Jewish Sacred Aging Podcasts

Inviting God In: Insights from Rabbi Salkin – Seekers of Meaning 9/26/2025

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address engages Rabbi Jeff Salkin in a profound discussion about the essence of prayer, the structure of his new book Inviting God In, and the evolving nature of Jewish worship. They explore the significance of gratitude in prayer, the challenges faced by modern worshippers, and the need for a deeper understanding of Jewish liturgy. The conversation also touches on the importance of Jewish education, the survival of the Jewish narrative, and the role of technology in worship. Salkin emphasizes the necessity of teaching young people the language of prayer and the importance of creating a meaningful connection to their Jewish identity. About the Book Inviting God In: A Guide to Jewish Prayer is an engaging and insightful commentary on the Shabbat evening and morning services by Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, the author of Putting God on the Guest List. Designed for students of all ages, from bet mitzvah to adulthood, the book’s relatable tone and discussion questions meaningfully engage readers in the worship service they are leading or attending. Rabbi Salkin breaks down each prayer and ritual, helping learners connect to the service with fresh insight and knowledge. With a blend of humor and depth, Inviting God In shows how the ancient words of prayer still speak to the challenges and joys of contemporary life. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging. You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions. Listen to the Audio Podcast You can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player. Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyPodchaserAmazon Music About the Guest Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin is one of American Judaism’s most prolific rabbis — described as “courageous,” “always relevant,” and “one of American Judaism’s true public intellectuals.” Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin is the co-founder and co-director of Wisdom Without Walls: an online salon for Jewish ideas. The author of twelve books, his most recent book is Inviting God In: A Guide to Jewish Prayer (CCAR Press). His column, “Martini Judaism: for those who want to be shaken and stirred,” published by the Religion News Service, has won several Wilbur awards for best religion column of the year. “Martini Judaism” also appears as a podcast. He delivered the keynote on spirituality at the Chautauqua Institution, and has participated in interreligious dialogue with Christian and Muslim religious leaders. His essays have appeared in the Washington Post, Commentary, the Wall Street Journal, Tablet, Forward, and JTA. He has appeared on CNN and the BBC. He has contributed to scholarly volumes and encyclopedias. His eleven books have inspired vigorous conversations on such subjects as Jewish identity and culture, Israel, and gender, and he has written three Torah commentaries. His new book is Tikkun Ha’Am: Repairing Our People – Israel and the Crisis of Liberal Judaism. Rabbi David Wolpe of Los Angeles has said of the book: “Tikkun Ha’am” proves once again that Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin is among the wisest observers of our society and our souls — a Rabbi who writes with humor, depth and clarity.” He is currently writing a book for the Reform movement — a commentary for teens on Shabbat liturgy. Rabbi Salkin lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, and devotes his time to writing, biking, his friends and family, and consuming vast quantities of coffee. The post Inviting God In: Insights from Rabbi Salkin – Seekers of Meaning 9/26/2025 appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.

Navigating Trauma Through Jewish Wisdom: Seekers of Meaning 9/19/2025

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Richard Address engages with Rabbis Lindsey Danziger and Ben David to discuss their book, The Sacred Struggle: Jewish Responses to Trauma. They explore the concept of trauma within the Jewish tradition, emphasizing the sacredness of personal stories and the importance of community support. The conversation delves into the role of liturgy in coping with trauma, the distinction between personal and communal trauma, and the impact of modern isolation. The rabbis offer insights and advice for those struggling with trauma, highlighting the importance of connection and resilience. About the Book How do we find the strength to continue when dealing with traumatic experiences? The Sacred Struggle: Jewish Responses to Trauma is a powerful anthology of personal stories, offering a deeply moving exploration of how Jewish wisdom can help us navigate life’s most difficult moments. With stories including enduring the loss of a child, losing a loved one to suicide, surviving sexual assault, responding to a diagnosis of cancer, experiencing antisemitism and racism, and many more, this volume is rooted in vulnerability and resilience, revealing the profound ways Judaism offers tools for reflection, connection, and healing. Edited by Rabbi Lindsey Danziger and Rabbi Benjamin David, with a foreword by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, The Sacred Struggle is a companion for anyone seeking comfort and hope in the face of trauma. In this book you will find the genuine voices of life as it is lived-in pain, with struggle, and offering the wisdom to endure and prevail. A work of great range, it is a bracing book, an important book, and a gift to all of us. –Rabbi David Wolpe, author of Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times Who among us has not been touched by trauma? Violence? Natural disaster? Illness? Marginalization? Family dysfunction? In this challenging and thought provoking book, rabbis reflect on the Torah of their lives, as well as the Torah of tradition, to give us insight into the ways we are all affected by trauma and the many different paths to healing. –Rabbi Laura Geller, coauthor of Moments That Matter: Marking Transitions in Midlife and Beyond Trauma may shatter us. It doesn’t have to end us. … There is a way forward. I pray that this volume can be a source of strength for you. – From the foreword by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, PhD, Temple Emanuel, Winston-Salem, NC Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging. You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions. Listen to the Audio Podcast You can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player. Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyPodchaserAmazon Music About the Guests Rabbi Lindsey Danziger Rabbi Lindsey Danziger is Director of Campaigns at the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism. She guides synagogues and clergy across the country in their work to organize and mobilize for justice. She is also an adjunct professor at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where she teaches Community Organizing. She was ordained there in 2017 and also received a master’s degree in Religious Education. She is a member of the Nashville Jewish Federation Board of Directors, the Akiva School, and the Aspen Institute Collective on Racial Justice and Religion – a national advisory council of faith leaders creating anti-racist religious spaces.  Rabbi Danziger resides in Nashville, TN, with her husband, Rabbi Michael Danziger, and their three children – Ben, Aviva, and Noa. She loves serving on faculty at URJ Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS. Rabbi Benjamin P. David Rabbi Benjamin P. David was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Cherry Hill, NJ. He is the son of Rabbi Jerome and Peggy David. He attended Cherry Hill High School East and Muhlenberg College, where he majored in English Literature. In 1999, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 2004, he was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. While in rabbinic school, he served numerous congregations, including Kol Hanishama of Jerusalem, Temple Beth Am of Monessen, PA and Temple Shaaray Tefila of Manhattan. He also served as an intern at the Jewish Guild for the Blind and the Makor Steinhardt Center. He received numerous awards in the field of Talmud and Hebrew Literature and was the co-founder of Davar Aher, a student review. From 2005-2012, he served as assistant and associate rabbi at Temple Sinai of Roslyn, working closely with youth and teens, overseeing the Hebrew High School program, officiating at lifecycle events, teaching broadly, and helping to further develop the congregation’s social action, community organizing, and interfaith programs. Prior to joining KI, Rabbi David served as senior Rabbi of congregation Adath Emanu-El in Mount Laurel, New Jersey from 2012-2022. Since arriving at KI in July of 2022, Rabbi David has introduced Talmud to the congregation through interactive classes and sessions. He works closely with our youth and teen communities, leading the Confirmation and post-Confirmation programs in ways that are upbeat, fun and meaningful. He has led trips to Israel, Washington, DC and the south. He works closely with our religious practices, social justice and Israel committees and loves leading Shabbat morning Torah study. He is active in Interfaith Philadelphia and part of the leadership of RAC-PA, the Pennsylvania arm of the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism. He is a certified chaplain for SCI Phoenix Prison (formerly Graterford). In addition to supporting our congregants in all phases of life, he loves working with the KI professional staff. A competitive distance runner, he has completed 20 marathons including the Boston Marathon twice and the NYC Marathon four times. He is a co-founder of the Running Rabbis, a social justice initiative that works with clergy worldwide to run and walk in the name of worthy causes. Rabbi David is a past President of the Tri-County Board of Rabbis, serving New Jersey’s Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. He is married to Lisa David, the Director of Camp Harlam. They also met at Camp Harlam, where they both spent time as campers, counselors, and supervisors. They have three children: Noa, Elijah, and Samuel. The post Navigating Trauma Through Jewish Wisdom: Seekers of Meaning 9/19/2025 appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.

Mussar and Recovery: A Path to Healing – Seekers of Meaning 9/12/2025

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address explores the intersection of Mussar, a Jewish ethical tradition, and recovery from addiction. Rabbi Harvey Winokur and Hannah L discuss their book Mussar in Recovery, which aligns the principles of Mussar with the 12-step recovery program. They delve into the importance of community, the concept of a higher power, and the process of making amends, particularly in the context of the Jewish high holidays. The discussion emphasizes that recovery is a personal journey and that Mussar provides tools for self-awareness and balance in character traits. Mussar in Recovery is a transformative guide that weaves together timeless wisdom of Jewish ethical teachings with the Twelve Steps, bringing a dynamic Jewish voice to the recovery journey. At its core is Mussar – a centuries-old Jewish tradition that provides practical tools to help individuals create meaningful lives by cultivating the inner traits that align with becoming our best selves. In this creative and inspiring work, Hannah L. and her teacher overlay Mussar’s gentle wisdom and practices on the 12 Steps. Making this Jewish Sage wisdom accessible, Mussar In Recovery offers clear, actionable practices – ranging from self-reflective exercises to guided daily reminders – that are a blueprint for breaking free from the cycle of addiction and other expressions of our “stinking thinking”. Complemented by her personal experience and spiritual insights, Hannah gives readers a path to realizing their potential for beauty and greatness. Perfect for any seeker on a path toward recovery and personal growth, Mussar in Recovery offers a compassionate roadmap to healing and wholeness. Embrace the opportunity to blend spiritual depth with practical change and find renewed serenity and joy as you embark on a journey that honors both your heritage and your future. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging. You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions. Listen to the Audio Podcast You can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player. Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyPodchaserAmazon Music About the Guests Hannah L. Hannah L. is a student and facilitator of the Mussar tradition who draws on 12+ years of learning and living the Twelve Steps and Mussar to reveal the transformative power of these synergistic paths for personal growth. A scientist, inventor, innovator, and explorer, she blends curiosity and creativity with heartfelt faith. As a mother and grandmother, friend and mentor, Hannah lives with purpose — guided by the twin blueprints of Mussar and recovery. Her journey is one of seeking and finding serenity, joy, and daily renewal —becoming her best self in a world full of the unpredictable. Through courageous storytelling rooted in personal experience and spiritual insight, Hannah offers readers practical wisdom, an actionable toolkit, and a guided pathway to their own healing and wholeness. Rabbi Harvey J. Winokur Rabbi Harvey J. Winokur was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati). A native of New York, he had the privilege of serving two congregations in Atlanta, Georgia before founding Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia in 1982.  After leading TKC for thirty-six years, he retired and became Emeritus in 2018. Recently, Rabbi Winokur became the spiritual leader for the small Jewish community of Temple B’nai Israel in Albany, Georgia. He is a certified Spiritual Director and a Trainer-Facilitator for The Mussar Institute. He was introduced to mussar during his spiritual direction training. But it wasn’t until the Mussar Institute and the Central Conference of American Rabbis offered the opportunity to become mussar facilitators that he immersed himself in the study of mussar. He currently facilitates several vaads and has created curriculum material relating middot (soul traits) to the Haftaraot and to Jewish liturgy. Rabbi Winokur currently resides in Roswell, Georgia The post Mussar and Recovery: A Path to Healing – Seekers of Meaning 9/12/2025 appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.

Impact of technology on older adults, with technology journalist and podcaster Steve Lubetkin – Seekers of Meaning 9/5/2025

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address chats with Steve Lubetkin, producer of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast and a veteran technology journalist. In a world where technology evolves at a breakneck pace, understanding its impact on different generations is crucial. The conversation delved into how technology affects multi-generational cohorts, particularly older adults, and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Lubetkin highlighted the diverse needs and comfort levels with technology across different age groups. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging. You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions. Listen to the Audio Podcast You can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player. Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyPodchaserAmazon Music About the Guest Steve Lubetkin Steve Lubetkin is the producer of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast and manages the website JewishSacredAging.com for Rabbi Richard Address. Since 2005 he has been the managing partner of The Lubetkin Media Companies LLC, one of the first professional podcast production companies. It is the umbrella organization for several digital content production divisions: Professional Podcasts, which produces audio and video content for distribution as podcasts over the Internet; StateBroadcastNews.com, a contract news-gathering organization producing broadcast quality news coverage at the state and local level; and Steve Lubetkin Photography, which produces corporate photojournalism, event and lifestyle photography and videography. Steve has been the computer columnist for the Jewish Community Voice of Southern New Jersey since 1996. Steve is a seasoned technology futurist. He has included an email address on his business card since 1988. As a music reviewer, he was one of the first print journalists to use a portable computer to cover a Grateful Dead rock concert — in 1977. Steve is co-author, with Toronto-based podcasting pioneer Donna Papacosta, of the book, The Business of Podcasting: How to Take Your Podcasting Passion from the Personal to the Professional. He and his wife Judy live in Cherry Hill. They have two daughters and sons-in-law, and one brilliant grandson. The post Impact of technology on older adults, with technology journalist and podcaster Steve Lubetkin – Seekers of Meaning 9/5/2025 appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.

Cultural Influences on Eating Disorders: A Discussion with Dr. Joy Zelikovsky – Seekers of Meaning 8/29/2025

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Joy Zelikovsky founder and director of NourishTheHeartCounseling.com discusses the complexities of eating disorders, body image, and their impact on individuals and families. She emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural influences, the role of social media, and the need for a broader definition of health that goes beyond weight. The discussion also highlights the challenges faced by different demographics, including men and older adults, in relation to eating disorders. Dr. Zelikovsky provides insights into recognizing warning signs and offers advice for parents and grandparents concerned about their loved ones’ eating behaviors. Dr. Zelikovsky is sponsoring a conference this fall for Jewish eating disorder professionals. More information is available at https://www.jewisheatingdisorderprofessionalsconference.org/ Takeaways Eating disorders can affect individuals of all ages, not just adolescents. Cultural factors play a significant role in shaping body image and eating behaviors. Social media perpetuates unrealistic body standards and can impact mental health. Eating disorders are often linked with other mental health issues like anxiety and depression. There is a strong genetic predisposition to eating disorders, but environmental factors also contribute. Men are often underdiagnosed for eating disorders due to societal perceptions. The concept of health should not be solely based on weight; other factors are crucial. Cultural traditions, especially those involving food, can complicate recovery from eating disorders. Parents should be aware of behavioral changes in their children that may indicate an eating disorder. Support and open communication are vital for families dealing with eating disorders. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this page: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/600964/jewish-sacred-aging. You can also watch this week’s show in the player below. The shows now include closed-captioning for the deaf or people with a hearing loss. Click the “CC” button on the video player to activate closed-captions. Listen to the Audio Podcast You can listen to the audio podcast version in the player below, or subscribe to the podcast in one of the popular platforms by clicking one of the buttons below the player. Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyPodchaserAmazon Music About the Guest Joy Zelikovsky, Psy.D., M.A., M.Phil.Ed., M.S.Ed Joy Zelikovsky is a clinical psychologist and National Health Service Psychologist in New Haven, CT. She is the founder and of Nourish The Heart Counseling in New Haven, Connecticut. She received her Doctorate in Psychology and a Master’s of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Florida School of Professional Psychology. She has also completed a Master’s of Philosophy in Education and a Master’s of Science in Education in Professional Counseling and Psychological Services, respectively, from the University of Pennsylvania. Joy completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Joy is also credentialed as a National Health Service Psychologist. Most recently, Joy was the Supervising Psychologist at the University of Southern Mississippi, providing therapeutic services in the college counseling center, and had worked in several other college counseling centers during her training and education. Joy also has experience working in private practice settings and community mental health. As the Director of Eating Disorder Services at Turnbridge Addiction Treatment, Joy uses evidence-based practices and treatments to help both men and women who are struggling with addiction and eating disorder concerns. Joy also continues to teach at the graduate level to help prepare the next generation of mental health clinicians. Joy has a passion for working with eating disorders and has decided to make this site as a way of helping people access information and resources to help themselves, family, and friends in their recovery. This site offers information on eating disorders and resources to help people along their way. This site is also a place to have conversations and get questions answered as people work in their recovery. Learn more about her work at Psychology Today For more information regarding Joy’s background and training see her curriculum vitae here: Master CV The post Cultural Influences on Eating Disorders: A Discussion with Dr. Joy Zelikovsky – Seekers of Meaning 8/29/2025 appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.