The Straw Hat

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. 

Ki Tisa 5780: Happy Birthday to Us!

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss Masechet Shabbat, the tractate we’ve just begun in Daf Yomi. Next, they’re joined by Straw Hat producer Hayley Leventhal to celebrate The Straw Hat’s first birthday!Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The Straw Man: Purim 5780

Join Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld for a very special Purim episode of The Straw Man!
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Terumah 5780: The Four M’s

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss the Uptown Café, a once-a-month volunteer opportunity for ASBI members, and also review the laws of Purim. They also interview former ASBI Program Director Julie Meyer.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Yitro 5780: Count the Commandments

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld talk about the Ten Commandments, featured in this week’s parsha, followed by a discussion about birth control. They also interview ASBI Board Member Elana Pentelnik.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Bo 5780: Rise & Shine

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld start off with a discussion of the Halachot of what to do when you wake up in the morning and the tefillot and brachot you can and should include at the start of your day. Then, based on what we’ve been learning in Daf Yomi recently, they examine some of the different interpretations of women’s obligation in tefillah, followed by an interview with longtime ASBI Member Dr. Arnold Clevs.
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Shemot 5780: Saying Less, Meaning More

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld start off with a discussion of Tefillah, exploring what parts of the service must be said and what parts might be about saying less but with more intention. They then examine some of the complexities of Shabbat observance when traveling, followed by an interview with Molly Jaret, ASBI Member and Yeladeinu leader who recently completed all of the Babylonian Talmud with the last Daf Yomi cycle.Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Vayigash 5780: Old Questions, New Answers

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss Parshat Vayigash and an exciting recent interpretation. They also talk about Tractate Niddah which will be completed this Shabbat and interview our Gabbai, Dr. Josh Ehrlich. 
Music credit: “Three” from the album Proverbs, by Les Hayden, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Vayeshev 5780: The Daf Yomi Episode

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld welcome special guest Rabbanit Sara Wolkenfeld to discuss the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah. Next, they shift focus towards Daf Yomi in advance of the renewal of the 7.5-year cycle on January 5. They also interview Caroline Musin Berkowitz, one of ASBI’s regular Daf Yomi learners.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.