Marsha Lederman is a catastrophizer. As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, the author and Globe and Mail columnist has gone through life worrying about everything that can go wrong, to the point that she wrote a book about things going wrong in her life. Kiss the Red Stairs, released August 2023, investigates the ramifications of intergenerationa…

You may not think of keeping Shabbat as environmental activism—but Jonathan Schorsch does. The founder of the Green Sabbath Project is on a mission to tackle climate change by adapting the biblical Jewish practice into something universally good for our planet. After all, in the Venn diagram of environmentalism and observant Judaism, "Not driving o…

Alan Zweig was on the road to becoming, like so many other midtown Toronto Jews, a lawyer. Instead, in his early 20s, he zigzagged off the course and wound up taking multiple lengthy trips to India, changing his perspective on life and work. He chose film school instead, propelling him into a decades-long documentary career that began all those yea…

Toby Lloyd didn't grow up religious. But the British Jewish author became fascinated with Orthodoxy—how different people, even in the same family, can interpret biblical texts as either literal or metaphorical. Wanting to tap into the meaning and effects of people's belief systems, as well as reinterpreting stories from the Torah and wrapping it in…

Diane Flacks has always felt the power of Jewish guilt. But when when she decided she wanted a divorce, that guilt grew to a whole new level. She constantly questioned the process, even while she was going through it, thinking about whether it was the right move or not. To process these thoughts and emotions, the theatre artist decided to transform…

Last month, the flagship Yuk Yuk's location in downtown Toronto hosted a stand-up comedy fundraiser for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Predictably, anti-Israel protesters swarmed it. The club's founder and owner, Mark Breslin—who organized the event—tried to get in through a back entrance, only to find more protesters waiting there for him a…

Rabbi Zelig Golden likes to describe Judaism as a religion of deep roots, interconnectivity, compassion and feminine divinity, reminding the world that Adam came from the adamah. It's this philosophy that inspired Wilderness Torah, an organization based in California that promotes "healing, belonging and resilience," in an attempt to reshape how Je…

The climate crisis is the fault of no single person or country, but rather a widespread ideology of materialism and overwhelming lack of compassion for the natural world. What's worse—the crisis is intensifying each year. These are some of the themes espoused by Rabbi Yonatan Neril, the founder and director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable …

If you're feeling anxious and afraid, you should know: you're not alone. Tensions are high everywhere across the Jewish community right now as Hamas and Israel engage in a violent war with ramifications across the world. But instead of doom-scrolling social media, finding horrible images and hate-filled comments, it's important to find time to step…

Welcome to the newest season of Not That Kind of Rabbi! Ralph's spiritual deep-dive podcast is back, now joining The CJN Podcast Network. After more than three years and 80 guests, we'll be focusing on Jewish Canadians, exploring the inner lives of public figures. To kick things off, we're hosting a special live taping on Tuesday, October 17, 2023,…

Many lifetimes ago I was a stand-up comic. There were a lot of great comics that started with me back then. Way funnier too. One was Lawrence Morgenstern. He loved the craft and put his heart and soul into it Lawrence passed away a little while ago . This time on NTKR I speak with his longtime partner Rosalynne Gelade as we swap stories about one v…

Two of the top three Jewish holidays are about to happen. Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah and the day of atonement, Yom Kippur. They are referred to as the days of awe. Or, if you're fasting on Kippur for 25 hours with no food, water, cars, cell phones or even sex, then for some it's the days of awww. Avrum and I will talk High Holidays and what the…

This time on Not That Kind of Rabbi we begin a new chapter by welcoming friend ad wise person, Avrum Rosensweig to the podcast. We'll talk about God, the journey to and away from that G word and why Avrum threw out his yellow suede shoes.By Ralph Benmergui

This time on Not That Kind of Rabbi it's the Passover edition. I'm joined by one of Toronto's Rabbinic brightest lights. Rabbi Aaron Levy from Makom Creative Downtown Judaism. We talk freedom, slavery and what the heck the Passover meal (Seder) is really all about. We start by showing Charlton Heston (Moses) the door.…

Brian Fraser is many things. A Minister, organizational development wizard, runner and tying it all together, a jazz lover. We talk about the whole darn mess in a jazzy kinda way on this episode of Not That Kind of Rabbi.By Ralph Benmergui

When I first saw Jeremy Hotz do stand-up, he looked nervous, very nervous. Turns out in the end he has extreme anxiety disorder, oh and he's very funny. After 30 years it's so great to reconnect.By Ralph Benmergui

Lara Rae is a comedian. A very good one. Lara Rae is Trans and a comedian. Lara Rae is deeply spiritual, Trans and a comedian. She is also someone I have had the pleasure of knowing for a very long time. Thing is, it's been years since we've had a chance to come together. Well, the time has come. Listen and enjoy.…

Jaffa Road is a street name in Israel. It also happens to be the name of a wonderful group of musicians who bring elements of middle eastern, south asian and yes, even jazz together to make a wonderful soulful stew. They have a new album, Until When. I speak with Aaron Lightstone, the band leader, and we play some of this soulful music.…

My dad used to love pointing at the TV when I was a kid when someone would appear and declare, "He'/She's Jewish. Most of the time he was right. But now a new book, Under The Radar, tells us about 30 Canadian artists who were.By Ralph Benmergui

Sometimes we become something, not because we get a degree, but because we simply, through our actions and intentions, become something. In this case after years of service and study, after mining his heart for the gold inside Avrum Rosensweig has done just that. Not a Rabbi but in every way that I can see, just that, a Rabbi. We could have talked …

Tucked way up on the northern tip of Africa is the place where I come from, Morocco. A few of us left that country after hundreds of years in the 50's and 60's. Luckily one of those is sacred singer, Cantor Aaron Bensoussan. His voice is magical, every song a prayer in itself. Luckily he ended up in Toronto and he is my guest on Not That Kind Of Ra…

Nettie Cronish is one hell of a foodie. She combines spirit, ethics, knowledge and passion to create fantastic vegetarian recipes. Her latest is a Fair Trade cookbook. Prepare yourself for a soulful journey into the art of eating and living right. Like Jalapeno Chocolate Chili, yum.By Ralph Benmergui

The Reverend Michael Coren has a way of seeing the world that combines wit, intelligence and compassion. His new book, The Rebel Christ, makes the case for equal marriage, the right to abortion and the scriptures that back up his argument. We have a chat.By Ralph Benmergui

What do Mary Tyler Moore, deep mystical Judaism and going to see a therapist have in common. Answer, they all reside in the person of Social Worker, Therapist, Kabbalist and Chinese medicine devotee Annette Poizner. We had a great conversation on this week's episode. Join us and take a turn around the diamond of your soul.…

While doing my training to become a spiritually based counsellor, I met a fellow traveller, an American named Yesh. We've been friends since then. Now he's written a book, Unthinkable Dreams, that tells the tale of his mother’s passing just two days before 9-11. Both events have left their indelible mark.…

Billy Newton Davis can sing. Has four Juno's. Billy had gospel at five, Motown at thirteen, Broadway by twenty and through it all he's been soulful and searching. This is great conversation.By Ralph Benmergui

Mackenzie Gray is an actor, director and theatre teacher. One day, not too long ago, he almost died. Six months later, he had one of his legs amputated. His response was one of joy and spirit. This is his story.By Ralph Benmergui

In this episode of Not That Kind of Rabbi Ralph spends some time with the Rev. Drew Jacques. Nothing too heavy, just the future of the Church, the wrongs of the past, the way some people talk about God. You know the usual stuff.By Ralph Benmergui

Peter Wood is a Sax Player. Loves Kansas Swing. Peter Woods is also the Reverend at Mackay United Church in Ottawa. These two Peter's are both getting it on with God. Come join us while we jam on that in this jazzy version of Not That Kind Of Rabbi.By Ralph Benmergui

Nakuset is an indigenous powerhouse that runs a Montreal Indigenous women's shelter. She was also scooped up in the 60's, taken from her Saskatchewan home and raised by a Jewish Family in Montreal. It didn't go well, except for the saving grace of her Bubby. She calls herself a Jewish Indian. I call her inspiring. Have a listen.…

Jonathan Torrens has harvested his time in the Canadian spotlight and turned it in to a beautiful thing. Love, balance and creativity. We reconnect with an old CBC fellow traveler to see how the corn grows in Nova Scotia these days and where life has taken him.By Ralph Benmergui

Happy Capitalist Lou Schizas figures we're going through this life thing alone. Its just a matter of the choices you make, and if they suck, oh well. The neo-liberal approach to spirit-if that's what we're calling it...By Ralph Benmergui

He was a Buddhist teacher, an academic and in the legal parlance of the time, a drug smuggling kingpin. Fleet Maull got 14 years in prison and today brings mindful and compassionate service to inmates and correctional officers across North America. His new book is called Radical Responsibility. This is a great interview.…

Once again, violence has become the language of the Israel/Palestine reality. Who do I turn to for a grounded conversation? Not who's right and who's wrong, but a mind that sees the gray, instead of the ribal black and white. Who? How about comedian Simon Rakoff. He's taking the chance of being serious on this one.…

Welcome to the first encore guest on Not That Kind of Rabbi. The Reverend Michael Coren. I always enjoy his thoughtful and deeply knowledge based approach to the sacred. This time we'll talk post-COVID, Israel and Palestine and the big question... Is Capitalism a proper container for Christian thought? Support us at patreon.com/NTKR…

Gary Barwin is, well, a lot of things. Aurthor, poet, composer, artist, Phd, teacher. Basically, so talented that I find myself mildly annoyed by his talent. His latest book is called Nothing the Same-Everything Haunted, (The Ballad of Motl the Cowboy). It has Jews, Lthuanians, Nazis, fake Indians, fake cowboys and many brilliant and heart arrestin…

Alan Doyle has had a great big life. The pride of Petty Harbour Nfld. Sings, plays, writes and most importantly lives and loves his family. Have a listen.By Ralph Benmergui

Jeffrey Koffman is a Canadian whose war reporting took him around the world. He is passionate, insightful and here to talk with the Rabbi.By Ralph Benmergui

Jazz Music is a spiritual jam. Adrean Farrugia knows that and through his fingers flows a beautiful sound. Have a listen.By Ralph Benmergui

What do you get when you take a Canadian Rabbi and drop him into the American stew? A good dash of spirit, faith and social justice. Rabbi Shawn Zevit is my guest.By Ralph Benmergui

Yakir Englander is building a bridge from his ultra-orthodox past to a profoundly liberating Jewish future. Listen and learn his wisdom.By Ralph Benmergui

From Hockey Night in Canada to another night in Lockdown. The next chapter in the play by play of Paul Romanuk's playbook.By Ralph Benmergui

What do you get when you take 13 soul traits and pick one a week to work on? That's easy, it's called Mussar. Alan Morinis is here to explain.By Ralph Benmergui

Carla Collins on Not That Kind of Rabbi talking laughs, deep breath and meditation.By Ralph Benmergui

Cantor Paula Baruch started off as a Christian farm girl. Now she co-leads a synagogue community. What? Only on Not That Kind of Rabbi.By Ralph Benmergui

Modya Silver joins me for some heart to heartBy Ralph Benmergui

What do get when you mix kindness, wisdom, faith and grit? Thats easy - Mardi TindalBy Ralph Benmergui

First Canadian Hip Hop artist to sign with a major label. First lady of hip hop in Canada, proud Candian/Jamaican and a soulful presence. Michie Mee on NTKR.By Ralph Benmergui

Emm Gryner always knew that she was destined to write songs, play music and be her own woman. Listen in as Rabbi Ralph spends time with one of Canada's most original singers and songwriters. They throw in a little God talk too.By Ralph Benmergui

How do we come together with our First Nations brothers and sisters? A Mohawk heart to Jewish Heart to Heart.By Ralph Benmergui