Essential Questions with Rabbi Dan Levin (Temple Beth El of Boca Raton)

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with guest Rabbi Josh Feigelson about the importance of questions, and about his Ask Big Questions Initiative which he launched at Northwestern University Hillel.

In this episode, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Jonah Pesner about social justice and its importance in today's society within Jewish values. Rabbi Jonah Pesner serves as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and has led the Religious Action Center since 2015. Rabbi Pesner also serves as Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, a position to which he was appointed in 2011. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is an inspirational leader and tireless advocate for social justice.

If you weren't able to attend this morning's informative webinar, you can listen to the conversation between Rabbi Dan Levin and Deputy Managing Editor of The Jerusalem Post Tovah Lazaroff about what is going on in Israel here.

Tovah has expertise in coverage of the settlements, diplomacy, the United Nations, hostage situations, conflicts on the southern and northern borders, and how Israel deals with victims of terror.

We hope you enjoy this conversation, and that you come away with more understanding of the conflict and where we go from here.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin talks about the experience and importance of telling stories with some of the creative team behind Israeli podcast Rays of Light: Dana Dvorin, Liat Fishman Lenny and Ira Fuchs. Their podcast captures the stories of women who survived the attacks of October 7, and shares them through the voices of Israeli actors and through the magnificent sand art of Ilana Yahav. They discuss the inspiration behind this project, and why their work is so important.

Watch some videos from the Rays of Light series here:

• Atar Maor’s story (Facebook):  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/J4e7WJ3tKbTePx3M/?mibextid=WiMSqg
• Carmel Efron’s story (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ioNy5JQ9cwRZ86VR/?mibextid=WiMSqg
• Miri Gad Messika’s story (Vimeo): https://vimeo.com/881590746/feedd545ad

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin talks with Tracey Labgold, Florida Education & Training Manager for Keshet, a non-profit that works for LGBTQ+ equality in Jewish life. They discuss different LGBTQ+ identities, the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity, and the best ways to support those who identify as queer in a Jewish context.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Jessica Keith, author of Saying Inshallah with Chutzpah, about her experience working at the Kuwaiti Consulate in Los Angeles. They discuss different cultural contexts for "normal," how learning isn't always comfortable, and about different experiences of intolerance.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Yehuda Kohn, the father and spirit of Bet Elazraki, a chlidren's home in Israel to over 200 children ages 6-18. They talk about what it means to be a parent, different ways to show love for your children, and common struggles parents face in a Jewish context.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Cantorial Soloist Michelle Auslander Cohen interviews four current members of the IDF Reserves. Join us as we bear witness to the experiences of the brave Israeli soldiers currently stationed in the North. Hear their incredible stories and find out what we can do to support them.

Our guests include:

• Major Noam Goldberg, Company Commander, Headquarters and Service company. Noam is the commander of the HQ company and is in charge of the the battalion staff officers and their respective platoons.
• Major Ori Sobovitz, Education and Resilience Officer. Ori heads the educational program in the battalion and has taken charge of coordinating the battalion's soldiers' welfare since the beginning of the war.
• Lieutenant Lia Behiri, Command Center (war room) Officer. Lia runs the battalion's war room and coordinates all ongoing activity in the battalion.
• Captain Eitan Brown, Battalion Operations Officer. Eitan is responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of the battalion's military operations.

Learn more: https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd

Donate: https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/115033

On Thursday, December 7, the Jewish world lost one of the great leaders and scholars of our generation, Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson, past president and chancellor of the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion; and teacher, rabbi, mentor, and role model of Rabbi Dan Levin.

Today, in his memory, we are re-releasing an episode of Essential Questions, where Rabbi Dan Levin and Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson spoke about different ways to think about God within Judaism, and if a belief in God is necessary.

In this episode, Rabbi Dan Levin talks with Evan Nierman, author of The Cancel Culture Curse, about the definition and impacts of cancel culture and how we can navigate handling when people make mistakes.

In this episode, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with noted scholar Rabbi Karyn Kedar about how we might use the counting of the Omer to follow a path that leads us to answer the essential question, What Are You Waiting For?

In this episode, Rabbi Dan Levin and Rabbi Ammi Hirsch discuss how to recharge Reform Judaism and how Reform Jews can reconcile a Zionist belief with the political turbulence in Israel.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Michael Abramowitz, president of Freedom House, a non-partisan voice dedicated to supporting democracy. They talk about the importance of journalism, what it takes for a democracy to work, and how increasing technologies affect the future of democracies today.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin talks with Rabbi Geoffrey Mitelman, Founding Director of the organization Sinai and Synapses, about how science and religion fit together in our lives.

If you missed last week's webinar, you can now listen to the conversation between with faculty members from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Professor Simon Barak and Dana Gavish-Fridman, and Rabbi Greg Weisman.

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev sits 25 miles from the border with Gaza and was significantly impacted by the October 7 terrorist attacks. More than 60 BGU students, staff, faculty, and family were either murdered, kidnapped or missing. Since then, the University has transformed, turning dorms into army barracks and homes for displaced families, and mobilizing students and, staff to support the war effort.

They shared how the war in Israel has impacted Ben-Gurion University, the work of Soroka Medical Center that serves the southern part of the country and which treated 1,000 patients in its emergency room on the day of the attack, and how it has affected them personally.

Organizations we encourage contributions to include the following:

• The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is raising money to support Israel’s defense and recovery efforts.
• Magen David Adom is supporting Israel’s rescue and medical resources.
• The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is supporting the families of Israel’s Reform congregations.
• Please also consider a contribution to Yozma, Temple Beth El’s sister congregation in Israel.

In today’s episode, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Dr. Andrea Corn and Randy Nathan about youth sports. They discuss the different physical, social, and leadership benefits they see for children involved in youth sports, how to handle winning and losing, the balance between youth sports and other obligations, and more.

In this special Passover episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Debra Robbins, author of New Each Day, which we are using for our Omer practice this year. They discuss ways to incorporate a daily prayer practice into your life, select poems Rabbi Debra Robbins wrote in response to the psalms in New Each Day, and her experience in writing the book.

In this episode, Rabbi Dan Levin is joined by Rabbis Jessica Spitalnic Mates and Elana Rabishaw, as they discuss their favorite moments and takeaways from our Season 1 episodes and guests, including discussions around the episodes featuring Rabbi Ammi Hirsch, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Rabbi Jennie Rosenn and more.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with two of Temple Beth El’s cantors, Cantorial Soloist Michelle Auslander Cohen and Cantor Jake Harris. They discuss their love of Jewish music and what led them to become cantors, how they engage a large congregation for an exceptional communal experience, what goes into preparing to lead the congregation for the High Holy Days, how they personally prepare for the High Holy Days, and more.

Rabbi Dan Levin introduces the concept of why asking questions is important in Judaism, and the purpose of this podcast.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Richard Address, the founder and director of JewishSacredAging.com. They define the concept of Sacred Aging and discuss what makes something sacred, how you can live life so it has meaning, and the importance of a legacy.

In this special High Holy Day-themed episode of the Essential Questions podcast, Cantor Lori Brock and Rabbi Greg Weisman join Rabbi Dan Levin for an episode discussing how they prepare themselves to lead High Holy Day services for the congregation, as well as how they spiritually prepare for the High Holy Days in their own lives.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Dr. Mark Washofsky. They discuss the intersection between Reform Judaism and halakha, the ongoing conversation between ancient texts and modern life, and what it means to be “authentically Jewish” within Reform Judaism.

What makes a human being – human?

In many ways – this is a question that answers itself.

Human beings ask questions. Questioning is rooted in the very core of what makes us human.  Ever notice that the basic questions of life are the shortest of words?  Who?  When?  Where?  Why?  How?

We hope you will join us in these conversations surrounding the essential questions we all confront in the course of our lives.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Dalia Marx about how to sanctify time. They talk about rituals and their role in enriching spiritual encounters, how to remove barriers to spirituality, what Shabbat and other holy days look like during a time of war in Israel, and more.

Read Rabbi Dalia Marx's book: From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar - https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=50602

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Desee Berkowitz, author of Becoming a Soulful Parent, and Rabbi Amy Pessah, author of Parenting on a Prayer. They discuss how to ensure your child’s spiritual growth, how to prioritize spirituality amid other commitments such as sports and academic demands, small ways to bring spirituality and gratitude into children’s lives, balancing the need to protect your children with allowing them to make mistakes, and more.

In this special episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Joshua Weinberg, Vice President of the URJ for Israel and Reform Zionism, and Executive Director of ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America.

Together, they discuss what is going on in Israel amid the war with Hamas.

Organizations we encourage contributions to include the following:

• The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is raising money to support Israel’s defense and recovery efforts.
• Magen David Adom is supporting Israel’s rescue and medical resources.
• The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is supporting the families of Israel’s Reform congregations.
• Please also consider a contribution to Yozma, Temple Beth El’s sister congregation in Israel.

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

• ARZA
• Rabbi Joshua Weinberg’s Newsletter
• The Times of Israel
• Stand With Us 
• My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shavit
• Catch-67: The Left, the Right, and the Legacy of the Six-Day War by Micah Goodman
• The Promised Podcast

In the season 1 finale of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with his teacher and friend Rabbi David Ellenson, Chancellor Emeritus and past president of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, about different ways to think about God within Judaism, and if a belief in God is necessary.

Essential Questions will return for a special season 1 recap on Wednesday, July 19 where Rabbi Dan Levin will be joined by Rabbis Jessica Spitalnic Mates and Greg Weisman.  We will also have another bonus episode in August about making the High Holy Days meaningful amidst our busy lives. Thank you so much for listening to season 1 of Essential Questions!

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bret Stephens spoke at Temple Beth El in May 2023 about the state of Israel as Israel celebrates its 75th birthday.

If you had the chance to hear his conversation with Rabbi Dan Levin in person, you know how incredibly informative it was. If not, you can listen to this bonus episode - a recording of the live conversation they had as they tried to answer the following questions:

• What do the changes in Israel’s government mean for American Jews and Diaspora Jews around the world?
• How is the uptick in global antisemitism related people’s perception of Israeli politics and Israeli leadership?
• How are we as Reform Jews supposed to feel about Israel?
• What is the state of Israel as it celebrates its 75th birthday?

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin talks with Rabbi Laila Haas, who joined Temple Beth El's clergy team in June 2024. They talk about how they both fell in love with Jewish learning, their experiences learning in Israel, what Torah means to them, how they find meaning and purpose in their lives through Judaism, and more.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin talks with Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff about how Judaism responds to the digital age. They discuss responses to the war between Israel and Hamas on social media, how Reform and Conservative Judaism treats new technologies, and how connections to others online compares to in person.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Dr. Martin Segel and Dr. Marissa Roecklein about cognitive dissonance, or the discomfort that occurs when you hold two conflicting beliefs at the same time. They discuss why it is so hard to recognize within yourself, what enforces it, and tools to combat it.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Elana Rabishaw about their recent trips to Israel amid the ongoing war with Hamas, as well as their past experiences with Israel that are meaningful to them.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder and CEO of Dayenu, an organization mobilizing the American Jewish community to confront the climate crisis with spiritual audacity and bold political action.

In this episode, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Shai Held about the concept of love. They define love in a spiritual context, and discuss how you can develop a “posture” of love, how to learn to love yourself, and what it means to love others, as well as how the concept of love connects with those of hate, justice, and protest.