Not That Kind of Rabbi

There's a book out right now that I think has a great deal of wisdom and asks the tough questions. It's called Zionism in Crisis-Jewish Power and Moral Responsibility After October 7th. In a time where the internal conversation about what it means to be Jewish, and where Israel sits in that question, has given us food for thought. Rabbi Zachary Truboff is the author, and my guest on this episode of Not That Kind of Rabbi.

What if the peak spiritual experience isn't the point? I talk with Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan, Dean of the Aleph Ordination Program, about Jewish education, mystical practice, ecological spirituality, and the challenge of remaining in relationship across deep communal divides. We explore what it might mean to bring the mystical into ordinary life—and to build a Judaism that is both deeply rooted and open on all sides.

One of the defining features of what we call Jewish Renewal is the emergence of an Eastern inspired marriage of Buddhism and mystic Judaism. This has given rise to a new movement, Jewish meditation practices. Last week I got an email from Rabbi Jeff  Roth. The founder and Director of the Awakened Heart Project asked who I was and why I sent him a Sabbath greeting. I honestly don't remember doing that, but hey, since I had him on a thread I asked him to join me on this edition of Not That  Kind Of  Rabbi. Here's our conversation.

Estelle Frankel is a practicing psychotherapist, author, spiritual director and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism and meditation. For over forty years she has been a thought leader and popular public speaker on the integration of depth psychology, Kabbalah and the world's great spiritual traditions. Estelle is the author of numerous essays and two popular books: Sacred Therapy: Jewish Spiritual Teachings on Emotional Healing & Inner Wholeness and The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Discovering a Life of Wonder by Embracing Uncertainty. Info about Estelle's teaching schedule and other offerings can be found at www.estellefrankel.com

Yisroel Bernath was 15 years old living in Chicago and doing what lots of kids in the windy city were doing back then, playing basketball. He and his kippah wearing friends were having a pretty good time. Then everything changed. There were threats, a gun was drawn, shots were fired as he fled. Justice was served but could Yisroel ever forgive the perpetrators? On this episode of Not That Kind of Rabbi we join Rabbi Bernath to talk about his book, The Forgiveness Experiment.