TRTM: They're Rabbis & They're Married
by Rant9 Productions
What does it mean to be Rabbis who are married to each other? What does it mean to live Jewishly? What are ways that I can incorporate Jewish wisdom, values, and practices into my everyday life? Join Rabbi Rachel and Rabbi Marcus, a husband-and-wife rabbi team who serve as the co-rabbis of Temple of Aaron in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as they bring you an intimate glimpse into how they live out their daily Jewish lives. Each episode they will share their joys, struggles and everything in between as they work to apply Jewish ideas, values, and practices to their daily lives—building a Jewish home, raising children, serving their community, and navigating their busy daily lives. Join Rabbis Rubenstein each episode to learn ways that you too can practice an open-minded, modern, human-oriented, and sincere Judaism in your everyday life.Intro music by the very talented Coleen Dieker and Jeffrey Baldinger
Episodes
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Passing the Torch w/ Guests' Ken Agranoff, Amber Brumbaugh
After years of dedicated service to Temple of Aaron, Executive Director Ken Agranoff is preparing to retire, and a new chapter is about to begin. In this special episode, Rabbis Marcus and Rachel Rubenstein sit down with both Ken and incoming Director of Operations Amber Brumbaugh for a...
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What Does it Mean to be Obligated
In this episode of we take a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood ideas in Judaism: halachic obligation. What does it actually mean to be commanded? Is a mitzvah just a “good deed,” or is it something much deeper? And how does obligation shape a meaningful Jewish life? We explore the...
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Responding to Operation Metro Surge
In a special episode, our rabbis Rubenstein discuss the ongoing federal immigration enforcent operation in the Twin Cities. The rabbis discuss and toil to understand what the Torah is asking from us at this moment.
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Getting in With the Government
How should a Jew, according to the Torah, relate to the secular governemnt in which one lives in? How trusting should Jews be of the government and how much attention should we pay to it? The Rabbis Rubenstein learn, teach and discuss texts that discuss these essential questions for the modern…
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Suprise Text: Praying for Healing on a Day of Rest
Can you pray for someone who’s sick on Shabbat? In this episode of They’re Rabbis and They’re Married, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus talk through a Talmudic debate on Shabbat 12b that asks exactly that question. Together, they explore why the rabbis might have hesitated about mixing words of healing...
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Dancing in the Vineyards: Unpacking Tu B’Av and the Talmud’s Greatest Love Story
In this episode of They’re Rabbis and They’re Married, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus dive deep into one of the Talmud’s most surprising and romantic discussions— the closing passage of Tractate Taanit — to uncover the origins and deeper meanings of Tu B’Av, the 15th of Av. What makes this day…
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Why Cry Over Ruins? Finding Meaning in Mourning the Temple
As modern Jews, especially outside of Israel, the destruction of the Temple can feel like a distant and abstract loss. So why do we still fast, cry, and read Lamentations thousands of years later? In this episode, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus Rubenstein explore the spiritual value of mourning the…
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Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza?
In this bold and timely episode, our Rabbis Rubenstein take on one of the most serious and inflammatory accusations facing the Jewish state today: the charge that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. From the headlines to the hashtags, this claim has gained traction around the world — but…
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10 Foundational Practices: Synagogue (Part 2 of 10)
In this episode of They’re Rabbis and They’re Married, our Rabbis continue their mini-series on 10 foundational Jewish practices. They explore why showing up to synagogue isn’t just a weekend habit—it’s a cornerstone of Jewish spiritual life. From the ancient Temple to your neighborhood shul, we...
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10 Foundational Practices: Prayer (Part 1 of 10)
In this special episode, Rabbi Marcus and Rachel Rubenstein kick off a brand-new mini-series exploring 10 foundational practices for living out your Judaism. First up: Prayer. What does it mean to really pray — not just recite words, but connect? The Rubensteins dive into the heart of tefillah,...
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Will it Always Get Better?
Join our rabbis Rubenstein as they explore the hit Israeli song of the year, "Tamid Ohev Oti" or "Always loves me" by Sasson Ifram Shaulov. The rabbis discuss the meaning of the song and what it says about Israeli society and the Jewish people. Listen to the full song by clicking here:...
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Signing Rabbinic Statements
The Rabbis Rubenstein speak about a recent decision to not sign a recent letter signed by many other rabbis in the twin cities. They explain their reasoning and their philosophy of when to and when to not sign rabbinic letters....
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Our Communal Relationship to Israel w/Tal Dror Rouache
Join the rabbis Rubenstein as they chat with Saint Paul Tal Dror Rouache, a great friend and Israel Program director of the Saint Paul Jewish Federation. Together they will explore how we as American, Minnesotan Jews could be in active relationship with Israel.
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Learning Judaism through Improvisation w/ Andrew Davies
Our Rabbis Rubenstein are joined by guest, Andrew Davies of the Bible Players (The Bible Players, Jewish Comedy) to discuss alternative and fun ways to teach and learn Torah and Judaism. The Rabbis experiment with improvisation games and speak about the value of widening the ways in which we…
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Early Zionist Thinkers & You!
Join our Rabbis Rubenstein as they delve into early Zionist philosophers who sound like they could be writing their thoughts today on your favorite social media app. The thinkers they will sample with you in this episode are not well known enough in today's modern American Jewish community but…
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Talmudic Gift Giving & Jewish Value
Our Rabbis Rubenstein delve into a "surprise text" (B. Talmud Shabbat 11a) which discusses the proper way for a Jew to give a gift. Through it's illuminating discussion, our Rabbis are able to derive many important Jewish values about how we treat each other and the purpose of our actions in this...
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Finding Meaning in the Siddur 2: The Verses of Song
Our Rabbis Rubenstein are back! R. Rachel has returned from maternity leave! The rabbis are starting where they left off- with the siddur (Jewish prayer book)! In this episode they will continue guiding you through the siddur. Through listening, this episode will help you connect in a deeper way…
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Finding Meaning in the Siddur: 1. The Morning Blessings
Our Rabbis Rubenstein have noticed that many Jews struggle to find meaning in the traditional Jewish prayer service. Even if they are able to say the prayers, often it is something that is done because one is supposed to with little understanding of the spiritual transformation it should lead one...
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A First-Hand Account of the Struggle of Soviet Jewry
Our Rabbis Rubenstein interview Temple of Aaron member, Semyon Axelrod, a Jew who escaped the Soviet regime after being refused exit for many, many years. He speaks about his historic struggle to live as a Jew freely and what that struggle means for us today.
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Surprise Text: When Is It Ok To Poke the Bear?
R. Marcus surprises R. Rachel with a text she never delved deeply into in the Babylonian Talmud Tractate Brachot (7b) asking the question- when is it ok to poke the bear? When is it ok to do something that you know will upset a powerful but evil person? Learn this text with us and see how two...
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Music & Judaism w/ Special Guest Coleen Dieker
Our Rabbis Rubenstein invite a special guest, Coleen Dieker, onto the podcast to discuss music and it’s role in Jewish practice, spirituality and life. Coleen has been the incredible artist in residence for Temple of Aaron over the past years and is an expert in using musical performance to…
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Fertility & Birth in Judaism w/ Special Guest Dr. Rachel Parritz
Our Rabbis Rubenstein will delve into the topic of fertility and birth with a very special guest- a wonderful OB-GYN in their community. They will discuss their experiences with birth and fertility as well as how Judaism looks at these important topics. We hope you enjoy what was a truly…
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Is Judaism Too Expensive?
The Rabbis Rubenstein invite special guest, Ken Agranoff, ED of Temple of Aaron, to have a conversation around the financial costs of practice Judaism in 2023. Is practicing Judaism too expensive, just or a bargain? Listen and find out!
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An Interview w/ a Survivor of the Nova Music Festival
In a very special and important episode, Our Rabbis Rubenstein interview Rom El Hai, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival. His personal story of shock, confusion, fear, courage and resolve allows us to connect in a unique way to the upheaval and horror of October 7th, 2023. We hope you find our...
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Honoring & Finding Common Ground in a Multi-Faith World w/ Pastor Phillip Romine
Our rabbis Rubenstein talk to pastor Phillip Romine about interfaith work in Saint Paul and speak about the purpose of interfaith or multi-faith relationships. Special guest, Pastor Phillip Romine, of Interfaith Action of Saint Paul, joins us to talk about a very special organization in the twin...
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Coping with the Ongoing War in Gaza w/ Dr. Ashley Braun-Gabelman
The Jewish community is going through a tremendous tragedy and experiencing intense grief and anxiety after Hamas terrorists broke through the barrier fence in Gaza, murdering over 1400 Israelis, taking over 200 people of all ages hostage on Oct. 7 2023, committing one of the worst massacre of...
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Headbands, Kippot and Hats…Oh My!
Our Rabbis Rubenstein jump into the topic of head-covering in Jewish thought. They jump into questions like should you be covering your head? What might you cover your head with? Why do some Jews cover their heads? and where does the head covering tradition come from?
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An Epidemic of Loneliness w/ Dr. Ashley Braun-Gabelman
Today our Rabbis Rubenstein explore, what the US Surgeon General, has called the epidemic of Loneliness in our country. They explore Jewish responses to depression, anxiety, and loneliness all with the professional advice of a sought-after and experienced clinical psychologist who studies and...
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They’re Rabbis and There are More of Them!
In honor of our new show name (They’re Rabbis and They’re Married), we invited on another lovely rabbinic couple Becca Walker and Ariella Rosen to talk through what’s it’s truly like to be rabbis and be married to each other. We hope you enjoy our conversation!
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Torah from Heaven w/ Special Guest Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker
In this episode of, “They’re Rabbis & They’re Married,” we invite on a special guest, R. Adam Stock Spilker, one of our amazing rabbinic colleagues in Saint Paul. R. Spilker is the senior rabbi of Mount Zion, the nearby reform congregation. We invite him on to address the topic of “Torah from...
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How to Study a Jewish Text
Our Rabbis Rubenstein parse through an ancient Jewish text together, demonstrating what Jewish partner (chevrutah) study looks like. They discuss, within the text learning, what to look for in new teachers and friends.
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Pesach Kashering Made Easier
Get ready for Passover the Rabbis Rubenstein! Learn all about chametz and getting your home ready for the holiday! We’ll learn not only what to do but why we do it- Chag Pesach Sameach!
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“On Being a Good Neighbor” w/ Rev. Dr. James C. Thomas
Join our rabbis as they engage in discussion with Rev. Dr. James C. Thomas, immediate past president of the Saint Paul Black Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Today the rabbis go through and discuss the famous Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sermon…
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Should Jews Watch America Football?
Our Rabbis Rubenstein and special guest Rabbi Adir Yolkut discuss and break down the question: Should Jews watching American Football? Listen and find out how one can look at American Football from a Jewish perspective right before the Superbowl!
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Do We Really Need Denominations?
Today the Rabbis Rubenstein discuss the modern movements and denominations of Judaism. They detail how the movements came about and ask the big question of many peoples minds these days- do we still need denominations? Should one be “just Jewish?” Listen and find out!
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Special Dr. MLK Jr. Episode
A special episode of Living Jewishly with the Rabbis Rubenstein in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The rabbis read through one of their favorite sermons of Dr. King and discuss it through a Jewish lens deriving practical lessons for today’s issues.
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Would the Maccabees hate us?
In this episode, the Rabbis Rubenstein, debate the meaning of the holiday of Chanukah. They work together to isolate the different meanings of the holiday and talk about the holiday means to them. They discuss the battles of the Maccabees against the Syrian Greeks and Hellenized Jews and if they...
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Can a Jew Listen to Christmas Music?
Rabbis Rachel and Marcus Rubenstein discuss their relationship and encounters with Christmas traditions as American Jews. Can American Jews engage with Christmas? If so, so what is the line? For Jews, how is Christmas both problematic and positive at the same time? Listen to find out!
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The Tradition of Gratitude
In this episode, our rabbis take us on a journey through the sources, philosophies and traditions of gratitude within their Jewish practice. In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday the rabbis share their family Thanksgiving traditions and how they intersect with their Jewish identity and practice....
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The Sources of our Zionisms
In this episode of Living Jewishly with the Rabbis Rubenstein, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus explore the sources and inspirations for their passionate Zionisms. We use the plural to say that there are many different ways and reasons for one to love the state of Israel and those ways and reasons should...
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Is Halloween Kosher?
Today Rabbis Rachel and Marcus will discuss the holiday of Halloween. American Jews are confronted with the celebration of Halloween and each family must ask themselves- Do we celebrate Halloween? Does Halloween accord with Jewish values? How does Judaism deal with the holidays of other faiths…
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Welcome to Living Jewishly
Welcome to the very first episode of Living Jewishly! In this pilot episode you will be introduced to the hosts of the show, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus Rubenstein. As you meet your hosts you will hear stories of how they grew up, how they choose to live out their Jewish lives as a family today, and…
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About this show
What does it mean to be Rabbis who are married to each other? What does it mean to live Jewishly? What are ways that I can incorporate Jewish wisdom, values, and practices into my everyday life? Join Rabbi Rachel and Rabbi Marcus, a husband-and-wife rabbi team who serve as the co-rabbis of Temple of Aaron in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as they bring you an intimate glimpse into how they live out their daily Jewish lives. Each episode they will share their joys, struggles and everything in between as they work to apply Jewish ideas, values, and practices to their daily lives—building a Jewish home, raising children, serving their community, and navigating their busy daily lives. Join Rabbis Rubenstein each episode to learn ways that you too can practice an open-minded, modern, human-oriented, and sincere Judaism in your everyday life.Intro music by the very talented Coleen Dieker and Jeffrey Baldinger
Hosted by
Rant9 Productions
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