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.

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.

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.

Rabbi Hannah Ellenson explores what a meaningful Chanukah may be, inviting us to rededicate ourselves to open the gates of justice, holiness, and kindness wide for all who want to enter.

A TBJ Tradition of Homecoming Shabbat on Thanksgiving weekend features Zach Rosen and Jordyn Lipkin. Listen as they share what life is like now as Jewish students at Cornell University and the University of Maryland. Through their experience, we encounter a modern theater of anti-Semitism. Listen and discover their courage, hope, and strength. Elevating their Jewish identity on campus, while playing lacrosse on the international stage and making Aliyah, Zach Rosen and Jordyn Lipkin are nothing short of inspirational.

This episode is Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz's first sermon of an upcoming series on AI. Looking deeply into the the ethical, existential and spiritual puzzle brought by AI, Rabbi Gewirtz highlights the need for us, the creator of these machines and technology, to maintain our access to ourselves and the depths of our souls.

Rabbi Hannah Ellenson’s November 14, 2025 sermon calls for us to all celebrate life and bring a better reality into being. We are to be open to another side of the story that may have been hidden from our view.

We watch as brothers reunite against the odds being stacked against them in this refreshing account of the story of Isaac and Ishmael.

A service of memory and hope in the wake of October 7th as we mark the somber 2 year anniversary of that dark day with prayer and music.

Originally aired Erev Shabbat - October 10, 2025