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. Searching for Kurdish Swag

    JUN 6

    Searching for Kurdish Swag

    We haven’t spoken since John’s dog ate the afikoman, and we discuss his Omer success and Asher’s Omer challenges. In the meantime, Asher continues his amazing world travels, this time to Kurdistan on an interfaith mission with his Chaldean friends. We discuss that region’s deep connection to Jewish history, including minor prophets like Nachum (John had to Google him). We then discuss Trump’s anti-antisemitism efforts, and our gratitude that adults are finally in the room on college campuses. Asher ends by describing the Wild West way in which new Jewish holidays are established. 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

    45 min
  2. Matir Asurim

    APR 10

    Matir Asurim

    Did Asher visit Africa to avoid Pesach cleaning? We discuss his recent trip to Ghana (after Syria), and John suspects that Asher is a CIA officer. Asher describes the slave trade artifacts he witnessed, and contrasts them to slavery in the ancient Jewish tradition. He then answers Passover FAQs and reminds us to remember the goal of our seders. We grapple with having gratitude for freedom while our people remain in tunnels. Of course, no Jewish podcast is complete without referencing a problematic case of someone shouting “Heil Hitler.” 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
  3. Ambassador Rabbi Lopatin

    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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Sanctioned by Iran

    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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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