Shoulder to Shoulder

This is a second part to a discussion on Islam as Pesach and Doug explore the possibilities of peace and similarities between the three Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Speaking with Rabbi Yakov Nagen who is an expert and specializes in Jewish-Islamic relations, we dive into what unites us rather than what divides.

Recent years have seen a drastic increase in the persecution of Christians all over the world. According to recent reports, 2021 was the worst year on record. Almost all of the most dangerous places for Christians today are Muslim countries. Raymond Ibrahim is an author, historian, and journalist who has written extensively about these issues. In this conversation, Raymond goes into the history an...

In 1983 Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, of blessed memory, founded the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Since that time, IFCJ has helped millions around the world, especially in Israel. Doug and Pesach spoke with Yael Eckstein, Rabbi Eckstein's daughter and current CEO and President of IFCJ. Yael discussed the challenges her father faced in the early years, the current work of "the Fellows...

American Family Radio is the radio network of the American Family Association. With over 190 stations across the United States, they bring a message of faith and Biblical values to millions of Americans every day. During a recent trip by Pesach to their headquarters in Tupelo, Mississippi Pesach and Doug sat down with John Riley, a producer and on-air personality with AFR since their founding. The...

Doug and Pesach interview Professor Joshua Berman about his recent trip to Egypt, where he explored ancient Egyptian artifacts that help explain many passages in the Book of Exodus. This controversial discussion addresses many similarities between an Egyptian Pharaoh's victory and the Exodus from Egypt that lead to some "Wow!" moments, as well as some difficult questions. Egypt certainly shaped Mo...

Doug and Pesach discuss Christian traditions and processes surrounding death, burial, and mourning. We dive into some of the similarities and differences between Christian and Jewish mourning practices, and look at the different ways each community grieves. Doug also opens up and shares some of his personal journey with the loss of his father and father in law.

Is there a spiritual value in staying physically healthy? What does Jewish tradition say about this issue? Are there conflicts for a doctor who is also a Christian of devout faith? And how can doctors help their patients spiritually? Dr. Mike Chichak joins Doug and Pesach for a fascinating conversation about his experiences as a Christian medical doctor. We get into a wide range of issues relating...

Pastor Steven Khoury is a Palestinian Arab pastor of a spirit-filled Evangelical church in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christianity. In this fascinating conversation, Pastor Khoury describes growing up as a Christian in an increasingly Muslim population, and going to a church that was bombed over a dozen times. Pastor Khoury also shared the current struggles that his church community faces and wh...

With the background of a recent loss in Pesach's family, Doug and Pesach discuss Jewish traditions and laws surrounding death, burial, and mourning. We explore honor and concern for the soul of the deceased, and some similarities and differences between Judaism and Christianity when it comes to comforting the mourning family. (You'll also learn about a strange job that Pesach had in college...)

Doug and Pesach are joined by Merv and Merla Watson for a conversation about their music and Christian Zionism. Merv and his wife Merla are accomplished musicians and composers, writing over 600 worship songs in a Hebraic style that took them to Israel and around the world. Their most famous worship song, "Jehovah Jireh," has been sung in countless churches. We hear their story of moving to Israel...

Doug and Pesach are joined by Pastor Mikel Lagaras for a conversation about eschatology. What is the Christian view of the end times? What is the Jewish view? Is there anything in common between the two? How central should eschatology be to a life of faith? And.... what difference does it make?

Doug and Pesach are joined by Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin, Founder and Director of the Biblical Museum of Natural History. Rabbi Slifkin is an expert in the accurate understanding of Biblical references to the animal kingdom. And as Doug and Pesach discover in this eye-opening discussion, inaccurate identification of animals mentioned in Scripture can cause us to miss what the Bible is trying to teach...

Doug explains Christmas to Pesach: the customs, history, and meaning. Pesach asks about the date of Christmas, the differences from Easter, and teaching the practice of gift-giving to children. And then there's those people that Doug refers to as "C&E"s. (Judaism has them too!)

In recent decades, African-American - Jewish cooperation has been undermined by a deliberate campaign to attack this long-standing alliance. How did it happen? What can be done about it? What is unique about the African - Jewish relationship? Doug and Pesach are joined by Pastor Dumisani Washington, author of Zionism & the Black Church and founder of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel,...

In this episode, Doug interviews Pesach about all things Hanukkah. They dive into its history and origins in the book of 1st & 2nd Maccabees, and talk about its relevance today. Is Hanukkah a uniquely Jewish holiday that isn't pertinent to Christians, or is it a classic light vs. dark narrative that is applicable to all people of faith in the Bible? Should Christians consider lighting a candle, ea...

In this episode, Doug and Pesach are joined by Bishop Glenn Plummer, recently appointed by the Church Of God In Christ to be the Bishop of Israel. Bishop Plummer shares his plans to promote engagement with Israel in the African-American community through a range of programs. They also discuss trends in attitudes towards Israel, the complex experience of African-American Christians within the Ameri...

The disturbing announcement by the US State Department that they plan to open a consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem, and the administration's stated willingness to re-engage with Iran, raise questions about the US-Israel relationship. Jonathan Feldstein of the Genesis 123 Foundation and Mideast security and military expert Elliot Chodoff join Doug and Pesach for an eye-opening discussion of th...

On this episode, Doug and Pesach build off of some previous discussions to explore ways that parents can fortify the life of the family in the home. As always, the ancient wisdom of the Bible and Jewish & Christian family traditions provide the answers as we confront the challenges of the postmodern age. Join the Shoulder to Shoulder Community on Facebook and contribute to the conversation! Just g...

It is well known that Israel has been at the forefront of the worldwide vaccine campaign, and has imposed strict regulations such as "Green" passes for the vaccinated, restrictions on unvaccinated tourists, and mask mandates. But is this approach to the pandemic hurting Israel's standing among the staunchest supporters of the Jewish State, the politically conservative Evangelical Christians around...

Every once in a while in life, you have the opportunity to meet someone extraordinary... and Canon Andrew White is one of those people. So many miracles and so much good can be attributed to his work in the Middle East to bring about peace. In this episode Doug and Pesach dive into the world of the persecuted church with their special guest whom Doug refers to as a "modern day hero of the faith."...

Everywhere we seem to look in our culture, men are under attack. Pick your favorite TV show and dad is an idiot and the dog is the hero. Even in houses of faith men have lost their biblical role and mandate. Join Doug & Pesach as they tackle a conversation on Manhood with Pastor IV Marsh who leads Epic Church in Decatur, Alabama and is the founder of IAM4 Mens Movement.  

With Critical Race Theory, sex education for younger and younger ages, mask mandates, and a host of other issues plaguing America's public school education system, has the time come for Christians to disengage? What does the Orthodox Jewish education experience have to teach us? Does homeschooling make kids weird? Join Doug and Pesach for a high-stakes discussion with education expert Lisa Nehring...

Join Doug and Pesach in a wide-ranging conversation with US Army Chaplain Rabbi Andy Shulman. Chaplain Shulman discusses the role of a Chaplain and shares his experiences as an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi ministering to Christian soldiers far from home in the field of combat.

As people of traditional faith in the Bible, when are we permitted - or even required - to read the Bible metaphorically rather than literally? Must I believe that an actual snake spoke to Eve? If not, what about the Exodus? And what do we say about conflicting accounts in the Scriptural narrative? Professor Joshua Berman of Bar Ilan University dives deep with us in an eye-opening and theologicall...

The recent US withdrawal from Afghanistan has brought the complex reality of the 20 year War on Terror to the national consciousness. While these recent events have been difficult for all Americans, US combat veterans have had a particularly difficult time. Judy Isaacson Elias is the Founder and President of Heroes to Heroes, a non-profit organization that takes US combat veterans suffering from P...