15 minutes with a mensch: modern jewish conversations by Bill Battistone and Sarah Greenwald

Sarah is back for a "Part 2" on Jewish history and archives! This episode, Sarah chats about what it means to archive Jewish history with Eric Lidji, Director of Ruah Jewish History Program and Archives from the Heinz History Center!

In this episode Sarah Greenwald visits with the one, the only, Martha Berg, Archivist at Rodef Shalom Congregation! Martha talks about how she first got into working in the archives, the tasks she fills her time with, and what means the most to her in this role. Martha can be reached at berg@rodefshalom.org.

This episode features a preview of Rich Brean's lecture, "The Jewish Exodus From the Hill." It is a continuation of a lecture series on Jewish history in Pittsburgh; specifically, the movement of Jews in the city and where the communities went over the span of the 20th Century.

The band is back together for a special co-hosted episode!

The guest this episode is Tim Litman, President of Rodef Shalom Brotherhood. Tim talks about his journey to being President of Brotherhood, what he enjoys most about his time in the group, and where the group goes next.

In this episode, Bill visits with Noola and Ben, two students who recently had their bat/bar mitzvahs at Rodef Shalom! We talk about their experience, what they liked the most about their program, and what advice they would give to students just starting. Special thank you to Noola and Ben for sharing their experience with us!

Episode 2 of our second season features a conversation with Sarah and two extraordinary individuals, Megan Rose and Katie Rothstein! Megan is the Director of the Center for Women and Katie is the Programming and Communications Manager, both out of the Pittsburgh Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). Hear all about NCJW's initiatives, upcoming events, and how best to help support this important work!

We are back! Fifteen Minutes With a Mensch is back for a second season! This episode introduces our new co-host, Sarah Greenwald, who will be sharing hosting duties with Bill!

This episode features some of my "classmates" from our Adult B'Mitzvah group! We are celebrating on Simchat Torah 2021.

It's episode two of our mini-series on the High Holy Days! This episode's guest is Rabbi Sharyn Henry, from Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is the first of our "mini-series" on the High Holy Days!

This was a big one for me! I was fortunate enough to spend some time with USA and World Rugby legend Dallen Stanford! 

Anne Malloy joins this episode as a guest as she discusses her experiences with the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Anne has been a member of Rodef Shalom for over 30 years, serving in various roles, including President and Temple Librarian. We discuss her work with the World Union in the former Soviet Union, and why this type of work is so meaningful to her.

This episode's Mensch is Cantor Julie Newman, Founder of Tiferet, which focuses on providing various programming opportunities centered around Jewish mindfulness and reflective practice. For more information, I would highly encourage you to check out their website, https://tiferetproject.org, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChavShir/

I had a chance to visit with Yael Eads, who is the Youth Director at Rodef Shalom for this episode! Yael oversees all of the youth group planning grades K-12. For more information, you can either check out the website (https://www.rodefshalom.org/youth-group) or contact Yael directly at eads@rodefshalom.org. 

This episode features Susan Friedberg Kalson as our mensch! Susan is the CEO of Squirrel Hill Health Center and the Chair of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. We discuss her experiences and the mission of the Squirrel Hill Health Center, advocacy iniatives with the URJ and RAC, and how you can help be a voice for social change.

15 Minutes is back this week with Becca Hurowitz, President and CEO of Vibe Israel USA! We talk about Vibe Israel's mission and vision to help grow awareness and connections to Israel, and what it means to leverage social media with the younger generation. For more information about Vibe Israel, check out their website at https://vibeisrael.com/

This episode's mensch is David Goldstein, a composer of sacred choral and chant music. David leads a Tikkun Chant Circle, which is a form of Hebrew repetition focused on a specific intention. After experiencing one of David's Tikkun Chant Circles myself, we talk about the experience and the planning that goes into such an event. We also chat about the benefits of chanting and how it can be incorporated into someone's spiritual routine. For more information about David, or for upcoming dates for Tikkun Chant Circles, visit https://hebrewchant.wordpress.com/

This episode features Donna Coufal, current President of Dor Hadash Congregation, in Pittsburgh, PA. Dor Hadash is part of the Reconstructing Judaism movement, so we dive into what that actually entails. We talk about being a member-led congregation, and how that can be both advantageous and provide challenges. If you are interested in learning more about Dor Hadash, go to www.dorhadash.net.

Bob Rosenthal previews his upcoming lecture on the history and oddities of the Rodef Shalom Congregation building! He gives us his own version of the Four Questions, as well as a sneak peak of his upcoming presentation on April 20th! Be sure to mark your calendars to join us! More information can be found at https://www.rodefshalom.org/jewish-history-series.

In the second episode of the "President Series," Matthew Falcone, the incoming President of Rodef Shalom Congregation, joins the podcast to talk about his own journey of nonprofit leadership, as well as what he hopes to accomplish for the Congregation during his time as President and some of the challenges on the horizon.

In the first episode of what I am calling the "President Series," current President of Rodef Shalom Karen Brean joins the podcast to reflect on her time in leading the Congregation through two major crises. Karen's term as President is up this summer, and she discusses some of her most proud moments, but also talks about some of the upcoming challenges facing Jewish Congregations in 2021.

Former President of Women of Reform Judaism, Lynn Magid Lazar, is this episodes mensch in a fascinating and engaging discussion around WRJ and their work in advocating for social justice and equality. Lynn opens up about some of the accomplishments of WRJ, but also discusses some of the challenges and how WRJ is continuing to advocate for Jewish and humanitarian issues. Lynn also highlight some upcoming events in March. For more information about Women of Reform Judaism, visit www.wrj.org.

A double-Mensch episode! A conversation with Tsipy Gur and Ellen Resnek from the organization, Classrooms Without Borders. We talk about the programming and mission of CWB, as well as some upcoming learning opportunities. For more information on CWB, be sure to visit www.classroomswithoutborders.org. 

Today's mensch is Adam Hertzman, who is the Director of Marketing for the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh. Topics include current programs offered through the Federation, challenges engaging with the Jewish community in 2021, and Adam's role as the individual in charge of Media Relations after the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018. 

Our first ever mensch to join us is Molly May, Cantorial Soloist at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA. Molly and I chat about her current enrollment in Rabbinical Seminary to become a Cantor, and how that is different than what she is currently doing. We talk about her decision to go back to school as an adult and how she's navigating this new path in the midst of a pandemic.

So, what exactly are we doing here? Who are you, and why are you doing this podcast?