Live and Learn

In this Live and Learn series, Rabbi Shawn Zevit enters conversations with a number of Mishkan members. It enables us to learn Jewish perspectives on a variety of topics and know the personal journeys of members of our community. The conversations explore their work in the world as it relates to our core Statement of Principles, with a particular focus on themes of racial and climate justice. Here are selections from the 2020-2021 series.

Racial, Social and Climate Justice

Ellen Tichenor with Rabbi Shawn

A lifetime of Civil Rights and Human Development: Ellen Tichenor, Mishkan Shalom past-president, lifelong activist, organizational development practitioner for 25 years, member of an interracial family for more than 3 decades, peace and women's movements, who has helped many organizations work better and many people bring more of themselves to their work. Click here.

R Mordechai Liebling with Rabbi Shawn

We welcome a Mishkan founding member, friend and colleague in spiritual activism Rabbi Mordechai Liebling who shares his life journey towards a Jewish spiritually justice centered life. Discussion includes looking at Racism and anti-Jewish prejudice and their intersection, Israel-Palestine, balancing one's own tikkun and that of the world. Click here.

Ali Michaels with Rabbi Shawn

Whiteness and Unconscious Bias: Ali Michaels, Director and Co-Founder: Race Institute for K-12 Educators; Co-editor of the bestselling Everyday White People Confront Racial and Social Injustice. Click here.

Professor Seth Kreimer with Rabbi Shawn

Founding Mishkan Shalom member, law professor and constitutional and civil rights scholar discusses his life's journey and work, foundational elements of democracy and how Jewish law and values intersect with these in his experience. Click here.

Rabbi Julie Greenberg and Billy Linstead Goldsmith with Rabbi Shawn

Environmental Justice and Sustainability: This conversation is an exploration of ancient earth-based Jewish teachings and contemporary sustainability, Fair Trade and environmental justice teachings that address the interrelationship of economic, environmental, social, political and spiritual factors. Click here.

Mike Weilbacher (hosting) with Rabbi Shawn and other religious leaders

Saving the Ark: Religion and the Environment. Click here.

Graciela Slesaransky-Poe with Rabbi Shawn

Growing up as a Jew in Argentina, being part of a multi-racial family and raising multiracial children in these times, and the challenges to us doing the work of anti-racism as a Jewish community. Link Coming Soon.

David Love with Rabbi Shawn

Racism and anti-racism, systemic white supremacy and Jewish responses. Click here.

Eric Brunner with Rabbi Shawn

Growing up in the diversity of NW Philadelphia in the 60s and 70s and current responses and trends in Leadership and Diversity Training and Temple U and the city of Philadelphia. Click here.

Sarah Katz with Rabbi Shawn

Themes of law, multiracial partnership and raising children, individual prejudice and systemic racism and more! Click here.

Anndee Hochman, writer, activist, with Rabbi Shawn

Jewish concepts of telling, speaking and communicating stories. Click here.

Rabbi Micah Guerin Weiss with Rabbi Shawn

Reconstructing Judaism, Tikkun Olam commission speaking on Jewish approaches to justice. Click here.

Jewish Spiritual Life

Rabbi Shawn

The Jewish way in death and mourning with an exploration of ancient and contemporary approaches to and understandings of life and death including the six stages of mourning. Click here.

Rabbi Yael with Rabbi Shawn

The month of Elul and the coming High Holy Days. Click here.

Rabbi Shawn

Shmini Atzeret Simchat Torah: Exploring the journey from Yom Kippur through Sukkot into the end of the Festival. Includes special "appearance" from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Click here.

Rabbi Yael and Rabbi Shawn - Jewish Mystical Tu B'shevat Seder

As the moon becomes full in the Hebrew month of shevat, illuminating the winter landscape, we celebrate one of our four Jewish New Years: Tu b’shevat, the New Year dedicated to honoring the trees and the abundant gifts they offer with such generosity. (Link to come)

Mishkan Members with Rabbi Shawn

J-Pride LGBTQI Celebration Shabbat. Click here.