Rabbi Sharon Brous, Founder of IKAR and Author of the AMEN EFFECT: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World

Rabbi Sharon Brous, the founding rabbi of IKAR and author of THE AMEN EFFECT, delves into ancient Jewish rituals, the role of pain in human connections, and the transformative power of compassion and curiosity. Through heartfelt stories and profound insights, she explores the importance of staying engaged with those who challenge us and how communities can support each other in moments of deep sorrow and joy. The discussion also touches upon inclusivity in Jewish worship, dealing with vicarious trauma, navigating hard conversations such as differences over what's happening in Israel and the results of the U.S. election, and the significance of asking and truly listening to Malakh: "tell me about your heart."

00:52 Introducing Rabbi Sharon Brous

01:21 Exploring the Mishnah Middot

04:05 The Power of Ritual and Compassion

06:53 Personal Reflections on Sin and Mental Health

11:49 The Role of Community and Vulnerability

17:41 Balancing Leadership and Personal Burdens

24:22 Innovative Practices at IKAR

36:53 Challenges and Changes in Jewish Leadership

38:47 Navigating Differences in a Diverse Congregation

39:53 The Power of Curiosity and Compassion

47:05 The Importance of Staying at the Table

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea

ikar.org

We're on YouTube!

00:52 Introducing Rabbi Sharon Brous

01:21 Exploring the Mishnah Middot

04:05 The Power of Ritual and Compassion

06:53 Personal Reflections on Sin and Mental Health

11:49 The Role of Community and Vulnerability

17:41 Balancing Leadership and Personal Burdens

24:22 Innovative Practices at IKAR

36:53 Challenges and Changes in Jewish Leadership

38:47 Navigating Differences in a Diverse Congregation

39:53 The Power of Curiosity and Compassion

47:05 The Importance of Staying at the Table

We're on Patreon! Join the community:

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea

ikar.org

Previous Episode

How should we respond to the election? Fight? Surrender? Or is there another way?

How should we respond to the election? Fight? Surrender? Or is there another way? Let's "Meet the Majority" and see if we can figure it out!

We're on YouTube!

As part of our "Meet the Majority" series, this is a candid conversation on ideological differences, election surprises, and friendship. In this episode, Corey sits down with his long-time friend Brandon to explore their differing political views and the implications of recent elections. Corey explains the importance of maintaining relationships and having open dialogue despite political differences. Brandon, a staunch Republican, shares his life story, professional background, and family history. He discusses his views on national security, the shortcomings of the far left, and the influence of Trumpism on American politics and the church. Both Corey and Brandon delve into the complexities of being in the political middle today, their concerns about the future, and the need for more constructive discourse. The conversation highlights the importance of listening and understanding different perspectives to foster better relationships and navigate the current political landscape.

00:49 Meet the Majority Series: Background and Purpose

03:42 Brandon's Background and Political Views

07:19 Discussion on Liberalism and Conservatism

11:34 The Middle Ground in Politics

17:11 Concerns About Trump and the Future of the Republican Party

26:28 Impact of Trumpism on the American Church

28:24 Debating Presidential Impact and Religious Influence

30:26 Supreme Court and the Conservative Legal Movement

33:10 Navigating Political Differences and Building Relationships

37:25 Reflecting on Political Identity and Middle Ground

50:08 Concluding Thoughts and Future Conversations

We're on Patreon! Join the community:

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

Next Episode

Best of 2024 | Tom Nichols on Harris-Walz vs. Trump-Vance... and as a special bonus, some Robert DeNiro Jeopardy!

(This was one of my favorite conversations of 2024 partly because Tom and I both did our best Robert DeNiro impressions toward the end.)

Let's talk candidly about why Gov. Josh Shapiro of PA wasn't chosen as Kamala Harris's running mate. Let's also assess the merits and potential drawbacks of Gov. Tim Walz of MN as the Democratic VP candidate. Oh, and while we're at it, how's that J.D. Vance pick working out for the Trump campaign?

We're on YouTube!

We're joined by Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, to discuss all of this and more! We get into Tom's background in a working-class family, his educational journey, and his career in academia. Tom also discusses his views on democracy, international security, and challenges in contemporary politics. We get to reflect on Tom's Greek Orthodox faith and how it shapes his beliefs, while contrasting his temperamentally and philosophically conservative outlook with the current stance of the Republican Party. Additionally, Tom offers insights on the importance of a balanced media diet in today's political landscape. And since Tom is a 5x Jeopardy champion, we do a little Robert DeNiro-inspired Jeopardy at the end!

03:30 Tom Nichols' Background and Upbringing

07:49 Influence of Church and Community

10:49 Orthodox Christianity and Politics

19:51 Political Philosophy and Conservatism

25:49 Discussion on Israel and U.S. Politics

32:56 Debating the Choice Between Shapiro and Walz

33:49 Tim Walz: The Normal Guy in Politics

36:24 Tim Walz's Background and Achievements

40:09 JD Vance: A Controversial Figure

46:40 Kamala Harris's Electability and Political Evolution

53:29 Media Consumption and Political Discourse

We're on Patreon! Join the community:

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as