Living Our Beliefs Meli Solomon

Episode 65.
This is the second part of my conversation with Audrey Reich. In this second part, Audrey talks about how she incorporates her Jewish teachings and values into her art classes, creating a diverse and open environment for her students. Whether teaching in a Jewish school or a secular school in New York City, Audrey's experiences with students from various cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds have inspired her to foster open dialogue and appreciation for different perspectives. She also reflects on her personal art, and how her artworks have been influenced by her visits to Tarnów, Poland where her father’s family comes from. 

Highlights:
·       Teaching art in Jewish and secular K-12 schools with diverse student populations.
·       Engaging discussions about international events like the funeral of Queen Elizabeth.
·       Managing open discussions and differing opinions in the classroom.
·       Personal experiences and connections related to Jewish history and heritage.
·       Discovering personal connections and roots in Tarnów relating to her family history.
·       Audrey's personal art and how it reflects her experiences.


Social Media links for Audrey:
Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center – https://hhrecny.org/generations-forward/#unger

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/14866705-art-as-a-tool-for-cultural-understanding-audrey-reich


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
 
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 64.
Since Muslims are currently celebrating Ramadan, Nayma has graciously returned to the podcast to share her experience of the annual holiday, what she does and why it is important to her. For Nayma, Ramadan is a capsule of light, a pause button releasing her from the hamster wheel of daily life. She takes us on a journey through the traditions of iftar, the unique aspects of Ramadan in Bangladesh and the U.S., as well as the profound impact of fasting on the mind, body, and spirit. She reveals the spiritual significance and explains the critical elements of the annual month-long holiday: fasting, breaking the fast in community, prayer, reading the Qur’an, and giving charity.

Highlights:
·       A celebration of strength and mindfulness.
·       Connection with God and engagement with the community.
·       Mindful practices and self-restraint.
·       Amplification of prayers and attention to God.
·       Detox for mind, body, and soul.
·       Variety of iftar meals in the US compared to Bangladesh.

References:
Nayma's episode #26 - Grateful to God
https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/podcast-1/episode/7a113141/26-nayma-tasnim-islam-grateful-to-god

Yaqueen Institute articles on Ramadan –
- https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/how-does-ramadan-work-a-beginners-guide
- https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/pillar-4-what-is-the-purpose-of-fasting

Recipe – Beguni (Chickpea flour battered deep fried eggplant):

Ingredients: 
4 Tbl. Chickpea flour
One 4-5" eggplant
Chotpoti Moshola (Chat Masala)
Cayennne Pepper and Cumin Powder (alt. to Chat Masala)
Salt
Oil (for deep frying)

Steps:
Cut eggplant in half lengthwise and 2-3" wide slices.Mix Chickpea flour with salt and Chotpoti Mashala (Chat Masala). Add water to make a thick paste. Season the batter with Chotpoti Moshola (Chat Masala) or ground Cayenne pepper, ground Cumin and salt.Heat oil in a frying pan for deep frying.Season eggplant slices with cayenne pepper (optional), cumin and salt to taste.Coat the eggplant slices with seasoned chickpea batter and deep fry them until golden brown. Serve hot with Tamarind sauce, Raita, Tzatziki or sour cream.
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/14781162

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. Learning about how Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith can prompt questions and exploration.  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
 
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 63.
Audrey Reich is an artist and art teacher in New York and is also involved in Holocaust education. Audrey is a speaker and board member of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center. Daughter of two Holocaust survivors, she credits her parents with modeling awe and appreciation, openness and curiosity. Despite their trauma, deportations, and long paths to the U.S. they each managed to heal some and focus on building a new future. They neither dwelt in the past nor forgot it. Audrey has much to share, so I have made it into two parts. In this first part, we talk about her family, childhood, Poland, and begin exploring her teaching. 

Highlights:
·       The evolution of Audrey's engagement with the Jewish community, from a conservative synagogue to an open modern orthodox community
·       Audrey’s parents are Holocaust survivors. The impact of their resilience and curiosity about life, is evident in their openness to different backgrounds and stories.
·       The importance of active remembrance of the past, coupled with a focus on reconciliation and moving forward rather than living in anger and resentment.
·       Audrey's exploration of Poland and China to document her family's story and her role as the family's storyteller.
·       Audrey's efforts to bridge cultural differences, particularly in relation to the Jewish community in Poland.
·       Audrey's approach to educating students about the Holocaust, emphasizing the role of active witnesses and the impact of carrying on the victims' stories.
·       Lessons learned from art history and Judaism, and how they intersect in the appreciation of nature, craftsmanship, and the ability to create something from nothing.



Social Media links for Audrey:
Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center – https://hhrecny.org/generations-forward/#unger


Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/14687177


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 


Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
 


The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 62.
Esteemed scholar Dr. Amir Hussain, Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), author of five books, and immediate past President of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) joins me for a lively discussion of the contemporary Muslim experience in North America. Despite the presence of Muslims arrived in the US in the first slave ships, the long history of participation in American society has gone unnoticed and unappreciated. Certainly, since the September 11 terrorist attack and now again with the war in Gaza, Muslims have been subject to harassment and Islamophobia. Many such acts of hate are motivated by inaccurate and misguided assumptions about Muslims, who they are and what they believe. The day-to-day life is not all bad nor is it the same in every place. Amir and I cover these and other topic in this engaging conversation.


Highlights:
·       Diversity within American Islam, including ethnic and sectarian differences
·       Cooperation and understanding between different religious groups in the U.S.
·       Stereotypes within the Muslim and Jewish communities
·       Coexistence, integration, and blending into society for minority communities
·       Misperceptions about Islam and Muslims
·       Importance of education in changing perceptions and the need for diverse Muslim representation

Social Media links for Amir: 
Loyola Marymount University – http://faculty.lmu.edu/amirhussain/
American Academy of Religion (AAR), Immediate Past President – American Academy of Religion

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/podcast-1/episode/7f3bd8f1/bonus-understanding-the-american-muslim-experience-dr-amir-hussain


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 


Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
 
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 61. 
Rabba Sally Shore-Wittenberg and Anastasia Solberg join me  for a compelling discussion about Psalm 105, one of Rabbi Nachman’s ten Psalms for General Remedy. Using different translations, we delve into its connection to the Passover story and the roles of Joseph and Moses. Themes include  seeking divine intervention, the power of individuals in the face of challenges, and the symbolic implications of seeking God's presence. 

Highlights:
·       Plagues struck Egypt, leading to Israel's exodus.
·       Role of key figures Joseph and Moses.
·       Desperate cry from the pit of despair.
·       Personal agency and divine intervention.
·       Meaning of "seeking God's face".

Books and People Referenced in this episode:
·       Ten Psalms for General Remedy, according to Rabbi Nachman –
        Psalms 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150
·       Robert Alter, The Book of Psalms 
·       Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, 1808-1888
·       Gaya Aranoff Bernstein, Psalmsongs 
·       Koren Weekday Siddur (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks translation)
·       Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, 1772-1810
 
Social Media links for the guests:
Rabba Sally Shore-Wittenberg, Kerhonkson Synagogue – https://www.kerhonksonsynagogue.org
Anastasia Solberg, The Music Institute of Sullivan and Ulster Counties, Ellenville NY – https://misucatskills.org/
 
Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/14549506-exploring-psalm-105-r-sally-shore-wittenberg-anastasia-solberg-meli-solomon

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. Hearing about how Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, offer new ideas and questions:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there a practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
 
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 60.
Bec’s many strands of deep Jewish beliefs and practice in Reconstructionist Judaism are woven through her creative expressions. Inspired during her rabbinic school years, she has since become a soferet (Torah scribe) and potter. She has also become a mother. Contrary to many people’s complaints about stress and conflicts between differing aspects of their lives, for Bec her scribal arts, pottery, and parenting feed each other, adding much richness and creative outlets to her life. Tune in to learn about the inspiration and experience, and how that creativity is inherently accessible, healing, and liberatory. 

Highlights:
·       Steeped in the Reconstructionist community since childhood.
·       Repairing Torah scrolls involves energy and intention.
·       Bringing Torah to life through hands-on experiences.
·       Living a life that is sacred, creative, connected to nature, and intertwined with others.
·       The impact of gender on Bec's work as a female scribe.
·       Integration of pottery, rabbinical studies, being a soferet, and motherhood.
·       Reconstructionist Judaism values tradition but welcomes evolution.

Social Media links for Bec:
Website – https://www.kotevetstudios.com/ 

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/14461216


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 


Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org



The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/