Evolve

Reconstructing Judaism
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Evolve

Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations features interviews with thought-provoking rabbis, leaders and creators about the urgent issues faced by Jewish people today. As a part of Reconstructing Judaism’s multimedia Evolve project (http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org/), this podcast models respectful, sacred conversations about challenging topics.

  1. 27 FEB

    Rabbi David Jaffe and Yehuda Webster on Anti-Racism and the Balance of Care

    What does it mean to apply the concepts of Mussar (Jewish ethical teachings) to everyday life? What about to confronting racism in the world, at a particular institution or even in oneself? Rabbi David Jaffe, author of Changing the World From the Inside Out and Yehuda Webster, a noted activist and teacher, point to examples of how this can work. Each shares how Mussar taught them how they could have behaved differently in certain situations and where drawing on its lessons led to more positive outcomes. They also discuss anti-racism work in the broader Jewish community, addressing the post Oct 7 pushback while making the case for a renewed focus. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guests: Rabbi David Jaffe and Yehudah Webster. Support Evolve Links: Sign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcastsRead the Evolve Essay, "Racial Justice Is a Path to Jewish Security"Make a gift to Reconstructing Judaism's Momentum Campaign Follow Kirva on InstagramLearn more about KirvaListen to our January Episode "Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out" with Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Rabbi Alex WeissmanRead more about Yehuda's recent visit to Nigeria as part of "Teshuvah Across the Waters" Jaffe and Webster's op-ed in The Forward, "Equity and Justice Values from a Jewish Perspective"

    58 min

  2. 30 JAN

    Ilana Kaufman on Jews of Color, Racism and Antisemitism

    In a conversation both deeply personal and grounded in history and sociology, Ilana Kaufman, CEO of the Jews of Color Initiative, shares her mission and why the work has been so challenging in a post-October 7 world. Kaufman explains why it’s been so counterproductive to consider Blacks and Jews as separate groups — erasing a sizable population identifying as both. She talks about why statistics and demographic matter for Jews of Color and the entire Jewish community. She shares how she came to write the afterward to Marc Dollinger’s book, “Black Power, Jewish Politics.” The conversation also touches on the Civil Rights and Soviet Jewry movements and why educators should draw more explicit connections between the two. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guest: Ilana Kaufman. Support Evolve Links: Sign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcastsRead Ilana's Evolve essayWatch Ilana's Eli TalkLearn more about the Jews of Color Initiative Listen to Bryan's conversation with Marc DollingerRead Marc's Evolve essayCheck out The Forward's coverage of the controversy surrounding the publication of "Black Power, Jewish Politics"Register for Writing Disability TorahSupport Evolve with a donation of $36

    1h 7m

  3. 16 JAN

    Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Rabbi Alex Weissman on Dismantling Racism

    “Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out.” The idea is deceptively simple and strongly rooted in Jewish tradition. To change society, individuals must first address their own attitudes, biases and inner lives. Easy to say, much harder to carry out. With funding from the Wabash Center, Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Rabbi Alex Weissman decided to try this approach at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, which is committed to anti-racism. Working with faculty, Lawson and Weissman led a year-long process grounded in mussar (Jewish ethical practice.) The work was set to begin in earnest on Oct. 17, 2023. In this episode, Weissman and Lawson talk about how the attacks of Oct. 7 and subsequent war cast a shadow over the project but ultimately led to some important insights about how racism has impact Jewish institutions. They also address why, in an age of skyrocketing antisemitism, it’s as important as ever for Jewish communities to address racism. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guests: Rabbi Alex Weissman and Rabbi Sandra Lawson. Support Evolve Links: Sign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcastsRead Bryan's story about Dismantling Racism From the Inside Out at RRCLearn more about the Wabash centerLearn more about the Dismantling Racism curiculum"MLK and the Power of Community" by Rabbi SandraRead Bryan's recent piece, "What MLK’s Friendship with Stanley Levinson Can Teach Us Today"Register for Reconstructing Judaism's "Reparations in Action" event on 2/2 Register for Ritualwell's "Writing Disability Torah" event on 2/18 Learn more about KirvaSupport Evolve with a donation of $36

    57 min

  4. 2 JAN

    Myra Sack on Traumatic Loss and Living with Grief

    In losing her two-year-old daughter, Havi, Myra Sack suffered the kind of loss most people cannot even fathom. By telling her Havi’s story, Sack discovered she can help others live with grief. Sack is the author of Fifty-Seven Fridays: Losing Our Daughter, Finding Our Way, an excerpt of which appears on the Evolve website. She discusses the important role ritual played after Havi’s diagnosis and following her passing. Sack traces her journey into grief literacy and how she has used her own painful experiences to help others process grief. She talks about the tragic consequences of a doctor’s mistake and how she and her husband, Matt, have worked to ensure no family suffers a similar fate. The former collegiate soccer standout also shares the place that sports have played in her life and the blessings she’s looking forward to in the New Year. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guest: Myra Sack. Support Evolve Links: Support Evolve with a donation of $36Read Myra's Evolve essay, "Rituals of Grief"Purchase Myra's book, "Fifty-Seven Fridays: Losing Our Daughter, Finding Our Way"From Ritualwell, "The Four Yizkors: Grief and Memory Hold Hands"From Ritualwell, "Balancing Grief and Gratitude"Bryan's previous conversation with MyraMyra's Philly Jewish Sports Hall of Fame profileJ-ScreenBearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief Learn more about Shelley Barnathan, Myra's rabbi

    53 min

  5. 26/11/2024

    Former Rep. Andy Levin on Courage, the Election, AIPAC and Gaza

    Former Congressman Andy Levin sits for a truly wide-ranging interview about the election, his concerns about the incoming Trump administration, Israel and so much more. The passionate Reconstructionist also discusses his Jewish identity, spiritual practice and how he has cultivated courage in public life. He offers honest assessments of his 2022 losing reelection bid and what lessons Democrats can draw from November’s defeat. He also offers a refreshingly candid take on courage in politics and the calculations politicians often make. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guest: Rep. Andy Levin. Support Evolve Links: Sign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcastsSupport Evolve with a donation of $36Read Andy Levin's Evolve essay, "Courage Has a Life of Its Own"Evolve's Practices for Defending Democracy essay symposiumBryan's 2018 interview with Andy LevinFrom The Forward, "How Andy Levin’s defeat in Michigan was — and wasn’t — all about AIPAC"From The Detroit Free Press, "Andy Levin focuses on Gaza and Lebanon as he renews faith for Jewish New Year"Register for the event, "“All of the People Israel are Responsible for One Another”: Reconstructionist Values That Shape Our Relationships with Israelis and Palestinians"

    1h 18m

  6. 31/10/2024

    The Reconstructionist Connection to Democracy: Past, Present and Future

    Democracy holds a special place in Reconstructionist teachings, liturgy and practice — though most Jews have embraced American democracy as hospitable to Jewish life. Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., and Rabbi William Plevan, Ph.D., dive deep into Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan’s — the founding thinker of Reconstructionist Judaism — thinking on democracy and pluralism and why it matters today. Each shares thoughts on the prospects for liberal democracy at a time when the form of government is under strain across the world — and what it might mean for Jewish communities. As a bonus, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D., who directs the Evolve podcast, shares the process behind Evolve’s series of essays on democracy. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guests: Rabbi Bill Plevan, Ph.D. and Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D.. Support Evolve Links: Sign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcastsRead Rabbi Deborah Waxman's Evolve essay, "A Jewish Embrace of Democracy: Early Reconstructionist Judaism and America’s Promise"Read Rabbi Bill Plevan's Evolve essay, "Sustaining Democracy Amid Cultural Pluralism: Mordecai Kaplan’s Vision"Explore the full symposium: Practices for Defending DemocracyOn Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy SnyderAmerican Crucible: Race and Nation in the Twentieth Century by Gary GerstleAlso on Evolve, "The Year Since October 7" essay collectionFrom the Wisconsin Examiner, "A prescription for overcoming our dangerous political divisionsSupport Evolve with a donation of $36Learn more about "Memory Lights The World," Ritualwell's memorial wall

    1h 8m

  7. 16/10/2024

    A Palestinian Scientist and Reconstructionist Rabbi Are Working Together to Rebuild Gaza

    Tareq Abu Hamed, Ph.D., and Rabbi Michael Cohen talk about the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel’s Negev region. The nearly 30-year-old academic and research institution brings together students and faculty from Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and elsewhere to build relationships and solve pressing environmental challenges. Arava is partnering with a Palestinian organization on a new plan to meet needs for water, sanitation, hygiene and energy in a devastated Gaza Strip that’s years away from being rebuilt. Abu Hamed and Cohen each share how they hold on to hope in a seemingly hopeless time for those dedicated to regional peace. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guests: Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, Rabbi Maurice Harris, and Rabbi Michael Cohen. Support Evolve Links: Read the Evolve essay, "Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza: The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies"Also on Evolve, "The Year Since October 7" essay collectionSign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcastsSupport Evolve with a donation of $36Learn more about the Arava InstituteRegister for "Holding Each Other," Ritualwell's weekly Monday afternoon minyanRemembering October 7: Resources from Reconstructing JudaismFrom The Times of Israel, "Israelis, Palestinians to launch joint bid to bring humanitarian aid to post-war Gaza"Explore Sukkot resources from Reconstructing Judaism

    1 hr

  8. 26/09/2024

    The Anniversary of October 7 and BINA: the Jewish Movement for Social Change

    It’s not easy to talk about and process the first anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, when war continues to widen, hostages remain in Gaza and a ceasefire seems less and likely. This episode aims to model such a conversation. In a wide-ranging interview featuring Rabbi Mira Wasserman, Ph.D., interim vice president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Elliott Glassenberg, senior educator at BINA: the Jewish Movement for Social Change, they and Bryan discuss Oct. 7 and how Israeli and American Jews have been impacted. They also explain the relationship between RRC and BINA and how it may be more important than ever for rabbis serving in the Diaspora to devote time to better understanding the dynamics of Israeli society. Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb Visit our home on the web — Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations: http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org Subscribe by Email at http://subscribebyemail.com/evolve.fireside.fm/rss Read these show notes on the web at https://evolve.fireside.fm/1 This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guests: Elliot Glassenberg and Rabbi Mira Beth Wasserman, Ph.D.. Support Evolve Links: Sign up for Evolve's free newsletter to stay up to date on the latest essays, videos and podcastsSupport Evolve with a donation of $36From Evolve: The Year Since October 7Register for Ritualwell's "A Day of Memory: Holding Each Other on October 7th, 2024"Explore October 7 Resources from Reconstructing JudaismExplore Evolve's essaysBINA - The Jewish Social Movement for ChangeLearn more about RRC's faculty summer study tour of Israel

    1h 1m
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About

Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations features interviews with thought-provoking rabbis, leaders and creators about the urgent issues faced by Jewish people today. As a part of Reconstructing Judaism’s multimedia Evolve project (http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org/), this podcast models respectful, sacred conversations about challenging topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Reconstructing Judaism
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Reconstructing Judaism
  • Show Website
    Evolve

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