What does it mean to be Jewish in a world filled with suffering—especially when that suffering extends far beyond our own community?

In this Passover episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore one of Judaism’s most enduring tensions: the balance between particularism and universalism. As the Passover story reminds us, we are commanded to remember our own liberation—but also to empathize with the stranger, the vulnerable, and the oppressed.

This conversation comes to life through a powerful interview with David Weisberg, Executive Director of World Jewish Relief USA, and Maurice Helfgott, Chair of Trustees of World Jewish Relief. Together, they share how an organization rooted in Jewish history and values now serves both Jews and non-Jews across the globe—from war-torn Ukraine to refugee communities worldwide.

Their work raises urgent questions: Where should our attention—and our resources—go? How do we prioritize in a world of endless need? And can we truly care for others without first caring for our own?

At a time when the Jewish world itself is in pain, this episode challenges listeners to consider whether compassion is a limited resource—or a defining feature of Jewish identity. With moving personal stories, moral clarity, and a deep sense of purpose, this conversation invites us to rethink what it means to live out our values in real time.

World Jewish Relief, USA:

https://usa.worldjewishrelief.org/

David Weisberg and Maurice Helfgott:

https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/who-we-are/our-people/

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove:

https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove

https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove

Park Avenue Synagogue:
https://www.pasyn.org

https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#

Jon Frankel:

https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel

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