Torah to the People

Torah to the People #10 - Anna Herman on Jacobs Camp and Jewish Camping

In this episode, Rabbi Jeff Dreifus speaks with Anna Herman. Anna Herman is the Director of Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS. Having grown up in Dothan, Alabama without a large Jewish community, Anna cultivated a strong Jewish identity and felt proud of her heritage. After being recommended to go to Jacob’s camp by a local Rabbi, Anna’s life was changed. This trajectory led her to Jacob’s camp, working for the Union of Reform Judaism in New York City, and back to camp again as Director.
 
Expect to learn how camp can help kids become more confident, build resiliency, learn interpersonal skills, connect to Israel and Israelis, and make enduring friendships. Rabbi Dreifus and Anna also discuss the grassroots fundraising campaign that launched Jacobs camp and the methods employed by Anna and her team to reduce camp costs so no child is turned away. Finally, this conversation describes the effect the COVID-19 pandemic had on summer camp and what went on behind the scenes in order to have camp in 2021. The podcast closes with Anna’s enticing pitch for why families should consider sending their child to camp next summer, tune in to find out!
 
Registration for Camp: https://jacobscamp.org/register/  
 
Thanks to Justin Drake for Audio Technical support.

Torah to the People #9 - Jimmy Jalenak’s Jewish Journey

In this episode, Rabbi Jeff Dreifus speaks with Jimmy Jalenak. Having served as President of both Temple Israel and the Jr. Congregation, Jimmy has lived a life dedicated to service to the Memphis community. His service to Memphis and Temple Israel were inspired by his Jewish values and upbringing.Expect to learn about Jimmy’s Jewish journey, the impact Rabbi Wax had on him, his relationship with Rabbi Danziger, and what makes Temple Israel Rabbis unique. Rabbi Dreifus and Jimmy touch on historical moments in Temple’s history, including officiating same-sex marriages in the congregation and the hiring of Rabbi Greenstein. They also discuss Jimmy’s role in the campaign of Fred Davis for Memphis City Council in 1968 and why for Jimmy, having diverse friendships throughout his life has impacted him in a profound way.Thanks for tuning in!
 
--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.
Audio Technical support was provided by Ajay Cohen.

Torah to the People #8 - Susan Adler Thorp on Rabbi James A. Wax: Righteous Among Men - A Life Dedicated to Social Justice

In this episode of the podcast, Rabbi Jeff Dreifus speaks to Susan Adler Thorp. They speak about the upcoming exhibit at the TI museum about Rabbi James Wax. Expect to learn about the history of the Temple Israel Museum, Judaica’s role in memory and community-building, how collecting can be an emotional outlet, and the story of Rabbi Wax and his impact while residing as Rabbi of Temple Israel.
 
Rabbi Dreifus and Susan Adler Thorp discuss the details of the new exhibit and how it is connected to Rabbi Wax’s passion for social justice. They investigate his upbringing in Herculaneum, MO, and how a Methodist Minister inspired him to pursue a Rabbinical career. They also recall Rabbi Wax’s courage demonstrated by speaking out against Memphis mayor Henry Loeb the day after Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination. Rabbi Wax’s visionary leadership put him at the forefront of working towards helping those suffering from mental health problems, having a role in the famous sanitation workers strike in 1968, and stewarding the building of a new Temple in East Memphis.
 
Thanks for tuning in!
--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.
Audio technical support provided by Ajay Cohen.

Torah to the People #7 - Spiritual Accounting with Billy Orgel

--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.

Torah to the People #6 - Rabbi Harry Danziger in Conversation with Rabbi Jeff Dreifus

--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.
 
Thank you to Ajay Cohen for audio and technical support.

A Sign Upon Your Hand: Spiritual Attention, Rabbi Ross Levy, 1/19/24

--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.

It’s Never Too Late to Become Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Rabbi Greenstein, 1/12/24

--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.

Unlikely Heroes, Rabbi Levy, 1/5/24

--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.

Vayechi 5784 - Family the Stays Together, Rabbi Dreifus, 12/29/23

--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.

My 72 Hours in Israel This Week, Rabbi Greenstein, 12/22/23

--
Opening song - "Let There Be Love" by Noah Aronson; performed by Temple Israel Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman
Find sermons, music, conversations between clergy and special guests, and select Temple Israel University (TIU) classes – easily accessible to you through our podcast, Torah to the People.
Learn more about Temple Israel-Memphis at timemphis.org.