Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D.
Co-Host of Hashivenu
The first woman rabbi to head a Jewish congregational union and a Jewish seminary, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., became president of the organization now known as Reconstructing Judaism in 2014. Since then, as president and CEO, she has drawn on her training as a rabbi and historian to be the Reconstructionist movement’s leading voice in the public square.
Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D. has hosted 48 Episodes.
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Episode 15: Singing Together
June 4th, 2018 | Season 1 | 22 mins 31 secs
Singing together can be a profound and powerful experience. We speak with Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, an ethnomusicologist and a research professor at the music department at Tufts, about the role that music plays both in animating Jewish life and in helping us to cultivate resilience.
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Episode 14: Midrash
May 14th, 2018 | Season 1 | 22 mins 18 secs
In this episode, Rabbi Mira Wasserman and I discuss Midrash, the way ancient rabbis read scripture in new and creative ways, giving old words new life, meaning and relevance.
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Episode 13: Hebrew Poetry
May 7th, 2018 | Season 1 | 29 mins 10 secs
In this episode, I speak with Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz about modern Hebrew poetry, a recent expression of Jewish text. We talk about how modern Hebrew poets take apart traditional language and ideas and create something new from ancient building blocks.
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Episode 12: Embodied Prayer
April 24th, 2018 | Season 1 | 26 mins 26 secs
For Rabbi Jonathan Kligler, prayer is a whole-body experience, helping us reboot our awareness of how good it is to be alive even -- or especially -- in a troubled world. Join us for his deep conversation with Rabbi Deborah Waxman on this episode of Hashivenu.
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Episode 11: Yom HaShoah
April 10th, 2018 | Season 1 | 44 mins 44 secs
In this special extended episode for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), we hear from Rabbi Phillip Lazowski, who survived the Holocaust as a child. He shares experiences that shaped his vision and sense of purpose: amidst horror and loss, episodes of hope and humanity.
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Episode 10: "You Were Strangers in Egypt": Passover and Sanctuary
March 19th, 2018 | Season 1 | 22 mins 30 secs
On Passover, we retell our history as strangers and slaves in Egypt. What obligations flow from this memory? We speak with Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, whose congregation recently decided to serve as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. Join us as we discuss the Jewish values that moved his community to action.
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Episode 9: Purim and #metoo
February 26th, 2018 | Season 1 | 23 mins 12 secs
The Book of Esther contains striking examples of women speaking out against oppression in ways that both empower and imperil them. Are there parallels to the #metoo movement? Join Judith Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Jewish Women’s Archive, in a wide-ranging discussion with Rabbi Deborah Waxman on resilient responses to trying times.
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Episode 8: Hineni — Being Present
February 13th, 2018 | Season 1 | 22 mins 27 secs
How do we pull ourselves together when we feel scattered or unfocused? In this episode of Hashivenu, Rabbi Myriam Klotz and Rabbi Deborah Waxman invite us into the spiritual practice of "hineni" -- being present and responsive.
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A Special Announcement
January 30th, 2018 | Season 1 | 2 mins 16 secs
This is Rabbi Deborah Waxman. Thanks so much for listening to our podcast, “Hashivenu: Jewish teachings on resilience.” Our next regular episode is on its way in February. But I wanted to take a moment to let you know about our organization’s new name: Reconstructing Judaism.
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Episode 7: Ecology
January 22nd, 2018 | Season 1 | 24 mins
In a wide-ranging conversation about ecology, Tu B'Shvat and shmittah (sabbatical year) Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb and Rabbi Deborah Waxman explore the ways in which Jewish tradition and ecological consciousness provide compelling models for resilience and sustainability.
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Episode 6: Mindfulness
January 7th, 2018 | Season 1 | 25 mins 37 secs
In challenging times, we often search for firm ground to stand on. In this interview with Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Rabbi Deborah Waxman explores mindfulness as a path that can anchor us, nourish our Jewish lives, and sustain us as we strive to fulfill our Jewish values.
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Episode 5: Activism
December 5th, 2017 | Season 1 | 27 mins 40 secs
The story of Hanukkah invites us to kindle lights in the darkness, and to overcome despair with hope and action. In this spirit, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum reflects on the extraordinary work of her community, and how it embodies the fundamental connection between spiritual life and social activism.
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Episode 4: Chanting
November 7th, 2017 | Season 1 | 26 mins 54 secs
chanting
According to Rabbi Shefa Gold, “Chant is the bridge between the inner life and the outer expression; between the solitary practice and the shared beauty of fellowship.” She has set verses from Jewish liturgy and from the Hebrew Bible to chants that are both beautiful and meditative. This episode explores how the ancient practice of chanting can cultivate renewal while bringing traditional liturgy to life.
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Episode 3: Humor
September 29th, 2017 | Season 1 | 26 mins 15 secs
humor
The upcoming holiday of Sukkot is known as z'man simkhateynu, the season of our joy. In keeping with that theme, Rabbi Seth Goldstein joins us for a special episode on humor. Whether opening us to laughter and joy, or easing the way in difficult times, humor can be a powerful path toward resilience.
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Episode 2: Teshuvah and Forgiveness
September 5th, 2017 | Season 1 | 26 mins 25 secs
forgiveness, teshuvah
As the High Holiday season approaches, Jewish people across the world begin to reflect on their behavior of the past year. They wonder: what does it mean to forgive? What does it mean to seek forgiveness? In a conversation with Rabbi Vivie Mayer, we explore the complexities of teshuvah (repentance) and ways to seek it as the Jewish new year approaches and throughout the year.
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Episode 1: Shabbat
August 10th, 2017 | Season 1 | 22 mins 37 secs
shabbat
In this episode, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Ph.D., talks about one of the deepest and best known of Jewish practices, Shabbat. We read about this ancient practice in Genesis, with God creating the world in six days and then resting on the seventh—and from that, we get the concept of a day of rest. Rabbi Staub is a professor of Jewish philosophy and spirituality at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He’s written widely on many topics, including a beautiful extended chapter on the Jewish Sabbath in "A Guide to Jewish Practice," published by the RRC Press.