Episodios

  • The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-22-26

    The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-22-26
    Feb 22 2026
    Reverend A.R. Bernard and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik host New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to explore the intersection of spiritual faith and public service. The dialogue highlights how the traditions of Lent, Ramadan, and Yahrzeit serve as catalysts for moral reflection and a sense of communal responsibility, framing religion as a "North Star" for navigating social challenges. DiNapoli details his approach to fiscal oversight and the management of pension funds, emphasizing that his commitment to integrity and transparency is rooted in a religious rejection of pessimism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 m
  • Comp. Tom DiNapoli (D-NY) | 02-22-26

    Comp. Tom DiNapoli (D-NY) | 02-22-26
    Feb 22 2026
    New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli joins host Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard to discuss the intersection of faith, public service, and fiscal responsibility. The conversation begins with a reflection on religious traditions like Lent and the Jewish Yahrtzeit, emphasizing how spiritual discipline and the memory of loved ones should inspire a forward-looking sense of moral responsibility rather than mere ritual. DiNapoli argues that his Catholic upbringing provides a "North Star" of optimism, allowing him to reframe societal despair through a lens of hope while maintaining a commitment to integrity and bipartisanship in his political role. Transitioning to state affairs, the dialogue covers the challenges of the New York budget, where DiNapoli advocates for efficiency and vigilance against fraud to manage long-term deficits. He further explains the Comptroller’s duty to protect the pension fund’s stability against political pressures, framing his conservative investment strategy as a necessary safeguard for the retirement security of over a million public workers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 m
  • Dcn. Kevin McCormack | 02-15-26

    Dcn. Kevin McCormack | 02-15-26
    Feb 15 2026
    AR Bernard and Joseph Potsanik discuss the educational and financial crisis facing Catholic schools in Brooklyn, highlighted by the heartbreaking decision to close seven institutions due to dwindling enrollment. Deacon Kevin McCormack explains that these schools lack the city subsidies provided to public and charter counterparts, forcing parents to shoulder costs that the "system" fails to adequately support. To address this, the speakers advocate for a federal scholarship tax credit and urge New York’s governor to opt in, arguing that educational choice and competition are essential for institutional survival and the benefit of all students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 m
  • The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-15-26

    The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-15-26
    Feb 15 2026
    Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard host Deacon Kevin McCormack to discuss the financial and emotional crisis facing the Catholic school system in Brooklyn. The conversation highlights the heartbreaking closure of several local schools due to declining enrollment and a lack of public funding, prompting an urgent plea for New York to adopt federal scholarship tax credits. Beyond policy, the speakers reflect on their long history of interfaith dialogue, emphasizing that religious education provides a vital moral foundation and a sense of "mystery" that young people increasingly crave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 m
  • The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-08-26

    The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-08-26
    Feb 9 2026
    Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend AR Bernard explore the intersection of faith, community, and current events through the lens of Super Bowl Sunday. They begin by characterizing the sports holiday as a modern American Sabbath that fosters family unity, eventually transitioning into deeper discussions about combating anti-Semitism and the importance of understanding historical context in global conflicts. The speakers emphasize that education alone is insufficient for social harmony; instead, they advocate for a moral education and the necessity of communal support to bear the world's burdens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 m
  • Allan Abramson | 02-01-26

    Allan Abramson | 02-01-26
    Feb 1 2026
    Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. The discussion centers on the death of Alex Pretti, a licensed gun owner who was killed by ICE agents, and highlights the growing tension between civil liberties and militarized law enforcement. Abramson critiques the lack of transparency and inadequate training of federal personnel, contrasting their aggressive tactics with traditional police methods of de-escalation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 m
  • The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-01-26

    The Rev & The Rabbi | 02-01-26
    Feb 1 2026
    Hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a nuanced dialogue with criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis. The conversation centers on the death of Alex Frety, a licensed gun owner, utilizing his case to highlight the dangers of rushing to judgment before independent investigations are complete. Abramson emphasizes the critical need for de-escalation training and professional accountability, noting that modern law enforcement often lacks the rigorous preparation required for complex street encounters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 m
  • Dr. Georgette Bennett | 01-25-26

    Dr. Georgette Bennett | 01-25-26
    Jan 25 2026
    Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett regarding her extensive humanitarian career and her new book, Half Jew for Life. The conversation highlights Bennett’s work with the Multifaith Alliance, where she successfully bridged divides between Syrians and Israelis by providing massive amounts of medical and humanitarian aid to war victims. A central theme of the discussion is the dual nature of religion, exploring how sacred texts can be manipulated to justify violence or harnessed to inspire interreligious understanding and compassion for the stranger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 m