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This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Shemini as we continue in the Book of Leviticus.

What sets the Jewish people apart from others? And more importantly—what does it mean to be holy in our everyday lives?

From the food we eat to the prayers we say, holiness isn’t a once-a-week event—it’s a daily choice. Ben and Cantor Emily explore how everyday actions can become sacred, why Judaism encourages us not to cancel out a mitzvah, and how we can bring intention and meaning into even the most routine moments.

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is this weeks Shabbat Sermon with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 19, 2025)

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This week on The Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re joined by the one and only Ben Suffel! We kick things off with a very special feature: 90 seconds of frozen video thanks to a technical glitch. (Don't worry — we recover faster than Jeremy and Jill will be eating pizza after Passover ends.)

Once we’re back in action, we recap Passover. Tune in to hear our hot takes on Passover-themed TV episodes, our favorite Passover desserts (macaroons? flourless cake?), and we end with our Shonda of the Week segment.

Pull up a chair, pour a glass of Elijah’s wine (or something stronger), and join us for another spirited episode on the Beth El Podcast Network.

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Torah Talk with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, Rabbi Dana Saroken, and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtol at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 12, 2025)

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This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parshat Tzav as we continue in the Book of Leviticus.

Rituals offer us a sense of comfort and stability, reminding us that even in the midst of chaos, Shabbat arrives each week without fail. We also explore the joy of gift-giving, the power of kind words, take-home bags from restaurants, and the children’s classic Goodnight Moon.

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In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 5, 2025)

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On this week’s Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re deep in the heart of Passover prep—cleaning, planning, and debating just how many boxes of matzah we really need. And of course, we wrap up with our Shonda of the Week—because what’s a good conversation without a little kvetching?

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This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Vayikra as we begin the Book of Leviticus.

From barbecue to sacrifices and the weight of consequences, we dive into the deeper meanings behind these ancient practices. Plus, a reminder of the privilege we have in bringing mitzvot into our daily lives.