I went into a restaurant to meet a friend last weekend and there was a random partition separating two tables. It was the only one in the restaurant and it stood out. I turned to my friend and said, “that is so 2020.” We both had a laugh, and thankfully, for the most part, it is true. There are a lot of life changes that happened over the course of the pandemic and some are part of our new post pandemic world.

Podcasting was not a new media forum in 2020, it dates back to 2004, but with the world in lock down, thousands found an outlet on how to communicate with not just each other, but audiences around the world who they would have otherwise never touched.

There are podcasts for every genre and anything you are personally interested in. I follow many different podcasts and keep adding more to the list. Of the many I follow, I just wanted to touch on one that is hilarious, called Smartless. This stars Jason Bateman, Wil Arnett and Sean Hayes, that are all very good friends IRL (In real life) and took the pandemic lock down as an opportunity to spend time together, apart. Apple named it one of best shows of 2020. Each week the three get together remotely to give each other a hard time, and one of them brings on a guest that is a surprise to the other two. Guests are a range of notables ranging from Jimmy Kimmel, Neil De Grasse Tyson, Kamala Harris to name drop a few.

In the winter of 2022, the three stars decided to take their podcast on the road and filmed it. They were supposed to come to Toronto on their tour (Wil Arnett is Canadian) but because of the strict Covid border rules, were not able to come. The good news was that it was being filmed as a docuseries for release.

It premiered on HBO back in May 2023. I couldn’t wait to watch it and starting searching for it on the release date, but alas…not available on HBO Max Canada. I was disappointed, and put it to the back burner for shows I may not get to see.

Why I am telling you all of this you may be asking?

Yesterday I was tired of doom scrolling and watching the never ending news loop, so I decided to check out what was on Crave and guess what, Smartless on the road is available in Canada!!!! I got comfortable on my sofa and and settled in with Wil, Jason and Sean. It is a short series (6 episodes) but if you listen to them on a regular basis, you will laugh out loud as you follow them around the US on their tour. I laughed out loud many times and six episodes flew by in a snap.

I will be sharing more about the different podcasts I subscribe to, and if you have one that you love, I would love to hear about it. I am always looking for new and interesting hosts and content.

Off to find something to listen to,

Until next time,

It is hard to believe that only two short weeks ago, families were sitting around their Shabbat tables eating with their family, getting ready to bring in the holiday of Simchat Torah. Simchat Torah is time of joy, Jewish pride and unity. It is the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and the symbolic start of the new year of prayer.

We all know what happen in the early morning of October 7, 2023. A day that will forever be known as the single most loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust. It was also a day where almost 200 Jewish men, women and children were taken hostage. We do not know the current fate of our captive brothers and sisters, but we can only imagine in our minds, the terror and horror they are (or have) faced.

Working in a Jewish organization is a unique experience on a personal and professional level. I have a lot to say on both of these headlines and I think they all deserve their own space. I am using this post today to share an experiece we had this week with our Rabbi, and senior fellow of Jewish Enrichment.

In a town hall meeting this week, he discussed amongst all the amazing work that is being done by the community, but the one area that is hard to provide support to is for those who have been taken captive. I know we all want to believe in a miracle for their safe return. He offered an opporunity for us to pray for these souls indivually, and provided a sign up sheet with more than 150 names of our brothers and sisters being held captive.

Adar is her name. Adar Bat Daniella. Adar daughter of Daniella. She is who I will be praying for individually tonight as I light my candles and each day moving forward. Our Rabbi provide three prayers for us to say and I will share them here. If you would like to add Adar to your prayers, please join me in praying for a miracle for her and all those being held.

Tehillim 121:

A song for ascents. I turn my eyes to the mountains; from
where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot give way; your guardian
will not slumber;
See, the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps!
The LORD is your guardian, the LORD is your protection at
your right hand.
By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will guard you from all harm; He will guard
your life.
The LORD will guard your going and coming now
and forever

Acheinu:

As for our brothers, the whole house of Israel, who are in
distress or captivity, on sea or land, may the All-present have
compassion on them and lead them from distress to relief,
from darkness to light, and from oppression to freedom,
now, swiftly and soon—and let us say: Amen

Prayer for Captives:

May the One who blessed Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph,
Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon bless, watch and guard
all our Jewish brothers and sisters who are held in distress
and captivity. On account of us praying for them, may God,
blessed be He, grant mercy upon them, take them out from
darkness and gloom, break their chains, redeem them from
their ordeals and return them quickly to the comfort of their
families and let us say Amen.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to share this post with your friends and family.

Shabbat Shalom,

Am Israel Chai