Central Synagogue Podcast

The Shulkhan Arukh is known as the corpus of Jewish law, but how should contemporary Reform Jews form a relationship to this text? Join Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau for a fascinating conversation with Alyssa Gray, PhD, about halakha (Jewish law) and its touchstone text the Shulkhan Arukh.Additional info can be found here: Overview ⋮ The Jewish Bookshelf: Shulkhan Arukh with Alyssa Gray, PhD ⋮ Blackthorn Events

Sermon by Cantor Jenna Pearsall, "Making Room for Shalom"February 6, 2026

Sermon by Cantor Dan Mutlu, "Guardians of Sacred Sound"January 30, 2026

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "BO: 'GO!'"January 23, 2026

Reflections from Eric K. Ward, "You Are Here for a Reason"January 16, 2026

The Installation of Rabbi Rachael Houser with Rabbi Naamah Kelman-EzrachiJanuary 9, 2026

Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Like Fish on the Land"January 2, 2026

Sermon by Rabbi Mo Salth, "A Resolution for 2026 and 5786"December 26, 2025

You’ve probably heard of the Talmud–but what is it really, and how do/can contemporary Jews relate to this crucial text? In this session, Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau will discuss all things Talmud with Rabbi Ethan Tucker, PhD, President and Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar.A renowned expert in Jewish law, Rabbi Tucker was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and earned a doctorate in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Harvard College. Co-founder of Kehilat Hadar and winner of the first Grinspoon Foundation Social Entrepreneur Fellowship, Rabbi Tucker was named one of America’s Top 50 Rabbis by Newsweek in 2011 and 2012. He is the co-author of Gender Equality and Prayer in Jewish Law and hosts the podcast Responsa Radio.

Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "A Namesake of Jacob or Israel?"December 19, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Hilly Haber, "The Light of Courage and Hope: Hanukkah 5786"December 12, 2025

Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Brooklyn Michalowicz, "Healing Apart, Coming Together"December 5, 2025

Jews have been using “midrash” as an interpretive tool for centuries. So, what is “midrash,” and how can we relate to it today?Join Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau for an exciting conversation with Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD, where they will delve into these topics and beyond. Author, teacher, midrashist, mystic, poet, essayist, and priestess, Rabbi Hammer is committed to an earth-based and wildly mythic view of the world in which nature, ritual, and story connect us to the body of the cosmos and to ourselves. She is the co-founder of the Kohenet Institute and the Director of Spiritual Education at the Academy for Jewish Religion. Rabbi Hammer is the author of nine books and numerous articles, poems, and stories–including compilations of contemporary women’s midrash.

Sermon by Rabbi Rachael Houser, "Giving Our Rachels Their Due"November 28, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Sivan Rotholz, "From Crisis to Clarity: Why We Study Torah"November 21, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Children of Abraham"November 7, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "Parshat Lech Lecha: To a Place You Do Not Know"October 31, 2025

Jews are known as the “People of the Book," but which books take up space on our storied “Jewish bookshelf,” and how can we relate to them as Reform Jews today?Throughout 5786, Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau will host eight impactful conversations with experts in the field who will help us explore our sacred texts. In this stirring kickoff program to our yearlong "The Jewish Bookshelf" series, join Rebecca in conversation with Rabbi Robert A. Harris, PhD, about the Hebrew Bible.Rabbi Robert A. Harris, PhD, is a professor of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, teaching courses in biblical literature and commentary, particularly medieval Jewish biblical exegesis. He has published widely on the Bible and the commentators whose interpretations continue to shape our understanding of Scripture.

Sermon by Rabbi Sarah Berman, "A Covenant of Mercy"October 24, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "Bereshit: Starting a New Chapter"October 17, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Sarah Berman, "Lost and Found" October 14, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel, "Glimpses Into The Spiritual Practice of Genealogy" October 10th, 2025

Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Brooklyn Michalowicz, "Finding Hope in Water Drawing and Stickers" - October 7, 2025

Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau, "Building a Sukkah of Truth" October 6, 2025

Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Brooklyn Michalowiz "B’shem Omro: Bridging Worlds Through Memory | Yom Kippur Yizkor 5786" October 2, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Hilly Haber, "Crowns of Love | Yom Kippur Yizkor 5786" October 2, 2025

Sermon by Cantor Dan Mutlu, "Bound Together | Yom Kippur Yizkor 5786" October 2, 2025

Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau, "Forgiveness is Possible | Yom Kippur 5786" October 1, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Sivan Rotholz, "Closed Gates and Open Seats | Yom Kippur 5786" October 2, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Rachael Houser, "Return in Joy | Yom Kippur 5786" October 2, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Those Who Sow | Yom Kippur 5786" October 1, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "The Love of Tochecha | Yom Kippur 5786" October 2, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Mo Salth, "One Day After Yom Kippur: Moses’ Message to Us All"October 3, 2025

Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Brooklyn Michalowicz, "The Urgency of Now: Walking through the Gates of Righteousness"September 26, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Maurice Salth, "In One Word: Good. In Two Words: Not Good | Rosh HaShanah 5786" September 23, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, "Out of Many, One | Rosh HaShanah 5786" September 24, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Lisa Rubin, "The Essence of Judaism | Rosh HaShanah 5786" September 23, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Sarah Berman, "Hope is a Verb | Rosh HaShanah 5786" September 23, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel, "Good Point | Rosh HaShanah 5786" September 23, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "The Cries of Isaac and Ishmael | Erev Rosh HaShanah 5786" September 23, 2025

Sermon by Dr. Shira D. Epstein, "Being Heart-Led"September 19, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Honest Scales"September 12, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, "Raise it Together" - September 5, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Hilly Haber, "All Are Responsible"August 29, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Sarah Berman, "Seeing the Blessing and the Curse"August 22, 2025

Sermon By Rabbi Rachael Houser, "Rosy Retrospection In The Wilderness" August 15th, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Life is Strife…Anyone Who Says Differently is Selling Something"August 8, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Mo Salth, "In the Wake of Tragedy – Choosing Life and Fighting Gun Violence"August 1, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Sivan Rotholz, "From the Narrow Place, We Learn"July 25, 2025

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "Divine Law - Its Not Set In Stone", July 18th, 2025