The Beth El Podcast Network

Send us Fan MailRabbi ​S​teve Schwartz's Rosh Hashanah Day ​2 Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore (202​6)

Send us Fan MailRabbi ​Z​evi Lowenberg's Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore (202​6)

Send us Fan MailRabbi Dana Saroken's Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore (202​6)​ 

Send us Fan MailWomen have always played an essential role in shaping Jewish life—and today, their leadership, vision, and voices continue to strengthen Jewish communities in profound ways.In his Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Steven Schwartz reflected on the role of women in the Jewish community, both broadly and right here at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.At Beth El, women serve in some of our congregation’s most significant leadership roles: our Senior Rabbi, Congregational President, and Executive Director.

Send us Fan MailAs college football season gets underway, every team begins in the same place: 0–0. Whatever happened last season—the wins, the losses, the missed opportunities—is behind them. A new season brings a chance to begin again.In his sermon Friday evening, Rabbi Zevi Lowenberg shared how this idea connects to this moment on our calendar.As we prepare to welcome a new year and enter the High Holy Day season, we, too, are given an opportunity for a fresh start—to reflect on the year behind us, consider who we want to be in the year ahead, and recognize that our story is still being written.

Send us Fan MailBen and Jill provide a preview of this Shabbat's services and programs at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Ze'ev Lowenberg's  sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (​August 29, 2026)​ 

Send us Fan MailBen and Jill provide a preview of the services and programs coming up this Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saracen​'s sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (August 22, 2026) 

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or wanted to share, Beth El's SummerSpeak Series, ​​Laura Abelson! sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (​A​ugust ​​15, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or wanted to share, Beth El's SummerSpeak Series, ​​Josh Shein's sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (​A​ugust ​8, 2026)​ 

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or wanted to share, Beth El's SummerSpeak Series, ​Joan Grayson Cohen sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (​August 1, 2026)​ 

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or wanted to share, Beth El's SummerSpeak Series, Stephen Knable​'s sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (July ​25, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or wanted to share, Beth El's SummerSpeak Series, Sharan Kushner's sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (July 18, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or wanted to share, ​Senior Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (​July 11, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or wanted to share, ​the first B​eth El's SummerSpeak Series, Susan Radov Epstein​'s sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (​J​uly 4, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's  sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (June 27, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Ze'ev Lowenberg's  sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (June 20, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Ze'ev Lowenberg's  sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (June 13, 2026)

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (June 6, 2026)

Send us Fan MailAs Beth El Congregation prepared for a historic weekend, Rabbi Dana Saroken delivered an inspiring and heartfelt Friday evening sermon. This  came at a truly meaningful moment as Rabbi Saroken prepared to become Beth El's fourth Senior Rabbi and the first woman to serve in that role in our congregation's history.We invite you to watch Rabbi Saroken's sermon and join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for Beth El Congregation. 

Send us Fan MailIn his final sermon as Senior Rabbi of Beth El Congregation, Rabbi Steven Schwartz reflects on the relationships and memories that have shaped his rabbinate, and the profound journey of our congregation.  And for those who may be wondering—there is no need to say goodbye. While Rabbi Schwartz is concluding his tenure as Senior Rabbi, he will continue to serve as a valued member of Beth El's clergy team, sharing his wisdom, guidance, and presence with our Beth El community. 

Send us Fan MailThis week’s season‑finale episode is a full blast of fun as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck go all‑in on the 90s with a hilarious round of 90s trivia pictionary. Did you guess any of the answers correctly?We also recapped an incredible Jewish Heritage Night at the Orioles game — seeing tons of familiar faces, enjoying amazing kosher food with so many options, taking in the fireworks, and of course admiring another win!And because we love a good challenge, we’re leaving you with one more: Comment below if you know who WROTE the song “Manic Monday,” sung by The Bangles.As always, we wrapped with our signature blessing of the week and shonda of the week, closing out the season with warmth, laughter, and gratitude.Thank you to all our listeners for an amazing season of Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network. Have a wonderful summer — we’ll see you after the holidays!

Send us Fan MailThis week’s episode is the perfect blend of pre‑recording chaos, summer excitement, and classic Maryland confusion as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck gather for one of the final conversations of the season.We kick things off with their beloved pre‑recording catch‑up session, which naturally leads straight into the eternal mystery of why Maryland weather is so unpredictable and confusing. From there, the crew dives into the summer vacations we’re all looking forward to, dreaming about sunshine, travel, and a little well‑earned rest.Of course, no episode is complete without a little real‑world frustration — this week featuring the wild rise in prices on everything, especially cars and emissions tests, which sparked plenty of shared disbelief. We also highlight upcoming Shavuot services and learning opportunities, plus a handful of other joyful tangents that make Havdalah Happy Hour what it is.As always, we wrap up with our signature blessing of the week and shonda of the week, closing out the conversation with warmth, humor, and heart.✨ Tune in next week as we wrap up this season of Havdalah Happy Hour before summer break!

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.

Send us Fan MailThis week’s episode is pure behind‑the‑scenes joy as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck settle in for a conversation that feels like sitting at the table with your favorite people. Before the mics were even on, we dove into first jobs, weekly feelings, and the kind of pre‑recording gossip and mini‑dramas that only the lucky few ever get to hear.Once we hit record, the fun continued with a very important community debate: team raisins or no raisins in treats. From there, we wandered into memories of Pikesville restaurants we miss, the stories behind them, and the history woven into those beloved spots. We also touched on upcoming holidays, learning opportunities, and all the little things that make this season feel full.As always, we wrapped with our signature blessing of the week and shonda of the week, bringing warmth, humor, and reflection to close out Shabbat.

Send us Fan MailJoin Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week's Parasha.

Send us Fan MailMorah to Talk About : Teacher Appreciation, Book Fair Magic & Vehicle Day AdventuresHosted by Sami Halle with Morahs Janice Hurwitz, Kenzie Lewis, and Kayla Jackson, this episode is a full celebration of the joy, chaos, and heart of teacher life. We relive an unforgettable Teacher Appreciation Week, complete with thoughtful surprises from clergy and senior staff and all the gratitude that filled our halls.Then we dive into the nostalgia of the Scholastic Book Fair — beating our sales record again, reminiscing about the classics, and soaking in every bit of childhood magic. Comment your own favorite book fair memories.We also recap Vehicle Day — the returning favorites, what we missed, and the exciting new additions — and wrap it all up with the ultimate generational debate: Can you count change in your head? Join the counting change debate.Tune in, listen along, and get ready — because there’s always more Morah to talk about.

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Abe Friedman's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (May 9, 2026) 

Send us Fan MailThis week’s episode is a full‑on nostalgia trip as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into the memories, malls, and mayhem that shaped so many of our childhoods.We kick things off with the two constants of Havdalah Happy Hour life: traffic and weather, making their reliable weekly appearance. From there, we tumble straight into a joyful spiral of nostalgic board games, the legendary stores we used to visit at the Owings Mills Mall, and—of course—the greatest mall photo shoot of all time that so many of us remember (and maybe still have tucked away in a drawer).Naturally, we couldn’t resist obsessing over the OG mall fountains, the ones that felt magical, iconic, and somehow way bigger in our memories. The stories kept coming, and the laughter did too.As always, we wrap up with our signature blessing of the week and shonda of the week, bringing the perfect mix of warmth, humor, and reflection to close out Shabbat.✨ Tune in and listen.

Send us Fan MailJoin Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week's Parasha.

Send us Fan MailYour moms are BACK.This week on Kvetch & Co., we’re unpacking it all — picture‑day nostalgia, music‑video throwbacks, field‑trip chaperone drama, the wild world of curated TikToks, girls’ beach trips, and every little life moment we’ve been dying to kvetch about together.

Send us Fan Mail"In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Abe Friedman's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore." (May 2, 2026) 

Send us Fan MailThis week’s episode is peak classic Havdalah Happy Hour energy as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into the everyday debates, memories, and hilarity that make this hour the happiest.We kick things off with the ever‑present topic that somehow always finds us: traffic — and the big existential question of adulthood — when do you fill your gas tank. From there, we tumble into a wave of nostalgia sparked by packing and old movies, unlocking long‑lost memories, family fun facts, and the ongoing mystery of whether Jill still journals.Naturally, this leads to the ultimate sentimental showdown: how much stuff do you still have from your childhood? Do you save it? Toss it? Pretend you’ll organize it someday? The answers were… revealing. And yes, shopping made its inevitable appearance too.As always, we wrap up with our signature blessing of the week and shonda of the week, bringing warmth, humor, and a little reflection to close out Shabbat.✨ Tune in and listen.

Send us Fan MailJoin Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week's Parsha.

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (April 25, 2026)

Send us Fan MailThis week, the whole crew is back together and celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut — Israel’s 78th birthday with all the joy, nostalgia, and spirited conversation you’d expect from Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck.We kicked things off by reliving last week’s Epic Israel‑themed Shabbat, complete with lots of Israeli food tasting (and yes, we’re all still shocked by how much everyone tried). From there, the conversation took a wonderfully nostalgic turn into the TV shows, MTV moments, and pop‑culture gems of the 90s and early 2000s, and how wildly different things look today.Join the fun and comment below with your favorite MTV show and your favorite place in Israel — we want to hear it.And of course, it wouldn’t be Havdalah Happy Hour without our signature blessing of the week, shonda of the week, and a little weather talk to round things out.✨ Tune in and listen. Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameach!

Send us Fan MailJoin Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool as they dive into this week's Parashat. 

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (April 18,, 2026) 

Send us Fan MailThe gang is finally back together after a few weeks away, and the energy is exactly what we needed. Join Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck as we dive into all things Passover, plus a recap of the holidays we’ve celebrated since we were last together.We also couldn’t resist sharing the incredible finds and fabulous buys from Unique Boutique — comment below with your favorite vendor or the item you snagged this year. From there, the conversation drifted into local sports talk, plenty of laughter, and the pure joy of rekindling the happiest of hours post‑Shabbat.And yes… it wouldn’t be Havdalah Happy Hour without our signature blessing of the week, shonda of the week, and a little weather talk sprinkled in for good measure.✨ Tune in and listen.

Send us Fan MailJoe Buchanan sat down with Cantor ​Melanie Blatt Schuster for a deep‑dive into his brand‑new album Heaven and Earth—15 tracks of original Jewish country music straight from the heart.They talked about the stories behind the songs (including the super‑personal “My Beloved” and “Goodnight My Love”), Joe’s creative process, and how he and his wife April shape every detail—down to panning sound effects in the direction Hebrew is read.Joe also shared what he’s looking forward to most about his May 4th concert at Beth El, performing with Shir Hadash, and spending time with Cantor’​s family while he’s in town.

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is the Sisterhoods sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (April 11, 2026) 

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 21, 2026) 

Send us Fan MailThis week’s episode is a true treat as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Sami Halle welcome special guest Rachel Lipman — a fifth‑generation winemaker and meadmaker at Loew Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Maryland, home of Maryland’s first Kosher winery.We dive deep into all things wine: how it’s made, the history behind the craft, grape varieties, weather’s impact on flavor, the origins of different styles, the eternal dry vs. sweet debate, and so much more. Rachel brings stories rooted in family, legacy, and love — the kind of history that makes every bottle feel alive.Of course, in classic Jewish fashion, we played a little Jewish geography and discovered connections in more ways than one. And yes… we absolutely sampled some delicious red wine along the way.Be sure to check out the Loew Vineyards  https://loewvineyards.net website for details on joining their Kosher wine list and updates on the much‑anticipated release of their Kosher‑for‑Passover wine. The heritage and heart behind this vineyard are truly remarkable.Comment below with your favorite wine, and tune in to learn, sip, and smile with us. And naturally, it wouldn’t be Havdalah Happy Hour without our signature blessings, shondas, and a little weather talk to round things out.✨ Listen in and l’chaim to a great episode.

Send us Fan MailHosted by Sami Halle and featuring the voices of our incredible Morahs — Janice Huritz, Kayla Jackson, and Ashley Aragon — Episode 2 dives straight into the joyful whirlwind of spring holidays, classroom chaos, and the nostalgia that shapes who we are as teachers.This week, we bounce from Purim to Passover, covering everything from costumes, glitter, and groggers to matzah, crumbs, and the eternal question: What’s the best thing to eat with matzah? (And yes, we absolutely got into a gross‑smell debate — ketchup vs. syrup vs. peanut butter. You’ve been warned.)We also tackle the real issues:The hardest classroom mess to clean: kinetic sand, glitter, or matzah crumbsSpring break plans and the countdown to freedomThe forbidden foods that somehow still make their way into the schoolFlashbacks to our own school days — from reading maps and counting change to today’s navigation apps and credit cardsIt’s chaotic, it’s nostalgic, it’s hilarious, and it’s exactly what makes teacher life so special.Tune in, listen along, and get ready — because there’s always more Morah to talk about.

Send us Fan MailIn case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Abe Friedman's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.​ (March 14, 2026) 

Send us Fan MailThis week’s episode of Havdalah Happy Hour is pure community joy as Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck relive the magic of Beth El’s Got Talent. Who knew our community could sing, laugh, play instruments, and showcase so many hidden talents? It was unforgettable, and we’re still riding the high.Naturally, the conversation spiraled into a very serious debate about pie flavors and shapes—because apparently this is a topic with strong opinions. Comment your favorite flavor below… we’re keeping score.And in true Havdalah Happy Hour fashion, the weather made its grand reappearance, joined by a new contender: foot and walking traffic, which somehow became its own saga.As always, we wrap things up with a heartfelt blessing of the week and a perfectly on‑brand shonda of the week.✨ Tune in and listen.

Send us Fan MailJoin Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck as they dive into this week’s Parsha. Guess what?— more props this week! Tune in to catch all the fascinating ins and outs of the Parsha.

Send us Fan MailThis week, Jill Suffel and Cantor Emily Ellentuck are back with a special treat: a bonus episode featuring two incredible guests, Hailey and Jenna, fresh off the recent Beth El Israel trip they experienced alongside our fearless chaperones, Emily and Jill.Together, they dive into all the good stuff — the unforgettable sweet and savory bites, the standout adventures, the true wow moments, and every bit of magic in between. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and full of that signature Beth El energy.✨ Keep an eye out for future Beth El trips… you never know what stories you’ll bring home.Tune in and enjoy.