Jewish Quest

82 - Pesach 1 with Professor Robert Harris

Robert A. Harris is professor of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages at The Jewish Theological Seminary, teaching courses in biblical literature and commentary, particularly medieval Jewish biblical exegesis. Dr. Harris is an expert in the history of medieval biblical exegesis. His most recent book is Rabbi Eliezer of Beaugency: Commentaries on Amos, Jonah (with Selections from Isaiah and Ezekiel).  TEAMS Commentary Series. Kalamazoo, MI:  Medieval Institute Publications, 2017. In 2004 he p...

81 - Tzav with Rabbi Sam Blustin

Rabbi Sam Blustin explores the inner meaning of sacrifices today.  While in Rabbinical School, Rabbi Sam Blustin created Shira B’dira, a traditional egalitarian prayer community where melody is used to uplift the prayer experience. The monthly minyan gathers 25-50 20 and 30 year olds for prayer and potluck dinner, and has reached over 500 young professionals in the four years since it began. Sam has also spent time as the Rosh Shira (head songleader) at Chizuk Amuno in Baltimore, Beth El S...

80 - Vayikra with Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffa

Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffat shares the innovations in the book of Vayikra and how we might read it for our times.  Adam Zagoria-Moffet is the rabbi of St. Albans Masorti Synagogue. He was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York where he also received an MA in Jewish Thought, studying the political philosophy of Rabbi Yehudah Ashlag (Ba’al haSulam). He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and has lived in Minnesota, New York, and Israel before moving to the UK. He co-edited the first...

79 - Vayakel-Pekudei with Dr Naomi Koltun-Fromm

Dr Naomi Koltun-Fromm discusses the differences between the Mishkan and the Temple.  Dr. Naomi Koltun-Fromm is Associate Professor of Religion in Haverford College. She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from Stanford. She is the author of Hermeneutics of Holiness: Ancient Jewish and Christian Notions of Sexuality and Religious Community.

78 - Ki Tissa with Dr Deena Grant

Dr Deena Grant explores the connection between the ark and the golden calf.  Dr. Grant values studying and teaching the Hebrew Bible from a historical-critical perspective and also as it is interpreted and lived out by faith communities. She is currently working on the concept of hate in the Hebrew Bible and has published a Divine Anger in the Hebrew Bible, which explores varying expressions of God’s anger across major biblical collections.

77 - Yitro with Rabbi Ronnie Tabick

Rabbi Roni Tabick asks why the Torah was given in the midst of a storm. Rabbi Roni Tabick is rabbi of New Stoke Newington Shul. He was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. With a Masters in Ancient Judaism, Rabbi Tabick specialises in Talmud, mysticism and Jewish Mythology, especially the Leviathan and other sea monsters

76 - Beshalach with Professor Joel Hecker

Professor Joel Hecker shares the mystical meanings of manna.  Prof. Joel Hecker is Professor of Jewish Mysticism at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He received his Ph.D. in Judaic Studies from New York University in 1996, and his rabbinic ordination and a M.A. in Jewish Philosophy from Yeshiva University in 1990. He is the author of Volumes 11 and (with Nathan Wolski) Volume 12 of The Zohar: Pritzker Edition and is the author of Mystical Bodies, Mystical Meals: Eating and Embodime...

74 - Bo with Rabbi Jan Uhrbach

Rabbi Jan Uhrbach is founding director of the Block / Kolker Center for Spiritual Arts. She brings a passion for prayer to the JTS community. Through her work as director of the Block / Kolker Center for Spiritual Arts, she has developed and overseen programs and discussions, as well as prayer services on Shabbat and festivals, for the JTS community and the general public. In addition to her role at JTS, Rabbi Uhrbach serves as the founding rabbi of the Conservative Synagogue of the Hampton...

73 - Va'era with Professor Gary Rendsburg

Professor Gary Rendsburg shares the importance of understanding the plagues in their Egyptian context. Professor Gary Rendsburg serves as the Blanche and Irving Laurie Professor of Jewish History in the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University. His Ph.D. and M.A. are from N.Y.U. Rendsburg is the author of seven books and about 190 articles and has been a regular contributor to Between The Lines. His most recent book is How the Bible Is Written.

72 - Shemot with Professor Carl Ehrlich

Professor Carl Ehrlich asks whether the Exodus is more history or legend.  Carl S. Ehrlich (Ph.D. Harvard ’91) is University Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel in the Departments of History and Humanities, and former Director of ths Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies at York University in Toronto.  Among  his areas of interest are synchronic, diachronic, and contextual approaches to the biblical text and Israelite civilization. His recent publications include t...

71 - Veyechi with Rabbi Daniel Nevins

Rabbi Daniel Nevins explores the legacies of Jacob and Joseph and shares an important overarching lesson from the book of Genesis.  Rabbi Danny Nevins is dedicated to exploring the sacred realm of Torah and its intersection with contemporary ethics, culture, and technology. Ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Rabbi Nevins was named Head of School of Golda Och Academy in 2021, dedicating himself to support the faculty and students in the creation of an outstanding and warm Jewish le...

70 - Vayigash with Simon Eder's own Contribibution

Simon Eder explores the way in which again and again Joseph connects the dots.

69 - Miketz with Professor Naomi Graetz

Professor Naomi Graetz discusses Asnath, the mysterious wife of Joseph. Naomi Graetz taught English at Ben Gurion University of the Negev for 35 years. She is the author of Unlocking the Garden: A Feminist Jewish Look at the Bible, Midrash and God (Piscataway NJ: Gorgias Press, 2005), The Rabbi’s Wife Plays at Murder (Beersheva: Shiluv Press, 2004), S/He Created Them: Feminist Retellings of Biblical Stories (Professional Press, 1993; second edition Gorgias Press, 2003), and Silence is Deadl...

68 - Special Edition - with Professor Julian Zelizer on Heschel

Abraham Joshua Heschel was perhaps the most influential figure in Jewish thought over the last century. Born in 1907, he grew up in Warsaw amongst Polish Hasidim and indeed was descended Rabbinic luminaries on both sides. He was though perhaps always happiest at the nexus between the sacred and the secular. Heschel studied philosophy and Biblical criticism in Berlin before becoming a pivotal figure in America, where he galvanized the Jewish and non-Jewish world alike on issues of social just...

67 Vayeishev with Rabbi Shimon Felix

Rabbi Shimon Felix discusses some of the key themes that we encounter in the Joseph story and shares their relevance for today.  Rabbi Shimon Felix is the Executive Director Emeritus of the program. He was born in New York, and has lived in Jerusalem since 1973. Rabbi Felix has been associated with The Bronfman Fellowship since 1991. He received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Hamivtar, where he served as educational director. Rabbi Felix has worked in a wide variety of educational pr...

66 - Vayishlach with Professor Naomi Graetz

Professor Naomi Graetz discusses the rape of Dinah in light of both favourable and negative views of welcoming outsiders into the tradition.  Naomi Graetz taught English at Ben Gurion University of the Negev for 35 years. She is the author of Unlocking the Garden: A Feminist Jewish Look at the Bible, Midrash and God (Piscataway NJ: Gorgias Press, 2005), The Rabbi’s Wife Plays at Murder (Beersheva: Shiluv Press, 2004), S/He Created Them: Feminist Retellings of Biblical Stories (Professional ...

65 - Vayeitzei with Rabbi Samuel Klein

Rabbi Samuel Klein discusses the parallels between Jacob's first encounter with Rachel and Marina Abromivic's performance at MOMA in 2010 entitled: ''The Artist is Present''. CLICK TO VIEW    Rabbi Samuel Klein is Director of Jewish Engagement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. Samuel was Chief Jewish Officer of the Jewish Community Center San Francisco and Executive Director of the Bronfman Jewish Education Centre, Montreal. He holds Masters degrees in Theology from Cambridge U...

64 - Abraham Special with Anthony Julius

Anthony Julius deconstructs the character of Abraham and hints at the unique challenge that he poses to our own Jewish identity today.  Anthony Julius holds the chair in Law and Arts at UCL and is also the Deputy Chair of Mishcon de Reya. His publications include T. S. Eliot, Anti-Semitism and Literary Form and Trials of the Diaspora A History of Anti-Semitism in England. 

62 - Chayei Sarah with Prof. Rabbi Reuven Firestone

Reuven Firestone explores Avraham's reconciliation with Ishmael in the Jewish and Muslim traditions.  Prof. Rabbi Reuven Firestone is the Regenstein Professor in Medieval Judaism and Islam at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he earned his M.A. and his rabbinic ordination, while his Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic studies is from New York University. Firestone is the author of Journeys in Holy Lands: The Evolution of the Abraham Ishmael Legends in Islamic Exegesis (SU...

63 - Toldot with Christine Hendrickson Garaway

61 - Veyera with Dr Rabbi Tzemah Yoreh

Dr Rabbi Tzemah Yoreh asks whether Isaac is really Abraham's son and argues that he was in fact sacrificed.  Rabbi Dr. Tzemah Yoreh, leader of The City Congregation, is one the intellectual leaders of Jewish humanism. He has been a student of the Bible since his earliest days, winning the Diaspora Division of the International Bible Contest in childhood. He attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he obtained his Ph.D. in biblical criticism in record time. He earned a second Ph.D....

60 - Lech Lecha with Professor Christoph Levin

Professor Christoph Levin argues that the character of Abraham prefigures key elements of the Exodus narrative.  Professor Christoph Levin is Professor (Emeritus) of Old Testament at the University of Munich. He received his Ph.D. and Dr.habil. from Goettingen university, as well as a honorary degree from Helsinki university. Two of his books have been translated into English, Re-reading the Scriptures: Essays on the Literary History of the Old Testament (2015), The Old Testament: A Brief I...

59 - Noah - with Professor Ronald Hendel

Professor Ronald Hendel explores the multiple meanings of the Tower of Babel story and its relevance for today.  Professor Ronald Hendel is the Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University in Biblical History and Northwest Semitic Philology and is author of many articles and books, including recently The Book of Genesis: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books, Princeton: Princeton Un...

57 - V'zot Habracha - with Rav Professor Rachel Adelman

Prof Rav Rachel Adelman compares the blessings of Moses with those of Jacob in Genesis. Prof. Rav Rachel Adelman is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Boston’s Hebrew College. She holds a Ph.D. in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is the author of The Return of the Repressed: Pirqe de-Rabbi Eliezer and the Pseudepigrapha (Brill 2009) and The Female Ruse: Women’s Deception and Divine Sanction in the Hebrew Bible (Sheffield Phoenix, 2015). Prof Adelman is now ...

58 - Bereshit with Rabbi Zohar Atkins

Rabbi Zohar Atkins acts as the Defence Attorney for Cain and explains why the Cain and Abel story is far more complicated than we might first initially think.  Zohar Atkins is is the Founder of Etz Hasadeh, a Center for Existential Torah. He is a Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. He holds a DPhil in Theology from Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and semikha from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He received both an MA and BA...

56 - Ha'azinu with Prof. Jonathan Ben-Dov

56 - Ha'azinu with

Vayelech - with Dr Gili Kugler

Dr Gili Kugler asks whether the Exodus generation entered the land or died in the wilderness.  Dr. Gili Kugler is a Senior Lecturer of Biblical Studies in the University of Haifa. Until recently she was a lecturer in Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew at the University of Sydney. She holds a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and teaches and writes about topics such as chosenness in biblical theology, religion and politics in prophecy, and biblical narratives and mythology in...

54 - Vayelech - with Dr Gili Kugler

Dr Gili Kugler asks whether the Exodus generation entered the land or died in the wilderness.  Dr. Gili Kugler is a Senior Lecturer of Biblical Studies in the University of Haifa. Until recently she was a lecturer in Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew at the University of Sydney. She holds a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and teaches and writes about topics such as chosenness in biblical theology, religion and politics in prophecy, and biblical narratives and mythology in...

55 - Vayelech - with Dr Gili Kugler

Dr Gili Kugler asks whether the Exodus generation entered the land or died in the wilderness.  Dr. Gili Kugler is a Senior Lecturer of Biblical Studies in the University of Haifa. Until recently she was a lecturer in Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew at the University of Sydney. She holds a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and teaches and writes about topics such as chosenness in biblical theology, religion and politics in prophecy, and biblical narratives and mythology in...

54 - Netzavim with Dr. Rabbi Michael Marmur

Dr. Rabbi Michael Marmur is Associate Professor of Jewish Theology at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Hebrew University and a B.A. from Oxford. He is the author of Abraham Joshua Heschel and the Sources of Wonder, and his most recent publication is American Jewish Thought Since 1934: Writings on Identity, Engagement and Belief, co-edited with David Ellenson (Brandeis 2020).

53 - Ki Tavo with Zvi Koenigsberg

Zvi Koenigsberg shares just what and where the Gilgal is.  Zvi Koenigsberg is the author of The Lost Temple of Israel. He spent almost a decade studying archaeology and the Bible under the informal mentorship of the late president of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Professor Benjamin Mazar, who excavated the Western Wall. Koenigsberg worked with Professor Adam Zertal of Haifa University at the Mount Ebal excavations, which are the subject of this book.

52 - Selichot with Chazan Jaclyn Chernett

Chazan Jaclyn Chernett explores the meaning of Selichot and shares some of the wonderful melodies for the High Holy Days ahead! Chazan Jaclyn Chernett is a founder member of Kol Nefesh Masorti, as well as a founder of Masorti Judaism in the UK, and the first woman in the UK to be ordained as a Chazan. A love of Jewish teaching and its expression through the music of the liturgy has been Jacky’s passion over many years, and led her on an inspiring Jewish journey of learning and teaching. She...

51 - Ki Tetzei with Dr Kristine Henriksen Garroway

Kristine Henriksen Garroway was appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Bible at the HUC-JIR's Skirball Campus in Los Angeles in 2011. She received her doctorate in Hebrew Bible and Cognate Studies at the HUC-JIR/Cincinnati in 2009. She has spent time studying and researching in Israel and has participated in excavations at Ashkelon, Tel Dor, and Tel Dan.Garroway’s scholarship focuses on children using archaeology and texts of ancient Israel and Mesopotamia. She has published in various sc...

51 - Ki Tetzei with Dr Ktistine Henriksen Garroway

Kristine Henriksen Garroway was appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Bible at the HUC-JIR's Skirball Campus in Los Angeles in 2011. She received her doctorate in Hebrew Bible and Cognate Studies at the HUC-JIR/Cincinnati in 2009. She has spent time studying and researching in Israel and has participated in excavations at Ashkelon, Tel Dor, and Tel Dan.Garroway’s scholarship focuses on children using archaeology and texts of ancient Israel and Mesopotamia. She has published in various sc...

50 - Shoftim with Professor Mark Leuchter

Professor Mark Leuchter’s field of research is ancient Judaism. His work includes the study of mythology in ancient Israel and Second Temple Judaism, the phenomenon of prophecy in the ancient near east, the formation of the Hebrew Bible, and the history of the Israelite priesthood. He earned his PhD from the University of Toronto in 2003 and currently serves as director of Jewish Studies. He has previously served as coordinator of Biblical Studies at University of Sydney (Australia) and Visi...

49 - Re'eh with Zvi Koenigsberg

Zvi Koenigsberg shares what light archaeology can cast when seeking to understand the whereabouts of ''The place that God will choose.''(Deut 12:5) Zvi Koenigsberg is the author of The Lost Temple of Israel. He spent almost a decade studying archaeology and the Bible under the informal mentorship of the late president of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Professor Benjamin Mazar, who excavated the Western Wall. Koenigsberg worked with Professor Adam Zertal of Haifa University at the Mount...

48 - Ekev with Professor Gary Rendsburg

Professor Gary Rendsburg discusses God's central promise of rain, grain and grass which lies at the heart of the second paragraph of the Shema.  Professor Gary Rendsburg serves as the Blanche and Irving Laurie Professor of Jewish History in the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University. His Ph.D. and M.A. are from N.Y.U. Rendsburg is the author of seven books and about 190 articles; his most recent book is How the Bible Is Written.

47 - Va'etchanan with Rabbi Daniel Zucker

Rabbi Daniel Zucker asks in what way is God One? He also explores how interpretation of the opening line of the Shema has changed throughout the ages? Rabbi Daniel M. Zucker, D.D. is the rabbi of Temple Hatikvah (Flanders, NJ) and President and CEO of Americans for Democracy in the Middle-East. He holds an M.A. in Hebrew Letters, a Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) from JTS, and rabbinic ordination from HUC-JIR. A sampling of Zucker’s many articles on the Middle-East can be found on his bl...

46 - Devarim with Rabbi Shoshanah Cohen

Rabbi Shoshana Cohen uncovers some of the key trends towards secularisation that we encounter with the Deuteronomist authors and find throughout the Book of Devarim. Rabbi Shoshana Cohen is SHI Senior Faculty and Director of Campus Engagement for the Hevruta Gap-Year Program. In this role she serves as a faculty member, teacher, and mentor for North American gap-year students studying in Israel, prepares them for Jewish life in college, and supports them after they return to their campuses ...

45 - Mattot-Masei with Rabbi Bradley Artson

Rabbi Bradley Artson discusses the role of intention in creating new reality that both Mattot and Massei speak to in a number of important ways.  Rabbi Bradley Artson is one of the leading voices in Conservative Judaism. Author, speaker, and the occupant of the Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, California, where he is Vice-President. He is also Dean of the Zacharias Frankel College at the Unive...

44 - Pinchas with Professor Shawna Dolansky

Professor Shawna Dolansky takes an historical-geographical approach to the daughters of Zelophehad.  Professor Dolansky is Associate Professor of Religion and Humanities at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Canada. She specialises in Biblical Studies, with a focus on the history and religions of Israel and the ancient Near East and the development of the Hebrew Bible.  Her research incorporates the tools of literary criticism, comparative religion, historical study, anthropology, archaeology,...

43 - with Professor Rabbi Joshua Garroway

Professor Rabbi Joshua Garroway discusses Balaam as the prototypical Gentile seducer.  Professor Rabbi Joshua Garroway is the Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professor of Judaeo-Christian Studies at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles. He holds a Ph.D. from the Religious Studies Department at Yale and ordination from HUC-JIR in Cincinnati. He is the author of, The Beginning of the Gospel: Paul, Philippi, and the Origins of Christianity.

with Rabbi Dr. David Frankel

Professor Rabbi David Frankel shares his novel thesis that interwoven into the Merivah story are the missing opening verses of the non-Priestly spies story.  Professor Rabbi David Frankel is Associate Professor of Bible at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, where he teaches M.A. and rabbinical students. He did his Ph.D. at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the direction of Prof. Moshe Weinfeld, and is the author or The Murmuring Stories of the Priestly School (VT...

42 - with Rabbi Dr. David Frankel

Professor Rabbi David Frankel shares his novel thesis that interwoven into the Merivah story are the missing opening verses of the non-Priestly spies story.  Professor Rabbi David Frankel is Associate Professor of Bible at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, where he teaches M.A. and rabbinical students. He did his Ph.D. at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the direction of Prof. Moshe Weinfeld, and is the author or The Murmuring Stories of the Priestly School (VT...

41 - Korach with Rabbi Dr. Elliot Cosgrove

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove explores the lessons of leadership that may be drawn from Korach.  Ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1999, Rabbi Cosgrove earned his PhD at the University of Chicago Divinity School. His dissertation on Rabbi Louis Jacobs, a leading Anglo-Jewish theologian of the 20th century, reflects his passion for the intersection of Jewish scholarship and faith. Rabbi Cosgrove is the author of twelve collections of selected sermons, In the Beginning (2009), An Everlas...

40 - Shelach wirh Dr Rachel Havrelock

Dr Rachel Havrelock shares a critical reading of the scout story. Dr. Rachel Havrelock is Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and English at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Rachel’s book, River Jordan: The Mythology of a Dividing Line combines biblical studies, literary and political theory, and the politics of interpretation. Rachel’s current book project, The Joshua Generation: Politics and the Promised Land, focuses on the structure and meaning of the book of Joshua and its in...

39 - Behalotecha with Rabbi Daniel Silverstein

Rabbi Daniel Silverstein explores Beha'alotcha from the lens of Chassidic Masters.  Rabbi Daniel Silverstein directs, and teaches through, an online learning platform called Applied Jewish Spirituality. He also teaches at the Romemu Yeshiva, the Conservative Yeshiva and My Jewish Learning.

38 - Naso with Simon Eder

Celebrating our 3,000th listenings, Simon Eder uncovers some of the many meanings behind the blessing perhaps more etched on the Jewish imagination - the Priestly Blessing!

37 - Bamidbar with Rabbi Zehavit Shalev