Sarah is back for a "Part 2" on Jewish history and archives! This episode, Sarah chats about what it means to archive Jewish history with Eric Lidji, Director of Ruah Jewish History Program and Archives from the Heinz History Center!
Here is the link to the quarterly newsletter Eric references in the episode! Be sure to subscribe!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/DY1om9t
In this episode Sarah Greenwald visits with the one, the only, Martha Berg, Archivist at Rodef Shalom Congregation! Martha talks about how she first got into working in the archives, the tasks she fills her time with, and what means the most to her in this role. Martha can be reached at berg@rodefshalom.org.
This episode features a preview of Rich Brean's lecture, "The Jewish Exodus From the Hill." It is a continuation of a lecture series on Jewish history in Pittsburgh; specifically, the movement of Jews in the city and where the communities went over the span of the 20th Century.
For registration information for Rich's full lecture on March 29th, 2022, click here.
The band is back together for a special co-hosted episode!
Bill Battistone and Sarah Greenwald visit with the new Interim Executive Director of Rodef Shalom, Barb Feige. Barb talks about her journey to this position, what it means personally to her, and where she sees not only Rodef Shalom, but Jewish Synagogues as a whole heading into 2022 and beyond.
The guest this episode is Tim Litman, President of Rodef Shalom Brotherhood. Tim talks about his journey to being President of Brotherhood, what he enjoys most about his time in the group, and where the group goes next.
If you are interested in learning more about the Brotherhood, please email fifteenminutemensch@gmail.com!
In this episode, Bill visits with Noola and Ben, two students who recently had their bat/bar mitzvahs at Rodef Shalom! We talk about their experience, what they liked the most about their program, and what advice they would give to students just starting. Special thank you to Noola and Ben for sharing their experience with us!
Episode 2 of our second season features a conversation with Sarah and two extraordinary individuals, Megan Rose and Katie Rothstein! Megan is the Director of the Center for Women and Katie is the Programming and Communications Manager, both out of the Pittsburgh Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). Hear all about NCJW's initiatives, upcoming events, and how best to help support this important work!
For more informaiton, be sure to check out their website: www.ncjwpgh.org
We are back! Fifteen Minutes With a Mensch is back for a second season! This episode introduces our new co-host, Sarah Greenwald, who will be sharing hosting duties with Bill!
If you have any ideas or suggestion for topics for future episodes, be sure to email us at fifteenminutemensch@gmail.com. Thanks for listening, and we are excited about the new season!
This episode features some of my "classmates" from our Adult B'Mitzvah group! We are celebrating on Simchat Torah 2021.
Special thank you to my guests:
Anne Claire Goodman
Dana Cohen
Tom Travers
Drew Greenwald
Barbara Goldman
Mazel tov!
It's episode two of our mini-series on the High Holy Days! This episode's guest is Rabbi Sharyn Henry, from Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA.
Rabbi Henry joins me to briefly chat about Yom Kippur, and how we can begin to look at the holiday as a Day of Hope and preparation, not just atonement. She even gives a little sneak preview to our Adult B'Mitzvah in another week and half...
For information regarding High Holy Day services, including live streaming schedules, visit www.rodefshalom.org
This is the first of our "mini-series" on the High Holy Days!
This episode features Senior Rabbi Aaron Bisno from Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA. Rabbi Bisno talks a little bit about Rosh Hashanah, what the holiday means from a historical Jewish context, and what it means for us now in the year 2021 (or 5782!). Rabbi Bisno also chats about the theme for the High Holy Days this year at Rodef Shalom, "Re: Turn," and what this year has him reflecting on.
For more information on upcoming High Holy Day services, be sure to check out www.rodefshalom.org.
This was a big one for me! I was fortunate enough to spend some time with USA and World Rugby legend Dallen Stanford!
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Dallen relocated to the United States in the early 2000's. He then gained citizenship and went out to represent the USA in World Rugby Sevens from 2007 - 2009. After finishing his international career, Dallen was asked to captain the United States Rugby Team in the 2013 World Maccabiah Games in Israel (often referred to as "The Jewish Olympics), where they won a gold medal in Sevens and a bronze medal in 15s!
Dallen currently works as a lead commentator for World Rugby, having been one the lead English commentator for the Rugby World Cup in 2019, the third largest sports tournament in the world. He is also a regular on the World Rugby Sevens Series and Major League Rugby. He has also received multiple awards and recognitions for his efforts to grow rugby in the United States at the grass roots level.
If you would like more information on Dallen's work with Play Rugby USA, you can check out their website at https://playrugbyusa.org/. Dallen also has his own podcast that you can find wherever you consume your podcasts, titled "The Rugby Hive."
A special thank you to Dallen for taking the time and answering a random email from a fan!
Anne Malloy joins this episode as a guest as she discusses her experiences with the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Anne has been a member of Rodef Shalom for over 30 years, serving in various roles, including President and Temple Librarian. We discuss her work with the World Union in the former Soviet Union, and why this type of work is so meaningful to her.
Be sure to check out the World Union website (https://wupj.org/) to help support this important work.
This episode's Mensch is Cantor Julie Newman, Founder of Tiferet, which focuses on providing various programming opportunities centered around Jewish mindfulness and reflective practice. For more information, I would highly encourage you to check out their website, https://tiferetproject.org, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChavShir/
I had a chance to visit with Yael Eads, who is the Youth Director at Rodef Shalom for this episode! Yael oversees all of the youth group planning grades K-12. For more information, you can either check out the website (https://www.rodefshalom.org/youth-group) or contact Yael directly at eads@rodefshalom.org.
This episode features Susan Friedberg Kalson as our mensch! Susan is the CEO of Squirrel Hill Health Center and the Chair of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. We discuss her experiences and the mission of the Squirrel Hill Health Center, advocacy iniatives with the URJ and RAC, and how you can help be a voice for social change.
For more information, check out the following websites:
squirrelhillhealthcenter.org
RAC.org
URJ.org
15 Minutes is back this week with Becca Hurowitz, President and CEO of Vibe Israel USA! We talk about Vibe Israel's mission and vision to help grow awareness and connections to Israel, and what it means to leverage social media with the younger generation. For more information about Vibe Israel, check out their website at https://vibeisrael.com/
Like 15 Minutes with a Mensch? Have other ideas for content or topics to discuss? Know anyone who would be an interesting guest? Be sure to connect with us via email at fifteenminutemensch@gmail.com!
This episode's mensch is David Goldstein, a composer of sacred choral and chant music. David leads a Tikkun Chant Circle, which is a form of Hebrew repetition focused on a specific intention. After experiencing one of David's Tikkun Chant Circles myself, we talk about the experience and the planning that goes into such an event. We also chat about the benefits of chanting and how it can be incorporated into someone's spiritual routine. For more information about David, or for upcoming dates for Tikkun Chant Circles, visit https://hebrewchant.wordpress.com/
This episode features Donna Coufal, current President of Dor Hadash Congregation, in Pittsburgh, PA. Dor Hadash is part of the Reconstructing Judaism movement, so we dive into what that actually entails. We talk about being a member-led congregation, and how that can be both advantageous and provide challenges. If you are interested in learning more about Dor Hadash, go to www.dorhadash.net.
Bob Rosenthal previews his upcoming lecture on the history and oddities of the Rodef Shalom Congregation building! He gives us his own version of the Four Questions, as well as a sneak peak of his upcoming presentation on April 20th! Be sure to mark your calendars to join us! More information can be found at https://www.rodefshalom.org/jewish-history-series.
