The Beth El Podcast Network

Send us Fan Mail "May we all be blessed to take notice of the small natures around us. May we notice the garden in front of Beth El, the flowers within our sanctuary, the snow and the sky and the earth."  In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Naomi Zaslow's full sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

Send us Fan Mail Chesed, showing up, and a rabbinical school reunion.  "It's the small ways that we touch people, the kindness that we extend, and the way that we connect with them and care for them, is what people remember."  In case you missed it or want to share, here is  Rabbi Dana Saroken's full sermon from this past Friday evening at Beth El Congregation of 

Send us Fan Mail Turkey, Tombstones, and Black Friday Pull up a chair and pour yourself a drink. Ben, Jill, and Jeremy dive into the joys (and chaos) of the holiday—think turkey, traditions, and an obligatory debate: is Black Friday shopping still worth it, or has it gone the way of the fax machine? But that’s not all—Ben shares some of his most memorable cemetery stories and as always, we wrap up...

Send us Fan Mail Jumping into Genesis! This week, Rabbi Saroken, Ben Kreshtool, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck explore Chayei Sarah, diving into its timeless lessons.  This week’s Torah portion reflects on the profound responsibility of caring for our loved ones, even after death. Sarah's passing serves as a reminder that we are all links in a greater chain, preserving the stories and lives of th...

Send us Fan Mail Rabbi Dana Saroken discusses the three ways we can help foster a love and connection to Judaism for our children and grandchildren.   In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Saroken's full sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

Send us Fan Mail This week on Havdalah Happy Hour , we’re mixing up more than just kiddush cups! Rabbi Saroken joins us as we continue our debate from last week about burnt bagels and well done pizza.  Rabbi Saroken shares her unique connection with airports and we play a quick game of Jewish cemetery trivia.  Meanwhile, Emily rolls in with our brand-new Kidz Kart —a game-changer for families atte...

Send us Fan Mail Kvetch & Co is back for Season 2 on the Beth El Podcast Network. We jump right into things with these four fabulous moms recapping the highs (and kvetch-worthy lows) of the recent High Holy Days. But it doesn’t stop there! The mom’s take us through their adventures in everyday life, from debating the merits of Starbucks holiday drinks to the highs and lows of shopping with the...

Send us Fan Mail "Judaism suggests to us in many ways that life is less about reaching a final destination than it is about experiencing the journey along the way..." 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 Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network is back and better than ever! This week, Cantor Emily Ellentuck joins us to share her journey from the deserts of Arizona to the rolling hills of Maryland. From adjusting to Daylight Savings Time to marveling at the fall foliage, we cover it all. Plus, we debate the merits of pineapple on pizza and tackle the tragic saga of burnt...

Send us Fan Mail Jumping into Genesis, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken delve into our weekly Torah portion, continuing this week with Lech Lecha.  Why did Abraham follow God's call to leave his home? How willing would you be to take a leap and go into the unknown? Tune in next week when we discuss Gomorrah - a city destroyed by fire or a Jerry Garcia song. 

Send us Fan Mail This past Shabbat our Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool discussed his recent journey back to Poland.

Send us Fan Mail Grab a seat and pour yourself a drink—it’s time for the return of The Havdalah Happy Hour! In our brand new season opener, we’re diving into the highs and lows of this past holiday season. Join us as Ben takes us behind the scenes of his Yom Kippur preparations and shares a few unusual moments he spotted from the bimah. And, of course, it wouldn’t be The Havdalah Happy Hour withou...

Send us Fan Mail Jumping into Genesis, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken delve into each Torah portion in Genesis, starting with Noach, to explore timeless lessons and challenges relevant to modern life. They discuss the themes of creation and renewal, reflecting on how Noach’s story serves as both a tale of divine judgment and human resilience. We also add a mix of the World Series, Lord of the Ri...

Send us Fan Mail "How do we begin this year so full of new dreams?  How do we find the courage to translate those dreams into a reality?"  In case you missed it or would like to share, here is Rabbi Naomi Zaslow's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

Send us Fan Mail Beth El Congregation's My Story - featuring Tammra Sigler and moderated by Dr. Eyal Bor.  Tammra’s paintings and monotypes are part of the permanent collections of The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C., and the Baltimore Museum of Art, as well as many private and corporate collections nationally and internationally. Discover her interesting connection to...

Send us Fan Mail "We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We don't know if it will feel safe, comfortable or easy to live as a Jew. But, what we do know is that when we focus on the moment,  when we allow ourselves to dance, sing, or to give gratitude, then sometimes in all of those things we can experience a sense of joy that's unexpected." In case you missed it, or would...

Send us Fan Mail "Prayer enables me to see the beauty in the world. Prayer places me in the story of Am Yisrael, the Jewish people, and reminds me that I'm a link in a chain of an ancient and sacred tradition, and I have a responsibility to make sure it continues." In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz's Yom Kippur sermon from Beth El Congregatio...

Send us Fan Mail "As a people we still have a long journey ahead. We still have countless battles that await us and we might have no choice other than to hold on tightly to the blessings amidst the curses, to smile even as we cry, to feel our strength even when we're scared, and to hold our faith even when we feel doubt." In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Sa...

Send us Fan Mail "We will rebuild ourselves. We will rebuild our relationships. We will rebuild our lives and we will rebuild our world...The Jewish people will be here and will thrive forever." In case you missed it or would like to share with your family and friends, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's full sermon from the first day of Rosh Hashanah at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

Send us Fan Mail "Live proudly as a Jew!" During his Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Steven Schwartz reflects on the difficulty of these High Holy Days, shaped by the horrific events of October 7th, rising antisemitism, and the recent missile attacks on Israel.  In case you missed it or would like to share with your family and friends, here is Rabbi Schwartz's full sermon from the first...

Send us Fan Mail In case you missed it or would like to share - here is Rabbi Naomi Zaslow's full sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.

Send us Fan Mail In the season 1 finale of The Havdalah Happy Hour , Ben takes us on a journey through his recent trip to Poland, sharing his experiences and reflections. As the High Holy Days approach, we dive into all the preparations and meaningful moments ahead. And of course, we can't wrap up the season without our "Shonda of the Week" – where we shake our heads in disbelief. 

Send us Fan Mail In the season 1 finale of Kvetch & Co, we're diving into the world of kid birthday parties and ask the eternal question: To goodie bag or not to goodie bag? And why does it feel like we’re planning a small wedding for a 5-year-old?! Plus, we’re tackling those after-school meltdowns and bedtime sagas. If you’ve ever found yourself Googling "how to …….,”  this episode...

Send us Fan Mail Torah Talk from this past Shabbat with Rabbi Steven Schwartz, Rabbi Dana Saroken and Naomi Zaslow. 

Send us Fan Mail  In this special bonus episode on the Beth El Podcast Network, we are joined by Cantor Thom King and Dr. Sanford Siegel for a heartfelt conversation about the upcoming Prostate Cancer Walk / Run on September 29 at Towson University. Cantor King shares his personal journey with prostate cancer—his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery—and why raising awareness is so close to his heart...