The Beth El Podcast Network

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

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Havdalah Happy Hour – Beth El Podcast Network Join hosts Ben Kreshtool, Jill Suffel, and Emily Ellentuck for a festive Havdalah Happy Hour brimming with holiday spirit. This week’s conversation celebrates all things Hanukkah, from favorite sufganyot flavors to the excitement of the first candle tomorrow night. 

They also share laughs about the ups and downs of Black Friday shopping and slow shipping, along with plenty of special shout-outs—listen closely for your name and join the conversation in the comments.

The trio takes a moment to appreci...

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In case you missed it or watned to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (December 6, 2025)

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This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, Ben, Jill, and Emily pour a fresh round of conversation and dive into everything people have been buzzing about.

We take time to reflect on Thanksgiving and the joy of family traditions, while also swapping stories about Black Friday shopping and the best deals of the season—listeners are invited to share their own finds. The conversation then turns to the world of musicals, from Wicked and Rent to The Wizard of Oz and & Juliet, with plenty of favorite songs and stage memories along the wa...

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Ben Kreshtool's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (November 29, 2025) 

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This week, we’re switching things up with a special Wednesday edition of Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network. As we get ready for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, join us for a fun conversation filled with laughter and a touch of Havdalah-style wisdom to carry into your long weekend.

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Join two of Beth El’s longest-serving leaders—Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Dr. Eyal Bor —whose combined tenure approaches a full century—for an evening filled with laughter, reflection, and treasured memories. 

Tune in as they share captivating stories from Beth El’s past and present.

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"At the end of the day, we're all just looking for a place of belonging and a place that we can call home." In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's sermon from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

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This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, Ben, Jill, and Emily pour a fresh round of conversation and dive into everything people have been buzzing about.

We take a moment to reflect on a shift at Beth El as the hostage boards came down this week—sharing what the transition has meant for the community and for each of us personally.

We also look back at the iconic (and questionable) wardrobes of the COVID-19 era and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we discuss our favorite holiday dishes. And of co...

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In this special episode of Kvetch & Co., our favorite moms return from their unforgettable trip to Israel and share all the stories from their time away. 

Join us as they reflect on what it meant to be there, what surprised them, and how the experience is still resonating now that they’re home.

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Devotion, Faith and Commitment. In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Abe Friedman's sermon from this past Shabbat morning at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. 

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College campuses today offer clubs for just about every interest—dance, debate, improv, gaming, environmental action, and even some that sound so unusual you’re not entirely sure what they do. But sometimes, amid all the sign-ups and student activities fairs, something much deeper is happening beneath the surface.

During her Friday evening Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Dana Saroken shares a conversation she recently had with the parent of a college student who explained that their child had joined a “Shabbat Club”… only to learn that there was no club at all. The studen...

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 Havdalah Happy Hour: Back Together Again! This week Jill Suffel, Cantor Emily Ellentuck, and Ben Kreshtol reunite in person fresh from Israel! After missing each other so much they even showed up matching, the crew dives into travel plans and airport shenanigans, debates who’s team warm weather (and who definitely isn’t), and shares the joy of being back together.

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (November 8, 2025) 

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🎙️ Havdalah Happy Hour: From Falafel to Forecasts 

This week, Jill Suffel and Cantor Emily Ellentuck are joined by Ben Kreshtol calling in from Israel! We dish on delicious Israeli eats, celebrate the return of good vibes, and unpack the shifting seasons—both meteorological and political. Plus, we dream big about a Beth El staff trip to Israel. Tune in for warmth, wisdom, and a little wanderlust.

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Abe Friedman's Shabbat Sermon, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. ( November 1, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. ( October 25, 2025)

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My Story: Meet Matt Levinson

In case you missed it, Dr. Eyal Bor had a fascinating conversation with Matt Levinson of Sol Levinson & Bros. — a multigenerational family business that has served our community for decades. Hear Matt share stories about his family’s legacy and his connections to Beth El Congregation.

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🎙️ Season 3 is here—and your favorite Havdalah crew is back in action! From sun-soaked summer highlights to heartfelt reflections on the return of hostages, from High Holiday memories to the buzz around this year’s brand-new programs… we’re diving deep and lifting spirits.  Don’t miss the Shonda (and Blessing) of the Week—because this season? It’s soulful, surprising, and seriously unmissable.

Buckle up. We’re just getting started.

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Abe Friedman's Shabbat Sermon, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. ( October 18, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share,  Rabbi Abe Friedman's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (October 4, 2025)

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 "People will remember if you showed up for them - if you were there for the big things, they'll remember it. They'll remember it even more when you're there for the small things. Showing up makes memories and those memories last beyond you through the generations of your family."

In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz's sermon from Yom Kippur. 

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"If your hope was challenged this year, which moments were the defining ones for you? I am convinced and I thank God every morning that the most precious gift in the world is to be a Jew and to the Jewish people hope is mandatory."

In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's sermon from Yom Kippur. 

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (September 27, 2025)

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Rabbi Abe Friedman's Rosh Hashanah Day 2 sermon encourages us to slow down and look around us. It's a new year and it's an invitation to find new possibilities and new perspectives.  

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Rabbi Steven Schwartz’s final Rosh Hashanah sermon as Senior Rabbi of Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. We invite you to listen, reflect, and join us in honoring his decades of leadership and inspiration to our community.

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Rabbi Dana Saroken's Rosh Hashanah sermon explores what it means to live proudly as a Jew in today’s world. Together, we must learn our history, embrace our heritage, speak up as ambassadors for our people, and build bridges with those who don’t yet know our story. 

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Abe Friedman's Shabbat Sermon, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (September 20, 2025)

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In this episode, Ora is joined by Rabbi Ben Shalva to delve into the radical transformative potential of prayer. Together, we will get lost in the Redwoods, jump into a lake, and open our hearts to new ways of being in conversation with God. We wonder: why is prayer sometimes so challenging? What is uniquely Jewish about prayer? How can Elul and the High Holy Days open the gates to a whole new relationship with the Divine?

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Torah Talk with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, Rabbi Dana Saroken, and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (September 13, 2025)

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In this episode of the Soul Center's podcast, Ora and her guest Maury Garten, Director and Shareholder of the Law Firm Fedder and Garten discuss the difference between tzedakah and charity; what does it mean to give a “meaningful amount” and how might we determine how much tzedakah is the right amount for us. They’ll share their thoughts on pertinent Jewish text and leave us with 3 concrete suggestions to do this week to practice charity.

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steven Schwartz's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (September 6, 2025)

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Soul Center Pop-Up Podcast: Inward, Outward, Upward- Moving Through the High Holy Days with Soul 

Elul!!! It’s a countdown. It’s a pump-up. It’s the Jewish month before the High Holy Days. The month of Elul is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what really matters. 

Tune in each Sunday of the month of Elul as Ora, the Soul Center’s Resident Scholar, explores three powerful themes of this season: Repentance, Prayer, and Charity. Alongside Ora and her thought-provoking guests we’ll unpack th...

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Abe Friedman's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (August 30, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Director of Membership and Programming, Jill Suffel's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (August 23, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is the Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (August 16, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Cantor Emily Ellentuck's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (August 9, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Chief Advancement Officer and Development Director Amanda Beitman's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (August 2, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steven Schwartz's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (July 27, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (July 19, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Ritual Director Ben Kreshtol's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (July 12, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (June 28, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (June 21, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (June 14, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (June 7, 2025)

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As the sun sets on Season 2, your favorite Havdalah crew wraps things up with a sweet twist—an Oreo cookie taste test! From classic to questionable flavors, we put our taste buds to work and maybe start a cookie controversy or two. We also reflect on highlights from the season, share some laughs (and crumbs), and close things out with our final Shonda of the Week.

Thanks for being part of the ride—have a great summer, and we’ll see you in Season 3!

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (May 31, 2025)

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This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, we share stories from an incredible 36 hours of non-stop graduation festivities, recap our school’s epic trip to New York City and we preview the upcoming holiday of Shavuot—a celebration of Torah, cheesecake, and staying up way past your bedtime. 

Available now on the Beth El Podcast Network—wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congreagation in Baltimore. (May 24, 2025)

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This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parshat Behar-Bechukotai as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. 

We begin with a fun peek into Rabbi Schwartz’s hat collection, setting the stage for a deeper conversation about the spiritual themes of the week. We reflect on the Torah’s powerful reminder of the need to rest and renew our souls through Shabbat. We also delve into the core belief that our actions truly matter — and that striving to do good can shape our lives and the world around us.

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (May 17, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (May 10, 2025)

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This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool dive into Parshat Acharei-Kedoshim as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. 

 Rabbi Schwartz and Ben discuss the deeper meaning of holiness, personal responsibility, and how your actions ripple through your family and community. They also reflect on the themes of reward and punishment—and what it means to live a life of purpose.

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (May 3, 2025)

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This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, we're recapping the recent "Yoms"— and unpacking what they mean for us today. Then, in true Havdalah Happy Hour fashion, we veer wildly off course and find ourselves talking about the intersection of sports fandom and... prison rodeos? (Yes, really.) Finally, we wrap things up with everyone's favorite segment: Shonda of the Week—because someone, somewhere, always deserves a little light public shame.

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Our favorite moms are back to dive into the sticky, stylish, and sometimes cringeworthy chaos of everyday life. From parenting hacks that actually work (yes, really!) to a disastrous run-in with Gorilla Glue (spoiler: it wasn't on purpose), we’re sharing it all.

And let’s not forget the segment you didn’t know you needed: “Embarrassing Things Our Husbands Do (and Wear).” Tune in for fashion faux pas, awkward public moments, and the kind of love that survives even that shirt.

Kvetch & Co is back and better than ever!

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This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, we're recapping the recent "Yoms"— and unpacking what they mean for us today. Then, in true Havdalah Happy Hour fashion, we veer wildly off course and find ourselves talking about the intersection of sports fandom and... prison rodeos? (Yes, really.) Finally, we wrap things up with everyone's favorite segment: Shonda of the Week—because someone, somewhere, always deserves a little light public shame.

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This week, Rabbi Saroken and Ben Kreshtool dive into Parshat Tazria-Metzora as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. 

The good, the bad, the easy, and the hard—all of it is a gift from God and should never be taken for granted.

Judaism keeps an open door, grounded in the belief that people can change—and no matter the journey, they will always be welcomed back into our community.

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is the Shabbat Sermon with Rabbi Dana Saroken at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 26, 2025) 

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Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of something good, and unwind with this week’s Havdalah Happy Hour! Tonight we’re joined by Amanda from Kvetch & Co for a post-Shabbat conversation full of laughs. 

We kick things off with a (heated) debate: matzah pizza vs. regular pizza — which one reigns supreme? From there, we give you a sneak peek at this year’s biggest event: LIVE! From Beth El — and yes, The Fonz himself (Henry Winkler) will be in the building!

And as always, we wrap things up with our...

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This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Shemini as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. 

What sets the Jewish people apart from others? And more importantly—what does it mean to be holy in our everyday lives?

From the food we eat to the prayers we say, holiness isn’t a once-a-week event—it’s a daily choice. Ben and Cantor Emily explore how everyday actions can become sacred, why Judaism encourages us not to cancel out a mitzvah, and how we can bring intention...

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is this weeks Shabbat Sermon with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 19, 2025) 

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This week on The Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re joined by the one and only Ben Suffel! We kick things off with a very special feature: 90 seconds of frozen video thanks to a technical glitch. (Don't worry — we recover faster than Jeremy and Jill will be eating pizza after Passover ends.)

Once we’re back in action, we recap Passover. Tune in to hear our hot takes on Passover-themed TV episodes, our favorite Passover desserts (macaroons? flourless cake?), and we end with our Shonda of the Week segment.

Pull up a c...

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Torah Talk with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, Rabbi Dana Saroken, and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtol at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 12, 2025)

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This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parshat Tzav as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. 

Rituals offer us a sense of comfort and stability, reminding us that even in the midst of chaos, Shabbat arrives each week without fail. We also explore the joy of gift-giving, the power of kind words, take-home bags from restaurants, and the children’s classic Goodnight Moon.  

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 5, 2025)

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On this week’s Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re deep in the heart of Passover prep—cleaning, planning, and debating just how many boxes of matzah we really need. And of course, we wrap up with our Shonda of the Week—because what’s a good conversation without a little kvetching?

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This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Vayikra as we begin the Book of Leviticus.   

From barbecue to sacrifices and the weight of consequences, we dive into the deeper meanings behind these ancient practices. Plus, a reminder of the privilege we have in bringing mitzvot into our daily lives.

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The moms are back! This episode of Kvetch & Co. is all about surviving winter—because, honestly, it was a lot. We’re talking about navigating the flu (and every other ailment that made its way through our homes), recapping recent family travels (because traveling with kids is always an adventure), and even what happens when our pets get sick—because, of course, they do. 

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congreagation in Baltimore. (March 29, 2025)

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Havdalah Happy Hour is back on the Beth El Podcast Network! In this episode, we recap all the festive fun from Purim at Beth El Congregation — costumes, groggers, and maybe even a hamantaschen or two. Then, we look ahead to Passover, sharing our favorite treats and debating the age-old Passover question: Rice — kosher or not kosher? 

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This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parashat Pekudei as we reach the end of  the Book of Exodus. 

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 22, 2025)

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In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ben Kreshtol's Torah Talk at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 15, 2025) 

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This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parashat Ki Tisa as we journey through the Book of Exodus. 

Building community. Holding traditions. Finding forgiveness. What brings you through the door?

And speaking of big moments—Purim starts tonight! Can’t wait to celebrate with you at Beth El!

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During Friday night’s sermon, Rabbi Dana Saroken shared some very powerful insights from her time at the ADL’s “Never Is Now” Conference in NYC. 

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On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re diving into all things Purim with our special guest, Rachel Rudo! We’re talking hamantaschen, our favorite Disney movies (because every Purim spiel needs a little extra magic), and giving you an exclusive preview of Beth El’s upcoming Purim spiel. 

And, of course, we wrap it all up with our fan-favorite segment—Shonda of the Week! Tune in for laughs, a little schmoozing, and a whole lot of holiday spirit.

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This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool dive into Parashat Tetzaveh as we journey through the Book of Exodus. 

Do the clothes make the man? Are sequels to movies better than the original? We also discuss olive oil and cooking. Tune in. 

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​This Shabbat, we were joined by rabbinical intern, Bennett Decker to provide the Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 1, 2025)

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Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes warmer weather, longer days, and—of course—baseball season! This week, we’re diving into the joys (and occasional miseries) of springtime.

But wait—ever tried lamb, rabbit, or other “delicacies” that might make you hesitate? We’re breaking down some bold food choices and debating whether they're worth a bite—or best left off the plate.

Then, let’s talk about something truly unsettling: dolls. Some people love them, but let’s be honest—many of them are just plain creepy. Why...

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This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parashat Terumah as we journey through the Book of Exodus. 

Why does God need a place to dwell? And what’s up with dolphin skin in the desert? 

Plus, a bonus chat about menorah designs… and a dad joke that might need its own atonement.

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On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re going off-book—literally! We kick things off by discussing the art of davening without a siddur. Can you wing it? Are water bottles the new fad? From Stanley cups to emotional-support Hydro Flasks, we dive into the hydration craze.

Speaking of fads, we take a nostalgic detour to reminisce about our favorite childhood trends—slap bracelets, Tamagotchis, or something truly embarrassing? (No judgment… okay, maybe a little.)

Grab your favorite water bottle...