Temple Beth Am Podcasts

Elul Study: Other's Weaknesses, and Our Own - What It Means When We Judge Others

August 18th, 2020  |  56 mins 22 secs

The book of Jonah, traditionally read on Yom Kippur afternoon, has one of the most unsympathetic prophets in the Bible. In this class, Dr. Rachel Rosenthal offers an alternative reading of Jonah to help us consider how the ways we view the flaws of others can either hinder or aid our own process of repentance.

Dr. Rachel Rosenthal holds a PhD in Rabbinic Literature at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she serves as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Talmud and was voted List College Professor of the Year in 2018.

This class was conducted via Zoom on August 18, 2020 as part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles.

Siddur Class #18 Shacharit: Shema Part 1

August 18th, 2020  |  40 mins 51 secs

Rabbi Avi Havivi's siddur class at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles - August 18, 2020 via Zoom.

Elul Study: Humility for Life

August 17th, 2020  |  54 mins 21 secs

Rabbi Barry Dov Katz leads a wide-ranging exploration of the nature and role of humility in our lives. He considers the king’s qualities in Parshat Shoftim, Charles Dickens’ character Uriah Heep, and, of course, our own life experience.

Rabbi Katz is the rabbi of the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, New York.

The discussion took place via Zoom on August 17, 2020 as part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles.

Elul Study: Ahavat Yisrael - Understanding the Name and Character of Israel from the Bible to Bibi

August 16th, 2020  |  42 mins 56 secs

A discussion via Zoom led by Rabbi Joshua Hoffman of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California on August 16, 2020. The session was part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles. part of Temple Beth Am's Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program.

Shabbat Teaching - Afternoon: Shoftim

August 15th, 2020  |  15 mins 23 secs

Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on August 15, 2020.

Shabbat Sermon - Morning: Re'eh

August 15th, 2020  |  23 mins 13 secs

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on August 15, 2020.

Shabbat Sermon - Morning: Re'eh

August 15th, 2020  |  9 mins 52 secs

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on August 15, 2020.

Elul Study: Love and Chesed Through Music Meditation and Mindfulness

August 14th, 2020  |  1 hr 2 mins

An hour of music and intention setting with Rabbi Noah Aronson focused on love and chased. Noah crafts an experience that aims at bringing more love and light into the world with his unique music, meditation, movement and mindfulness practices.

This hour was conducted via Zoom on August 14, 2020 as part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles.

Yoma Study: August 14, 2020

August 14th, 2020  |  25 mins 12 secs

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld explores rabbinic material surrounding Yom Kippur in tractate Yoma from Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on August 14, 2020.

Elul Study: From Tolerating to Celebrating All

August 13th, 2020  |  1 hr 22 mins

This is a discussion via Zoom led by Rabbi Abby Stein, an American transgender author, activist, blogger, model, speaker, and rabbi. She is the first openly transgender woman raised in a Hasidic community, and is a direct descendant of Hasidic Judaism's founder the Baal Shem Tov. In 2015, she founded the first support group nationwide for trans people of Orthodox background.

She says the conversation around LGBTQ Jews in our communities (as well as other community members who are part of minority identities within our communities) has usually revolved around tolerating the "other," accepting those that are "different." It's time we move past that. Tolerance is for lactose, not people. People we celebrate. Judaism has so much to teach us on this - how do we ensure that we create communities soaked in love and celebration for those who need it most?

The discussion took place August 13, 2020 as part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles.

Rashi Class: Shemot/Exodus 2:11

August 12th, 2020  |  1 hr 1 min

Rashi Class conducted by Rabbi Adam Kligfeld at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on August 12, 2020.

Navigating the Mahzor - Class 2

August 12th, 2020  |  1 hr 14 mins

Enter the High Holy Days this year with a newfound mastery of the special prayer book at the heart of the season. Pencils in hand, Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny takes students on a guided tour of the structure, core texts & music that make up the thickest, richest prayer book on your shelf.

This class was conducted via Zoom on August 12, 2020 as part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles.

Elul Study: Jewish Ethics of Speech

August 11th, 2020  |  1 hr 27 mins

Rabbi Elliot Dorff leads a discussion on the nuanced ways in which Jewish law tells us what we should not say, and what we should. The Al Het prayer lists more sins of speech than of any other area of life -- food for reflection before the High Holy Days. The discussion was conducted on August 11, 2020 via Zoom as part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles.

Siddur Class #18 Shacharit: Ahava Part 4 & Ahavat Olam Part 1

August 11th, 2020  |  36 mins 58 secs

Rabbi Avi Havivi's siddur class at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles - August 11, 2020 via Zoom.

Elul Study: Cultivating Moral Courage

August 10th, 2020  |  59 mins 28 secs

Rabbi Dara Frimmer, Senior Rabbi of Temple Isaiah Los Angeles, leads a discussion on ometz lev.
In Hebrew, courage is ometz lev which literally means “heart-strength.” Psalm 27 which is recited throughout the High Holy Day season ends with the words, “Be strong and strengthen your heart.” Rabbi Frimmer's discussion explores the bravery it takes to allow one’s heart to be vulnerable and the inner strength we need to meet whatever challenges come our way. The discussion was conducted on Zoom Auguat 10, 2020 as part of the Elul+ Pre-Tishre study program presented by Temple Beth Am Los Angeles.

Shabbat Teaching - Afternoon: Re'eh

August 8th, 2020  |  16 mins

Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on August 8, 2020.