The Rest is Commentary with Shep Rosenman

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The Rest is Commentary is a podcast that explores connections through music, ancient wisdom, and conversations. Shep Rosenman is writing a song cycle inspired by the Psalms/Tehillim. In each episode, Shep offers one of his songs to a friend and they discuss whatever comes up, from the mundane to the sublime, the philosophical to the sophomoric, from dark and narrow places to wide open spaces of joy.

  1. 5H AGO

    045: Songs, Psalms, and the Sacred Art of Return: A Conversation with Rabbi Aaron Lerner

    What happens when ancient Torah meets modern melody with mindfulness as the bridge between them? In this episode, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Rabbi Aaron Lerner for a wide‑ranging, deeply human conversation at the crossroads of music, Jewish spirituality, and communal leadership. Anchored by Shep’s song “Magnets, Elevators, Ghosts," inspired by Psalm 97, the discussion opens a window into how sacred texts still spark creativity—and how songwriting can become a form of prayer. Together, Shep and Rabbi Lerner explore moments of divine inspiration, the vulnerability required to create honestly, and what it means to remain open—spiritually, emotionally, and communally—within Jewish life. They reflect on mindfulness as a core Jewish value, the power of blessings to awaken presence, and how art invites possibility where certainty falls short. The conversation also widens to leadership and responsibility: philanthropy through the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, navigating tension and empathy in communal roles, and showing up for the Jewish people in challenging times. Personal stories, spiritual insights, and creative process intertwine—revealing how tradition and modernity don’t compete, but collaborate. They also discuss the important influence of some of Aaron's teachers at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Whether you’re a seeker, a songwriter, a community builder, or simply curious, this episode is an invitation—to listen more closely, to stay open, and to hear the divine resonance hidden in everyday life. 🎶✨

    1h 2m

  2. MAR 10

    044: The Arena of Action: A Conversation with Shoshana Bloom

    In this episode, Shep Rosenman and Shoshana Bloom dive into the making and meaning of “It’s About What You Do,” a song inspired by Psalm 82. Their conversation opens into a wider reflection on what it means to show up — as leaders, creators, and members of a community.   They explore the metaphor of the arena — a place of confrontation, courage, and shared discovery — and talk through the tensions between performing and supporting, perfection and presence. Through personal stories and honest insight, Shep and Shoshana unpack how ownership, empathy, and imperfect action shape the ways we lift one another and build collective life.   A rich and candid dialogue about stepping forward, enabling others, and finding purpose in the messy beauty of doing the work.

    1h 1m

  3. MAR 2

    043: Like, Totally Divine: A Special Purim Conversation with Noelle and Maya

    Get ready for a Purim party like no other! 🎭✨ In this Purim special, host Shep Rosenman shares his original song “Let’s Talk About Faith” and joins Maya and Noelle for a lively conversation that’s equal parts joy, curiosity, and spiritual wrestling. Together, they celebrate Purim’s spirit of courage and reversal while honoring the resilience of the women of Iran. Mixing serious theology with playful moments (yes, including a Valley Girl version of God), the trio dives into questions of faith, doubt, free will, and the afterlife, drawing on the Rambam’s (Maimonides's) 13 Principles of Faith, Torah teachings, and modern reflections on community and purpose. It’s an episode that turns uncertainty into opportunity—and reminds us that humor and holiness often share the same space. Whether you’re here to add some sparkle to your Purim celebration or to find inspiration in life’s big questions, this episode promises laughter, insight, and a reminder that choosing goodness is the most sacred act of all. Tune in, pour yourself a l’chaim, and let’s talk about faith.

    1 hr

  4. FEB 24

    042: Mandala and Melody: A Conversation with Emily Cheng

    Artist and scholar Emily Cheng joins host Shep Rosenman for a luminous conversation at the crossroads of art, music, and sacred text. From two of Emily's monumental 18‑foot paintings charting the meeting of Western and Eastern spiritual traditions to Shep's song “Unwrapping Heaven,” inspired by Psalm 104, Emily invites us into a world where brushstrokes, breath, and prayer intertwine.   Together, they explore the idea of the center — from mandalas to melody — and the tension between the grand and the granular, the cosmic and the intimate. Along the way, they reflect on translating scripture into art, the practice of service through creativity, and how grounding rituals — even a single mindful breath — can shape both spiritual and artistic life.   Plus: insights into Emily’s community development work with IIRR, the deep relationship between Taoist and Jewish teachings, and the process of editing a work until it finally feels alive.   This is an episode you won't want to miss!

    1 hr
  5. 041: Guilt & Groove: A Conversation with Jim Ehrich

    FEB 10

    041: Guilt & Groove: A Conversation with Jim Ehrich

    When podcast host, Shep Rosenman, turned to Psalm 38, its haunting honesty became the heartbeat of his song “Don’t Turn Away From Me.” In this conversation, Jim Ehrich joins Shep to unpack how guilt, vulnerability, and longing for connection can become pathways toward "teshuvah"—repentance and renewal—through music.   As the two explore the intersection of sacred text and songwriting, Jim opens up about his journey as a leukemia survivor, the transformative moment of facing illness while expecting his daughter, and how that experience reshaped his understanding of faith beyond religious boundaries. Together, they reflect on the healing power of creativity and how music can turn pain into purpose.

    50 min

  6. FEB 3

    040: Rhythms of Radical Empathy: A Conversation with Avram Mandell

    In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, Avram Mandell—founder of Tzedek America—joins host Shep Rosenman for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about empathy, community, and the healing power of story and song. Through memories of New York City playgrounds, transformative civil rights journeys, and meaningful encounters across borders and on Skid Row, Avram reflects on how human connection can turn personal pain into strength and shared understanding. Inspired by the song “Waiting” (drawn from Psalm 89) by Liz Hanellin and Shep Rosenman, this episode invites listeners to explore how storytelling and music can bridge divides, challenge indifference, and ignite action. Together, they dive into immersive social justice programs, discuss the fight against hate in schools, and consider what it truly means to move from bystander to upstander in pursuit of a more compassionate world.

    1h 3m

  7. JAN 27

    039: Into the Wow: A Conversation with Dr. Sarah Bunin Benor

    What happens when ancient psalms meet modern songwriting? In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Dr. Sarah Bunin Benor to talk about “Into the Wow” — a song they wrote inspired by Psalm 118 that turns timeless text into fresh musical and spiritual expression.   Together, they explore what it means to find community at the heart of Judaism, to experience awe beyond traditional God-language, and to discover rituals that make everyday life feel sacred. Sarah reflects on her personal recovery, reimagines prayer through a human-centered lens, and shows how joy, creativity, and connection can become forms of faith.   From lyrical wordplay to musical multilingualism (check out Sarah's podcast, Heritage Words), this conversation dives deep into how Jewish language, melody, and meaning weave together — and how wonder can surface anywhere: in nature, in movement, in a shared meal, or in a simple moment of song.

    53 min

  8. JAN 13

    038: Cosmic Chorus: A Conversation with Rabbi Steve Greenberg

    This week's guest on The Rest is Commentary is Rabbi Steve Greenberg, founding director of Eshel, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ and their families in the Orthodox community.  Steve and host Shep Rosenman to dive into the song “Like Sailors”—a piece inspired by Psalm 148 and co-written by Shep and Liz Hanellin. Their conversation blends music, theology, and wonder, exploring what it means to stand in awe of creation and to see prayer as joining a vast cosmic chorus of praise.   The discussion widens into a moving exploration of moral responsibility: how we shape a world worthy of future generations, what inclusion looks like within Orthodox communities, and how different modes of prayer can transform us. Along the way, Rabbi Greenberg weaves in rich metaphors of ocean, river, and even “slinky time,” inviting us to hold past, present, and future together—with hope, curiosity, and heart.

    44 min
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9 Ratings

About

The Rest is Commentary is a podcast that explores connections through music, ancient wisdom, and conversations. Shep Rosenman is writing a song cycle inspired by the Psalms/Tehillim. In each episode, Shep offers one of his songs to a friend and they discuss whatever comes up, from the mundane to the sublime, the philosophical to the sophomoric, from dark and narrow places to wide open spaces of joy.

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