Temple Beth Am Podcasts

Passover Prep 2021: Shir HaShirim Chapters 5-6

March 15th, 2021  |  57 mins 56 secs

Rabbi Avi Havivi leads a study of the biblical book Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim) exploring midrashic, mystical, and contemporary interpretations of this surprisingly sexy and romantic classic. Each of the four class sessions will be independent of the others, so feel free to listen to one or to all four.

This session was conducted at Temple Beth Am via Zoom on March 15, 2021.

Are You Coming Back? - A Personal Conversation About The Jewish Future With Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez

March 15th, 2021  |  47 mins 57 secs

In this wide ranging conversation, Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny talks with Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez, an engaging Jewish educator, dynamic programmer, and passionate community builder. Rabbi Melissa works to ensure that our Jewish communal organizations are more intentional - more intentionally Jewish, more intentionally diverse, more intentionally equitable.

Rabba Melissa currently serves as the Manager of the Jewish Camp Initiative at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and the Clergy Advisory Chair for MACoM (Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah). She was also amongst the first cohort of women in the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta’s ACT: Agents of Change Training fellowship and is now a trustee of the fund. (Rabba Melissa is also involved in a number of other local, regional, and national projects.)

Rabba Melissa received semikha (rabbinic ordination) from Yeshivat Maharat in 2018 and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois in 2006. She has also learned intensively at Nishmat and Pardes in Jerusalem and worked for JEWISHcolorado, JCC Manhattan, Hillel International, and Global Day of Jewish Learning.

Passover Prep 2021: Rosh Hodesh Nisan Hama'alot

March 14th, 2021  |  1 hr 3 mins

Hama’alot was launched as an occasional, intentional, harmonic, creative, and spiritual Shabbat morning service at TBA. It has turned into its own “brand,” as if sprinkling Hama’alot fairy dust on a service, or on anything, makes it richer, more soulful, more soothing, and more meaningful. Join the whole TBA family for this weekday Rosh Hodesh Hama’alot. (Hama’alodesh?). The experience is based on the lineup of prayers one says on a weekday, and on Rosh Hodesh (the new Jewish month), but it is less anchored to that “lineup” than our Shabbat morning version of Hama’alot is. It's more akin to the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur versions we have done: inspired by the themes, liturgy, and music of the season, but also stretchy, inventive, and utterly new. Come sing with us as we celebrate the new month of Nissan.

Shabbath Teaching: Parshat Vayikra

March 13th, 2021  |  36 mins 18 secs

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on March 13, 2021.

Shabbat Sermon - Morning: Vayakhel-Pekudei

March 13th, 2021  |  17 mins 41 secs

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on March 13, 2021.

Exploring the Parasha: Vayakhel-Pekudei

March 12th, 2021  |  57 mins 55 secs

Rabbis Rebecca Schatz and Matt Shapiro lead a discussion of the most interesting stories, verses and themes in the weekly parasha.

This discussion was conducted at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles via Zoom on March 12 2021.

Sources Through Srugim: Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews With Special Guest Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh

March 10th, 2021  |  56 mins 27 secs

Rabbis Rebecca Schatz and Josh Pernick lead a discussion of important issues raised in the hit Israeli TV series "Srugim" (available on Amazon Prime) and their relationship to halakha (Jewish Law). Each podcast in this series will address an issue raised in a specific episode of "Srugim". This podcast is based on season 2 episode 6.

The discussion was conducted via Zoom on March 10. 2021.

Passover Prep 2021: Liturgy/Torah Reading

March 10th, 2021  |  50 mins 3 secs

From parody to poetry, from Trope to Tal, Rabbi-Cantor Hillary Chorny takes you on a tour of Passover music and liturgy as it’s evolved from medieval manuscripts to A Cappella viral videos.

Meditation and Mindfulness with Rabbi Adam Kligfeld

March 10th, 2021  |  12 mins 18 secs

Guest host Rabbi - Cantor Hillary Chorny offers up short bursts of meditation infused with 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 Chorny's voice and direction guide you into a world of serenity and tranquility.

Passover Prep 2021: Exploring the Haggadah & Seder with Rabbis Rembaum and Chorny

March 10th, 2021  |  45 mins 39 secs

Rabbi Joel Rembaum in conversation with Rabbi Hillary Chorny shares his insights into the history of the Haggadah and the Pesah seder. Learn about the evolution of traditions both ancient and contemporary as our rabbi emeritus gives an entertaining tour through the upcoming holiday.

Rashi Class: Shemot/Exodus 3:12

March 10th, 2021  |  59 mins 28 secs

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Adam Kligfeld at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on March 3, 2021, this week beginning with Shemot/Exodus 3:12.

Passover Prep 2021: How to Build a Creative Seder

March 9th, 2021  |  56 mins 58 secs

Dr. Erica Rothblum, Rabbi Schatz, and her parents: Moreh Dale and Tracy, explore creative seder ideas. They model, discuss, brainstorm, and provide practical takeaways for a fun and innovative seder.

Siddur Class #45: Weekday Amidah - First Bracha: Avot - Part 2

March 9th, 2021  |  27 mins 19 secs

Rabbi Avi Havivi's siddur class at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles - March 9, 2021 via Zoom.

Passover Prep 2021: Shir HaShirim Chapters 3-4

March 8th, 2021  |  1 hr 3 mins

Rabbi Avi Havivi leads a study of the biblical book Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim) exploring midrashic, mystical, and contemporary interpretations of this surprisingly sexy and romantic classic. Each of the four class sessions will be independent of the others, so feel free to listen to one or to all four.

This session was conducted at Temple Beth Am via Zoom on March 8, 2021.

Passover Prep 2021: Modern Day Slavery to Redemption

March 7th, 2021  |  55 mins 9 secs

Most of us think of slavery as something that happened in Biblical Times, or in the Pre-Civil War South, or in place likes contemporary Darfur. But there are cases of slavery happening right here in Los Angeles. This interactive event focuses on modern-day slavery and redemption. Our program includes speakers from HIAS, One LA, and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), who update us on the global and domestic challenges fueling modern-day slavery and share some personal experiences. Participants explore these issues more deeply with an interactive discussion and an immersive experience.

Shabbat Teaching: Parsha Vayakhel

March 6th, 2021  |  19 mins 22 secs

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