32 episodes

Pastor Matt Shultz and Rabbi Abram Goodstein discuss their experiences as clergy and their faith communities. Each month they share their religious ideology and show that there is more that divines us than divides us.

What Divines Us whatdivinesus

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 5.0 • 12 Ratings

Pastor Matt Shultz and Rabbi Abram Goodstein discuss their experiences as clergy and their faith communities. Each month they share their religious ideology and show that there is more that divines us than divides us.

    Episode 31: The Hamas-Israel Conflict revisited

    Episode 31: The Hamas-Israel Conflict revisited

    In this episode Rabbi Abram and Reverent Matt Shultz reflect on the vigil they organized to honor the unhoused individuals who passed away in Anchorage in 2023. Link to the vigil is here on facebook.
     
    Abram and Matt next debate the importance of cemeteries in a community.
     
    Then Abram and Matt revisit the conflict in the Middle East. They debate the meaning of a ceasefire. Rabbi Abram illustrates how harmful this war has been for the Jewish community. And they discuss the nuances required to understand the scope of this conflict and how it difficult it is to convey these nuances.
    Finally they conclude with conversation on the scourge of cicadas.
     

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Episode 30: Advocacy

    Episode 30: Advocacy

    In this Episode Pastor Matt reveals that he has a Jewish great great great grandfather. Then Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt discuss the role of advocacy among clergy. They then move the conversation about the Vigil they are planning in memoriam of the unhoused neighbors who passed away last year. They end episode with Matt unpacking the “He Gets Us” advertising campaign seen at the Super Bowl.

    • 53 min
    Episode 29: What kind of American are you?

    Episode 29: What kind of American are you?

    Hi folks,
     
    In this episode of WDU Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt cover a lot.
     
    Here is the short list - Matt and Abram discuss Christmas, Matt analyzes how people treat each other in pop culture and social media, Matt reveals his disdain for pickup trucks, Matt and Abram attempt to understand MAGA voters, Abram offers an update on the Israel-Hamas war, they plan a vigil for the unhoused who have died in Anchorage, and Matt offers a review from the off broadway show of Come From Away. 

    • 54 min
    Episode 28: The Israel-Hamas conflict

    Episode 28: The Israel-Hamas conflict

    In this episode Rabbi Abram opens up about the Israel - Hamas conflict and what it means for the Jewish community. Then to lighten the mood Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt talk about D&D which means Dungeons and Dragons.
     
    These links will make more sense once you hear the podcast:
    Alaska Judaism Media: https://www.youtube.com/@alaskajudaismmedia7230/featured
    Rabbi Abram's sermon on Antisemitism: https://youtu.be/g6tqdRVmCzk?si=UdTrIBzbftCi-fel
    Top Alaskan Politicians support of Israel:
    Governor Dunleavy: https://youtu.be/lrOuHvQgM-E?si=fmhm7cXOPZ3tcK6c
    Senator Murkowski: https://youtu.be/2oQRbUh6xec?si=4g3Sqn3qX4ijJ6iP
    Senator Sullivan: https://youtu.be/61rQADzUO34?si=whgTFYkzOqVBQbiC
     

    • 55 min
    Episode 27: Unpacking Political Dog Whistles

    Episode 27: Unpacking Political Dog Whistles

    Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram are back after a summer break. In this months episode Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram examine some local religious organizations and show they break the 10 commandments. They discuss the value of Ranked Choice Voting. They explain how religious and hateful organizations use dog whistles to convey hateful messages. They discuss why Evangelical Christian organizations support people like Donald Trump. Finally Pastor Matt would like everyone to know that he is seeing Hamilton. 

    • 55 min
    Episode 26: Magical Thinking

    Episode 26: Magical Thinking

    In this episode of What Divines Us Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram discuss the problems and benefits of magical thinking in religion. Rabbi Abram reports on his community hosting a Drag Story Hour. Pastor Matt offers an update on Anchorage's Homeless criss. Finally Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt discuss their frustration over Texas attempting to put the 10 commandments in every classroom.

    • 59 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

Jamborghin1 ,

Helpful

Couldn’t have found anything more specific to my current needs at the moment, thank you!

KiekinFielders ,

Excellent!

Loved episode 1! Can’t wait for more.

PJHilltopper ,

Paula Jennings

Thank you for this fun and educational collaboration. Well done!

Top Podcasts In Religion & Spirituality

The Bible Recap
Tara-Leigh Cobble
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
Girls Gone Bible
Girls Gone Bible
In Totality with Megan Ashley
Megan Ashley
BibleProject
BibleProject Podcast
WHOA That's Good Podcast
Sadie Robertson Huff