Hashivenu

In the final episode of Hashivenu, Rabbi Deborah Waxman closes out her run as host, and thirteen years as president of Reconstructing Judaism, with her most frequent guest: incoming president Rabbi Elliott Tepperman. The two dig into what drew Tepperman to the role, tracing his path from a DIY, activist-shaped Jewish upbringing through decades of movement work alongside Waxman. Their conversation ranges from the tension between American individualism and communal life to the hard lessons of Pittsburgh and October 7th, landing on a shared conviction that a vibrant, resilient Judaism is itself the answer to antisemitism. If you've been listening to Hashivenu from the beginning all the way back in 2017, thank you so much. It's been an honor sharing these conversations with you for so many years. If you're new to the show, welcome! It's not too late to explore our back catalogue of 60+ episodes. We hope you stay connected with Reconstructing Judaism and follow what's next under Rabbi Tepperman's leadership. If you haven't already, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Until next time, l'hitraot, and may we all go mihayil lehayil, from strength to strength. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guest: Rabbi Elliott Tepperman. Support Hashivenu Links: Learn more about Rabbi Elliott Tepperman

Just weeks before her tenure as President and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism comes to a close, Rabbi Deborah Waxman is joined by Hashivenu's longtime producer and editor Sam Wachs to look back on the podcast's evolution, from its 2017 launch and resilience-focused first season to its later exploration of covenantal community and racial equity. It's a warm, reflective, behind-the-scenes perspective on a project Rabbi Waxman calls one of the great blessings of her presidency. Episodes Discussed: @7:00 - Gratitude (11/8/2018) @18:30 - How to become our fullest, most expressive selves? Practice, practice, practice with Yoshi Silverstein (10/24/2023) @19:30 - Episode 1: Shabbat with Rabbi Jacob Staub (8/10/2017) @20:00 - Humor with Rabbi Seth Goldstein (9/29/2017) Follow @rabbi_360 on [Instagram](rabbi_360) and TikTok @22:00 - Hineni - Being Present with Rabbi Miriam Klotz (2/13/2018) @23:40 - Catching Our Breath (3/24/2020) @27:20 - The Spiritual Activist with Claudia Horwitz (7/1/2019) @28:00 - Activism with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum (12/5/2017) @28:30 - Episode 10: "You Were Strangers in Egypt": Passover and Sanctuary with Rabbi Elliott Tepperman (3/19/2018) Reconstructionist Values, Covenantal Community and War in the Middle East with Rabbi Rachel Weiss and Rabbi Elliott Tepperman (12/4/2024) (Rabbi Teppermans' third appearance is coming soon!) @30:20 - S2 Ep. 1: Trauma, Healing and Resilience with Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg (3/21/2019) @31:00 - Finding Sustenance in Covenantal Community with Rabbi Sid Schwarz (12/10/2019) @34:40 - Being an Ally with Empathy, Humility and Courage with Rabbi Sandra Lawson (12/28/2021) Rabbi Sandra is currently Executive Director of Carolina Jews For Justice Follow her on Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to her newsletter @40:00 - Why Voting for the Hatkivah Slate in the World Zionist Congress Matters: A Conversation Across Generations (4/21/2025) Hope Is a Muscle: The Hatikvah Slate with special guest Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie (5/1/2025) Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie returns to discuss Jewish chosenness, love, and his film Sabbath Queen (12/11/2025) @41:00 - The Jewish Way to a Good Life: A Conversation with Rabbi Shira Stutman (1/30/2026) The Joy of Camp With Rabbi James Greene (never aired). Follow Rabbi James' work at Jewish Family Service of Western MA This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Support Hashivenu

What does it really mean to live a good life and how can ancient Jewish practices help us get there? Rabbi Deborah Waxman sits down with her teacher, colleague, and friend Rabbi Shira Stutman, author of The Jewish Way to a Good Life, for a wide-ranging conversation about meaning, resilience, and loving kindness. Together, they explore how Jewish wisdom offers practical tools for universal human challenges: how to love, how to mourn, how to care for our bodies, how to build justice, and how to show up for one another imperfectly but persistently. At the center of their conversation is hesed, loving kindness, which Shira describes as more than emotion: It’s the courage to show up in daunting spaces and do the hard, sustained work of caring. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guest: Rabbi Shira Stutman. Support Hashivenu Links: Buy Shira's book, "The Jewish Way to a Good Life" Listen to Rabbi Shira's podcast Chutzpod! Support Hashivenu with a donation to Reconstructing Judaism Learn more and register for Reconstructing Judaism's movement-wide convention "B'Yachad," March 12-15 in Philadelphia Reconstructing Judaism Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations Ritualwell

Rabbi Deborah Waxman continues her conversation with Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, founder of Lab/Shul and subject of the documentary The Sabbath Queen. They explore how to hold complexity in polarized times, discussing "both/and" thinking around Israeli and Palestinian identity, the theology of love and connection (symbolized by the Hebrew letter vav), and building strong Jewish peoplehood without chauvinism or supremacy. Their conversation weaves together personal narrative, liturgical innovation, and theological reflection, modeling nuanced dialogue about coexistence, justice, and evolving Jewish tradition to honor the dignity of all people while navigating disagreement with courage and compassion. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guest: Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie. Support Hashivenu Links: The Sabbath Queen (Film Site) — Find a screening near you, background information, and related materials. Lab/Shul — Lab/Shul is the experimental, artist-driven, God-optional Jewish community co-founded by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie. Evolve: Rabbi Toba Spitzer on Chosenness — Rabbi Toba Spitzer argues that “chosenness” implies unjust superiority and needs to be replaced with a sense of shared moral responsibility. The World Zionist Congress and Reconstructing Judaism’s Engagement with Israel — Learn about Reconstructing Judaism's efforts to promote a democratic, pluralistic, human-rights-centered vision for Israel and support for a two-state solution. Octavia Butler Resources (for contextual reference) — Learn more about Octavia Butler’s writing and themes. B'Yachad, Reconstructing Judaism's movement-wide convention — Details about Reconstructing Judaism's 2026 convention, including programming related to peoplehood without chauvinism and community-centered resilience. Registration is open now!

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 perspectives and Jewish theology. Each reflects on the legacy of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the power of hope, and the urgency of building a Judaism that is inclusive, resilient and committed to justice for all. Subscribe by Email This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org. Special Guest: Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie. Support Hashivenu Links: Vote Hatikvah Slate in the World Zionist Congress Elections Learn more about Hatikvah Slate Explore Reconstructionist Resources about the World Zionist Congress Where We Stand: The Reconstructionist Movement, Israel and Progressive Zionism Watch: The Progressive Israel Network workshop about the World Zionist Congress Elections and why they matter urgently Q&A with Hatikvah Slate nominee Rabbi Elliott Tepperman about Hatikvah's progressive vision for Israel and Jewish communities Learn more about Lab/Shul Learn more about Storahtelling, Inc. In case you missed it: Rabbi Deborah Waxman's conversation with Rabbi Jodie Siff and Aaron Siff-Scherr about progressive Zionism, Jewish identity and the importance of voting in the World Zionist Congress elections