Tehillah Talks

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss mental illness and how it is viewed in society. We discuss: Stigma surrounding mental illness Lack of adequate mental healthcare The importance of therapy Biblical representations of mental health Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever they or their families find themselves on their Jewish j...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we reflect on how our lives and perspectives have changed in the past year. We discuss: Our need for material objects What our display of material objects at the Passover seder means to us The meaning of “Let all who are hungry come and eat” How our memories of this year may lead to a reframing for us in the future Ways we want to think bigger this Passover Learn...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss the power of history and telling the tale: Why complain? The story of the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds How we relate to the complaints of the former slaves Remembering vs. telling the story Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever they or their families find themselves on their Jewish...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss: Our reflections on 2020, as we conclude the book of Genesis and the calendar year Where we feel most compelled to invest our energy and resources in the next year What we have learned about what is important to us What we want to hold onto from the past year Our hope for the coming year   Learn more about our community that is committed to an env...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss: What comes to mind when we think of Hanukkah How Hanukkah might be different during the pandemic How the meaning and imagery of Hanukkah help us with our current challenges How we can bring light into our community Why light and darkness are powerful for humans Some of the Hanukkah traditions that we follow Our acts of kindness and our wishes for Hanu...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss: Our experiences and feelings about online High Holiday services Some of the tools that we developed to enhance our online services Our reflections about Kristallnacht in the context of current world events The power of speech and how it affects our behavior   Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welc...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss the recent demonstrations, racism and our role as Jews and as people in pursuing justice. We discuss: How are teens are coping during the pandemic Our views about justice How to create real change Our responsibility as Jews to pursue justice Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever they or the...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss Judaism as a guidepost to navigate coronavirus. We discuss: Culture wars and personal values How a crisis transforms our worldview How Judaism can be a guidepost for our behavior in a crisis Why we want purpose and meaning in a world where chaos is constantly emerging Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are w...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss the impact of coronavirus on Judaism and our lives We discuss: How COVID-19 social isolation may impact the way we celebrate Passover How Passover themes relate to our current disruption and uncertainty How the image of Noah in the ark may help us What we imagine our lives will be like when social distancing restrictions start to be lifted Learn more a...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we have a conversation with an immigrant about her experiences coming to and growing up in America and becoming Jewish. We discuss: Coming to America Hiding who you are Assimilation Choosing to be Jewish Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever they or their families find themselves on their Jewish journ...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we have a wide ranging discussion on the meaning of history within the frame of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and Black History month. We discuss: History through a critical lens Why we tell the story beginning with Passover How history always has a point of view The challenge of action in the face of history Learn more about our community t...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we find ourselves at a crossroad at the beginning of a new decade. We discuss: The toxic nature of indifference Anti-Semitism and its resurgence How to respect differences in others Identifying our commonalities Grappling with what we can do to make a difference Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever t...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we look at “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” (Leviticus 19:18) and “If I am not for myself, who am I, and if I am only for myself, what am I, and if not now, when?”(Pirkei Avot 1:14), We discuss: What does it mean to love yourself even as you are changing? Does it mean you have to like everything about your neighbor? Do we treasure that which is unique about oursel...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss the beginning of the Torah and the relevance of the two creation stories We discuss: Unpacking the two creation stories The role of the first creation story in our liturgy Seeing imminence and transcendence from the very beginning The importance of being allowed to fail Was the story of Adam and Eve a set up?   Learn more about our community that...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we read The Art of Blessing the Day, by Marge Piercy, as a jumping off point to talk about blessing and the upcoming High Holidays We discuss: Seeing blessing in the every day The challenge of appreciating and being in the moment Looking to young people for inspiration to act in the world Challenges of modern communication as it relates to missing the mark in the...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we say hello to new members of our conversation, Helena and Bernie. We continue to hear the voice of Julian. We discuss: The connection between Jewish values and agriculture Balance between economics and ethics Awareness of the interplay between humans and the environment The importance of taking small steps Learn more about our community that is committed to an...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we say goodbye to our rabbinic intern Jay Stanton as he leads a conversation about growing up in an Interfaith family. We also welcome Gideon, age 9, to the conversation with our regulars Julian and Jasmine. We discuss: What it means to embrace your Jewish identity Having multiple identities How having a background that cannot be neatly defined is an asset, allow...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we say goodbye to Jasmine as she gets ready for college. We discuss: Whether there is really such a thing as an ending or a beginning How endings prepare us for beginnings Why knowing who you are and what you believe in matters Acknowledging those who are different and really listening How the Torah gives us support and examples for change and transition Learn mo...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss mental illness and how it is viewed in society. We discuss: Stigma surrounding mental illness Lack of adequate mental healthcare The importance of therapy Biblical representations of mental health Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever they or their families find themselves on their Jewish j...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss how we can relate to the seder and the Passover story. We discuss: How the seder can be interpreted to provide meaning in today’s world The implication of being chosen Why we need to take care of widows, orphans and strangers The seder as a didactic and dramatic event – shaped by the leader Learn more about our community that is committed to an environ...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss our understanding of community with Jasmine, Julian, Helena and Bernie. We discuss: What a community means to our teens and what it feels like to be part of our community The importance of inclusion; finding common ground across differences The difference between communities we choose vs. communities into which we are placed Circumstances that prompt p...

This is the second in this two-part episode of Tehillah Talks, where Jasmine and Julian ask Rabbi Linda about her path to become a rabbi. We discuss: What it’s like to be Jewish in a dominantly Christian culture When one feels the presence of the Divine What characterizes our Rabbi and Congregation How random acts of kindness can create powerful, intimate connections without words A woman’s perspe...

We turn the tables in this two-part episode of Tehillah Talks, where Jasmine and Julian ask Rabbi Linda about her path to become a rabbi. We discuss: Rabbi Linda’s journey to the rabbinate Julian asks Rabbi Linda about her relationship to and understanding of the Divine Learn more about our community that is committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever they or their families find...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we reflect on being Jewish when violence is an everyday occurrence. We discuss: Examples of violence around us – in Pittsburgh and Kentucky How recent anti-Semitism seems the same and different from Kristallnacht With a legacy of oppression, why it is important to stand up for others Why it is easier to be part of a solution to oppression when we stand together a...

In this episode of Tehillah Talks, in light of Thanksgiving, Jasmine and Julian share their thoughts on gratitude. We discuss: The importance of empathy and mindfulness How gratitude is part of the Jewish frame of reference How the act of giving and thanking are both intrinsic to gratitude How coming together as family, although not always simple, is a way of rooting oneself, thereby being a sourc...