Author: Justin Regan

  • Los Angeles Part One: The Rabbanit-Transcript

    This is the episode transcript. You can listen to the episode here. (Intro): Welcome to American Rabbi Project. The podcast about American Judaism from the perspective of rabbis around the […]

  • Los Angeles Part One: The Rabbanit

    "Rabbanit" is not a common title Jewish clergy members go by. But for Alissa Thomas-Newborn her unique title is a reflection on her unique situation as an Orthodox woman with formal rabbinical training, and a clergy position at an Orthodox congregation. Thomas-Newborn chats about her special role, the challenges and opportunities of the modern world, and her chaplaincy work in mental health care.

  • Narrow Spaces and Liberation

    In the Season Three premiere, rabbis from across the country weigh in on what Passover traditions particularly speak to them after a year of pandemic.   

  • Washington: Bimah and Beats

    Seattle, Washington has one of the largest communities of Sephardic Jews in the U.S. Rabbi Simon Benzaquen has been serving this community for 36 plus years. In addition to his typical rabbinical duties, he's also part of a Ladino hip-hop group, that is putting a modern twist on classic songs. He says the ancient romanzas they perform were written by the Sephardim to articulate the pain and loss of being expelled from their homeland during The Inquisition. Benzaquen talks about the importance of preserving the Ladino language, and the role rap can play in that mission in this music-heavy season 2 finale of American Rabbi Project.

  • Washington: Bimah and Beats-Transcript

    This is the episode transcript. You can listen to the episode here. (Preamble) This is the final episode of Season 2. I loved this season, and I hope you did […]

  • The Festival of Freedom-Transcript

    This is the episode transcript. You can listen to the episode here. (Intro) Welcome to American Rabbi Project. The Podcast about American Judaism from the perspective of rabbis across the […]

  • The Festival of Freedom

    In this year's Passover episode rabbis from around the country share some of their favorite memories of the holiday.

  • Behind the Scenes-Transcript

    This is the episode transcript. You can listen to the episode here. (Intro) Welcome to American Rabbi Project. The Podcast about American Judaism from the perspective of rabbis across the […]

  • Behind the Scenes

    In this special episode, go behind the scenes and hear from Justin and various members of his editorial team as they talk about the podcast, the creative process, why they do what they do and answer some of the most common questions asked about the podcast. So wash your hands and listen in as the American Rabbi Project team tells you how, and why, the (kosher) sausage gets made.

  • History is Personal

    This is the third and final episode in a special mini-series profiling Holocaust educators. First, we'll hear from a German college professor who teaches classes on the Holocaust and other genocides. He says it's important to focus on the role individuals play in carrying out a genocide and that real learning happens when students get uncomfortable. Then we'll hear from two screenwriters who wrote a children's book about the Shoah. Specifically, it's through the eyes of the cat who lived with Anne Frank while she and her family were hiding from the Nazis. They say it's a 'gentle' introduction to the Holocaust and is designed to educate and empower the youth.

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