Hashivenu

Latest Episodes:

Episode 4: Chanting Nov 07, 2017

Show notes

According to Rabbi Shefa Gold, “Chant is the bridge between the inner life and the outer expression; between the solitary practice and the shared beauty of fellowship.” She has set verses from Jewish liturgy and from the Hebrew Bible to chants that are both beautiful and meditative. This episode explores how the ancient practice of chanting can cultivate renewal while bringing traditional liturgy to life.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Shefa Gold.

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Rabbi Shefa Gold — Rabbi Shefa Gold develops and leads Hebrew chants based on Jewish sacred texts for transformative spiritual growth.
Flavors of Gratefulness App | Rabbi Shefa Gold — With Rabbi Shefa Gold’s app you can awaken to all the many dimensions of gratefulness with Modah Ani. Wake up each day to a new melody to fuel the intention (kavanah) to see and recognize God’s Face in the details of the upcoming day.
Chants & Practices | Rabbi Shefa Gold — This page lists all the chants & practices in alphabetical order with links to the chants. (In the submenu, you can also view chant listings by the ‘categories’ used in The Magic of Hebrew Chant.) Click the chant’s name to see the full page for that chant.
Resilience: Im aylech — To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio players.
Psalm 138:7 — Psalm 138:7, the source text of the chant included in this episode.
Ritualwell: 10 Rituals Which Feature or Include Chanting

Episode 3: Humor Sep 29, 2017

Show notes

The upcoming holiday of Sukkot is known as z'man simkhateynu, the season of our joy. In keeping with that theme, Rabbi Seth Goldstein joins us for a special episode on humor. Whether opening us to laughter and joy, or easing the way in difficult times, humor can be a powerful path toward resilience.

Bonus feature! Check out Rabbi Deborah Brin's video on Laughter Yoga at Vimeo.

Find out more about the show at About, and learn about our theme song at Theme Song.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Seth Goldstein.

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Links:

4 Rituals Acknowledging Humor from Ritualwell.org — In honor of the podcast Hashivenu, we are highlighting rituals that have sustained the Jewish people throughout history. In the third episode, we learn about how humor offers a tool to lighten the darkness. Here are 4 unique rituals which acknowledge humor, recommended by Ritualwell.
Carpooling with Rabbi — Seth Goldstein's video series. "When Kirsten was the Community Engagement Coordinator at my congregation, she lived just a few blocks from my son’s school. After I did the morning drop off I needed to pass by her house on the way to work. So I offered to give her a ride…"
Torah tl;dr — Seth Goldstein's micro-Torah-podcast. "Torah tl;dr injects a little wisdom into your day, giving you a highlight of the Torah portion in 60 seconds. New podcasts every Friday, just in time for Shabbat."
"The Spanish Inquisition" from Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part I" — See the movie segment referred to in this episode.
Wikipedia article on Jewish Humor — Jewish humour is the long tradition of humour in Judaism dating back to the Torah and the Midrash from the ancient Middle East, but generally refers to the more recent stream of verbal and often anecdotal humour of Ashkenazi Jewry which took root in the United States over the last hundred years, including in secular Jewish culture...Jewish humor, while diverse, favors wordplay, irony, and satire, and its themes are highly anti-authoritarian, mocking religious and secular life alike.
Laughter Yoga with Rabbi Deborah Brin
Rabbi Deborah Brin's homepage

Episode 2: Teshuvah and Forgiveness Sep 05, 2017

Show notes

As the High Holiday season approaches, Jewish people across the world begin to reflect on their behavior of the past year. They wonder: what does it mean to forgive? What does it mean to seek forgiveness? In a conversation with Rabbi Vivie Mayer, we explore the complexities of teshuvah (repentance) and ways to seek it as the Jewish new year approaches and throughout the year.

Find out more about the show at About, and learn about our theme song at Theme Song.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Vivie Mayer.

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10 Rituals to Assist with Making Teshuvah (Ritualwell.org) — Below are 10 unique Teshuvah rituals recommended by Ritualwell.
Reconstructionist Approach to Teshuvah (ReconstructingJudaism.org) — A study sheet on the evolving concept of teshuvah over the ages.
Mahzor Leyamim Nora'im (Reconstructionist Press Bookstore) — Our Mahzor is an inclusive, comprehensive volume for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services; one that is rooted in the traditional Hebrew liturgy, yet fully contemporary.
Listen to Dodi Tzafati Lach (Rabbi Shefa Gold)
Teshuvah and Compassion (ReconstructingJudaism.org) — This study sheet on teshuvah and compassion draws our attention to the interplay between our ability to forgive others, and God's ability to forgive us.
Finding Forgiveness (ReconstructingJudaism.org — A personal reflection on the ins and outs of finding, and granting, forgiveness.
Bedtime Shema Writing Project (Ritualwell.org)
Sylvia Boorstein's website

Episode 1: Shabbat Aug 10, 2017

Show notes

In this episode of Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D., talks about one of the deepest and best known of Jewish practices, Shabbat. We read about this ancient practice in Genesis, with God creating the world in six days and then resting on the seventh—and from that, we get the concept of a day of rest.

Rabbi Staub is a professor of Jewish philosophy and spirituality at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He’s written widely on many topics, including a beautiful extended chapter on the Jewish Sabbath in “A Guide to Jewish Practice, Volume 2 – Shabbat and Holidays,” published by the RRC Press. You are invited to review the chapter by clicking on the link under Episode Links, below.

Find out more about the show at About, and learn about our theme song at Theme Song.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D..

Support Hashivenu

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