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Moral Courage: From the Study of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Harold M. Schulweis Institute
“Moral Courage” shares Jewish ideas and conversations — inspired by the works of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis — that make Jewish wisdom more accessible, inclusive and relevant to today’s complicated world. Rabbi Schulweis was a longtime pulpit rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, from 1970 until his passing in 2014, who made Judaism approachable and accessible. He believed that humanity could do divine work in the world, trying to make it a better place. He was a cofounder of the anti-genocide program Jewish World Watch, and said that Jews have a moral responsibility to help those who are suffering, wherever they are. He was also the founding Chair of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, recognizing Christians who saved Jews from the Holocaust. His is a voice that we need now—to give us direction and hope, in an otherwise troubled time. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Averbach.
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- 1 weeks ago45 min
A Conversation with Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Senior Rabbi / Rabbi Emeritus (Formerly leading Shirat HaNefesh and Temple Shalom in Maryland)
In this episode of Moral Courage: From the Study of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, host Ari sits down with Rabbi Gerry Serotta—a veteran voice in civil rights, interfaith organizing, and progressive Jewish advocacy. Growing up in segregated Miami surrounded by a family deeply committed to social justice, Rabbi Serotta traces his journey from choosing the rabbinate over medical school to active involvement in the civil rights and anti-war movements.The discussion explores the early inspiration of figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Martin Luther King, the foundational concept of Tikkun Olam, navigating difficult conversations within congregations and campus communities, and the power of universalism through a Jewish lens. Rabbi Serotta also shares personal reflections on interfaith coalition building, overcoming the "sin of indifference," and maintaining the courage to stand up for core values.Show NotesKey Topics & Highlights:Formative Years & Roots in Activism: Growing up in segregated Miami Beach, early experiences with voter registration in Liberty City, and his mother's social justice leadership and creative Passover Haggadot.Choosing the Rabbinate: Choosing rabbinical school over medical school after being inspired by activist clergy, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Reverend William Sloan Coffin.Courage & Pastoral Balancing: Navigating pushback from congregations and sponsors, being fired after a youth anti-war Shabbat service, and why a good rabbi should "always have his bags packed."Evolution of Tikkun Olam: Rabbi Serotta's role in popularizing the concept of Tikkun Olam in the 1970s through New Jewish Agenda and its roots in classical Jewish values like Mipne Darchei Shalom.Interfaith Dialogue & Universalism: Lessons from decades of campus ministry and heading the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington; combating the "sin of indifference" (Lo Tochal Lehit'alem); and finding shared values across faiths.
- Jul 28, 202658 min
A Conversation with Rabbi Shai Held, American philosopher, theologian, author, and Bible scholar, co-founder, President, and Dean of the Hadar Institute.
Rabbi Ari Averbach hosts Rabbi Shai Held for a candid conversation on God, suffering, prayer, and love in Jewish life. Held shares how theology “chose him” through a childhood of cognitive dissonance (secular home, yeshiva schooling), why he teaches text-first, and how opening honest, adult conversations about faith can revive American Jewish spirituality. He contrasts predicate theology (“God as verb”) with a more traditional theism (“God in our response”) and explores what that means for prayer, action, and pastoral care.Diving into Psalms of lament—especially Psalm 77 and Psalm 44—Held shows how remembering the Exodus can both comfort and intensify pain, legitimizing protest as authentic piety. He discusses hospital rooms and funerals where humility matters: sometimes people need presence, sometimes theology. The aim is a richer Jewish vocabulary that invites curiosity across differences, whether between denominations or in interfaith dialogue.Major Publications & MediaJudaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (2024): His widely discussed book exploring the central role of divine and human love within Jewish theology and ethics.The Heart of Torah (2017): A two-volume collection of deep, ethically driven essays focused on the weekly Torah portions.Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence (2013): A critical study of the renowned 20th-century theologian's religious philosophy.Answers WithHeld: He hosts a podcast produced by the Hadar Institute, engaging with various theological and text-based topics. AccoladesCovenant Award: Recipient of the prestigious Covenant Foundation award for excellence in Jewish education.National Recognition: Repeatedly named one of America's 50 most influential rabbis by Newsweek and one of the world's 50 most prominent Jewish figures by the Jewish Daily Forward.
- Jun 26, 202647 min
A Conversation with Rabbi Denise L. Eger, Reform Rabbi, Author, and Executive coach
Rabbi Denise Eger joins Rabbi Ari Averbach to trace her 38‑year rabbinic journey from Memphis to the pulpit, and the hidden struggles of LGBTQ students in seminary. She recounts organizing secret support networks, her ordination in 1988, and serving as rabbi of Beth Chayim Chadashim during the height of the AIDS crisis—pastoring the sick, educating institutions, and building community care when mainstream support was absent.The conversation follows Eger’s leadership in changing Reform movement policy and practice around LGBTQ inclusion, including public visibility that helped shift Hebrew Union College and the Central Conference of American Rabbis toward nondiscrimination and support for same‑sex marriage. She reflects on Rabbi Harold Schulweis’s moral courage to learn and change, the importance of in‑reach (kiruv) to welcome Jews who feel excluded, and the long work of expanding Jewish belonging.Turning to today, Eger warns about cancel culture, virulent antisemitism, and online radicalization of youth, calling for sustained moral courage from clergy and lay leaders. She closes by honoring LGBTQ ancestors and celebrating Pride, sharing liturgy from her Mishkan Ga’ava collection that remembers those who fought and sacrificed so future generations could live openly and with dignity.LINKS:Morality Legality and Homosexuality — A Rosh Hashanah Sermon by Rabbi Harold M. SchulweisRosh Hashanah 5753, September 27, 1992TEXTAUDIOMishkan Ga'avah: Where Pride Dwells—A Celebration of LGBTQ Jewish Life and RitualEdited by Rabbi Denise L. EgerForeword by Loren Ostrow
- Jun 10, 20261h 5m
A Conversation with Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills
Rabbi Laura Geller joins Rabbi Ari Averbach to reflect on a 50‑year rabbinical journey shaped by civil‑rights activism, feminist awakening, and deep engagement with Jewish ritual. Rabbi Geller traces formative moments—from a kibbutz stay and student organizing at Brown to becoming part of the first generation of women rabbis—that led her to insist that “there is no important moment in the lifetime of a Jew for which there is no blessing.” She recounts creating new rituals, reimagining liturgy with gender‑inclusive language, and the classroom experiences that helped forge her approach to tradition and change.The conversation explores practical responses to midlife and aging: a synagogue listening campaign that birthed HiVillageLA and the Synagogue Village Network, her books Getting Good at Getting Older and Moments That Matter, and innovative home‑sharing covenants with rabbinical students to combat loneliness and mentor the next generation. Laura also honors Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis’s influence—especially his emphasis on training lay leaders and building empowered communities—and describes how those lessons continue to shape contemporary Jewish life.Rabbi Geller closes with spiritual practices that sustain her work, including Jewish meditation through the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and the ongoing study of texts that integrate prayer and social justice. She offers a blessing from Moments That Matter about endings as beginnings and invites listeners to notice, mark, and bless life’s transitions with wisdom, community, and grace.Websites referenced in our discussion:www.sefaria.orgwww.chaivillagela.orgsynagoguevillagenetwork.org
- Apr 24, 202645 min
A Conversation with Rabbi Becky Hoffman, Senior Rabbi, Temple Ahavat Shalom
Rabbi Becky Hoffman offers a candid look at how the rabbinate has transformed in the age of AI, social media, and shifting expectations. Tracing her path from a Bat Mitzvah blessing to leading a congregation through turbulent times, she explores embracing technology, entrepreneurship, and personal branding while preserving the deeply relational heart of spiritual leadership. From COVID’s disruptions to the rise of the entrepreneurial rabbi, she shows how tools like ChatGPT are reshaping sermons, pastoral care, and community engagement.Rabbi Becky shares practical strategies for balancing accessibility with healthy boundaries—think cell phone ownership, redefining the rabbi’s spouse role, and building multiple income streams. With an emphasis on self-awareness, longevity, and legacy, she highlights mentorship, community, and passing on values as the true measures of success. Ideal for rabbis, Jewish educators, and anyone navigating rapid change, this conversation delivers clear lessons in resilience, innovation, and staying true to core purpose in a digital age.
- Mar 25, 202651 min
A Conversation with Sarah Hurwitz, author and speechwriter
In this conversation, Ari Averbach and Sarah Hurwitz explore the complexities of Jewish identity, the rediscovery of Judaism, and the importance of community and education in navigating modern challenges. They discuss the evolution of Jewish thought, the role of text and study, and the impact of anti-Semitism on Jewish identity. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of Judaism beyond cultural stereotypes and the significance of solidarity within the Jewish community. Sarah Hurwitz is a speechwriter and author, best known for her role as the head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama (2010–2017) and a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama. After a decade in the White House, she pivoted to writing and speaking about Judaism and contemporary Jewish identity.
- Feb 27, 202645 min
A Conversation with Jonah Sanderson, hospice chaplain and Jewish educator
In this engaging conversation, Ari Averbach speaks with Jonah Sanderson, a hospice chaplain and Jewish educator, about the profound impact of Rabbi Harold Shulweis on their lives and work. Jonah reflects on how Shulweis's teachings have shaped his approach to helping individuals navigate the end of life, emphasizing the importance of legacy and ethical wills. He shares personal anecdotes about his experiences as a caregiver for his grandmother and how these moments inspired him to pursue a career in hospice chaplaincy, focusing on the significance of storytelling and self-reflection during life's final stages.LINKS: Schulweis Poems cited during the discussion; both available via the Harold M. Schulweis website www.hmsi.info.Embrace Me Whole: https://hmsi.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/embrace-me-whole.pdfHolding On and Letting Go: https://hmsi.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/124-holding-on-and-letting-go.pdf
- Feb 12, 202644 min
A Conversation with Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO of MAZON
In this conversation, Rabbi Ari Averbach and Abby J. Leibman discuss the themes of moral courage, social justice, and the mission of MAZON, a Jewish response to hunger. Abby shares her journey into advocacy, the importance of policy change, and the role of the Jewish community in addressing hunger. They reflect on the legacy of Rabbi Schulweis and the concept of Tikkun Olam, emphasizing the responsibility individuals have to pursue justice and repair the world. We also hear directly from Rabbi Schulweis via an excerpt from the sermon “Does God have a Conscious”, given on Kol Nidre in 1993.Topics include:The Philosophy of MAZON Ms. Leibman explains that MAZON (the Hebrew word for "food" or "sustenance") operates on the principle that hunger is not a result of a lack of food, but a failure of policy. While charity and food banks provide immediate relief, they are "band-aids" that do not solve the underlying causes. MAZON focuses on long-term systemic change through political advocacy and legislative reform.Challenging the "Invisible" Hunger A major theme of the conversation is the populations that are often overlooked by traditional anti-hunger programs:Military Families: Ms. Leibman highlights the startling reality that many active-duty junior-enlisted military families rely on food pantries. This is often due to low pay scales and a "loophole" that counted housing allowances as income, which disqualified many families from SNAP (food stamps).Veterans: She discusses the high rates of food insecurity among veterans, particularly those transitioning back to civilian life or dealing with service-related disabilities.Single Mothers & LGBTQ+ Individuals: The podcast touches on how systemic barriers and discrimination exacerbate poverty in these communities.The Role of Faith and Moral Courage As a Jewish organization, MAZON’s work is rooted in the values of Tzedakah (justice/charity). Ms. Leibman emphasizes that fighting hunger is a moral obligation. She advocates for "moral courage"—the willingness to speak truth to power and challenge government structures that allow millions of Americans, including children and seniors, to go hungry in one of the wealthiest nations on earth.Policy as the Primary Solution Ms. Leibman argues that the government is the only entity with the scale and resources to truly end hunger. She highlights the importance of:Strengthening and protecting SNAP benefits.Ensuring universal school meals to remove the stigma and logistical barriers for hungry children.Reforming military pay and benefits to ensure those serving the country can feed their own families.The episode concludes with a call for listeners to move beyond "checkbook charity" and become advocates. She urges people to contact their representatives and demand that hunger be treated as a priority issue in the Farm Bill and other federal budgets.Abby J. Leibman on Women, Food Insecurity and the Feminization of Poverty—This video features Abby Leibman discussing the unique challenges women face regarding food insecurity and the policy work needed to address the "feminization of poverty."
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About Moral Courage: From the Study of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis
“Moral Courage” shares Jewish ideas and conversations — inspired by the works of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis — that make Jewish wisdom more accessible, inclusive and relevant to today’s complicated world. Rabbi Schulweis was a longtime pulpit rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, from 1970 until his passing in 2014, who made Judaism approachable and accessible. He believed that humanity could do divine work in the world, trying to make it a better place. He was a cofounder of the anti-genocide program Jewish World Watch, and said that Jews have a moral responsibility to help those who are suffering, wherever they are. He was also the founding Chair of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, recognizing Christians who saved Jews from the Holocaust. His is a voice that we need now—to give us direction and hope, in an otherwise troubled time. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Averbach.
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