Living Jewish Today; where tradition meets today's world

How does a Brit Milah or Simchat Bat welcome a Jewish baby into the covenant of Jewish peoplehood? When we celebrate the birth of the next generation of our people, we demonstrate our values and declare what is most important inthis world. Connecting our children to God, Torah and Israel, we tell them that they are part of something greater than themselves. They are part of the Jewish family, a link in a chain of thousands of years. They matter, you matter, our choices matter.

This week we will read Chayei Sarah from the Torah, reminding ourselves of the legacies of Abraham and Sarah, our ancestors. They connected with our Creator and shared that love l'dor vador, from generation to generation. Today, we follow their footsteps and welcome the next generations.

The Torah begins with Creation. From the story of all humans to the uniquely Jewish, we see our family's connections. This week we speak of parental prophecy and the challenge and blessing of naming the next generation. What happens when childbirth is easy or more difficult? What do we do when our desire for a new generation seems blocked? Abraham and Sarah struggled with fertility--just as many do today.

As we consider parenting in the 21st century, there is so much to consider, and the Torah has some great ideas.

Together we will use our Jewish traditions to help figure out how to name a child or what to do when that journey feels impossible.

We also share the blessing of CBI's Who Know's One event with Micah Hart and looking forward to the Bible Players Shabbaton in November. More info at www.cbistpete.org

As we begin the Torah, we discover a significant challenge to faith. The opening verses speak of seven days of creation, but science offers a very different perspective. What is a literal reading? Do many Jews see this as a challenge to faith or do they think about it differently? How does Jewish tradition approach Sacred Text and glean lessons from it? Rabbi Weintraub and Eric Ludin discuss the inherent value of all human beings, the blessing of life, rest/Shabbat, and the power of our stories. All this and more in our episode today!

The High Holiday services at Congregation B'nai Israel were meaningful and inspring in 2026. Today we talk about what we did right to make it so special and the importance of being there.

Rabbi Weintraub and Eric Ludin discuss the High Holidays and a wonderful program coming up this Sunday at Congregation B'nai Israel.

Creator Micah Hart is bringing his hit game show, “Who Knows One? LIVE!” to CBI. Filled with hilarity, camaraderie, and community, this year’s one-of-a-kind experience is designed to bring people together in a highly interactive and entertaining way.
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Mark your calendar for October 11th and Register Today! Register here:

https://cbistpete.shulcloud.com/event/who-know39s-one.html

Living Jewish Today hosts Eric Ludin and Rabbi Weintraub discuss the end of the High Holiday season. Examining Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, they invite listeners to celebrate the joy of Torah and celebrating Torah together. At CBI, we open the Torah to see from Bereshit to Devarim, opening our hearts, minds, bodies and souls to the wisdom of our traditions. Concluding the season with Torah, praying for rain in its proper season, and dancing together, we find joy and blessing. We hope you will find meaning in this conversation and then find your way to shul to celebrate with our (or your) holy community.

Today we discuss the High Holiday which moves people from the serious mood of the Yom Kippur into a joyful time of community and trust in God.

Mincha and Neilah bring us to the end of Yom Kippur. We have been fasting, praying, crying out all day long. Why does the story of Jonah resonate? Why is it so hard to forgive? How do we change our (or the sinner's) behavior?

By Neilah, the Gates of Forgiveness and Atonement are closing. Are we ready? Join us to discuss the special practices of the close of Yom Kippur--and hear the joy of a communal break-fast!

Yom Kippur is considered the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar, the Shabbat Shabbaton. It is a day of atonement, memory, hope and reconciliation. It is a day to consider who we have been, who we are and who we hope to be. Today Eric and Rabbi continue their discussion of the nature of vows (Kol Nidre), begin looking at the confessions of the day, the Torah reading, and how the Avodah (priestly service) and martyrology remain relevant thousands of years later.

Join us as we discuss Kol Nidre, keeping promises, fasting and spirituality. Together we go on a journey that helps us prepare for the most sacred days on the Jewish calendar. What does Yom Kippur mean? Why do we have so many services? Does it really matter if I go to synagogue?

Ten Days of Repentance: Is ten days enough to atone for all our sins? Does it matter if I believe literally (or not) that we are written into the Book of Life this year? How do our actions influence the world and ourselves? What is repentanceanyway? Join us to contemplate return, teshuvah, repentance and the power of community.

Today we discuss everything you might want to know about Rosh Hashanah. From the shofar to repentance to the melodies and liturgy, Rabbi Weintraub and Eric Ludin touch on all that might inspire you.

Welcome to the first edition of Living Jewish Today podcast hosted by Eric Ludin. This episode was recorded at Congregation B'nai Israel of St. Petersburg with guest, Rabbi Philip Weintraub. Today we introduced the podcast and discussed the meaning of the High Holidays and the importance of synagogue attendance.