Conversations with the Rabbi

Not every itch needs scratching, not every critique is worth airing. At least not now.

So much news, so much contradictory testimony, so much politically motivated, depending on which source you follow, depending on your particular algorithm. US Army Veteran George Schwartz and Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss believe that cooler heads should always prevail. This podcast, "Cooler Heads" relies upon provable and rational understandings of the events of the world and particularly how they im...

The reward is watching them grow independent. The reward is seeing that they no longer need us the way they once did. Not to stop traffic. Not to hold their hand. Just to stand there and cheer them on. So every year, I do just that—with a lump in my throat and enormous gratitude. Because mentoring these students brings Torah to life for me. And that is the life I set out to live as a rabbi and a t...

Cooler Heads Ep 4 with Rabbi Scott and George Schwartz - "Lox and Loaded?" by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

The vitriol has to stop. Violence against we Jews is the logical outcome of virulent spewing of hate against Israel.

12 years and still growing!

Important links referred to in the recording can be found in the written blog: https://www.cskhouston.com/hearourvoice?post_id=1641449&edit=true%27#

Today is Yom HaShoah, the day we, the Jewish people, set aside to remember the Holocaust. There has long been debate over whether the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, was a direct response to the Holocaust. Some argue that in the wake of the unimaginable horrors – thoroughly reported and documented throughout the world, the usual default to anti-Semitism momentarily faltered. Amid tha...

Here is a blurb, click to listen for more: It’s the middle of Passover, and I’m deep into my ancient Atkins-like, no-chametz regimen—basically, a protein-heavy, bread-free diet that, let's be honest, I should probably be following year-round. Still, let’s not pretend matzah feels like the “Bread of Freedom” when it’s more like the “Break of constant-anticipation for the end of Passover.” (And if y...

Clip from blog: With apologies to vegetarians, this is the most real Passover there is. Simple and to the point, this is “OG” Passover! (check this definition if you need to learn what “OG” stands for): Slaughter the lamb, put some of its blood on your doorpost, bbq, slice, and eat with a cracker and some hot but savory spice. And that was Passover; that and not eating bread products for a week an...

This blog is about the nexus of Hebrew grammar and life. For a side tangent, click this link to watch the video referenced above: https://www.tiktok.com/@ajewishguy/video/7164112988171980033

Cooler Heads Ep 3 by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

Where do we Normie's find ourselves in the debate about Mahmoud Khalil, the recently graduated Columbia University graduate student who is responsible for the dissemination of vile and vitriolic hate-speech, but for what else? That is what is being debated now. What makes this question the hardest of all? Which decision would make us Jews safer?

CSK-er George Schwartz and I are excited to premiere a brand new podcast, “Cooler Heads, Thoughtful Conversations on Complex Jewish Issues.” Here is our little blurb: “ Rabbi Scott and George Schwartz are like brothers from another mother—two minds, one mission. From the moment they met, their conversations have only grown deeper and more thought-provoking. In today’s polarized media landscape, we...

Purim is tonight, and Passover is around the corner by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

What does free speech mean? Are there limits? What do American law and Jewish law say and how does it all apply to the latest uproars of anti-Semitism on the campus of Columbia? Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss and George Schwartz invite you for a 20+ minute take on these important issues and why we might understand them all with cooler heads. Please don't forget to "Like us" when you watch.

Celebrating Purim matters especially today, because the averted attacks on the Jews of Megillat Esther (scroll of Esther) were not averted on October 7, 2023. And that for reasons that I will never be able to fully grasp, there are a lot of people in the world who just don’t like Jews. They imagine we represent a threat to them, and we must keep our eyes open. It is true that we must never forget....

With great sorrow, we recognize that any delusions we had have dissolved.

The story of the Jewish people in a nutshell.

Finding personal meaning in ancient scripture is not only a creative approach to studying Torah it is Judaism's prime directive. The stories, especially from the book of Genesis are not meant to be memorized and regurgitated, as if they are gospel, no pun intended. Rather, they are meant to make us think critically about our lives, our relationships and the pursuit of becoming one's self, in this...

This new American administration is going to cause many to react in extreme ways whether you are on the right or the left. Jewish tradition, spirituality in general, cautions us to slow our roll. We are canceled to calm our reactions, to assess and evaluate before determining that we know the absolute and final truth.

We are Bound by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

Are you ready? by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

Which stories do you tell about freedom? If they ain't messy, they are probably missing something!

Outside in the world at least for a few minutes every day you can remind yourself without imagining the worst that much in life is redemptive and redeeming when we bring down the temperature of our worries and concerns and seek to connect to others, free of politics.