Temple Beth Am Podcasts

Online learning from A Dynamic Center for Conservative Judaism

About the show

Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles celebrates traditional and innovative Judaism and inspires lifelong learning in a warm, embracing community. With creative approaches to traditional prayer, a welcoming ethos that nourishes the soul, and a commitment to rigorous study of our tradition, Temple Beth Am has been a flagship institution of Conservative Judaism since its founding in 1934.

These podcasts share our sermons, classes and other activities.

Our goal is to reach out and enhance the learning and spiritual life of our congregants and listeners around the world.

Temple Beth Am Podcasts on social media

Episodes

  • 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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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