Moral Courage: From the Study of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis

This week, we're joined by Rabbi Joshua Hoffman, President and CEO of Academy for Jewish Religion California (AJRCA). Rabbi Hoffman has deep roots in the Los Angeles community. He is the current President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and previously served as a rabbi at Congregation Valley Beth Shalom in Encino from 2003-2021. He was a colleague, friend and student of Rabbi Schulweis and engages in lively conversation, reflecting on their special relationship.  

This week, we're joined by Janice Kamenir-Reznik—prominent figure in the Jewish and civic communities, known for her work as an activist, retired environmental attorney, and co-founder of Jews United for Democracy and Justice and Jewish World Watch. She co-founded Jewish World Watch (JWW) in 2004 with Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis (z"l), a non-profit dedicated to fighting genocide and mass atrocities globally

Join our host Rabbi Ari Averbach for a very special episode as we're joined by his friend, colleague and student of Rabbi Harold Schulweis, Rabbi Noah Farkas. Both Rabbi Farkas and Rabbi Averbach were mentored by Rabbi Schulweis, Rabbi Farkas during years as a member of the Clergy at Valley Beth Shalom, and Rabbi Averbach, who followed Rabbi Schulweis’ advice to become an ordained Rabbi and served as an intern at VBS during Rabbinical school. They discuss how they are guided by Rabbi Schulweis’ teachings in their current positions,Rabbi Noah Farkas currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles.  Prior to joining Federation, he served from 2008 to 2021 as a member of the Clergy at Valley Beth Shalom, the largest Jewish congregation in the San Fernando Valley, where he led successful innovations in synagogue life through social action, mental health, and next-generation spiritual initiatives, and was named by The Forward as one of America’s most inspiring rabbis,

Join our host Rabbi Ari Averbach we discuss the influence and poetry of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis with Cantor Jacqueline Rafii of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino California. 

Actress, author, producer, and podcaster Mayim Bialik joins the Moral Courage podcast and host Rabbi Ari Averbach for an intimate discussion.  Part 2 of 2

Actress, author, producer, and podcaster Mayim Bialik joins the Moral Courage podcast and host Rabbi Ari Averbach for an intimate discussion. We touch on her upbringing and start in the world of acting, as well as her Judaism and connection to the teachings of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis. Part 1 of 2

Benay Lappe, the founder of SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva joins Rabbi Ari Averbach for an interesting look into her background, Rabbinic journey and connection with Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis.

Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, an American Conservative rabbi. He is a Visiting Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law and Distinguished Professor of Jewish theology at the American Jewish University in California, author and a bio-ethicist. He describes his relationship with Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis (z”l) that began when he arrived in Southern California, and how Rabbi Schulweis’ teachings are relevant in this troubled world.  Moderated by Rabbi Ari Averbach, Senior Rabbi at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann is the founder of Mishkan Chicago, an independent spiritual community in Chicago whose mission is to lead people toward greater purpose, connection and inspiration through dynamic experiences of Jewish prayer, learning and community building.  She describes her path to becoming a Rabbi, the early influence of Rabbi Schulweis’ theology on her beliefs, and describes her goal of  leading  a diverse community that knows that Judaism is alive with Spirit, connection, spiritual and intellectual challenge, and moral awakening.  Moderated by Rabbi Ari Averbach, Senior Rabbi at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks, CA.

“Moral Courage” shares Jewish ideas and conversations —  inspired by the works of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis(z"l) — that make Jewish wisdom more accessible, inclusive and relevant to today’s complicated world. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Averbach.Rabbi Schulweis was a longtime pulpit rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, from 1970 until his passing in 2014, who made Judaism approachable and accessible.  He believed that humanity could do divine work in the world, trying to make it a better place. He was a cofounder of the anti-genocide program Jewish World Watch, and said that Jews have a moral responsibility to help those who are suffering, wherever they are. He was also  the founding Chair of  the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, recognizing Christians who saved Jews from the Holocaust.  His is a voice that we need now, as the world is fraught, in constant conflict, with suffering and irresponsibility both in abundance.