Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation Podcasts

Traditional Judaism is about a connection to God. Humanistic Judaism is about a connection to people. Rabbi Chalom explains why this connection to people is so important for us as humans and as Jews.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

The Kol Hadash Sunday School curriculum is driven largely by the Jewish Calendar. In this episode of Sunday School for Adults, Rabbi delves into that calendar and how it is used in a Humanistic Jewish Education.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Spinoza was excommunicated for daring to claim that Moses may not have written the entire Torah. More than 350 years later, the actual history of the writing and editing of the Bible remains a controversial subject. We can certainly appreciate the literature of the Bible as received, but we also want to know who wrote it, and when, and why. Our questions can make the stories even more interesting.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Rabbi Chalom discusses what promises (or threatens) Israel in 2012.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Rabbi Chalom reviews the year of 2011 and looks forward with some prognostications for 2012.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Rabbi Chalom reviews the movie Ushpizin and discusses the larger social issues related to this movie for both Hasidic and their interaction with others in Israel.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Agnosticism and Atheism are both philosophies that are based on the denial of something - a personal god or the knowledge of such and existence. Humanism, however, is a positive look at what we do know, that people have the strength to change their world. Rabbi Chalom discusses the strengths of such an outlook.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

There is an irony in creating a community of individuals. A synagogue based on commandments and required observance has authority and structure; one built on personal responsibility and autonomy could become anarchy in belief, practice and function. Of course, we all know the truth of “2 Jews, 3 opinions,” so better to build on reality than denial. But the challenge remains: from many, one.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

What makes a movie a Jewish movie? When artistic expression can be classified as part of a culture, it helps define that culture. Find out why Jewish movies are Jewish.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Is Israel a democracy, a Jewish state or a nation that includes the West Bank. Find out why it can't be all three.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Humanistic Judaism is founded on self improvement. We can use personal honesty to improve our lives and our relationships with others. Rabbi Chalom explains how.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

The story of Ruth wasn't even real. Yet the story of Ruth is about being yourself (a Moabite) and being part of a community (Hebrew). Explore what we as Humanistic Jews can learn from this tale.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Finding truth in the Hebrew bible can often be difficult. Rabbi Chalom explores the validity of the historical text and how it impacts Humanistic Jews and progenitors such as Baruch Spinoza.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Finding truth in the Hebrew bible can often be difficult. Rabbi Chalom reconciles the value of a fabricated story about being true to oneself.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Some see the publication of The Good Book: A Secular Bible by English philosopher A.C. Grayling as an attempt to displace, destroy or otherwise attack “The Bible” that they revere. The truth is that both religious bibles and this new “secular Bible” come from the same source—human experience. What wisdom does Grayling offer, and is it time for a secular sequel to the “Book of Books”?[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Without American support, the modern State of Israel would not have begun. Today, however, the relationship is much more complicated. Differences over the Palestinians, Iran and other regional challenges have strained relations as much as at any point in the last sixty years. The American Jewish community has been divided by the tension: some appalled, some angry, some indifferent. What does the future hold for this “strategic partnership”?[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Israel is simultaneously one of the most inspirational and challenging elements of our curriculum. We are inspired by the achievements of secular Jews: a Jewish state, a revived secular Hebrew language and culture, a new ethos of self-confident Judaism. But the challenges of war and peace, religion and government remain. This topic is taught in 7th/8th grade.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

Shabbat Sermon: Many animals besides humans demonstrate generosity for the good of the colony or the herd. But human generosity can help individuals and communities that have little survival value for ourselves. From where does this impulse spring, and how can it be taken too far? What is the right balance of giving to others and strengthening ourselves?[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

In 2004, Kol Hadash hired Rabbi Adam Chalom as our full-time cultural and philosophic guide. Rabbi Chalom immediately used his energy, talents and good humor to move our congregation forward into our second stage. In this retrospective, Rabbi Chalom's inaugural address to the congregation is featured.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)

The history of American Jews is changing. The immigrant experience is fading, and new challenges and dynamics are more intriguing. How have we negotiated multiple identities? What have been our successes and failures? An important part of knowing who we are is discovering how we came to be.[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes.[RSS MP3] Add the Kol Hadash Podcast feed (in MP3 format)Download the podcastListen (MP3)Listen (AAC)