PODCAST · religion
Kol Jeshurun
by Temple B'nai Jeshurun
Welcome to Kol Jeshurun, the podcast of Temple B’nai Jeshurun, a vibrant and flourishing Reform Jewish community in Essex County, New Jersey. This podcast is a place to engage with teachings and music from our clergy, staff, and guest speakers, as we strive to bring a sense of meaning and hope into our world. If you would like to learn more about our congregation, please visit us at www.tbj.org and follow us on Facebook @tbjnewjersey and on Instagram @tbj_nj . Transcriptions available at www.tbj.org/podcast#
Episodes
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Healthy Heat and the Power of Staying: Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman’s Yom Kippur 5787 sermon
Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman announces that joy alone is no longer enough. Joy without empathy, belonging and conflict is not sturdy enough to withstand the challenges of our world and be in relationships. The complexities of October 7, war with Hamas, hostage release and ceasefire are the…
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Maintaining our Consciousness in a time of AI: Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz’ 5787 Kol Nidre Sermon
On this Kol Nidre, Rabbi Gewirtz says “Avinu Malkeinu, send us the prophets, the ones who love us enough to tell what we never, ever want to hear.” Compelling us to connect to what we really need and yearn for from the deepest parts of our being, propelling us to be real as God listens to our...
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Bein Hashmashot: The Sacred In-Between TBJ’s 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah 5787 Sermon by Rabbi Hannah Ellenson
Twilight is among the great works of creation. Rabbi Hannah Ellenson’s 5787 Rosh Hashanah sermon takes twilight as a miracle both day and night, and yet not day nor night. Rabbi Ellenson draws a correlation that we are living in liminal spaces, in between with ever-changing conditions, in moments...
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The Discomfort & Delight of Nostalgia: Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman’s Erev Rosh Hashanah 5787 Sermon
Where did you go just now? Was it a place past? Did you sit in discomfort? Do you delight in nostalgia? Rabbi Karen Perolman remembers why it is we come together on this night of nostalgia: to return to pain and healthfully return to the past to live firmly in the present. Yes, nostalgia can…
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Enter the Litmus Test: a false new rule in society that is tearing us apart. Return to Menshlekeit: the acts of love and kindness that bring us together.
Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz heralds in 5787 with nuance, tears, laughter, soul-shaking depth and wisdom in his Rosh Hashanah sermon. Rabbi Gewirtz calls out our behavior to litmus test each other, a litmus test cloaked in broad generalizations that alienate us from each other and the truth. Through...
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Look with Clarity: Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz shares perspective from his most recent Sabbatical in Israel, concluding, “We will dance again!”
Touching upon the themes of holding fear, clearing blurring eyes and looking to truly see, Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz finds himself trying to understand the different complex elements that comprise the fabric of Israeli society and his own soul. Rabbi Matt spent his Sabbatical having deep...
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Embracing Grief
On the Shabbat before Tisha B'av, the saddest day in the Jewish Calendar, Cantor Beth Reinstein explores what grief has to teach us.
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Sadie Gewirtz Book Launch: The Tea About ADHD
“Back in elementary school, I didn’t know how to own my differences – I hid from what I now know are actually my superpowers.” Join author Sadie Gewirtz for her book launch, in conversation with Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman.
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Shofarot and Shavuot
Cantor Beth Reinstein explores the connections between the festival of Shavuot through the lens of the Shofarot liturgy from Rosh Hashanah. Tying together song and spoken word, Cantor Reinstein invokes the call of the shofar to ask us what Torah we need to hear as we celebrate Divine revelation…
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In a powerful and refreshing take on the golden rule, Rabbi Hannah M. Ellenson does not demand we resolve or solve everything, only see humanity in each of us; listen, care, and affirm the image of God, even when difficult to see.
In a powerful and refreshing take on the golden rule, Rabbi Hannah M. Ellenson does not demand we resolve or solve everything, only see humanity in each of us; listen, care, and affirm the image of God, even when difficult to see.
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Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein explores the role of fire in need of tending, never neutral in Torah nor in our lives.
Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein explores the role of fire to welcome Shabbat, how to tend it, and how it can destroy. Fire is not one thing and is never neutral in Torah nor in our lives. It is in this tension of safety, danger, and calling with consequence that our tradition lives asking how to tend to...
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Rabbi Jonah Pesner preaches at TBJ about how to together create a world as it should be, one overflowing with social justice where love drives out hate and light drives out darkness.
Rabbi Pesner preaches at TBJ about how to together create a world as it should be, one overflowing with social justice where love drives out hate and light drives out darkness. Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner serves as the director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and as senior vice...
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Dr. David Jefferson Jr's inspiring sermon proclaims how good it is to be in the picture and how to stay in God’s picture as one human family. Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein sings Chava Mirel's "May We Find Peace" to conclude.
Dr. David Jefferson Jr. is the Director of the Center for Africana Studies at Kean University and a professor of religion and philosophy. An ordained minister and widely respected speaker, his work explores faith, culture, and social responsibility through multiple lenses. Listen to Dr.…
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In this inspiring episode Rabbi Naamah Kelman-Ezrachi’s sermon calls for a “divinity that is renewed and renewing,” filled with change and shared values.
Naamah Kelman-Ezrachi is an American-born Israeli Reform rabbi who was named as Dean of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion campus in Jerusalem starting in July 2009. In 1992, Kelman made history as the first woman in Israel to become a rabbi when she received her rabbinic...
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A Covenant That Ties Generations Together
Rabbi Hannah Ellenson speaks on a covenant that ties generations together. One that is defiant in the face of injustice with acts of moral courage. One where leadership is meeting God, trusting in moments both filled with fear and courage.
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Chanukah: A time to rededicate ourselves...
Rabbi Hannah Ellenson explores what a meaningful Chanukah may be, inviting us to rededicate ourselves to open the gates of justice, holiness, and kindness wide for all who want to enter.
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Homecoming: Courage, Hope and Strength
A TBJ Tradition of Homecoming Shabbat on Thanksgiving weekend features Zach Rosen and Jordyn Lipkin. Listen as they share what life is like now as Jewish students at Cornell University and the University of Maryland. Through their experience, we encounter a modern theater of anti-Semitism. Listen...
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AI: The Ethical, Existential and Spiritual Puzzle; 1 of a series
This episode is Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz's first sermon of an upcoming series on AI. Looking deeply into the the ethical, existential and spiritual puzzle brought by AI, Rabbi Gewirtz highlights the need for us, the creator of these machines and technology, to maintain our access to ourselves and...
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Bringing a Better Reality into Being
Rabbi Hannah Ellenson’s November 14, 2025 sermon calls for us to all celebrate life and bring a better reality into being. We are to be open to another side of the story that may have been hidden from our view. We watch as brothers reunite against the odds being stacked against them in this...
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October 7th, 2023: In Memoriam
A service of memory and hope in the wake of October 7th as we mark the somber 2 year anniversary of that dark day with prayer and music. Originally aired Erev Shabbat - October 10, 2025
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Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz - Rosh Hashana Morning 5786
Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz's Rosh Hashana Morning Sermon September 22nd, 2025 ~ 5786
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God Was Right: How Modern Social Science Proves the Torah Is True featuring Mark Gerson
Mark Gerson is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and the co-founder and Chairman of United Hatzalah, the crowd-sourced network of volunteer medics that save people’s lives in the two minutes that separate life from death. On September 12, 2025, he joined us at TBJ to teach about his new…
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5786: Where our happiness is in the Preparation.
Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman proclaims 5786 here we come.
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Tree of Life - Reflections on Rabbi Gewirtz's most recent trip to Israel
Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein tenderly leads "Tree of Life" by Nefesh Mountain while Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz shares of his most recent trip to Israel. Sermon: Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz Music & lyrics by Nefesh Mountain - sung by Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein & Matt Turk, Music Director Originally broadcast…
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Hope in the face of Adversity
TBJ Alum and Coordinator of Chapter Engagement and Strategy at Israel Policy Forum, Rebecca Mandelbaum shares her profound insight on her trip to Auschwitz this spring, her work in Israel advocacy and conflict resolution, and how she holds on to hope during uncertain times. A bit about Rebecca:...
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Unexpected Blessings: Finding Prophets in Unlikely Places
In a world overwhelmed by hardship and division, the story of Balaam reminds us that wisdom, holiness, and the power to bless can come from unexpected places—even outside our own community—and that by staying open and attentive, we can bring more goodness and peace into our lives and to our…
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A Complicated Love - Reflections on the 4th of July
Rabbi Perolman reflects on how Judaism models that a loving relationship spurs us to action.
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Lo L'fached K'lal - Managing Our Fear in Uncertain Times
Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman offers her reflections on Parshat Sh'lach Lecha and how we manage our fear during these unprecedented and uncertain times. Originally aired Erev Shabbat - June 20th, 2025
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In Every Generation...
“Yatzah MiMitzrayim by Elana Arian and Noah Aronson” sung by Cantor Lucy Fishbein and Matt Turk. Original theme music by Matt Turk. As we approach the end of the Passover holiday, listen as Cantor Lucy Fishbein shares about the time honored Passover tradition that in every generation each of us...
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The opposite of war isn't peace, it's creation!
Rabbi Karen Perolman's inspired sermon begins with Jonathan Larson's infamous rock musical quote: "The opposite of war isn't peace...it's Creation!" Originally aired March 28, 2025.
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Reflections on Our Recent Mission to Israel
Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz' sermon takes light from TBJ children's wisdom to his recent mission to Kibbutzim Nir Oz and Erez, meeting with freed Israeli hostages, being in chance proximity to a terror attack, approaching wholeness in Jerusalem and finding the compelling need for healing and completion...
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Nobody Wants This: A Conversation
More of "Nobody Wants This!" Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman and Lauren Rutkin (who happens to be married to TBJ's Senior Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz) sit down to discuss more about the hit Netflix show-- what rang true, what was over the top, and what they hope to see in Season 2.
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Dorin Cohen - A Story of Survival - October 7th -
On October 7, the Cohens hid in their bomb shelter with their two young sons in their home in Kibbutz K’far Aza for nearly 30 hours. They quieted their older son, Adam, by watching 'Cocomelon' on his iPad. Eleven-year-old TBJ member Cody Braverman, who voices the main character on the show, was...
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From Power to Agency - Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz
Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz reflects on the impact of his experience viewing the harrowing footage of the attacks on October 7th and how we all parse out our different views on the conflict as it unfolds. Originally broadcast December 19th, 2023. Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director.
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Arguments for the Sake of Heaven - Rabbi Leah Sternberg
Rabbi Leah Sternberg explores the concept of machloket l'shem shamayim, arguments for the sake of heaven, as it pertains to the present conflict in Israel/Gaza. Cantor Lucy Fishbein sings a classic Israeli folk song, Ani V'atah - Me & You - which expresses how it is our responsibility to work...
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Report from the Ground - Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz
Rabbi Matt Gewirtz reports back after a very powerful trip to Israel in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. Cantor Lucy Fishbein sings a heart wrenching peace of music - Rikmah Enoshit Achat (We are one human tapestry) by Moti Hammer - to honor the fallen in Israel. Originally broadcast...
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Answering the Call - Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman
The first in our Israel series: Rabbi Perolman reflects on the aftermath of October 7th and how the world immediately changed. She asks the question "what do we do now??" and gives us some tools to start searching for the answer. Sermon originally aired Friday October 27th, 2023 at TBJ. For more...
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Reflections on a song-filled career from Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller
Cantor Lucy Fishbein of TBJ sits down for a conversation with her teacher, Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller. Cantor Schiller has been a professor at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for 35+ years and is a prolific composer in her own right. She is on the verge of retiring from…
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Voices of TBJ: Reflections on TBJ at 175 with Cantor Howard M. Stahl
Senior Cantor Emeritus Howard M. Stahl shares his thoughts on TBJ's 175 years.
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Voices of TBJ: "To Build a Brave Space"
Jen Biegelsen joined Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz to discuss his new book 'To Build a Brave Space: The Making of a Spiritual First Responder'. Here is the conversation that took place on Friday December 2, 2022 at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun.
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Voices of TBJ: Rachel Braverman
Congregant Rachel Braverman shares her courageous journey through discovering and overcoming breast cancer. Originally delivered October 5th, 2022 at Temple B'nai Jeshurun during the Yom Kippur Afternoon Healing Service.
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Voices of TBJ: Jill Goldstein - Her 9/11 Story
Congregational friend Jill Goldstein shares her heart breaking 9.11 loss, her healing renewal in newfound love, and all in the context of her relationship with God and her Jewish faith.
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When Will Redemption Come?
A lifelong educator from Newark, New Jersey's South Ward, Charity Haygood speaks on social and economic justice in the context of biblical enslavement and wandering. Haygood asks from our Liturgy, “When will redemption come? When we grant everyone what we claim for ourselves.” Originally aired...
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A Conversation with Cantor Jeff Klepper - Episode 2 of 2
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Music Director Matt Turk sits down with legendary Cantor Jeffrey Klepper to discuss how Cantor Klepper, Rabbi Daniel Friedlander and Debbie Friedman “torpedoed" Reform Judaism, Jazz legend Arnie Lawrence, Rabbi Chaim Stern’s importance and bringing guitar to liturgical...
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A Conversation with Cantor Jeff Klepper
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Music Director Matt Turk sits down with legendary Cantor Jeffrey Klepper to discuss “Shalom Rav”, the importance of camp music and how it changed Reform Judaism, becoming a composer, the guitar and his “Ah-Ha” moment at the Chasidic Music Festival. Episode 1 of 2.
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A Special Presentation Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. King
TBJ's Music Director, Matthew J. Turk presents a special musical presentation celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This program was made possible by the generosity of the Dreifus Family in honor of their Aunt Esther Teidor. The video of this presentation can be found here.…
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Voices of Jeshurun - Julie Cohn
With humility, grace and courage, TBJ’s Julie Cohn shares her family's recent experiences with Covid-19.
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TBJ Folk Process
TBJ Music Director Matthew J. Turk explores the folk process through three melodies Et Dodim, Yis’m’chu V’mal’chut’cha and Hinei Mah Tov, discovering similarities, differences and the distinction between oral and written tradition in folk music.
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Michael Oren in Conversation with Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz
Former Ambassador of Israel to the US, Michael Oren discusses his new book "To All Who Call in Truth"
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Songs of Hope: A Sermon in Song for Yom Ha'atzmaut
Today on Kol Jeshurun we highlight music written by Israeli composers throughout the ages performed as our Sermon in Song on April 16, 2021 in honor of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. Presented by Cantor Lucy Fishbein, Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz, Cantoral Intern Jenna Mark, Matthew J. Turk,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Kol Jeshurun, the podcast of Temple B’nai Jeshurun, a vibrant and flourishing Reform Jewish community in Essex County, New Jersey. This podcast is a place to engage with teachings and music from our clergy, staff, and guest speakers, as we strive to bring a sense of meaning and hope into our world. If you would like to learn more about our congregation, please visit us at www.tbj.org and follow us on Facebook @tbjnewjersey and on Instagram @tbj_nj . Transcriptions available at www.tbj.org/podcast#
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Temple B'nai Jeshurun
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Kol Jeshurun have?
Kol Jeshurun currently has 65 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Kol Jeshurun about?
Welcome to Kol Jeshurun, the podcast of Temple B’nai Jeshurun, a vibrant and flourishing Reform Jewish community in Essex County, New Jersey. This podcast is a place to engage with teachings and music from our clergy, staff, and guest speakers, as we strive to bring a sense of meaning and hope into...
How often does Kol Jeshurun release new episodes?
Kol Jeshurun has 65 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Kol Jeshurun?
You can listen to Kol Jeshurun on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Kol Jeshurun?
Kol Jeshurun is created and hosted by Temple B'nai Jeshurun.
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