The Kehillah RVA Podcast

KehillahRVA.org

Where community becomes conversation, and Judaism comes alive. This podcast is your front door to Kehillah—Richmond, Virginia’s independent, progressive Jewish community. Through stories, spiritual insights, and moments of real connection, you’ll get to know what makes Kehillah different: we’re not just a synagogue—we’re the Jewish home you always wanted. Hosted by Rabbi Patrick Beaulier, each episode features reflections on Jewish wisdom, creative contributions from Kehillah members, and updates on how this radically welcoming community is inspiring people spiritually, intellectually, and socially. 🌐 Website: kehillahrva.org 📲 Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 💛 Support the community: kehillahrva.org/donate

  1. Aug 24

    What Do We Owe God? An early take on Rosh Hashanah

    OK - you know I'm supposed to give a class like "what is Rosh Hashanah" but you all can find AI slop to help you learn that. Instead, how about "What do we owe God"? Seems on-theme for the High Holy Days. Maybe the answer isn't about figuring out exactly what God wants. Maybe it's about what we have that God doesn't have: our humanity. If being alive is a blessing, then what are we going to do with the fact that we're here? Upcoming Kehillah Events Saturday, September 12 @ 10:00 AM Free Rosh Hashanah Day Torah Service Diversity Richmond, Northside RSVP Saturday, September 12 @ 12:00–8:00 PM Rosh Hashanah Tent at VA Pridefest Midtown Green RSVP See all upcoming Kehillah events Community Partner: Commonwealth Autism Autism & Neuroinclusivity in the Workplace Training Training for individuals, organizations, and businesses building more inclusive workplaces. Register Birdies for Charity Donations to Commonwealth Autism receive an additional 10% through the Birdies for Charity fundraiser. Donate Career Readiness & Employment Cohort The next cohort begins September 14. Applications are open for people looking to build job skills and move toward meaningful employment. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

  2. Jul 20

    The FREE SYNAGOGUE Movement

    Should Judaism be accessible before someone can afford it? The Free Synagogue Movement was built around:  A free pulpit  Freedom of conscience  No pew rentals  No required dues  Equality and social justice And that's Kehillah. At a time when many people feel disconnected from institutions, perhaps people are not looking for less community. Perhaps they are looking for a different kind of community. Let's talk about it. Upcoming Kehillah Events 📅 Friday, August 7 @ 6:00 PM Shabbat Service & Dinner Commonwealth Autism (Bon Air) 📅 Friday, August 14 @ 6:00 PM Home Hosted Shabbat Hosted by Joel (Woodlake) 📅 Friday, August 28 @ 6:00 PM Home Hosted Shabbat Hosted by Natalie (Glen Allen) RSVP: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/ Support Kehillah If this vision of Jewish community matters to you, consider supporting Kehillah: https://kehillahrva.org/donate/ Community Partner Spotlight: Commonwealth Autism Autism & Neuroinclusivity in the Workplace A foundational training for individuals, organizations, and businesses seeking to build more inclusive communities and workplaces. LEARN MORE: https://www.commonwealthautism.org/ Craft and Read Along 📍 Good Foods Grocery  📅 July 23, 2026 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM A fun morning for children ages 3–7 featuring crafts, reading, and a sweet treat from The Baking Agent. RSVP: https://goodfoodsgrocery.com/events-calendar/ Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

  3. Jul 13

    Recap of Shabbat at Commonwealth Autism | Kehillah Volunteer Opportunities

    A big thanks to Jacob, Joe, Martha, Robin and everyone who volunteered to make our first Shabbat at Commonwealth Autism possible. While the rabbi is away on vacay, enjoy this sneak peek at volunteer opportunities. If you'd like to get more involved in our social circles and ambassadorship (aka hanging out with new people) fill out this form: https://kehillahrva.org/social-circles/ From our friends at Commonwealth Autism Autism & Neuroinclusivity in the Workplace This is a foundational training offered to individuals, organizations or businesses looking to build inclusive culture into their communities. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992565694631?aff=oddtdtcreator Craft and Read Along Date & Time: July 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time) Location: Good Foods Grocery Join us for a fun-filled read along and craft day designed especially for children ages 3 to 7! Kids will get creative making their very own paper mouse ears before all the little mouses get to reading along to the classic, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Then finish up with a sweet treat from local vendor, The Baking Agent. We hope you can join us! Craft and Read Along Tickets, Thursday, July 23  •  11 AM - 12:30 PM | Eventbrite Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

  4. Jun 22

    False Nostalgia — Why We Sometimes Want to Go Back

    Why do people return to unhealthy relationships, destructive habits, or situations they worked so hard to escape? And why does Rabbi Patrick watch Halloween commercials from 1988? In this episode of the Kehillah Podcast, Rabbi Patrick explores the phenomenon of false nostalgia through the lens of the Torah's wilderness narratives. Topics include:  Why the Israelites repeatedly wanted to return to Egypt  The difference between healthy remembrance and false nostalgia  How addiction, unhealthy relationships, and family systems can keep us stuck in resisting positive change, and wishing we could go back to unhealthy times in our life And what to do when we find ourselves daydreaming about the past, when we need to move into a brighter future.Also -- real transformation rarely happens alone. The path forward is often found not in returning to what was, but in finding people who can help us build what comes next. Kehillah is there for you, exactly for that. Learn more about Kehillah: https://kehillahrva.org Support the podcast and our community: https://kehillahrva.org/donate Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

About

Where community becomes conversation, and Judaism comes alive. This podcast is your front door to Kehillah—Richmond, Virginia’s independent, progressive Jewish community. Through stories, spiritual insights, and moments of real connection, you’ll get to know what makes Kehillah different: we’re not just a synagogue—we’re the Jewish home you always wanted. Hosted by Rabbi Patrick Beaulier, each episode features reflections on Jewish wisdom, creative contributions from Kehillah members, and updates on how this radically welcoming community is inspiring people spiritually, intellectually, and socially. 🌐 Website: kehillahrva.org 📲 Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 💛 Support the community: kehillahrva.org/donate