The Rev & The Rabbi

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend AR Bernard engage in a dialogue with former Congressman Peter King to address the erosion of civility and boundaries in modern political discourse. The conversation centers on a critique of the president’s disrespectful rhetoric toward religious institutions, specifically highlighting an aggressive public dispute with the Pope that the speakers believe trivialize...

Jonathan Wartell critiques the JCPOA nuclear deal, arguing that it was a naive agreement that failed to address Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and their stated intent to destroy America. The discussion highlights a perceived global lack of resolve to confront the Iranian regime, drawing parallels to the historical inaction seen during the Holocaust while noting how political polarization of...

Criminal Defense Attorney Alan Abramson joined Rev. A.R. Bernard & Rabbi Joseph Potasnik on The Rev & The Rabbi to talk about the platform of Free Speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free Speech Edition with Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard. Criminal Defense Attorney Alan Abramson joins the show to clarify Protected Speech and what is known as the platform for Free Speech. The Rev & The Rabbi also reflect on the Art of Protesting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Father Peter Purpura, who serves as the Chancellor of the Brooklyn Diocese and a chaplain for the FDNY joins the show to explain how his role as administrator involves acting as a legal and historical notary, preserving church records that date back to the early 19th century. Father Purpura also explores the spiritual significance of Easter, highlighting themes of renewal, hope, and the historical...

Easter Sunday Edition with Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard. Father Peter Purpura joins the show to talk Easter Sunday and early beginnings with his Spiritual walk. The dialogue then shifts toward the true meaning of Easter vs Symbolism. Finally, the hosts reflect on Spiritual Growth Impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore shares her journey from a challenging childhood in the Bronx to becoming the second woman to lead the FDNY. She highlights her thirty-year career starting as an EMT, emphasizing that her rise through the ranks of EMS operations uniquely prepared her for an administrative role that oversees both fire and medical services. A primary theme of the discussion is the...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Lillian Bonsignore, the 37th Fire Commissioner of the FDNY, exploring her journey from the Bronx to leading the nation’s largest fire department. The conversation highlights her transition from a career in EMS to the commissionership, where she emphasizes the nature of service and the critical need for pay parity for emergency medical respo...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Reverend A.R. Bernard, and guest Rabbi David Seth Kirshner regarding the multidimensional nature of Passover. The conversation transitions from the holiday’s inherent "identity crisis"—balancing the bitterness of historical slavery with the sweetness of liberation—to the modern necessity of maintaining hope amidst contemporary tragedy. The participants emphasize that Judaism...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard discussing the profound layers of Passover with guest Rabbi David Seth Kirshner. The conversation explores the holiday’s inherent dual identity, balancing the joy of liberation with a sober reflection on historical and modern oppression. Kirshner emphasizes that Judaism is a religion of questions, where the ritual of inviting children to inquire at t...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard, welcome guest Larry Grogan, who shares his mission to run 100 marathons in 100 days to inspire those living with Parkinson’s disease. Despite his diagnosis, Groen champions the philosophy that "movement is medicine," arguing that physical activity acts as a vital tool for neuroplasticity and maintaining a high quality of life. The conversation shift...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a profound dialogue regarding the inner life and the moral responsibilities of leadership within a fractured society. The program begins by honoring the legacy of the late journalist Ernie Anastos, framing him as a symbol of human decency who prioritized his authentic identity over social acceptance. This discussion on personal integrity tr...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard discuss the pressing need for legislative protection of religious institutions amid a modern decline in public reverence. Featuring guest Hindi Pukpko from the UJA-Federation, the conversation centers on a proposed New York City bill designed to establish buffer zones around houses of worship and schools to prevent the intimidation of congregants by...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Hindy Poupko regarding a New York City Council bill designed to protect houses of worship and schools from targeted harassment. The discussion emphasizes that while the right to protest is a fundamental American liberty, it should not cross into the intimidation of families and children at their places of sanctuary. Poupko highlights the br...

Today's special episode captures a high-stakes dialogue concerning international security, religious duty, and the historical parallels of modern conflict. The conversation centers on a major retaliatory strike from Iran and the subsequent threats to civilian life in Israel, while also exploring the moral obligations of leadership and community protection during difficult times. Through a mix of p...

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli joins host Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard to discuss the intersection of faith, public service, and fiscal responsibility. The conversation begins with a reflection on religious traditions like Lent and the Jewish Yahrtzeit, emphasizing how spiritual discipline and the memory of loved ones should inspire a forward-looking sense of moral r...

Reverend A.R. Bernard and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik host New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to explore the intersection of spiritual faith and public service. The dialogue highlights how the traditions of Lent, Ramadan, and Yahrzeit serve as catalysts for moral reflection and a sense of communal responsibility, framing religion as a "North Star" for navigating social challenges. DiNapoli detai...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard host Deacon Kevin McCormack to discuss the financial and emotional crisis facing the Catholic school system in Brooklyn. The conversation highlights the heartbreaking closure of several local schools due to declining enrollment and a lack of public funding, prompting an urgent plea for New York to adopt federal scholarship tax credits. Beyond policy,...

AR Bernard and Joseph Potsanik discuss the educational and financial crisis facing Catholic schools in Brooklyn, highlighted by the heartbreaking decision to close seven institutions due to dwindling enrollment. Deacon Kevin McCormack explains that these schools lack the city subsidies provided to public and charter counterparts, forcing parents to shoulder costs that the "system" fails to adequat...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend AR Bernard explore the intersection of faith, community, and current events through the lens of Super Bowl Sunday. They begin by characterizing the sports holiday as a modern American Sabbath that fosters family unity, eventually transitioning into deeper discussions about combating anti-Semitism and the importance of understanding historical context in global co...

Hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a nuanced dialogue with criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis. The conversation centers on the death of Alex Frety, a licensed gun owner, utilizing his case to highlight the dangers of rushing to judgment before independent investigations are complete. Abramson emph...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. The discussion centers on the death of Alex Pretti, a licensed gun owner who was killed by ICE agents, and highlights the growing tension between civil liberties and militarized law enforcement. Abramson critiques the lack of...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett regarding her extensive humanitarian career and her new book, Half Jew for Life. The conversation highlights Bennett’s work with the Multifaith Alliance, where she successfully bridged divides between Syrians and Israelis by providing massive amounts of medical and humanitarian aid to war victims. A central theme of th...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett to explore the dual nature of religion as both a source of humanitarian compassion and a tool for extremist indoctrination. Dr. Bennett discusses her book, Half Jew, Full Life, which details the Holocaust-era struggle for identity and the dangers of authoritarianism and hate speech. A significant portion of the convers...

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview policy expert Alireza Jafarzadeh to examine the systemic oppression and growing internal resistance within modern Iran. Jafarzadeh details how the ruling theocracy maintains power through violent repression, economic mismanagement, and the strategic misuse of religion, contrasts that with the "stolen revolution" that replaced the monarchy....