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Turkey, Tombstones, and Black Friday

Pull up a chair and pour yourself a drink. Ben, Jill, and Jeremy dive into the joys (and chaos) of the holiday—think turkey, traditions, and an obligatory debate: is Black Friday shopping still worth it, or has it gone the way of the fax machine?

But that’s not all—Ben shares some of his most memorable cemetery stories and as always, we wrap up with our Shonda of the Week—a little gossip to keep things lively.

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Jumping into Genesis! This week, Rabbi Saroken, Ben Kreshtool, and Cantor Emily Ellentuck explore Chayei Sarah, diving into its timeless lessons.

This week’s Torah portion reflects on the profound responsibility of caring for our loved ones, even after death. Sarah's passing serves as a reminder that we are all links in a greater chain, preserving the stories and lives of those who came before us.

Don’t miss this meaningful discussion on the weekly Torah portion!

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Rabbi Dana Saroken discusses the three ways we can help foster a love and connection to Judaism for our children and grandchildren.

In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Saroken's full sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.

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This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re mixing up more than just kiddush cups! Rabbi Saroken joins us as we continue our debate from last week about burnt bagels and well done pizza.

Rabbi Saroken shares her unique connection with airports and we play a quick game of Jewish cemetery trivia.

Meanwhile, Emily rolls in with our brand-new Kidz Kart—a game-changer for families attending Shabbat services. Hear how this mobile treasure trove of fun is making visits to our synagogue even more engaging for our youngest members.

Tune in for laughs and so much more!

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Kvetch & Co is back for Season 2 on the Beth El Podcast Network. We jump right into things with these four fabulous moms recapping the highs (and kvetch-worthy lows) of the recent High Holy Days. But it doesn’t stop there! The mom’s take us through their adventures in everyday life, from debating the merits of Starbucks holiday drinks to the highs and lows of shopping with their husbands. And don’t miss the laugh-out-loud stories from their unforgettable trip to an alpaca farm—spoiler alert: alpacas don’t care about your personal space.

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"Judaism suggests to us in many ways that life is less about reaching a final destination than it is about experiencing the journey along the way..."

In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.

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Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network is back and better than ever! This week, Cantor Emily Ellentuck joins us to share her journey from the deserts of Arizona to the rolling hills of Maryland. From adjusting to Daylight Savings Time to marveling at the fall foliage, we cover it all. Plus, we debate the merits of pineapple on pizza and tackle the tragic saga of burnt bagels. And, of course, we reveal this week’s “Shonda of the Week.” Who made the list? Tune in to find out—it's the perfect way to wind down your Shabbat!

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Jumping into Genesis, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken delve into our weekly Torah portion, continuing this week with Lech Lecha.

Why did Abraham follow God's call to leave his home? How willing would you be to take a leap and go into the unknown? Tune in next week when we discuss Gomorrah - a city destroyed by fire or a Jerry Garcia song.