Podcasts by The Straw Hat

The Final Interview from 2023-06-20T18:52:26

In this episode, Rabbi Wolkenfeld welcomes back to the podcast Rabbi Zachary Truboff—the Director of Rabbinic Education for the International Beit Din—who shares his insights into how Jewish div...

A Briefing on Israel with Joel Braunold from 2023-03-30T15:26:19

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld is joined by ASBI Member Joel Braunold, the managing director of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace, who shares his perspective of the ongoing turmoil...

Noach 5783: Willing to Engage Contradiction from 2022-10-27T15:56:40

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld is joined by Rabbi Zachary Truboff, to discuss his recently published book, “Torah Goes Forth From Zion: Essays on the Thought of Rav Kook and Rav Shagar”. Learn abou...

Korach 5782: Reproductive Technology&The Law from 2022-06-28T16:54:50

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld is joined by Dr. Rachel Weinerman, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility physician in Cleveland, Ohio. She explains her work, including the ways that helping h...

Bamidbar 5782: A Fond Farewell to Rabbanit Goldie from 2022-06-01T18:46:34

This week marks Rabbanit Goldie’s final episode of The Straw Hat as ASBI’s Director of Religious Engagement! She and Rabbi Wolkenfeld reflect on her time at ASBI – the unexpected joys and challe...

Emor 5782: Shabbat Mic Drop from 2022-05-12T16:23:43

This week we look forward to a wonderful opportunity to have Dr. Erica Brown visit ASBI! It will also be Rabbanit Goldie’s last drasha at ASBI and she and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss the pros and c...

Achrei Mot 5782: History&Modernity from 2022-04-28T17:49:16

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on Passover and Rabbanit Goldie shares her experience attending a Mimouna. They detail all the reasons to join us at our Annual Soiree on ...

Tazria 5782: A Community Seder from 2022-03-30T16:36:06

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie explain why everyone should join our second night Community Seder at shul and also share some of their own family seder traditions. They also offe...

Tzav 5782: Showing Up from 2022-03-16T16:45:28

This week, in addition to the excitement of Purim, it’s also a time of anxiety and sadness as we listen to the news out of Ukraine. Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie talk about the situation ...

Vayakhel 5782: Reptiles are Friends, Not Food from 2022-02-24T21:00

This week, we wish a hearty Mazal Tov to Rabbanit Goldie on her engagement and also share the bittersweet news that she will be leaving ASBI this summer. In light of a greater ability to gather ...

Tetzaveh 5782: You Never Have to Eat Hamentashen from 2022-02-09T15:14:48

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on Pastor Donovan Price’s visit to ASBI last Shabbat and the power of this show of solidarity as well how we, as an urban orthodox congreg...

Mishpatim 5782: Lost&Found from 2022-01-26T13:30:50

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie talk about our Mishnah Club program and share some of the Torah they have been learning—plus interview Mishnah Club participant and ASBI Member Sh...

Beshalach 5782: The Shabbat Dimension from 2022-01-12T20:06:10

Looking to this week’s Torah portion and Haftorah, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie talk about Devorah both as a person and as an example in halakhic literature. Rabbanit Goldie also gives a...

Vayechi 5782: Sanctifying Passage from 2021-12-15T16:33:49

In this episode, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie talk about some of the practical halachot covered in Masechet Megillah, which just began in Daf Yomi (and in particular, how it can be appli...

Vayishlach 5782: A Joyous Younger Generation from 2021-11-17T15:14:59

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on Masechet Rosh Hashanah, which was recently completed in Daf Yomi, and the many relevant topics it covers, including the laws and practi...

Toldot 5782: Beyond Shabbat Morning from 2021-11-03T16:39:55

The clocks are about to change and Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie explore some of the opportunities to engage in mitzvot in ways that are uniquely available during this time of year. In pa...

Vayera 5782: Part of the Same Conversation from 2021-10-20T11:57:51

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss some of the themes and interpretations of Parshat Vayera. They also talk about an idea that has come up in Daf Yomi of adding some of the ...

Devarim 5781: The Words of Moshe from 2021-07-15T14:54:51

In this episode, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss the unique perspective of Sefer Devarim, which begins this week. Rabbi Wolkenfeld also shares some of the insights from his Shabbat ...

Pinchas 5781: Boundless Generosity from 2021-06-30T17:11:47

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss the Three Weeks and explore how the messages of unity and coming together during this time can be at odds with the way we’ve been living d...

Korach 5781: Chosenness from 2021-06-09T13:02:20

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss Parshat Korach and explore the question of if every Jew is inherently holy or if holiness is the product of Mitzvot. They also discuss the...

Bamidbar 5781: The Definition of Antisemitism from 2021-05-12T19:57:33

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie share some Torah relating to our current moment as we begin to reopen and increase our in-person capacity on Shabbat. Rabbi Wolkenfeld also speaks...

Shmini 5781: 1 Mitzvah or 49 Mitzvot? from 2021-04-07T21:33:10

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on Pesach and look ahead to spring and the excitement of welcoming back more people in our community to davening. They also discuss Sefira...

Tzav 5781: Consciously Rebuilding from 2021-03-24T17:34:40

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss Pesach 5781 – some of the solutions to conundrums caused by Passover beginning on Shabbat and the exciting prospect of extending hospitali...

Vayakhel-Pekudei 5781: Light at the End of the Tunnel from 2021-03-10T14:02:43

Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie are back after a podcast hiatus! They reflect on the past year as this week marks the one-year anniversary of the shul shutting down at the beginning of the ...

Vayeshev 5781: Religious Freedom&Public Safety from 2020-12-09T14:24:14

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie share some of their different perspectives on the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah. Rabbi Wolkenfeld also speaks with Professor Avi Helfand, Professor...

Vayetzei 5781: Recognizing&Giving Thanks from 2020-11-25T15:23:09

This week Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie talk about the conclusion of Tractate Eruvim in Daf Yomi and the recent presentation about our eruv by ASBI Member Ann Levenson at Hadran’s Siyum M...

Chayei Sara 5781: Shaping the Culture from 2020-11-11T15:01:23

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on the legacy and impact of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, a”h, in the wake of his passing. They also examine a question that has recently ari...

Lech Lecha 5781: Touchstones from our Ancestors from 2020-10-28T14:39:50

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld shares the story of a package the shul recently received that held insights into our congregation’s history. He and Rabbanit Goldie also preview our upcoming Beit Mid...

Bereshit 5781: After the Chaggim from 2020-10-15T15:57:42

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie reflect on the highlights of this unusual High Holiday year at ASBI. They also discuss the concept of breira that has come up in Daf Yomi recently...

Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5780: Small Moments of Connection from 2020-09-11T10:08:42

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss this week’s double parsha and one of its themes – gathering together. They share some of the upcoming opportunities to gather together saf...

Ki Teitzei 5780: Mitigating Harm from 2020-08-28T12:14:24

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld and Rabbanit Goldie discuss Parshat Ki Teitzei, with a particular focus on Rashi’s commentary. They also look ahead to ASBI’s plans for the holidays and talk about so...

Re’eh 5780: Look Over Here! from 2020-08-13T15:33:16

This week, we welcome Rabbanit Goldie Guy to ASBI and to The Straw Hat! She and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss this week’s parsha, Parshat Re’eh, and also begin to look ahead to the High Holidays. Mu...

Vaetchanan 5780: A Farewell to Rabbanit Sarna from 2020-07-29T13:00:09

This week, we wish a fond farewell to Rabbanit Sarna, whose time at ASBI has come to an end. She offers reflections on her work at ASBI, what she loves about our community, and what she hopes fo...

Matot-Masei 5780: Striving for Moments of Community from 2020-07-15T16:42:51

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld talk about the challenges of welcoming newcomers to Lakeview this summer; the Three Weeks (and some things that may be a little different this year...

Chukat-Balak 5780: Brush Your Teeth Before Wearing Your Mask from 2020-07-01T14:19:51

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld welcomes Rabbanit Sarna back to The Straw Hat! They discuss the return of in-person Minyan at ASBI and what that looks like. They also speak briefly about this week's...

Nasso 5780: The Poetry of Torah from 2020-06-05T11:50:11

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld is joined by guest Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm who shares some of his memories and the legacy of his grandfather, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, a”h, including the art of the drasha a...

Bamidbar 5780: More Shavuot Than Ever from 2020-05-21T11:47:34

This week, Rabbi Wolkenfeld is joined by guest co-host Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier who shares some insights from his recent writing and teaching on coronavirus-related issues. They also look ahead ...

Emor 5780: A Shul Without Walls from 2020-05-06T11:01:39

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld reflect on what it means for the shul and the shul's mission when our community can't gather together in person. They discuss what effect this unpr...

Tazria-Metzora 5780: Tumah Happens from 2020-04-22T18:08:24

In this episode, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss this week's Parsha, Parshat Tazria-Metzora as well as the upcoming holidays of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut and offer suggestions ...

Pesach 5780: A Seder Bar Mitzvah from 2020-04-08T08:00

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss some of the Passover resources our s...

Vayikra 5780: Passover&Pandemic from 2020-03-25T17:28:03

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld talk about the ways the shul is adapting dur...

Ki Tisa 5780: Happy Birthday to Us! from 2020-03-11T17:08:03

This week, Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld discuss Masechet Shabbat, the tractate we’ve just begun in Daf Yomi. Next, they’re joined by Straw Hat producer Hayley Leventhal to celebrate The S...

The Straw Man: Purim 5780 from 2020-03-09T10:00

Join Rabbanit Sarna and Rabbi Wolkenfeld for a very special Purim episode of The Straw Man!

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