The Israel Connection – Hosted by Esti Zenati, this engaging podcast explores all things Israel. Every other week, Esti welcomes a special guest with a unique connection to Israel—diving into culture, history, current events, and personal stories. Whether you’re deeply connected to Israel or just curious to learn more, this podcast offers insightful and meaningful conversations that bring Israel to life.
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The Chai Life at Beth El Congregation is our flagship podcast, blending Judaism with contemporary issues. Engaging and informative, it sparks intriguing conversations to educate and entertain, both in the Jewish community and beyond.
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Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (May 3, 2025)
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6:44Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (May 3, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast (May 3, 2025)
20:52
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20:52Send us a text This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, we're recapping the recent "Yoms"— and unpacking what they mean for us today. Then, in true Havdalah Happy Hour fashion, we veer wildly off course and find ourselves talking about the intersection of sports fandom and... prison rodeos? (Yes, really.) Finally, we wrap things up with everyone's favorit…
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Kvetch & Co on the Beth El Podcast Network (May 1, 2025)
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29:01Send us a text Our favorite moms are back to dive into the sticky, stylish, and sometimes cringeworthy chaos of everyday life. From parenting hacks that actually work (yes, really!) to a disastrous run-in with Gorilla Glue (spoiler: it wasn't on purpose), we’re sharing it all. And let’s not forget the segment you didn’t know you needed: “Embarrassi…
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Parshat Tazria - Metzora with Rabbi Saroken and Ben Kreshtool (May 1, 2025)
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23:48Send us a text This week, Rabbi Saroken and Ben Kreshtool dive into Parshat Tazria-Metzora as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. The good, the bad, the easy, and the hard—all of it is a gift from God and should never be taken for granted. Judaism keeps an open door, grounded in the belief that people can change—and no matter the journey, they wi…
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore (April 26, 2025)
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13:23
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13:23Send us a text In case you missed it or want to share, here is the Shabbat Sermon with Rabbi Dana Saroken at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 26, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Send us a text Esti Zenati sits down with a very special guest, Erin Molan—renowned Australian TV and radio presenter, and former host of the prime-time show Erin on Sky News. Widely recognized for her unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish community, Erin shares the story behind her viral monologue that not only captured global attention but …
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network (April 26, 2025)
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23:39Send us a text Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of something good, and unwind with this week’s Havdalah Happy Hour! Tonight we’re joined by Amanda from Kvetch & Co for a post-Shabbat conversation full of laughs. We kick things off with a (heated) debate: matzah pizza vs. regular pizza — which one reigns supreme? From there, we give you a snea…
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Parshat Shemini with Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Ellentuck (April 24, 2025)
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16:15Send us a text This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Shemini as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. What sets the Jewish people apart from others? And more importantly—what does it mean to be holy in our everyday lives? From the food we eat to the prayers we say, holiness isn’t a once-a-week event—it’s a daily choi…
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April, 19 2025)
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16:14Send us a text In case you missed it or want to share, here is this weeks Shabbat Sermon with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 19, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network (April 20, 2025)
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25:25Send us a text This week on The Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re joined by the one and only Ben Suffel! We kick things off with a very special feature: 90 seconds of frozen video thanks to a technical glitch. (Don't worry — we recover faster than Jeremy and Jill will be eating pizza after Passover ends.) Once we’re back in action, we recap Passover. Tune…
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Torah Talk at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore (April 12, 2025)
19:26
19:26
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19:26Send us a text In case you missed it or want to share, here is Torah Talk with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, Rabbi Dana Saroken, and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtol at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 12, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Parshat Tzav with Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken (April 10, 2025)
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23:22Send us a text This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parshat Tzav as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. Rituals offer us a sense of comfort and stability, reminding us that even in the midst of chaos, Shabbat arrives each week without fail. We also explore the joy of gift-giving, the power of kind words, take-home bags from resta…
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The Israel Connection: Israel's Story with Guy Flavian and Iris Hillel
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38:03Send us a text Esti Zenati is joined by two special guests straight from Israel: Guy Flavian and Iris Hillel, co-heads of the Israel's Story initiative. Israel's Story was a hasbara project launched immediately after the October 7 attacks, rapidly growing to involve over 200 volunteers and spreading across social media platforms in multiple languag…
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 5, 2025)
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11:40Send us a text In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 5, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network (April 5, 2025)
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17:16Send us a text On this week’s Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re deep in the heart of Passover prep—cleaning, planning, and debating just how many boxes of matzah we really need. And of course, we wrap up with our Shonda of the Week—because what’s a good conversation without a little kvetching?By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Weekly Parsha with Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck (April 3, 2025)
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12:01Send us a text This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Vayikra as we begin the Book of Leviticus. From barbecue to sacrifices and the weight of consequences, we dive into the deeper meanings behind these ancient practices. Plus, a reminder of the privilege we have in bringing mitzvot into our daily lives.…
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Kvetch & Co on the Beth El Podcast Network (March 31, 2025)
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31:00Send us a text The moms are back! This episode of Kvetch & Co. is all about surviving winter—because, honestly, it was a lot. We’re talking about navigating the flu (and every other ailment that made its way through our homes), recapping recent family travels (because traveling with kids is always an adventure), and even what happens when our pets …
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congreagation in Baltimore. (March 29, 2025)
11:23
11:23
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11:23Send us a text In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congreagation in Baltimore. (March 29, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Send us a text Esti Zenati speaks with Yuval David, an Emmy-winning Israeli-American journalist, actor, and LGBT activist. They discuss Yuval’s advocacy for Israel, the Jewish community, and LGBT rights, as well as his role in promoting Jewish representation in media. The conversation explores his experiences in the entertainment industry as a Jewi…
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network (March 29, 2025)
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25:34Send us a text Havdalah Happy Hour is back on the Beth El Podcast Network! In this episode, we recap all the festive fun from Purim at Beth El Congregation — costumes, groggers, and maybe even a hamantaschen or two. Then, we look ahead to Passover, sharing our favorite treats and debating the age-old Passover question: Rice — kosher or not kosher?…
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Parashat Pekudei with Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken (March 27, 2025)
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21:44Send us a text This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parashat Pekudei as we reach the end of the Book of Exodus.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 22, 2025)
18:26
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18:26Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 22, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Send us a text Esti Zenati is joined by guest, Elkana Cohen, author of the book OCT 7: The War Against Hamas Through the Eyes of an Israeli Commando Officer, which is based on Elkana's diary entries during the war in Gaza. Esti and Elkana talk about his personal experience of what it's like serving in the IDF since October 7, 2023 and being on the …
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Torah Talk at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 15, 2025)
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15:19
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15:19Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ben Kreshtol's Torah Talk at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 15, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Parashat Ki Tisa with Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken (March 13, 2025)
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23:56Send us a text This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parashat Ki Tisa as we journey through the Book of Exodus. Building community. Holding traditions. Finding forgiveness. What brings you through the door? And speaking of big moments—Purim starts tonight! Can’t wait to celebrate with you at Beth El!…
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Send us a text Esti Zenati is joined by Israeli-American Winter Olympian AJ Edelman for an insightful conversation about his journey to Israel and his path to the Winter Olympics. AJ shares his experience making aliyah to Israel in 2016, his journey to the 2018 Winter Olympics, and his preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics with his Bobsled team…
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Rabbi Dana Saroken's Friday Evening Sermon (March 7, 2025)
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14:23Send us a text During Friday night’s sermon, Rabbi Dana Saroken shared some very powerful insights from her time at the ADL’s “Never Is Now” Conference in NYC.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network (March 8, 2025)
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28:03
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28:03Send us a text On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re diving into all things Purim with our special guest, Rachel Rudo! We’re talking hamantaschen, our favorite Disney movies (because every Purim spiel needs a little extra magic), and giving you an exclusive preview of Beth El’s upcoming Purim spiel. And, of course, we wrap it all up with ou…
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Parashat Tetzaveh with Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool (March 6, 2025)
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15:26Send us a text This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool dive into Parashat Tetzaveh as we journey through the Book of Exodus. Do the clothes make the man? Are sequels to movies better than the original? We also discuss olive oil and cooking. Tune in.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 1, 2025)
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10:40Send us a text This Shabbat, we were joined by rabbinical intern, Bennett Decker to provide the Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 1, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network (March 1, 2025)
28:19
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28:19Send us a text Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes warmer weather, longer days, and—of course—baseball season! This week, we’re diving into the joys (and occasional miseries) of springtime. But wait—ever tried lamb, rabbit, or other “delicacies” that might make you hesitate? We’re breaking down some bold food choices and debating wh…
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Parashat Terumah with Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck (February 27, 2025)
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18:31Send us a text This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parashat Terumah as we journey through the Book of Exodus. Why does God need a place to dwell? And what’s up with dolphin skin in the desert? Plus, a bonus chat about menorah designs… and a dad joke that might need its own atonement.…
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Send us a text Esti Zenati is joined by special guest, Moran Stela Yanai. Moran was held hostage by Hamas for 54 days, after being kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, and released on November 29, 2023, during the first hostage release deal. They talk about Moran's October 7, her experience in captivity and her hopes and dream…
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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network (February 22, 2025)
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33:39Send us a text On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re going off-book—literally! We kick things off by discussing the art of davening without a siddur. Can you wing it? Are water bottles the new fad? From Stanley cups to emotional-support Hydro Flasks, we dive into the hydration craze. Speaking of fads, we take a nostalgic detour to reminisce…
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 22, 2025)
16:42
16:42
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16:42Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's and Ben Kreshtool's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 22, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Send us a text On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re diving into the big questions—like why meteorologists get so much hate (seriously, they’re just trying to help), whether sushi cakes are a culinary masterpiece or a mistake, and how Ben survived his recent battle with the flu. Plus, we break down a recent controversial AI-generated video,…
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 15, 2025)
24:38
24:38
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24:38Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 15, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Parashat Yitro with Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken (February 13, 2025)
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28:01Send us a text This week, Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Yitro as we continue through the Book of Exodus. From Jethro’s unexpected visit to the challenge of juggling personal and professional life. Plus, what’s the most important of the Ten Commandments? We’ve got thoughts. Oh, and yes, we’re talking about emojis. Join us this Satur…
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Send us a text Esti Zenati hosts attorney Ran Bar-Yoshafat, who also serves in the IDF reserves as a combat Special Forces soldier. Ran shares his experience fighting in Gaza, Northern Israel, and Judea & Samaria since October 7, 2023, all while balancing life as a newlywed and a first-time father, having spent over 250 days on the battlefield. The…
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 8, 2025)
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9:25Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Naomi Zaslow's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 8, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Parashat Beshalach with Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken (February 6, 2025)
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25:55Send us a text This week, Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Beshalach as we continue through the Book of Exodus. From the splitting of the sea to the everyday struggles of parallel parking, we explore the tension between waiting for miracles and taking action in a chaotic world. How have your prayers changed since October 7? What value…
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Rabbi Steven Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 1, 2025)
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12:16Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 1, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Havdalah Happy Hour - The Great Pizza Dipping Sauce Debate (February 1, 2025)
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19:44Send us a text NEW Podcast Alert - Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network! It’s finally here—the long-awaited Pizza Dipping Sauce Debate! Marinara, ranch, buffalo, or something more adventurous? The Havdalah Happy Hour crew is weighing in on the ultimate dipping sauce showdown. Will there be a consensus, or will this be the debate that …
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Parashat Bo with Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken (January 30, 2025)
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23:19Send us a text This week, Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Bo as we continue through the Book of Exodus. Locusts, darkness, and more—this portion is packed with drama! But beyond the plagues, we’re reminded of something deeper: No one gets left behind. We take care of each other because everyone matters. Resilience isn’t built overnig…
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Send us a text Esti Zenati is joined by guest co-host, Ben Kreshtool, and special guest, comedian Modi Rosenfeld! They talk about Modi's career in comedy, his favorite places to perform in Israel and his current US tour, Pause for Laughter. Modi will be performing in Baltimore at The Lyric on Sunday, March 2. Get your tickets at modilive.com.…
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Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (January 25, 2025)
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11:10Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Naomi Zaslow's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (January 25, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Havdalah Happy Hour - Weather Calls, Snowy Surprises, and Shabbat Timing (January 25, 2025)
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26:42Send us a text Remember when you could call a phone number to get the weather or the exact time? We reminisce about those simpler days while diving into some unexpected weather stories, like cold and snow in places where it never snows. We’ll also discuss how Shabbat start times affect our routines and our lives—because, let’s face it, trying to sq…
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Parashat Va'era with Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken (January 23, 2025)
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25:07Send us a text This week Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Va'era from the Book of Exodus. Join us as we explore the first plagues, Moses' courage in confronting Pharaoh, and how history shapes our resilience during tough times.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
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Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (January 18, 2025)
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28:18Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (January 18, 2025) During her weekly, Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Dana Saroken shared her recent experience in Israel. Rabbi Saroken served as a mentor in a fellowship that brought together rabbinical students from Re…
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Havdalah Happy Hour - PSA Day! (January 18, 2025)
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33:03Send us a text This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, things get a little... suspicious. Emily recounts a strange phone call from the FBI? We dive into the world of scams—how they’ve evolved and why they’re so convincing. Also, home phones: who still has one, and are they making a retro comeback or just holding on for dear life? Plus, we reflect on how …
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