Holy Sparks Podcast

In this interview, I have the rare privilege of interviewing one of my meditationteachers. His teachings and retreats have had a powerful impact on my practice.Towards the end of this interview, Rabbi James takes us on a short meditation, please pull over for the end of this interview.Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels Ph.D. is the founder and executive director of Or HaLev: Center for Jewish Spirituality and Meditation (http://orhalev.org/).He has been studying and teaching meditation and Jewish spirituality for more than twenty-five years. He received his Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago and rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Daniel Landes, the Rosh Yeshivah of Pardes, and from the Beit Midrash for an Israeli Rabbinate, a pluralistic ordination for Jewish leaders in Israel. He was the founding Rosh Yeshiva of Romemu Yeshiva and has taught and innovated programs in Jewish thought, mysticism, spiritual practices and meditation at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Haifa University,Yeshivat Hadar and in a variety of settings around the world. He strives to integrate his study and practice and to help teach and live Judaism as a spiritual discipline.Here are some upcoming program offerings from Or Halev1. Preparing our Hearts for Yom Kippur Virtual Meditation Retreat. September 20-22pm2. Under a Roof of Stars: A Sukkot Journey. 30 minute meditations delivered to your inbox throughout Sukkot3. Sacred Action: Bringing Contemplative Practice to Justice Work starting October 2.Thank you for subscribing and please do drop a review, we appreciate you !Click here to make your tax-deductible donation to The Holy Sparks Podcastit helps keep us in production and get the word out about all these amazingpeople - click here - to support http://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

In this special live , in person interview, I have the privelegeof interviewing my good friend and meditation / yoga instuctorNathaniel Solomon.He walks us through his path from being a Rastafarian to becomingJewish, we explore a chanting practice and explore his journey to Israel with his family ... also available live on You tube .Listen for Rosh Hashana blessings and you might just hear meplay SHOFARLe Shana Tova 5784!!!for more info and to learn about where Nathaniel Teaches go to https://www.kundalinicoach.net/to Make a fully Tax Deductable donation to help us stay in productiongo to http://igfn.us/form/haHSSQThank you to our sponsor JTLV for helping make the donationspossible.Go to www.jltv.tv for 247 stories that inspire

Shira Muroff is the program director for the Insitute of Southern Jewish Life. In this episode, we explore the story of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life.We explore how they serve the communities in the Southern Region of the US, what type of offerings they have, and then for the first time in the Holy Sparks HistoryWe Flip the Script and Shira will interview me about working with the ISJL and some of the music I have done through their organization.Enjoy this episodeLearn more about the Isjl herehttps://www.isjl.org/For more info on the Holy Sparks Podcast go towww.holysparks.tvThank you to our sponsor Jewish LIfe Televisiongo to www.jtlv.tv for 247 stories that inspirego to http://igfn.us/form/haHSSQto make a 100% tax deductible donation to the HolySparks PodcastYour donation helps keep us in production

In this Interview with my friend Rabbi Yosef GoldmanWe explore his unique Ashkenazi and Mizrachi upbringing.He shares his Rabbinic journey and musical journey, and you'll hear new clips from his upcoming CD Abitah!From singing in the Miami Boys choir as a kid to his upcoming project, Rabbi Yosef is a unique voice in the Jewish world you'll love the depth of his spirit and content.Enjoy!For more on the Holy Sparks Podcastgo to https://www.instagram.com/theholysparkspodcast/and www.holysparks.tvI want to thank our sponsors JTLVgo towww.jttv.tv for 247 Jewish Content and stories that inspireand if you want to make a 100%tax-deductible donation to help produce the Holy Sparks Podcast click this link http://igfn.us/form/haHSSQ

Rabbi Mark Blazer is the President of the Jewish Life Foundation (JLF). The Foundation’s mission is to promote Jewish culture; the majority of its educational programming airs on Jewish Life Television (JLTV). JLTV is the only national international TV network dedicated to uplifting and Jewish values programming.He has served as the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Ami in Santa Clarita, California since 2000. Mark is the founder of the Albert Einstein Academy (AEA), the first K-12 Hebrew Charter School in the western United States. Within three years of opening, AEA was in the top 1% of high schools in California. It now has schools in California, Ohio and coming soon to Arizona.Rabbi Blazer also serves as chaplain for the LA County Sheriff’s Department and has served as chaplain for the California Department of Corrections. For eight years he ministered as the only prison rabbi serving statewide across California.Rabbi Blazer studied at Oxford University and is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego. He received his semichah (rabbinical ordination) from the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York. Mark and his wife, Tracy were married in 1993; they are the proud parents of Rachel, Dina and Shira.He continues the legacy of his father Phil, the founder of JLTV.We talk in-depth about the schools he founded, being a prison chaplain, having his Barmitzvah with Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach at the Western Wall, the birth and growth of JTLV and his vision for the future of this powerful network,Please Subscribe to our channel, it's FREE!For More info go to www.holysparks.tvto become a patron or support our channel go to www.patreon.com/saulkayethank you again to JLTV for helping to support our show!

On this episode of The Holy Sparks PodcastI interview Rabbi Yosef Marcus of Chabad North PeninsulaRabbi Yosef Marcus is the co-founder of Chabad NP and co-director of the Lent Chabad Center. He is the author of several books of Torah literature, including commentaries on Psalms, the Scroll of Esther, The Passover Haggadah, Ethics of the Fathers, and is currently at work on a new commentary on Aishet Chayil (Woman of Valor). His articles have appeared on Askmoses.com and Chabad.org.He lives in San Mateo, CA, with his wife, Esty Marcus, director of the acclaimed Chai Preschool, and their six children. He can be reached at rabbi@chabadnp.comIn this episode, we explore what it is like to be a Chabad Rabbi, growing up Jewish In Long Beach, California, The Rebbe Menachem Medel Schneerson, Moshiach, and misconceptions sabout Chabad Rabbis and communities.If you've ever wanted to sit down with a Chabad Rabbi and get to know them, this interview is for you !His Uncles are famous musicians, Avraham Fried and Rabbi Manis Friedman, his brothers are founders of the band 8th Day.Please Subscribe to our channel, it's FREE!For More info go to www.holysparks.tvto become a patron or support our channel go to www.patreon.com/saulkayethank you again to JLTV for helping sponsor our show.Go to www.jltv.tv for stories that inspire.

As Senior Core Faculty at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), Rabbi Sam Feinsmith directs the Clergy Leadership Program and serves on the faculty of Yesod: Foundations for Deepening Jewish Mindfulness Meditation. He is passionate about practicing and teaching Jewishly-grounded mindfulness meditation and teaching Hasidic text through a mindfulness lens, making these texts accessible to spiritual seekers who don't have the knowledge or skill to access them on their own. Before joining the faculty of IJS in 2016, he taught Judaic Studies at Chicagoland Jewish High School, Illinois, and the Heschel School in New York, where he spearheaded initiatives to foster teen spirituality and mindfulness as foundations for lifelong thriving and love of Jewish learning.He is a co-founder of Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning, a hub for contemplative Jewish learning and living. Committed to wedding inner work with the work of tikkun olam, he served as a Kol Tzedek Fellow for American Jewish World Service, volunteering in Cambodia with their Volunteer Corps. In Part Two of this powerful interview, Rabbi Sam talks about the differences between Mindfulness and Meditation ( and where they overlap, he outlines a framework for a powerful blessing practice, and he shares more of the work that the Institute for Jewish Spirituality is doing.In this final part of the Interview, we explore the differences between mindfulness and meditation, a beautiful blessing practice, and learn more about the IJS and the work they are doing. Definitely check them out if you are wanting to deepen your spiritual practice.For more information on the work Rabbi Sam is doing at the IJS go to https://www.jewishspirituality.org/For more info and other episodes of The Holy Sparks Podcast go tohttp://holysparks.tv/To Become a Patron or sponsor an episode of the show go to www.patreon.com/saulkayeplease subscribe to the channel and drop a reviewThank you for Listeningand a huge thank you to our sponsorJLTV go towww.jltv.tvfor stories that inspire

In part One of my interview with Rabbi Sam Feinsmtih we explore his musical lineage as the son of the famous Marvin Feinsmith, composer of the Isaiah Symphony and principal bassoon of many symphonies Internationally.He explores his wildly diverse childhood, his connection to the Indian Nation, the Hassidic lineage, how he discovered meditation and Mindfulness.Also, you'll hear how he founded Orot, the Center for New Jewish Learning, and taught mindfulness in Jewish High Schools before becoming full-time core faculty at the IJS Insititute of Jewish Spirituality.Learn more about Orot herehttps://www.orotcenter.org/Learn more about the IJS herehttps://www.jewishspirituality.org/More about The Holy Sparks Podcast herewww.holysparks.tvThank you to our Sponsor JTLV24/7 programming stories that inspirego towww.jltv.tvBecome a Sponsor of the Podcastor sponsor an episode click herewww.patreon.com/saulkaye

On this fun episode of THE HOLY SPARKS PODCASTI interview my friend and Jewish Educator Eliana Light.Eliana is working towards a world of One-ness, guided and inspired by Jewish heritage. She focuses on translating liturgy, prayer practice, and g?d-concepts in ways that are deep and accessible for all people at any age. Eliana’s music, gatherings, and teaching reflect a spirit of playfulness, embodied wisdom, empathy, and joy. We explore growing up as the daughter of a Rabbi and Educator,her T'filosophy, POdcast, Light Lab, Moshiach and 7 am dance partyon a weekday!Enjoy her music herehttps://www.elianalight.com/More about our podcast herehttps://saulkaye.com/the-holy-sparks-podcastHuge thanks to our sponsors for this week's podcast Jltv -Stories that Inspire https://www.jltv.tv/To sponsor an episode or become a patron go to www.patreon.com/saulkaye

In this uniqueLive-on-location Interview with Ari VaredWe explore the fun world of Jewish Summer Camps.In particular URJ Camp Newman ( here in California).Who is coming to camp? What do they love about it?What value does it have in connecting people to their Jewish identity?We also explore Camp Newman as a retreat and center for cross-culture exploration.To find out more about Camp Newmango to https://campnewman.org/To become a sponsor of the Holy Sparks Podcastgo to www.patreon.com/saulkayefor more info www.holysparks.tv

Kicking off season two of the Holy Sparks Podcast, this interview with my friend and colleague Rabbi Laurie Matzkin is a shining example of how varied the life and journey of a Rabbi can be! Rabbi Laurie explores her Jewish roots in Reform Judaism, Jewish Yoga and mindfulness, finding the conservative movement, creating enriching and engaging programs as a Rabbi/Educator, and now growing Jewish life at a JCC.To learn more about Rabbi Laurie go to https://rabbilauriematzkin.com/ Please subscribe and drop us a review ! Go to www.holysparks.tv for more episodesBecome a patron supporter of our podcast herewww.patreon.com/saulkayeThank you to JLTV for sponsoring this week's episode go to www.jltv.tv for 247 Jewish Content and stories that inspire.

HOWARD KAPLAN, a native of Los Angeles, has lived in Israel and traveled extensively through Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. At the age of 21, he was sent on a mission into the Soviet Union to smuggle a dissident's manuscript on microfilm to London. His first trip was a success. On his second trip, he transferred a manuscript to the Dutch Ambassador inside his Moscow embassy. A week later, he was arrested in Khartiv in the Ukraine and interrogated for two days there and then two days in Moscow, before being expelled from the USSR. The KGB had picked him up for meeting dissidents and did not know about the manuscript transfers. He holds a BA in Middle East History from UC Berkeley and an MA in Philosophy of Education from UCLA. He is the author of five novels.DAMASCUS COVER is now a major motion picture starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Sir John Hurt and Olivia Thirlby.On this episode we explore his microfilm smuggling daysBeing held for questioning for two days by the KGBGrowing up as the son of Holocaust survivorsand the real power of Stories to edutain, rebel, and make moneyfor more info and to access his 5 books and film go to https://www.howardkaplanbooks.com/for more info on The Holy Sparks Podcast go to www.holysparks.tvThank you to JTLV for sponsoring this episodego to www.jltv.tv for 24/7 broadcasting of stories that inspire.to help keep this podcast going go to https://www.patreon.com/saulkaye

Josh Goldberg is an accomplished vocalist, prolific songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, Cantor, and filmmaker. Born and Raised in Dallas, TX, Josh began his singing career performing in musical theatre and then went on to study voice, piano, music composition, and theatre at Dallas’ Arts Magnet High School. Josh moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to study at the University of Southern California’s prestigious Thornton School of music. After graduating with a degree in Popular Music Performance, he found his calling in Jewish music, touring nationally and internationally with luminaries such as Rick Recht, Craig Taubman, and Mikey Pauker, as well as performing his original music at conferences, synagogues, and music festivals. Josh’s songs have found their way into synagogues, summer camps, and youth conventions, concert halls and even into the White House. Josh founded Jewish record label and production company, Kosher Style Records, producing over 100 recordings for outstanding Jewish artists from all over the US. In 2023, Josh graduated with a Master's in Sacred Music and cantorial ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion, CA. Josh recently moved to Music City, a.k.a. Nashville, TN, to serve as Cantor at Congregation Micah. Josh continues to expand his creative horizons to include creating writing and filmmaking. His new feature film, Morning, A Journey: A Visual Album is premiering in Los Angeles in May 2023. On this episode, we take a stroll through Josh's youth, inspiration, and mentors, and this episode was the week before his official ordination as Cantor! Josh answer's the question, is Hazzanut ( Operatic Style) still relevant in 2023??Thank you for listening!To become a parton of the Podcast go to www.patreon.com/saulkayefor more info on Josh go to https://joshgoldbergmusic.com/more on the podcast go to www.holysparks.tv

On this episode of The Holy Sparks Podcast I interviewEvelyn Goldfinger. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, we talk about growing up Jewish there, the music, culture,and and theater. We also explore how she started her own theatercompany, podcast, Ms. Eve ( her children's educator name )Torahtron, and her journey of becoming a Cantorial Soloist. We talk about her new book, Words from my Heart, a handson Jewish Prayer Book.We also talk about prayer, leading a community and so much more in thislively conversation.You can learn more about her herehttps://linktr.ee/torahtronBecome a Patron ( Sponsor ) of our podcast herewww.patreon.com/saulkayelearn more herewww.holysparks.tv

Irvin Ungar is the world’s foremost expert on the art of Arthur Szyk and the tireless force behind the Szyk Renaissance. A former pulpit Rabbi fluent in Jewish history and tradition, Irvin is the CEO and founder of Historicana, an antiquarian book firm and small publishing house of Szyk imprints.Beginning in 1987, Irvin first specialized in Szyk’s remarkable illustrated books and quickly expanded his repertoire to include original art, fine art prints, and other important Szyk works. He has curated and consulted for numerous Szyk exhibitions at major institutions worldwide, including the New-York Historical Society (New York City); the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; the Deutsches Historisches Museum (Berlin); the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (Washington, DC); and the Library of Congress.Irvin is the author of Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art (2017 National Jewish Book Award winner) and Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk (1998). His most recent book Arthur Szyk Preserved: Institutional Collections of Original Art was published in 2023. Additionally, Irvin is the co-producer of the documentary film, “Soldier in Art: Arthur Szyk,” and the publisher of the luxury limited edition of The Szyk Haggadah (2008). He also served as the curator of The Arthur Szyk Society (1997-2017) and its traveling exhibition program, and continues lecturing and speaking about Szyk on university campuses, museums and other venues around the world.In this interview we talk about Irvin's transition from the pulpit to book seller to Szyk expert. You'll enjoy some amazing stories about him getting Syzk's work back onto the main stage... for images accompanying this work go to https://www.facebook.com/saul.kayehttp://holysparks.tv/become a Podcast Sponsor, go here!https://www.patreon.com/user?u=85745591For more on Rabbi Irvin Ungar's work and Arthur Szyk go to https://www.szyk.com/

On this lively interview with Todd Shotz, the founder and executive director of Hebrew Helpers, we explore the foundations of his company. We dive deeply into why people may choose to have an independent B'nai mitzvah and how Hebrew Helpers facilitates that for families. Todd also founded the mitzvah learning fund which offers grants for anyone looking for a personalized Jewish learning experience.He talks about his favorite movie project Lazy Eye, working on Grey's Anatomy, being the Jewish Technical advisor for 'You People', and some other amazing projects he is involved with,www.holysparks.tv.www.hebrewhelpers.comhttps://mitzvahlearning.org/https://jqinternational.org/

On this special episode, you'll get to hear about the origin of The Holy Sparks Podcast. This conversation was originally intended for a sequel to a book I wrote called 'This Gift'. ( see link below)Chava Mirel is a unique being in the world of music and spirit, defying classifications of style or genre. A multi-award-winning musician and composer whose voice was recently featured on a Grammy award-winning album,Chava is highly sought-after for collaborations and recordings. Celebrated for her rich, luxurious vocals, lush harmonies, and rhythmic phrasing, Chava is also known for her loving and compassionate presence. Regardless of the setting - spiritual gathering, concert hall, classroom or jazz club - she imbues her music and teachings with the universal themes of hope, caring, connection and inclusion.We talk about her unique journey growing up in the Jewish Music world, Touring in the Jewish World, the Artist-in-residence model vs. Cantorial Soloist and how she manages to blend it all with grace and easeTo hear her music go here https://www.chavamirel.com/Check out the book I referenced called THIS GIFThere - https://www.amazon.com/This-Gift-Conversations-Brightest-Choosing/dp/B093RHMGNZto support the show please go tohttps://www.patreon.com/user/membership?u=85745591

On this fun episode with my good friend Isaac Zones, who started playing guitar at 19 at Camp Tawonga, we explore the Moishe House, Jewish Day School, Independent B'nai Mitzvot, his Jewish path, an upcoming film and the diverse San Francisco Bay Area Jewish landscape.https://www.isaaczones.com/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1556248266/i-hear-you-the-israeli-folk-music-film?ref=bqbbex&token=6793334cBecome a Patron of The Holy Sparks Podcast!go here to supporthttps://www.patreon.com/user/membership?u=85745591www.saulkaye.com

On this podcast with my big brother Michael, we explore his Jewish journey, seeking community, and how he accidentally fell into the kosher wine business. We have a great time, he is an award-winning winemaker and a fantastic storyteller! You can buy his Kosher for Passover wine here and get it in time for Passover and beyond here https://www.invei.com/

On this interview with my good friend Reb Brian, we talk in depth about his spiritual awakening, Jewish Path, Jewish Meditation, his first rap record , classical music of the sephirot, progressiverock inspired by the Zohar, his upcoming smicha, and hisongoing community Torah of awakening. He can be found here https://www.torahofawakening.com/