Kehillat Israel Podcasts Kehillat Israel

This podcast is in-depth, but not overwhelming. It reminds me of a “College Torah/Old Testament 150 Class” and would likely be appreciated by people from many religious traditions. The rabbi is interesting and does a great job of keeping everyone engaged, without “lowering” herself to doing silly jokes that tend to fall flat, especially in today’s “Zoom” culture. I have learned a lot and am very grateful to have found this podcast. Finally, “hats off” to the online “students” for politely participating, without talking “over” one another, grandstanding, or interrupting one another.... You probably have no idea of how refreshing it is to “attend” with such a polite group, but you are definitely appreciated……………………………,… ********AUGUST 2023 ADDENDUM ******** ——2-STARS—— Today’s show was extremely disappointing since it (unfortunately) devolved into a discussion in which participants showed clear symptoms of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (without any indication of how they “contracted” the “disease”); expressed fears of the police; and discussed their fears of being run-down by “white nationalists” (if they chose to protest)….. No doubt, those who lost their lives, saw their businesses close, and suffered billions in damage during the “mostly peaceful protests” of Summer 2020; those who were murdered, permanently disabled, and injured by (an apparently driverless) vehicle in Waukesha; those who are terrified to walk and play in the excrement/needle/crime-filled streets of Seattle, San Francisco, LA, Chicago, and NYC; and those who have been left behind and forgotten in rural/small town America would respectfully disagree….. I’ll continue to keep this show on my weekly playlist (for now), but would prefer that overtly political discussions not pollute my podcasts.

The Rabbi has a great wit and great depth of historical and cultural knowledge, as well as a modern critical lens - you learn a lot and never have to suspend any disbelief to get meaning out of each podcast. It’s like taking a class every week with a favorite professor!

Rabbi Amy Bernstein is a talented, passionate and knowledgable teacher of Torah. If you want to study Torah at a very high level, listen to her weekly podcasts. Excellent.