Kol Ramah podcast

#Religion #Kol Ramah Studios #Camp Ramah In The Berkshires

24:42

Episode Notes [01:14] Unexpected Email from Employer [05:49] The Deferred Resignation Program [06:34] Initial Reactions and Concerns [08:01] Evaluating the Offer [08:21] Enhanced Standards of Conduct [08:55] Personal Reflections and Concerns [12:21] Seeking Advice and Making a Decision [13:01] Option One: Do Not Resign [14:56] Option Two: Resign [16:44] Insights from Conversations [21:30] Making The Decision [23:51] Final Thoughts and Gratitude Resources Mentioned Sebastian Junger The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson Donald Trump Elon Musk Steve Bannon Russell Vought Derek Sivers Sumner Crenshaw Brian Fretwell at Finding Good Chad Littlefield The Thought Leaders Practice by Matt Church Simon Cowell Beauty Pill Producer Ben Ford Questions Asked Is it legitimate, and can it be trusted? How are you feeling? What questions come to your mind? Where does your mind go? Are you seeking safety? Would this have been an adrenaline rush as you raced to send the resignation response? What an "enhanced standard" regarding loyalty and trustworthiness was? What are these new "enhanced standards?" Are they beyond what my Constitutional oath requires? If I don't resign, how bright will the target on my back glow? My leadership has supported all my work, but would termination direction come from higher up the chain of command? What would you recommend if we talked over coffee? What questions would you ask? How would you use listening? How would you use silence? How is this scenario playing out in your mind and body? What is coming to the surface for you? How might that influence what you are about to say to me? What are the chances of my name popping on a list and getting fired? How about the chances of being part of an official Reduction in Force and early retirement? Would the administration make a better offer? What do I know about the pending job market? What did I expect the workplace to be like and did I want to be there as the contractions took place? Will the administration pay me through the end of September or will they renege? Can I sufficiently build the Curated Questions business to transition by 1 October? - Do I have the faith or confidence to step into this future as a sole practitioner and grow Curated Questions into all I envisioned? Was this purpose calling? What would I expect the job market to look like at the end of summer if I hadn't developed the income streams to maintain our lifestyle? What is your recommendation? Did it change from your initial recommendation? Where in your body are you feeling the uncertainty? Are you processing this scenario in parallel with your decision as if you had received the email? What additional questions should I have considered? Who else should I have consulted with? How would you have changed my risk rating? What is the correct length of the pregnant pause before making an important announcement? What processes would you use in my circumstance, and what would be different? What questions are at the top of your list to get to a decision? Who would be the members of your pantheon you would counsel with to gain clarity? Apart from the heady analysis, what other key practices would you include in your journey through a similar situation?…

Kol Ramah

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Broadcasting from Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. We are the one and only kayitz soundtrack, our airwaves filled with shows produced by and for the campers! LISTEN LIVE: http://KolRamah.us

886 episodes

Kol Ramah

updated 5 days ago

Series home•Feed

Broadcasting from Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. We are the one and only kayitz soundtrack, our airwaves filled with shows produced by and for the campers! LISTEN LIVE: http://KolRamah.us

886 episodes

#Religion #Kol Ramah Studios #Camp Ramah In The Berkshires

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Kol Ramah

1
Parsha talk Vayakhel 5785 2025 40:30

5 days ago40:30

40:30

This week’s parashah is Va-yaqhel [Exodus 35:1-38:20]. It is also Shabbat Parah, the third special Shabbat before Passover. Shabbat Parah always falls the Shabbat before Shabbat Rosh Hodesh Nisan or, as this year, two shabbatot before Rosh Hodesh Nisan. The weekly parashah is often combined with next week’s parashah [Pequdai] to conclude the reading of Exodus with a flourish, the entire construction of the mishkan [Tabernacle]. This year they are read separately. It may seem familiar because the description of the construction closely follows the description of the plans for the mishkan which were featured three and two weeks ago, in parashat T’rumah and parashat T’tzavveh. Our discussion focused on the first verse of the first aliyah [the first verse of the parashah, Exodus 35:1] and the first verse of the second aliyah [Exodus 35:21]. We compared the construction of the mishkan with the making of the Golden Calf and discussed what motivates gift giving. How are we to understand why the Israelites gave so generously? As is often the case, other topics and ideas emerged, including a reference to the O. Henry story, The Gift of the Magi. We remain ever mindful of the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza over 530 days since the war began. May they be restored immediately to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of Israel’s Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom…

Kol Ramah

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Parsha talk Tetzaveh Zakhor 5785 2025 38:02

12 days ago38:02

38:02

Parashat T’tzavveh [Exodus 27:20-30:10] coincides with Shabbat Zakhor, the second of the four special shabbatot before Passover, each with its own maftir [Deuteronomy 25:17-19] and haftarah [1 Samuel 15:2-34]. The weekly Torah reading picks up where last week’s left off, continuing the discussion of the provisioning of the Tabernacle. In particular, we discussed the clothes of the high priest and what they might mean. In addition, we discussed the maftir, with its call to annihilate Amalek, together with the parallel text in Exodus 17:8-17, which describes the original battle [and is read on Purim morning]. How should we refer to our enemies, if at all. These are some of the topics which engaged. We are ever mindful of the hostages, both dead and alive, and the need for their return to their families now, and of the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha talk Ki Tissa Purim 2025 5785 39:52

12 days ago39:52

39:52

Parashat Ki Tissa [Exodus 30:11-34:35] is perhaps best known for the episode of the Golden Calf and the repairs entailed by that grievous sin. Our conversation focused on the לוחות, generally understood as the stone tablets on which were incised the Ten Commandments. We discussed the significance of the material, stone, as compared with papyrus in Egypt and parchment in Israel; the stone seems to reflect the Babylonian preference for clay tablets. What did these tablets look like? Did they, or how did they, function in ancient Israelite society? We also took some time to discuss an aspect of Megillat Esther, since Purim is Thursday night and Friday [March 13-14]. In particular, the last verse of chapter 8, where it is recorded “And many of the people of the land professed to be Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.” What does it mean to be מתיהדים, [mityahadim, in which one can see the root yehudi (Jew)], “to profess to be Jews”? We remain ever mindful of the remaining hostages, dead and alive, in Gaza, and the moral and spiritual imperative to bring them home to their families, as well as of the soldiers who defend Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

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Parsha Talk Mishpatim 2025 5785 35:02

21 days ago35:02

35:02

Parashat Mishpatim is called The Covenant Code by biblical scholars. It has, as Jeremy notes, over 50 commandments. The laws are both many and varied, regulating all spheres of human life. During this difficult week, we spent a lot of time in our conversation seeking out comfort. On the face of it, Mishpatim might seem an unlikely source of comfort, but we offer avenues wherein comfort might come. At the end, we discuss the two words נעשה ונשמע [na’aseh v-nishma, Exod. 24:6], often translated as “we will do, we will understand”, which seems to reverse the normal or usual way we act, with understanding preceding action. We remain ever mindful of the hostages still in captivity, may they be returned speedily to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way.…

Kol Ramah

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Parasha Talk T'rumah 5785_2025 31:14

22 days ago31:14

31:14

As Eliot notes, Parashat T’rumah [Exodus 25:1-27:19] begins the 2nd half of the Book of Exodus and is concerned mostly with the planning for and construction of the mishkan, the portable tabernacle which accompanies the people in their wandering in the wilderness. The purpose of the mishkan and how it fits into the larger religious life of the people is the basis of part of our conversation. We also take up the plans for the ark and its symbolism. We consider the roles of Moses, who conveys the plans for the mishkan to the people, and B’tzalel and Oholiab who actually construct it. This Shabbat is Rosh Hodesh Adar [the second day of Rosh Hodesh but the 1st day of the Hebrew month of Adar]. It is also Shabbat Sh’qalim, the 1st of the 4 special shabbatot preceding Passover. It is the official beginning of the Passover season, with all that implies. In this difficult week for Israel and the worldwide Jewish community we are ever mindful of the hostages, both dead and alive, and the need for their return to their families now, and of the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom, Hodesh Tov. With the onset of Adar, the month in which the joyous holiday of Purim is celebrated, it is said that simchah, joy, should increase. May it be so.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Yitro 5785 2025 32:19

6 weeks ago32:19

32:19

Parashat Yitro [Exodus 18:1–20:23] features the 10 Commandments. Before we get to the Ten Commandments we spend some time discussing the character of Jethro, who makes his appearance in chapter 18. We actually recorded this when we recorded the episode on B’shallach, for last week, in order to accommodate Eliot’s travel to Israel for his daughter Naama’s wedding this week. Mazal Tov! We remain ever mindful of the hostages still in captivity, may they be returned speedily to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Bo 5785 2025 36:50

7 weeks ago36:50

36:50

Parashat Bo [Exodus 10:1-13:16] is jam-packed with interesting passages. The eighth and ninth plagues take place as well as the announcement of the tenth and final plague [ch. 10-11]. This is followed by the long chapter 12 [51 verses] which we will meet again on Shabbat Ha-Hodesh, the shabbat before or coinciding with Rosh Hodesh Nisan [this year on March 29, 2025] when we will read the first twenty verses, and the first day of Pesah [April 13, 2025], when we will read the remainder of chapter 12. Nahum Sarna labels chapter 12 “The Last Act”, and the verses in chapter 13 [1-16] “Commemorative Rituals”, which includes two of the four passages found in tefillin [Exodus 13:1-10 and 11-16]. The time frame and the action described in chapter 12 is somewhat confusing so we devoted most of our conversation to unpacking what we think happened. We spend sometime also discussing the vigil [leil shimurim]] mentioned in 12:42. While we are grateful for the release of the hostages last week, we remain mindful of all those, both the dead and the living, who remain in captivity in Gaza, may they be speedily returned to their families. May those who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha talk Beshalah 5785 2025 31:11

7 weeks ago31:11

31:11

Parashat B’shallach [Exodus 13:16-17:16] includes the Song of the Sea [15:1-19], which has been incorporated in the daily morning liturgy. It concludes with the original battle with Amalek [Exodus 17:9-16], which will be read again on Purim [March 14, 2025]. Our conversation divided into two, the first part dedicated to a discussion about Joseph’s bones and the second to a conversation about the liturgical dimension of the Song of the Sea and what that might mean for the partipants in the singing. We remain ever mindful of the hostages still in captivity, may they be returned speedily to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom…

Kol Ramah

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Parsha Talk Shmot 2025 5785 38:27

9 weeks ago38:27

38:27

Parashat Sh’mot [Exodus 1:1-6:1] begins the Book of Exodus. In the opening verses the scene quickly shifts from the patriarchal families described in Genesis to the nation, the people Israel. The descent of Israel [the other name for the patriarch Jacob] into Egypt refers to the sons of Israel, twelve in number. By verse 10, this family has become am b’nai yisrael, the people known as b’nai yisrael, whom we will later learn number over 600,000 fighting men over the age of twenty, together with their wives and children. The beginning chapters are episodic. The Children of Israel are enslaved by a Pharaoh who does not know Joseph, the birth of Moses is described in a few verses in chapter 2, followed by the announcement that Moses goes out to see the suffering or toils of his brothers. Moses has 3 interactions with people which force him to flee to Midian, which sets the stage for the wondrous scene at the Burning Bush. It is this scene which takes up most of our conversation. With the news of a ceasefire/hostage release, we are ever hopeful that all the hostages will speedily be returned to their families. We continue to be mindful of the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vaera 5785 2025 37:35

9 weeks ago37:35

37:35

Parashat Va’era [Exodus 6:2-9:35] is filled with rich material, almost too much to enumerate. At the heart of the parashah is the description of the first 7 plagues, culminating with that of hail. Its position as the 7th in a list of 10 underscores its significance. Our conversation, as is perhaps typical, meandered through the parashah. We talked about the first two verses where God is identified by three different names, the verses in Exodus 6 [6-8], which provide the rabbis with their basis for the 4 cups of wine at the seder and the cup of Elijah, the plagues, and so much more. Almost before we knew it, we had gone over our usual time allotment! We hope you enjoy it. Words cannot capture the emotions unleashed by the return of the first hostages as they returned home. We continue to be mindful of those still in captivity, may they be speedily returned to their families, both the living and the dead, and the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vayehi 2025 5785 38:24

11 weeks ago38:24

38:24

Parashat Va-yehi [Genesis 40:28–50:26] is the twelfth and concluding parashah of Sefer B’reshit [The Book of Genesis]. Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s two sons born in Egypt while Jacob was still in Canaan, are blessed by their grandfather, with Jacob reversing his hands so that the younger Ephraim receives the primary blessing. Jacob “blesses” his sons, though not all the sons will probably feel themselves blessed by the words Jacob addresses to them. Jacob dies and, at his request, he actually makes Joseph swear to it, he is buried in the ancestral resting place, the Cave of Machpelah; and, Joseph dies and is embalmed and placed in a coffin, but not before adjuring his brothers to take his bones up from Egypt when God takes notice of them. Most of our conversation explored the oath Jacob makes Joseph take to bury Jacob in Canaan. Joseph asks Pharaoh if he can go perform this act of filial piety, and Pharaoh allows him. We delve into the various details of this scene: why does Jacob insist that he not be buried in Egypt? why make Joseph take an oath? what does it tell us about Pharaoh? We also talk a bit about the difference with Joseph when no one will ask Pharaoh if Joseph’s remains can be taken up to Canaan and he is left with the promise for his bones to one day be returned to Canaan. Finally, what kind of book is Genesis? Does it end with bleakness or with hope? It is customary to conclude the Torah reading when we finish a book of the Torah in the synagogue with the words חזק חזק ונתחזק [hazak, hazak, ve-nit’hazek, be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened]. We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vayigash 2025 5785 41:27

11 weeks ago41:27

41:27

Parashat Va-yiggash [Genesis 44:17-47:27] provides the denouement to the Joseph story, which formally comes to a conclusion next week with parashat Va-yehi tidying up the loose ends and concluding the book of Genesis. This week opens with Judah’s appeal to Joseph and Joseph’s disclosure of his true identity to his brothers. The family makes its way to Egypt ostensibly to sit out the rest of the years of famine in closer proximity to the food supply. We, as long-time readers of the Torah, know that this relatively short period of time becomes an extended period of indeterminate length. Once again, we pay attention to the character of Joseph, this time in comparison and contrast with the other major characters: Judah, Jacob, and Pharaoh. We recorded on the last day of the secular year, 2024, coinciding with the 1st day of Rosh Hodesh Tevet and the 6th day of Hanukkah. May the New Year of 2025 become a year of peace. We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Vayeshev 5785 2024 36:40

12 weeks ago36:40

36:40

Parashat Va-yeshev [Genesis 37:1-40:23] begins the longest extended narrative in the Book of Genesis, the Joseph story. The parashah begins with a 17-year-old Joseph relating to his family two dreams he has had, which infuriate his brothers. When his father asks Joseph to go see how his brothers are doing pasturing the sheep, Joseph ends up being sold into slavrey. Chapter 38 is an interlude of sorts, the story of Judah and Tamar. It is perhaps intended to provide a comeuppance for Judah’s role in the sale of Joseph. Chapter 39 resumes the Joseph story. Joseph is now in Egypt. Everything he does works out well until he runs afoul of his master’s wife, who is intent on seducing him. He is sent to prison. There he interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker, who have been imprisoned. The parashah ends with the note that the butler, who had promised to mention Joseph to Pharaoh so he could be released from prison, did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Most of our conversation focused on chapter 37 as we looked for a deeper understanding of Joseph. Is he a spoiled brat? Is he a bullied younger brother who only wants to hand out with the big boys and is rejected. We touched on some other parts of the parashah as well, so listen to find out! We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Miketz 5785 2024 34:24

12 weeks ago34:24

34:24

Parashat Mi-Qetz [Genesis 41:1-44:17] is the second of the four parashiyot that treat the Joseph story. At the end of last week’s parashah, Joseph has been left in prison because the recently released butler failed to mention him to Pharaoh, as he had promised to do. The parashah this week opens up with Pharaoh’s two dreams which defied interpretation by any one in Pharaoh’s court, the butler remembering Joseph, and Joseph being summoned to court to successfully interpret the dreams. The bulk of the parashah deals with the descent into Egypt by 10 of Joseph’s brothers and their encounters with him. Our conversation focused in part on the character of Joseph, sometimes in comparison with his brother Judah who once again has a leading role, in convincing Jacob to let Benjamin return with them to Egypt, and at the end stepping forward to address Joseph, which address will begin next week’s parashah. As Eliot notes, it is difficult to limit oneself to the parashah of the week when discussing the Joseph story, so we make reference to both what happened last week and what will happen in the next two weeks. We hope you enjoy it. We are ever mindful of the hostages, may they be speedily returned to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. May the increasing light of the hanukkiyot [the first night of Hanukkah is Wednesday night, 12/25/24] bring increasing light to the Middle East, and may a measure of peace be restored to that region. Hag Urim Same’ach. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vayishlach 5785 2024 34:47

15 weeks ago34:47