Hashivenu

This is Rabbi Deborah Waxman. Thanks so much for listening to our podcast, “Hashivenu: Jewish teachings on resilience.” Our next regular episode is on its way in February. But I wanted to take a moment to let you know about our organization’s new name: Reconstructing Judaism.Support HashivenuLinks: ReconstructingJudaism.org Who We Are and What We Do — Reconstructing Judaism. This phrase embodies the decades-long, evolving mission of all who have been a part of Reconstructionist Judaism. Now, Reconstructing Judaism is the new name of the central organization of the Reconstructionist movement, replacing the former: Reconstructionist Rabbinical College & Jewish Reconstructionist Communities.

In a wide-ranging conversation about ecology, Tu B'Shvat and shmittah (sabbatical year), Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb and Rabbi Deborah Waxman explore the ways in which Jewish tradition and ecological consciousness provide compelling models for resilience and sustainability. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.Special Guest: Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb.Support HashivenuLinks: Adat Shalom — Adat Shalom has a rich and varied history, rooted in an evolving and active Judaism. We are a participatory member-led congregation of singles and families, dedicated to providing innovative and egalitarian services and leadership to our community. Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) | Protecting Creation, Generation to Generation — The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) deepens and broadens the Jewish community’s commitment to stewardship and protection of the Earth through outreach, activism and Jewish learning. Writings by Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb 10 Prayers and Rituals for the Environment from Ritualwell Hazon Shmita Project — The Shmita Project is working to expand awareness about the biblical Sabbatical tradition, and to bring the values of this practice to life today to support healthier, more sustainable Jewish communities. Resilience.org — Resilience.org aims to support building community resilience in a world of multiple emerging challenges: the decline of cheap energy, the depletion of critical resources like water, complex environmental crises like climate change and biodiversity loss, and the social and economic issues which are linked to these.

In challenging times, we often search for firm ground to stand on. In this interview with Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Rabbi Deborah Waxman explores mindfulness as a path that can anchor us, nourish our Jewish lives, and sustain us as we strive to fulfill our Jewish values. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.Special Guest: Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell.Support HashivenuLinks: 10 Mindfulness Rituals and Meditations from Ritualwell — In honor of the launch of the new podcast Hashivenu: Jewish teachings on resilience, created by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, we are highlighting rituals that have sustained the Jewish people throughout history. In the January 2018 episode we learn about Jewish mindfulness and meditation from Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell. Below are 10 mindfulness rituals and meditations recommended by Ritualwell.  On Resiliency: Cedar and Reed (Video) — A Jewish mindfulness teaching and practice based on the Talmud, Ta'anit 20a. There are different models for how to be strong in the midst of a storm -- try that of the reed. With Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Cultivating Mindful Leaders. Revitalizing Judaism. — We believe that leaders who engage in Jewish spiritual practices that are grounded in mindfulness are better equipped to contribute to building Jewish communities that are vibrant, resilient, and wise; they are able to meaningfully address the brokenness of our world. Our Guest in the News

The story of Hanukkah invites us to kindle lights in the darkness, and to overcome despair with hope and action. In this spirit, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum reflects on the extraordinary work of her community, and how it embodies the fundamental connection between spiritual life and social activism. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.Special Guest: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum.Support HashivenuLinks: 18 Rituals for Social Activism from Ritualwell — Below are 18 rituals which address, inspire, and motivate social activism, as recommended by Ritualwell.  House of Peace Jewish-Muslim Outreach Jews And Muslims Come Together In These Touching Photos — On a recent Friday, members of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) arrived at the Islamic Center at New York University in ponchos and rain boots. They dried their laminated signs that read, “Jewish New Yorkers support our Muslim neighbors,” and greeted worshippers attending the weekly Jummah Prayer. CBST: Building a Bold Spiritual Community of Resistance and Love | Congregation Beit Simchat Torah — CBST is engaging in a process of discerning what it will be to be a powerful spiritual community of resistance and love. This is a marathon - as Heschel said in 1944 - just as evil as the forces of fascism are, we must be as forcefully good. Shabbat at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

According to Rabbi Shefa Gold, “Chant is the bridge between the inner life and the outer expression; between the solitary practice and the shared beauty of fellowship.” She has set verses from Jewish liturgy and from the Hebrew Bible to chants that are both beautiful and meditative. This episode explores how the ancient practice of chanting can cultivate renewal while bringing traditional liturgy to life. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.Special Guest: Rabbi Shefa Gold.Support HashivenuLinks: Rabbi Shefa Gold — Rabbi Shefa Gold develops and leads Hebrew chants based on Jewish sacred texts for transformative spiritual growth. Flavors of Gratefulness App | Rabbi Shefa Gold — With Rabbi Shefa Gold’s app you can awaken to all the many dimensions of gratefulness with Modah Ani. Wake up each day to a new melody to fuel the intention (kavanah) to see and recognize God’s Face in the details of the upcoming day. Chants & Practices | Rabbi Shefa Gold — This page lists all the chants & practices in alphabetical order with links to the chants. (In the submenu, you can also view chant listings by the ‘categories’ used in The Magic of Hebrew Chant.) Click the chant’s name to see the full page for that chant. Resilience: Im aylech — To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio players. Psalm 138:7 — Psalm 138:7, the source text of the chant included in this episode. Ritualwell: 10 Rituals Which Feature or Include Chanting

The upcoming holiday of Sukkot is known as z'man simkhateynu, the season of our joy. In keeping with that theme, Rabbi Seth Goldstein joins us for a special episode on humor. Whether opening us to laughter and joy, or easing the way in difficult times, humor can be a powerful path toward resilience. Bonus feature! Check out Rabbi Deborah Brin's video on Laughter Yoga at Vimeo. Find out more about the show at About, and learn about our theme song at Theme Song. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.Special Guest: Rabbi Seth Goldstein.Support HashivenuLinks: 4 Rituals Acknowledging Humor from Ritualwell.org — In honor of the podcast Hashivenu, we are highlighting rituals that have sustained the Jewish people throughout history. In the third episode, we learn about how humor offers a tool to lighten the darkness. Here are 4 unique rituals which acknowledge humor, recommended by Ritualwell. Carpooling with Rabbi — Seth Goldstein's video series. "When Kirsten was the Community Engagement Coordinator at my congregation, she lived just a few blocks from my son’s school. After I did the morning drop off I needed to pass by her house on the way to work. So I offered to give her a ride…" Torah tl;dr — Seth Goldstein's micro-Torah-podcast. "Torah tl;dr injects a little wisdom into your day, giving you a highlight of the Torah portion in 60 seconds. New podcasts every Friday, just in time for Shabbat." "The Spanish Inquisition" from Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part I" — See the movie segment referred to in this episode. Wikipedia article on Jewish Humor — Jewish humour is the long tradition of humour in Judaism dating back to the Torah and the Midrash from the ancient Middle East, but generally refers to the more recent stream of verbal and often anecdotal humour of Ashkenazi Jewry which took root in the United States over the last hundred years, including in secular Jewish culture...Jewish humor, while diverse, favors wordplay, irony, and satire, and its themes are highly anti-authoritarian, mocking religious and secular life alike. Laughter Yoga with Rabbi Deborah Brin Rabbi Deborah Brin's homepage

As the High Holiday season approaches, Jewish people across the world begin to reflect on their behavior of the past year. They wonder: what does it mean to forgive? What does it mean to seek forgiveness? In a conversation with Rabbi Vivie Mayer, we explore the complexities of teshuvah (repentance) and ways to seek it as the Jewish new year approaches and throughout the year. Find out more about the show at About, and learn about our theme song at Theme Song. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.Special Guest: Rabbi Vivie Mayer.Support HashivenuLinks: 10 Rituals to Assist with Making Teshuvah (Ritualwell.org) — Below are 10 unique Teshuvah rituals recommended by Ritualwell.  Reconstructionist Approach to Teshuvah (ReconstructingJudaism.org) — A study sheet on the evolving concept of teshuvah over the ages. Mahzor Leyamim Nora'im (Reconstructionist Press Bookstore) — Our Mahzor is an inclusive, comprehensive volume for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services; one that is rooted in the traditional Hebrew liturgy, yet fully contemporary. Listen to Dodi Tzafati Lach (Rabbi Shefa Gold) Teshuvah and Compassion (ReconstructingJudaism.org) — This study sheet on teshuvah and compassion draws our attention to the interplay between our ability to forgive others, and God's ability to forgive us.  Finding Forgiveness (ReconstructingJudaism.org — A personal reflection on the ins and outs of finding, and granting, forgiveness. Bedtime Shema Writing Project (Ritualwell.org) Sylvia Boorstein's website

In this episode of Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D., talks about one of the deepest and best known of Jewish practices, Shabbat. We read about this ancient practice in Genesis, with God creating the world in six days and then resting on the seventh—and from that, we get the concept of a day of rest. Rabbi Staub is a professor of Jewish philosophy and spirituality at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He’s written widely on many topics, including a beautiful extended chapter on the Jewish Sabbath in “A Guide to Jewish Practice, Volume 2 – Shabbat and Holidays,” published by the RRC Press. You are invited to review the chapter by clicking on the link under Episode Links, below. Find out more about the show at About, and learn about our theme song at Theme Song. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.Special Guest: Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D..Support HashivenuLinks: Chapters on Shabbat from “A Guide to Jewish Practice, Volume 2 – Shabbat and Holidays” 10 Unique Shabbat Rituals on Ritualwell.org Shabbat Resources from ReconstructingJudaism.org