Who said Jewish learning necessarily means sitting next to a table and reading from a big book in Hebrew or Aramaic? It might sound revolutionary, but you can study Torah, or at least engage in inspiring, thought provoking and refreshing Jewish content while working out, driving or working in your garden by listening to one of the many Jewish related podcasts available online. With the Global Day of Jewish Learning coming on Sunday, November 12, we thought this is the perfect opportunity to introduce the most refreshing, intelligent and innovative Jewish content podcasts we love. Be part of the learning from wherever you are or join us on campus for a thought-provoking talk by Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan.

JEWISH CULTURE & CONTENT

Judaism Unbound re-imagines and re-design Jewish life in America for the 21st Century. Synthesizes meaningful, engaging forms of 21st century Judaism and Jewish life by hosting Jewish innovators and thinkers for thought provoking conversations.

Office of Rabbi Sacks includes the audio lessons, lectures and speeches of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks who served as the Chief Rabbi of the UK.

Vox Tablet is the Tablet Magazine’s weekly podcast discussing Jewish life, politics and culture.

Unorthodox is Tablet magazine’s writers and special guests sound off on the latest headlines. Smart, fresh, fun weekly take on Jewish news and culture.

Too Jewish with Rabbi Sam Cohon & Friends is a lively and fast-paced show that highlights everything interesting in contemporary Jewish life and features music, arts, culture, comedy, and inspiration.

92Y Talks is a weekly podcast series features many of the fascinating people and conversations from the Manhattan 92^nd Y Cultural and Community Center, both recent as well as treasures from the past.

Treyf is a “debatably Jewish podcast.” Sam Bick and David Zinman reflect on the political discussions that are happening (and not happening) in North American Jewish communities.

The Book of Life is a show about Jewish books, music, film and web, featuring interviews with those who create Jewish content.

ISRAEL

Israel Story tells modern tales from an ancient land—the kind of stories you’d share with a friend over a plate of hummus on a Friday afternoon (In the style of This American Life).

The Israel Hour plays Israeli music with relevance to Israel current events, the stories behind the songs and listeners’ requests.

OFJCC does not take responsibility for content but welcomes your suggestions.

As a child growing up in a traditional community in Israel, I looked forward this time of the year. Every year when the month of Elul arrived, I would wake up early in the morning to the sound of the shofar (ram’s horn). In traditional Jewish communities, the custom of getting up early, hearing the shofar and praying are central to the month of Elul, the month preceding the High Holidays that mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year. In Jewish tradition, the month of Elul is dedicated to spiritual preparation for the High Holidays through self-reflection and self-improvement.

As an adult, I no longer wake up early in the morning to hear the shofar blasts during Elul. It’s all too easy to miss out on taking the time to pause, look back on the year that is about to end and think about what I’d like for the year to come. The special prayers for this time of the year are called Selichot, which literally means “forgiveness.” Traditional services are dedicated to soul searching and asking for forgiveness from G-d.

With Jewish practice at the OFJCC, we don’t just follow tradition; we embrace innovation and evolution. And although the traditional custom of Selichot focuses on the relationship between man and G-d, we’re also encouraged to focus on the relationships with those around us. Whether or not G-d is not a part of your spiritual life, you can transform the traditional Selichot ritual into one of reflection on your relationships with others and asking for forgiveness if they have been mistreated or hurt. It may also be a good time to forgive yourself for areas where you feel you have been too critical and take some time to care for yourself.

Join us during this time for personal reflection and spiritual preparation for the New Year.

A meaningful way to prepare for the new year and begin a better year is to follow the Jewish value of focusing on others, completing tikkun olam (social change) and making ourselves and the world better.

To get the most out of this special time of the year, I invite you to join us for Elul at the OFJCC, a rich program of lectures and workshops that help us reflect, get into the spirit of the holidays and simply take a moment for ourselves. We’ll have innovative musicians, a “text and texture” ceramics class, a taste of Mussar and more. Nourish Café will be offering Rosh Hashanah-inspired foods, the yoga room will have quote cards with inspiring words and there will be a “cave of silence” for these who wish to breathe, meditate and pause for a moment out of our busy lives.

As a child in Israel, I woke up early every morning during Elul to hear the shofar’s call. As an adult, I no longer do this. While our ways of observing this time of year may change throughout our lives, I believe that the clarion call for personal reflection, engagement and self-care can still be part of our Elul ritual.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Elul month and a wonderful new year.