Produced by ReconstructingJudaism.org, home on the web of Reconstructing Judaism
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The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the context of the Bible and the Text itself, as well as surrounding history. We deconstruct our common readings of the Bible and attempt to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context. The main body of work is contained in Seasons 1–5, and we encourage you to start with episode 0 (or even -1) and continue in order through episode 204. Beyond that, we explore new topics, revisit old topics, and dive deeper into practical ways of living out th ...
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People of the Pod is an award-winning weekly podcast analyzing global affairs through a Jewish lens, brought to you by American Jewish Committee. Host Manya Brachear Pashman examines current events, the people driving them, and what it all means for America, Israel, and the Jewish people.
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Mourners Kaddish - From Mincha Healing Service at Reconstructing Judaism 2022 Convention
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1:05Recitations of the Mourner's Kaddish from Reconstructing Judaism communal eventsBy Jewish Reconstructionist Communities
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Mourners Kaddish - From Kabbalat Shabbat Service at Reconstructing Judaism 2022 Convention
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1:13Recitations of the Mourner's Kaddish from Reconstructing Judaism communal eventsBy Jewish Reconstructionist Communities
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Mourners Kaddish - From Shabbat Services at Reconstructing Judaism 2018 Convention
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1:08Recitations of the Mourner's Kaddish from Reconstructing Judaism communal eventsBy Jewish Reconstructionist Communities
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Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks take a spin with Jesus’s concept of rewards or wages. Wealth, Poverty, and Charity in Jewish Antiquity by Gregg E. Gardner BEMA 97: Done in Secret De Re Publica, De Legibus by Cicero — Internet Archive Pietas — Wikipedia Virtus — Wikipedia Politics by Aristotle — Internet Archive Politics (Aristotle) — Wikipedi…
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Why TikTok is the Place to Talk about Antisemitism: With Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman
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58:15Tova Friedman was just six years old when she walked out of Auschwitz. Now, 80 years later, Tova is devoted to speaking about her experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust and being vocal about the threat of antisemitism. She knows how easily a society can transition from burning books to burning people, and she is determined to ensure that …
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What Is Pope Francis' Legacy With the Jewish Community?
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24:23Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC’s Director of Interreligious Affairs, reflects on Pope Francis’ legacy—from his deep ties with Argentina’s Jewish community to his historic visit to Israel and strong stance against antisemitism. He also addresses recent tensions over the Pope’s comments on the Israel-Hamas War and highlights the ongoing collaboration between…
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Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks take a crack at what it means to be children of God. “What’s Wrong with Winsomeness?” by Russell Moore — Christianity Today The Greatest Prayer by John Dominic Crossan BEMA 80: Silent Years — Pharisees BEMA 102: Son of Man Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by E. Randolph Richards and …
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Inside the New U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks: What’s at Stake?
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24:09As new negotiations begin to tackle Iran’s nuclear program, missile development, and support for terror proxies, tensions are escalating. Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, joins us to unpack the legacy of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and withdrawal in 2018, and Iran’s dangerous stockpiling of uranium, getting the…
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Brent Billings and Reed Dent team up with Elle Grover Fricks to excavate some ancient ideas about enemies. BEMA 96: But I Say Unto You Jesus and Nonviolence by Walter Wink The Peaceable Kingdom by Stanley Hauerwas Rise and Kill First by Ronen Bergman 1QS 1 (Community Rule) with Matthew 5:43 — Intertextual Bible BEMA 358: Sabbath Practice — Prayer G…
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This Often Forgotten 1929 Massacre is Key to Understanding the Current Israel-Palestinian Conflict
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33:51On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, calling it Operation Al Aqsa. For journalist Yardena Schwartz, the massacre was a chilling echo of the 1929 Hebron Massacre—the brutal slaughter of nearly 70 Jews, incited by propaganda that Jews sought to seize the Al Aqsa Mosque. At the time, she was deep into wr…
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Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Karen Stiller, author of Holiness Here and the author and editor of many other books, magazines, essays, and more. Holiness Here by Karen Stiller Review of Holiness Here — Marty Solomon, Goodreads Review of Holiness Here — Brent Billings, Goodreads Meadow Lake Progress — Wikipedia Books b…
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Higher Education in Turmoil: Balancing Academic Freedom and the Fight Against Antisemitism
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34:07Following the Trump administration's decision to revoke $400 million in federal funding over Columbia University's failure to protect Jewish students, the university announced sweeping policy changes. Meanwhile, the U.S. moved to deport former Columbia student and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, accusing him of concealing his ties to UNRWA…
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Brent Billings and Elle Grover Fricks investigate Jesus’s teaching on oaths. “Greek Oath-Rituals” by Irene Berti — OpenEdition Books “The Greek Oath in the Roman World” by Serena Connolly — Oxford Academic “Loosing Vows and Oaths in the Roman Empire and Beyond: Authority and Interpretation” by Moshe Blidstein — De Gruyter “The Kinyradai of Paphos” …
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Will Ireland Finally Stop Paying Lip Service When it Comes to Combating Antisemitism?
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21:34In late 2024, Israel closed its embassy in Dublin, accusing the Irish government of extreme anti-Israel policies, antisemitic rhetoric, and double standards. Meanwhile, the small Jewish community in Ireland, numbering nearly 3,000, has faced antisemitism in the streets. AJC’s Director of International Jewish Affairs, Rabbi Andrew Baker, joins us to…
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Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Elle Grover Fricks to contextualize Jesus’s teaching on divorce in its Jewish and Roman landscape. Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship
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Held Hostage in Gaza: A Mother’s Fight for Freedom and Justice
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36:38“He told me: ‘We are the same. We are the same.’ Meaning, me and the terrorists who penetrated the kibbutz are the same. They received the mission to murder and to burn, and I received the mission to hold you as bargaining chips for the release of the Palestinian prisoners. And this was a very cruel sentence, because while we were in captivity . . …
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Brent Billings, Elle Grover Fricks, and Josh Bossé take a closer look at Jesus’s teachings on desire. BEMA 273: John — Pericope of an Honor Contest Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship
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Meet the MIT Scientists Fighting Academic Boycotts of Israel
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30:27The American Studies Association has boycotted Israeli academic institutions since 2013. The Association for the Advancement of Anthropology has refrained from formal collaborations with Israeli academic institutions. And just this past summer, the American Association of University Professors opened the door to academic boycotts against Israel. En…
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Brent Billings joins Elle Grover Fricks to reconsider the topic of reconciliation through a Talmudic lens, featuring Reed Dent. BEMA 36: The Redemption Cycle “Dining in Heaven” by Robin M. Jensen — Biblical Archaeology Society Library Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship
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U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Gaza Reconstruction, Israeli Security, and the Future of Middle East Diplomacy
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21:11AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson sits down with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for a live discussion in Washington, D.C., to introduce AJC’s Center for a New Middle East. They cover plans for rebuilding Gaza, the future of Israeli-Arab relations, and the evolving geopolitical landscape, including …
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Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks consider Jesus’s teaching on anger through a Talmudic lens. Matthew 5:22 (Interlinear) — Bible Hub A Rabbi Talks with Jesus by Jacob Neusner Support The BEMA PodcastBy BEMA Discipleship
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Why Germany’s Antisemitic Far-Right Party is Thriving Instead of Disappearing
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21:05“In Germany after 1945 . . . it was always sort of an unwritten rule or law that the more radical these [right wing populist] parties become, the less votes they get, and at some point they just disappear. And what is troubling with the AfD is that the more radical they become, the more votes they get.” Following Germany’s recent election results, …
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Spat On and Silenced: 2 Jewish Students on Fighting Campus Hate
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18:11Imagine being spat on as you walk across your college campus simply because you’re Jewish or being asked whether you’re a “good Jew” or a “bad Jew.” As part of AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report, AJC and Hillel International partnered to document the experiences of Jewish students on campus over the past year. The findings are deepl…
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