Drash It Like It’s Hot

Enjoy this special episode with remarks by our new senior rabbi to be, Rabbi Brian Leiken as well as Rabbi Young's drash.

Enjoy this drash by Cantorial Solist, Sarah Avner!

Sorry for the late upload!

In this week’s episode of Drash It Like It’s Hot, host Aaron Perchonok highlights exciting upcoming events at CBI, including a Hanukkah celebration and a lively performance by the Texas Klezmer band, Mazel Tov Cocktail Hour. Then, Rabbi Young delves into the Torah portion Vayishlach, exploring Jacob’s transformative wrestling match and its deep connection to the Jewish identity as B’nai Yisrael. He reflects on the struggles that define Jewish life—whether with faith, community, or justice—and critiques dismissive attitudes toward synagogue participation. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking drash that calls us to engage with Judaism daily.

In this episode of Drash It Like It's Hot, we sit down with two incredible guests who bring unique perspectives to our community. First, we chat with Pam Hanna, our congregation’s membership coordinator, who shares her journey from the corporate world to 18 years of dedicated service. Pam talks about the challenges of navigating the pandemic, the joy of building deep relationships with members, and her life outside work as a traveler, basketball mom, and a former right-hand-drive Jeep mail carrier!Next, we welcome Ariella and Eyal, this year’s Shinshinim (Israeli emissaries), who reflect on their volunteer work with Austin’s Jewish and broader communities. They share stories about life in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli education system, and their commitment to bridging connections between Israel and the diaspora.Join us for an inspiring conversation about community, culture, and the power of meaningful connections. Don't miss the rapid-fire Q&A and some fun surprises along the way!

Edward Cruz-Aedo, Director of Facilities at Congregation Beth Israel (CBI), shares insights about his role and personal interests. He discusses his transition into facilities management, the challenges of maintaining the synagogue's aging infrastructure, and the rewarding aspects of his work. Edward highlights the community's support and his goal of creating a welcoming environment. Rabbi Young reflects on the Torah portion featuring Abraham's trials, particularly the binding of Isaac. While Abraham is traditionally praised for passing these trials, the rabbi interprets the binding of Isaac as a failure, revealing Abraham's limitations. This lesson is tied to the idea that failure can lead to growth and self-awareness, as illustrated by stories from Meet the Robinsons, Michael Jordan, and Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa in the Talmud. Rabbi Young emphasizes the importance of perseverance, learning from mistakes, and moving forward to build resilience and a thriving community.

Enjoy this bonus pod!

During a week when many people feel less connected to our community and society than ever before, Rabbi Young delivers a powerful and uplifting drash on the importance of looking outward.

Enjoy this wonderful drash on some aspects of Isaac you may not have known or realized before.

Welcome to Season 2! Enjoy a message from Kael Clark as well as Rabbi levy's final Drash before her sabbatical begins.

Enjoy this final Drash of 5784

Join us this week for Rabbi Levy's sermon for Ki Taso. You won't want to miss it!. Also, you're may be used to hearing her sing, but this week I had a wonderful conversation with Sarah Avner, our Cantorial Solist.

Join us this week as our Executive Director, Jakob Cohen joins us for Meet the Mishpacha. Also, Rabbi Young delivers a drash referencing one of the greatest shows in television history.

Join us this week to get to know our new receptionist, Faith Henry, on Meet the Mishpacha. Rabbi Levy delivers this week's drash.

Join us this week on Drash it Like it's Hot as Steven Kogan explains why he has such a passion for paperwork, and Rabbi Young delivers this week's drash.

Join us as Rabbi Levy delivers this week's Drash.

Join us this week as Aaron is joined by Kael Clark, the Assistant to the Executive at CBI on Meet the Mishpachah. Rabbi Young gives a moving dash on courage.

In this episode of "Drash it Like it's Hot," host Aaron Perchonok sits down with Carly Cera, the youth education and engagement director at CBI, for the "Meet the Mishpacha" segment. Carly shares her journey into Jewish youth education, her long-standing connection with CBI, and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also discusses the rewarding moments of her role, such as hearing children sing during Tefilah. The conversation wraps up with fun, rapid-fire questions, revealing Carly's love for live music, her favorite book, and her go-to karaoke song. Tune in for an engaging and insightful chat with a dedicated community leader.

In this episode of "Drash It Like It's Hot," host Aaron Perchonok interviews Lainey Komerofsky, the Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator at Congregation Beth Israel (CBI). Lainey shares her journey from being a college student to her current role, her deep-rooted connections with the Jewish community, and her passion for working with youth. She discusses the challenges and rewards of reimagining youth engagement post-COVID and highlights memorable moments, such as organizing a successful lock-in event. The episode also delves into Lainey's personal interests, including her love for kayaking and her favorite ice cream flavor. Rabbi Levi concludes with a thought-provoking drosh on the strength of community and teamwork, drawing parallels with the story of Zelophichad's daughters from the Torah.

In this episode of "Drash It Like It's Hot," Lainey Komerofsky, the youth coordinator at Beth Israel, interviews Aaron Perchonok, the tech coordinator at the congregation. Aaron shares his journey from being a preschool teacher to becoming the tech guy at Beth Israel. He discusses his passion for tech, the challenges he has faced, and the rewarding experiences that come with his role. Aaron also talks about his hobbies, his pets, and some fun personal facts. This episode offers a glimpse into the life of the person who ensures that the congregation's tech runs smoothly, making the community more inclusive and accessible.

Join host Aaron Perchonok on "Drash It Like It's Hot" as he kicks off the new segment, "Meet the Mishpacha," where CBI staff members share their stories and insights. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Rabbi David Young, the new interim senior rabbi, to discuss his journey from aspiring actor to rabbi, the unique challenges of interim leadership, and his passion for teaching and community building. Rabbi Young also shares personal anecdotes, including his skydiving adventure with his wife and his love for Dungeons & Dragons. Tune in for a candid and engaging conversation that offers a glimpse into the life and thoughts of Rabbi Young.Then, Rabbi Young delivers his first CBI drash on the significance of mourning and community support, using the story of Miriam and Aaron's deaths in the Torah. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to mourn and support each other through transitions and changes.

Join host Aaron Perchonok in "Drash It Like It's Hot" as he records from Denver, bringing you a special Shabbat service featuring Rabbi Levi's thought-provoking drash. Rabbi Levy welcomes Rabbi Young to the community and delves into the timeless lessons of Parashat Korach. Through a vivid narrative, she draws parallels between ancient leadership struggles and contemporary political dynamics, emphasizing the importance of values like strength, courage, humility, and humanity, and encourages listeners to reflect on the qualities of effective leadership and the role of community in fostering a just and equitable society.

Rabbi Levy delivers an engaging drush on Parashat Sh'lach L'cha from the Book of Numbers. The discussion centers on Moses sending scouts to Canaan and their mixed reports about the land. Rabbi Levy explores themes of fear, faith, and optimism, using the contrasting perspectives of the scouts to highlight the importance of maintaining hope and vision for a better future. The episode concludes with a call to embody the qualities of Joshua and Caleb to create a world filled with blessings and peace.

In this episode of "Drash It Like It's Hot," host Aaron Perchonok welcomes members of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood from Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) to discuss an upcoming meet-and-greet event for their new rabbi, Rabbi Young. Guests Savannah Farmer, Sam Newmark, Will Byrd, Marvin Hecker, and Nancy Stewart share their favorite "hot" things and Snoop Dogg references, while also highlighting their roles within the community. They delve into the significance of the Internet Cafe, a Sunday gathering that supports youth scholarships through food sales. The episode emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and the welcoming spirit of CBI, inviting listeners to join the event and get involved in Brotherhood and Sisterhood activities.Rabbi Levy delivers a heartfelt devar Torah on the significance of Juneteenth within the Jewish community. She bravely shares her family's history in Texas, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and learning from the past to prevent history from repeating itself. Drawing parallels with the Torah portion Parashat Baal Haalotecha, she highlights the timeless issue of racial discrimination, using the story of Miriam and Aaron's prejudice against Moses' Cushite wife. The speaker underscores the Jewish commitment to fighting oppression and calls for continued efforts towards freedom and equality for all. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and the role of the Jewish community in advocating for human dignity.Thank you to Flowsend.ai for providing AI tools to create this fantastic episode description!

Join us for Rabbi Folberg's final drash with us at CBI

Enjoy the drash by Rabbi Levy

Enjoy this week's drash by Rabbi Folberg!

Enjoy Rabbi Folberg's drash, as well as guest, Savannah Farmer.

Enjoy this week's timely drash by Rabbi Folberg.

Enjoy this drash by Rabbi Kelly Levy.

Enjoy Rabbi Folberg's crash! The Rabbi Pal video can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmdTEk1b1z8

Enjoy

Rabbi Kelly Levy shares all about National Empanada Day coming up on Monday!.... or maybe another big event happening Monday

Rabbi Levy speaks about what she does as a modern rabbi, and how different the role of priests during biblical times.

Join us as Rabbi Levy shares a beautiful dash on Shabbat Vayikra.

Join us as CBI Sisterhood Vice President and President Elect, Savannah Farmer, stops by to share all about CBI Sisterhood. Also, Rabbi Folberg shares an insightful drash on Shabbat Pekude.

Join us as Rabbi Kelly Levy delivers an inspiring drash for International Women's Day.

You won't want to miss Rabbi Levy's Drash from NCJW Repro Shabbat on 3.9.24!

In our third episode, join Rabbi Folberg as he shares "This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things."

Join us this week for Jewish Disability Awareness, and Inclusion Month, with guest speaker, Adam Hartman from Jewish family Service. Also, CBI Youth Coordinator, Lainey Komerofsky, drops by the tech booth to share some details about this year''s Purim carnival.

Join us for our first full episode featuring guest speaker, Kael Clark.

Welcome to "Drash It Like It's Hot," your window into the insightful and uplifting Shabbat sermons delivered by our amazing rabbis at Congregation Beth Israel in the heart of Austin, Texas.Each week, we'll dive into the wisdom and teachings shared by our rabbis, exploring the meaningful messages that resonate with our community. But before we delve into the sermons, we'll also bring you the latest updates and hodaot from our vibrant synagogue life.