This Interview with Batya Dale is so powerful. Growing up Lutheran, she had an awakening around the age of 10 and started her spiritual exploration. After becoming a Unitarian Minister, she became frustrated with the lack of talk about G-d and divinity and started exploring Judaism. Along the way she contracted Lime Disease and one Christmas Eve she was about to preach when she went blind. This was a huge moment of transition for her.... listen to the rest of the story on Episode 3 of...

Texas-born and southern-raised, Joe Buchanan makes country music that is steeped in Torah. Struggling with religion and his place in the world, a revelation from his wife about her Jewish identity changed everything. After joining the Tribe, Joe released his debut album, "Unbroken," which sparked nationwide tours, an original Shabbat service, a thriving online community, and a workshop about the choice to become Jewish. Gather up for good times with his latest release, "Back From Babylon" and...

Welcome to Season 3 of The Holy Sparks Podcast! This episode was recorded two days before the war broke out in Israelhence the lack of references. It seems like years ago and mamashit was only a week. We talk about his growing up in a Divorced family with one half here in the San Francisco Bay Area and the other in Monsey New York. The radical differences of experience between the areas that he is now seeking to synthesize in his work. We explore the great joy that comes with learning Torah,...

In this interview, I have the rare privilege of interviewing one of my meditation teachers. 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...

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...

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 History We 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 episode Learn more about...

In this Interview with my friend Rabbi Yosef Goldman We 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...

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...

On this episode of The Holy Sparks PodcastI interview Rabbi Yosef Marcus of Chabad North Peninsula Rabbi 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...

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...

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...

On this fun episode of THE HOLY SPARKS PODCAST I 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...

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 Newman go to https://campnewman.org/ To become a sponsor of the Holy Sparks Podcast go to...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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/

In this supercharged episode with Mikey Pauker, we explorehis roots, both Jewishly and musically. He is trying to bring forth a Jewish Music Grammy category, He talksabout experiencing anti-semitism in the festival and greatermusic world, his new record label, and his vision Check out more of his music here https://www.mikeypauker.com/ Also Click here to sign the petition to create a Jewish Grammy's Category https://www.change.org/p/create-a-jewish-music-category-at-the-grammy-awards?signed=true

On Episode 2 of The Holy Sparks Podcast I get to interview my good friend and colleague Rabbi Joe Black. Rabbi Joe dives into his journey through his rabbinate. We talk songwriting, what it actually looks like to be a Senior Rabbi of a big shul ( 2000+ families) , the future of the Rabbinate, and Limmericks! Rabbi Joseph Black has served as Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Denver, CO since July, 2010 - previously serving as Rabbi of Congregation Albert in Albuquerque, New Mexico from...