Recovering from Yom Kippur with this kavanah (intention) to Make Judaism Weird Again! Because we can’t just hand people bagels and lox and expect commitment.

A few requests:

• We need Metro RVA homes for Home Hosted Shabbat. If you have some space November 7 in the evening or November 8 in the morning, we’d appreciate the location
• If you’re interested in adult education, reach out to rabbi@rabbipatrick.com to help create those opportunities
• If you’d like to see us record on a more regular schedule, consider supporting us. Until then, you get what you get.

And of course, Chag Sameach! Happy Sukkot.

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What is the point of a synagogue? A few words for Rosh Hashanah.

Event tickets: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/

Free tickets & support: https://kehillahrva.org/kehillah-cares/

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Support the show

🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org
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This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners.

Difficult times lead us to ask: what is God and why do bad things happen?

In this two part podcast, Rabbi Patrick gives us some ideas from Jewish tradition about the nature of the Divine. In part one, we talk about the many, varied and unusual ways God is understood to exist in this world.

In part two, we get into the hard stuff: what would God want from us, and why do bad things happen?

Readings/sources for this podcast found on Sefaria: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/156492?lang=bi

If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out to Kehillah Cares: https://kehillahrva.org/kehillah-cares/

Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show

Support the show

🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org
💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate
📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva
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🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Difficult times lead us to ask: what is God and why do bad things happen?

In this two part podcast, Rabbi Patrick gives us some ideas from Jewish tradition about the nature of the Divine. In part one, we talk about the many, varied and unusual ways God is understood to exist in this world.

In part two, we get into the hard stuff: what would God want from us, and why do bad things happen?

Readings/sources for this podcast found on Sefaria: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/156492?lang=bi

If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out to Kehillah Cares: https://kehillahrva.org/kehillah-cares/

Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show

Support the show

🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org
💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate
📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva
📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva
🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Did you know 10% of congregants (of all religions in the USA) will LEAVE their community at some point? That's normal!

But if you are someone who left, and you feel that tug at your heart to come back, and you're not sure how -- then this podcast episode is for you.

YOU CAN COME BACK! Inspired by the story of Joseph and some practical wisdom about the weirdness, awkwardness and emotionally tricky nature of going-then-coming-back, this podcast episode hopes to make you feel comfortable returning to your Jewish community.

🍏🍎 HIGH HOLIDAYS SCHEDULE 🍏🍎

Services held at Commonwealth Autism unless noted:

• Rosh Hashanah Evening Service | Sept 22 - 6:30PM
• Rosh Hashanah Day Service | Sept 23 - 9:30AM
• HHD Shabbat Dinner at Rabbi’s | Sept 26 - 6PM
• Shabbat at VA Pridefest! | Sept 27 - Noon
• High Holidays Kids Event at Art Factory | Sept 28 - 5:30PM
• Kol Nidre Yom Kippur Evening Service | Oct 1 - 7PM
• Yom Kippur Day Service | Oct 2 - 10AM
• Yom Kippur Concluding Evening Service | Oct 2 - 6PM (Service followed by a catered breaking-of-the-fast meal)

🎓 Use coupon code KEHILLAH for free high holidays classes: https://tinyurl.com/hhdpodcast

🎬 High Holidays playlist so you can learn the prayers https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-FGkvtwGOynxf5aBdJ-r7AvLzg4SZwUS&si=etsMyF7GxqjNi8QJ

Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show

Support the show

🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org
💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate
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🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

Sneak preview of all our High Holidays events, details on free tickets and more.

TICKETS AT KEHILLAHRVA.ORG

• Rosh Hashanah Evening Service | Sept 22 - 6:30PM
• Rosh Hashanah Day Service | Sept 23 - 9:30AM
• Shabbat Shuvah Dinner at Rabbi’s | Sept 26 - 6PM
• Shabbat at VA Pridefest | Sept 27 - Noon-8PM
• High Holidays Kids Event at Art Factory | Sept 28 - 5:30PM
• Kol Nidre Evening Service | October 1 - 7PM
• Yom Kippur Day Service | Oct 2 - 10AM
• Yom Kippur Yizkor/Neilah Service & Break Fast | Oct 2 - 6PM

Thank you to Rebbetzin Stefanie (tefillah), Robin, Sophia, Matt, Austin and Avi (service leadership and support), Pam (food and beverage), Jessica (kids), and all our volunteers.

FREE TICKETS for volunteering. Just go to Kehillah Cares and fill out the form.

FREE ONLINE LEARNING! Use coupon code KEHILLAH for free downloads of some awesome High Holidays lessons.

Services held at the offices of Commonwealth Autism unless otherwise specified.

Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show

Support the show

🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org
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Live from the tiki room, it's Rebbetzin Stefanie! Stefanie discusses why she likes running a synagogue out of her house (although she wishes she had more Star Wars themed furniture), the value of community building, and shares some stories from the early days of dating Rabbi Patrick.

Get to know your rebbetzin with this very special episode.

QUESTION: are you more of a Halloween or Thanksgiving person? Make sure to answer the questions using Fan Mail! Stefanie wants to know.

DONATIONS: we could use them! This podcast only exists if you make it happen. Give a gift to support episodes like this, and we'll do a shout out on the next episode.

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Support the show

🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org
💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate
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🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” is one of the most famous verses in the Torah. But what if your neighbor drives you crazy? What if you disagree about politics, values — or even reality?

In this episode, Rabbi Patrick explores what the Torah actually means by “love,” drawing on Leviticus 19, teachings from Rabbi Akiva, and wisdom from Pirkei Avot. You’ll learn how ancient Jewish values—like honoring others, subduing the ego, and treating the stranger as equal—can guide us through the fractured relationships of our time.

We also get practical: using Jedi-level communication tools like mirroring, labeling, and active listening, you’ll discover how to talk to people you don’t understand (or maybe even like) with curiosity instead of contempt.

💬 Whether you’re struggling with family tension, community division, or just trying to be a little more mensch-y, this episode gives you tools to do the work of loving your neighbor—starting with listening.

Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show

Support the show

🕯️ Learn more about Kehillah: kehillahrva.org
💛 Support Kehillah: kehillahrva.org/donate
📲 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva
📘 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva
🔁 Share this episode with a friend and help build something sacred together.