Kol Jeshurun

On October 7, the Cohens hid in their bomb shelter with their two young sons in their home in Kibbutz K’far Aza for nearly 30 hours. They quieted their older son, Adam, by watching 'Cocomelon' on his iPad. Eleven-year-old TBJ member Cody Braverman, who voices the main character on the show, was able connect with Adam, which is what brings the Cohens to TBJ on January 5, 2024. This is their harrowi...

Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz reflects on the impact of his experience viewing the harrowing footage of the attacks on October 7th and how we all parse out our different views on the conflict as it unfolds. Originally broadcast December 19th, 2023. Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director.

Rabbi Leah Sternberg explores the concept of machloket l'shem shamayim , arguments for the sake of heaven, as it pertains to the present conflict in Israel/Gaza. Cantor Lucy Fishbein sings a classic Israeli folk song, Ani V'atah - Me & You - which expresses how it is our responsibility to work together to create the change we wish to see in the world. Music & Lyrics by Arik Einstein Origin...

Rabbi Matt Gewirtz reports back after a very powerful trip to Israel in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. Cantor Lucy Fishbein sings a heart wrenching peace of music - Rikmah Enoshit Achat (We are one human tapestry) by Moti Hammer - to honor the fallen in Israel. Originally broadcast November 3rd, 2023 Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director

The first in our Israel series: Rabbi Perolman reflects on the aftermath of October 7th and how the world immediately changed. She asks the question "what do we do now??" and gives us some tools to start searching for the answer. Sermon originally aired Friday October 27th, 2023 at TBJ. For more information, visit us at TBJ.org. Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director.

Cantor Lucy Fishbein of TBJ sits down for a conversation with her teacher, Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller. Cantor Schiller has been a professor at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for 35+ years and is a prolific composer in her own right. She is on the verge of retiring from her post as the Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman Professor of Liturgy, Worship and Ritual and Professor of Canto...

Senior Cantor Emeritus Howard M. Stahl shares his thoughts on TBJ's 175 years.

Jen Biegelsen joined Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz to discuss his new book 'To Build a Brave Space: The Making of a Spiritual First Responder'. Here is the conversation that took place on Friday December 2, 2022 at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun.

Congregant Rachel Braverman shares her courageous journey through discovering and overcoming breast cancer. Originally delivered October 5th, 2022 at Temple B'nai Jeshurun during the Yom Kippur Afternoon Healing Service.

Congregational friend Jill Goldstein shares her heart breaking 9.11 loss, her healing renewal in newfound love, and all in the context of her relationship with God and her Jewish faith.

A lifelong educator from Newark, New Jersey's South Ward, Charity Haygood speaks on social and economic justice in the context of biblical enslavement and wandering. Haygood asks from our Liturgy, “When will redemption come? When we grant everyone what we claim for ourselves.” Originally aired during Shabbat services in the Summer of 2021. Produced and edited by Matt Turk, TBJ's music director. Th...

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Music Director Matt Turk sits down with legendary Cantor Jeffrey Klepper to discuss how Cantor Klepper, Rabbi Daniel Friedlander and Debbie Friedman “torpedoed" Reform Judaism, Jazz legend Arnie Lawrence, Rabbi Chaim Stern’s importance and bringing guitar to liturgical music. Episode 2 of 2.

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Music Director Matt Turk sits down with legendary Cantor Jeffrey Klepper to discuss “Shalom Rav”, the importance of camp music and how it changed Reform Judaism, becoming a composer, the guitar and his “Ah-Ha” moment at the Chasidic Music Festival. Episode 1 of 2.

TBJ's Music Director, Matthew J. Turk presents a special musical presentation celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This program was made possible by the generosity of the Dreifus Family in honor of their Aunt Esther Teidor. The video of this presentation can be found here . Directed and arranged by Matthew J. Turk, Music Director Lead Vocals: Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein, Matthew J. Tur...

With humility, grace and courage, TBJ’s Julie Cohn shares her family's recent experiences with Covid-19.

TBJ Music Director Matthew J. Turk explores the folk process through three melodies Et Dodim, Yis’m’chu V’mal’chut’cha and Hinei Mah Tov, discovering similarities, differences and the distinction between oral and written tradition in folk music.

Former Ambassador of Israel to the US, Michael Oren discusses his new book "To All Who Call in Truth"

Today on Kol Jeshurun we highlight music written by Israeli composers throughout the ages performed as our Sermon in Song on April 16, 2021 in honor of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. Presented by Cantor Lucy Fishbein, Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz, Cantoral Intern Jenna Mark, Matthew J. Turk, Music Director and the TBJ Band. Kabbalat shabbat: Artza alinu – Israeli pioneer folk song Tzena, Tzen...

Every morning one of our clergy and staff goes live on Facebook for a morning message called “ Boker Tov (Good Morning) TBJ ”. This week on Kol Jeshurun, you will hear a few highlights from the last month of Boker Tov messages including reflections, meditations, and song. S'fatai Tiftach (Music by Beit T'filah Israeli) Elohai N'shama (Music by Craig Taubman) Produced by Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein The...

TBJ Music Director Matthew J Turk shares four Passover melodies providing historical context TBJ Music Director Matthew J Turk shares four Passover melodies providing historical context and offering space for reflection on their spiritual meaning today. Theme Music & Production by Matthew J. Turk

#ICYMI This week on Kol Jeshurun, we revisit Shabbat Services on March 19th, 2021. Listen as our guest speaker, Mark Gerson, presents about the wisdom of the Haggadah in celebration of the publication of his new book "The Telling: How Judaism's Essential Book Reveals the Meaning of Life". https://www.therabbishusband.com/

This week on Kol Jeshurun, your clergy present reflections, music and moments of memory to honor the year that has passed and hope for what is to come.

Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz and Cantor Howard Stahl reflect on what they and we have learned throughout this past year of the pandemic. Produced by Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein Theme Music by Matthew J. Turk

This week on Kol Jeshurun, Rabbi Perolman is joined by Dr. Nancy Simpkins who has been our "North Star" throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Simpkins answers all our questions about the vaccine, who can get it, why we should get it, and what we can expect in the months ahead. Produced by Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein Theme Music by Matthew J. Turk

This week on Kol Jeshurun, Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman is in Conversation with Rabbi Sari Laufer from Stephen Wise Temple (LA). They discuss the book of Esther, Vashti and how these women shape the holiday of Purim for all of us.