Advertise on podcast: The Kehillah RVA Podcast

Regretfully the audio from this recording was messed up. We chose to publish it anyway, because this interview is just too fun. If you'd like to help us, we could really use someone who likes audio and video production. Volunteer by emailing [email protected] -- free tickets to events for your help! Meet the Rabbi's Kid! Javon is Rabbi Patrick and Rebbetzin Stefanie's son, who joined the family at age sixteen. He talks about what it's like to be adopted into a rabbinical family (no big deal), his favorite Jewish holiday (because who doesn't like pretending to be Pharaoh?) and how new people at Kehillah can find themselves and building friendships. Javon talks about his work for a variety of nonprofit organizations across the US, his upcoming work at Camp Dream, and his goals for the future (trade school > law school). You can meet Javon at Kehillah events in Midlothian. Find something you'd like to go to here: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/ You can also check out Rabbi & Son, the podcast with Javon and Rabbi Patrick (not affiliated with this podcast). Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Take a journey through the inner world of your soul and the outer world of the earth. Welcome to Tu Bishvat -- an obscure holiday made living through kabbalistic teaching. In this episode, Rabbi Patrick guides you through one (of many) approaches to Tu Bishvat, and asks important questions about how the skills we have learned to survive may not be the skills we need to thrive. And yes, there is fruit and nuts, too. We end on the question of the earth and Judaism: what if instead of synagogue, nature is your sanctuary? Rebbe Nachman agrees and offers you a special prayer. Join us for our Church Hill's first Tu Bishvat Seder: https://kehillahrva.org/tu-bishvat-seder-at-kavaclub/ Big thanks to Second Arrow for the space: https://kehillahrva.org/our-locations-jewish-life-in-richmond-va/ Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

From Ashton’s experiences working with children with special needs and navigating higher education, to Nick’s path through mechanics, military service, and spiritual reflection, explore with our Kehillah friends in this podcast takeover how their backgrounds, passions, and personalities shape the way they approach life. Along the way, they reflect on leadership, responsibility, and integrity—asking how confidence and humility coexist, how trust is built, and how personal growth happens through challenges. The conversation is honest, relatable, and sprinkled with humor, giving listeners a window into who Ashton and Nick are, what drives them, and how their experiences inform their values today. Also in this podcast: The Rabbi Makes You Dinner & Breakfast! Join us for some Shabbat events in MidlothianShabbat at Pam's in Three Chopt/Henrico. Coolest house ever!Do you wish this podcast was video? Do you have content ideas? People we need to interview? Let us know AND support the podcastAnd drumroll please ... We're excited to announce our new CHURCH HILL community, based out of Second Arrow. Think coffee shop meets healing space meets physical therapy and yoga. We're THRILLED about the opportunity to be here. Big thanks to Dr. Leah Johnson and her team for granting us this incredible venue for worship, learning and friendship. Our first event is Tu Bishvat Seder, an earth-based, mystical Jewish experience you don't want to miss. Take a spiritual journey as we connect our inner journey with our outer worldEnjoy a plant based dinner (mostly gluten free, too)Wine pairings (with non-alcoholic options courtesy of Point 5) served throughoutA Kehillah Tu Bishvat Seder Haggadah to take home and so much moreRSVP at KehillahRVA.org -- and enjoy our first event at Second Arrow. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Are you tired of being forced to "pick a side"? In a world that feels increasingly polarized—Red vs. Blue, Us vs. Them—we often feel trapped in a binary that doesn’t actually fit our reality. In this episode of the Kehillah RVA podcast, we explore the life-changing power of believing that when two things are true at once, a third way is needed. 🧵 The "Third Way" of Thinking Drawing on the wisdom of Jewish legends and Carl Jung, we dive into why the "tension" between two opposites isn't something to avoid—it’s actually the birthplace of something new. Jung called it the "transcendent function." We call it liberation. In this episode, we discuss: The Global & The Personal: How we navigate the complex narratives of Israel, Venezuela, and even our personal family life by accepting two competing realities are true at the same timeThe Love Paradox: Can someone love you deeply and still not love you the "right" way? Processing the complexity of our most formative relationships, rabbi gets super personal on this oneBreaking the Binary: Why choosing between "Mexican or Chinese food" might actually mean you should order IndianEscaping Tribalism: instead of choosing a side, confront what you are really trying to accomplish, and suddenly you'll notice it's OK for people to disagree with one another (and you)💡 Key Quote: "The confrontation of two positions generates a tension charged with energy and creates a living, third thing... a new level of being." — Carl Jung Listen now and learn how to stop arguing and start living in the "Third Way." It's the rabbi's birthday! Rabbi Patrick turned 43. Care to give $43 to support Kehillah? You know what to do: https://kehillahrva.org/donate/ Upcoming Events Shabbat Dinner and Service at the Rabbi’s: Friday, January 23 Shabbat Dinner at Pam's (Henrico/Three Chopt): Friday, January 30Shabbat MorningTorah Study at the Rabbi's: Saturday, January 31RSVP: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/ #KehillahRVA #Kehillah #TwoThingsCanBeTrue #CarlJung #Mindfulness #Tribalism #LetThem #PodcastLife #RichmondVA #RVA #JewishRVA Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

In this podcast, we challenge both the Americanized “Hanukkah as Jewish Christmas” approach and the backlash against it...Because Hanukkah’s story is far more complicated than either side admits. Hanukkah is ultimately a blend of civil war memory, Temple rededication, rabbinic theology, and ancient seasonal tradition. That mix is what makes it meaningful. So while we respect concerns about “Christmas-ifying” Hanukkah, we also accept that living in America means cultural blending. As long as we keep the story and rituals alive, we say: enjoy the aesthetics, light the menorah, and Hanukkah Sameach. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

If Seinfeld was a show about nothing, then this episode is a podcast about nothing. That's because in this episode of the Kehillah RVA podcast, we get to listen in on a an unedited conversation between Rabbi Elisha Paul, Head of School at RTA - Richmond Hebrew Day School and Rabbi Patrick Beaulier from Kehillah. The conversation goes into every kind of topic -- from demographic shifts in Israel to the Jewish landscape in Richmond, what it means to be religiously observant (or not), the challenges that come with building community that's all over the map and more. This isn't an interview. It's friendship. And it's fun. If you enjoyed this episode, we hope you'll get to know Rudlin and consider giving a donation to support their work. Big thanks to Rabbi Paul, Rivka Skaist and everyone at RTA for making this episode possible.  Note that this was filmed on location, so there are some unfortunate audio issues. We hope that this further drives home the authenticity and sincerity of this podcast. If you'd like to see us improve the production value of the Kehillah RVA podcast, we won't say no to new equipment -- so drop us a donation and we'll get to work on getting some discounted gear during the holiday shopping season. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Want some dad advice from Rabbi Patrick on dating Jewish in Richmond, VA? Well...you're getting it!  In this episode, Rabbi Patrick takes the collective observations of Kehillah's singles and offers up spiritual wisdom around places having energies, about Jewish matchmaking, love, companionship, and finding a sense of home where you are and who you are with.  Upcoming Events: Latke Making with Brittney: Tuesday, December 9Shabbat Dinner & Service: Friday, December 12Shabbat Morning Torah Study: Saturday, December 13Hanukkah at Art Factory: Saturday, December 20RSVP: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/ FREE TICKETS: https://kehillahrva.org/kehillah-cares/ Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Get to know Kehillah member Shawn Harris as we discuss the life of a creative person, her big moves from the west back to Richmond, the power of imagination, storytelling and world building. Learn more about her project Bizarro Torah: https://bizarrotorah.wordpress.com/ This is part of a series of interviews with Kehillah members including Lori Levy and her parents, Arianna Rose, and Rebbetzin Stefanie. Want to be interviewed? Send us fan mail. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Get to know Kehillah member Arianna who you've likely seen around, but have not had a chance to chat with one-on-one. In this episode we discuss growing up as a teen in West Virginia, her move to RVA, a shared love of music, and what it's like for her as a neurodivergent person (and what she needs your brutal help with). Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Tired? Burned out? We get it. Kehillah is perfect for you. This episode starts with talking about tents and biblical translations, introversion, the crisis of people flaking out on plans, and tells a private story about Rabbi Patrick being cordially un-invited to something (and it was HIS FAULT!) Join us as we explore being a congregation who's tired...and made for each other. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Across America, more and more people are asking the same question: What’s the point? Faith has faded, connection feels shallow, and the old ways of belonging don’t seem to fit anymore. But in the Jewish tradition, a crisis is never the end — it’s a birth. So let's get into it. === UPCOMING EVENTS Rebbetzin’s Jewish Prayer Bootcamp (Midlothian): Thursday, November 6 @ 6PMShabbat Dinner and Service at Ellen and Ross’s (Short Pump): Friday, November 7 @ 6PMBagels + Torah Study at Rabbi’s (Midlothian): Saturday, November 8 @ 10AMRSVP HERE: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Alright RVA, we need space for Shabbat on December 12 (dinner) and 13 (morning Torah study). Got a living room? We've got the rest! Reach out to [email protected] SUPPORT THE PODCAST We need your support to make this (and other) episodes happen. Donation link below. $5 makes a huge difference. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Meet Kehillah members Sandra and Benjamin, otherwise known as Lori Levy’s parents In this episode, we’ll hear from the eighty-plus year old couple about everything from chicken soup to civil rights, the Black and Jewish experiences in the south and more. Recorded a few days before Rosh Hashanah. Want to be on the Kehillah RVA podcast? It’s not hard! Reach out to [email protected]. About Sandra and Benjamin Sandra Ungar was born in 1940 in Wilkes-Barre,  PA to orthodox Hungarian immigrant parents.  She pursued her degree in education at Wilkes College.  Born in 1937 in WestChester, NY, Benjamin Levy grew up in Scranton, PA. He attended the University of Scranton and Fordham University where he earned his Master's degree in History.  Sandra and Benjamin married in 1961 and had two daughters, Lori and Devorah.  Sandra was an innovative, enthusiastic 4th grade teacher for 28 years in Fairfax County, VA. She has always been a wonderful cook and has a knack for writing funny poems.  Benjamin Levy spent the first part of his career as a teacher and then a Park Ranger with the National Park Service. He continued his NPS career in Washington DC and was promoted to the role of Senior historian and worked in the Historical Landmark's division. He worked for NPS for 36 years and was afforded many travel opportunities while he researched historical places.  Sandra continues to be a wonderful mother and kind hearted soul who looks for opportunities to help others and make them feel welcome. Benjamin remains the smartest and kindest man Lori knows and continues to thirst for knowledge but is not afraid to be goofy and laugh heartily.   Volunteer Opportunities We're looking for homes to host Shabbat dinner and Shabbat morning torah study. All you have to do is provide the space -- we do the rest! Dates are November 8, December 12 and 13. Reach out to [email protected]. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Recovering from Yom Kippur with this kavanah (intention) to Make Judaism Weird Again! Because we can’t just hand people bagels and lox and expect commitment. A few requests: We need Metro RVA homes for Home Hosted Shabbat. If you have some space November 7 in the evening or November 8 in the morning, we’d appreciate the locationIf you’re interested in adult education, reach out to [email protected] to help create those opportunitiesIf you’d like to see us record on a more regular schedule, consider supporting us. Until then, you get what you get.And of course, Chag Sameach! Happy Sukkot. Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

What is the point of a synagogue? A few words for Rosh Hashanah. Event tickets: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/ Free tickets & support: https://kehillahrva.org/kehillah-cares/ Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. Difficult times lead us to ask: what is God and why do bad things happen? In this two part podcast, Rabbi Patrick gives us some ideas from Jewish tradition about the nature of the Divine. In part one, we talk about the many, varied and unusual ways God is understood to exist in this world. In part two, we get into the hard stuff: what would God want from us, and why do bad things happen? Readings/sources for this podcast found on Sefaria: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/156492?lang=bi If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out to Kehillah Cares: https://kehillahrva.org/kehillah-cares/ Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show Support the show 🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org 💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate 📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.