The Beth El Podcast Network

Send us Fan Mail Joe Buchanan sat down with Cantor ​Melanie Blatt Schuster for a deep‑dive into his brand‑new album Heaven and Earth—15 tracks of original Jewish country music straight from the heart. They talked about the stories behind the songs (including the super‑personal “My Beloved” and “Goodnight My Love”), Joe’s creative process, and how he and his wife April shape every detail—down to pa...

Send us Fan Mail In case you missed it or want to share, here is the Sisterhoods sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (April 11, 2026) 

Send us Fan Mail In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

Send us Fan Mail In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 21, 2026) 

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is a true treat as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Sami Halle welcome special guest Rachel Lipman — a fifth‑generation winemaker and meadmaker at Loew Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Maryland, home of Maryland’s first Kosher winery. We dive deep into all things wine: how it’s made, the history behind the craft, grape varieties, weather’s impact on flavor, the origins of...

Send us Fan Mail Hosted by Sami Halle and featuring the voices of our incredible Morahs — Janice Huritz , Kayla Jackson , and Ashley Aragon — Episode 2 dives straight into the joyful whirlwind of spring holidays, classroom chaos, and the nostalgia that shapes who we are as teachers. This week, we bounce from Purim to Passover , covering everything from costumes, glitter, and groggers to matzah, cr...

Send us Fan Mail In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Abe Friedman's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.​ (March 14, 2026) 

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode of Havdalah Happy Hour is pure community joy as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck relive the magic of Beth El’s Got Talent. Who knew our community could sing, laugh, play instruments, and showcase so many hidden talents? It was unforgettable, and we’re still riding the high. Naturally, the conversation spiraled into a very serious debate ab...

Send us Fan Mail Join Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck as they dive into this week’s Parsha. Guess what?— more props this week!  Tune in to catch all the fascinating ins and outs of the Parsha.

Send us Fan Mail This week, Jill Suffel and Cantor Emily Ellentuck are back with a special treat: a bonus episode featuring two incredible guests, Hailey and Jenna , fresh off the recent Beth El Israel trip they experienced alongside our fearless chaperones, Emily and Jill. Together, they dive into all the good stuff — the unforgettable sweet and savory bites , the standout adventures , the true w...

Send us Fan Mail In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbinical Student Samson Njogu​'s sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 7, 2026) 

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is a perfect blend of Purim joy, global awareness, and all the things we’re excited about right now. Join Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck as we reminisce about the best Purim ever—the costumes, the chaos, the community energy—and debate the truly important question of the season: which hamantaschen flavor reigns supreme? (Comment your fav...

Send us Fan Mail Join Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week’s Parsha. Guess what?— more props this week!  Tune in to catch all the fascinating ins and outs of the Parsha.

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is a joyful reunion as Jill Suffel and Cantor Emily Ellentuck return from their incredible Beth El trip to Israel—and they come bearing stories. They give us the full rundown: the shopping (obviously), the unforgettable bites, the mitzvah moments, the explorations, and yes… the cereal haul they lovingly brought back for Ben Kreshtool. Ben, in true Ben fashion,...

Send us Fan Mail Join Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week’s Parsha. Wahoo — even more props this week! We explored incense and played with fire (literally and figuratively). Plus, make sure you tune in for Ben K.’s brand‑new intro — it’s amazing. Comment your favorite scent below, then listen in to catch all the fascinating ins and outs of the Parsha...

Send us Fan Mail My Story with Keith Franz. Join us for this conversation led by Rabbi Steven Schwartz and get to know Keith Franz, a long time dedicated member of Beth El Congregation. Hear his family connections to Beth El and about his amazing journey to Africa

Send us Fan Mail The stars are aligning at Beth El! 🌟 We’re sitting down for a special update with Rabbi Steven Schwartz, Stuart Dankner, Gail Willoughby, and Marsye Kaplan! Representing the Seniors Club and Mens Club, our guests give us the inside scoop on the most anticipated event of the season: Beth El’s Got Talent! From hidden gems to show-stopping acts, you won’t want to miss the incredible...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode brings a whole new flavor to the table as Ben Kreshtool is joined by special guests Sami Halle and Tzippi King , while we send love across the ocean to our co‑hosts adventuring in Israel — Jill Suffel and Cantor Emily Ellentuck, we miss you! With Purim right around the corner, we dive into all things Purim prep, costumes, and community celebrations (and yes, do...

Send us Fan Mail Join Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week’s Parsha — and yes, this episode comes with props!   Get ready for a fun, fascinating look at the text as they unpack the details, spark new insights, and bring the Parsha to life in a whole new way. Tune in, learn something new, and enjoy the ride. 🎧✨

Send us Fan Mail Pack your virtual bags, because this week Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck are taking us on a full‑on travel adventure. We dive into Israel trips —from the magic of stepping onto Israeli soil for the very first time to the emotions, memories, and meaning that come with it. Naturally, the conversation drifts into the essentials: where you must eat when you tra...

Send us Fan Mail Parsha Time with Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool & Rabbi Steven Schwartz Magic? Witchcraft? The weekly parsha? Yep… we’re going there. This week, we’re comparing and contrasting the “supernatural” in Torah with the way we talk about it today — from ancient texts to TikTok takes. How does misinformation spread so easily, and how can social media also help us learn, connect, and d...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is a full ride through Baltimore memories, modern obsessions, and the everyday chaos that somehow always brings us together. Join Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck as they dive into nostalgic Baltimore—the charming, the spooky, and the childhood adventures that only longtime locals truly understand. From there, the crew jumps into the shows...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an engaging conversation as Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool dive into the weekly Parsha. Whether you’re a seasoned learner or just beginning your journey, these discussions invite you to explore fresh insights and discover new meaning in the Torah—one week at a time.

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Morah to Talk About, the newest show on the Beth El Podcast Network, where we open the door to the vibrant, heartfelt, and often hilarious world of early childhood education. Hosted by Sami Halle and featuring the voices of our incredible Morahs — starting with Lauren Sali, Kayla Jackson, and Ashley Aragon — this series celebrates the passion, creativity, and everyday m...

Send us Fan Mail Ben, Jill, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck return to Havdalah Happy Hour to recap their snowy adventures—from how they prepped before the first flakes fell to the realities of shoveling, slipping, and surviving the deep freeze. Along the way, they share laughs, relatable moments, and a few classic Havdalah Happy Hour tangents that make you feel like you’re sitting right there with them...