The Clergy Next Door

The Conversation about the Holocaust continues with Rabbi Ravski, Pastor Eric and special guest Pastor AJ Houseman who was recently on a trip to Germany and the Dachau Concentration Camp.

The Pastor and Rabbi discuss recent trips they took, both with deep religious and historical connections. Pastor Eric takes you with him to Egypt while Rabbi Ravski travels with you to Poland.

Join the Pastor and Rabbi as they discuss two different themes this week- Tattoo Culture in each religion and how for both Jews and Christians this time of year truly is "March Madness" as we prepare for the Passover and Easter holidays!

After a hiatus Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Childers are back to explore a deeply sensitive topic- Suicide. Join the conversation about how each tradition understands end of life rituals, how clergy copes with this particular type of death, how the religions provide for comforting families and caring for those who have died by suicide.

We have many shared texts between our two religions but we don't always read, or understand them, in the same way. Join the Rabbi and Pastor as they discuss the way the Bible is studied, the messages it holds and the goal of that study is in both Judaism and Christianity.

Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Eric discuss how their congregations and religions approach bringing people into the community, congregation and faith. A sustainable community includes growth and while the approach of each religion might be different the goal is the same- to bring people closer to God and into community. Join the Discussion today!

Recorded on Halloween, the Rabbi and Pastor discuss how their families and religions approach Halloween, All Saints Day and remembering those who no longer walk this Earth. Join the discussion today!

Its been a busy holiday season in the Jewish Calendar. Catch up with Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Childers as they chat about all that's happened in the past month, from the Ceasefire and Hostage's coming home in Israel to the Holidays and more! Join the Discussion today!

Season 3 begins with catching up with the Rabbi and Pastor after a busy Summer. Summer Camp can play a powerful role in the lives of our youth, especially when they are Summer Camps imbued with faith and religious observance. Join the discussion for the 3rd season!

A lot has happened in a month, Passover, Easter and a New Pope. Catch up on all of it and join the discussion with Pastor Childers and Rabbi Ravski

Two major holidays are approaching, Passover and Easter, and both of them require lots of prep work before they begin. Join Pastor Childers and Rabbi Ravski as they discuss the spiritual and physical preparations that help us get ready for both these major holidays.

This Week the Rabbi and Pastor are joined by Synagogue Emanu-El's Rabbinic Intern, Sara Birnbaum who was recently in Israel. Listen in as Rabbi Birnbaum reflects on her time in Israel, the mood of the country and how the Rabbis and Pastor continue to wrestle with the war in the Middle East and what the world needs to learn from it.

This week in a special episode the Rabbi and Pastor confront one of the most difficult topics, the antisemitic writings and beliefs of Martin Luther, the namesake theologian of the Lutheran denomination. Join the conversation as the Pastor and Rabbi address this issue head on, from the antisemitic belief themselves to the impact they had on history and in how we respond to problematic and hateful speech. Lastly, we explore how to make amends and strengthen bonds in its aftermath.

This week the tables have turned. After disparaging comments were made about the Lutheran Church by Government officials, Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Childers continue to discuss how attacks on specific religions and denominations are impacting the nature of our communities. Join the discussion as we talk about the impact and cost of Anti-Lutheran and antisemitic rhetoric in today's America.

With the Continued release of Hostages Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Childers continue to discuss the situation in Israel as well as some developments in the USA that have the Jewish Community unsure of whats to come. Join the discussion and add your voice by emailing us at [email protected]

after 471 days a deal was struck that will start bringing Israeli Hostages back to their families. Join the discussion as Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Childers respond to the unfolding situation and how each religion understands the value of redeeming captives.

Artificial Intelligence and programs like ChatGPT are appearing in more and more places in our lives. Join the discussion on how A.I has impacted the pulpit, and some Jewish and Christian values involved in its use in prayer and from the pulpit.

As we approach Thanksgiving join Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Childers as they discuss something needed at all holiday tables...alcohol! What is the role of wine in Judaism and Christianity. Join the discussion and Happy Thanksgiving!

This week Pastor Childers and Rabbi Ravski discuss the notion of the Apocalypse and Afterlife. What do our religions say about how it will all end and the hereafter? Join the conversation and find out!

The 2024 Election is here! Pastor Childers and Rabbi Ravski get political in discussion the role of religion in politics, talking politics from the pulpit and who God thinks should with the election. Join the discussion and GO VOTE!

We look back on this past year in the Jewish community since the horrific terror attack of October 7th on Israel, how the Jewish world has responded, where we see God, our hopes for the future and the release of the remaining hostages.

Worship isn't just about prayers, sometimes its about what we're wearing too! Join the discussion about what we wear when we're praying.

Season 2 Kicks off with a Summer Catch up, discussion about community and look ahead to the seasons topics of discussion! Welcome Back!

This week's discussion wraps up the first season of The Clergy Next Door and looks to the future of season 2 in the Fall! Have thoughts about this season or topics to be discussed next season? Email us at [email protected]

The themes of Passover center around Freedom, Spring and Renewal. Join the conversation as the Rabbi and Pastor discuss the Holiday of Passover as it begins for the Jewish People.

This week Rabbinic Intern Iliana Brodsky joins us again as we discuss what disability and inclusion looks like in Judaism, Christianity and our sacred spaces.

Council President Jeff Aysse joins the conversation as we discuss what Church Leadership does, how it operates and the way it helps strengthen the Church.

This week the Rabbi and Pastor take a look at Holy Week and Easter, the traditions and beliefs surrounding this sacred time and finding common religious themes in both traditions.

This week we discuss the Scroll of Esther, its message in Judaism and Christianity and the upcoming holiday of Purim!

This week the President of Synagogue Emanu-El, Al Hawkins, joins the conversation about Synagogue governance, the role of the Board and how lay leadership and clergy create a sacred partnership in service to the community.

This week our discussion focuses on the role of food in each of our religious traditions. Beyond the rules of food, how do Judaism and Christianity use food to bring us closer to one another and God?

With the onset of the Lenten Season we revisit the concept of atonement, of how each religion achieves it, what the consequences are of not finding it and how we find absolution.

This week Father Zachary Nash, the Joint Base Senior Chaplain in Charleston, joins the conversation about what it means to practice one's faith while serving our country.

This week this week the Pastor and the Rabbi talk about their 'typical' day as clergy...if there can ever be a 'typical' day of what they do. Join the conversation and hear about some of what your clergy spends their days doing.

This week we continue our discussion of becoming a member of the clergy, examining the process from the Lutheran experience. Join us and special guest Daniel Crofts aka the Reverend Seminarian, as we talk about becoming a Lutheran Pastor.

This week we begin a two-week discussion about what it takes to become a Rabbi or Pastor. In part 1 we are talking about the process of applying to Rabbinical School, the curriculum and placement in your first pulpit after ordination. Joining the conversation is Synagogue Emanu-El's Rabbinic Intern, and current Rabbinical School student, Iliana Brodsky.

Join the discussion about the upcoming Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat and how both Judaism and Christianity understand what our religions say about taking care of the Earth that God has given us.

This week we explore the unlikely people that God chooses as messengers. What is it about their flaws that make them instruments of God? How do we better connect to the Bible and the Divine because the people God chooses are imperfect? Join the conversation and find out!

What does intermarriage look like in Judaism and Christianity? How does marrying outside the faith or a different denomination with the faith impact relationships, with our spouses, our families, ourselves and the Divine? Join the conversation about this important and sometimes difficult topic.

Happy New Year! What better time than New Years Day to discuss the concept of RENEWAL in Judaism and Christianity. Join the conversation as Rabbi Ravski and Pastor Childers discuss how we constantly renew our faith and commitment to our traditions.

Tis better to give than receive. Come join the conversation about giving in our traditions at this time of year and throughout the year. A special guest also joins the conversation this week!

Christmas and Chanukah two winter holidays that share the themes of hope and light in the darkest time of the year but are very different theologically. Join the conversation about our winter holidays!

Going to Synagogue and Church is a multi-generational affair. Join the discussion of how engagement of young families and youth can impact a family's connection to faith, ritual and tradition for generations to come.

This week we discuss what it means to adopt a new faith as your own. How its done, how each religion supports those who are on a spiritual journey, learning about new rituals and theology. Conversion also isn't just about joining a new faith, its about becoming pars of a new community.

What does giving thanks look like in our religions? What are our Thanksgiving traditions and how do we make it an American meal and a sacred experience? Happy Thanksgiving!

This week we are exploring the 10 Commandments! From how they're numbered to the role they play in our theology, discussing the 10 Commandments is a great way to celebrate our 10th episode!

This week we explore how our religions celebrate and mark special milestone moments in our lives. The rituals may be different but the idea of bringing sacredness to each moment resonates throughout our rituals.

This week the Pastor and Rabbi ask each other about common words and concepts in the other's religion and explore those words and concepts in greater depth

This week we look at what blessing, prayer and worship look like in each religion.

When the worst terrorist attack on Israel happens, and more Jews are killed in a single day since the Holocaust, we turn to our neighbors for help and support. This special episode looks at the ongoing situation in Israel and how we, as an interfaith community can support one another and Israel.