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Rabbi Hannah Ellenson speaks on a covenant that ties generations together. One that is defiant in the face of injustice with acts of moral courage. One where leadership is meeting God, trusting in moments both filled with fear and courage.

Naamah Kelman-Ezrachi is an American-born Israeli Reform rabbi who was named as Dean of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion campus in Jerusalem starting in July 2009. In 1992, Kelman made history as the first woman in Israel to become a rabbi when she received her rabbinic ordination. In this inspiring episode Rabbi Kelman’s sermon calls for a “divinity that is renewed and renewing,” filled with change and shared values. Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein sings Elana Arian’s “Lo Vashamayim Hi” with the TBJ band featuring Cantor Becky Mann. “It is not in Heaven”, referring to the Torah that is not distant and mysterious, is rather accessible and meaningful to humans on earth.

Dr. David Jefferson Jr. is the Director of the Center for Africana Studies at Kean University and a professor of religion and philosophy. An ordained minister and widely respected speaker, his work explores faith, culture, and social responsibility through multiple lenses. Listen to Dr. Jefferson's sermon about how it's good to be in the picture and how to stay in the picture. Emphasizing you are not forgotten, and your life is still in God's frame, you are asked to declare I'm still in the picture. Within the sacred frame of Shabbat, God's holy pause, we are all called to stay in the picture as one family. Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein sings Chava Mirel's "May We Find Peace" to conclude.

Rabbi Pesner preaches at TBJ about how to together create a world as it should be, one overflowing with social justice where love drives out hate and light drives out darkness. Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner serves as the director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and as senior vice president of the Union for Reform Judaism. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is an inspirational leader and tireless advocate for social justice. Rabbi Pesner is a visiting scholar at Harvard University, speaks regularly on college campuses, has trained students on all four campuses of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and gives speeches in interfaith and secular venues all over the world. Rabbi Pesner serves as a board member of the NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. He is a member of the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council for the Department of Homeland Security.

Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein explores the role of fire to welcome Shabbat, how to tend it, and how it can destroy. Fire is not one thing and is never neutral in Torah nor in our lives. It is in this tension of safety, danger, and calling with consequence that our tradition lives asking how to tend to the shared fire. Cantor Fishbein sings Yih'yu L'ratzon by Michelle Citrin accompanied by the TBJ Band.

Rabbi Karen Perolman's inspired sermon begins with Jonathan Larson's infamous rock musical quote: "The opposite of war isn't peace...it's Creation!" Originally aired March 28, 2025.

“Yatzah MiMitzrayim by Elana Arian and Noah Aronson” sung by Cantor Lucy Fishbein and Matt Turk. Original theme music by Matt Turk. As we approach the end of the Passover holiday, listen as Cantor Lucy Fishbein shares about the time honored Passover tradition that in every generation each of us should imagine that we ourselves experienced the exodus from Egypt.

Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman offers her reflections on Parshat Sh'lach Lecha and how we manage our fear during these unprecedented and uncertain times. Originally aired Erev Shabbat - June 20th, 2025

Rabbi Perolman reflects on how Judaism models that a loving relationship spurs us to action.

In a world overwhelmed by hardship and division, the story of Balaam reminds us that wisdom, holiness, and the power to bless can come from unexpected places—even outside our own community—and that by staying open and attentive, we can bring more goodness and peace into our lives and to our world. Rabbi Hannah Ellenson shares her thoughts about this week's Torah portion - Balak.

TBJ Alum and Coordinator of Chapter Engagement and Strategy at Israel Policy Forum, Rebecca Mandelbaum shares her profound insight on her trip to Auschwitz this spring, her work in Israel advocacy and conflict resolution, and how she holds on to hope during uncertain times. A bit about Rebecca: Rebecca Mandelbaum is IPF Atid Coordinator of Chapter Engagement and Strategy. She received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Judaic Studies from Brown University and her master’s degree in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Columbia University. Prior to joining IPF, Rebecca served as an intern at the Anti-Defamation League, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Principal Legal Advisor, the Jewish Distribution Committee, and a research assistant at the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution.

Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein tenderly leads "Tree of Life" by Nefesh Mountain while Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz shares of his most recent trip to Israel. Sermon: Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz Music & lyrics by Nefesh Mountain - sung by Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein & Matt Turk, Music Director Originally broadcast - Erev Shabbat 8/1/25 Theme Music & Production by Matt Turk

Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman proclaims 5786 here we come.

Mark Gerson is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and the co-founder and Chairman of United Hatzalah, the crowd-sourced network of volunteer medics that save people’s lives in the two minutes that separate life from death. On September 12, 2025, he joined us at TBJ to teach about his new book "God Was Right: How Modern Social Science Proves the Torah Is True."

Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz's Rosh Hashana Morning Sermon September 22nd, 2025 ~ 5786