Central Synagogue Podcast

Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel, "To Pursue Anew." August 18th, 2023

Sermon by Cantor Jenna Pearsall, "Embracing The Self" August 11th, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "The Imperative of Awe"August 4, 2023

Rabbi Sarah Berman, "When Tomorrow Dawns" 07/28/2023

Israel’s ruling coalition has just passed the first of several bills to overhaul the judiciary. This new law prevents its Supreme Court from questioning the reasonableness of any law or nomination approved by the majority of the Knesset. Such a monumental change has the potential to alter the democratic nature of Israel itself. In response, massive protests continue throughout Israel. What is the true intention behind this judicial overhaul? How will the passage of this first new law impact Israel and its people? What role have the ongoing protests played in shaping the process? And most importantly, what might lie ahead for the nation? To help unpack the implications of this ruling, we invite you to join us virtually for a conversation between Michael Koplow, Chief Policy Officer of Israel Policy Forum, and Rabbi Joy Levitt. Mr. Koplow will provide invaluable insights into these pressing questions, shed light on the current state of affairs in Israel, and answer questions from our community. We hope you will join us for this important conversation. --- Michael Koplow is the chief policy officer of Israel Policy Forum, and also serves as a research fellow of the Kogod Research Center at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Before coming to Israel Policy Forum, he was the founding program director of the Israel Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Government from Georgetown University, where he specialized in political development and ideology, and the politics of Middle Eastern states. He writes Israel Policy Forum’s weekly Koplow Column and edits Israel Policy Exchange, which is a leading source for commentary and analysis on Israel and American Jewry, and his work regularly appears in other publications. In addition to his Ph.D., he holds a B.A. from Brandeis University, a J.D. from New York University, and an A.M. in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University.

Sermon by Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, "Choosing the Real World"July 21, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Dan Ross "Parashat Matot-Masei: Brought to You By the Number 42" July 14, 2023

Sermon by Cantorial Intern Beth Reinstein, "Changes"July 7, 2023

Sermon by Kenji Yoshino, "Pride Shabbat—Reflections From Kenji Yoshino." June 30, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Buchdahl, "Protesting for the Sake of Heaven, or Hell?"June 23, 2023

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl June 13, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Dan Ross, "Parashat Sh'lach: Believe"June 16, 2023

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela BuchdahlJune 13, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Sarah Berman, "In Our Raising Up"June 9, 2023

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Nicole Auerbach - June 6, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, "Blessing the Transitions of our Children, and Ourselves" June 2, 2023

Our final Story presents the many voices of our Central community, recorded when we gathered together at Rosh Hashanah this past fall. Many thanks to everyone who joined us, reflected, and recorded their thoughts.

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - May 30, 2023

Sermon by Cantor Jenna Pearsall, "Clinging to One Another" May 26, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Mo Salth, "Right Before Our Very Eyes: Our Everlasting Love for Our Departed" May 26, 2023

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - May 23, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, "Each and Every Letter" May 19, 2023

Central members and siblings Freeman Shore and Wini Freund share more about their childhood, and their family’s extraordinary relationship to the Israeli state’s founding generation of leaders.

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - May 16, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Nicole Auerbach, "Kosi Revaya: My Cup is Overflowing"May 12, 2023

In this conversation, study partners Gail and Sarah discuss their paths to their second careers.

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - May 9, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Dan Ross, "Parashat Emor: Radical Empathy"May 5, 2023

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - May 2, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - April 28, 2023

Central staff members Alexandra Singer and Carrie Connor share how they came to the Central community and connected with each other.

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - April 25, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "To Life…Lived Together"April 21, 2023

Weekly Meditation led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - April 18, 2023

Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Chelsea Feuchs, "Farewell: Gratitude for the Gifts of this Community"April 14, 2023

Doris Manville-Wagstaff speaks with her husband Scott Wagstaff about her journey to Central and Judaism, her mental health struggles, and her father’s incredible connection to a Holocaust survivor.If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988, or access help through the online chat at https://988lifeline.org/chat/.

Weekly Meditation by Rabbi Nicole Auerbach - April 11, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Dan Ross, "How to Meet Elijah the Prophet"April 7, 2023

Central congregant Ed Saslaw hears from fellow congregant and friend Alissa Ballot about her family background and the ancestors who inspired her name.

Weekly Meditation by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - April 4, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Hilly Haber, A Reflection on the Passover TableMarch 31, 2023

Jill Sharfstein interviews her friend Nancy Fisher about the aftermath of the 1998 fire, Central's embrace of Avery Fisher Hall, and Nancy's enduring connection to Central even while hospitalized.

Weekly Meditation by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - March 28, 2023

Members Estelle (Nicki) Tanner and Burton Lehman talk about Burt's path to leadership in the Reform Movement and the inspiring teachers he met along the way.

Weekly Meditation by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - March 21, 2023

Remarks from The Israel Religious Action Center Director, Orly Erez-LikhovskiMarch 17, 2023

Central congregants and siblings Freeman Shore and Wini Freund have a conversation in which they share some special family memories.

Weekly Meditation by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl - March 14, 2023

Sermon by Rabbi Lisa Rubin, "Awakenings"Mrch10, 2023

Members Arden Donohue and Gail Sinai discuss how Arden first came to Central, her Jewish journey, and the process of becoming b’nei mitzvah.