Chayei Sara 5781: Shaping the Culture

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on the legacy and impact of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, a”h, in the wake of his passing. They also examine a question that has recently arisen of how we define a city through the lens of Halakha versus the lens of urban planning and discuss some of the compelling questions that will be explored in upcoming learning opportunities at ASBI.Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5780: Small Moments of Connection

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss this week’s double parsha and one of its themes – gathering together. They share some of the upcoming opportunities to gather together safely in person at shul and also offer some practical advice for the holidays and some of the resources the shul is making available for the high holidays.
 
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Vaetchanan 5780: A Farewell to Rabbanit Sarna

This week, we wish a fond farewell to Rabbanit Sarna, whose time at ASBI has come to an end. She offers reflections on her work at ASBI, what she loves about our community, and what she hopes for our congregation in the future.
 
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Emor 5780: A Shul Without Walls

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld reflect on what it means for the shul and the shul's mission when our community can't gather together in person. They discuss what effect this unprecedented time has had on our Jewish home lives and what new practices or rituals have been created that we hope to hold on to when we're able to gather together again.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.  

Vayikra 5780: Passover & Pandemic

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld talk about the ways the shul is adapting during social distancing and offer advice on preparing for an unprecedented Passover – with a particular focus on koshering your dishes at home.
 
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Vayetzei 5780: Generations Under One Roof

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld reflect on some of the ideas shared by our recent Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff, particularly about denominational titles within Orthodoxy. Next, based on a conference Rabbanit Sarna recently attended, they discuss the Jewish domestic space and the history of Jewish home life in 17th century Prague. They also interview ASBI alumni Tali Arbit Winkler and Dr. Jon Eskreis-Winkler.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Korach 5779: The Power of the Jewish Public

This week’s episode is all about community. Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld look at this week’s Parsha, Parshat Korach, and discuss minyan and tefilah b’tzibbur and why 10 people might be one way to define community. They go on to discuss who has historically been included in the Jewish community and how that might be different today. This episode also features an interview with the VP of our Education Committee, Binyamin Cohen, and the answer to last week’s trivia question!
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.