Temple Beth Am Podcasts

Communal Food Choices: A Jewish Response to Factory Farming

November 11th, 2021  |  1 hr 17 mins

The class, taught by Melissa Hoffman, is part of the Green Team initiative at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles (https://www.tbala.org/get-involved/green-team). Melissa Hoffman is Director of the Jewish Initiative For Animals (JIFA), a leading sustainable food and animal welfare initiative. In her role, she consults with Jewish organizations and communities across the country to develop and implement ethical food practices, as well as curriculum and programs that foster compassion for all living beings through the lens of Jewish values. Prior to working with JIFA at Farm Forward, she earned her M.S. in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts.

The class was conducted via Zoom on November 11, 2021 and is introduced by Rabbi Avi Havivi.

Torah Through The Handmaid's Tale - Bilha and Zilpa

November 10th, 2021  |  1 hr 13 mins

How can the poignant fiction of The Handmaid’s Tale illuminate our understanding of relationships in the Torah? Rabbi Schatz engages in deep conversation about the connection to Bilha and Zilpa.

This class was conducted on Zoom on November 9, 2021

Meditation and Mindfulness with Rabbi Adam Kligfeld

November 10th, 2021  |  15 mins 16 secs

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld offers up short bursts of meditation infused with the imagery, wisdom, and the rhythms of our Jewish calendar including selected verses from the Torah. Many of these meditations are performed in sitting positions; some standing. Simply find yourself a comfortable space and let Rabbi Kligfeld's voice and direction guide you into a world of serenity and tranquility.

Rashi Class: Shemot/Exodus 4:14

November 10th, 2021  |  1 hr 42 secs

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Adam Kligfeld at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, this week beginning with Shemot/Exodus 4:14.

Jewish Animal Ethics - The Suffering of Animals

November 9th, 2021  |  1 hr 13 mins

The class, taught by Rabbi Elliot Dorff, is part of the Green Team initiative at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles. For more information go to https://www.tbala.org/get-involved/green-team. The class was conducted via Zoom on November 9, 2021.

Siddur Class #70: Elohai Nitzur

November 9th, 2021  |  38 mins 6 secs

Rabbi Avi Havivi's siddur class at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles in the main sanctuary and via Zoom - November 9, 2021

Shabbat Teaching: Vayeitze 5782

November 6th, 2021  |  19 mins 43 secs

Rabbi-Cantor Hillary Chorny's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on November 6, 2021.

Shabbat Teaching: "We All Have Blessings to Give – Ask for One and Give Anything You Have"

November 6th, 2021  |  7 mins 27 secs

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on November 6, 2021.

Shabbat Teaching/Meditation: Toldot

November 6th, 2021  |  16 mins 3 secs

Rabbi-Cantor Hillary Chorny's Shabbat Teaching/Meditation at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on November 6, 2021.

Exploring the Parasha: Mental Health and Spiritual Growth - Toldot: Recurring Trauma

November 5th, 2021  |  58 mins 31 secs

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz and Rabbinic Resident Jacki Honig lead a discussion of a single verse from the weekly parasha and how it relates to mental and spiritual growth.

This discussion was conducted at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles on November 5, 2021.

Shemitah: The Land Gets To Rest - A Close Reading of Rav Kook’s Ecological/Spiritual Masterpiece Shabbat Ha’aretz - Class 3

November 4th, 2021  |  1 hr 1 min

Is religious environmentalism new-age, post-modern and, essentially, incompatible with traditional Judaism? Or is it, rather, retro, a return to Biblical ideals, a re-wedding of the earth on which we live and the religion we all strive to observe on that land? In this biweekly course, we will do a close reading of central texts within Rav Kook’s own introduction of his seminal work שבת הארץ/Shabbat Ha’aretz, the very translation of which title will be an early focus of our study! Rav Kook (Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, 1865-1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community of pre-state Palestine. He was a mystic, scholar and communal leader who had the temperament and interest in straddling the two modern Jewish communities growing in the land of Israel: the piously observant Jew and the new secular “Israeli.” His words continue to confound, illuminate and inspire us nearly 100 years after his death, and he has much to teach us about our relationship to this one, precious world that is our home.

The class is part of the Green Team initiative at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles. For more information go to https://www.tbala.org/get-involved/green-team. The class was conducted via Facebook and Zoom on November 4, 2021.

Shabbat Teaching: Next Week's Midrash Tonight: Toldot

October 30th, 2021  |  20 mins 17 secs

Rabbinic Resident David Kaplinsky's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on October 30, 2021.

Shabbat Sermon: Rise Up To Life

October 30th, 2021  |  12 mins 49 secs

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on October 30, 2021.

Meditation and Mindfulness with Rabbi Adam Kligfeld

October 29th, 2021  |  14 mins 45 secs

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld offers up short bursts of meditation infused with the imagery, wisdom, and the rhythms of our Jewish calendar including selected verses from the Torah. Many of these meditations are performed in sitting positions; some standing. Simply find yourself a comfortable space and let Rabbi Kligfeld's voice and direction guide you into a world of serenity and tranquility.

Exploring the Parasha: Mental Health and Spiritual Growth - Chayei Sara

October 29th, 2021  |  35 mins 26 secs

Rabbis Rebecca Schatz and Matt Shapiro lead a discussion of a single verse from the weekly parasha and how it relates to mental and spiritual growth.

This discussion was conducted at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles on October 29, 2021.

Torah Through The Handmaid's Tale - Hagar Part 1

October 28th, 2021  |  1 hr 12 mins

How can the poignant fiction of The Handmaid’s Tale illuminate our understanding of relationships in the Torah? Rabbi Schatz engages in deep conversation about the connection to Hagar.

This class was conducted on Zoom on October 26, 2021