to/35uk5.
Rabbi David served as the Red Cross Regional Leader of the Disaster Spiritual Care team, and on the Covid-19 Taskforce of Neshama, Association of Jewish Chaplains through the pandemic.
He currently serves on the JCRC Board and is co-chair of the Domestic Affairs Committee. Rabbi David also serves on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Board of Rabbis as VP. Rabbi David serves on the Regional Board of NIF.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Sarah Bassin, director of clergy and congregations for HIAS, discusses the organization’s long history of helping refugees and immigrants.
HIAS, originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives. The agency focuses on refugee rights and resettlement, legal support, economic inclusion, community mental health, and emergencies worldwide. Its services are not limited to the Jewish community.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Sarah BassinRabbi Sarah Bassin serves as the Director of Clergy and Congregations for HIAS where she helps connect synagogues and their spiritual leaders to the work of aiding and advocating for refugees and asylum seekers. Prior to this role, she was the associate rabbi at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills where she drove congregation-based justice work.
She began her rabbinate as the founding executive director of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change where she built minority-based coalitions. Under her leadership, NewGround was named one of the 50 most innovative Jewish organizations in the United States by Slingshot Guide and was recognized by Governor Jerry Brown of California as the state’s faith-based organization of the year in 2013.
Rabbi Bassin’s demonstrated track record of anticipating trends in political and communal change is coupled with the courage to help lead communities through thoughtful processes of intentional transformation. She now serves on the boards of NewGround and UpStart — a national organization that has helped over 100 innovative Jewish nonprofits launch or scale up. She also serves on the advisory boards of the New Israel Fund, Hand in Hand Schools, the Jewish Center for Justice, and Tivnu: Building Justice.
Rabbi Bassin has built an expertise in interfaith civilian diplomacy, traveling with elite delegations of faith and political leaders to England, France, Germany, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Iran. For her work, she was named a fellow of Security and Religious Freedom at the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations. NPR’s On Being featured Rabbi Bassin for her organizational innovation and interfaith work.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Lisa Niver discusses her book, Brave-ish, One Break-up, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.
Although Lisa Niver has traveled in far-off locales from Vanuatu to Nepal and received numerous accolades for both her writing and her top ranked website, what people don’t realize is that this began from the wreckage of a rotten romance.
Newlywed Niver was on the adventure of a lifetime. She had quit her job, rented out her condo, and was traveling around Asia. To the outside world, Niver was a woman living out her dreams of exploring ancient ruins in Cambodia and seeing orangutans in Borneo. In private, she was keeping a dark secret. But, when she found herself lying on a sidewalk in Thailand, looking up at the sky in severe pain, she knew things had to change. At age forty-seven, Niver found the courage to set course on a new life.
Feeling like a failure, pushing fifty, and moving home to her parents’ house to start again from scratch, Niver started taking one tiny “brave-ish” step at a time to take her life far away from the old one and into the adventurous world of travel writing. These small hurdles led to the challenge of trying fifty new things before turning fifty. From diving into shipwrecks, swimming with sharks, bobsledding at three g’s, to indulging in wild escapades, Niver found herself traversing the world on a journey of reinvention, personal growth, and discovering what it actually means to be “brave.”
While Brave-ish chronicles Niver’s inspiring expeditions to distant corners of the world including Myanmar, Cuba, Morocco, Kenya and Mongolia this is more than a travelogue. Niver’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Brave-ish inspires readers to dream big, take risks, and embrace the unknown to create a life filled with wonder and excitement, even when courage seems elusive.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestPhoto by Judith Gigliotti. Used by permission.Lisa NiverLisa Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 102 countries on six continents. This University of Pennsylvania graduate sailed across the seas for seven years with Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Renaissance Cruises and spent three years backpacking across Asia. Discover her articles in publications from AARP: The Magazine and AAA Explorer to WIRED and Wharton Magazine, as well as her site WeSaidGoTravel.
On her award nominated global podcast, Make Your Own Map, Niver has interviewed Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalists, and numerous bestselling authors, and as a journalist has been invited to both the Oscars and the United Nations. For her print and digital stories as well as her television segments, she has been awarded three Southern California Journalism Awards and two National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and been a finalist twenty-two times.
Named a #3 travel influencer for 2023, Niver talks travel on broadcast television at KTLA TV Los Angeles, her YouTube channel with over 2 million views, and in her memoir, Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Sarah McCaslin, executive director and therapist at the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute, discusses the institute’s training, therapy, and consulting services that support the emotional and spiritual health of the community.
Chief among PSI’s continuing education programs are our Annual Certificate in Spiritually-Informed Psychotherapies, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Clinicians.
In its therapy, PSI has always believed what current studies in neuroscience are discovering: that our natural inclination towards meaning making, originally seen in forms of ritual, and later through more formal expressions of spirituality and religion, is a crucial part of healing and creating a sense of wellbeing. In addition to specific mental health conditions, there are many aspects of society that can disrupt our sense of who we are and contribute to personal conflict and strife. PSI clinicians are prepared to explore and support every facet of what we need to feel whole – in mind, body, and spirit. PSI clinicians are at the forefront of their treatment modalities and strive to create a compassionate space for healing. We sincerely believe that care and acceptance transform us and the world we live in.
From a consulting standpoint, PSI practitioners were hands-on supporters through tremendous upheaval, which included navigating fiscal crises, the AID’s epidemic, the unthinkable aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks, and most recently, the Covid Pandemic. Each plight has given PSI an opportunity to serve those most vulnerable in our community, creating base knowledge and experience that continues to inform what it shares today.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestSarah McCaslin, MDiv, LCSWSarah McCaslin is devoted to fostering the human capacity for resilience, growth and meaning-making, even under the most daunting circumstances. She believes in the inherent spirituality of all people to be a resource for achieving healing and wholeness.
Her approach to therapy is collaborative and client-led. She incorporates mindfulness and compassion-based modes of treatment, as well as family systems and interpersonal neurobiology.
Sarah provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families. Many of her clients struggle with anxiety and depression related to self-identity, family conflict, spiritual/religious distress, substance abuse, history of trauma, acute or chronic grief, and sexuality/gender identity issues.
Sarah’s work with couples and families is informed by her training at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, from which she received an advanced, post-graduate certificate in couple/family therapy.
A licensed clinical social worker, Sarah has a social work degree in Advanced Clinical Practice from Columbia University, as well as a Masters of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, both in New York City.
Sarah can be reached at smccaslin@psinyc.org and 929.382.4504. She arranges initial consultations to prospective clients free of charge.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Michael Zedek discusses his new book, Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey to Everyday Spirituality.
An accomplished storyteller with a refreshing, humorous voice, Rabbi Zedek draws on a range of materials including biblical tales, Indian and Japanese folklore, the works of St. Augustine, Einstein, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Groucho Marx to take readers on a truly original search for spiritual sustenance in everyday life. Readers will learn how to identify and appreciate the miraculous in an often mundane world; how to take God seriously when much of the intellectual world doesn’t; and how to make the most out of underutilized spiritual resources such as poetry and prayer. Heartfelt and amusing, Taking Miracles Seriously is a master course on how to craft an enriched and enriching spiritual life.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Michael ZedekBrooklyn-born Michael Zedek is rabbi emeritus of both B’nai Jehudah (Kansas City) and Emanuel Congregation (Chicago). He also served as the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (JFC); during his tenure, the Federation received national awards for innovative fundraising and programming. A dedicated community activist, scholar, and teacher Rabbi Zedek has received numerous awards including a Fulbright-Hays Grant. He was also honored by the National Conference of Christian and Jews. He is the founder and co-host of weekly radio show “Religion on the Line,” and a regular presenter at Rancho La Puerta, the oldest and most renowned spirituality spa center in North America.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., a Distinguished University Professor and the Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Temple University, discusses his new book, You and Your Adult Child: How to Grow Together in Challenging Times.
A much-needed guide for parents of people in their twenties and thirties from one of the world’s leading developmental psychologists. (Click image to order book.)
Your child is now an adult, but your job as a parent is far from over. Instead, your role must evolve to meet their ongoing, changing needs. But what exactly are these new needs? And why are they so different now than they were when you were a young adult?
This is the first comprehensive guide written for parents whose children are in two of the most crucial decades of life. Steinberg discusses topics as varied as whether and how you should be involved in your child’s college education, how to behave when they unexpectedly must move back home, how to state your opinion on their romantic partners, what to do when you disagree with the way they are raising their own child, and what parameters to apply if you want to give them money for a home or startup.
He answers such challenging questions as: When do I express my opinion and when should I bite my tongue? How do I know if my son is floundering? Is it okay to help my daughter with her grad school application? What should I do if my kid is getting seriously involved with someone I think is dangerous? We have been helping our twenty-five-year-old financially for the last few years, but how long is too long? How can I help my adult child through a difficult psychological time?
Leading psychologist Laurence Steinberg has devoted his forty-five-year career to researching parent-child relationships. Here, he provides some basic principles to help parents with adult children think more intelligently about common issues, avoid minefields, weather the inevitable ups and downs, and create a stronger, happier, more effective bond with their child.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestLaurence Steinberg, Ph.D. Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., one of the world’s leading experts on adolescence, is a Distinguished University Professor and the Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Temple University. He taught previously at Cornell University, the University of California, Irvine, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr. Steinberg is the author of nearly 500 articles and essays on development during the teenage years, and the author, co-author, or editor of 16 books. He has been a featured guest on numerous television programs, including CBS Morning News, Today, Good Morning America, 20/20, Dateline, PBS News Hour, VICE HBO,and The Oprah Winfrey Show, and is a frequent consultant on adolescence for print and electronic media, including the New York Times and NPR. He has also written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Slate, and Psychology Today. A graduate of Vassar College and Cornell University, Dr. Steinberg is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Psychological Science. His newest book isYou and Your Adult Child: How to Grow Together in Challenging Times.
Dr. Steinberg is a former President of the Division of Developmental Psychology of the American Psychological Association and of the Society for Research on Adolescence. He has been the recipient of numerous honors, including lifetime achievement awards from the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Society for Research on Adolescence. In 2009, he was named the first recipient of the Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize for Productive Youth Development, one of the largest prizes ever awarded to a social scientist. In 2014 he received the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award, a national teaching prize, for having inspired his former students to make a significant contribution to society.
A nationally and internationally renowned expert on psychological development during adolescence, Dr. Steinberg’s research has focused on a range of topics in the study of contemporary adolescence, including adolescent brain development, risk-taking and decision-making, parent-adolescent relationships, adolescent employment, high school reform, and juvenile justice. His work has been funded by a variety of public and private organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U. S. Army, the MacArthur Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, the William T. Grant Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, the Spencer Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. He has been a Faculty Scholar of the William T. Grant Foundation and was Director of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice.
Dr. Steinberg served as a member of the National Academies’ Panel on the Health Implications of Child Labor and the Board on Children, Youth, and Families and chaired the National Academies’ Committee on the Science of Adolescence. He has been a frequent consultant to state and federal agencies and lawmakers on child labor, secondary education, and juvenile justice policy and was the lead scientist on the amicus curiae briefs filed by the American Psychological Association in Roper v. Simmons, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that abolished the juvenile death penalty, as well as several subsequent Supreme Court cases that placed limits on the use of life without parole as a sentence for juveniles. He has also provided expert testimony and consultation in a number of civil and criminal cases involving adolescent brain and psychological development.
More information is available at his website, https://www.laurencesteinberg.com/
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Lance Sussman, rabbi emeritus of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, Elkins Park, PA, discusses his new book, In His Own Words: Portrait of An American Rabbi.
Excerpt from the book:
In short, I believe, a little bit of religion is a good thing whether or not you fully embrace the idea of God. I believe that Judaism should accept this approach and help its adherents translate their deep, inherent religious needs with the symbols and practices of our ancient tradition. Judaism understands that not only does it have to adapt as part of its cultural dance, but it also has to choose and to create in order to complete its mission: to help modern Jews, the children of Spinoza, and the disciples of Einstein, to stay on course, to see the poetry written into the cosmos, and to help one another on the road to contentment with kindness, with concern and with love. Every once in a while, somebody comes to me and says: “Rabbi, I’m so glad I’m Jewish.” “Rabbi, I’m lucky. I have what I need. I have what I want.” And I smile and count my blessings, too.
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.Since beginning his service as the eighth Senior Rabbi of KI in July 2001, Rabbi Sussman has had a transformative impact on the congregation and the greater Philadelphia region, as well as nationally, through his scholarship, leadership, and diverse community and educational activities. Rabbi Sussman is Chair of the Board of Governors and Professor of Jewish History. of Gratz College in Melrose Park, PA. Gratz College is the oldest non-denominational Jewish institute of higher learning in the world and is the home of the first online Ph.D. program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
Sussman serves as Senior Scholar of Roots of Reform Judaism and was a past national Chair of the CCAR Press, the publishing arm of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He formerly served as a Trustee of the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the American Jewish Historical Society; and is an active member of the Academic Advisory and Editorial Board of the American Jewish Archives (Cincinnati). He is the founding president of the Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council and a former Chair of the Delaware Valley Association of Reform Rabbis.
Sussman has been involved nationally in promoting Jewish-Muslim dialogue. In recent years, KI has intensified its Social Action programs and now offers monthly home cooked meals to the food insecure and runs a tutorial program at the Lowell School in Olney. Sussman has also helped developed an outreach program to residents of Federation Housing including an annual Hanukkah dinner.
Previously, Rabbi Sussman served as Chair of the Jewish Studies Department at Binghamton University-SUNY. He has taught courses in Jewish History at Princeton University, Hebrew Union College in New York City, Rutgers University, Temple University and Hunter College. Rabbi Sussman has appeared in several PBS specials on Religion in America and is currently working on a documentary on the Philadelphia Jewish experience with with film producer Sam Katz.
Rabbi Sussman has published numerous books and articles, including Isaac Lesser and the Making of American Judaism, and Sharing Sacred Moments (a collection of his sermons); he also served as an editor of Reform Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook. Most recently, he published a memorial study of the 24 members of KI who fell in service to the United States from the Civil War to the present. His dynamic, illustrated lectures on a wide array of topics range from Biblical to American, military and world history to Jews in arts, sports, film and more.
As KI’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Sussman nurtures a diverse and accepting congregation that represents a broad constituency in its nearly 1,000-member families. KI welcomes interfaith and LGBQT+ families and demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusiveness and social action in its many programs. Among Rabbi Sussman’s many initiatives at KI was the development of the synagogue’s seven Core Values, which are proudly displayed on colorful banners for all to see at KI’s main entrance. Rabbi Sussman also created the KI Puppets, and enjoys teaching young children through his role as “Torah Turtle”—one of the puppets that appears regularly in KI’s preschool and at Tot Shabbat services. A pioneer in Visual Prayer, Sussman led the initiative to create PowerPoint art-liturgy at KI and install the complex technology to support the process. Nationally, Rabbi Sussman was Chair of the Press of the Central Conference of American Rabbis when it launched its new Mishkhan prayer book series and oversaw the production of the ground breaking project. For over fifteen years, Sussman has led monthly Shabbat services at the Rydal retirement community in Jenkintown.
A prolific historian, Rabbi Sussman writes on a wide range of topics from the history of Art in Judaism to Jews and the American Civil War. He enjoys researching the history of KI, which was the fourth congregation to be established by the expanding Jewish community of Philadelphia when it was founded in March 1847. In 1855 the previously Orthodox congregation adopted Reform Judaism, becoming the first progressive congregation in Philadelphia and only the fifth in the country to embrace the movement of radical experimentation. Sussman is now leading an effort to create a digital, online KI Archives, the first of its kind, called kipah.org with plans to post 100,000 historic documents online. He has also led numerous international trips focusing on Jewish heritage in Israel, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Holland and Cuba.
Under Rabbi Sussman’s leadership, KI has been at the cutting of the Reform movement while maintaining the core and essence of Jewish practice and values. In July of 2022, Rabbi Sussman begins a new chapter at KI as Rabbi Emeritus.
Rabbi Sussman and his wife, Liz, Director of the KI Preschool and founder of KI’s Shir Joy Choir, share the joy of raising their children Benjamin & Kelly, Joshua & Sheri ,Micah, Judah and Chana. The Sussmans have two grandchildren, Sophie and Charlotte.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell discusses the newly released book, The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis, which she co-edited.
The ordination of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand in 1972 was a watershed moment in Jewish history. In The First Fifty Years, contributors from across the Jewish and gender spectrums reflect on the meaning of this moment and the ensuing decades, both personally and for the Jewish community. In short pieces of new prose, authors–many of them pioneering rabbis–share stories, insights, analysis, and celebrations of women in the rabbinate. These are intertwined with a wealth of poetry that poignantly captures the spirit of this anniversary. The volume is a deep, heartfelt tribute to women rabbis and their indelible impact on all of us.
This collection (click image to purchase book) serves as a mile marker along the journey, a momentary stopping place for reflection and commemoration. While we experience the evolution of women in the rabbinate as inevitable, that doesn’t mean it was easy. These pages likewise acknowledge challenges and complexities of these fifty years, identifying some of the detours and roadblocks that still lie ahead… In a mere half century, rabbinic leadership effected a dramatic turning point in Jewish history, an acknowledgment that the voices that were silent or silenced, marginalized, unheard and unseen, are an essential part of the rich and variegated fabric of the Jewish story and must be included… Becoming the most beautifully diverse, inclusive, and thriving community of our highest aspirations, we all need to know what has led us here on the path to a healthy, equitable, and flourishing future.
–From the introduction by Rabbi Hara E. Person, chief executive of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Sue Levi ElwellRabbi Sue Levi Elwell has spent her career working with individuals and congregations to build and sustain healthy, vibrant Jewish communities. The Founding Director of the American Jewish Congress Feminist Center in Los Angeles, Elwell served as the first Rabbinic Director of Ma’yan, the Jewish Women’s Project of the Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side in New York City before joining the staff of the Union for Reform Judaism, where she served for 18 years. She now serves as a Spiritual Director at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and also accompanies a wide range of individuals as they explore their spiritual paths.
Elwell is the editor of the award-winning Chapters of the Heart: Jewish Women Sharing the Stories of Our Lives (2013), The Open Door Haggadah (2002), and served as editor of Lesbian Rabbis: The First Generation (2001). She is co-editor, with Hara Person and Jessica Greenbaum, of The First 50 Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis (2023).
The post Seekers of Meaning 10/6/2023: Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, co-author of “The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Connie Zweig discusses her book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening
Explains why we are drawn to charismatic leaders, what we unconsciously give away to them, and how to reclaim our inner spiritual authority
Explores how to recover from spiritual abuse or betrayal by a teacher or group, including breaking free of denial, projection, and dependency using psychology and shadow-work
Extends #MeToo into the spiritual domain and tells the stories of contemporary clergy and spiritual leaders who acted out their shadows in destructive ways, leaving their followers traumatized and lost
Within each of us is a spiritual longing that prompts us to unite with something greater than ourselves, to awaken to our unity with all of life. Yet, no matter the spiritual path we choose, we inevitably encounter our own shadow, those unconscious aspects of ourselves that we suppress or deny, or the shadows of our teachers and their secret desires about money, sex, and power. Meeting the shadow can derail the journey, but, according to Connie Zweig, Ph.D., we can learn to recover from loss of faith and move from spiritual naivete to spiritual maturity.
Calling on us to expand our vision of religious and spiritual life — and our vision of awakening — to include the human shadow, Zweig examines the yearning that sets us on the spiritual path, showing how it can lead to ecstatic, transcendent experiences or to terrible suffering by projecting it onto an authoritarian teacher, priest, or guru who abuses power. She tells the stories of renowned teachers — Sufi poet Rumi, Hindu master Ramakrishna, and Christian saint Catherine of Siena — whose lives unfolded as they followed their spiritual yearning. And she tells the cautionary tales of contemporary teachers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Catholicism, who acted out their shadows in devastating ways, leaving their followers traumatized and lost. She explains how meeting the shadow is a painful but inevitable stage on the path to a more mature spirituality. She describes how to use spiritual shadow-work to separate from abusive teachers, reclaim inner spiritual authority, and heal from betrayal.
With guidance for both inspired and disillusioned seekers, the author explores how to navigate the narrow path through the darkness toward the light, rekindle the flame of longing, and once again engage in fulfilling spiritual practice.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestConnie ZweigConnie Zweig, Ph.D. is a retired therapist and coauthor of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow.Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. It won the 2022 Gold COVR Award, the 2022 Gold Nautilus Award, the 2021 American Book Fest Award, and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction. Her new book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening, is available now. Connie has been doing contemplative practices for more than 50 years. She is a wife, stepmother, and grandmother. After all these roles, she’s practicing the shift from role to soul.
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/29/2023: Author Connie Zweig discusses her book, “Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, we present a encore broadcast of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast.
In this program, Rabbi Address discusses the new book, The Year of Mourning: A Jewish Journey, with its editors, Rabbi Lisa Grant, Director of the New York Rabbinical Program and Eleanor Sinsheimer Distinguished Service Professor in Jewish Education Coordinator, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and Cantor Lisa B. Segal, cantor of Kolot Chayeinu in Brooklyn, NY.
The Jewish mourning process is a voyage through pain, brokenness, comfort, resilience, acceptance, and even gratitude. The Year of Mourning: A Jewish Journey offers an expansive array of resources—stories, songs, study texts, poetry, and prayers—to lovingly and patiently guide the bereaved through the first year after their loss. Each week the mourner is encouraged to focus on a particular theme to deepen their Kaddish practice. The book also includes new rituals for shivah, sh’loshim, unveiling, and yahrzeit. The Year of Mourning helps support individuals to regain their grounding after loss and, through the richness of Jewish tradition, deepen their connections to memories of loved ones and to others in the community who are walking a similar path.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
We also maintain a complete playlist of Seekers of Meaning TV Show episodes on YouTube.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestsRabbi Lisa Grant, Ph.D.Rabbi Lisa D. Grant, Ph.D., serves as Director of the Rabbinical Program at HUC-JIR/New York. Her research and teaching interests focus on adult Jewish learning, the professional development of Jewish leaders and the place of Israel in American Jewish life. She has published widely on these topics in a range of academic journals, books, and teaching guides.
Rabbi Grant has served on the faculty of HUC-JIR since 2000. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her Ph.D. from The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York; and her rabbinical ordination from HUC-JIR.
Cantor Lisa B. SegalCantor Lisa B. Segal is a founding member of Kolot, where she has served as co-and senior clergy for over 19 years. Cantor Segal was ordained in 2011 by the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) and served as their Cantorial Director for two years (2012-14). With her unique voice and energy, Lisa leads Shabbat, holiday, and High Holy Day services and observances. In addition, she teaches, creates and leads all ranges of life cycle events to enhance Kolot members’ spiritual lives. She composes music, leads community events and regularly performs in concert, on Facebook, and on bimahs around the country.
Cantor Segal collaborates regularly with local Brooklyn and New York City Cantors and musicians in Jewish communal observances and holidays. During the first six months of the Pandemic she created and hosted a twice-weekly Facebook live session of song, meditation and reflections/Torah. Her original composition, Ratzo VaShov/Ebb and Flow, was featured at the opening of the 2021 ACC Convention, and she was commissioned to write a piece for T’ruah’s 2021 Gala, entitled Na’aseh V’Nishma, along with HUC-JIR Cantorial Student Ze’evi (Berman) Levtov. Notable performances include D’var Shirah – Music Meets Text at the Red Sea at the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a benefit she created and produced for the Academy for Jewish Religion, featuring spoken word artists and Jewish musicians in improvisation (music directed by Frank London of the Klezmatics), and Zero Church; the Prayer Project where she sang with The Roches at St. Ann’s Warehouse.
Cantor Segal has appeared in many concerts she created for Kolot – “Off the Bimah!” – with a range of notable and innovative Jewish musicians including Joey Weisenberg, Marty Ehrlich, Marc Ribot, Alicia Jo Rabins, Roy Nathanson, Alicia Svigals, and others, and has performed with numerous cantors and choirs throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond.
She is an Associate Member of the ACC (American Conference of Cantors), an active alumni of AJR and Hevraya, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s Mindfulness meditation clergy cohort, and a longtime member of the Women Cantors Network. Lisa and her husband, writer and maggid Arthur “Ari” Strimling, live in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
The post ENCORE BROADCAST 9/22/2023: Seekers of Meaning 8/4/2023: Rabbi Lisa Grant and Cantor Lisa B. Segal, “The Year of Mourning” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address offers a high holy days message as we approach the start of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year 5784.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, psychologist, author and radio talk show host Dr. Dan Gottlieb continues a multi-show discussion of the introspective month of Elul, which prefaces the Jewish High Holiday season. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/8/2023: Dr. Dan Gottlieb continues the discussion of Elul and preparing for the High Holy Days appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Mark Levin, Founding Rabbi and Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, KS, kicks off a multipart discussion of the meaning of reflection in the month of Elul as we prepare for the High Holy Days. Other guests in coming weeks will also reflect on the holiest season of the Jewish calendar.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Amazon Music About the GuestRabbi Mark H. LevinRabbi Mark H. Levin is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Graduated in 1971 from Boston University, magna cum laude with distinction in religion, Rabbi Levin received his Master of Arts in Hebrew letters from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in 1974, his Certificate in Jewish Communal Studies in 1974 (Los Angeles), and was ordained in 1976 (Cincinnati). Most recently, Rabbi Levin completed his Doctorate of Hebrew Letters through HUC-JIR in New York in May, 2001, and his honorary Doctor of Divinity in 2001 in Cincinnati. He has been the congregational Pulpit Rabbi for Congregation Beth Torah since its inception in 1988 up until his retirement from this position in June 2014. In July 2014 he accepted the position of Beth Torah’s Founding Rabbi. Rabbi Levin is the father of three children and grandfather of two grandchildren. He is married to the former Kacy Childs-Winston, the mother of Kyle and Seth Winston. Rabbi Levin serves on several local boards and writes religion columns for the Kansas City Star, and answers questions for the “Ask the Rabbi” service of the Union of Reform Judaism.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Sandy Akselrad, spiritual leader of Congregation Ner Tamid, Henderson, NV, discusses his new book, Love in the Time of Corona.
In March 2020, the world as we knew it changed dramatically — literally overnight. As businesses, schools, and places of worship were forced to close their doors because of COVID-19, we were all filled with a sense of fear. How long would this last? How would we adapt? How deadly was this virus? How could we protect our loved ones?
One of Rabbi Sanford Akselrad’s board members encouraged him to write a letter to his congregation to bring them a sense of hope during this time of great uncertainty. What began with one essay, “Love in the Time of Corona,” turned into a weekly communique. Now more than one hundred of these essays, focusing on themes of hope, resiliency, and the importance of pulling together as a community, have been lovingly compiled in this book.
Stronger together, readers will empathize with the message that we need each other, not only in the Time of Corona, but always and forever.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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Leaving the “Twilight Zone”A Prayer of Gratitude“Seeing” in the time of CoronaAbout the GuestRabbi Sanford AkselradRabbi Sandy Akselrad is the spiritual leader of our Congregation and a leader in creating a vibrant Jewish community in Southern Nevada.
Sanford Akselrad has served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Ner Tamid since he came to Las Vegas in 1988. During this time, the Synagogue grew from approximately 60 to over 600 families, becoming the largest Reform Synagogue in the State of Nevada. In his 30 years of service to our Congregation, Rabbi Akselrad has served on a wide variety of community boards including the Humana Hospital Pastoral Advisory Board, the Jewish Nevada, Jewish Family Services and the National Conference of Community and Justice.
A firm believer in K’lal Israel and building a strong Jewish community, Rabbi Akselrad has spearheaded many community-wide Boards, Commissions and organizations that have helped shape the Jewish community we live in today. He is a founding member and current President of the Clark County Board of Rabbis. He is also a founding member and past Chair of the National Conference of Community and Justice’s Interfaith Council and of the Federation’s Community Relations Council (CRC). Rabbi Akselrad also spearheaded the effort to bring the Interfaith Hospitality Network model of sheltering homeless families to Las Vegas. Now called Family Promise, this model uses the facilities and volunteers from local faith communities to shelter, feed and encourage homeless families to live with dignity and hope, and ultimately end their period of homelessness.
In the wake of the Great Recession of the late 2000’s, Rabbi Akselrad envisioned Project Ezra, a partnership between the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, the Board of Rabbis, and Jewish Family Service Agency. Project Ezra helped over 600 people of all faiths secure new employment during this challenging economic climate.
Rabbi Akselrad is currently a board member of the Anti-Defamation League of Las Vegas and the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada. Rabbi Akselrad has served on the National Commission on Jewish Living, Worship and Music for the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) for over ten years. He has also served on the Outreach Committee (to interfaith families) of the URJ.
Rabbi Akselrad was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1984. His rabbinic thesis dealt with the moral implications of the Holocaust and how the Holocaust is taught in public and private schools. Because of his expertise, Rabbi Akselrad helped form the Governor’s Council on Holocaust Education, and he faithfully served as a member of that Board for over twenty five years.
Upon ordination in 1984 Rabbi Akselrad served as the associate Rabbi of one of the largest Reform Congregations in the mid-west, Temple Israel of Columbus, Ohio. In 2009, Hebrew Union College-JIR awarded Rabbi Akselrad an honorary doctorate of Divinity upon his 25th year in the rabbinate. Rabbi Akselrad also served as President of the Pacific Area of Reform Rabbis, one of the largest rabbinical organizations in North America.
Through his involvement in the interfaith community, he has been a constant presence in Interfaith forums, and the co-founder of the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service.
Rabbi Akselrad’s community contributions and leadership are the best example of Congregation Ner Tamid’s commitment to Tikkun Olam and Social Justice.
Rabbi Akselrad is married to Joni and has two children, CJ and Sam. His daughter-in-law is Ana and his granddaughter is Genevieve.
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On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address holds a panel discussion with several participants in the recent "Re-Charging Reform" conference held at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York, sponsored by the synagogue's senior rabbi, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. [Read more...]
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Marla Feldman discusses her new book, Biblical Women Speak: Hearing Their Voices through New and Ancient Midrash. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 8/11/2023: Rabbi Marla Feldman, author of Biblical Women Speak appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address discusses the new book, The Year of Mourning: A Jewish Journey, with its editors, Rabbi Lisa Grant, Director of the New York Rabbinical Program and Eleanor Sinsheimer Distinguished Service Professor in Jewish Education Coordinator, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and Cantor Lisa B. Segal, cantor of Kolot Chayeinu in Brooklyn, NY. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 8/4/2023: Rabbi Lisa Grant and Cantor Lisa B. Segal, “The Year of Mourning” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Robert Wolf and Dr. Amy Ehrlich discuss the book they recently edited, A Comprehensive Guide to Safety and Aging: Minimizing Risk, Maximizing Security [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/28/2023: Robert Wolf and Dr. Amy Ehrlich, editors of “A Comprehensive Guide to Safety and Aging” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Michael Doring Connelly, a 40-plus-year healthcare veteran and former CEO of Mercy Health, discusses his book, The Journey’s End: An Investigation into Death and Dying in Modern America. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/21/2023: Michael Connelly, author of “The Journey’s End: An Investigation into Death and Dying in Modern America” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Sandra Cohen discusses the rabbinate, mental health, and spirituality. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/14/2023: Rabbi Sandra Cohen on the rabbinate, mental health, and spirituality appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Henry and Marcia Blumberg discuss Henry’s memoir of their son’s suicide, Sean Left Quietly: A Father’s Memoir. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/7/2023: Henry and Marcia Blumberg, discussing Henry’s book, “Sean Left Quietly,” a memoir of their son’s suicide appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Chelsea Duckers, a care coordinator and end-of-life doula at Rothkoff Law, a Cherry Hill-based elder law firm. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/30/2023: Chelsea Duckers, End of Life Doula and Care Coordinator, Rothkoff Law appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Andrue Kahn, associate rabbi at Congregation Emanu-El, New York, discusses the book, The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on Our Planet, which he edited. [Read more...]
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Rabbi Zoe Klein, senior rabbi of Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles, CA, discusses her book, Candle, Feather, Wooden Spoons, a collection of original Jewish short stories. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/16/2023: Rabbi Zoe Klein, author of “Candle, Feather, Wooden Spoon” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Berit Lewis discusses her book, "Ageing Upwards: A mindfulness-based framework for the longevity revolution," Lewis is owner of Thriving Life, a leading mindfulness provider based in the Netherlands. Her firm offers customized mindfulness based training programs with the intention to enhance individuals and organizations ability to thrive and perform. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/9/2023: Berit Lewis, author of “Ageing Upwards: A mindfulness-based framework for the longevity revolution” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, Rabbi Address chats with Cantor Rhoda Harrison and Rabbi Barbara Symons about the new CCAR Press book, Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah. Rabbi Symons is editor of the book and Cantor Harrison is a contributor to the collection of essays. [Read more...]
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, retired Cherry Hill, NJ, physician Ed Skobac discusses his project creating a documentary about his father’s experience surviving the Holocaust.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Stitcher About the GuestEd Skobac, MDEd Skobac is the second born son of Holocaust survivor William Skobac. He grew up in The Bronx, New York.
Ed received a BA in biology from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, in 1976 and an MD from Rutgers Medical School in 1980. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine in 1983 at the University of California Davis.
Ed was a practicing internist in southern NJ from 1983 to 2022 and was on the faculty as an assistant professor of Medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine from 1997 to 2022.
Ed presently is a happily retired physician and proud father of two married sons, and grandfather to one granddaughter. He lives in Cherry Hill, NJ.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff discusses his new book, Judaism in a Digital Age: An Ancient Tradition Confronts a Transformative Era.
What is the next chapter in Judaism’s story, the next step in its journey?
The dramatic changes of recent decades invite us to explore what role Judaism is to play in this new era. As the digital future becomes the present, Danny Schiff makes the case that the period known as “modernity” has come to an end.
Noting the declining strength of Conservative and Reform Judaism, the largest US Jewish movements of modernity, he argues for new iterations of Judaism to arise in response to the myriad of weighty questions that now confront us about what it means to be human.
Here is an account of the digital age through a Jewish lens, in which Schiff examines Jewish teachings and traditions, exploring what moral insight they might have to offer in this period of great flux. He marshals the thought of well-known futurists such as Ray Kurzweil and Yuval Noah Harari to forecast the exponentially larger shifts in the human condition that lie ahead, and proposes that a countercultural Judaism could have renewed relevance in addressing some of the pressing issues that confront humanity in the twenty-first century.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Stitcher About the GuestRabbi Dr. Danny SchiffRabbi Dr. Danny Schiff is the Foundation Scholar at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the founder and president of MOJI, the Museum of Jewish Ideas. He is a noted teacher and researcher in Jewish ethics.
Born in Sydney, Australia, Rabbi Dr. Schiff grew up in Melbourne. He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Melbourne. Rabbi Dr. Schiff received ordination, as well as his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters degree, from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (H.U.C. – J.I.R.). He also received his Doctor of Hebrew Letters degree, as well as an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree, from H.U.C. – J.I.R. Additionally, Rabbi Dr. Schiff earned an M.A. in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.Rabbi Dr. Schiff previously served as the Community Scholar for the Agency for Jewish Learning in Pittsburgh, as rabbi of B’nai Israel in White Oak, Pennsylvania, and as rabbi at Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of Abortion in Judaism, published by Cambridge University Press. He has written a substantial number of articles, particularly in the field of Jewish law and ethics. Additionally, he is a former Board member of the City of Pittsburgh Ethics Board and of the Society of Jewish Ethics.
Rabbi Dr. Schiff is married to Anne Schiff. They have a son, David, and a daughter, Adina.
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/19/2023: Rabbi Danny Schiff, author of “Judaism in a Digital Age” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address was a guest recently on the Bereaved But Still Me podcast hosted by Michael Liben, who appeared on the February 17, 2023 episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast.
You can listen to this conversation in the player below.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, information technology executive Scott Kushner describes his experience embracing prayer and ritual as part of a mental health recovery exercise.
Earlier this year, Kushner wrote for Jewish Sacred Aging on his experience with mental health issues and how his embrace of spirituality helped in his recovery.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Stitcher About the GuestScott KushnerScott Kushner began reevaluating his core beliefs about 15 years ago, in the interest of acquiring greater joy and meaning in his life. During this time, he’s studied regularly with several different Kabbalah groups here in America and in Israel. His most significant study has been with Chassidic groups, and has included weekly study, as well as participating in about forty workshops.
Over the years, Scott has given many public and organizational talks to Jewish, Christian, heterogeneous and secular work-related groups. His talks tend to focus on the emotional value of traditional beliefs and how to integrate them into our daily lives.
Scott is an IT and Innovation Executive, typically working with mid-size software companies. Formally, his background is in engineering, IT, and finance. He credits his spirituality with greatly enhancing his creativity and leadership skills at work, where he gives regular talks on innovation, collaboration, relationship, and work purpose. Scott and his family live in Arden, DE.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbis Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky discuss their forthcoming book, Heroes with Chutzpah, featuring biographical profiles of outstanding Jewish figures from history.
In Heroes with Chutzpah, readers will meet 101 Jewish changemakers from the recent past and present, who challenged the status quo in the arts, sciences, social justice, sports and politics. Each one-page biography is accompanied by an original digital portrait. This children’s book about Jewish heroes is inspiring and fun.
Heroes with Chutzpah captures the diversity of the global Jewish community, showcasing Jews of different racial backgrounds, gender and sexual identities, and religious orientations from secular to Orthodox. Instead of focusing exclusively on icons, we included an eclectic mix of both lesser-known and renowned personalities with engaging, inspiring, and meaningful stories that will resonate with children of all backgrounds.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Stitcher About the GuestsRabbi Kerry M. OlitzkyDeborah Bodin Cohen (Debbie) grew up in Columbia, MD, and graduated from the University of Michigan’s Honors English Program. After working in Washington, DC, at various public interest groups, Debbie studied at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem and New York. She was ordained as a rabbi in 1997. She has served congregations in North Carolina, New Jersey and Maryland, both as a pulpit rabbi and educator. Since 2017, she has been rabbi of Beth Chai in Bethesda, MD. She is also an editor at Behrman House Publishing.
Debbie is author of nine picture books and a teen novel. Her books have received multiple honors, including a National Jewish Book Award and Sydney Taylor Honor designations. The Grinspoon Foundation’s PJ Library has featured several of Debbie’s books and has translated them into Russian and Spanish for the international market.
In her free time, Debbie enjoys creating artwork, traveling, spending time with her family and, of course, reading. Debbie lives in Rockville, MD, with her husband David, a journalist. They have three children, Arianna, Jesse and Ezra. A Collie named Indigo completes the family.
Rabbi Dr. Kerry M. OlitzkyRabbi Dr. Kerry M. Olitzky is the former long time executive director of Big Tent Judaism (previously the Jewish Outreach Institute), a national independent organization dedicated to bringing Judaism to interfaith families and the unaffiliated. He served as visiting professor at the Abraham Geiger Kolleg/University of Pottsdam in Germany and
has been a Fellow at the City University Graduate Center (NY) in its Jewish Studies Program. He has been named as one of the 50 Leading Rabbis in North America by Newsweek. Formerly, he served as vice president of the Wexner Heritage Foundation, the premier adult Jewish learning and Jewish leadership program in North America. Previously, he was national Dean of Adult Jewish Learning and Living of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion where he served on the faculty and administration for 15 years following his tenure as rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, CT. A leader in the development of innovative Jewish education, particularly for adults, he has shaped training programs for clergy of all faiths, especially in the area of pastoral care and counseling in the Jewish community. He has done pioneering work in the area of Jewish Twelve Step spirituality, as well as Jewish Gerontology.
He is the author of over 75 books and hundreds of articles in a variety of fields. He is known for books that bring the insights of Jewish wisdom into everyday living. His opinion pieces are published in leading publications throughout North America and in Israel. Most of his recent publications are children’s picture books, as well as the early reader The Adventures of Leila and Ilana (White Bird Publications).
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Jewish Sacred Aging contributing writer Carole Leskin discusses the challenges of “solo aging,” growing old without a spouse, partner, or close family members.
Carole was recently interviewed for a Washington Post article about the phenomenon of aging adults who don’t have immediate family such as siblings, spouses, partners, or even a support network of friends because of mobility issues, the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the difficulty of connecting in general.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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- Stitcher About the GuestCarole LeskinCarole Leskin is a retired Director of Global Human Resources. Embarking on a second career as a writer and photographer concentrating on her personal accounts of aging, her essays and poetry, frequently accompanied by her photos, are published in Jewish Sacred Aging, Jewish Women of Words, Starts At 60, Navigating Aging ( a Kaiser Health publication), Women’s Older Wisdom, Time Goes By and Next Avenue. Her poems, “Father Time” and “Carole’s Debate” were selected for inclusion in the 2019 anthologies of poetry, New Jersey Bards. Her photos have been featured in Mart R Porter Nature Forum.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Charles Kroloff, rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu-El, Westfield, New Jersey, discusses his new book, Open Up Our Eyes: Moments That Shape Our Lives, about amazing moments in his personal and professional life.
The author, a renowned rabbi, counselor, and force for social justice, has had some amazing experiences dancing at the White House, ministering to congregants, on buses and trains in the Jim Crow South, in the swimming pool at Yale University, officiating at weddings and funerals, cheering for the NY Mets, and supporting the homeless. He has also experienced in unique ways the blessings of being a husband, father, grandfather, and son.
As he recalls amazing moments in his personal and professional life, he invites the reader to do the same. His spiritual insights will inspire you to think deeply about the joys and sorrows in your own life. He shows you how, by reflecting on the special and not-so-special moments of your past, you can find purpose in your life and make your days happier and more fulfilling.
The author has been deeply influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Martin Buber. From them he has learned that every day is precious and that there are amazing blessings all around us if we will only open our eyes to them.
Rabbi Kroloff grapples with the despair that many feel over the current state of affairs in our world. He offers suggestions for how each us, no matter where we are in life or on the political spectrum, can make a difference. Although Judaism is his spiritual anchor, the author draws deeply on other traditions, secular and religious. Ultimately, he affirms his faith in the future of our nation and humankind. But he is not a naive, ivory tower optimist. He reminds us that our future depends on good people not remaining silent, but becoming a force for good in whatever small and large ways we can.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Stitcher About the GuestRabbi Charles KroloffRabbi Charles Kroloff was spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El, Westfield, New Jersey, one of the region’s largest synagogues, for 36 years. He is past president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis which represents thousands of Reform rabbis worldwide. A magna cum laude graduate of Yale University, he was ordained at Hebrew Union College where he taught rabbinic students for three decades and where he continues to mentor future rabbis. An experienced marital and family therapist, he is the author of When Elijah Knocks: A Religious Response to Homelessness; 54 Ways You Can Help the Homeless; and, most recently, Open Up Our Eyes: Moments That Shape Our Lives.
Rabbi Kroloff is a passionate, fan of the NY Mets, fine art museums, and lap swimming. He and his wife, Dr. Terry Kroloff, the parents of three children, love to celebrate life with their seven grandchildren.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, liturgist, poet and author Alden Solovy joins Rabbi Address from his office in Jerusalem to discuss his latest book, These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah.
In These Words, liturgist Alden Solovy distills the Torah into its very essence: the individual words it contains. Echoing the midrash that the Torah has seventy faces, Solovy selects seventy of its Hebrew words that are pregnant with meaning. For each word, he delves into the etymology, translation, and usage, providing deeper insights into familiar texts. Then Solovy presents a beautiful poem–what he calls “poetic midrash”–inspired by and interpreting each word. From b’reishit (“in beginning”) to shamayim (“heavens”) to zachor (“remember”), These Words will change the way you look at the language of the Torah.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
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- Stitcher About the Guest(Michele Chabin Photo)Alden SolovyAlden Solovy is a modern day piytan, a traveling poet/preacher/teacher who uses Torah and verse to engage and inspire.
Alden embodies the intersection of scholarship and heart. A new voice for ancient yearnings, his writings resonate with the soul and his presence is sought after in Jewish spiritual spaces around the world.
A liturgist, lyricist, and educator, Alden offers a fresh Jewish voice, challenging the boundaries between poetry, meditation, personal growth, and prayer. His writing was transformed by multiple tragedies, marked in 2009 by the sudden death of his wife from catastrophic brain injury.
Solovy’s teaching spans from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem to Limmud and Leo Baeck College in the UK, and synagogues throughout North America.
He is the author of four volumes from CCAR Press: These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah (2023), This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day (2017), This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings (2019), and This Precious Life: Encountering the Divine with Poetry and Prayer (2021).
The Jerusalem Post called his writing “soulful, meticulously crafted.” Huffington Post Religion said “…the prayers reflect age-old yearnings in modern-day situations.”
Solovy made Aliyah to Israel in 2012, where he hikes, writes, teaches, and learns. His work has appeared more than 25 collections, including Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftorah (CCAR Press, 2023), Mishkan R’Fuah: Where Healing Resides (CCAR Press, 2012), L’chol Z’man v’Eit: For Sacred Moments (CCAR Press, 2015), Mishkan HaNefesh: Machzor for the Days of Awe (CCAR Press, 2015), and Gates of Shabbat, Revised Edition (CCAR Press, 2016).
He is a three-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism. His writing appears on Ritualwell.org, ReformJudaism.org, Ravblog.ccar.org, TimesofIsrael.com and tobendlight.com. Alden is also the founder of ManKind Project Israel.
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/14/2023: Alden Solovy discusses his latest book, a poetic midrash on Torah appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York, discusses the upcoming Re-CHARGING Reform Judaism conference being held at the synagogue May 31-June 1.
The Re-CHARGING Reform Judaism Conference will convene thought leaders, Jewish scholars, philanthropists, and committed lay leaders from throughout the U.S. and Canada for an extraordinary opportunity to assess this crossroads moment and offer a call for a bright future.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestShahar Azan PhotoRabbi Ammiel HirschRabbi Ammiel Hirsch is the senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. With a fiery voice, a listening heart and a brilliant mind, Rabbi Hirsch articulates a clear vision for the survival and success of American Judaism while tending compassionately to the needs of his growing congregation.
Internationally recognized for his leadership in Jewish affairs, Rabbi Hirsch is frequently cited in the media. In 2018, The Jerusalem Post named him among “The 50 Most Influential Jews of the Year.” City & State praised him as “the borough’s most influential voice” for Manhattan’s more than 300,000 Jews and The New York Observer named him among “New York’s Most Influential Religious Leaders.”
The son of Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch z’’l and Bella Hirsch z’’l, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch grew up in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area before moving to Israel for his high school years. From 1977 to 1980, he served as a tank commander in the Israel Defense Forces.
Rabbi Hirsch earned his LL.B Honors law degree from the London School of Economics and is a member of the New York State Bar. He received his ordination at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, where he was granted numerous awards for academic excellence.
Prior to his arrival at Stephen Wise, he served for 12 years as executive director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), the Israel arm of the North American Reform movement.
Rabbi Hirsch has served on numerous boards of national and international bodies, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, the World Zionist Organization, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He is currently an officer of the New York Board of Rabbis, and a member of the Partnership of Faith, an interfaith body of New York religious leaders, and New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ Black-Jewish Clergy Roundtable.
An accomplished teacher and public speaker, Rabbi Hirsch is also the co-author of the acclaimed One People Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues that Divide Them.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Robin Plumer discusses Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in New Jersey. In 2020, Dr. Plumer started Compassionate Endings NJ, a practice devoted to MAID with a former nurse colleague who shares her passion for intensely personalized and comprehensive patient care.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestRobin Plumer DODr Robin Plumer practiced emergency medicine in New Jersey for over 30 years. In 2008 she moved to New Zealand, where she continued to work in emergency medicine, but she also pursued her interest in end of life care by working in several hospices and completing a postgraduate diploma in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Auckland.
In 2017 she returned to the US to help care for her father, who had Parkinson’s disease. She served in both inpatient and community hospice settings in New Jersey for 3 years.
Following the passage of NJ’s medical aid in dying (MAID) law in 2019, she pursued intensive study of the field by collaborating with experienced MAID clinicians in California, Washington state, and Oregon.
In July of 2020 she started a practice devoted to MAID with a former nurse colleague who shares her passion for intensely personalized and comprehensive patient care. Since starting their practice, they have attended many MAID deaths, and have become proficient in managing special situations for those patients who cannot swallow and require an alternative route for self administration of MAID medications.
Compassionate Endings NJ continues to encourage those in the medical community who wish to become involved in MAID by mentoring and teaching.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Mary Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Marian S. Ware Professor in Gerontology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and director of the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health discusses the nursing school’s Caregiving Now initiative in partnership with NewCourtland.
The Caregiving NOW Initiative builds on the work of the NewCourtland Center members in partnership with leaders and staff at NewCourtland to create a roadmap that will offer short- and longer-term solutions to enhance the well-being of all caregivers in the U.S.
NewCourtland provides Philadelphia’s seniors with an array of medical, social and support services that help them live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
For more than 150 years, NewCourtland has been there to meet seniors’ individual and changing needs with well-trained and motivated staff who understand, respect and value the rich life experience of the people in our care.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestMary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, FAANMarian S. Ware Professor in Gerontology, University of Pennsylvania School of NursingDirector of the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and HealthMary Naylor is a pioneer in the design, evaluation, and spread of health care innovations that have significantly improved the outcomes of chronically ill older adults and their family caregivers, while reducing health care costs. In collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of clinical scholars and health services researchers, her work has resulted in the Transitional Care Model, a cost-effective advanced practice nurse-led model to improve the transitions of older adults who are navigating complex and often fragmented systems of care.
Initially, her team’s efforts were focused on the transitions of older adults from hospitals to home. More recently, they have extended their work to prevent avoidable hospitalizations among older adults living in their communities. This evidence-based solution has not only demonstrated better care but also has improved older adults’ functional status and quality of life. Dr. Naylor has demonstrated how knowledge generated from her research can be used to address the broader challenges associated with chronic illness, the endemic problem of this century.
Dr. Naylor has worked tirelessly to advocate for evidence-based changes in health care practices and policies across the globe. As a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, for example, Dr. Naylor advised the U.S. Congress on policies designed to offer a more promising future for Medicare beneficiaries. As a result, the use of evidence-based transitional care is now included in multiple policies designed to foster health care delivery and payment reforms, including several provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Daniel Roberts and Melinda Moore discuss post-traumatic growth, including a conversation about their book collaborations, The Suicide Funeral (or Memorial Service): Honoring their Memory, Comforting their Survivors and After the Suicide Funeral: Wisdom on the Path to Posttraumatic Growth.
To our knowledge nothing with The Suicide Funeral (or Memorial Service): Honoring Their Memory, Comforting Their Survivors’ scope and depth has ever been published. This is an aid to anyone who will be called upon to do a funeral for the nearly 43,000 suicides in America each year. This book is designed to assist clergy, chaplains, and other faith leaders as they develop sermons and homilies for a funeral service. Its mandate is to help those searching for inspiration even though they may feel confused or uncertain undertaking such a daunting assignment. Those who plan and lead a funeral service may enable family and friends to understand and participate intentionally in their grief process. Clergy can have a significant impact on how people react to the suicide as well as provide comfort and assistance to those left behind on their journey through grief. Your leadership will influence how the suicide’s bereaved are treated by others in the days, weeks, and months following the death. Because suicide does not discriminate by race, socio-economic status, or religion, a broad range of faiths and denominations are represented in this book’s sermons, services, and perspectives.
After the Suicide Funeral: Wisdom on the Path to Posttraumatic Growth references the long and painful journey of bereavement that many suicide-loss-survivors experience in the wake of losing their loved one. A new area of positive psychology offers another vehicle for understanding the consequences of this experience by investigating the possibilities for personal growth within the context of this distressing and traumatic event. There is much to be mined by exploring faith as both a facilitator of growth and an outcome of growth. The contributors to this book are all suicide bereaved and have written short essays about how faith changed and grew as they traversed their journey of bereavement and also buoyed them in their darkest time of loss. Contributors are faith leaders, mental health professionals, caring survivors, and leaders in the fields of suicidology, thanatology, and bereavement. A must-read for any survivor of suicide loss.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestsDaniel A. Roberts (D.D., D. Div., F.T. USN)Rabbi Roberts is rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu El, Cleveland, Ohio, where he served for over thirty-five years. He is also a Fellow in Thanatology as certified by the Association of Death Education and Counseling and has done extensive work on bereavement and mourning. Rabbi Roberts has produced a video on teenage suicide entitled Inside I Ache that has had national distribution. Rabbi Roberts is the author of a book on Clergy Retirement: Every Ending a New Beginning (Wipf & Stock Publishing) and is a co-editor with Melinda Moore of The Suicide Funeral (or Memorial Service): Honoring their Memory, Comforting their Survivors (Wipf & Stock Publishing) and After the Suicide Funeral: Wisdom on the Path to Posttraumatic Growth, (Wipf & Stock Publishing) and Once Upon a Kingdom: Parables of Morals, Values and Kindness, (Temple Emanu El Publishing)
Rabbi Roberts and his wife and actress, Elaine Rembrandt, are currently living at the Balfour at Riverfront Park in Denver, CO.
Dr. Melinda MooreMelinda Moore is a Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Catholic University of America, where she trained in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and conducted research on CAMS. She regularly trains clinicians in CAMS, as well as advocates on behalf of suicide prevention in her role as chair of the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group, Inc., a statewide suicide prevention nonprofit. She has conducted military suicide bereavement research at the University of Kentucky and suicide treatment research at the Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Louisville. Her interest in Posttraumatic Growth emerged from her own experience with suicide and the changes that experience created within her allowing for her current career path and personal interests and relationships.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Eileen Levinson discusses her websites Haggadot.com, where visitors can create customized siddurim for Passover observances, and ReCustom.com, where users can create other personalized life-cycle observance rituals.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestEileen LevinsonEileen Levinson is the Founder & Creative Director of Custom & Craft, a Los Angeles-based design studio & media lab that imagines new formats for engaging in ancient community traditions. In 2011, Eileen founded the website, Haggadot.com, which has helped over half a million Jews around the world exchange & personalize their Passover Haggadah. The website has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Ha’aretz, The Huffington Post, The Jerusalem Post, and on NPR’s All Things Considered.
In addition to her projects within the Jewish community, Eileen served as Creative Director and helped launch Kin Community, a women’s-focused multi-platform network, from the brand’s launch in 2011 until summer 2015.
Eileen has an MFA from the program in Graphic Design at CalArts, and a BA (magna cum laude) from Washington University in St. Louis.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., discusses his books, Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease and God and Love on Route 80: The Hidden Mystery of Human Connectedness.
How do we approach a “deeply forgetful” loved one so as to notice and affirm their continuing self-identity? For three decades, Stephen G. Post has worked around the world encouraging caregivers to become more aware of—and find renewed hope in—surprising expressions of selfhood despite the challenges of cognitive decline.
In this book, Post offers new perspectives on the worth and dignity of people with Alzheimer’s and related disorders despite the negative influence of “hypercognitive” values that place an ethically unacceptable emphasis on human dignity as based on linear rationality and strength of memory. This bias, Post argues, is responsible for the abusive exclusion of this population from our shared humanity. With vignettes and narratives, he argues for a deeper dignity grounded in consciousness, emotional presence, creativity, interdependence, music, and a self that is not “gone” but “differently abled.”
Stephen G. Post was the perfect child and A-student until he took off in the family car, compelled by a persistent vision, his “blue angel dream.” Crossing America on Route 80, his unlikely adventure culminates in a shocking encounter that sets the stage for the rest of his life, a path connected by synchronicities which Post perceived as guidance from God and proof of humanity’s fundamental oneness, Infinite Mind. Truly a story for the ages, God and Love on Route 80 touches on the essential meaning of life and the messages we may all miss unless we begin paying close attention.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestStephen G. Post, Ph.D.Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., is internationally recognized for his work with deeply forgetful people, their families and allied organizations. His book The Moral Challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease: Ethical Issues from Diagnosis to Dying (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000) was designated a “medical classic of the century” by the British Medical Journal. His research on the dynamics of compassionate care in the lives of persons with dementia and their caregivers resulted in his being elected a member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board of Alzheimer’s Disease International. He is also one of only several recipients of the Alzheimer’s Association national distinguished service award “in recognition of personal and professional outreach to the Alzheimer’s Association Chapters on ethics issues important to people with Alzheimer’s and their families.”
Post began his work with “deeply forgetful people” while in Cleveland where he served as a professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (1988–2008). He has published widely on dignity, ethics, and spirituality of caregiving, and he has been quoted in more than 3000 international newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Parade Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many TV programs including The Daily Show. Post is the author of 300 articles in premier journals such as Science, the New England Journal of Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine, Hospital Pediatrics, Journal of the American Academy of Religion, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. The author of several books including the bestselling Why Good Things Happen to Good People (Random House), Post’s most recent book, published by the Johns Hopkins University Press (2022) is Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease. He offers insights and perspectives that encourage us all to recognize the continuing self-identity and dignity of affected individuals and their caregivers.
A graduate of the University of Chicago with training in psychology, world religions, and ethics, Post is renowned for his work on compassionate care at the interface of science, ethics, spiritual thought, and behavioral medicine. He is the President of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, which he co-founded with philanthropist Sir John Templeton, who personally selected Post as President in 2001. He is also founding director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York (2008–present), where he also serves as Professor of Family, Population, and Preventative Medicine and Head of the Division of Medicine in Society.
Post served as a co-chair of the United Nations Population Fund conference on spirituality and global transformation. He is an elected member of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia for “distinguished contributions to medicine,” the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Royal Society of Medicine, London.
An opinion leader and public speaker, Post served on the Board of the John Templeton Foundation (2008–2014), which focuses on virtue and public life. A leader in research on the benefits of giving and on compassionate care in relation to improved patient outcomes and clinician well-being, Post addressed the U.S. Congress on volunteerism and health, receiving the Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for Outstanding Achievement. Post was co-recipient (2012) with Edmund D. Pellegrino MD of the Pioneer Medal for Outstanding Leadership in HealthCare from the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, and the Kama Book Award in Medical Humanities from World Literacy Canada (2008). Co-Recipient of the 2019 National Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Professionalism Award for development of the Professional Identity Formation curriculum at the School of Medicine, at Stony Brook (2008–present), where his Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics, “a place where the human side of medicine is elevated, examined and revered,” was selected (2011) for special institutional excellence by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (AMA & AAMC accrediting body), the only humanities and ethics entity in American medical school history to receive this distinction.
A recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities “top public speaker” award, Post uses a highly engaging style with a mix of stories, clinical, and philosophical perspectives to inspire audiences. Dr. Post continues to travel the globe speaking about those with memory issues and sharing about the transformative benefits of kindness, volunteering, spirituality, forgiveness and purpose.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jason Weiner, senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles, discusses his new book, Care and Covenant: A Jewish Bioethic of Responsibility.
Editor’s Note: On February 3, 2023, after this interview was recorded, Rabbi Weiner announced on Twitter that he was donating a kidney* to an unidentified patient. As of February 15, Rabbi Weiner tweeted that his recuperation from the donation surgery was going well.***
The Jewish tradition has important perspectives, history, and wisdom that can contribute significantly to crucial contemporary healthcare deliberations. Care and Covenant: A Jewish Bioethic of Responsibility demonstrates how numerous classic Jewish texts can add new ideas to the world of medicine today. Rabbi Jason Weiner draws on fifteen years of experience working in a hospital as a practitioner to develop an “ethic of responsibility.”
This book seeks to develop an approach to bioethical dilemmas that is primarily informed by personal and communal obligations as well as social responsibilities. Weiner applies unique and inspiring values found in Judaism to encourage healthcare providers to remain dedicated to preventing harm and providing care to all. Each chapter investigates relevant philosophical questions such as what the expectations of a society or government are and what we should do when our obligations to others violate our own moral principles, safety, or ability to assist.
Care and Covenant provides analytical, philosophical, and evidence-based scholarship to guide discussions on ethics in healthcare.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestRabbi Jason WeinerRabbi Dr. Jason Weiner, BCC, serves as the senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, where he is responsible for the chaplaincy team and all aspects of spiritual care.
Rabbi Weiner previously served as the assistant rabbi at Young Israel of Century City. He has earned two rabbinic ordinations, as well as a doctorate in clinical bioethics from Loyola University (Chicago), where he also earned a master’s degree in bioethics and health policy, in addition to a master’s degree in Jewish history from Yeshiva University. Rabbi Weiner has completed four units of clinical pastoral education. He is a board-certified chaplain through Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, and he sits on the association’s board.
Rabbi Weiner is a member of the executive committee of the Cedars-Sinai Bioethics Committee. He is past president of the Southern California Board of Rabbis and has been honored with Rabbinic Leadership Awards from the Orthodox Union and Chai Lifeline. Rabbi Weiner is also the rabbi of Knesset Israel Synagogue of Beverlywood, and he frequently serves as a scholar-in-residence at conferences and synagogues throughout the nation on topics related to Jewish medical ethics, pastoral care, health and wellness, and teaches hands-on Jewish medical ethics in the hospital to numerous Jewish high schools in Los Angeles.
He is the author of Jewish Guide to Practical Medical Decision-Making (Urim Press) and Guide to Observance of Jewish Law in a Hospital (Kodesh Press). He has published more than two dozen scholarly articles and book chapters, as well as several “popular” pieces.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address speaks with Michael Liben, host of the Bereaved But Still Me podcast.
“Bereaved But Still Me” is a podcast for the bereaved community that was formerly known as “Heart to Heart with Michael.”
“Heart to Heart with Michael” was nominated for a 2020 WEGO Health Award and became a finalist in the Health Podcast category. “Bereaved But Still Me” is a product of the Hearts Unite the Globe Network of Podcasts.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestMichael LibenMichael Liben is the host of the “Bereaved But Still Me” podcast and is a documentary filmmaker living in Israel.
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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, documentary filmmaker Sky Bergman discusses her film, “Lives Well Lived.”
The Lives Well Lived film captures the images, ideas, and ideals of those who are proving that aging is something to cherish, that retirement doesn’t mean you retire from life, and that growing older doesn’t mean growing silent. These are the people teaching a growing population of men and women how to age with dignity, grace, energy, and purpose.
Beginning with its premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Lives Well Lived has screened in more than 200 cities. The film has won eight awards, and the theatrical run garnered enthusiastic reviews and a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Organizations like Aging 2.0, AARP’s Movies for Grownups, Encore.org, and Leading Age have screened Lives Well Lived. Now the film is available on PBS!
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
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- Stitcher About the GuestSky BergmanSky Bergman is an accomplished, award-winning photographer. Lives Well Lived is Sky’s directorial debut.
Her fine art work is included in permanent collections at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Her commercial work has appeared on book covers for Random House and Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc., and magazine spreads in Smithsonian, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Reader’s Digest, and Archaeology Odyssey.
Sky Bergman is a Professor Emeritus of Photography and Video at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. She has two short films about intergenerational connections currently on the film festival circuit and is working on a feature-length film that is a celebration of love.
Sky was recently named a CoGenerate Innovation Fellow, joining an impressive group of 14 other social entrepreneurs with cogenerational solutions to today’s biggest problems. These 15 inspiring social entrepreneurs bring older & younger people together to address racial inequality, climate change, social isolation and more.
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/10/2023: Sky Bergman, producer of the documentary, “Lives Well Lived” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Shari Haber discusses her company, Great Goodbyes LLC, which she founded in 2017 to empower people to “die better and be remembered best” by enlightening them about emerging death care options and their rights as funeral consumers.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestShari HaberShari Haber founded Great Goodbyes LLC in 2017 to empower people to “die better and be remembered best” by enlightening them about emerging death care options and their rights as funeral consumers.
Her group talks and private “Death Prep” sessions emphasize the benefits of advance planning to maximize choice and savings, and to minimize loved ones’ stress during bereavement. She advocates: “planning for your own death isn’t morbid or woo-woo, it’s sensible, will give you peace of mind and is an act of lovingkindness.”
Before embarking on a career in death education and planning, Shari was a senior PR executive who launched many successful consumer technology brands. She later worked on a TV script about Baby Boomers rewriting the aging narrative, and discovered many also are reimagining death as a human event, more personalized and eco-friendly.
Though her own brand aligns with this vision, professionally Shari is “agnostic” about the information she shares, letting her clients’ values and preferences lead.
For more information, visit her website www.mygreatgoodbye.com.
Shari is a Trustee of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Northern New Jersey, a Member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, and a Volunteer with New Jersey Quality Institute’s Conversation of Your Life Task Force.
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/3/2023: Shari Haber, Founder of Great Goodbyes LLC, on End of Life Issues appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Hesh Zinman, Commissioner, Pennsylvania Governor’s Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs, co-chair of the Aging Workgroup and founder and former chair of the LGBT Elder Initiative, discusses issues of interest to the aging LGBTQ+ community.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestHeshie Zinman, chairman, Philadelphia LGBT Elder InitiativeGuest NameHesh Zinman has a long history of activism on both the local and national level. He has a passionate commitment for the health and well-being of LGBT and HIV communities and helped shape the city’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic from the period of 1987-1998. He was a driving force behind the start-up of Action AIDS, AIDS Fund, SafeGuards Gay Men’s Health Project and Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. He founded the AIDS Library of Philadelphia (which today resides at Philadelphia FIGHT) and went on to become the Executive Director of the AIDS Information Network. Heshie has worked as HIV Community Relations Manager for Dupont Pharmaceuticals Company and Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals. He currently serves as board chair of the LGBT Elder Initiative. Heshie has served on many other boards of directors, most recently joining the board of Philadelphia Corporation For Aging and the Mayor’s Commission on Aging. Born in Philadelphia, Heshie holds a BA degree from Penn State University and an MBA from St. Josephs University.
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/27/2023: Hesh Zinman, LGBTQ+ Activist, on Elder Issues facing the LGBTQ+ Community appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Merle Feld discusses her new book, Longing: Poems of a Life.
What do we long for as we carry the traumas of our past and look into the future with guarded hope? In Longing: Poems of a Life, acclaimed poet Merle Feld tells her intensely personal story while naming profound human experience. Feld opens forbidden doors and long-shuttered windows, peering through the lattices of memory at moments of anguish, breaking, blessing, surviving. We accompany her through early family violence, isolation, the discovery of community and love; we witness her climb from the loss of possibility to the assertion of self-worth and purpose. Threading through the years are conversations with a mother long gone–“a slip of a girl” whose misplaced loyalty and endless capacity for loving are both cautionary tale and guidepost. Deeply Jewish yet universal, these gripping poems will stay with you.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestMerle FeldMerle Feld is a widely published poet, award-winning playwright, peace activist, and educator who has pioneered teaching writing as a spiritual practice. Her latest book is Longing, Poems of a Life (CCAR Press 2023). Her prose and poetry, including her signature poem about women and men standing at Sinai, can be found in numerous anthologies and prayer books. She is also the author of a highly acclaimed memoir, A Spiritual Life: Exploring the Heart and Jewish Tradition (SUNY Press, revised edition 2007) and Finding Words, a book of poems (Behrman House Press 2011).
Her theatre credits include Returning, Across the Jordan, and The Gates are Closing. A popular teacher internationally, Feld has facilitated Israeli-Palestinian dialogue on the West Bank and at Seeds of Peace and has worked with grassroots women community organizers in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. She serves as Founding Director of the Rabbinic Writing Institute, established in 2005, guiding rabbis across five denominations to develop and explore their own inner lives and to more effectively serve as spiritual leaders.
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/20/2023: Merle Feld Discusses Her New Book, Longing: Poems of a Life appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Hanan Harchol, a New York-based filmmaker, animator, artist, classical guitarist, and teacher.
Harchol’s animated series Jewish Food For Thought, which is generously funded by The Covenant Foundation, teaches Jewish ethics through thought-provoking animated conversations between Harchol and his Israeli parents, and is used as an educational resource by countless schools and synagogues across the country, and was featured on websites ranging from NPR’s OnBeing.org, to URJ.org, and Aish.com, and is broadcast on Jewish Life TV and Shalom TV. Harchol has also been invited to present his work at Jewish educational conferences across the country and in the UK. Harchol’s animations have been broadcast on Channel 13, and at over 100 film festivals nationwide.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestHanan HarcholHanan Harchol is a New York based filmmaker, animator, artist, classical guitarist, and teacher. Harchol was born in Kibbutz Kinneret, Israel, and moved to the US at the age of two.
Harchol recently released his first dramatic feature film, entitled ABOUT A TEACHER, a semi-autobiographical narrative, which he wrote, directed, and produced, based on his experience teaching filmmaking to inner-city public high school students. Garnering a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics, including the LA Times and The Hollywood Reporter, are raving. The film is currently available on Amazon Prime in the US & UK, and Vimeo on Demand worldwide. In 2021, Harchol was a finalist for the Big Apple Award, recognizing New York City’s best public school teachers, and Harchol was awarded a $10,000 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence.
Harchol’s animated series Jewish Food For Thought, which is generously funded by The Covenant Foundation, teaches Jewish ethics through thought-provoking animated conversations between Harchol and his Israeli parents, and is used as an educational resource by countless schools and synagogues across the country, and was featured on websites ranging from NPR’s OnBeing.org, to URJ.org, and Aish.com, and is broadcast on Jewish Life TV and Shalom TV. Harchol has also been invited to present his work at Jewish educational conferences across the country and in the UK. Harchol’s animations have been broadcast on Channel 13, and at over 100 film festivals nationwide.
Harchol’s animations, drawings, and paintings were the subject of a solo, catalogued museum exhibition at The Hebrew Union College Museum in New York, which subsequently traveled around the country.
In addition to his visual artwork, Harchol is a professional classical guitarist, who has broadcast solo recitals on WQXR, New York, and has recorded eleven best-selling CDs.
Harchol lives in Manhattan with his wife and two sons.
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/13/2023: Hanan Harchol, Jewish educator and animator appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Goldman of the Community Kollel of Las Vegas, Nevada, discusses his new book, Love Peace and Pursue It: Developing Respect, Compassion, and Connection in Our Relationships from a Torah Perspective.
Why is it so hard to speak pleasantly and create positive relationships? What can we do to improve ourselves in these areas?
Rabbi Aryeh Goldman tackles these questions and more, sharing Torah-based insights in clear and relatable language. Throughout this carefully structured book, he is realistic and honest, as well as optimistic and encouraging, about the challenges that face us as we try to navigate the sticky but crucial realm of interpersonal relationships. He digs to the roots of these challenges and shows how we can strengthen our own inner characters and thereby build stronger relationships. As he writes, “To improve in a meaningful way, it is necessary to understand our whole inner being.”
Rabbi Goldman shares many insights into human nature and behavior to help us in this task. He supports these insights by explaining the Torah values that guide us and by describing the models in our tradition that shed light on human relationships (such as the conflict between Yaakov Avinu and Esav as well as the way Aharon Hakohen famously helped people resolve their differences). The encouragement and concepts presented in this book will help readers understand their own inner being and motivate them toward real growth.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestRabbi Aryeh GoldmanRabbi Goldman joined the Community Kollel of Greater Las Vegas in 2016 after serving with distinction on the faculty of the Rabbinical Seminary of America for ten years. In that position, Rabbi Goldman was responsible for educating and mentoring rabbinical students as they prepared for their careers in rabbinic leadership, education, and outreach. His leadership raises the bar of Torah scholarship in Kollel and throughout the community: he is a rabbi’s rabbi. Rabbi Goldman, his wife Michal, and their family are an invaluable asset to the Las Vegas community.
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/6/2023: Rabbi Aryeh Goldman, author of “Love Peace and Pursue It” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Rabbi Seymour Rossel, the author of The Wise Folk of Chelm and more than thirty other books, including The Torah: Portion-by-Portion, Bible Dreams: The Spiritual Quest, The Essential Jewish Stories, and Managing the Jewish Classroom. In addition, he has edited some 300 books, having worked with many distinguished Jewish authors of our times.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestRabbi Seymour RosselRabbi Seymour Rossel is the author of The Wise Folk of Chelm and more than thirty other books, including The Torah: Portion-by-Portion, Bible Dreams: The Spiritual Quest, The Essential Jewish Stories, and Managing the Jewish Classroom. In addition, he has edited some 300 books, having worked with many distinguished Jewish authors of our times.
Seymour is currently the President of Rossel Books and RCC, Inc. He continues to provide guest lectures at the Women’s Institute of Houston. While living in Houston, he was Rabbi of Congregation Jewish Community North (Spring, TX). During his career in New York, he served the American Reform movement (URJ) in a number of national positions:
• Director of URJ Press
• Director of the Department of Education
• Director of the Commission on Reform Jewish Education and
• Dean of the School of Education of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, NY.
He also sat on national boards for the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), the Jewish Book Council, and the National Association of Temple Educators (now ARJE). He was Founding Director of Pathways Foundation (an advocacy program for Jewish teens and Jewish dreams); Headmaster of Solomon Schechter (now Levine) Academy of Dallas, TX; Executive Vice-President of Behrman House; and Director of Education for Temple Shalom of Dallas, TX, and Temple Beth El of Chappaqua, NY. Seymour also served in a voluntary capacity as Chair for two international Jewish education conferences both convened at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
As storyteller, speaker, author, and editor, Seymour is listed in Who’s Who in the Eastern States, Contemporary Authors, The International Authors and Writers Who’s Who, as well as Who’s Who in World Jewry. He holds the Bonei HaNegev award from Israel Bonds for excellence in Jewish Education and served as an ex-officio member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Seymour lectures widely on Jewish stories & legends, Bible, archaeology, mysticism, Kabbalah, spirituality, Jewish history, education, dreams, and values; and he conducts scholar-in-residence weekends; teacher, board, and congregational workshops; and retreats in communities throughout North America.
The post ENCORE 12/30/2022: Seekers of Meaning 12/16/2022: Rabbi Seymour Rossel, president of Rossel Books, Jewish author appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, former Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren discusses his new novel, Swann’s War, set in New England during World War II.
The Second World War is raging overseas, but life remains painfully quiet on the rugged New England fishing island of Fourth Cliff—an afterthought of an island now home to only
aged fishermen, drunks, and an Italian POW camp guarded by damaged and subpar
American soldiers.
With her husband Archie, the island’s beloved police captain, off fighting in the Marines, Mary Beth Swann steps into his role, without the respect of Fourth Cliff’s hardscrabble residents. When a murdered POW surfaces in a fisherman’s net, and soon more bodies appear, Mary Beth’s hold on order and rule wears thin. She must rely on
the help of a simple-minded deputy, a disgraced doctor, and a mob-connected mainlander to find the person responsible…all while Swann’s loneliness, uncertainty, and self-doubt threaten to derail her investigation.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestHon. Michael B. OrenMichael B. Oren served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013.
As Ambassador, he was instrumental in securing U.S. support for Israel’s defense and upholding Israel’s right to security and peace. The Forward named Ambassador Oren one of the five most influential Jews in America and the Jerusalem Post listed him as one of the ten most influential Jews worldwide.
Born in the United States and educated at Princeton and Columbia, Dr. Oren has been a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale, and Georgetown, and was a Distinguished Fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. He has received fellowships from the British and Canadian governments as well as a Moshe Dayan Fellowship from Tel Aviv University and the Lady Davis Fellowship at the Hebrew University. His last two books, Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East from 1776 to the Present and Six Days of War, were both New York Times bestsellers. He has won the Los Angeles Times History Book of the Year Award and the National Jewish Book Award.
In Israel, Ambassador Oren served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, in the paratroopers in the Lebanon War, a liaison with the U.S. Sixth Fleet during the Gulf War, and an IDF spokesman during the Second Lebanon War and the Gaza operation in January 2009. He acted as an emissary to Jewish refuseniks in the Soviet Union, as an advisor to Israel’s delegation to the United Nations, and as the government’s director of Inter-Religious Affairs. He was a gold medal-winning athlete in the Maccabiah Games.
Ambassador Oren and his wife, Sally, have three children.
The post ENCORE 12/23/2021: Seekers of Meaning 12/09/2022: Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren’s new book, Swann’s War appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Rabbi Seymour Rossel, the author of The Wise Folk of Chelm and more than thirty other books, including The Torah: Portion-by-Portion, Bible Dreams: The Spiritual Quest, The Essential Jewish Stories, and Managing the Jewish Classroom. In addition, he has edited some 300 books, having worked with many distinguished Jewish authors of our times.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestRabbi Seymour RosselRabbi Seymour Rossel is the author of The Wise Folk of Chelm and more than thirty other books, including The Torah: Portion-by-Portion, Bible Dreams: The Spiritual Quest, The Essential Jewish Stories, and Managing the Jewish Classroom. In addition, he has edited some 300 books, having worked with many distinguished Jewish authors of our times.
Seymour is currently the President of Rossel Books and RCC, Inc. He continues to provide guest lectures at the Women’s Institute of Houston. While living in Houston, he was Rabbi of Congregation Jewish Community North (Spring, TX). During his career in New York, he served the American Reform movement (URJ) in a number of national positions:
• Director of URJ Press
• Director of the Department of Education
• Director of the Commission on Reform Jewish Education and
• Dean of the School of Education of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, NY.
He also sat on national boards for the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), the Jewish Book Council, and the National Association of Temple Educators (now ARJE). He was Founding Director of Pathways Foundation (an advocacy program for Jewish teens and Jewish dreams); Headmaster of Solomon Schechter (now Levine) Academy of Dallas, TX; Executive Vice-President of Behrman House; and Director of Education for Temple Shalom of Dallas, TX, and Temple Beth El of Chappaqua, NY. Seymour also served in a voluntary capacity as Chair for two international Jewish education conferences both convened at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
As storyteller, speaker, author, and editor, Seymour is listed in Who’s Who in the Eastern States, Contemporary Authors, The International Authors and Writers Who’s Who, as well as Who’s Who in World Jewry. He holds the Bonei HaNegev award from Israel Bonds for excellence in Jewish Education and served as an ex-officio member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Seymour lectures widely on Jewish stories & legends, Bible, archaeology, mysticism, Kabbalah, spirituality, Jewish history, education, dreams, and values; and he conducts scholar-in-residence weekends; teacher, board, and congregational workshops; and retreats in communities throughout North America.
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/16/2022: Rabbi Seymour Rossel, president of Rossel Books, Jewish author appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, former Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren discusses his new novel, Swann’s War, set in New England during World War II.
The Second World War is raging overseas, but life remains painfully quiet on the rugged New England fishing island of Fourth Cliff—an afterthought of an island now home to only
aged fishermen, drunks, and an Italian POW camp guarded by damaged and subpar
American soldiers.
With her husband Archie, the island’s beloved police captain, off fighting in the Marines, Mary Beth Swann steps into his role, without the respect of Fourth Cliff’s hardscrabble residents. When a murdered POW surfaces in a fisherman’s net, and soon more bodies appear, Mary Beth’s hold on order and rule wears thin. She must rely on
the help of a simple-minded deputy, a disgraced doctor, and a mob-connected mainlander to find the person responsible…all while Swann’s loneliness, uncertainty, and self-doubt threaten to derail her investigation.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestHon. Michael B. OrenMichael B. Oren served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013.
As Ambassador, he was instrumental in securing U.S. support for Israel’s defense and upholding Israel’s right to security and peace. The Forward named Ambassador Oren one of the five most influential Jews in America and the Jerusalem Post listed him as one of the ten most influential Jews worldwide.
Born in the United States and educated at Princeton and Columbia, Dr. Oren has been a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale, and Georgetown, and was a Distinguished Fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. He has received fellowships from the British and Canadian governments as well as a Moshe Dayan Fellowship from Tel Aviv University and the Lady Davis Fellowship at the Hebrew University. His last two books, Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East from 1776 to the Present and Six Days of War, were both New York Times bestsellers. He has won the Los Angeles Times History Book of the Year Award and the National Jewish Book Award.
In Israel, Ambassador Oren served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, in the paratroopers in the Lebanon War, a liaison with the U.S. Sixth Fleet during the Gulf War, and an IDF spokesman during the Second Lebanon War and the Gaza operation in January 2009. He acted as an emissary to Jewish refuseniks in the Soviet Union, as an advisor to Israel’s delegation to the United Nations, and as the government’s director of Inter-Religious Affairs. He was a gold medal-winning athlete in the Maccabiah Games.
Ambassador Oren and his wife, Sally, have three children.
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/09/2022: Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren’s new book, Swann’s War appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Shelly Christensen, the Senior Director of Faith Inclusion and Belonging at RespectAbility, discusses her pioneering work in the faith community disability and mental health inclusion movement.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming ServiceYou can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
The Seekers of Meaning TV Show is also available on the J-Link video service from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. You can sign up for the service at https://www.jlink-snj.org/seekers-of-meaning
You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions.
Listen to the Audio PodcastYou can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
- Stitcher About the GuestShelly ChristensenShelly Christensen, the Senior Director of Faith Inclusion and Belonging at RespectAbility, is a pioneer and leader in the faith community disability and mental health inclusion movement. Her passion for this work is anchored by her experiences as the parent of a child with autism and as a neurodivergent person.
As Program Manager of the Minneapolis Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities for nearly 13 years, her innovative leadership approach supported synagogues, schools, community centers, and other agencies.
In 2009, Shelly co-founded the Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), which is marked annually in February. She is the author of From Longing to Belonging—A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community, as well as The Jewish Community Guide to Inclusion of People with Disabilities.
Shelly has consulted with numerous Jewish organizations and is a popular keynote speaker and trainer. She is involved in leadership for a variety of interfaith disability inclusion organizations, including the Core Council of the Institute on Theology and Disability, the Faith Inclusion Network, and is the past president of the Religion and Spirituality Interest Network of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, earning Fellow status for her contributions to the field of religion, spirituality, and disability.
Shelly is the 2021 recipient of the Religion and Spirituality Network’s Reimagining Spirituality Award. Shelly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Arts degree in Developmental Disabilities from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. She lives in Burnsville, MN with her husband Rick.
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/2/2022: Faith Community Disability and Mental Health Inclusion, with Shelly Christensen of Respectability.org appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week’s Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast features David and Melissa Bernstein, who have founded PowerOf5Life.com to provide books, courses, and recipes for better health outcomes for baby boomers. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 11/25/2023: David and Melissa Bernstein, PowerOf5Life.com Courses and Recipes for Better Health appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Dr. Stephen Goldfine, chief medical officer, and Joanne Rosen, chief marketing and public affairs officer of Samaritan, discuss palliative and hospice care options. [Read more...]
The post SOM 11/18/2022: A Discussion of Samaritan’s Palliative and Hospice Services appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Dr. Steven Moss discusses his new book, Jewish Wisdom for Living and Dying: A Spiritual Journey Through the Prayers and Rituals of Maavor Yabok and Sefer HaHayiim. [Read more...]
The post SOM 11/11/2022: Rabbi Dr. Steven Moss, author of “Jewish Wisdom for Living and Dying” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, rabbi at Bat Yam Temple of the Islands in Sanibel Island, Florida, discusses his experience guiding the congregation’s response to the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which devastated the island community in October 2022. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 11/4/2022: Rabbi Stephen Fuchs of Sanibel Island, Florida appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author and humorist Matt Goldberg discusses his forthcoming book, Rings of Kindness, an anthology that features more than 80 true stories of [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 10/28/2022: Matt Goldberg, Humorist, Author of “Rings of Kindness” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz, former head of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, discusses his new book, Where Are You? A Beginner's Guide to Advanced Spirituality. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 10/21/2022: Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Andrew Goretsky, regional director of the ADL in Philadelphia, discusses the rising trend of antisemitism in the US. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 10/14/2022: Andrew Goretsky, Regional Director, ADL, Philadelphia appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner discusses his New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC, a spiritual life coaching practice based in NJ. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 10/7/2022: Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner, Spiritual Coach appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz returns to discuss his social justice commentary on the Book of Proverbs. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/30/2022: Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz discusses his social justice commentary on the Book of Proverbs appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Richard F. Address, founder and director of Jewish Sacred Aging, provided this video message as we begin the Rosh Hashanah holiday for 5783.
The post Rosh Hashanah Video Message from Rabbi Richard Address appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Toba Spitzer discusses her book, God Is Here: Reimagining the Divine. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/16/2022: Rabbi Toba Spitzer, author of “God is Here: Reimagining the Divine” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Larry Kotok and Rev. Rick McCall discuss the relevance of theology in challenging times. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/9/2022: Rabbi Larry Kotok and Rev. Rick McCall discuss theology in challenging times appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Hollis Citron, founder and CEO of I Am Creative & Express Yourself Publishing and her mother, Susan Gross, discuss their experience creating a widows' support group for Susan's community and the importance of Jewish communities like synagogues creating and nurturing such groups. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/2/2022: Hollis Citron and Susan Gross, Widows Group Organizers appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guest is Amy Seigel, RN, CCM, founder and CEO of Advocare Geriatric Care Services in South Florida. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 8/26/2022, Amy Seigel, Founder and CEO, Advocare Geriatric Care Services appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Elana Zaiman discusses her book, The Forever Letter: Writing What We Believe For Those We Love. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 8/19/2022: Rabbi Elana Zaiman, author of “The Forever Letter” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Joining Rabbi Address on this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast is Reb Carl Viniar, a rabbinic pastor and retired attorney who is an expert in marital counseling and mediation. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast 8/12/2022: Reb Carl Viniar, Rabbinic Pastor and Marital Counselor appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guest is Sara Zeff Geber, Ph.D., author of the book Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 8/5/2022: Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, expert in Solo Aging appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address speaks with Rabbi Mendel Moskovitz, ambassador for the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/29/2022: Rabbi Mendel Moskovitz, Ukrainian Rabbi, Ambassador for Jewish Relief Network Ukraine appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, Dr. Keren Etkin discusses her book, "The AgeTech Revolution: A Book about the Intersection of Aging and Technology." [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/22/2022: Dr. Keren Etkin, Author of “The AgeTech Revolution” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
In this episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Linda Hershman, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and author of Gray Divorce: Everything You Need to Know About Later-Life Breakups. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/15/2022: Linda Hershman, Marriage and Family Therapist, Expert on Late-Life Divorce appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter is guest. Rabbanit Fruchter is the leader of the newly formed Modern Orthodox congregation known as the South Philadelphia Shtiebel (southphiladelphiashteibel.org). [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 7/8/2022: Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter, founder of Modern Orthodox “South Philly Shtiebel” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D., the Barbara and Stephen Friedman Professor Emeritus of Liturgy, Worship and Ritual at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, discusses new ways of looking at worship ritual and liturgy. [Read more...]
The post ENCORE: Seekers of Meaning 5/20/22: Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D., Discusses New Approaches to Liturgy and Worship appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guest is Tia Newcomer, CEO of CaringBridge.org, a nonprofit social network that helps people connect with family and friends during a health journey. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast 6/24/2022: Tia Newcomer, CEO of CaringBridge.org appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Stephen Karol, rabbi emeritus of Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook, New York, returns to the program to discuss his latest book, Embracing the Supernatural in Judaism: Signs from Our Deceased Loved Ones and Stories About The World-to-Come. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/17/2022: Rabbi Stephen Karol appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address's guest is Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, scholar-in-residence for the National Council of Jewish Women, author of a continuing newsletter on the Torah called "Life is a Sacred Text," and author of a new book, On Repentance And Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/10/2022: Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, Scholar in Residence, National Council of Jewish Women appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Ilan Glazer and Cantor Hinda Labovitz discuss their support group for parents who have lost children, Our Love Continues. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 6/3/2022: Our Love Continues, Support Group for Bereaved Parents, with Rabbi Ilan Glazer and Cantor Hinda Labovitz appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week's guests on the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast are Rabbis Rifat Sonsino and Richard Agler, editors of a new collection of essays, A God We Can Believe In. [Read more...]
The post ENCORE: Seekers of Meaning 5/13/2022: Rabbis Rifat Sonsino and Richard Agler, editors, “A God We Can Believe In” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D., the Barbara and Stephen Friedman Professor Emeritus of Liturgy, Worship and Ritual at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, discusses new ways of looking at worship ritual and liturgy. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/20/22: Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D., Discusses New Approaches to Liturgy and Worship appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week's guests on the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast are Rabbis Rifat Sonsino and Richard Agler, editors of a new collection of essays, A God We Can Believe In. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/13/2022: Rabbis Rifat Sonsino and Richard Agler, editors, “A God We Can Believe In” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, David Bernstein, founder of the Jewish Institute of Liberal Values, discusses the Institute's work in encouraging principled debate over political and social issues. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 5/6/2022: David Bernstein, founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Kyle Ruffin, author of "In Stroke's Shadow: My Caregiver's Story," talks about caring for her mother after she suffered a debilitating stroke. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/29/2022: Kyle Ruffin, author of In Stroke’s Shadow: My Caregiver’s Story appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbis Jeffrey Salkin (center) and Gregory Marx (right) discuss their recent humanitarian mission to the Polish border with Ukraine to deliver aid to Ukrainian refugees. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/22/2022: A Humanitarian Mission to Help Ukrainian Refugees appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address offers a message for Passover, which begins at sundown this evening. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/15/2022, A Passover Message from Rabbi Address appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, elder care law attorney Jerold Rothkoff discusses issues surrounding elder care and elder law. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/8/2022: Elder Care Attorney Jerold Rothkoff appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Cheryl Weiner of Mishkan Miami reflects on her work in chaplaincy and her spiritual journey. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 4/1/2022: Rabbi Cheryl Weiner reflects on chaplaincy and her spiritual journey appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
iscusses his work establishing YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning TV Show 3/25/2022: Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz on YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Catherine Fischer, the creator of Sacred Practice: Reimagining Synagogue Engagement, discusses her work for the past two decades to strengthen relationships between [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/18/2022: Catherine Fischer of SacredPractice.com appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
The guest is Karen Hoffman, Founder/CEO Living on Purpose, who develops workshops, activities and resources to facilitate shared connections and personal growth. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/11/2022: Karen Hoffman, Founder/CEO , Living on Purpose appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address chats with Sarit Wishnevsky, newly appointed executive director of Kavod v'Nichum (jewish-funerals.org), which provides information, education, training, and technical assistance for bereavement committees and Chevrah Kadisha groups in synagogues and communities to support their organization and development, to enable them to perform Jewish funeral, burial, and mourning mitzvot, and to protect and shield bereaved families from exploitation. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 3/4/2022, Sarit Wishnevski, executive director of Kavod v’Nichum appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address chats with Rabbi Barry Block, editor of The Mussar Torah Commentary: A Spiritual Path to Living a Meaningful and Ethical Life, is this week's guest on the Seekers of Meaning Podcast. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/25/2022: Rabbi Barry Block, editor, “The Social Justice Torah Commentary” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
The United States has no comprehensive approach to caregiving or the caregiver. Rabbi Address introduces Caregiver: The Movie" as a starting point for discussions. [Read more...]
The post Alert: The Crisis in Caregiving is Here! appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Noam Zion, author of the new book, Sanctified Sex: The Two-Thousand-Year Jewish Debate on Marital Intimacy. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/18/2022: Noam Zion, Author of “Sanctified Sex” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address discusses heart health with Robert Andrew Singer, M.D., F.A.C.C. Dr. Singer is the chief of cardiology and medical director of the non-invasive cardiology lab at Virtua South, Voorhees, New Jersey. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/11/2022: Dr. Robert Singer, Virtua Health cardiologist, on heart health appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guest is William Peters, a practicing grief and bereavement therapist and author of the new book, At Heaven's Gate. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 2/4/2021: Author William Peters, author of “At Heaven’s Door” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week's guest is Richard Brownstein, author of Holocaust Cinema Complete: A History and Analysis of 400 Films, with a Teaching Guide, just published by McFarland Press. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/28/2022: Richard Brownstein, author of “Holocaust Cinema Complete” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guest is Jewish singer-songwriter Peri Smilow. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 1/21/2022: Singer-Songwriter Peri Smilow appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW, retired Rabbinic Director of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services in New York City, discusses [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 01/14/2022: Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address welcomes Lee Hendler and David Raphael, founders of the Jewish Grandparents Network. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 01/07/2022: Jewish Grandparents’ Network appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
As the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast takes a week off to ring in the New Year 2022, we present an encore of our Nov. 19, 2021 program with Dr. Jessica Zitter, director [Read more...]
The post ENCORE Seekers of Meaning: Dr. Jessica Zitter, producer/director of “Caregiver: A Love Story” film appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, guest Regina Wurst discusses her book, "Josh: My Story," a Baby Boomer saga, a tale of survival, a conversion journey, a spiritual quest, or simply the life of a mid-century Oakland girl nicknamed Josh. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/24/2021: Regina Wurst, author of “Josh: My Story” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Judith Graham, the "Navigating Age" columnist for Kaiser Health News, is the guest on this week's TV show and podcast. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/17/2021: Judith Graham, ‘Navigating Aging’ Columnist appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Richard Agler discusses experiencing the life-changing loss of his daughter's death, and his book, The Tragedy Test: Making Sense of Life-changing Loss: A Rabbi's Journey. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/10/2021: Rabbi Richard Agler on Life-Changing Loss and his book, “The Tragedy Test” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guest is Lisa Skinner, author of the book, Truth,Lies and Alzheimer’s; Its Secret Faces. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s estimated [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 12/3/2021: Lisa Skinner, author of “Truth,Lies and Alzheimer’s; Its Secret Faces” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi W. Jack Romberg discusses his book, A Doorway to Heroism: A decorated German-Jewish Soldier who became an American Hero, an account [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 11/26/2021: Rabbi W. Jack Romberg, author of “Doorway to Heroism” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Dr. Jessica Zitter, director and producer of the documentary, Caregiver: A Love Story. Over the past decade, we’ve [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 11/19/2021: Dr. Jessica Zitter, producer/director of “Caregiver: A Love Story” film appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Julea Gasner of Yad LaKashish describes the challenges the social service organization faces providing resources for aging residents in Jerusalem. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast 11/12/2021: Julea Gasner, Yad LaKashish appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, former president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and author of the new book, "And Sometimes the First Jew," which chronicles the accomplishments, adventures, and “firsts” in Germany for Rabbi Fuchs and his wife Vickie, who are both children of Holocaust survivors. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 11/05/2021: Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, author of “And Often the First Jew” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Yesh Ballon discusses his new book, Unthinkable Dreams—The Year That Mom Died and the Towers Fell. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast 10/29/2021: Yesh Ballon, author of “Unthinkable Dreams” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rav Laurie Katz Braun, D.Min., a Reform rabbi and director of outreach for the Youth Mental Health Project. The Youth Mental Health Project is a grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of our youth. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 10/22/2021: Rav Laurie Braun Discussing Mental Health appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Michael Perice, senior rabbi of Temple Sinai, Cinnaminson, New Jersey, discusses his calling to the rabbinate and his decision to reveal to his congregation his successful battle for recovery from substance abuse. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 10/15/2021: Rabbi Michael Perice, Temple Sinai, Cinnaminson, NJ appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands, Houston, TX, and Rabbi Elaine Zecher, senior rabbi of Temple Israel, Boston, discuss their new CCAR Press book, Because My Soul Longs for You. [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning: Rabbis Edwin Goldberg and Elaine Zecher discuss new book, “Because My Soul Longs for You” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Authors Richard Leider and David Shapiro discuss their new book, "Who Do You Want to Be When You Grown Old?" [Read more...]
The post Richard Lieder and David Shapiro Discuss Their Book, “Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Old?” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guests are Taylor Paige Winfield Haboucha, the founder of RUACH Emotional and Spiritual Support, and Rabbi Karen Sussan, LMHC, an Emotional Support [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 9/24/2021: RUACH Emotional and Spiritual Support appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, Connie Zweig, Ph.D., discusses her forthcoming book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from ROLE to SOUL. [Read more...]
The post Encore Presentation: Connie Zweig, Ph.D., Discusses Her New Book, “The Inner Work of Age” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address offers a special message and thoughts about the meaning of the Jewish High Holy Days in this year’s continuing COVID-19 [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast 9/10/2021: High Holy Days Message from Rabbi Address appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Michael Meyer, the Adolph S. Ochs Emeritus Professor of Jewish History at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, discusses his new [Read more...]
The post Prof. Michael Meyer, Author of New Book on Rabbi Leo Baeck appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Margit Novack discusses her new book, Squint: Re-Visioning the Second Half of Life. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now [Read more...]
The post Seekers of Meaning 8/27/2021: Margit Novack, Author of “Squint: Re-visioning the Second Half of Life” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Cantor Ben Kintisch discusses his musical, "Life Review - The Hospice Musical." [Read more...]
The post Cantor Ben Kintisch Discusses “Life Review – The Hospice Musical” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman discusses growing up Jewish in Nebraska and his new book, "Laughing at Myself: My Education in Congress, on the Farm, and at the Movies." [Read more...]
The post Former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman Discusses Growing Up Jewish in Kansas and His New Book appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Reva Farenback-Brateman, geriatric case manager and community educator for Samost Jewish Family and Children's Service, Cherry Hill, NJ, discusses her programing for LGBTQ elders and their families. [Read more...]
The post Geriatric Social Worker Reva Farenback-Brateman Discusses Programming for Older LGBTQ Individuals appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, MA, discusses his experience as a Reform rabbi with roots in the more traditional Sephardi Jewish community. [Read more...]
The post Rabbi Rifat Sonsino Discusses Sephardi Jewish Customs on This Week’s TV Show and Podcast appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, Connie Zweig, Ph.D., discusses her forthcoming book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from ROLE to SOUL. [Read more...]
The post Connie Zweig, Ph.D., Discusses Her New Book, “The Inner Work of Age” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Susan Elkodsi, the spiritual leader of the Malverne Jewish Center, Malverne, NY, discusses her book project that will encompass Torah wisdom commentaries written "by elders, for elders." [Read more...]
The post Rabbi Susan Elkodsi Discusses Her New Book Project, A Collection of Torah Wisdom ‘By Elders, For Elders’ appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Ted Doyle of LCB Senior Living provides advice for families considering a senior living plan for a loved one. [Read more...]
The post Choosing a senior living arrangement, with Ted Doyle of LCB Senior Living appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Best-selling author Joshua Greene discusses his latest book, "UNSTOPPABLE: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend." [Read more...]
The post ENCORE: Josh Greene, author of “UNSTOPPABLE: Siggi B. Wilzig’s Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Dr. Kerry Olitzky discusses his new experience of authoring a children's book, Avi and Ahmed Play Football in Jerusalem’s Sacher Park. [Read more...]
The post Rabbi Dr. Kerry Olitzky, One of ’50 Leading Rabbis in North America,’ transitions to authoring children’s books appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Morris Funk, president and chief executive officer of Beth Sholom - Excellence in Senior Living, Richmond, Virginia, discusses elder care issues facing families, including tips on how to evaluate senior living facilities. [Read more...]
The post Morris Funk, president and CEO, Beth Sholom – Excellence in Senior Living, Richmond, VA appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Jill Berkson Zimmerman creates welcoming, inclusive spiritual experiences that open hearts and build community. In 2011, she founded Path With Heart (formerly the Jewish Mindfulness Network) as well as an online subscription-based community, Hineni: The Mindful Heart Community. [Read more...]
The post Rabbi Jill Berkson Zimmerman, leader of “Path with Heart” and “Hineni,” An Online Spiritual Mindfulness Community appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Robin Cogan, RN, author of "The Relentless School Nurse" blog, discusses pandemic and other health issues affecting school age children, and the stressful effects of the long pandemic lockdown on health care professionals.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service
You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
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Watch the TV show https://vimeo.com/549050960?loop=0
Listen to the Audio Podcast
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About the Guest
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN is a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN), currently in her 21st year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Robin is the Legislative Co-chair for the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. She is proud to be a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow and past Program Mentor.
Robin is the honored recipient of multiple awards for her work in school nursing and population health. These awards include, 2019 and 2020 National Association of School Nurses President’s Award, 2018 NCSN School Nurse of the Year, 2017 Johnson & Johnson School Nurse of the Year, and the New Jersey Department of Health 2017 Population Health Hero Award.
Robin serves as faculty in the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing, where she teaches the next generation of school nurses. She was presented the 2018 Rutgers University – Camden Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for Part-time Faculty.
Robin writes a weekly blog called The Relentless School Nurse. She also writes a monthly column in My American Nurse, the official journal of the American Nurses Association. Robin’s work is included as a case study in The Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030.
You can follow Robin on Twitter at @RobinCogan.
The post Robin Cogan, “The Relentless School Nurse” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
This week, best-selling author Joshua Greene discusses his latest book, UNSTOPPABLE: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend.
Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service
You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging.
You can also watch this week's show in the player below.
Watch the TV show https://vimeo.com/555961997?loop=0
Listen to the Audio Podcast
You can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Podchaser
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About the Guest
JOSHUA M. GREENE is a popular lecturer on Holocaust history and the spiritual quest, and a brilliant, entertaining communicator. A former instructor at Hofstra and Fordham Universities, Greene is recipient of numerous awards for his historical biographies and documentary films.
Greene is the author of several acclaimed books, including the bestseller Here Comes the Sun: The Spiritual and Musical Journey of George Harrison. His book Justice at Dachau: The Trials of an American Prosecutor, was called “Riveting—destined to be a classic among Holocaust histories” by Douglas Brinkley, Presidential Historian for CNN. His renowned work on survivor testimony, Witness: Voices from the Holocaust, was the basis of a feature documentary for national PBS, named “One of the Ten Best Holocaust Film” by Facets Media.
He is author of a series of Holocaust survivor memoirs for Scholastic that have sold more than a quarter million copies. Currently, he teaches Mindfulness in the Workplace for the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University.
Greene has been a featured speaker at the Pentagon, the Judge Advocate Generals College, and was honored by the New York Public Library Distinguished Author series.
He is a regular instructor before State Bar Associations on issues of war crimes law. He has spoken on issues of Holocaust memory for such outlets as NPR and Fox News, and his related editorials have appeared in print in the L.A. Times and the Chicago Tribune, among others.
Among his documentary films are “Hitler’s Courts: Betrayal of the Rule of Law in Nazi Germany” which aired on PBS, and “Memory After Belsen: The Future of Holocaust Remembrance” for Discovery. Among other honors he is recipient of five “Best Program of the Year” awards from TV Guide and an Emmy nomination for “PEOPLE: A Celebration of Diversity” which aired on The Disney Channel.
Greene is a former instructor of Holocaust history at Hofstra and Fordham Universities. He sits on the Board of Advisors to the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies at Yale University. While Senior Vice President for Global Affairs at Ruder Finn Communications in the early 2000s he served as Director of Strategic Planning for the United Nations Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders.
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The guest on this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast is Ellen Pober Rittberg, author of the book, Why Is Grandma Naked? Caring for Your Aging Parent. In the book, Rittberg walks the reader through the often stressful, sometimes weird, and ultimately life-transforming journey that caregiving is.
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About the Guest
Ellen Pober Rittberg’s just-published humorous self-help book, Why Is Grandma Naked? Caring for Your Aging Parent, is available on Amazon on Kindle and in paperback. In the book, Rittberg walks the reader through the often stressful, sometimes weird, and ultimately life-transforming journey that caregiving is.
An award-winning journalist and former cable television producer and host, her essays and features have appeared in the NY Times, HuffPost, Reader’s Digest, Newsday and other large online platforms. Her first humorous how-to book, 35 Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You, So I Will (Turner Publishing) is also available on Amazon. Her full length book of poetry, He is Walking Wider, will be published by Kelsay Books in June 2021. Her plays, Sci Fi and Sabbath Elevator were presented pre-COVID in NYC and during COVID, on Zoom.
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On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Daniel Libenson and Lex Rofeberg discuss Judaism Unbound, a project of the Institute for the Next Jewish Future, that catalyzes and supports grassroots efforts by “disaffected but hopeful” American Jews to re-imagine and re-design Jewish life in America for the 21st Century. Libenson and Rofeberg are the co-hosts of the Judaism Unbound podcast.
Judaism Unbound values the ways that you choose to connect to Judaism, whether through rituals steeped in millennia-old traditions or through entirely new paradigms that ancient Jewish texts never dreamed of; whether your Judaism includes participation in Jewish communal organizations or not; whether you live and breathe Jewishly 24/7 or you just want to connect once or twice a year; whether you think of yourself as Jewish, half-Jewish, Jewish-and-X, partly-Jewish, not-Jewish, or Jew-ish.
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About the Guests
Daniel Libenson, Founder and President. Institute for the Next Jewish Future
Daniel Libenson is the founder and president of the Institute for the Next Jewish Future and co-host of the Judaism Unbound podcast. His extensive background in Jewish communal innovation includes six years as Executive Director of the University of Chicago Hillel and three years as Director of New Initiatives at Harvard Hillel. Dan is a 2009 AVI CHAI Fellow and has also received the Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence award, Hillel International's highest professional honor. In 2010, Dan was named a Jewish Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Jewish News. Dan attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude and was an articles editor of the Harvard Law Review. Dan has published articles in Ha'aretz, The New York Jewish Week, Zeek, eJewishPhilanthropy, and elsewhere. He is the translator of The Orchard by renowned Israeli novelist Yochi Brandes and the translation editor of The Secret Book of Kings by the same author. Before devoting his life to working in the Jewish community, Dan spent five years as a law professor after clerking for Judge Michael Boudin on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He lives in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago with his wife and two children. Contact Dan at Dan@JudaismUnbound.com.
Lex Rofeberg, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Institute for the Next Jewish Future
Lex Rofeberg is a Jewish educator and activist who serves as Strategic Initiatives Coordinator of the Institute for the Next Jewish Future, and as co-host of the Judaism Unbound podcast. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and currently lives in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies from Brown University, and while in college he served for two years as a Student Representative on the board of Hillel International. He came to Judaism Unbound in 2015 after a two-year Education Fellowship at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, based in Jackson, Mississippi. His writing on Jewish identity and politics has been published in JTA, MyJewishLearning.Com, Jewish Currents, Sh'ma Journal, New Voices, and others. He received his certificate in Interfaith Families Jewish Engagement from Hebrew College in 2018 and was ordained as a rabbi in 2021 by ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. He has been active in Jewish movements for justice, which have included IfNotNow and Never Again Action. He serves in advisory capacities for Tikkun Olam Productions, Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations, and Mitzvah Matzos. Lex is a die-hard college-basketball fan and a former a cappella nerd. He can be contacted at Lex@JudaismUnbound.com.
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This week, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president emeritus of the Union for Reform Judaism, in the third of a series of conversations about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jewish life. Rabbi Yoffie discusses the pandemic's effect on the Reform movement, and talks about the relationships between liberal American Jews and the State of Israel.
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Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President Emeritus, Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Eric Yoffie is a writer, lecturer, internationally-known religious leader and President Emeritus of the Union for Reform Judaism. He has presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and has appeared on Fox News, CNN, and many other news outlets. He writes regularly for Time, The Huffington Post, The Jerusalem Post andthe Israeli daily Haaretz and is quoted frequently in the general and Jewish press.
A bold, compelling, and inspiring speaker, Rabbi Yoffie lectures at universities and congregations on Israel and the Middle East, interfaith relations, social justice, American Religious Life and American Jewish Life.
In his writings, Rabbi Yoffie has addressed matters of belief and spirituality as they impact Americans of all faiths and of no faith. He has been an articulate advocate for a modern and thoughtful approach to American religious life. He has applied his progressive religious point of view, rooted in Biblical text and religious teaching, to issues of sin, atheism, and community as well as contemporary matters such as immigration and healthcare.
Rabbi Yoffie has devoted much of his career to promoting understanding among religious groups. An expert in interfaith relations, he is known for his many “firsts.” He was the first rabbi to address the students and faculty of the Rev. Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University; the first major Jewish leader to speak at the convention of the Islamic Society of North America; and the first Jew ever to address the Church-wide Assembly of the Evangelical Church of America. He holds an honorary degree from Assumption College in Worcester, MA, where he delivered a groundbreaking address on Catholic-Jewish relations.
Rabbi Yoffie also has been deeply involved in issues of social justice. A prominent spokesperson for sensible gun control, he was the only religious leader to speak at the Million Mom March in Washington, DC.
Rabbi Yoffie is an expert on Modern Israel, and has written widely on issues of peace and security in Israel and on relations between Israel and America and between Israelis and American Jews. He has been a major force in formulating American Jewish attitudes on issues of religious freedom and was instrumental in the founding of the Israel Religious Action Center, the primary advocacy group for religious pluralism in the Jewish State. For 30 years he has met regularly with Israel’s top leaders.
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On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, in a continuation of a series of discussions about the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the Jewish community worldwide, Rabbi Jill L. Maderer, senior rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia, discusses how the pandemic has changed Jewish worship, community life, and pastoral care needs from members of her congregation.
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About the Guest
Rabbi Jill L. Maderer, senior rabbi, Congregation Rodeph Shalom
Jill L. Maderer has served Congregation Rodeph Shalom since her ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 2001. In 2017, Rabbi Maderer became our senior rabbi. In partnership with our senior staff, professional team, Board of Trustees and many involved congregants, she works passionately to build community, and pursue our vision: creating profound connections.
Our connections exist both within and beyond the walls of the synagogue. The one stipulation Jewish law provides for the building of a sanctuary is the presence of windows to the outside. With that relationship to the world around us, the words of our prayers are influenced by the life of our city and our experience of prayer inspires us to go forth into the world empowered by Jewish values. The new photographs of our professional team depict Rabbi Maderer's outward perspective, a view of our neighborhood and the city we love and to which we feel responsible.
That perspective leads Rabbi Maderer to partner with other organizations throughout our Jewish, multi-faith and Philadelphia communities. Rabbi Maderer serves on the Board of the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, the Executive Board and is the immediate past president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, and she serves as a member of the Jewish Federation Board of Trustees. She has served as a chairperson of the Center City Kehillah, a member of the Religious Leaders Council (multi-faith) of Greater Philadelphia, as a Mussar Institute instructor training Reform rabbis in Mussar leadership, and she has co-chaired the Central Conference of American Rabbis' conference for training clergy in the use of the Reform Movement's new High Holy Day machzor. Rabbi Maderer serves on the faculty at URJ Camp Harlam where she interacts with many of our students.
Rabbi Maderer's early life was shaped by her involvement in the Reform youth movement and in her hometown Reform congregation in Westfield, New Jersey. She graduated from Brandeis University with a major in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and minors in Women's Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies.
Rabbi Maderer, her husband Len Lipkin and their two children reside in Philadelphia, not far from Rodeph Shalom.
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On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jan Katzew, Associate Professor of Education and Jewish Thought at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, and Rabbi Stacey Schlein, rabbi-educator at The Temple-Tiferet Israel, Beachwood, Ohio, discuss the effect of the pandemic on Jewish Education.
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Rabbi Jan Katzew, Ph.D., is the Director of Service Learning, EMA Senior Educator, and Blended Track Associate Professor of Education and Jewish Thought in Cincinnati. Jan Katzew also formerly served as Director of the Rabbinical Program at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati.
Dr. Katzew received his Ph.D. in Education and Jewish Thought from the Hebrew University (1997); his M.A. in Hebrew Letters and rabbinical ordination from HUC-JIR (1983); and his B.A. in Religious Studies, magna cum laude, from Wesleyan University (1978). He has served as a member of the adjunct faculty at HUC-JIR, teaching courses in Education, Jewish Thought, and Moral Philosophy to rabbinical, cantorial, and education students since 1999.
Prior to joining HUC-JIR in 2012, Dr. Katzew served for fifteen years as the Director of Lifelong Jewish Learning at the Union for Reform Judaism, where he created a network of regional educators, designed CHAI and Mitkadem for Judaic and Hebrew learning, respectively, in congregational schools, and implemented Chaverim B’Ivrit for Day Schools. He organized Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism and directed the Commission on Jewish Learning and the Lifelong Learning Council, forums for building the Jewish education system in the Reform Movement. He introduced “Torah at the Center,” a quarterly journal for Jewish educators. Previously, he served as Head of the Middle School at the Solomon Schechter of Northbrook, IL, Director of Adolescent Learning of the BJE (now CJFE) of Skokie, IL, and Rabbi-Educator of Community Synagogue of Port Washington, NY.
Dr. Katzew has participated in significant assemblies of interfaith clergy and served as a scholar-in-residence and presenter at scores of congregations throughout North America and at CAJE, Limmud, NATE, CCAR, and URJ Biennial conferences. He served as Editorial Board Chair of URJ Press for fifteen years. He has published widely on the subject of Jewish education and Jewish thought, including articles in the Hebrew Union College Annual, CCAR Journal, International Journal of Jewish Education, and Reform Judaism magazine. He received the Distinguished Educator Award from the National Association of Temple Educators and was selected as a Jerusalem Fellow as an international leader in Jewish education by the Mandel School in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Stacy Schlein is director of education at The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Beachwood, Ohio. She brings a passion for learning and hands-on experiences to all the work she does throughout our congregation. She has been teaching for over twenty years in both formal and informal settings. Rabbi Stacy Schlein joined our congregation in 2007 as Director of the Shabbaton – Weekly Family Education Program. A year later she began to oversee the Social Justice Initiatives. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of Greater Cleveland Congregations – a non- partisan coalition of faith communities and partner organizations in Cuyahoga County working together to build power for social justice.
Immediately after Rabbinical School she worked for two years as the Rabbi of Chavurat Tikvah in Rye, New York. After returning to Cleveland in 2003, she served as a Chaplain for The Jewish Federation of Cleveland and led Reform Prayer Services at Stone Gardens Assisted Living Residence and Wiggins Place. A native Clevelander, Rabbi Schlein graduated from Indiana University in 1994 with a B.A. in Journalism and Sociology and a Certificate in Jewish Studies. In 2001, she was ordained at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. She served as rabbinic intern in Beachwood, Ohio; South Bend, Indiana; New York, New York; and Rye, New York.
She also has served as a consultant to children’s author Jean Marzollo for her series of books on the bible and had a story published in Three Times Chai: 54 Rabbis Tell Their Favorite Stories by Laney Katz-Becker. Rabbi Schlein enjoys biking, running, swimming and most of all spending time with her husband Jeremy Sosin and three beautiful children.
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On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Shelley Craig, program director of Faith & Grief, discusses the organization's mission to provide opportunities for comfort and hope to those who have experienced the death of a loved one.
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Shelley Craig as the saying goes, “got to Texas as fast as she could” after growing up on the East Coast. She believes ministering to those who are grieving and suffering is a vital part of loving others. She is honored to join the Faith and Grief Ministries team and to work to fulfill its mission. She served in various church volunteer leadership positions which led her to work in ministry. She has a passion for serving others and has experience in non-profit consulting, digital marketing and corporate training. She has a degree in Communications from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in eLearning from Texas A&M-Commerce.
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THREAD founder Lane Gardner chats about the organization's arts-centered therapeutic workshops for trauma survivors on the April 9, 2021 Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast
On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Richard Address chats with Lane Gardner, president and co-founder of Thread (threadconnects.org). THREAD strives to address and alleviate the unrelenting presence of trauma in our world. Through Thread's arts centered and therapeutic workshops, the organization fosters connection and healing within people and communities by transforming individual and collective trauma into original works of art.
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In founding T H R E A D, Lane combines her life-long belief in the healing power of creative expression with over 25 years of experience as both a performer and arts educator.
A graduate of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM), Lane’s performance credits include leading roles at Lyric Opera Cleveland, Seaside Music Theater and the West End Theater in NYC. In 2015, she released her debut album, Fertile Ground, a heart-rendering and soulful collection of her deeply personal stories on her own label, Third Road Records.
As an arts educator, Lane has taught in public and private schools, special education schools, youth centers and residential summer camps across the country. Lane has also worked with a wide range of arts organizations including The Metropolitan Opera Guild, The Conservatory of Performing Arts, New York Theater Workshop and LILA Women’s Wellness Center.
Through her role as Director of Programming for Music Ascension, she was instrumental in expanding the work Music Ascension offers, consulting with arts partners to design, manage, facilitate staff development and create highly specialized programming to include music and drama therapy. Alongside Founder/Director of Music Ascension, Pete Kalvert, Lane received the 2016 Innovations in Special Education Award from ASAH and the New Jersey School Board Association and the National 2017 Award for Leadership and Innovation in Special Education from NAPSEC.
Throughout her career, Lane’s passion and dedication to human development through the arts has also led her to create and facilitate workshops and motivational talks for adults, in particular women’s groups, parents of children with special needs, survivors and those who have experienced trauma. She frequently presents her workshop series Stories Connect: The Power of Sharing Your Story at the Jung Center of New York.
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Rabbi Richard Address with TV show guests Nina Woldin, center, managing director; and Audrey Licther, founding executive director, both of Chai Mitzvah (ChaiMitzvah.org), an educational program aimed at building ommunity through small group engagement with adults and teens, both in person and virtually.
On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Audrey Lichter and Nina Woldin from Chai Mitzvah discuss the program's efforts to build engagement among Jewish adults and teens over Jewish Education.
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About the Guests
Audrey Lichter is the founding Executive Director of Chai Mitzvah, a national Jewish engagement program launched in 2009. As of 2021 Chai Mitzvah has engaged over 8,000 individuals throughout North America, both adults and teens, and over 1,500 people in Israel. She has been a professional Jewish educator for more than 30 years. For 16 years, Audrey was the founding principal of Yachad, the award-winning community High School of Greater Hartford, which had over 300 students from across the spectrum of the Jewish community. As a lay leader, Audrey was on the founding board and President of the Hebrew High School of New England ( now NEJA) and she is the founder of the Jewish Day School Consortium of Southern New England. Audrey along with other lay leaders founded Ohavy Shalom, a pluralistic congregation. She is the recipient of numerous community awards including the Charter Oak Visionary Award and the Shuch Award from the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy. She and her husband live on Block Island Rhode Island and in Hartford CT. They have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren.
As Managing Director of Chai Mitzvah, Nina Woldin works to build community through small group engagement with adults and teens, both in person and virtually. She has worked in Jewish education for more than 3 decades, creating student materials and programs for all ages, pre-K – adult. Her work has been published by Behrman House, Ktav, Kar Ben Publishing, Addison Wesley and Grolier. She wrote and designed gallery guides for the education department of the Jewish Museum in New York. Nina created one of the first online Jewish education resource centers, Yourpage.org, which became part of Jewish National Fund’s website in 2003. As a lay leader, Nina was on the board of Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in West Orange, NJ (now Golda Och Academy). She and her husband live on a sailboat in the Hudson River. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
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On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Janice Steinberg discusses her book, The Tin Horse, a rich multigenerational story about the intense, often fraught bond sisters share and the dreams and sorrows that lay at the heart of the immigrant experience.
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Janice Steinberg is the author of The Tin Horse (Random House, 2013). Set in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles in the 1920s and 30s, The Tin Horse has been praised as "a vibrant portrait of community" (Publishers Weekly) and "a novel rich in faith, betrayal, and secrecy that explores the numerous ways people are shaped and haunted by their past." (Library Journal)
Steinberg is also the author of five mystery novelsand an award-winning arts journalist with more than 400 articles in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Dance Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere. She has taught writing at the University of California, San Diego extension and San Diego State University. A native of Milwaukee, she received a B.A. and M.A. from the University of California, Irvine. She lives in San Diego with her husband.
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On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Ben David, senior rabbi at Congregation Adath Emanu-El in Mt. Laurel, NJ, discusses ways to cope with observing a second Passover with social distancing and use of remote video technology because of the continuing pandemic.
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About the Guest
Rabbi Benjamin David was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Cherry Hill, NJ. He is the son of Rabbi Jerome and Peggy David. He attended Cherry Hill High School East and Muhlenberg College, where he majored in English Literature. In 1999, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 2004, he was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. While in rabbinic school, he served numerous congregations, including Kol Hanishama of Jerusalem, Temple Beth Am of Monessen, PA and Temple Shaaray Tefila of Manhattan. He also served as intern at the Jewish Guild for the Blind and the Makor Steinhardt Center. He received numerous awards in the field of Talmud and Hebrew Literature and was the cofounder of Davar Aher, a student review. From 2005-2012, he served as assistant and associate rabbi at Temple Sinai of Roslyn, working closely with youth and teens, overseeing the Hebrew High School program, officiating at lifecycle events, teaching broadly, and helping to further develop the congregation’s social action, community organizing, and interfaith programs.
A competitive distant runner, he has completed sixteen marathons and twenty half marathons. He is a co-founder of the Running Rabbis, a social justice initiative that works with clergy worldwide to run and walk in the name of worthy causes.
Rabbi David is also active in the Jewish Federation of South Jersey, especially within the Young Adult Division, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, and is on the advisory board for The Voice.
He is married to Lisa David, the Associate Director of Camp Harlam. They also met at Camp Harlam, where they both spent time as campers, counselors, and supervisors. They have three children, Noa, Elijah, and Samuel.
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Rabbi Address, Rabbi Shira Stern, Rabbi Dayle Friedman, and Cantor Rhoda Harrison participated in a two-part webinar series moderated by Rabbi JB Sacks for Congregation Beth Shalom, the Conservative synagogue in Coachella Valley, California. The trio discussed their contributed chapters to a new book, Psalms in the Key of Healing, edited by Rabbi H. Rafael Goldstein, who died in late December shortly before the book’s scheduled publication in January.
March 7 Webinar with Rabbi Address and Rabbi Shira Stern March 14 Webinar with Rabbi Dayle Friedman and Cantor Rhoda Harrison The post Compassionate Conversations Webinars feature Rabbi Address and Colleagues discussing their contributions to “Psalms in the Key of Healing” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.
Rabbi Address is the guest on episode 17 of the Faith & Grief podcast, produced by Faith Presbyterian Hospice and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, in Dallas, Texas. The Faith & Grief Podcast explores the intersection of faith & grief.
Learn more at https://www.faithandgrief.org/ .
Listen to the conversation with Rabbi Address in the player below.
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On this week's Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, the guest is Nora Katz, Director of Heritage and Interpretation at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) in Jackson, Mississippi. Nora discusses the long Jewish history in the southern part of the US, and the Institute's role in preserving and exploring that heritage.
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https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/lubetkin/SOM20210312.mp3
About the Guest
Nora Katz is a public historian and theatre maker currently serving as the Director of Heritage and Interpretation at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) in Jackson, Mississippi. In her role, she interprets and shares the rich legacy of Jews in the American South through public programs, trips and tours, historic preservation, and more. Originally from rural Pennsylvania, Nora holds a Master’s degree in Public History and Cultural Heritage from Trinity College Dublin and is passionate about the ways in which public history can advance social justice. Nora’s professional background is full of experiences telling engaging stories—from the visual history of Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, Ireland, to the development of the art glass industry in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Nora is also the author of the humor book Literary Starbucks. When she’s not thinking about collective memory and historic preservation, Nora is running, hiking, baking sourdough, and playing tabletop role-playing games. Learn more about the Institute of Southern Jewish Life at www.isjl.org.
The post 3/12/2021 Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast: Nora Katz, Institute of Southern Jewish Life appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.