The Maggid Method

10 years ago, now President of Gratz College, Rabbi Zev Eleff wrote "The Decline of the Rabbinic Sermon" for the Jewish Action. It won the Simon Rockower Award for Excellence in Jewish Journalism. On this episode of the Maggid Method podcast, we revisit that article and discuss the state of sermons today.

On episode 4 of the Maggid Method podcast, R'Noah Cheses, Rabbi of Young Israel of Sharon, MA candidly discusses his transition from OU-JLIC educator at Yale University to congregational rabbi, and the credo he lives by: "A good Drasha emerges out of life lived together and then shapes life lived together." We cover topics such as: 🔴 - The value of spontaneous, extemporaneous sermon...

On episode 2 (Part 2) of the Maggid Method podcast, Rabbi/Comedian Mike Fine discusses the connection between giving a compelling sermon and performing stand-up comedy. We cover topics such as: 🔴 - The surprisingly effective advice Rabbi Fine learned from Woody Allen 🔵 - Which types of Drashos are more likely to leave a lasting impact, helping the audience to internalize the message and remember...

On episode 2 of the Maggid Method podcast, Rabbi/Comedian Mike Fine discusses his humble origins as serial yeshiva student, stand-up comic and chaplain to some of the most famous comedians of all time, as well as the intersection between spirituality and stand-up comedy. We cover topics such as: 🔴 - How Rabbi Mike balances being a rabbi with his life on the road as a stand-up comic 🔵 - How he pr...

On the first episode of the Maggid Method podcast, listen in as we unpack Rabbi Ari Neuman's Rosh HaShanah sermon at Congregation Torat Emet in Columbus, OH (Go Bucks!) and cover topics such as: 🔴 - How to craft an engaging opening 🔵 - The personal story Rabbi Neuman shared about his mother's efforts to reconcile with his mother-in-law after 12 years of estrangement 🔴 - Tension-building...