Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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 favorit…

Send us a text 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: “Embarrassi…

Send us a text 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 wi…

Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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 snea…

Send us a text 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 choi…

Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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…

Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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 resta…

Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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?By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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.…

Send us a text 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 …

Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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?…

Send us a text This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parashat Pekudei as we reach the end of the Book of Exodus.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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!…

Send us a text 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.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text 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 ou…

Send us a text 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.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

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

Send us a text 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 wh…

Send us a text 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.…

Send us a text 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…

Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's and Ben Kreshtool's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 22, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re diving into the big questions—like why meteorologists get so much hate (seriously, they’re just trying to help), whether sushi cakes are a culinary masterpiece or a mistake, and how Ben survived his recent battle with the flu. Plus, we break down a recent controversial AI-generated video,…

Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 15, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text This week, Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Yitro as we continue through the Book of Exodus. From Jethro’s unexpected visit to the challenge of juggling personal and professional life. Plus, what’s the most important of the Ten Commandments? We’ve got thoughts. Oh, and yes, we’re talking about emojis. Join us this Satur…

Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Naomi Zaslow's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 8, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text This week, Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Beshalach as we continue through the Book of Exodus. From the splitting of the sea to the everyday struggles of parallel parking, we explore the tension between waiting for miracles and taking action in a chaotic world. How have your prayers changed since October 7? What value…

Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 1, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text NEW Podcast Alert - Havdalah Happy Hour on the Beth El Podcast Network! It’s finally here—the long-awaited Pizza Dipping Sauce Debate! Marinara, ranch, buffalo, or something more adventurous? The Havdalah Happy Hour crew is weighing in on the ultimate dipping sauce showdown. Will there be a consensus, or will this be the debate that …

Send us a text This week, Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Bo as we continue through the Book of Exodus. Locusts, darkness, and more—this portion is packed with drama! But beyond the plagues, we’re reminded of something deeper: No one gets left behind. We take care of each other because everyone matters. Resilience isn’t built overnig…

Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Naomi Zaslow's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (January 25, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text Remember when you could call a phone number to get the weather or the exact time? We reminisce about those simpler days while diving into some unexpected weather stories, like cold and snow in places where it never snows. We’ll also discuss how Shabbat start times affect our routines and our lives—because, let’s face it, trying to sq…

Send us a text This week Rabbis Schwartz and Saroken dive into Parashat Va'era from the Book of Exodus. Join us as we explore the first plagues, Moses' courage in confronting Pharaoh, and how history shapes our resilience during tough times.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (January 18, 2025) During her weekly, Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Dana Saroken shared her recent experience in Israel. Rabbi Saroken served as a mentor in a fellowship that brought together rabbinical students from Re…

Send us a text This week on Havdalah Happy Hour, things get a little... suspicious. Emily recounts a strange phone call from the FBI? We dive into the world of scams—how they’ve evolved and why they’re so convincing. Also, home phones: who still has one, and are they making a retro comeback or just holding on for dear life? Plus, we reflect on how …

Send us a text Get to know Paul Cooper and his family as we learn about Alex Cooper Auctioneers and their four generations of leadership in our community. This is the centennial year for this thriving family business that has a long-time connection to the Beth El community.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text Rabbi Steven Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (January 11, 2025)By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text The moms are back! Amanda, Lacey, Jill, and Risa return from winter break with stories galore. Plus, a special guest joins the conversation. Tune in as the Kvetch & Co. squad kicks off the new year in true mom fashion.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text After a brief winter hiatus, Ben, Jill, Jeremy and Emily return to the mic with plenty to share! In this episode, we recap our winter vacations, swapping stories about air travel, adventure, and everything in between. We also dig into the aftermath of the recent snowstorm that blanketed Baltimore – from shoveling struggles to snow da…

Send us a text Don't miss this week's discussion on Parashat Vayechi with Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool. Together, they’ll explore the powerful conclusion of the Book of Genesis. Tune in and join the conversation!By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text In case you missed it or want to share, here is our Clergy Talk from this past Shabbat at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Send us a text Ben, Jill and Emily are back for another episode. Esti is filling in for Jeremy who is away for his winter break in Florida! We do the great latke tasting, or more accurate, latke TOPPING tasting and talk about our favorite flavors! And of course, there are new Shondas to talk about this week.…

Send us a text This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken explore Parashat Vayeshev, offering valuable insights into human nature, sibling rivalry and reminding us of the importance of personal growth and resilience.By Beth El Congregation of Baltimore