Rabbi-Cantor Judy Greenfeld's spiritual journey began with tragedy when her father was murdered when she was just sixteen years old. This devastating event caused her to question everything about Judaism and God, leading her away from her conservative Jewish upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio. "I think when we have trauma in our lives, it shifts us into seeing the world in a different way," she reflects.

Her path of healing took her through various spiritual traditions – Buddhism, new age philosophies, psychology – before ultimately returning to Judaism with fresh eyes and an expanded perspective. What makes her story so compelling is how she's woven these seemingly disparate threads into a coherent tapestry that honors traditional Jewish wisdom while embracing more expansive spiritual concepts like dreamwork, feminine energy, and embodied prayer practices.

The most fascinating aspects of Rabbi-Cantor Judy's approach emerge in her discussion of dreams and Jewish mysticism. She explains how ancient Jewish texts recognized dreams as containing "one-sixtieth of prophecy" and how our souls travel during sleep – concepts that parallel Native American dream traditions she studied extensively. Her books connecting Jewish prayer with spiritual practices have helped countless seekers find meaning within Judaism that they couldn't access through conventional teaching methods.

As both rabbi and cantor, she's witnessed tremendous evolution within Judaism – especially regarding women's roles. From a time when women couldn't have bat mitzvahs on Saturdays to today's landscape where female clergy are increasingly common, she celebrates how Judaism continues to adapt while maintaining its core essence. Now leading a Texas congregation healing from a traumatic hostage situation, she brings her unique combination of traditional knowledge and spiritual innovation to a community in need of both stability and renewal.

Whether you're struggling with faith after trauma, curious about the intersection of different spiritual traditions, or seeking a more meaningful connection to Jewish practice, Rabbi-Cantor Judy offers wisdom that transcends religious boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Subscribe now to hear her powerful insights on healing, spirituality, and finding authentic connection in challenging times.

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What happens when an art historian discovers Nazi memorabilia being sold at auction houses without ethical consideration? For Beatrice Levine, it sparked a journey that would transform her career and personal identity.

Growing up as a military child in Germany during the 1990s, Beatrice developed a natural curiosity about Holocaust history and her own Jewish heritage. Though her father was ethnically Jewish, her family practiced the cultural aspects rather than religious observance – what Beatrice colorfully describes as "that East Coast big, lox-loving Jewish family" where everyone watched Seinfeld and said "oy" but didn't attend synagogue. This early exposure to German history planted seeds that would later bloom in unexpected ways.

After pursuing art history and landing positions at prestigious auction houses, Beatrice witnessed disturbing practices surrounding Nazi artifacts and potentially looted artwork. The auction world's casual approach to selling items like Hermann Göring's weapons and Nazi tableware created what she calls "a queasy feeling" that eventually led her to specialize in provenance research – tracking the ownership history of artworks to identify those stolen during the Holocaust. The resistance she encountered when raising ethical concerns revealed how deeply rooted these problems were in the art world.

When academic institutions pushed back against her research focus, Beatrice found her way to specialized Holocaust studies programs, ultimately pursuing a PhD focused on these ethical questions. Perhaps most remarkably, she formally converted to Judaism in 2023, completing her Mikvah ceremony just one month after the October 7 attacks – a decision that speaks volumes about her commitment to this path.

Today, Beatrice balances serious academic work with a lighthearted approach to art history on her popular social media accounts. Her "Culture Quota" Instagram follows her mantra of providing "safe spaces" where people can enjoy art and culture as a respite from constant heaviness, while still occasionally addressing serious historical topics.

Whether discussing the ethical dilemmas of inherited Nazi artifacts or sharing her favorite Real Housewives moments, Beatrice brings authenticity and depth to every conversation. Her story reminds us that confronting difficult history isn't just an academic exercise – it's deeply personal work that can transform both individual lives and our collective understanding of the past.

What artifacts from difficult periods of history do you have questions about? Join the conversation and let us know how you navigate these complex ethical waters.

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Welcome back for Part 2 of my discussion with 3G Collective: John Reed, Shany Dagan, and Jana Krumholtz!

Three grandchildren of Holocaust survivors are using their talents as dancers, actors, and choreographers to tell their families' stories through powerful artistic performances.

• John describes his journey from watching his sister dance to becoming a professional dancer and choreographer
• John shares his experience working on "Amid Falling Walls," an off-Broadway show featuring Yiddish songs written in concentration camps and ghettos
• Shany discusses her transition from Israeli contemporary dance to American theater and aerial circus arts
• Shany explains her dance memoir featuring her grandparents' Holocaust survival stories performed simultaneously on stage
• Jana talks about her commercial dance career highlights including performing on SNL and Lip Sync Battle
• The artists explain how they formed the 3G Collective after discovering their connected histories
• Each artist describes their individual shows exploring third-generation Holocaust trauma and resilience
• They discuss why third-generation stories provide unique perspectives on Holocaust history and intergenerational trauma
• The collective emphasizes that their art demonstrates Jewish resilience - "they didn't win, we're still here"

Follow the 3G Collective on Instagram at @thirdgenproject for information about their upcoming performance at Arts On Site on August 7th.

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