In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Nir Barkin and Rabbi David Azoulay of our sister Reform congregation, Kehillat YOZMA in Modi’in, Israel. They discuss their unique experiences and their congregation’s response to October 7th, the work they do to help their community, and what Reform Judaism contributes to Israeli society and Jewish life in Israel.

They also encourage everyone to VOTE REFORM in the World Zionist Congress election, which ends on Sunday, May 4. Your vote is a powerful way to support our Reform movement and strengthen the future of Reform Judaism in Israel. For $5 and 5 minutes of your time, you can advance the issues we care about – religious pluralism, freedom, peace, democracy and more – in Israel and beyond. If you haven’t voted already, please VOTE REFORM today at ZionistElection.org.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Amanda Berman, CEO of Zioness. Zioness is a multiracial coalition of Jewish activists and allies that fight for the advancement of social, racial, economic and gender equality in America and for the inclusion of Zionists in social justice spaces. Rabbi Dan and Amanda discuss what it means to be a progressive Zionist, the history and definition of Zionism, and how the Zionist label affects Jewish Americans today

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with two of Temple Beth El’s cantors, Cantorial Soloist Michelle Auslander Cohen and Cantor Jake Harris. They discuss their love of Jewish music and what led them to become cantors, how they engage a large congregation for an exceptional communal experience, what goes into preparing to lead the congregation for the High Holy Days, how they personally prepare for the High Holy Days, and more.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Desee Berkowitz, author of Becoming a Soulful Parent, and Rabbi Amy Pessah, author of Parenting on a Prayer. They discuss how to ensure your child’s spiritual growth, how to prioritize spirituality amid other commitments such as sports and academic demands, small ways to bring spirituality and gratitude into children’s lives, balancing the need to protect your children with allowing them to make mistakes, and more.

In this episode, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Shai Held about the concept of love. They define love in a spiritual context, and discuss how you can develop a “posture” of love, how to learn to love yourself, and what it means to love others, as well as how the concept of love connects with those of hate, justice, and protest.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin speaks with Rabbi Dr. Mark Washofsky. They discuss the intersection between Reform Judaism and halakha, the ongoing conversation between ancient texts and modern life, and what it means to be “authentically Jewish” within Reform Judaism.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin talks with Tracey Labgold, Florida Education & Training Manager for Keshet, a non-profit that works for LGBTQ+ equality in Jewish life. They discuss different LGBTQ+ identities, the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity, and the best ways to support those who identify as queer in a Jewish context.

In this episode of Essential Questions, Rabbi Dan Levin talks with Rabbi Laila Haas, who joined Temple Beth El's clergy team in June 2024. They talk about how they both fell in love with Jewish learning, their experiences learning in Israel, what Torah means to them, how they find meaning and purpose in their lives through Judaism, and more.