What Does a Hug Weigh? Pull Up a Chair [audio]
In a world where issues of ethnicity, politics, economy and faith divide us, how can we increase unity and friendship? Real life and Torah, again, interconnect to reveal miracles in our communal existence.
The KGB Is Destroying America! – Political Hitman [audio]
Did the KGB plot out the destruction of America? Howie reveals their plan in this explosive show!
Leading the Way! – Pull Up A Chair [audio]
The Torah tells us that we are to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" with obligations and duties. It behooves us to ask: Do we get the leaders we deserve or deserve the leaders we get?
Unity: Chosen or Ordained? – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
What makes someone 'Jewish'? Isn't it enough to be a good person, pay one's taxes and practice kindness? Man-made laws and cultures-of-the-month hasten the demise of Jewish survival.
Holy Country, Holy Talk – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
News outlets and social media drown us in trash-talk and gossip. The Torah illustrates that putting a lid on gossip serves as a spiritual antidote, leading to more satisfying, God-centered lives.
Go Low and Soar! – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Amidst the noise, the vitriol, a righter-than-thou cacophony that has plagued Israel over the past few weeks, a quieter message struggles to be heard
Pesach Prep: The Salt of the Earth! – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Ridding our homes of breadstuff in anticipation of Passover is only half of the "purge project." Confronting feelings of self-importance, morality fudging, and other ego-centric attitudes will better assist us in preparing for the Seder and embracing the humility that reflects the meaning behind Pesach.
Take On Something – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
The world was created for you. Say what??? In adding to one small, positive behavior/attitude, an individual can alter the spiritual trajectory of the world! Be the catalyst for change and Take On Something. Today.
Chutzpah & Prayer – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Is prayer meant to be a chore, an obligation to check off one's list in order to attain God's favor? Or is it, perchance, a privilege that allows us to express our higher calling and commune with the source of our innate Holiness?
What We Take. What We Leave. – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Do the poor and downtrodden have anything to offer the wealthy? And who's money is it anyway? Can the lives of both rich and poor spiritually intersect?
A Non-Commandment Commandment? – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
The first of the Ten Commandments appears as a call to faith rather than an instruction manual for holy living. Can belief in God be dictated or is something much, much deeper at play?
Forgot the Words But Singing! – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
What connects us to the Egyptian exodus so many thousands of years after the actual event? Even when we forget the words, the "Song of Songs" continues to thread music and cadence within the Jewish soul.
The “We” Legacy – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
How much influence do we have on young people? The imparting of our personal histories and celebrating both the foibles and accomplishments of those who came before us imparts feelings of connection, continuity and pride.
This Incredible Life – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Do good times, healthy relationships, bright outlooks and abundant faith just "happen" or are we the authors of our respective life journeys? Also, must one descend from royalty to be an effective leader? These questions and so much more!
Erev Shabbos Shmooze – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Andrea and best buddy Simon Anstey kick back and solve all of the world's problems. Israeli culture, political unrest, aliyah and international relations are just of few of the hot-button topics they touch upon, peppered with gales of laughter, of course!
A Sliver of Light – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
A tiny flame yields enough power to span the universe. Candle by candle, Canukah allows us to reflect upon the miracles that brought us to today and those lay ahead.
Why a Ladder? – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
A ladder with two feet on the ground that ascends to Heaven symbolizes the situation of all of us. The challenge of constantly climbing the spiritual ladder relies on motivation to reach greater levels of holiness and oneness with God.
Nature, Nurture & Terror – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Where do our choices lay when navigating fragile issues of parenting, nationalism, safety and faith? This week we tackle the gritty reality of Israeli life along with the ever-present question of "What does God want?"
Conditional Friendship – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Israel's voters - religious, secular, sephardic, ashkenazi, and non-Jews - did not overwhelmingly elect the new government out of naivete or hubris. Perhaps it is time for 'friends' who do not live our reality to question their own motives before chastising those who lay their lives on the line for the continued existence of the Jewish state.
Labels: Lazy and Lopsided – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Israel's recent election campaign provided plenty of fodder for name calling, biased assumptions and fear mongering.
Morning Has Broken! – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
The Israeli public has expressed, by majority vote, a call for bringing Jewish values, Jewish identity and Jewish tradition to the fore.
Why a Rainbow? – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Judaism confers unique obligations regarding "nature." Is a rainbow merely a rainbow or something more profound?
Today, Today, Today! – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Reward, redemption and forgiveness await all who take the first step. Yom Kippur allows us to replace fear with expectation in return for sincere efforts toward bettering ourselves.
Standing at the Gate – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
The Redemption depends on awareness, clarity and action. No one among us is exempt!
Fresh-Slate Countdown! – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
What do 'First Fruits' teach us about Jewish practice and outlook? And what weighs more: Repentance out of fear or repentance born of love?
Law & Order in a Perfect World – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
The Torah commands us to "create justice". Is this even possible when each man possesses different biases, strengths, deficits and status? Tzedek, tzedek! Justice is not an 'end game' but a perpetual work in progress. No one - individual or society - is exempt!
ELUL: A Love Story – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
This traditional time of personal stock-taking - chesbon nefesh - has gotten a bad rap! Let's embrace this period to both repair and deepen our relationship with God.
“Let Me See the Good Land!” – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Negative, jaded observations about people and places is fashionable and easy. However, looking beyond the 'outer' and into the souls of both human beings and the holy land of Israel frequently requires loftier, Heaven-centered vision.
Ninth of Av: The Choice – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
Brick-by-brick, Mitzvah-by-mitzvah and kindness-by-kindness, we all have a part in the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash - the Holy Temple.
Unfathomable Mourning – Pull Up a Chair [audio]
What 'Temple'??? How can we yearn for something we can't remember? The Three Weeks offer time for much reflection as well as honing our compassion for/connection to others.