The Straw Hat

Ki Teitzei 5780: Mitigating Harm

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss Parshat Ki Teitzei, with a particular focus on Rashi’s commentary. They also look ahead to ASBI’s plans for the holidays and talk about some of the upcoming programing we have in store.Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Re’eh 5780: Look Over Here!

This week, we welcome Rabbanit Goldie Guy to ASBI and to The Straw Hat! She and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss this week’s parsha, Parshat Re’eh, and also begin to look ahead to 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. 

Matot-Masei 5780: Striving for Moments of Community

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld talk about the challenges of welcoming newcomers to Lakeview this summer; the Three Weeks (and some things that may be a little different this year); and have a discussion about vows, as pertains to this week’s parsha and looking ahead to Kol Nidre.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Chukat-Balak 5780: Brush Your Teeth Before Wearing Your Mask

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld welcomes Rabbanit Sarna back to The Straw Hat! They discuss the return of in-person Minyan at ASBI and what that looks like. They also speak briefly about this week's Parsha, and we hear from Rabbanit Sarna about the experience of having a baby during a pandemic.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Nasso 5780: The Poetry of Torah

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld is joined by guest Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm who shares some of his memories and the legacy of his grandfather, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, a”h, including the art of the drasha and his thoughts on how the Torah’s message should be made relevant to all of us. To read some of Rabbi Norman Lamm’s sermons referenced in this episode, visit the following links: “Confessions of a Confused Rabbi” and “Notes of An Unrepentant Darshan”.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Bamidbar 5780: More Shavuot Than Ever

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld is joined by guest co-host Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier who shares some insights from his recent writing and teaching on coronavirus-related issues. They also look ahead to Shavuot and think about the holiday's meaning when we're isolated from our community.
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.  

Tazria-Metzora 5780: Tumah Happens

In this episode, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss this week's Parsha, Parshat Tazria-Metzora as well as the upcoming holidays of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut and offer suggestions about how to make these days meaningful at home.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. 

Pesach 5780: A Seder Bar Mitzvah

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss some of the Passover resources our shul is offering and share some advice for how to approach your seders this year given the enormously unusual circumstances.
 
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.