On October 7, the Cohens hid in their bomb shelter with their two young sons in their home in Kibbutz K’far Aza for nearly 30 hours. They quieted their older son, Adam, by watching 'Cocomelon' on his iPad. Eleven-year-old TBJ member Cody Braverman, who voices the main character on the show, was able connect with Adam, which is what brings the Cohens to TBJ on January 5, 2024. This is their harrowing story of survival against all odds. Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director ..read more

Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz reflects on the impact of his experience viewing the harrowing footage of the attacks on October 7th and how we all parse out our different views on the conflict as it unfolds. Originally broadcast December 19th, 2023. Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director ..read more

Rabbi Leah Sternberg explores the concept of machloket l'shem shamayim, arguments for the sake of heaven, as it pertains to the present conflict in Israel/Gaza. Cantor Lucy Fishbein sings a classic Israeli folk song, Ani V'atah - Me & You - which expresses how it is our responsibility to work together to create the change we wish to see in the world. Music & Lyrics by Arik Einstein Originally broadcast November 10th, 2023 @ 5:23pm Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director ..read more

Rabbi Matt Gewirtz reports back after a very powerful trip to Israel in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. Cantor Lucy Fishbein sings a heart wrenching peace of music - Rikmah Enoshit Achat (We are one human tapestry) by Moti Hammer - to honor the fallen in Israel. Originally broadcast November 3rd, 2023 Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director ..read more

The first in our Israel series: Rabbi Perolman reflects on the aftermath of October 7th and how the world immediately changed. She asks the question "what do we do now??" and gives us some tools to start searching for the answer. Sermon originally aired Friday October 27th, 2023 at TBJ. For more information, visit us at TBJ.org. Produced by Matt Turk, Music Director ..read more

In this weeks installment of Kol Jeshurun, Rabbi Gewirtz has a roundtable discussion with four congregational lay leaders who have been at the helm of TBJ's Synagogue Board during times of communal and national crisis. Using this weeks Torah portion, Parshat Yitro, as a framework, Rabbi Gewirtz discusses what leadership means during times of acute crisis and how we move forward with wisdom and healing. Transcription available: https://images.shulcloud.com/3262/uploads/Episode4LeadershipinTimesofCrisisTranscript.pdf Featuring: Charles Dreifus (President 1988-90) Richard Zucker (President 2001-2 ..read more

On this edition of Kol Jeshurun, Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein and Matthew J. Turk share American folk songs from Shabbat Services on January 8th, 2021. Listen as Cantor Fishbein shares thoughts on the ways in which music frames our experiences, prayers and identity. This Land is Your Land (Woody Guthrie) If I Had a Hammer (Lee Hays and Pete Seeger) America the Beautiful (Katherine Lee Bates, Samuel A. Ward) Oseh Shalom (Nurit Hirsch) Produced by Lucy B. Fishbein & Matthew J. Turk Theme music composed by Matthew J. Turk ..read more

Congregational friend Jill Goldstein shares her heart breaking 9.11 loss, her healing renewal in newfound love, and all in the context of her relationship with God and her Jewish faith ..read more

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Music Director Matt Turk sits down with legendary Cantor Jeffrey Klepper to discuss how Cantor Klepper, Rabbi Daniel Friedlander and Debbie Friedman “torpedoed" Reform Judaism, Jazz legend Arnie Lawrence, Rabbi Chaim Stern’s importance and bringing guitar to liturgical music. Episode 2 of 2 ..read more

With humility, grace and courage, TBJ’s Julie Cohn shares her family's recent experiences with Covid-19 ..read more