Common Faith

SiriusXM Podcasts
  • 4.2 (13)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A rabbi and a journalist walk into… not a bar, not a synagogue, but a SiriusXM podcast studio. Each week, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue, and Jon Frankel, formerly of Real Sports, will banter, question, and explore the big issues of our day through the lens of Jewish tradition and lived experience. The program is designed to be fun, thoughtful, and engaging—where faith matters, and conversation runs deep.

  1. 1D AGO

    Tzedakah in Action: Andres Spokoiny on Jewish Philanthropy

    What does it mean to give—and why does Jewish tradition place such deep emphasis on tzedakah? In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy-Award-winning journalist Jon Frankel explore the Jewish ethics of giving and the real-world challenges of philanthropy today. From childhood memories of the classic blue-and-white tzedakah box to questions about how we teach generosity to the next generation, the conversation examines how giving shapes both personal character and communal responsibility. They’re joined by Andres Spokoiny, President and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, who works with philanthropists around the world to expand and strengthen Jewish giving. Spokoiny shares insights from his global perspective on philanthropy—from the importance of strategic giving and collaboration to the challenges of fighting antisemitism, supporting Jewish education, and preparing the next generation of Jewish leaders. Along the way, the conversation tackles big questions: How should philanthropists decide where to give? What makes charitable giving truly effective? And in an age of crisis and rapid change, how can philanthropy help build a stronger future for Jewish life? From ancient teachings to modern strategy, this episode explores how tzedakah isn’t just about charity—it’s about responsibility, leadership, and shaping the world we want to live in.   Jewish Funders Networkhttps://www.jfunders.org/ Andres Spokoiny:https://www.andres-spokoiny.com/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue:https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  2. MAR 5

    Half-Jew, Full Life: Georgette Bennett on Identity, Survival, and the American Dream

    What does it mean to choose an identity — especially when that identity places you in danger? This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jon Frankel sit down with sociologist, author, and humanitarian leader Dr. Georgette Bennett to discuss her moving new book, Half-Jew–Full Life: The Unlikely Journey of a Voluntary Jew from Nazi Persecution to the American Dream. The book traces the life of Gary “Pips” Phillips — born to a Jewish father and Aryan mother in Berlin — who could have avoided deportation under Nazi racial laws. Instead, he insisted on embracing a Jewish identity. “Hitler made me a Jew,” he would later say. Pips went underground in Berlin, was arrested four times, escaped three times, and survived through a combination of ingenuity, unlikely mercy, and relentless will to live. But this conversation goes deeper than biography. Georgette Bennett shares her personal connection to Pips — who became a surrogate father to her after her own family escaped postwar Hungary — and reflects on the moral ambiguities she faced in telling his story. The episode explores survivor consciousness without romanticizing survival, the difference between survivor’s guilt and survival as resistance, and how trauma echoes across generations. Rabbi Cosgrove and Jon Frankel also examine how Jewish identity today must be rooted in more than Holocaust memory — in dignity, responsibility, and the biblical commandment to care for the stranger. In a time of renewed antisemitism and polarized politics, Bennett argues that Jews are not defined only by victimhood, but by civilizational contributions and moral imagination. A story of darkness, resilience, and full-hearted living.   Dr. Georgette Bennett: https://bennettny.com/ Half-Jew – Full Life:https://www.amazon.com/Half-Jew-Full-Life-Unlikely-Voluntary-Persecution-ebook/dp/B0FCG82D4Z   Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue:https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  3. FEB 26

    Purim and the ADL: Jonathan Greenblatt on Facing the Oldest Hatred

    Purim is known as Judaism’s most joyful holiday — costumes, hamantaschen, and celebration. But beneath the revelry lies a sobering truth: it is the story of an ancient antisemitic decree and the courage required to confront it. In this powerful episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jon Frankel explore the enduring relevance of the Purim story in a post–October 7 world. From Esther’s hidden identity to Mordechai’s defiant faith, they examine what it means to live as Jews in the Diaspora at a moment when antisemitism feels both resurgent and relentless. They wrestle with urgent questions: Are alliances protective or transactional? Is this a time to circle the wagons or build bridges? How should Jews balance compassion for others with vigilance for themselves? Joining the conversation is Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), who offers a clear-eyed analysis of today’s antisemitism — from political polarization and social media radicalization to foreign influence campaigns and campus unrest. He outlines what the ADL is doing to protect Jewish communities, defend civil rights, and confront hate in real time. This episode asks a timeless question with renewed urgency: Who knows whether we are here for such a time as this?   Anti-Defamation League https://www.adl.org Jonathan Greenblatt https://x.com/JGreenblattADL https://www.adl.org/who-we-are/leadership/staff/jonathan-greenblatt Never is Now: https://neverisnow.org/   Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    50 min

  4. FEB 19

    Faith on the Field: Jewish Athletes in America

    What happens when faith and Friday night lights collide? In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore what it means to live proudly Jewish lives at the highest levels of college athletics. In the first segment, they speak with Zevi Eckhaus, Division I quarterback and NFL hopeful, who shares what it’s like to navigate locker rooms where he may be the only observant Jew — and how he honored Yom Kippur while preparing for a college football game. From wearing both Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam tefillin to training for his pro day, Zevi reflects on loyalty, identity, and what it means to be an ambassador for Judaism in a sport that rarely sees Jewish representation. In the second segment, they’re joined by Elie Kligman, widely believed to be the first Orthodox Jewish player in Division I baseball. Ellie discusses navigating recruiting conversations about Shabbat observance, missing games for Jewish holidays, and explaining mezuzahs and kashrut to curious teammates. He reflects on what it means to represent not just himself, but the broader Jewish community — and why faith doesn’t have to be sacrificed for excellence. Together, these conversations raise larger questions: Can commitment to Jewish tradition coexist with elite athletic ambition? What does it mean to be visibly Jewish in spaces where few have encountered Judaism firsthand? And how do young leaders balance personal conviction with team culture? In a world that often pressures people to choose between identity and success, Zevi and Elie offer a different model — one of integration, pride, and quiet courage.   Zevi Eckhaus: https://wsucougars.com/sports/football/roster/zevi-eckhaus/14230 https://x.com/zevi_eckhaus?lang=en Elie Kligman: https://mgoblue.com/sports/baseball/roster/elie-kligman/27514 https://www.instagram.com/eklig.6/?hl=en Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    54 min

  5. FEB 12

    Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: The Unlikely Voice of Faith and Belonging

    What does it mean to belong—especially when you’ve spent much of your life feeling like an outsider? This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel welcome one of the most influential Jewish leaders in America, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue and author of the bestselling memoir Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging. Born in Korea, raised in the United States, and long made to feel like an “unlikely” Jew, Rabbi Buchdahl reflects on a lifetime of navigating identity, faith, and difference—both inside and outside the Jewish community. In a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, she shares how feeling like a stranger ultimately shaped her theology, her leadership, and her understanding of what Jewish tradition demands of us today. Together, the hosts explore the Jewish imperative to care for the outsider, the tension between belonging and exclusion, and how American Jews are once again grappling with feeling “othered” in spaces that once felt like home. The conversation also examines pluralism, political division within Jewish life, and the responsibility of religious leaders to hold diverse—and often conflicting—communities together with humility and moral clarity. At a moment when so many people feel unmoored, Rabbi Buchdahl offers a powerful reframing: that knowing the heart of the stranger is not a weakness, but a core Jewish strength—and a blueprint for empathy, resilience, and shared humanity.   Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: https://centralsynagogue.org/ https://www.instagram.com/rabbibuchdahl/?hl=en Her Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697350/heart-of-a-stranger-by-angela-buchdahl/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  6. FEB 5

    Being Jewish in Public: Jonah Platt on Identity, Advocacy, and Culture

    In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel sit down with Jonah Platt—actor, musician, producer, Jewish advocate, and host of the hit podcast Being Jewish—for an honest conversation about Jewish identity, pride, and public life in a post–October 7 world. Jonah reflects on his journey from stage and screen to becoming one of the most visible Jewish voices online, explaining how advocacy became not just a choice, but a calling. He shares why he launched Being Jewish, the importance of normalizing Jewish conversations in public spaces, and what it means to create a welcoming, inclusive platform for Jews across the spectrum—as well as for non-Jewish allies. The conversation explores the state of Jewish representation in Hollywood, the challenges and opportunities facing Jewish storytellers today, and the personal cost—or lack thereof—of speaking out unapologetically as a Jew. Jonah also addresses difficult questions about antisemitism, anti-Zionism, propaganda, and why so many Jews feel unprepared to defend their identity in today’s media landscape. Jonah offers a compelling vision for the Jewish future, emphasizing Jewish education, intentional Jewish living, and the importance of modeling Jewish values at home. He also shares the weekly rituals that anchor his own Jewish life. Then, with the Super Bowl approaching, the episode closes with a light, fun football segment featuring Adam Kupfer—Rabbi Cosgrove’s nephew—full of sports talk, Super Bowl predictions, and a playful head-to-head game.   Jonah Platt’s Podcast: https://beingjewishpodcast.com Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  7. JAN 29

    Amy Spitalnick on Jewish Safety, Democracy, and the Work of JCPA

    In a moment when Jewish identity, democracy, and political loyalty feel increasingly put at odds, Common Faith asks a necessary and urgent question: Can Jewish safety and universal democratic values truly coexist? Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel are joined by Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, for a wide-ranging conversation on antisemitism, democracy, Israel, and the false choices facing American Jews today. Drawing on history, personal experience, and the realities of post–October 7 politics, Spitalnick explains why antisemitism is not only a threat to Jews but a warning sign for democracy itself. From coalition-building and campus culture to local elections and national politics, this episode challenges listeners to reject zero-sum thinking and embrace the complexity required to protect both Jewish safety and democratic values in a polarized age.   Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA):  https://jewishpublicaffairs.org Amy Spitalnick – CEO, JCPA:  https://jewishpublicaffairs.org/our-team/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  8. JAN 22

    Kathrin Meyer on Holocaust Remembrance and Moral Responsibility

    As the generation of Holocaust survivors dwindles and antisemitism resurges across the globe, the work of remembrance has never been more urgent—or more complex. On this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel are joined by Kathrin Meyer, current Board Member for The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights (TOLI), former Secretary General of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and recipient of the 2025 Anne Frank Special Recognition Award. They share in a timely and essential conversation about Holocaust memory and moral responsibility today. Meyer reflects on what Holocaust remembrance means in a rapidly changing world—one marked by historical distortion, political polarization, and the erosion of shared truth. She discusses the challenges of preserving accurate Holocaust education across borders, combating denial and trivialization, and helping younger generations understand why this history still matters. The conversation moves beyond memory as commemoration alone, asking what remembrance demands of us now. How should the lessons of the Holocaust inform civic life, human rights, and the fight against antisemitism in the present? And how can remembrance remain meaningful when history feels increasingly contested? This episode is a sober, thoughtful exploration of memory not as the past—but as a living moral obligation.    Dr. Kathrin Meyer: https://www.toli.us/ The Anne Frank Award: https://holocaustremembrance.com/news/kathrin-meyer-2025-anne-frank-award Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min
See All (27)

Trailer

Shows with Subscription Benefits

Ad-Free Listening to New Episodes and More

$5.99/mo or $44.99/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

A rabbi and a journalist walk into… not a bar, not a synagogue, but a SiriusXM podcast studio. Each week, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue, and Jon Frankel, formerly of Real Sports, will banter, question, and explore the big issues of our day through the lens of Jewish tradition and lived experience. The program is designed to be fun, thoughtful, and engaging—where faith matters, and conversation runs deep.

Information

  • Channel
    SiriusXM Podcasts
  • Creator
    SiriusXM
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright SiriusXM 2025
  • Show Website
    Common Faith
  • Provider
    Sirius XM Radio Inc

More From SiriusXM Podcasts

You Might Also Like