Shows
Raising Holy SparksPractical Judaism - VayishlachIn this week's Torah portion of Vayishlach, Jacob has his name changed to Israel - the one who wrestles with God (sar el). The concept of God is a tricky concept. In my experience, I have found two main obstacles for someone having a relationship with G-O-D. The first obstacles are the classical images of God, and the second is the name itself. "To wrestle with, or doubt, God is perhaps the strongest form of faith." - Rabbi Misha Clebaner
2021-11-1904 minRaising Holy SparksRecording of Facebook Live - Reading Avivah Zornberg on Exodus - Parshat BoRecording of Facebook Live - Reading Avivah Zornberg on Exodus - Parshat Bo
2021-01-2229 minRaising Holy SparksAudio of Facebook Live - Reading Avivah Zornberg on Exodus - Parshat VaeraAudio of Facebook Live - Reading Avivah Zornberg on Exodus - Parshat Vaera
2021-01-1537 minRaising Holy SparksRecording of Facebook Live Lecture Series on Exodus - Parshat ShemotOver the course of the next few months, up until the holiday of Passover/Pesach, I will be going through each torah portion from the Book of Exodus and analyzing the stories through the interpretive lens of Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg's 'Particulars of Rapture' - her prize-winning book on Exodus. For the video version of this recorded content, please go to facebook.com/rebmisha.
2021-01-0835 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: If I Show You The Real Me Will You Still Love Me? w/Elad NehoraiOriginally aired Jun 14 2019. Have you ever bared your soul to someone? In this episode, I speak with Elad Nehorai, editor and founder of Neshamas - an online platform that allows people to share their experiences in the Jewish community as anonymous individuals.
2020-12-1832 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released episode: The Messy and Beautiful Truth Behind Philanthropy w/Charlene SeidleOriginally aired Jun 21st 2019. In this episode we raise up hidden sparks of transformation. While most know the word "charity", we rarely think about what makes philanthropic organizations so effective. I discuss this and much more with Charlene Seidle from the Leichtag Foundation.
2020-12-1128 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: A Godly Bible Filled with Errors? w/Zev FarberOriginally aired July 12th 2019. A city is inhabited by the Israelites through force in one chapter but a few chapters later it says there was always coexistence. Did God make a mistake or did the human authors understand their holy cities differently? Dr. Zev Farber helps us find out.
2020-12-0435 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Islam, Feminism, and Interfaith Dialogue w/Dr. Celene IbrahimOriginally aired July 19th 2019. From the formative experiences of a diverse boarding school in New Mexico to studying Arabic in Egypt, Dr. Celene Ibrahim has been transformed by the world of interfaith conversations and the voices of women. She is now a scholar and activist for both.
2020-11-2730 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Hip Hop Meets Feminist Kabbalah w/Victoria HannaOriginally Aired Aug 16th 2019. Victoria Hanna is a vocal artist; not a singer. You will instantly see the difference when you watch her music videos. It's not just about the melodies that make your body move, it's also about uttering words in a way that will wake up your soul.
2020-11-2028 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: The Mystical Joy of Judaism and Love in Sufism w/Netanel Miles-YépezOriginally aired Aug 23rd 2019. Netanel Miles-Yepez is a scholar of the mystical traditions of Judaism and Islam - Hasidism and Sufism, respectively. Netanel discusses the lessons that he learned from his teacher Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and how he passes these lessons on.
2020-11-1434 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Life After Addiction and Recovery w/Rabbi Ilan GlazerOriginally aired Sept 13th 2019. When it comes to addiction and recovery, Rabbi Ilan Glazer believes it is crucial to get to the core of the issue. Whether stress management, self-love, or emotional and spiritual reflection, Rabbi Ilan advocates for the good life after addiction.
2020-11-0636 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Rabbi Misha on the Struggles of the Spiritual JourneyOriginally aired Dec 14th 2018. In this episode I talk about the moments in my life where I doubted everything. I kept asking myself why bother continue going forward with: prayer - if it doesn't help me feel; with Torah - if it isn't historically true, etc. Have you had moments like this?
2020-10-3033 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: It All Started in the Desert; w/Rabbi Mike CominsOriginally aired Sept 6 2019. Feeling that his spiritual journey had stagnated in Jerusalem, Rabbi Mike Comins set out for the desert to find his voice there instead. In this episode Rabbi Mike shares about the power of doing spiritual reflection in the places of our ancestors.
2020-10-2343 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Discussing Depression, Growth and Surviving Suicide Loss w/Dr. Natalya BogopolskayaOriginally aired Jan 18th 2019. Coping with loss after the passing of a loved one or struggling with depression - what are the tools that we can use to grow? Dr Natalya Bogopolskaya touches on the well-known PTSD but also introduces the relatively newer concept of post-traumatic growth.
2020-10-0956 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Poetry As The Anti-Obituary w/Mark YakichOriginally aired Aug 9th 2019. I had always wanted to pray - to open my heart and express my thoughts and feelings out to the world - to God - in a completely honest and vulnerable way but the pressure was too great... that is, at least, until I read the writing of Professor Mark Yakich.
2020-10-0236 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released episode: The Power of Habits in Business and Religion w/Jevin EagleOriginally aired January 11th 2019. Once the CEO of DavidsTea and a senior executive at Staples, Jevin Eagle left behind a successful career in business to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a Rabbi, Jevin shares with us his journey from the boardroom to the study hall.
2020-09-2500 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Patience To Learn And Humility To Lead w/Dr. Erica BrownOriginally aired June 28th 2019. Dr. Erica Brown, a professor, author, and leadership consultant joins me in this episode of the Raising Holy Sparks podcast to discuss the transformative power of studying ancient wisdoms and the transformation we are able to create if we think boldly.
2020-09-1900 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – DevarimAsking for help is a trait that must be practiced. In the book of Exodus it is Moses' father-in-law that suggests that the Israelite leader create a system of delegates. Yet, in our parsha of Devarim, it is Moses himself that asks for help. Either way, the importance of seeking support reigns supreme.
2020-07-2409 minRaising Holy SparksRe-released Episode: Joining The Tribe w/Rabbi Adam GreenwaldOriginally aired Sept 20th 2019. In 2014, Rabbi Greenwald was named one of “America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis” by the Jewish Daily Forward. In 2016, Rabbi Greenwald received the prestigious Covenant Foundation's Pomegranate Prize. This week he joins the RHS podcast.
2020-06-2600 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – Shelach LechaThis week's torah portion is the source of the 3rd paragraph of the Shema/VeAhavta and it instructs us to wear 'tzit-tzit', the fringes at the corners of our garments. How powerful can a ritual to wear fringes be? This uniform custom has been practised by the Jewish people across time and space. While the Shema and the Ve'Ahavta may not be as emotional as other Jewish prayers, it has grounded our people in ritual for thousands of years.
2020-06-1907 minRaising Holy SparksSpecial Holiday Edition - ShavuotThe real focus of the Ten Commandments is not how a 'person' acts; instead, it is about how 'people' respond to one another. The hope is not that we be perfect beings but rather that we be present and engaged ones. Each commandment is an invitation to be a better partner in the relationship. I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
2020-05-2906 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – Ba'MidbarIn Hebrew, writing 'in the desert' is spelled using the same four letters as writing 'through the act of speaking'. Both speech and deserts can lead to great confusion. What is the oasis when it comes to communicating our emotions? - Song!
2020-05-2207 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – Behar-BechukotaiIn Exodus the Israelites are commanded to observe Shabbat. In this week's torah portion they are commanded to allow the land to rest every seven years - Shemitah. While there are economic benefits to rest and renewal, there are also many economic fears. Nevertheless, mitzvot are not given based economic impact, rather based on soul impact. Although it is scary or challenging to cease creating, counter-intuitively it is precisely this cessation that creates a new version of ourselves.
2020-05-1511 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – EmorThe upcoming holiday of Lag B'Omer commemorates the end of a plague that struck the students of Rabbi Akiva. It is said they were struck by plague because of their bitterness and pettiness against one another. This stands in stark contrast to Rabbi Akiva who taught that love of your fellow human is core to what it means to be a Jew. I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
2020-05-0807 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – Achrei Mot-Kedoshim"The Golden Rule".. perhaps the most commonly quoted commandment from the whole of Torah: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'. When it comes to this principle, due to certain subconscious tendencies, we often lie to ourselves in order to preserve the created version of who we think we really are. But in noticing these obstacles we can truly live out the 'Golden Rule'. I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
2020-05-0111 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – Tazria-MetzoraThis week's torah portion Tazria-Metzora discusses the skin malady called 'tzara'at'. Once the sick individual completes their 7-day quarantine, the Cohen then comes to inspect the skin to ensure they have indeed healed completely. Why are the cohanim the ones that check for healing? Where are the doctors? The reason is that the Cohanim are always witnesses to healing of various types. Now that we no longer have cohanim serving the Temple in Jerusalem, who are the new witnesses to healing? Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
2020-04-2408 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – SheminiThis week's torah portion of Shemini (8th Day) tells the story of a new chapter for the Israelites and its priestly system. New beginnings are rarely ever 'entirely' new. Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
2020-04-1708 minRaising Holy SparksSpecial Holiday Edition - Passover/PesachThe Counting of the Omer is a 49 day journey from our Exodus out of Egypt towards receiving the Torah at Mt Sinai. How much Torah we receive depends entirely on how much we free ourselves during these days. Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
2020-04-1006 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – TzavIn the Talmud, Rabbi Perida is asked how he achieved so many blessings and longevity in life. He responds that he never ate his meal until the portions that are designated for the priests to eat are set aside. In short, he understood that to be a healthy person, to have healthy and sustainable communities we must prioritise those that serve the community. Brethren, Arise by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license
2020-04-0307 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – VayikraGenesis asks us "what does it mean to be a human being". Exodus asks "what does it mean to be a Jew". But Leviticus gives us answers. It is the book of action. During this time of coronavirus, the priority must be immediate action, even if we are filled with uncertainty.
2020-03-2804 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – Vayakhel & PekudeiSocial distancing and Self Isolation during the time of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is going to be as tough and long as a marathon. At the end of a marathon you run through the tape at the finish line. In this week's torah portion at the end of building of the tabernacle, a special ritual takes place. What will be our formal ritual at the end of this crisis?
2020-03-2104 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – Ki TisaIn this parsha of Ki Tisa, Moses descends from Mt Sinai after having been in contact with God. His face shined such a radiant light that he needed to wear a veil. What does Moses' revealing and concealing of the light of inspiration teach us about holding on to the glory of yesterday at the expense of moving forward tomorrow.
2020-03-1303 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – TetzavehIn this week's torah portion of Tetzaveh we learn of the special outfits that the high priests and regular priests would wear when they served in the mishkan- the tabernacle. This is the same outfit the Jews are buried in after the ritual of tahara.
2020-03-0603 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – TerumahIn the torah portion of Terumah, the theme of equal access to all is continued. God is not to be found only in the Heavens, instead, God says 'build for Me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell in your midst." Judaism is the religion of close contact between humankind and the holy. Let us continue to build a world that is worthy of God to dwell in.
2020-02-2803 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – MishpatimIn this week's parsha of Mishpatim the Israelites say to God "naaseh ve'nishmah" - all that you say we will do and we will hear." This proclamation of faith and support demonstrates the necessity for hope and belief even when one does not yet know all of the details for what is to come.
2020-02-2103 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – YitroIn this week's parsha of Yitro, God descends to Mt Sinai in a thick murky cloud to give the people the 10 commandments. While the Israelites keep a safe distance, Moses steps into the fog to meet God. This is what we must to.. embrace mystery or miss out on the whole thing.
2020-02-1402 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – BeshalachIn the torah portion of Beshalach, the Israelites finally escape from Egypt and make their way to the Promised Land. As they roam through the desert they begin to complain of hunger. They are given manna. Soon they will complain about that as well. What does their story teach us about a positive outlook and when we have it?
2020-02-0702 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – BoIn this week's torah portion of Bo we find the final 3 of the 10 plagues against the Egyptians. We also find the very first commandment given to the Israelites - that they must mark each new moon, Rosh Chodesh. Time, more than space, is the focus of sanctification in Judaism.
2020-01-3103 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – Va'eraIn this week's torah portion of Va'era we have the first seven of the ten plagues against the Egyptians. In the context of Moses striking down the task-master that was beating a slave and the drowning of the Egyptians in the Sea.. the question remains how should we feel about the use of violence?
2020-01-2403 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – ShemotThis week's torah portion, Shemot, marks the beginning of the second book of Torah - the Book Of Exodus. In these early stories of moving towards liberation, we find a Moses who is hesitant to lead the people out of slavery: what if they do not listen to me, he asks. Yet they do. Most of the time we are more likely to be surprised than for our expectations of complete failure met.
2020-01-1703 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – VayechiIn this week's torah portion of Vayechi, the last section from the book of Genesis, we have the passing of Jacob and Joseph. Both give big speeches to their family before they die. Why wait to share your greatest wisdom to till the end? Have you ever heard of living eulogies? Now is the time to tell your loved ones how you feel.
2020-01-1003 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – VayigashIn this week's torah portion of Vayigash, we find Jacob getting ready to head out from Be'er Sheva and travel to Egypt to reunite with his son, Joseph. Before he begins this journey with his whole family (all together they are 70) he send Judah ahead first. Some commentators say it was to establish a school for the children as their first act in their new home.
2020-01-0403 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – MiketzIn this week's torah portion of "Miketz", Joseph names his two sons Ephraim and Menashe. To this day as parents bless their sons on Shabbat evening by saying "may you be blessed as Ephraim and Menashe". Tune in to hear about ideas for kids conversations at Shabbat dinner.
2019-12-2703 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion – VayeshevIn this week's torah portion of Vayeshev Joseph tells his brothers of his dreams of them prostrating low before him. Surprisingly, or rather predictably, he finds himself in the bottom of a pit - cast away by those very same brothers. Yet, who we were is not who we will become.
2019-12-2002 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – VayishlachIn this week's Torah portion of "Vayishlach", we find a Jacob that is wrestling with an angel all through the night. During the battle, Jacob says "I refuse to let go until you have blessed me." Afterwards, his name is changed to Israel - the one that wrestles with God.
2019-12-1302 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – VayetzeiIn this week's Torah portion of Vayetzei, we find a Jacob who is so focused on his journey to find himself a wife that he nearly misses an encounter with God. In what ways are we, too, like Jacob hurtling towards our future goals at the expense of missing out on the present?
2019-12-0603 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion - ToldotThis weeks torah portion of "Toldot", we find an Isaac that is both innovator and also traditionalist. As he is travelling, Isaac discovers the wells dug by his father Abraham. He re-opens them and maintains the names that his father had given them. He then goes on to dig three new wells of his own.
2019-11-2802 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion - Chayei SarahThis weeks torah portion of Chayei Sarah opens with the death of Sarah and concludes with the death of Abraham. Ishmael, the forgotten son, reunites with Isaac to bury their father. The Jewish tradition seems to despise figures like Ishmael and Esau. Why?
2019-11-2203 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – VayeraWhat are the connections between laughing and crying? It's all just air and water.. shortness of breath in our lungs and tears in our eyes. This weeks Torah portion of Vayera has two pivotal stories involving these actions. A reminder of the importance of showing how we are feeling.
2019-11-1403 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Parshah Reflections – Lech LechaWelcome to Season 2 of the Raising Holy Sparks Podcast. This week, we look at the parshah of Lech Lecha - of Abraham's journey to the land that God will show him. This section raises interesting questions about ownership of land.. but perhaps that is the wrong question.
2019-11-0803 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion - NoachFor the Parshah of Noah, we dive deep into the flood to learn the important lesson about listening to the universe before it's too late.
2019-11-0103 minRaising Holy SparksWeekly Torah Portion - BeresheitWelcome to Season 2 of the Raising Holy Sparks Podcast. Over the course of the next 12 months, we will go through the weekly Torah portions as we go in search of the holy sparks hidden in plain sight. We begin this week with the first parshah of the Book of Genesis.
2019-10-2403 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 42: Fighting the Erasure of Women in Judaism w/Shoshanna Keats JaskollThe Raising Holy Sparks podcast will be switching formats from interviews to weekly torah portion highlights - where we search for the holy sparks hidden amidst the seemingly ordinary. For our final interview we are joined by Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll.
2019-09-2752 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 41: Joining The Tribe w/Rabbi Adam GreenwaldIn 2014, Rabbi Greenwald was named one of “America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis” by the Jewish Daily Forward. In 2016, Rabbi Greenwald received the prestigious Covenant Foundation's Pomegranate Prize. This week he joins the RHS podcast.
2019-09-2039 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 40: Life After Addiction and Recovery w/Rabbi Ilan GlazerWhen it comes to addiction and recovery, Rabbi Ilan Glazer believes it is crucial to get to the core of the issue. Whether stress management, self-love, or emotional and spiritual reflection, Rabbi Ilan advocates for the good life after addiction.
2019-09-1336 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 39: It All Started in the Desert; w/Rabbi Mike CominsFeeling that his spiritual journey had stagnated in Jerusalem, Rabbi Mike Comins set out for the desert to find his voice there instead. In this episode Rabbi Mike shares about the power of doing spiritual reflection in the places of our ancestors.
2019-09-0643 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 38: Surprising Alliances in the Pursuit of Welcoming the Stranger w/Rabbi Susan SilvermanFor the asylum seekers that have arrived in South Tel Aviv fleeing forced army conscription, torture, and sexual assault in their native Sudan and Eritrea they have faced many hurdles yet also found many friends in people such as Rabbi Susan Silverman.
2019-08-3038 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 37: The Mystical Joy of Judaism and Love in Sufism w/Netanel Miles-YépezNetanel Miles-Yepez is a scholar of the mystical traditions of Judaism and Islam - Hasidism and Sufism, respectively. Netanel discusses the lessons that he learned from his teacher Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and how he passes these lessons on.
2019-08-2334 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 36: Hip Hop Meets Feminist Kabbalah w/Victoria HannaVictoria Hanna is a vocal artist; not a singer. You will instantly see the difference when you watch her music videos. It's not just about the melodies that make your body move, it's also about uttering words in a way that will wake up your soul.
2019-08-1628 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 35: Poetry: The Anti-Obituary w/Mark YakichI had always wanted to pray - to open my heart and express my thoughts and feelings out to the world - to God - in a completely honest and vulnerable way but the pressure was too great... that is, at least, until I read the writing of Professor Mark Yakich.
2019-08-0936 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 34: The Forgotten History of Cooperation and the Horrors of the Kishinev Pogrom w/Steven ZippersteinThe horrifying events of the Kishinev Pogrom, which left 49 Jews killed and 600 raped or wounded, would spur to action defenders of justice with organisations such as the NAACP. Steven Zipperstein joins this latest episode to unearth the nuanced history.
2019-08-0234 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 33: A Spirit of Generosity Revolution w/Rabbi Art GreenRabbi Art Green talks about what it means to create a Judaism that would have been open and inviting (without judgement) to spiritual seekers, rule breakers, and border crossers such as Abraham. We also discuss the modern addiction to success.
2019-07-2638 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 32: Islam, Feminism, and Interfaith Dialogue w/Dr. Celene IbrahimFrom the formative experiences of a diverse boarding school in New Mexico to studying Arabic in Egypt, Dr. Celene Ibrahim has been transformed by the world of interfaith conversations and the voices of women. She is now a scholar and activist for both.
2019-07-1930 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 31: A Godly Bible Filled with Errors? w/Zev FarberA city is inhabited by the Israelites through force in one chapter but a few chapters later it says there was always coexistence. Did God make a mistake or did the human authors understand their holy cities differently? Dr. Zev Farber helps us find out.
2019-07-1235 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 30: No Bad Jews, Keeping It Real w/Rabbi Brent Chaim SpodekHave you ever heard someone say "..but I'm a bad Jew" or "I'm a bad Catholic"? Who actually says that they are a good observer of their religion? Be very wary of that person. Rabbi Brent Spodek doesn't do any pretending. For him it's all about connecting.
2019-07-0538 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 29: Patience To Learn And Humility To Lead w/Dr. Erica BrownDr. Erica Brown, a professor, author, and leadership consultant joins me in this episode of the Raising Holy Sparks podcast to discuss the transformative power of studying ancient wisdoms and the transformation we are able to create if we think boldly.
2019-06-2835 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 28: The Messy and Beautiful Truth Behind Philanthropy w/Charlene SeidleIn this episode we raise up hidden sparks of transformation. While most know the word "charity", we rarely think about what makes philanthropic organizations so effective. I discuss this and much more with Charlene Seidle from the Leichtag Foundation.
2019-06-2128 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 27: If I Show You The Real Me Will You Still Love Me? w/Elad NehoraiHave you ever bared your soul to someone? In this episode, I speak with Elad Nehorai, editor and founder of Neshamas - an online platform that allows people to share their experiences in the Jewish community as anonymous individuals.
2019-06-1432 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 26: Shavuot Special - The Gift of Receiving Stories w/Rav Mike FeuerWhat is your family history? The Jewish people do not do 'history' per se, in fact, there is not even a word for history in Hebrew. Instead, the question we ask is: what are your memories? In this episode, Rav Mike Feuer talks about the story of the Jews.
2019-06-0731 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 25: Finding Your Sacred Space. Thinking Outside Of The Hillel w/Rabbi Avram MlotekIn Judaism, there is great importance to welcoming guests. It's around this idea of radical hospitality that Rabbi Avram Mlotek cofounded Base Hillel: intimate home settings where young adults come together to find and create their own Jewish meaning.
2019-05-3132 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 24: Refua Shlema - A Complete Healing? The Medical Marijuana Episode w/Laurel FreedmanLaurel Freedman - advocate and entrepreneur in the Medical Marijuana industry joins me in this latest episode as we talk about the potential and pitfalls of cannabis. Bringing healing to body, mind and soul - is this once cultural taboo finally kosher?
2019-05-2433 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 23: Is Instagram The New Go-To Jewish Space? With @Modern_Ritual cofounders Rabbi Samantha Frank and Rena SingerInspired by a conversation with a group of 7th graders scrolling through the Instagram accounts on their phones, Rabbi Samantha Frank and Rena Singer decided to bring Judaism to where the people are. As a result they have built a vibrant online community.
2019-05-1735 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 22: Pride In Our People From Pride in Our Food w/Jeffrey Yoskowitz of 'The Gefilteria'What was once a rich and vibrant culture of Ashkenazi Jewish food in the Old World is now often seen as boring and bland. That is, at least, until recent years when the younger generation of Jews has fought to reclaim their proud Ashkenazi heritage.
2019-05-1044 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 21: Part Two - Tensions within Mussar w/Geoffrey ClaussenIn part two of the series on the Jewish ethical practice of self improvement called Mussar, I speak with Professor Geoffrey Claussen of Elon University. We have an honest conversation about this resurgent Jewish philosophy and its strengths and weaknesses
2019-05-0331 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 20: Two Part Series on Mussar - Deep and Real Communal Change w/Rabbi Marcia PlumbThis episode with Rabbi Marcia Plumb is the first in a two-part series on Mussar - the Jewish ethical practice of self-improvement. Usually, Mussar is done on an individual basis, but in this episode, we discuss how it can also transform communities.
2019-04-2632 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 19: Celebrating Freedom and Passover w/Rabbi Shmuly YanklowitzRabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz takes the Passover call to work towards the liberation for all and applies it year-round. Passover it not a holiday, it is a way of life! For the migrant children locked up or for those thrown into for-profit jails - is this just?
2019-04-1822 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 18: The Invisibility of Russian Speaking Jews w/Alex ZeldinFormer Senior Communications Associate at the AJC and current creative thinker and writer, Alexander Zeldin joins me as we unpack the identities of Russian-Speaking Jews. From the USSR to the US, RSJs have seen it - all while enjoying some hot borsht.
2019-04-1244 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 17: Begging for Change w/Kitchens for Good cofounder Aviva PaleyAviva Paley, co-founder of Kitchens for Good, saw the crises of food waste, mass incarceration, and the vast amount of Americans that go hungry every day and so she helped build an organization that addresses all three of those issues.
2019-04-0539 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 16: A Jewish Mysticism of Time and Space w/Hadar CohenHadar Cohen, a community organizer, poet, and educator joins me in conversation and spells out the importance of noticing the universe and how the lessons learned there can help us grow. We also discussed Silicon Valley and a new culture for the 21st cent
2019-03-2942 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 15: Celebrating Life and Purim; on Drug and Alcohol Abuse w/Rabbi Mark BorovitzRabbi Mark Borovitz describes his transition to recovery from drug and alcohol abuse as though he was "struck sober". Nowadays Rabbi Mark as the CEO of Beit T'Shuva, a Jewish addiction treatment center, helps to facilitate similar healing for others.
2019-03-2037 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 14: Starting a Brick and Mortar in the Tech Age of Apps w/Emily WeisbergDo you love pastries? If you said yes and even if you said no you will still love this latest episode as I speak with Moss Café founder Emily Weisberg. We chat about her journey from rural Wisconsin to the Bronx and how food has always been at the core.
2019-03-1536 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 13: Breaking The Mold, Creating New Ways To Be and Do Jewish w/Roey KruviIf you are part of an organization that is seeking to attract young adults to come through its front doors then this episode is mandatory listening. Senior Director of Immersive Experiences at Moishe House, Roey Kruvi, shares all the latest best practices
2019-03-0849 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 12: Just A Dash of Orange Blossom Water with cookbook author Sara GardnerFrom expert tips on food photography all the way to editing and publishing a cookbook, Sara Gardner walks us through her journey in putting together the Rosh Hashanah Seder Cookbook: Stories and Recipes from the Reform Jewish community of Madrid.
2019-03-011h 02Raising Holy SparksEpisode 11: Creativity To Get You On Stage In Front Of 10k w/Andrew LustigSpoken word artist Andrew Lustig has had his poetry reach millions in viral videos and has presented in hundreds of live performances. In this episode I speak with Andrew about nervousness before speaking in front of large groups, creativity and much more
2019-02-2248 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 10: Inviting All To Participate; Inclusion and Disability Advocacy w/Rabbi Lauren TuchmanIn this episode I speak with Rabbi Lauren Tuchman, the first blind women to ever enter the rabbinate. We discuss the elements from her childhood that made her feel welcome, double standards around accommodations, and making holidays sensory experiences.
2019-02-1555 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 9: How to Tackle Huge Projects; On The Talmud and Haiku creation w/Rabbi Avi StrausbergA Haiku: we discuss talmud, and studying the whole thing, and writing haikus. If that's not 17 syllables feel free to email me at hello@mishaclebaner.com. I speak with Rabbi Avi Strausberg about her 7.5 years of reading and writing her way through talmud.
2019-02-081h 03Raising Holy SparksEpisode 8: Travel and Global Jewish Communities w/Rabbi Elie LehmannDid you know that there is a Jewish community in Uganda? Guess how big it is! Tune in to find it. We also discuss diversity in American Jewish spaces. We chat logistics for getting ready to travel, and what it means to feel at "home".
2019-02-0159 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 7: The Bravery Needed to Lead As Your Authentic Self w/Rachel 'Bluth' RosenbluthA community builder, artist, and pioneer. Rachel "Bluth" Rosenbluth is a student at Yeshivat Har-El, an Orthodox Rabbinical program. From leading Shabbat services on the beaches of TLV to getting into the thick of peacework, she's there with a full heart.
2019-01-2550 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 6: Discussing Depression, Growth and Surviving Suicide Loss w/Dr. Natalya BogopolskayaCoping with loss after the passing of a loved one or struggling with depression - what are the tools that we can use to grow? Dr Natalya Bogopolskaya touches on the well-known PTSD but also introduces the relatively newer concept of post-traumatic growth.
2019-01-1856 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 5: The Power of Habits in Business and Religion w/Jevin EagleOnce the CEO of DavidsTea and a senior executive at Staples, Jevin Eagle left behind a successful career in business to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a Rabbi, Jevin shares with us his journey from the boardroom to the study hall.
2019-01-1136 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 4: The Struggles of Being ReligiousIn this episode I talk about the moments in my life where I doubted everything. I kept asking myself why bother continue going forward with.. prayer if it doesn't help me feel, with Torah if it isn't historically true, etc. Have you had moments like this?
2018-12-1433 minRaising Holy Sparks929 Weekly Roundup: Leviticus 11-15The torah portions of Shemini, Tazria, Metzora. "It's all about what comes in and what goes out". Chapter 11 spells out kosher food laws, so I explore what that means. Ch 15 talks about the body and whether or not it's gross. Here are my thoughts, enjoy!
2018-12-0623 minRaising Holy Sparks929 Weekly Roundup: Leviticus 6-10The torah portions of Tzav & Shemini. In this source sheet, I talk about the proper way to bring our gifts into this world, the importance of sharing, letting your actions speak for themselves, holiday time consumerism, and martyrdom.
2018-11-3019 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 3: Resources and tools for spiritual seekersIn Episode 3 I share some of the resources and tools that I have used along the windy and ongoing journey that is spiritual life. I share some accessible ways to approach shabbat and why it shouldn't matter that meditation leads to tangible benefits.
2018-11-2223 minRaising Holy Sparks929 Weekly Roundup: Leviticus 1-5The torah portion Vayikra. In this episode I talk what it means to be called, whether or not hierarchies are a good thing, and how talking about how much you've changed is meaningless unless there are tangible actions to back it up.
2018-11-2112 minRaising Holy Sparks929 Weekly Roundup: Exodus 36-40The torah portions of Vayakhel & Pekudei. In this episode I talk about artistry in the torah and whether that resonates with audiences, elevating the stories of women, seeing the light in every person, and not being afraid to share that light with others.
2018-11-1513 minRaising Holy SparksMussar Mondays: Not letting perfectionism get in the way of our passionsIn this episode, we take a look at Pirke Avot 4:2 which teaches that a mitzvah (commandment, positive deed) creates a momentum for doing more mitzvahs later down the road. With that in mind - what does it mean to let perfectionism interrupt our progress?
2018-11-1203 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 2: Extra Addition to Intro - Special Guest Anabelle Harari - Building Community, Prayer, Being Our Truest SelfOriginally this was going to be a sound check for the first official episode of Raising Holy Sparks, but it turned out to be a really fun and interesting conversation. Topic: creating community as a millennial, what is prayer, and being our truest self.
2018-11-0416 minRaising Holy SparksEpisode 1: Introduction and Welcome to Raising Holy SparksHello and welcome to the first ever episode of Raising Holy Sparks. In this episode I share the meaning behind the name of the show, what you can expect in future episodes, and a nutshell version of my journey towards becoming a rabbi. Hope you enjoy it!
2018-11-0426 min
2016-07-2606 min