A Rabbi and a Lawyer Walk Into a Bar

Rabbi Lawyer Bar Podcast
  • 5.0 (16)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
A Rabbi and a Lawyer Walk Into a Bar

Grab a seat and join old friends, Rabbi Asher Lopatin and his former synagogue president, John Geiringer. Imagine sharing a drink with two news junkies who keep an open mind, challenge the status quo, and love discussing the comedy, tragedy, absurdity, and reality of the Jewish experience. Throughout their discussions, John will ask Asher provocative questions that congregants wish they could ask their rabbis. rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

  1. MAR 3

    Ambassador Rabbi Lopatin

    And now for something completely different. We discuss Asher’s unbelievable adventures in Syria and Qatar, including his new (former) Al-Qaeda buddies and his guardedly optimistic outlook for the region as a result. John then discusses the importance of teaching about legal issues surrounding the Holocaust and why the right is on the rise in Germany. With Adar and Purim approaching and considering Asher’s trip, we’re reminded of v’nahafoch hu, how events can spin around in surprising ways. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    40 min
  2. Jew in the House

    JAN 24

    Jew in the House

    What’s this Asarah B’Tevet fast all about? We then swing on the pendulum between sorrow and joy at the hostage exchange. John’s representative, Brad Schneider (D-IL), discusses being a Jewish congressman these days. We trade notes on the Inauguration, our modern hakhel ceremony. John encourages Asher to be more like Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, and Asher hopes his interfaith colleagues are less like the cancelled Imam. We end by imagining Trump Tower in Gaza City. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    42 min
  3. From Darkness to Light

    12/30/2024

    From Darkness to Light

    A few weeks off and the whole Middle East changes, and hopefully soon for our precious hostages. It’s Chanukah season, so we discuss our victory over the Syrians - then (Syrian-Greeks) and now. Speaking of rededicating the Temple, Asher takes us on a deep dive on the Temple Mount. We then somehow transition to the proper praying times in Greenland. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    38 min

  4. 11/10/2024

    Sanctioned by Iran

    We discuss celebrating Simchat Torah on the yahrtzeit of 10/7, embracing both the darkness and the light - as Jews do so well.  Anshe Sholom alum Richard Goldberg, who has the coolest resume ever (including being sanctioned by Iran), then helps us understand the scourge of antisemitism and ongoing developments in the Middle East.  Asher ends by convincing us not to become too shul-ed out as we enter the month of Marcheshvan. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    1h 5m
  5. Hasbara and Hashana

    10/02/2024

    Hasbara and Hashana

    We discuss Israel’s remarkable success against Hezbollah so far, including whether we can rejoice in our enemy’s destruction (we can) and whether AOC understands the laws of armed conflict (she doesn’t).  Although Israel does not need our advice on military strategy, as much as Asher tries, it certainly could use everyone’s help with their PR, or hasbara.  Someone leading that charge is our guest, Amit Grinfeld, the Co-Founder and CEO of We Walk Together, an organization devoted to promoting Israel through education and outreach.  Asher closes by getting us in the mood for the New Year.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    43 min
  6. Tzedakah Entrepreneur

    09/20/2024

    Tzedakah Entrepreneur

    We discuss Asher’s connection to the Goldberg-Polin family, with the tragedy of Hersh and the strength of his mom.  “The king is in the field” during the month of Elul, but are we lobbying Him or is He campaigning for our vote?   In the aftermath of 10/7, John thinks the burden is on Him.  To inspire us this season, we interview Jeff Kaminsky, a tzedakah entrepreneur who is touching countless lives in Ukraine and Israel through his Project Aid & Rescue. Start writing today. Use the button below to create a Substack of your own This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    47 min

  7. 08/07/2024

    Our Favorite (Former Neo-) Nazi

    Asher describes the various restrictions during The Three Weeks, our collective period of mourning, but more importantly, explains what they are meant to elicit. Speaking of which, we are joined by Jeff Schoep, once the “Gadol Hador” of the American Neo-Nazi movement before seeing the light. He describes his life before and after doing t’shuvah - and actually uses that word in a sentence. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    49 min
  8. Repost: A Jewish Roller Coaster

    05/20/2024

    Repost: A Jewish Roller Coaster

    In the midst of Omer counting, John admits being off track, even with tech support.  As anti-Israel disturbances continue, Asher provides a firsthand account from Ann Arbor.  We invite Tom Berner to describe what his group (LAAST) has been doing to fight that scourge using a variety of legal tools.  We then discuss the very Jewish emotional roller coaster this past week, as we remember our victims, honor our fallen, and celebrate our nation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

    42 min
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    5
    out of 5
    16 Ratings

    About

    Grab a seat and join old friends, Rabbi Asher Lopatin and his former synagogue president, John Geiringer. Imagine sharing a drink with two news junkies who keep an open mind, challenge the status quo, and love discussing the comedy, tragedy, absurdity, and reality of the Jewish experience. Throughout their discussions, John will ask Asher provocative questions that congregants wish they could ask their rabbis. rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

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