Not That Kind of Rabbi

Sometimes we become something, not because we get a degree, but because we simply, through our actions and intentions, become something. In this case after years of service and study, after mining his heart for the gold inside Avrum Rosensweig has done just that. Not a Rabbi but in every way that I can see, just that, a Rabbi. We could have talked all day.

Tucked way up on the northern tip of Africa is the place where I come from, Morocco. A few of us left that country after hundreds of years in the 50's and 60's. Luckily one of those is sacred singer, Cantor Aaron Bensoussan. His voice is magical, every song a prayer in itself. Luckily he ended up in Toronto and he is my guest on Not That Kind Of Rabbi this time.

Nettie Cronish is one hell of a foodie. She combines spirit, ethics, knowledge and passion to create fantastic vegetarian recipes. Her latest is a Fair Trade cookbook. Prepare yourself for a soulful journey into the art of eating and living right. Like Jalapeno Chocolate Chili, yum.

The Reverend Michael Coren has a way of seeing the world that combines wit, intelligence and compassion. His new book, The Rebel Christ, makes the case for equal marriage, the right to abortion and the scriptures that back up his argument. We have a chat.

What do Mary Tyler Moore, deep mystical Judaism and going to see a therapist have in common. Answer, they all reside in the person of Social Worker, Therapist, Kabbalist and Chinese medicine devotee Annette Poizner. We had a great conversation on this week's episode. Join us and take a turn around the diamond of your soul.

While doing my training to become a spiritually based counsellor, I met a fellow traveller, an American named Yesh. We've been friends since then. Now he's written a book, Unthinkable Dreams, that tells the tale of his mother’s passing just two days before 9-11. Both events have left their indelible mark.

Billy Newton Davis can sing. Has four Juno's. Billy had gospel at five, Motown at thirteen, Broadway by twenty and through it all he's been soulful and searching. This is great conversation.

Mackenzie Gray is an actor, director and theatre teacher. One day, not too long ago, he almost died. Six months later, he had one of his legs amputated. His response was one of joy and spirit. This is his story.

In this episode of Not That Kind of Rabbi Ralph spends some time with the Rev. Drew Jacques. Nothing too heavy, just the future of the Church, the wrongs of the past, the way some people talk about God. You know the usual stuff.

Peter Wood is a Sax Player. Loves Kansas Swing. Peter Woods is also the Reverend at Mackay United Church in Ottawa. These two Peter's are both getting it on with God. Come join us while we jam on that in this jazzy version of Not That Kind Of Rabbi.

Nakuset is an indigenous powerhouse that runs a Montreal Indigenous women's shelter. She was also scooped up in the 60's, taken from her Saskatchewan home and raised by a Jewish Family in Montreal. It didn't go well, except for the saving grace of her Bubby. She calls herself a Jewish Indian. I call her inspiring. Have a listen.

Jonathan Torrens has harvested his time in the Canadian spotlight and turned it in to a beautiful thing. Love, balance and creativity. We reconnect with an old CBC fellow traveler to see how the corn grows in Nova Scotia these days and where life has taken him.

Happy Capitalist Lou Schizas figures we're going through this life thing alone. Its just a matter of the choices you make, and if they suck, oh well. The neo-liberal approach to spirit-if that's what we're calling it...

He was a Buddhist teacher, an academic and in the legal parlance of the time, a drug smuggling kingpin. Fleet Maull got 14 years in prison and today brings mindful and compassionate service to inmates and correctional officers across North America. His new book is called Radical Responsibility. This is a great interview.

Once again, violence has become the language of the Israel/Palestine reality. Who do I turn to for a grounded conversation? Not who's right and who's wrong, but a mind that sees the gray, instead of the ribal black and white. Who? How about comedian Simon Rakoff. He's taking the chance of being serious on this one.

Welcome to the first encore guest on Not That Kind of Rabbi. The Reverend Michael Coren. I always enjoy his thoughtful and deeply knowledge based approach to the sacred. This time we'll talk post-COVID, Israel and Palestine and the big question... Is Capitalism a proper container for Christian thought? Support us at patreon.com/NTKR

Gary Barwin is, well, a lot of things. Aurthor, poet, composer, artist, Phd, teacher. Basically, so talented that I find myself mildly annoyed by his talent. His latest book is called Nothing the Same-Everything Haunted, (The Ballad of Motl the Cowboy). It has Jews, Lthuanians, Nazis, fake Indians, fake cowboys and many brilliant and heart arresting plot twists. Please enjoy, if there is such a th...

Alan Doyle has had a great big life. The pride of Petty Harbour Nfld. Sings, plays, writes and most importantly lives and loves his family. Have a listen.

Jeffrey Koffman is a Canadian whose war reporting took him around the world. He is passionate, insightful and here to talk with the Rabbi.

Jazz Music is a spiritual jam. Adrean Farrugia knows that and through his fingers flows a beautiful sound. Have a listen.

What do you get when you take a Canadian Rabbi and drop him into the American stew? A good dash of spirit, faith and social justice. Rabbi Shawn Zevit is my guest.

Yakir Englander is building a bridge from his ultra-orthodox past to a profoundly liberating Jewish future. Listen and learn his wisdom.

From Hockey Night in Canada to another night in Lockdown. The next chapter in the play by play of Paul Romanuk's playbook.

What do you get when you take 13 soul traits and pick one a week to work on? That's easy, it's called Mussar. Alan Morinis is here to explain.

Carla Collins on Not That Kind of Rabbi talking laughs, deep breath and meditation.