Displaying 1 - 10 of 36
Building the Temple
When King Solomon decided to build the temple in Jerusalem, he hired the best artists, architects, and stonemasons. The work came along a little slower than King Solomon expected, and he decided to check in on what was taking so long. What did he find? Listen to this story, retold by Cantor Rosalie Will.
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Stories We Tell: Don't Apologize to Me, Apologize to Him
Joseph, on his way to a new town, meets a beggar on the train. His beard is tangled, his clothing is tattered, and he appears to be dirty. When the beggar speaks to Joseph, Joseph responds that they probably shouldn’t speak to each other until they arrive at their destination. What happens next? Listen to this story, retold by Rabbi Marc Katz. For a written version of the story, read “Forgiveness” in Three Times Chai by Laney Katz Becker.
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Stories We Tell: The Scholar and the Merchant
When a scholar boards a ship with a group of merchants, the merchants are confused. What does a scholar have to sell that could compete with their radiant perfume and beautiful scarves? When pirates storm the ship, they find out in this story retold by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. You can find a written version of this story, titled “The Sefer Torah,” in the book Three Times Chai: 54 Rabbis Tell Their Favorite Stories by Laney Katz Becker.
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Stories We Tell: Whatever You Do, Don't Bite Off the Pitom
Every year Moshe begs his father for an etrog, and every year, his father says they can’t afford it, until one special Sukkot when they scrimp and save and finally bring home an etrog. But what happens when Moshe can’t resist the pitom and Boris the Beet Borscht Baron from Belarus with very strong hands comes to bless the etrog? As Rabbi Steven Bob reminds us, “Whatever You Do, Don’t Bite Off the pitom”!
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Stories We Tell: Made to Hug
The Torah is always written on a scroll. Why is that? Why isn't it written in the sky or on the trees for everyone to see an admire? It turns out that the scroll is the perfect shape for one special reason.
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On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah -- Yitro: Courageous Leadership
In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs talks with Rabbi Judy Schindler. They discuss Parashat Yitro, expanding the tent of Jewish life, the legacy passed down by her father, social justice activism, and Rabbi Schindler's bo
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Wholly Jewish: Kelly: I Have a Right to Be Here
In this episode: Non-binary and Black and Queer and Lover of Camp. Fiercely proud and powerful Kelly Whitehead narrates how she navigates the world while encompassing their multitude of “ands””. This is instead of the current “Woman and Black and Queer and Lover of Camp. Fiercely proud and powerful Kelly Whitehead narrates how she navigates the world while encompassing her multitude of “ands”.
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On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah -- P'kudei: Spirituality and Art
Art exists beyond the binary of rational and irrational. Art has the ability to reshape our perspectives on our world - which is precisely why great artists have designed synagogues, museums, and other sacred spaces - including... the mishkan, the Israelite's portable ark.
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On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah -- Ki Tisa: Just Rest
Parashat Ki Tisa features what is arguably one of Judaism’s most powerful teachings: no matter how busy you are, and no matter how important the task at hand is, you must rest.
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Stories We Tell: What is Permanent?
How do you act when your friend hurts your feelings? How do you remember when your friend helps you out?
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