Podcast Guest on The Let There Be Light Show
I am excited to share that I was a guest on the most recent episode of the Let There Be Light podcast. For this 28th episode of the podcast, which is available online here, the discussion, which takes place from 4:21 through 19:54, begins with me discussing my work asContinue Reading
Podcast Episode #48 Now Out on Alcoholism in the Jewish Community
In the newest episode of the JewishDrinking.com Show, Rabbi Andie Cosnowsky, senior rabbi of Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, Illinois, joined me to alcoholism and alcohol abuse in the Jewish community. Here is the episode, in both video and podcast versions: Video: Podcast:Continue Reading
Newest Podcast Episode Now Out on Eruvin 64-65
One of the lengthier discussions on wine and drinking in rabbinic literature occurs in the Babylonian Talmud on Eruvin 64-65, which happens to also be the pages of the current Daf Yomi cycle for today and tomorrow. So, for my 47th episode of the JewishDrinking.com podcast and video show, IContinue Reading
Finally Seeing the Emotional Toll of Lockdowns During COVID-19 on Seniors
Having been in my current job for four months now, I have finally begun to see for myself the effects that the lockdowns at the senior living facility where I work have been taking upon the residents. While I had heard from others in the building when I had firstContinue Reading
Death & Dying – Not Always Like TV & Movies
Thursday marked exactly three months of my having been in my current position as a Director of Pastoral Care at a senior living facility and one thing that has struck me is that dying and death are much different here than it is as portrayed on television and movies. ThisContinue Reading
Opening Up Slightly Provides Noticeable Improvement in Mood [Chaplaincy Chronicles]
Having mentioned previously about the surprise COVID-19 case we had at the senior living facility where I work, I have some follow-up to the story, which is that there’s good news and there’s bad news. The good news was that the case was confined to just one particular resident, andContinue Reading
Gleaning Insightful Historical Contexts About Jewish Health-Care Chaplaincy [Chaplaincy Reflection]
Having mentioned previously that I am commonly asked by chaplain colleagues “Have you done CPE?”, I would be interested to engage in CPE training…when they become available to do so, as long as my current job allows me to do so. One thing I came across that I have foundContinue Reading
Star Wars and Judaism Series Completed
This past Sunday marked the conclusion of my summer “Star Wars and Judaism” series, in which I held live Zoom sessions over the course of a dozen consecutive weeks. Taking place on Sunday evenings from late May through this past Sunday, I put together source sheets on Sefaria and heldContinue Reading
Newest Jewish Drinking Podcast Episode Published on Yalta’s Wine-Destroying [Berakhot 51b]
On the newest release amongst Jewish Drinking.com’s podcast/video episodes, Alieza Salzberg Yizhar joins me on the show to discuss a particular incident in the Talmud where Yalta destroys 400 jugs of wine (see below for text from the Babylonian Talmud on this incident). She teaches Talmud at the Conservative YeshivaContinue Reading
A Challenge With Developing Relationships [Chaplaincy Reflection]
Working with different generations in different stages in life is, as you can imagine, quite a different experience for a rabbi. Of course, there are similarities, including conversational skills and approachability, amongst others. Yet, having previously worked with those in the Millenial Generation while they were college students [and youngContinue Reading