Best Congregation Shma Koleinu Podcasts (2025)

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Tzeva Adom - Red Alert 3:50

Play Pause

8h ago3:50

3:50

Millenial survival against all odds (the story of the Jews) isn’t at all the only reason we should observe our rituals and traditions, but it’s a good start. Showing up, inviting ourselves into the moment, freeing ourselves from only rational measures of the successes and failures of our lives is what we are called to, and especially because we can…

1
Kaddish for September 11 2:19

4d ago2:19

2:19

For anyone old enough to remember where they were when the towers came down on September 11, 2001, we still live with the shock. Maybe we learn from our past. May we learn from our strength and resilience.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Check please! 4:08

18d ago4:08

4:08

And there we are, on Rosh Hashanah, check in hand, with a list of what we have consumed over the past year: how much credit have we drawn upon and how much did we reinvest? How much stability have we weakened, and how much have we shored up? How much optimism have we squandered and how much hope have we reinstilled?…

1
Just Do It 5:56

24d ago5:56

5:56

If the RPMs of your brain waves keep getting interrupted by a record scratch that repeats phrases like, “Why me?” or “What about me?” or “When is it my turn?”, you may have fallen into the circle of control. To climb your way out, just try to remember, “It’s always your turn. You just need to remember to take it.” Then reexamine your yearning in te…

1
Israel, scooters, and volleyball at Night 4:36

1M ago4:36

4:36

One of the lighter discoveries I’ve come to appreciate while traveling is the simple joy of “scootering” around a city. Yes, scooters carry their share of controversy—safety concerns, cluttered sidewalks, and general urban chaos—but in Tel Aviv I found them both useful and delightful. They are also highly regulated. For example, as I cruised down t…

1
Waves of concern, Circles of care 2:30

1M ago2:30

2:30

We are looking forward to an inspiring High Holy Days season and can’t wait to welcome you. One highlight: on Kol Nidre (Yom Kippur evening – October 1), we are thrilled to welcome the Divisi Strings Quartet to our bima, joining Daphnee Johnson, Kelly Dean, Andrew Lienhard, and our soloist (in her 8th year), Hannah Madeleine Goodman. Together, they…

1
Moral Fatigues 7:47

2M ago7:47

7:47

I’m not going to craft another list of facts to defend Israel’s moral military restraint or highlight the IDF’s legal and ethical accountability systems. I won’t recite doctrine or try to sanitize reality. Mistakes have been made—some unbearable. But I will point out that 381 million people live in the Middle East, and just 8 million Jews—.02% of t…

1
Heschel and Gaza 5:33

2M ago5:33

5:33

Some of you have suggested that I am naïve—perhaps willfully so. Others have told me I don’t truly understand Israelis, or that I’ve grown too “tribal.” Some have even gone so far as to imply that, by aligning myself too closely with the State of Israel, I’m complicit in something genocidal.These are heavy times. These are heavy words.And I know th…

1
Sometimes, everything DOES depend on you. 1:32

2M ago1:32

1:32

Sometimes, everything DOES depend on you.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

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The Itch 4:27

3M ago4:27

4:27

Not every itch needs scratching, not every critique is worth airing. At least not now.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Cooler Heads ep 5 audio 50:35

3M ago50:35

50:35

So much news, so much contradictory testimony, so much politically motivated, depending on which source you follow, depending on your particular algorithm. US Army Veteran George Schwartz and Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss believe that cooler heads should always prevail. This podcast, "Cooler Heads" relies upon provable and rational understandings of th…

1
Walking Beside Them – A Reflection on Beha’alotecha 4:58

3M ago4:58

4:58

The reward is watching them grow independent. The reward is seeing that they no longer need us the way they once did. Not to stop traffic. Not to hold their hand. Just to stand there and cheer them on.So every year, I do just that—with a lump in my throat and enormous gratitude. Because mentoring these students brings Torah to life for me. And that…

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Cooler Heads Ep 4 with Rabbi Scott and George Schwartz - "Lox and Loaded?" 39:20

4M ago39:20

39:20

Cooler Heads Ep 4 with Rabbi Scott and George Schwartz - "Lox and Loaded?" by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

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Acting surprised is not an option 7:11

4M ago7:11

7:11

The vitriol has to stop. Violence against we Jews is the logical outcome of virulent spewing of hate against Israel.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

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12 years and growing strong! 4:18

4M ago4:18

4:18

12 years and still growing!By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

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Essential Judaism 4:01

5M ago4:01

4:01

Important links referred to in the recording can be found in the written blog: https://www.cskhouston.com/hearourvoice?post_id=1641449&edit=true%27#By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
King David and the Holocaust 4:44

5M ago4:44

4:44

Today is Yom HaShoah, the day we, the Jewish people, set aside to remember the Holocaust. There has long been debate over whether the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, was a direct response to the Holocaust. Some argue that in the wake of the unimaginable horrors – thoroughly reported and documented throughout the world, the usual defau…

1
Finding freedom in the middle of Passover 4:18

5M ago4:18

4:18

Here is a blurb, click to listen for more: It’s the middle of Passover, and I’m deep into my ancient Atkins-like, no-chametz regimen—basically, a protein-heavy, bread-free diet that, let's be honest, I should probably be following year-round. Still, let’s not pretend matzah feels like the “Bread of Freedom” when it’s more like the “Break of constan…

1
Backyard BBQ 3:04

5M ago3:04

3:04

Clip from blog: With apologies to vegetarians, this is the most real Passover there is. Simple and to the point, this is “OG” Passover! (check this definition if you need to learn what “OG” stands for): Slaughter the lamb, put some of its blood on your doorpost, bbq, slice, and eat with a cracker and some hot but savory spice. And that was Passover…

1
Wordly Connections 5:40

6M ago5:40

5:40

This blog is about the nexus of Hebrew grammar and life. For a side tangent, click this link to watch the video referenced above: https://www.tiktok.com/@ajewishguy/video/7164112988171980033By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

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Cooler Heads Ep 3 32:07

6M ago32:07

32:07

Cooler Heads Ep 3 by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Normies 6:59

6M ago6:59

6:59

Where do we Normie's find ourselves in the debate about Mahmoud Khalil, the recently graduated Columbia University graduate student who is responsible for the dissemination of vile and vitriolic hate-speech, but for what else? That is what is being debated now. What makes this question the hardest of all? Which decision would make us Jews safer?…

1
Cooler Heads - Episode 1 30:59

6M ago30:59

30:59

CSK-er George Schwartz and I are excited to premiere a brand new podcast, “Cooler Heads, Thoughtful Conversations on Complex Jewish Issues.” Here is our little blurb: “Rabbi Scott and George Schwartz are like brothers from another mother—two minds, one mission. From the moment they met, their conversations have only grown deeper and more thought-pr…

1
Cooler Heads Ep 2 - Campus Conflagrations 26:20

6M ago26:20

26:20

What does free speech mean? Are there limits? What do American law and Jewish law say and how does it all apply to the latest uproars of anti-Semitism on the campus of Columbia? Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss and George Schwartz invite you for a 20+ minute take on these important issues and why we might understand them all with cooler heads. Please don'…

1
Purim is tonight, and Passover is around the corner 3:39

7M ago3:39

3:39

Purim is tonight, and Passover is around the corner by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

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To protect, preserve and defend 3:37

7M ago3:37

3:37

Celebrating Purim matters especially today, because the averted attacks on the Jews of Megillat Esther (scroll of Esther) were not averted on October 7, 2023. And that for reasons that I will never be able to fully grasp, there are a lot of people in the world who just don’t like Jews. They imagine we represent a threat to them, and we must keep ou…

1
The Finish Line 5:49

7M ago5:49

5:49

With great sorrow, we recognize that any delusions we had have dissolved.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
A short story of the Jewish people 6:45

7M ago6:45

6:45

The story of the Jewish people in a nutshell.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Mining for meaning 4:11

8M ago4:11

4:11

Finding personal meaning in ancient scripture is not only a creative approach to studying Torah it is Judaism's prime directive. The stories, especially from the book of Genesis are not meant to be memorized and regurgitated, as if they are gospel, no pun intended. Rather, they are meant to make us think critically about our lives, our relationship…

1
Like shackles in Egypt 6:51

8M ago6:51

6:51

This new American administration is going to cause many to react in extreme ways whether you are on the right or the left. Jewish tradition, spirituality in general, cautions us to slow our roll. We are canceled to calm our reactions, to assess and evaluate before determining that we know the absolute and final truth.…

1
We are Bound 3:37

9M ago3:37

3:37

We are Bound by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Are you ready? 2:08

10M ago2:08

2:08

Are you ready? by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
The Stories of thanksgiving we Tell 3:24

10M ago3:24

3:24

Which stories do you tell about freedom? If they ain't messy, they are probably missing something!By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Humbly Speaking 3:44

11M ago3:44

3:44

Outside in the world at least for a few minutes every day you can remind yourself without imagining the worst that much in life is redemptive and redeeming when we bring down the temperature of our worries and concerns and seek to connect to others, free of politics.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Whether Or Not I Live There 3:14

12M ago3:14

3:14

Whether Or Not I Live There by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Hey CSK! Take a Chance on Us! 2:49

1y ago2:49

2:49

CSK's High Holy Days are open to all! Join us!By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Open To All 2:41

1y ago2:41

2:41

Join us, you already belong.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Watch Yourself Fly 4:15

1y ago4:15

4:15

High Holy Days with CSK 2024Who? Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss, Rabbi Laura Sheinkopf, Hannah Madeleine Goodman (soloist), Tiffany Halfon (Program and Operations Manager), Andrew Lienhard (pianist), Kelly Dean (woodwinds), Daphnee Johnson (cello), Darrell Lacy (bass and guitar), and Leo Hernandez (trumpet and shofar).What? The Jewish way into community…

1
Belonging 5:16

1y ago5:16

5:16

Rabbi Laura Sheinkopf is CSK's part time associate rabbi and adds so much to our community. Check out her blogpost all about belonging, transition, and finding your place in the world.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Better Than Cats 2:28

1y ago2:28

2:28

Join us tomorrow night for Shabbat led by Rabbi Scott and Rabbi Neal Katz!By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Looking Forward 3:32

1y ago3:32

3:32

Shabbat is the break our hearts and minds need to better do the work of our lives.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Annual Meeting 2:33

1+ y ago2:33

2:33

Annual Meeting by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Musings - Jews Gone Wild 10:46

1+ y ago10:46

10:46

Musings - Jews Gone Wild by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

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Not So Ironically 3:03

1+ y ago3:03

3:03

"The horrors of war are horrific and there is no one I know who takes solace or joy in the suffering of innocents. Not so ironically, the sooner the remainder of Hamas is disarmed, the sooner the people of Gaza can hold hands and pray for a future." (click to hear the full but brief blog post)By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Monumental Memory 10:07

1+ y ago10:07

10:07

Perhaps the ultimate proof that Hamas means it when it says, "From the River to Sea..." is October 7, 2023, itself. The victims of their terror lived, worked. and loved inside of the most accepted Israeli borders there are. And still, they lost their lives.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
The Blue Light 3:30

1+ y ago3:30

3:30

The Blue Light by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Today Is Your Lucky Day! 3:52

1+ y ago3:52

3:52

Today Is Your Lucky Day! by Rabbi Scott Hausman-WeissBy Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
What’s The Alternative? 4:25

1+ y ago4:25

4:25

Hostages release must be at least a co-condition of a ceasefire demand.By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Torah Fashionistas Unite 3:30

1+ y ago3:30

3:30

This week's Torah portion may make you rethink your assumption that it doesn't matter what you wear - to someone else, but most especially to you!By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

1
Some Unsolicited Advice Before You Hit “Post” 4:34

1+ y ago4:34

4:34

Wouldn't it be a better world if we breathed before we posted and asked ourselves whether or not we really wanted our most negative words to be part of the ether for millennia I know that the Torah did not have the Internet in mind, or maybe it did?By Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss