Best Reconstructing Judaism Podcasts (2025)

1
American Judaism #2: R'Deborah Waxman — Boldness & Holy Chutzpah in Reconstructing Judaism 1:06:02

4d ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Join Rabbi Lizzi and Rabbi Deborah Waxman, President and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism, for a conversation about the state of American Judaism and the boldness and "Holy Chutzpah" in Reconstructing Judaism View From The Top: A Discussion Series w/ Rabbi Lizzi Rabbis are on the front lines of leading communities, speaking out for moral clarity and J…

1
American Judaism #3: Andrew Rehfeld — Are Rabbinic Seminaries In Crisis? 1:03:29

3h ago1:03:29

1:03:29

Andrew Rehfeld, President & Professor of Political Thought of Hebrew Union College, presents his findings on the state of American Judaism. Are seminaries in crisis? What can be done about the shortage of rabbis? View From The Top: A Discussion Series w/ Rabbi Lizzi Rabbis are on the front lines of leading communities, speaking out for moral clarit…

1
453: Qohelet Tries to Party 56:29

5h ago56:29

56:29

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Josh Bossé follow Qohelet into many parties to see if we can find any meaning in joy. Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship

1
Leaving the Wilderness, Finding Judaism 20:46

1h ago20:46

20:46

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our Shavuot Shabbat service on May 30th. Caroline Miller, a Davening Team member, lay leader, and BluePrint class conversion graduate delivered a sermon about her experience rediscovering herself in Jewish community after years in a personal wilderness. For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our e…

1
452: Qohelet Gets Out of Bed 1:27:11

5d ago1:27:11

1:27:11

Brent Billings, Josh Bossé, and Elle Grover Fricks launch an exploration of one of the least understood books of Tanakh (Ecclesiastes). BEMA 320: The Forgotten Women — Sages and Wise Women The Wind Rises (2013 film) — JustWatch Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship

1
The Present & Future of American Judaism #1: R'Bradley Shavit Artson 53:15

12d ago53:15

53:15

In this inaugural episode of a new interview series titled "The View From The Top," Rabbi Lizzi spoke with Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson about his perspective on the state of the present and future of American Judaism. R'Artson (www.bradartson.com) holds the Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is …

1
451: Ashlee Eiland — Say Good 41:23

16d ago41:23

41:23

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Ashlee Eiland, author of Say Good, and someone who seeks to join in God’s redemptive work on Earth. Ashlee is the head of school at Living Stones Academy, and formerly served as co-lead pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in western Michigan. Ashlee and her family live in Grand Rapids. Say Good by Ashlee …

1
Political Blasphemy — In Conversation With Rabbi Adi Romem 39:53

15d ago39:53

39:53

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our Virtual Friday Night service on May 16th. Rabbi Lizzi was joined by Rabbi Adi Romem, one of the first female rabbis ordained by the Hartman Institute for Israeli rabbis. Together, they discussed blasphemy, in the Torah portion and in politics. Mark your calendars for our Pre-Shavuot Shabbat Pizza Picnic at…

1
In Conversation with Israeli Humanitarian Alice Miller 50:08

18d ago50:08

50:08

"My response to trauma has to be to see everyone as human." Rabbi Lizzi spoke with Alice Miller, the CEO of Natan Worldwide Disaster Relief, an Israeli organization providing all-volunteer medical, dental, and humanitarian support all over the world. Their conversation was wide-ranging, fascinating, and surprising. Learn more about NATAN and suppor…

1
450: Talmudic Matthew — The 7 1:16:36

19d ago1:16:36

1:16:36

Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé truly cap off this series by taking a second gander at the Lord’s Prayer. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp BEMA 286: John — The Test of Bread Why Is Shavuot Celebrated — Aleph Beta Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship

1
Not Giving Up Our Seat at the Table 21:22

20d ago21:22

21:22

Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on Friday, May 30th. Rabbi Steven delivered a passionate, vulnerable sermon on how it can feel to be Jewish in public at times — unwelcome and misunderstood. How can we boldly show up as our whole selves when even progressive interfaith spaces can sometimes harbor real, if less explicit, antisemiti…

1
449: Talmudic Matthew — The Seven 1:06:56

1M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé close out this series by taking a gander at the Lord’s Prayer. BEMA 97: Done in Secret BEMA 332: Andrew DeCort — Flourishing on the Edge of Faith Textus Receptus — Wikipedia Codex Sinaiticus — Wikipedia Codex Vaticanus — Wikipedia Alexandrian Text-Type — Wikipedia Byzantine Text-Type — Wikipedia “A…

1
Holiness V. Chosenness V. Being Above the Law 41:08

27d ago41:08

41:08

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai. https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen Become A Builder! https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/ Transcript…

1
Hope Is a Muscle: The Hatikvah Slate with special guest Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie 50:21

1M ago50:21

50:21

Rabbi Deborah Waxman is joined by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie for a vital conversation about the complexities of Zionism, Israeli identity and progressive Jewish values. As delegates on the Hatikvah slate in the World Zionist Congress elections, Waxman and Lau-Lavie discuss the intersection of personal history, political activism, queer and feminist pe…

1
448: Talmudic Matthew — Secret 46:38

1M ago46:38

46:38

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks step into their prayer closets and shut the door on the babbling pagans. BEMA 97: Done in Secret Lares — Wikipedia Bornless Ritual — Wikipedia Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship

1
Standing Together: We Have More In Common Than You Think 1:02:30

1M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

Rabbi Lizzi spoke with representatives of the Standing Together movement, whose mission is to bring equality, political, and climate justice to all citizens of Israel, and peaceful coexistence with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. On the Eve of Yom HaAtzma’ut, which celebrates 77 years of Israeli independence, Itamar Avneri and Angela Mattar…

1
Mourners Kaddish - From Shabbat Services at Reconstructing Judaism 2018 Convention 1:08

1M ago1:08

1:08

Recitations of the Mourner's Kaddish from Reconstructing Judaism communal eventsBy Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

1
Mourners Kaddish - From Kabbalat Shabbat Service at Reconstructing Judaism 2022 Convention 1:13

1M ago1:13

1:13

Recitations of the Mourner's Kaddish from Reconstructing Judaism communal eventsBy Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

1
Mourners Kaddish - From Mincha Healing Service at Reconstructing Judaism 2022 Convention 1:05

1M ago1:05

1:05

Recitations of the Mourner's Kaddish from Reconstructing Judaism communal eventsBy Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

1
Strength, Discipline, Compassion: Omer Day 10 and Yom HaShoah 38:28

2M ago38:28

38:28

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai. https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen Links referenced in today's episode: Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe's Omer song: https://soundcloud.com/ariel-root…

1
447: Talmudic Matthew — Wages 49:00

2M ago49:00

49:00

Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks take a spin with Jesus’s concept of rewards or wages. Wealth, Poverty, and Charity in Jewish Antiquity by Gregg E. Gardner BEMA 97: Done in Secret De Re Publica, De Legibus by Cicero — Internet Archive Pietas — Wikipedia Virtus — Wikipedia Politics by Aristotle — Internet Archive Politics (Aristotle) — Wikipedi…

1
Love is A Radical Act 21:24

2M ago21:24

21:24

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on April 19th when Rabbi Steven drashed on the power and danger of anger. We can get pretty uncomfortable with this emotion these days, with good reason, and it can be awkward how present righteous anger is in the haggadah. How can we harness this potent feeling in a healthy way in pursuit of justi…

1
Why Voting for the Hatkivah Slate in the World Zionist Congress Matters: A Conversation Across Generations 42:20

2M ago42:20

42:20

In this special episode of Hashivenu, Rabbi Deborah Waxman welcomes Rabbi Jodie Siff and her son Aaron Siff-Scherr to discuss their deep personal and political commitments to progressive Zionism. Together, they reflect on how Jewish education, family experiences, and time in Israel shaped their values and why participating in the World Zionist Cong…

1
446: Talmudic Matthew — Children 50:22

2M ago50:22

50:22

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks take a crack at what it means to be children of God. “What’s Wrong with Winsomeness?” by Russell Moore — Christianity Today The Greatest Prayer by John Dominic Crossan BEMA 80: Silent Years — Pharisees BEMA 102: Son of Man Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by E. Randolph Richards and …

1
445: Talmudic Matthew — Enemies 1:02:21

2M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Brent Billings and Reed Dent team up with Elle Grover Fricks to excavate some ancient ideas about enemies. BEMA 96: But I Say Unto You Jesus and Nonviolence by Walter Wink The Peaceable Kingdom by Stanley Hauerwas Rise and Kill First by Ronen Bergman 1QS 1 (Community Rule) with Matthew 5:43 — Intertextual Bible BEMA 358: Sabbath Practice — Prayer G…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Reconstructing Judaism Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Contact Chai

Mishkan Chicago

1
Dialogue: A Podcast on the Cutting Edge of Jewish Thought

Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

1
Hashivenu

Reconstructing Judaism

1
The BEMA Podcast

BEMA Discipleship

1
American Judaism #2: R'Deborah Waxman — Boldness & Holy Chutzpah in Reconstructing Judaism 1:06:02

1
American Judaism #3: Andrew Rehfeld — Are Rabbinic Seminaries In Crisis? 1:03:29

1
453: Qohelet Tries to Party 56:29

1
Leaving the Wilderness, Finding Judaism 20:46

1
452: Qohelet Gets Out of Bed 1:27:11

1
The Present & Future of American Judaism #1: R'Bradley Shavit Artson 53:15

1
451: Ashlee Eiland — Say Good 41:23

1
Political Blasphemy — In Conversation With Rabbi Adi Romem 39:53

1
In Conversation with Israeli Humanitarian Alice Miller 50:08

1
450: Talmudic Matthew — The 7 1:16:36

1
Not Giving Up Our Seat at the Table 21:22

1
449: Talmudic Matthew — The Seven 1:06:56

1
Holiness V. Chosenness V. Being Above the Law 41:08

1
Hope Is a Muscle: The Hatikvah Slate with special guest Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie 50:21

1
448: Talmudic Matthew — Secret 46:38

1
Standing Together: We Have More In Common Than You Think 1:02:30

1
Mourners Kaddish - From Shabbat Services at Reconstructing Judaism 2018 Convention 1:08

1
Mourners Kaddish - From Kabbalat Shabbat Service at Reconstructing Judaism 2022 Convention 1:13

1
Mourners Kaddish - From Mincha Healing Service at Reconstructing Judaism 2022 Convention 1:05

1
Strength, Discipline, Compassion: Omer Day 10 and Yom HaShoah 38:28

1
447: Talmudic Matthew — Wages 49:00

1
Love is A Radical Act 21:24

1
Why Voting for the Hatkivah Slate in the World Zionist Congress Matters: A Conversation Across Generations 42:20

1
446: Talmudic Matthew — Children 50:22

1
445: Talmudic Matthew — Enemies 1:02:21