The Straw Hat

Bamidbar 5781: The Definition of Antisemitism

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie share some Torah relating to our current moment as we begin to reopen and increase our in-person capacity on Shabbat. Rabbi Wolkenfeld also speaks with ASBI Members Joel Braunold and Dr. Sara Hirschhorn about the official definition of antisemitism, if antisemitism needs an official definition, and what that definition should entail.Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Shmini 5781: 1 Mitzvah or 49 Mitzvot?

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on Pesach and look ahead to spring and the excitement of welcoming back more people in our community to davening. They also discuss Sefirat HaOmer and some of the Halakhic questions it raises. Rabbanit Goldie also interviews ASBI Members Devorah Kaplowitz and Talia Seidner—the creators of “Colorful Crayons Camp”!Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Tzav 5781: Consciously Rebuilding

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss Pesach 5781 – some of the solutions to conundrums caused by Passover beginning on Shabbat and the exciting prospect of extending hospitality. They also talk about some of the other things happening at ASBI, including the weekly Parsha class and the start of a new tractate in Daf Yomi.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Vayakhel-Pekudei 5781: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie are back after a podcast hiatus! They reflect on the past year as this week marks the one-year anniversary of the shul shutting down at the beginning of the pandemic. They also talk about the exciting work happening in the shul to help those eligible get vaccinated. Rabbanit Goldie shares about the unique experience of having a Purim Seudah on a Friday night, just as we look ahead to another unique calendrical occurrence for Pesach this year and what that will mean.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Vayeshev 5781: Religious Freedom & Public Safety

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie share some of their different perspectives on the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah. Rabbi Wolkenfeld also speaks with Professor Avi Helfand, Professor of Law at the Caruso School of Law and an expert on religious law and religious liberty, about the recent Supreme Court decision barring certain restrictions on religious services in New York. Professor Helfand also sheds light on some of the difficult questions that have arisen during the pandemic regarding the balance of religious freedom and public safety.
 
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Vayetzei 5781: Recognizing & Giving Thanks

This week Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie talk about the conclusion of Tractate Eruvim in Daf Yomi and the recent presentation about our eruv by ASBI Member Ann Levenson at Hadran’s Siyum Masechet Eruvin. They discuss (and answer) the question of “can I make Sushi on Shabbat?” and also offer some advice gleaned from celebrating the Jewish holidays during the pandemic for our Chicago neighbors just entering their holiday season. Lastly, just in time for Thanksgiving, they talk about some lessons on gratitude found in this week’s parsha.
 
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

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. 

Lech Lecha 5781: Touchstones from our Ancestors

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld shares the story of a package the shul recently received that held insights into our congregation’s history. He and Rabbanit Goldie also preview our upcoming Beit Midrash Wednesday class series and discuss some of the topics that will be covered.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Bereshit 5781: After the Chaggim

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on the highlights of this unusual High Holiday year at ASBI. They also discuss the concept of breira that has come up in Daf Yomi recently and explore why it is both captivating and confusing and talk about Parshat Bereshit.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.