Chutzpod!

In preparation for the start of Passover, Rabbi Shira and Josh (back from hiatus!) delve into the six--yes, six--senses of the seder. How do taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight help enhance the Jewish sixth sense: memory? How do your memories and traditions (new and old) enhance the seder experience? Listen today to learn more. 

In honor of International Women's Day (March 8), we discuss Lilith, Adam's supposed first wife, a demonized figure associated with stealing children and seducing men. But she is also an incredibly powerful and feminist figure. Who is Lilith really, and what can she tell us about the mixed multitudes of women today?

This week on Chutzpod we celebrate Purim! We embrace the gallows humor (pun intended) and joy of the holiday by highlighting five up-and-coming Jewish comedians (Orli Matlow, Sam Morrison, Becca Nix Tham, Evelyn Frick, and Dylan Adler) and their favorite Jewish jokes. Plus a megillah reading and, of course, a spiel.

Episode Time codes:

(13:00) 1st Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(20:15) Orli Matlow Joke

(22:00) Sam Morrison Joke

(24:40) 2nd Megillah Reading

(26:00) Beca Nix Tham Joke

(28:00) Evelyn Frick Joke

(31:15) 3rd Megillah Reading

(33:00) Dylan Adler Joke

(36:45) 4th Megillah Reading

(38:41) Daniel Olson Parody Song to Close (Tayler Swift)

This week we step back and answer your questions. Listen to Rabbi Shira and Sarah Podemski dig into the ideas of spirituality, what it means to be Jewish, the tension between keeping kosher and protecting our environment, and "God's plan." A trigger warning: this podcast does discuss death by suicide at the 38:30 mark.

Episode Timecodes:

(50:15) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Sarah Podemski discuss the (in)famous Torah passage "an eye for an eye." Wouldn't this make the whole world blind? We also discuss the importance of dual identities and what it means to be "half Jewish." Listen today!

Episode Timecodes:

(41:45) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Spoiler alert: a guest co-host! Reservation Dogs actor Sarah Podemski joins Rabbi Shira and Josh to delve into Jethro's (the father-in-law, not the band) visit to Moses after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. What did Jethro teach Moses about how to lead his people and how to avoid burnout? What lessons can we learn, as well? We also discuss the new Netflix film You People.

Episode Time codes:

(03:50) Discussion of You People

(10:40) Diving into the Torah Portion of Yitro

(37:40) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

We're back to the beginning of the Chutzpod cycle with our second episode on Tu Bishvat! On this week's episode, Rabbi Shira and Joshua take on food insecurity and justice with Abby Leibman, CEO of MAZON, a Jewish Response to Hunger. Learn about the Israelites' hunger after crossing the Red Sea and what hunger looks like in today's America. Stick around at the end for a special teaching from Dr. Adrienne Krone from Allegheny College.

Episode Time codes:

(12:30) Abby Leibman Interview

(42:10) Dr. Krone Special Message

Rabbi Shira and Joshua delve into the final three plagues and the Hebrews' liberation from Egyptian slavery. The story is difficult to digest--the last three plagues are devastating. Does the pursuit of justice require violence? Who really hardened Pharoah's heart? And should the new Chutzpod merch have a slash of lamb's blood on it? Listen now to find out.

Episode Timecode:

(38:00) Rabbi Shira Guided Meditation

The Exodus story continues, and with it, questions about what oppression does to both the oppressed and the oppressor, and the importance of breath in pushing back against injustice. We also coin the term "vicious squiggles," critically important for understanding any religious or political movement in history.

We've begun the book of Exodus just in time to mark Martin Luther King Jr's birthday and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. This first parsha packs a lot in: Moses' birth, growing up Egyptian, the burning bush, and starting to fight against oppression. But it's the Hebrew and Egyptian women who really spark the first acts of civil disobedience--getting into good trouble. Learn more about the connections between MLK and the Civil Rights Movement and Exodus by listening today!

Episode Timecode:

(39:00) Guided Meditation by Rabbinic Student Evan Traylor

Happy New Year and welcome back to Chutzpod! Rabbi Shira and Joshua wrap up the Joseph narrative and conclude the Book of Genesis. Will Joseph be able to forgive his brothers? Does restitution only come from honesty? We also discuss your response to our December Dilemma episode and the beauty of crying.

Episode Timecodes:

(36:00) Rabbis Shira's Guided Meditation

We're deep into Hanukkah and Joshua and Rabbi Shira share listener stories and advice on how to navigate the December holidays as an interfaith family or couple. Should your child have to wear Christmas pajamas to school? How do you integrate traditions and food? How much egg nog ice cream can Josh's parents eat? Find out all this and more in this week's episode.

Episode Time codes:

(03:30) Diving into Listener questions

(42:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua go on a Hanukkah retrospective: how it started 2,200 years ago, how it's evolved through the Medieval era until today. It will have you rethinking the Hanukkah story you thought you knew. Is the oil the most important miracle of the holiday? Or is the true miracle that Shira had positive things to say about Hanukkah? Grab a jelly donut and a latke and tune in today.

Episode Timecodes:

(40:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

For our foremothers Rachel and Leah (and Bilhah and Zilpah) it's all about what they said (or couldn't say). How does this week's Torah portion hold up against the Bechdel Test? We're also joined by New York Times journalist Jodi Kantor to discuss her Judaism, her work uncovering workplace harassment in Hollywood, and the new film She Said, out in theaters now.

Episode Timecodes:

(13:20) - Jodi Kantor Interview

(42:10) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

In our final episode before Thanksgiving, we welcome Sarah Podemski, an award-winning Anishnaabe and Ashkenzai artist and actress (Reservation Dogs). Before we get to it, Joshua and Rabbi Shira discuss this week's Torah portion Chayei Sarah about the life (and really the death) of our matriarch Sarah.

Episode Timecodes:

(6:15) Sarah Podemski Interview

(33:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua react to Election Night and tie it into this week's Torah portion of Vayera. We also welcome on Jodi Rudoren, editor in chief of The Forward, to discuss how she handles criticism from all corners of the Internet, her experiences at the New York Times, and her take on the hamentashen vs. latke debate.

Episode Timecodes:

(15:30) - Jodi Rudoren Interview

(41:45) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua get back to basics with a Torah discussion about parshat Lech Lecha on going forth. We discuss the duality of fire, the concept of being a blessing, and the dynamics between Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah).   


Episode Timecode:

(36:15) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua are hosting the Americans for Peace Now Annual Gala on Sunday 10/30 and to prepare for the gig, we are joined by one of the honorees, Letty Cottin Pogrebin.  Letty's accomplishments are too long to list, but we spend a lot of time focusing on her new book "Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy”.  We all have elements from our past we are ashamed of, but should we be?  We also explore the significance of the number 40 in honor of our 40th episode and this week's Torah portion, the story of Noah and the ark.

Episode Timecodes:

(12:30) - Interview with Letty Cottin Pogrebin

(42:45) - Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is the only person to ever serve as both synagogue president and U.S. Senator. She joins the rabbi and Joshua this week to discuss navigating shul politics, the pursuit of Tikkun Olam, and even Broadway musicals. Before the interview, Chutzpod! addresses the recent comments by former President Trump on American Jews.

Episode Timecodes:

(15:30) Senator Rosen Interview

(34:15) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

For our 2nd Sukkot themed episode, we examine the harvest side of the holiday as Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome on Gerardo Reyes Chavez, a key leader for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in Florida. Gerardo has been working in the fields since he was eleven years old and shares the difficult perspective of being a worker of the land and their continuing struggle for basic human rights.

Episode Timecodes:

(07:05) Interview with Gerardo Reyes Chavez

(37:10) Rabbi's Shira's Guided Meditation

As Sukkot approaches, we bring on a botanist to dig into the agricultural side of this underrated Jewish holiday.  Chutzpod! is joined by Holly Poole-Kavana from Little Red Bird Botanicals to talk about how plants are used for sacred traditions. What is the significance of the willow, myrtle, date palm, and of course the Etrog!  Plus, get a “peek” at Rabbi Shira’s backyard sukkah, featuring botanical murals by artist Mai-Han Nguyen (@nah_iam on Instagram).

Hope everyone had an easy fast!

Episode Timecodes:

(13:45) Interview with Holly Poole-Kavana

(38:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Our first episode of 5783 is jam-packed. Rabbi Shira and Joshua open with author Nathan Englander, playwright Josh's new play, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank.

We then welcome Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, author of On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World to help us figure out how to make things right with other human beings. Why are we so bad at saying sorry?

Episode Timecodes:

(00:30) Interview with Nathan Englander

(12:10) Interview with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg

(50:20) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

For our final episode of 5782, we bring you a longtime staple of Rosh Hashanah, the Rabbi's sermon. Rabbi Shira shares with Josh and all of us a touching testimony about life and difficult family experiences, which will help put you in the right frame of mind as we bring in the New Year.  "L' Shana Tova!"

Episode Timecodes:

(07:01) Rabbi Shira's sermon

Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome Lutheran Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber as we dive into the concept of "Bein Adam L'Atzmo", which means between humans and ourselves. Forewarning to Chutzsquad!....There is a lot of cursing in this episode and we bleeped none of it!

Episode Timecodes:

(04:05) Nadia Bolz-Weber interview

(38:30) Rabbi Shira closing blessing to Nadia

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are approaching and Rabbi Shira and Joshua want to help you prepare (and need to prepare ourselves).  We welcome Rabbi Toba Spitzer, author of "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine", to help figure out how to begin.

Episode Timecodes:

(07:35) Rabbi Toba Spitzer segment

(43:01) Rabba Tamar Elad-Appelbaum meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua are joined by award winning filmmaker Ken Burns to discuss his upcoming documentary called "The U.S. and the Holocaust" that will premiere on PBS on September 18th.

Episode Timecode:

(05:02) Ken Burns Interview

(32:30) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

This past week saw the 5th Anniversary of the frightening and tragic "Unite the Right" Rally in Charlottesville, VA. Rabbi Shira and Joshua are joined by Amy Spitalnick.

Amy is the Integrity First for America’s Executive Director, the organization that successfully spearheaded the lawsuit and the broader fight against white supremacy and extremism at this crucial moment for democracy.

Episode Timecodes:

(12:03) Amy Spitalnick interview

(45:05) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

St. Paul's Temple of Aaron hosts the first-ever live taping of the show. The Minnesota Chutzsquad welcomes Rabbi Shira and Joshua for a lively conversation about the holiday of Tisha B'Av.

Episode Timecode:

(36:30) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

With the help of this week's double Torah portion (Mattot-Massei), and Hulu's new show "The Bear", Rabbi Shira explores with Joshua alternatives to violence when conflict arises.

Episode Timecode:

(33:40) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

What’s to be done when the Torah text we revere appears problematic? Dig deeper! Rabbi Shira guides Joshua through the challenges of this week’s portion, Pinchas, and what it has to say about interfaith marriages.

Episode Timecode:

(36:15) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Mediation

On our 2nd Mailbag Edition, Rabbi Shira and Joshua answer listener questions. Is chicken parm kosher? And how do we make circumcision cool again? These are just two examples of what you'll hear in this episode.

Episode Timecodes:

(04:48) Q1 on circumcision

(15:01) Q2 on chicken parmesan

(21:56) Q3 on Jewish events & mask protocols

(27:06) Q4 on Philosemitism

(35:00) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome Sarah Hurwitz. A senior speechwriter for President Obama, and head speechwriter for the First Lady, Sarah critiques Moses as a communicator in this week’s Torah portion, Chukat.


Episode Timecodes:

(10:20) Interview with Sarah Hurwitz

(46:20) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

After the Supreme Court's ruling, Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome three esteemed rabbis to take a look at some Jewish text in an effort to contemplate the court's decision, and frame a Jewish response.

Episode Timecodes:

(06:05) Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt and Rabba Sara Hurwitz join the show

(31:30) George Newbern defines the Hebrew/Yiddish terms used in our episode

(36:15) Rabbi Annie Lewis’ Guest Meditation

This week the Rabbi and Joshua speak to an unforgettably unique guest, author Michael Twitty as this weekend is "NYC Pride".  Michael is an African-American Jew, who identifies with the LGBTQ community, and has an upcoming book titled: "Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew".

Episode Timecodes:

(08:30) Michael Twitty Interview

(37:35) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

As World Refugee Day is on Monday June 20th, Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome on a pair of important voices from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which is the oldest refugee organization in the world.  Mark Hetfield is the CEO & President of HIAS and Melanie Nezer is its Senior VP, Global Public Affairs.

Episode Timecodes:

(05:10) Interview w/ Mark & Melanie

(39:10) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation

The rabbi and Joshua get back to basics, taking a look at this week’s Torah portion, Nasso, and exploring Judaism’s perspectives on asceticism, charity, and humility.

Episode Timecode:

(34:08) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

Rabbi Shira and Joshua shine a spotlight on the surprisingly esoteric Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is coming up in early June. A tradition of the holiday is to stay up all night studying Torah and in that spirit, we welcome on Rabba Yaffa Epstein and Rabbi David Schuck.

Episode Timecodes:

(00:00) Rabbi Shira’s thoughts after the shooting in Texas

(13:44) Rabba Yaffa Epstein and Rabbis David Schuck join the show

(46:01) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation and Counting of the Omer

SUMMARY: Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome the CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, Sheila Katz. Together, they discuss Jewish thought on reproductive rights, when life begins, and what can be done in response to the Supreme Court's intention to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Episode Timecodes:

(04:45) Sheila Katz Interview

(35:04) Quick interviews with those attending the Abortion Justice Rally in D.C.

In this episode, Rabbi Shira and Joshua discuss the ins and outs of Judaism's tattoo taboo. Is it verboten? Where on the sliding scale of sin does it fall?  And the biggie: will a tattoo get you barred from a Jewish cemetery?

Episode Timecodes:

(25:18) Janel Moloney defines the Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in our episode

(28:51) Rabbi Shira's Guided Meditation as we count the Omer

The Rabbi and Joshua welcome editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, to discuss his fascinating sit-down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his compound in Kyiv. Goldberg explains the similarities that Zelensky shares with many American Jews and why it is so noteworthy that Ukraine's President is Jewish at this particular time.

(09:02) Jeffrey Goldberg Interview

(33:47) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation as we count the Omer

Rabbi Shira and Joshua welcome Israeli and Palestinian guests to the podcast to engage in an inclusive and nuanced conversation around Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Episode Timecodes:

(6:15) Leah Solomon Interview

(38:18) Layla Alsheikh Interview

(60:45) Reading the names of those who recently were killed in the region

Joshua and Rabbi Shira reconvene after spending Passover seder with friends and family. As Yom HaShoah (Holocause Remembrance Day) approaches, we take this opportunity to hear an unforgettable family story from Esther Safran Foer and her son Franklin Foer about their ancestry that was affected by the Holocaust. Esther has written a book titled, “I Want You to Know We’re Still Here: A Post Holocaust Memoir” about her experiences.

Episode Timecodes:

(08:42) Interview with Esther and Franklin

(42:58) Rabbi Shira “Counts the Omer”

As Passover has arrived, we welcome to the Chutzpod! Seder Table a very different Jewish background and perspective from Shira & Joshua. Rabbi Sandra Lawson is one of the world’s first African American, queer, female rabbis. She works with Reconstructing Judaism to help it realize its deeply held aspiration of becoming an anti-racist organization and movement.

Episode Timecodes:

(03:51) Rabbi Sandra Lawson Interview

(34:42) Rabbi Shira’s Reads a Moving Speech from Alla Gutnikova

Our hosts discuss the upcoming festival of Passover, and the symbols and goals of a meaningful seder. Plus, Rabbi Shira chats with The Sporkful's Dan Pashman about Passovers past, and a spiritual connection to eating.

Episode Timecodes:

(20:32) Dan Pashman Interview

(39:27) John Ross Bowie defines Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in our episode

(44:35) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

…because on all other episodes we talk about what we want to talk about, but in THIS episode we talk about what you want to talk about! And never mind four, we answer SIX listener questions. Get your hosts’ takes on therapy, Luther, volunteerism, and more!

Episode Timecodes:

(40:05) Hrishikesh Hirway defines Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in our episode

(42:58) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

Fins, and scales, and split hooves…. oh my! The Rabbi and Josh get back to the text, as they look at the Torah portion Shmini, which includes the laws of keeping kosher, and they ponder how to sanctify the act of eating.

Episode Timecodes:

(38:19) Noah Emmerich defines Hebrew & Yiddish terms used in our episode

(40:47) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation

As Purim begins at sunset on Wednesday, “Chutzpod!” follows suit. This is a unique episode as you will hear a live Zoom taping where Joshua & Shira were joined by a legion of the “Chutzsquad”. Multiple guests came by as we do our best to fulfill all of the Purim Mitzvot (Commandments). Coming your way are Megillah Readings, the “Jewish or Antisemitic” game show, virtual costume changes, drinking games, Larry David stories, raising money to feed the less fortunate, and so much more all in under an hour.

Episode Timecodes:

(00:00) Purim Shpiel

(08:57) First Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(09:46) Elon Gold (Actor) swings by

(23:11) Second Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(25:30) Eitan Levine (Comedian) leads “Jewish or Antisemitic” Game Show

(35:10) Third Megilah Reading by Scott Weiner

(39:45) Fourth Megillah Reading by Scott Weiner

(43:18) Joshua’s Guided Meditation

In March of 1922 in New York City, twelve year-old Judith Kaplan had the first ever Bat Mitzvah and we are here to celebrate this momentous occasion. Rabbi Shira tells Joshua about her own Bat Mitzvah and explains the reasoning for why this rite of passage occurs when it does. Our interview this episode is with Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Hermann, who works at SAJ, where Judith made history 100 years ago. We also sprinkle in other touching first-hand Bat Mitzvah stories for you to enjoy.

Episode Timecodes:

(05:17) Malina sisters share their Bat Mitzvah memories

(16:13) Interview with Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Hermann

(43:44) Rabbi Shira’s Bat Mitzvah Speech

As tragedies continue in Ukraine, Joshua & Rabbi Shira dedicate this episode to the 200K+ Jewish people who live there and are in harms way. The episode begins by letting people know the ways they can help and what Jewish relief organizations are lending their support. Then we are joined by Oksana Galkevich, born in Ukraine and as of the past few years living in Israel, who has assisted the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) with many operations in Ukraine and the Former Soviet Union.

Episode Timecodes:

(05:30) Rabbi Shira’s quick primer on the Jewish Worldwide Relief Organizations

(07:58) Interview with Oksana Galkevich

(27:40) Special Joint Meditation reading

What is the purpose of a community? Rabbi Shira and Joshua look at this very simple yet complex question in this episode that aligns with the Torah portion “Vayakhel”. They are then joined by the esteemed author Wajahat Ali for his unique viewpoint on the subject.

Episode Timecodes:

(17:32) Wajahat Ali Interview

(41:07) Dule Hill & Jazmyn Simon define the Hebrew & Yiddish (and even Aramaic) terms used in our episode

(43:37) Rabbi Shira’s Guided Meditation