American Rabbi Project

Episode one focuses on Rabbi Dovie Shapiro and how he and his wife, Chaya, helped build a Jewish community in the small town of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Some came for the gold rush, others came for healing and many more have arrived in the last decade. Episode 2 focuses on the Jewish community of Denver, Colorado and Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald.

There are very few cities that are headquarters of major world religions. SLC is one of them. And Rabbi Sam Spector works at the biggest synagogue in town. 

A chat with Rabbi Darah Lerner in Bangor, Maine. Topics include the Reform movement, LGBTQ Judaism and the rights and privileges of being Jewish.    

In this special episode, rabbis weigh in on what the phrase 'Next Year in Jerusalem' means to them. 

There was a time when Jan Salzman thought she'd never step foot in a synagogue again. But now Rabbi Salzman heads a congregation in the heart of Burlington's "little Jerusalem". She found her way back through the Renewal movement ("Judaism's R and D department") and a desire to give people, herself included, a deeper Jewish education. 

Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett of the Granite State talks about teaching kids ethical philanthropy, the importance of patriotic criticism and the time he met Secretary Hillary Clinton at a town hall and asked her a question steeped in Jewish philosophy.  

Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman has written anthems, blocked construction sites and gotten arrested for the climate movement. In this episode, Friedman talks about the role Judaism plays in her work and how activism can be a form of prayer. 

Rabbi Gil Steinlauf was the first rabbi I interviewed after the Pittsburgh tragedy. He talked about his worries and hopes going forward. He also talked about his Torah study session with then President Barrack Obama, his strongly-worded letter to President Donald Trump, coming out as gay to his congregation and his plans to help more LGBTQ Jews own their identity in the Jewish community. 

The new year is here and season 2 is approaching! I'd like to take this time to ask for your support in helping this podcast reach its full potential.