TBE Richmond Podcast

TBE Richmond Podcast

by Rabbi Michael Knopf

Judaism Spirituality Religion

Season 2

Celebrating Black Jewish History, Jewishly Honoring Black History (featuring Sherrina Gibson chats and Gabriel Glissmeyer)

In honor of Black History Month, TBE member Sherrina Gibson chats with Gabriel Glissmeyer, a health equity and LGBTQ+ health expert, and a proud, black Ashkenazi Jew living in Utah. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

The Torah of Disability Inclusion and Awareness

In this special Dvar Torah and dialogue (recorded at Temple Beth-El’s Shabbat service on February 19, 2022), two TBE members discuss the theory and the practice of creating a Jewish community where everyone is included and has equal access. As you listen to the conversation, we invite you to reflect on the following questions: (1) What is one thing you wish our community understood about people with disabilities and special health care needs? (2) What is your wish for your children’s/the Jewish community’s future as it relates to disabilities? Feel free to send your thoughts to rabbi.knopf@bethelrichmond.org. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Having a Heart

Why does the Torah devote precious scriptural real estate to detailing the priestly garments, the special outfits the ancient priests had to wear when officiating in the Tabernacle, and how are these passages relevant today? In his Shabbat message for Parashat Tetzaveh (February 12, 2022), Rabbi Knopf explains that these obscure passage offer a profound message about how we care for one another, a teaching that is particularly important as states like Virginia move to end COVID-19 restrictions in the midst of the still-ongoing pandemic. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Bring Gifts and Make a Sanctuary (featuring Ben Lewis)

In Parashat Terumah, God commands the Jewish people to donate items for building the Tabernacle. In a Dvar Torah (recorded at Temple Beth-El on February 5, 2022), TBE past-president Ben Lewis explores how this commandment is relevant for Temple Beth-El's 90th Year renovations. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Reproductive Freedom and Justice Values (featuring Dr. Gillian Frank)

Jewish law has long affirmed a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy, and as a result, the Jewish community has long been at the forefront of the fight for reproductive freedom in the U.S. In this episode (recorded for Temple Beth-El’s Shabbat morning service on January 29, 2022), Rabbi Michael Knopf and special guest and TBE member Dr. Gillian Frank, an expert in the history of abortion in the United States and the intersection of religion and reproductive freedom, discuss the current state of reproductive rights in the US and why it should matter to the Jewish community and other conscientious Americans. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Fear and Awe in Our Changing Environment (featuring Jenna Hopp)

In Parashat Yitro, the Jewish people receive the Torah at Mount Sinai, an experience that inspires “yir’ah,” a word that can be translated as as “awe” or “fear.” In a powerful Dvar Torah (recorded at Temple Beth-El on January 22, 2022), TBE member Jenna Hopp explores the options of choosing awe or fear within the lens of climate change in honor of Tu B’Shvat. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

The Power of Song (featuring Cantor Dara Rosenblatt)

Shirat HaYam, the Song of the Sea, is a moving text, paired with melody that engages the congregation in this pivotal and dramatic moment. In her Shabbat message for Parashat Beshallah (recorded at Temple Beth-El on January 15, 2022), Cantor Dara Rosenblatt discusses how song brings attention to the moment the Israelites transition from slavery to freedom. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Up Close and Far Away

There is more than one way to behold ourselves and each other; not just close up, which is our default vantage point, but also far away, from God’s perspective.. In his Shabbat message for Parashat Bo, recorded at Temple Beth-El on January 8, 2022, Rabbi Michael Knopf explains that the Exodus story teaches us how to see ourselves and each other in the best possible light, and simultaneously embrace our imperfections and messiness. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

Water is Life (featuring Tiffany Washington)

In Parashat Va'era, Moses and Aaron plead with Pharoah to let the Israelites leave Egypt, but not even blood in the Nile can persuade him to let the Israelites go. What can Pharoah's indifference to the water teach us about how our society views clean water and water conservation? Using her New Year's resolution as a framework, TBE member Tiffany Washington argues that using water responsibly and ensuring marginalized populations have access to clean water are actions that all Jews should embrace in 2022.Title: Water is Life (featuring Tiffany Washington) Description: In Parashat Va'era, Moses and Aaron plead with Pharoah to let the Israelites leave Egypt, but not even blood in the Nile can persuade him to let the Israelites go. What can Pharoah's indifference to the water teach us about how our society views clean water and water conservation? Using her New Year's resolution as a framework, TBE member Tiffany Washington argues that using water responsibly and ensuring marginalized populations have access to clean water are actions that all Jews should embrace in 2022. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

And Out Come the Wolves

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Va-Yehi, recorded at Temple Beth-El on December 18, 2021, Rabbi Michael Knopf connects an enigmatic blessing in the book of Genesis to a horrifying story in the book of Judges to the upcoming anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, explaining that while some may be guilty of destroying our democracy, we are all responsible for preserving and protecting it in the year to come. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.

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