Amichai Lau-Lavie, an openly gay Jewish leader, redefines Jewish spirituality by blending traditional practices with contemporary inclusivity through his creation, Lab/Shul. The podcast also explores his personal journey of reconciling his Orthodox background with his identity, and his role in Amos Gitai's documentary, Sabbath Queen.

Amichai Lau-Lavie, a descendant of rabbis, challenges traditional Judaism by integrating his identity as an out gay man and Rabbinic figure through his innovative community, Lab/Shul. In a conversation with host Ralph Benmergui, he discusses the impact of spirituality on his life, the significance of Shabbat rituals, and the transformative potential of non-traditional approaches to Judaism.

Amichai Lau-Lavie, a gay man from an Orthodox rabbinical family, discusses creating Lab/Shul, a "God-optional" experimental Jewish community in New York. Lau-Lavie shares his journey of balancing his identity with religious traditions and explains the importance of reevaluating Jewish rituals like Sabbath for contemporary spiritual needs.

Rabbi Aaron Rotenberg, a new Renewal rabbi, discusses how environmentalism is at the core of Judaism, especially pertinent with the approach of Tu b'Shevat. He emphasizes the importance of connecting Judaism to the Earth and bringing renewed spiritual energy to Jewish practices, resonating with younger audiences through unconventional and animated services.

Rabbi Aaron Rotenberg discusses how Jewish Renewal tradition integrates environmentalism as a central tenet of Judaism, emphasizing an Earth-based spiritual practice. Highlighting his journey from Conservative to Renewal Judaism, he illustrates how eco-spirituality and inclusive, innovative religious services can engage younger Jewish communities.

Rabbi Aaron Rotenberg discusses his journey from Orthodox Judaism to becoming a leader in the Jewish Renewal movement, focusing on integrating eco-spirituality and innovative practices within Judaism. He emphasizes that environmentalism and earth-based traditions are core tenets of Judaism, particularly highlighted during Tu b'Shevat, and explores diverse approaches to Jewish prayer and community engagement.

Dr. Robert Enright explores the powerful role of forgiveness in both personal healing and justice, emphasizing its potential to mend deeply entrenched hatred and anger. Highlighting forgiveness as a choice and a journey, he underscores that mercy does not negate justice, drawing insights from historical and personal stories including Eva Kor's forgiveness of Holocaust perpetrators.

Dr. Robert Enright discusses the concept of forgiveness, emphasizing it as a powerful choice that can coexist with the pursuit of justice. He elaborates on the psychological and spiritual benefits of forgiveness, explaining how it can alleviate resentment and promote healing even in deeply divided communities.

Dr. Robert Enright delves into the power of forgiveness as a means of personal healing, emphasizing that it doesn't negate the pursuit of justice. He highlights forgiveness as a choice, rooted in mercy, which can alleviate personal resentment and lead to societal change, even amidst ongoing tensions such as those between Israel and Hamas.

Gary Topp revolutionized Toronto's cultural scene in the 1970s and 1980s, bringing countercultural acts to Canada and transforming venues like the Roxy Theatre into hubs for underground culture. His new book, 'He Hijacked My Brain,' documents his impact on the city's music scene and reflects on the shifts in community dynamics over the decades.

Ralph Benmergui converses with influential Toronto music promoter Gary Topp, reflecting on his role in revolutionizing the city's cultural landscape during the 1970s and 1980s. The episode delves into Topp's legacy, including his concert promotions and management of iconic venues, as chronicled in the new book, "He Hijacked My Brain: Gary Topp's Toronto."

The episode explores Gary Topp's critical role in shaping Toronto's cultural scene during the 1970s and 1980s through his work as a music promoter and independent movie theater operator. His influence on the city's community and artistic fabric is celebrated with anecdotes about his involvement with iconic bands and unique film screenings.

Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman co-founded Choir! Choir! Choir! in a living room, transforming it into a vast community experience where strangers unite in song, exemplified by a performance with 2,500 people in Montreal. Adilman shares insights into the group's organic growth, the role of music in communal gatherings, and the spiritual connection through shared singing experiences.

Nobu Adilman discusses the growth of Choir! Choir! Choir! from a humble living room gathering to a large-scale community singing event, emphasizing the power of music to create connection and community outside of traditional religious frameworks. Adilman reflects on the choir's emotional impact on participants and the potential for communal singing to fill the gap left by declining organized religious participation.

Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman founded the social singing group Choir! Choir! Choir!, which transformed from a casual living room gathering into a renowned mass sing-along event, bringing together thousands of people across cities. Their project emphasizes human connection and community through music, while Adilman reflects on the individualized spiritual journeys that each participant experiences through song.

Mark Leiren-Young discusses his adaptation of Shylock, a play he first wrote in 1996, to address contemporary issues such as cancel culture and antisemitism. Collaborating with actor Saul Rubinek, the play "Playing Shylock" reflects on Jewish identity and artistic censorship, resonating amidst rising global antisemitism post-October 7.

Playwright Mark Leiren-Young discusses his revival of Shylock and its relation to contemporary cancel culture, antisemitism, and the complexities of storytelling as a means of artistic expression. Collaborating with actor Saul Rubinek, he explores themes of identity, censorship, and the enduring impact of Shakespeare's controversial character Shylock on Jewish perceptions in a post-pandemic world.

Mark Leiren-Young revisits his 1996 play 'Shylock' by updating it into 'Playing Shylock,' starring Saul Rubinek, to reflect contemporary issues such as cancel culture and antisemitism. The play, blending Rubinek’s real life with fiction, challenges audiences on questions of identity, representation, and the enduring impact of Shakespeare's controversial character.

Allan Novak's documentary, "Crossing the River: From Poland to Paradise," highlights the extraordinary resilience and survival of his mother and her siblings, recognized as the world's oldest living Holocaust survivors. Through interviews and historical reconstructions, the film recounts their journey from Siberian labor camps to a thriving life in Canada, emphasizing themes of hope and endurance rather than tragedy.

Veteran filmmaker Allan Novak created "Crossing the River: From Poland to Paradise," a documentary about his family, the world's oldest living Holocaust survivor siblings who remarkably survived by being deported to Siberia. Novak shares the resilient and life-affirming story of his family, their survival without witnessing the atrocities of concentration camps, and their eventual thriving life in Canada.