Podcasts

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What do we need to grow, what brings us down and what builds us back up? After a week in which we celebrated TuBishvat, we also stand in solidarity with Congregation Beth Israel in Texas. This week the rabbis discuss personal growth, the power of eulogies and how they would like to be remembered.

Judaism is full of ideas to connect body and soul. Ahead of Mental Health shabbat, the rabbis welcome to the show Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, Sharon Daniels to discuss how we can care for both our physical and our mental health.

In the midst of World War II, at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on 4th January 1942, delegates from six disparate Jewish communities attended an historic conference that marked the beginning of the Movement for Reform Judaism as we know it today as it was felt that ‘concerted effort by the congregations here represented would be of great value for the common good.’ In this special birthday episode, historian David Jacobs joins the rabbis to kick off a year of celebrations to mark the anniversary, as they discuss both the past and the future of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

10th December marks Human Rights Day when, in 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the most translated document in the world and proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being. In this episode of Rabbiting On, Rabbi Robyn, shares her experiences as a Human Rights Lawyer, as we reflect on what is at the core of being human and our identities as Jews.

Chanukah is a time for dedication, be it the rededication of the temple, a renewed commitment to protect the natural world, to bring light into our lives or simply to wear matching Chanukah jumpers. Hear all about the Rabbis’ plans for this Chanukah, their views on whether we should even look at xmas lights, or contemplate kosher turkey or xmas bagels with this Rabbiting On Chanukah special!

This week on Rabbiting On, Rabbis Robyn, Debbie and Miriam talk about the joys (and scary moments) of conducting weddings and mixed-faith blessings. Find out what they would do differently at their own weddings, why both partners receive a ring, the complex laws that govern marriage, the real basis of the veil and how Brit Ahava, a Covenant of Love, steeped in Jewish ritual and learning, is an alternative to a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

This week the rabbis talk about what makes them angry and what gives them hope. As world leaders assemble in Glasgow to face up to the Climate Emergency, the rabbis wonder how we incentivise each other to act in the interests of others.

Calculate your own carbon footprint for free by visiting:
https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

For information about the Eco Synagogue Movement, visit:
https://ecosynagogue.org/

Catch up on the latest developments from COP 26:
https://ukcop26.org/news/

The rabbis are back after the High Holy Days with Yolanda Savage-Narva from the Union for Reform Judaism to talk about racial equity and inclusion. As society continues to stand up against racism in the shade of the murder of George Floyd in 2020, this week’s episode asks us to be really honest with our personal approach to being anti-racist, what we mean by Audacious Hospitality, and how we can promote compassion-culture in our spaces.

Reference Material and Links from the episode:

Audacious Hospitality Homepage

Resources for Audacious Hospitality from the URJ

Ibram X. Kendi defines what it means to be an antiracist

Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community

Board of Deputies of British Jews Report on Racial Inclusivity

Facing Yom Kippur is physically, psychologically and spiritually challenging, and highly personal. In this episode, the rabbis discuss their personal approach to embodying Yom Kippur with intentionality and compassion, and how this year carries with it beauty and pain, as we remember those we have lost.

Join the Rabbis as they share their last minute preparations for the High Holy Days, remember the horrors of 9/11 ahead of its 20th anniversary and contemplate another Rosh Hashannah full of uncertainty, in this Rabbiting On special.

Music is mysterious yet universal and its power to move us has been evident for centuries in the way we pray, in our culture and as a voice for change. Joining the podcast this week, is a celebrated and award-winning performer, broadcaster and songwriter; Daniel Cainer joins the rabbis for a chat about how he approaches his work and the way music connects us through the generations.

Youth Movements provide unique spaces for young people to feel included, celebrated and to make friends. So many adults who grew up in Jewish youth movements like RSY-Netzer, and others, go on to flourish professionally and live out their values as activists and leaders. Leadership (Hadracha), interpersonal and social skills, creativity, a sense of social justice and passion for repairing the world (Tikkun Olam) are the fabric of our Jewish Youth Movements and this week the rabbis remember their own experiences with a special interview from Rabbi Robyn’s husband, Anthony Ashworth-Steen, about his journey.

How do we hold love, fear and grief and make space for them in our lives? Be it through wailing and crying or singing and eating, ahead of 18th July, the rabbis discuss the significance of remembering the destruction of the ancient temples, and what Tisha B’Av means to us today.

This week on Rabbiting On, the rabbis are joined by their first guest – former RAF firefighter and Lord Mayor of Manchester Carl Austin-Behan OBE to talk about Pride, solidarity between communities, inclusive language, visibility and acceptance.

The challenges and joys of parenting present themselves to many of us in different forms. This week the rabbis contemplate raising children in community, how the pandemic has affected families, and seeing G-d in the eyes of others.