Episodes
This time on Not That Kind of Rabbi it's the Passover edition. I'm joined by one of Toronto's Rabbinic brightest lights. Rabbi Aaron Levy from Makom Creative Downtown Judaism. We talk freedom, slavery and what the heck the Passover meal (Seder) is really all about. We start by showing Charlton Heston (Moses) the door.
Published 04/10/22
Brian Fraser is many things. A Minister, organizational development wizard, runner and tying it all together, a jazz lover. We talk about the whole darn mess in a jazzy kinda way on this episode of Not That Kind of Rabbi.
Published 02/24/22
When I first saw Jeremy Hotz do stand-up, he looked nervous, very nervous. Turns out in the end he has extreme anxiety disorder, oh and he's very funny. After 30 years it's so great to reconnect.
Published 02/10/22
Lara Rae is a comedian. A very good one. Lara Rae is Trans and a comedian. Lara Rae is deeply spiritual, Trans and a comedian. She is also someone I have had the pleasure of knowing for a very long time. Thing is, it's been years since we've had a chance to come together. Well, the time has come. Listen and enjoy.
Published 01/27/22
Jaffa Road is a street name in Israel. It also happens to be the name of a wonderful group of musicians who bring elements of middle eastern, south asian and yes, even jazz together to make a wonderful soulful stew. They have a new album, Until When. I speak with Aaron Lightstone, the band leader, and we play some of this soulful music.
Published 01/13/22
My dad used to love pointing at the TV when I was a kid when someone would appear and declare, "He'/She's Jewish. Most of the time he was right. But now a new book, Under The Radar, tells us about 30 Canadian artists who were.
Published 12/30/21
Sometimes we become something, not because we get a degree, but because we simply, through our actions and intentions, become something. In this case after years of service and study, after mining his heart for the gold inside Avrum Rosensweig has done just that. Not a Rabbi but in every way that I can see, just that, a Rabbi. We could have talked all day.
Published 12/15/21
Tucked way up on the northern tip of Africa is the place where I come from, Morocco. A few of us left that country after hundreds of years in the 50's and 60's. Luckily one of those is sacred singer, Cantor Aaron Bensoussan. His voice is magical, every song a prayer in itself. Luckily he ended up in Toronto and he is my guest on Not That Kind Of Rabbi this time.
Published 12/02/21
Nettie Cronish is one hell of a foodie. She combines spirit, ethics, knowledge and passion to create fantastic vegetarian recipes. Her latest is a Fair Trade cookbook. Prepare yourself for a soulful journey into the art of eating and living right. Like Jalapeno Chocolate Chili, yum.
Published 11/18/21
The Reverend Michael Coren has a way of seeing the world that combines wit, intelligence and compassion. His new book, The Rebel Christ, makes the case for equal marriage, the right to abortion and the scriptures that back up his argument. We have a chat.
Published 11/04/21
What do Mary Tyler Moore, deep mystical Judaism and going to see a therapist have in common. Answer, they all reside in the person of Social Worker, Therapist, Kabbalist and Chinese medicine devotee Annette Poizner. We had a great conversation on this week's episode. Join us and take a turn around the diamond of your soul.
Published 10/21/21
While doing my training to become a spiritually based counsellor, I met a fellow traveller, an American named Yesh. We've been friends since then. Now he's written a book, Unthinkable Dreams, that tells the tale of his mother’s passing just two days before 9-11. Both events have left their indelible mark.
Published 09/28/21
Billy Newton Davis can sing. Has four Juno's. Billy had gospel at five, Motown at thirteen, Broadway by twenty and through it all he's been soulful and searching. This is great conversation.
Published 09/01/21
Mackenzie Gray is an actor, director and theatre teacher. One day, not too long ago, he almost died. Six months later, he had one of his legs amputated. His response was one of joy and spirit. This is his story.
Published 08/12/21
In this episode of Not That Kind of Rabbi Ralph spends some time with the Rev. Drew Jacques. Nothing too heavy, just the future of the Church, the wrongs of the past, the way some people talk about God. You know the usual stuff.
Published 07/29/21
Peter Wood is a Sax Player. Loves Kansa Swing. Peter Wood is also the Reverend at Mackay United Church in Ottawa. These two Peter's are both getting it on with God. Come join us while we jam on that in this jazzy version of Not That Kind Of Rabbi.
Published 07/15/21
Nakuset is an indigenous powerhouse that runs a Montreal Indigenous women's shelter. She was also scooped up in the 60's, taken from her Saskatchewan home and raised by a Jewish Family in Montreal. It didn't go well, except for the saving grace of her Bubby. She calls herself a Jewish Indian. I call her inspiring. Have a listen.
Published 07/05/21
Jonathan Torrens has harvested his time in the Canadian spotlight and turned it in to a beautiful thing. Love, balance and creativity. We reconnect with an old CBC fellow traveler to see how the corn grows in Nova Scotia these days and where life has taken him.
Published 06/24/21
Happy Capitalist Lou Schizas figures we're going through this life thing alone. Its just a matter of the choices you make, and if they suck, oh well. The neo-liberal approach to spirit-if that's what we're calling it...
Published 06/17/21
He was a buddhist teacher, an academic and in the legal parlance of the time, a drug smuggling kingpin. Fleet Maull got 14 years in prison and today brings mindful and compassionate service to inmates and correctional officers across North America. His new book is called Radical Responsibility. This is a great interview.
Published 06/04/21
Once again, violence has become the language of the Israel/Palestine reality. Who do I turn to for a grounded conversation? Not who's right and who's wrong, but a mind that sees the gray, instead of the ribal black and white. Who? How about comedian Simon Rakoff. He's taking the chance of being serious on this one.
Published 05/20/21
Welcome to the first encore guest on Not That Kind of Rabbi. The Reverend Michael Coren. I always enjoy his thoughtful and deeply knowledge based approach to the sacred. This time we'll talk post-COVID, Israel and Palestine and the big question... Is Capitalism a proper container for Christian thought? Support us at patreon.com/NTKR
Published 05/06/21
Gary Barwin is, well, a lot of things. Aurthor, poet, composer, artist, Phd, teacher. Basically, so talented that I find myself mildly annoyed by his talent. His latest book is called Nothing the Same-Everything Haunted, (The Ballad of Motl the Cowboy). It has Jews, Lthuanians, Nazis, fake Indians, fake cowboys and many brilliant and heart arresting plot twists. Please enjoy, if there is such a thing.
Published 04/22/21
Alan Doyle has had a great big life. The pride of Petty Harbour Nfld. Sings, plays, writes and most importantly lives and loves his family. Have a listen.
Published 04/08/21