Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Common Faith
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Faith is coming.. September 18th! | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:01:23 | |
Connect now! And email us anytime! CommonFaith@SiriusXM.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Finding Meaning in Yom Kippur with Rabbi Shira Stutman | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:51:52 | |
On this episode of Common Faith, we’re joined by Rabbi Shira Stutman, a nationally recognized spiritual leader and teacher, for a thoughtful conversation about Yom Kippur—the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Together, we explore what it means to pause, reflect, and seek forgiveness in a world that rarely slows down. Rabbi Stutman shares insights on the power of atonement, the beauty of community prayer, and how the lessons of Yom Kippur reach beyond Judaism to offer wisdom for anyone searching for renewal and reconnection. With warmth and depth, she helps us see how this sacred day is less about guilt and more about growth. Whether you’re observing Yom Kippur or simply curious about its universal themes of honesty, healing, and hope, this conversation invites you to reflect on what it means to begin again. Links: Rabbi Shira Stutman [Chutzpod Podcast](https://www.chutzpod.com) Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| A Sweet New Year with Chef Jake Cohen | 18 Sep 2025 | 00:51:57 | |
This week on Common Faith, we welcome bestselling author and culinary innovator Jake Cohen to the table for a conversation as rich and flavorful as his recipes. With Rosh Hashanah just around the corner, Jake shares how food brings tradition, memory, and modern creativity together in celebrating the Jewish New Year. From brisket and gefilte fish to contemporary twists on holiday classics, we explore how meals can be more than sustenance—they can be rituals of connection, resilience, and joy. Join us as we talk about Jake’s own journey of blending heritage with his cooking, what Rosh Hashanah means to him, and how food becomes a language of faith, family, and community. Whether you’re preparing your own holiday table or simply curious about the deeper meaning behind these traditions, this conversation will leave you inspired—and maybe a little hungry.
Links: Jake Cohen https://www.instagram.com/jakecohen https://www.tiktok.com/@jakecohen Dinner Party Animal One Table Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Welcoming All: Sukkot and Interfaith Dialogue with Father Salvo | 02 Oct 2025 | 00:53:24 | |
On this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel mark the festival of Sukkot — a time of joy, hospitality, and welcoming all to the table. They are joined by Father Enrique Salvo, Rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, who reflects on his own journey of faith, the role of the Cathedral in New York and beyond, and the importance of building bridges between traditions. Together, they explore how Sukkot’s themes of openness and connection resonate across faiths and the importance of welcoming others during the Jewish festival, reminding us that what unites us is often greater than what divides us. St. Patrick's Cathedral Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Torah to Today: Celebrating Scripture with Rev. A.R. Bernard | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:52:46 | |
In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel dive into the meaning of Simchat Torah—the joyful festival that celebrates completing the annual Torah reading cycle. Together, they explore how rereading sacred texts each year reveals new layers of meaning and shapes Jewish identity and community. They are joined by Reverend A.R. Bernard, founder of the Christian Cultural Center and one of New York’s most influential faith leaders. Reverend Bernard shares his remarkable spiritual journey—from banking to ministry, Catholicism to Protestantism, even a period in the Nation of Islam—and reflects on the power of scripture, curiosity, and bridge-building across faith traditions. The conversation ranges from the shared scriptural roots of Judaism and Christianity to the challenges of identity in modern society, the impact of technology on community, and what it means to live with dignity, purpose, and faith in a divided world.
Reverend A.R. Bernard
Christian Cultural Center
Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Hostages to Hope & When Two Things Can Be True: A Conversation on Israel and Empathy | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:55:04 | |
In a historic week for Israel and the Jewish people, Common Faith hosts Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel pause their planned programming to reflect on the emotional return of hostages and what this moment means for Jewish identity, faith, and unity. With compassion and candor, they explore the deep mix of relief, grief, and moral reckoning that defines this chapter of Jewish life—asking how a people can celebrate freedom while confronting loss.. At the heart of their conversation is a profound truth: two things can be true at once. Love of Israel can coexist with critique; pride can live alongside pain; faith can hold both resilience and doubt. Rabbi Cosgrove shares his Yom Kippur sermon, Of Silver Platters and Mirrors, a stirring meditation on love for Israel, moral conscience, and the enduring call to hold empathy and self-defense in the same heart. Together, he and Jon offer a deeply human conversation on resilience, responsibility, and what it means to remain connected—to Israel, to community, and to common faith—in a divided world.
Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| When Faith Meets Politics: Navigating Jewish Concerns in Elections | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:51:37 | |
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel step into rarely charted territory—the intersection of faith and politics. Following a sermon that went viral, Rabbi Cosgrove reflects on why he felt compelled to speak out during New York City’s mayoral race, addressing what he calls a “moment of moral urgency” for the Jewish people with concerns about the anti-Zionist rhetoric of candidate Zohran Mamdani and its implications for the Jewish community. The discussion delves into personal stories, community connections, and the importance of voting, all while exploring the complexities of Jewish identity in a rapidly changing world. Together, the rabbi and Jon unpack the sermon’s impact, the response it ignited, and the complex balance between spiritual leadership and civic engagement. They explore how faith communities navigate political tensions, the blurry line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, and why love—for Israel, for community, for humanity—sometimes demands difficult choices. It’s an episode that challenges, provokes, and ultimately asks: when does faith require us to raise our voices, even when it’s uncomfortable?
Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Cultural to Committed: A Journey of Jewish Identity with Sarah Hurwitz | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:53:47 | |
What does it mean to reclaim Jewish identity in a world that often misunderstands or maligns it? In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel welcome author Sarah Hurwitz, former speechwriter for Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, to discuss her new book As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us. Hurwitz shares her transformation from a self-described “cultural Jew” to a deeply engaged student of Jewish thought and tradition. Together, they explore how antisemitism has shaped Jewish self-perception, what it means to live as a proud Jew in modern times, and why genuine learning and connection—not apology or erasure—are the path forward. With honesty, humor, and heart, this conversation unpacks the struggle between assimilation and authenticity, the intersection of faith and identity, and how study itself can be a profound act of spirituality.
Sarah Hurwitz
Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Proudly Jewish, Proudly American: Lessons from the Revolution | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:54:16 | |
On Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel explore what it means to live as a proud Jew in today’s divided world. This episode features Rabbi Cosgrove’s powerful Rosh Hashanah sermon about Jonas Phillips—the Revolutionary War–era patriot who proved that Jewish identity and American ideals could thrive side by side. Through Phillips’ story, the rabbi reflects on the freedoms and responsibilities of American Jews today, confronting the rising challenges of antisemitism, polarization, and self-censorship. Together, he and John discuss how to balance faith, freedom, and identity—and why two things can be true at once: that we can love both America and Israel, debate passionately and still stay united, and express faith proudly while embracing diversity of thought. It’s a conversation about courage, conscience, and the ongoing American Jewish experiment—and a call to live out faith in both the private and public square.
Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The NFL: America’s Religion Explored with Adam Schefter | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:53:14 | |
Is football America’s true religion? Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel sit down with ESPN’s Adam Schefter—who they dub as the “Pope” of NFL information—to explore the game’s unmatched hold on American life. From the gridiron to the pulpit, they discuss how football has eclipsed baseball as the nation’s pastime, what it says about our shared culture, and how faith, fandom, and identity intertwine every Sunday.
Adam Schefter https://x.com/AdamSchefter?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/adamschefter/?hl=en
ESPN football:
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove
Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Building Bridges: How Black and Jewish Communities Found Common Ground | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:53:52 | |
In this powerful episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel welcome Rabbi Michael Siegel of Anshe Emet Synagogue and Pastor Chris Harris of Bright Star Church and St. James Ministries in Chicago — two spiritual leaders who turned an unlikely friendship into a national model for faith-based partnership and healing.
Pastor Chris Harris https://www.instagram.com/pastorharris/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/Pastor.Chris.Harris.Sr/ https://www.stjamesministrieschicago.com/pastorchrisharris
Rabbi Michael Siegel
American Friends of Natal
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove
Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Faith, Food, and Phil Rosenthal: A Thanksgiving Special | 27 Nov 2025 | 00:53:12 | |
It’s the season of gratitude — and good food. Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel welcome legendary creator and host Phil Rosenthal (Everybody Loves Raymond, Somebody Feed Phil) for a conversation that blends faith, food, and funny family traditions.
Phil Rosenthal Everybody Loves Raymond Somebody Feed Phil Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Light Within: Joel Mesler on Art, Faith & Recovery | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:50:48 | |
In this deeply human and unexpectedly joyful episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel sit down with celebrated artist Joel Mesler, whose vibrant, pop-infused works have become synonymous with healing, humor, and Jewish identity. Through Mesler’s remarkable life story — from a turbulent childhood in Beverly Hills to an intense yeshiva experience, to addiction, recovery, and artistic rebirth — the trio explores what it means to wrestle with your past while still choosing light. Mesler speaks candidly about nine years of sobriety, the lies we tell ourselves in our own voice, and the moment he realized he needed help. He shares how art became both expression and salvation, and how Judaism organically re-entered his life through painting anonymous old “rabbi portraits” that no one wanted — until he transformed them into sought-after pieces of contemporary Judaica. An inspiring conversation about creativity, faith, identity, recovery, and choosing light in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.
Joel Mesler https://www.instagram.com/joelmesler/?hl=en Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Hanukkah Unwrapped: From Brooklyn to Jerusalem with Yossi Klein Halevi | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:52:53 | |
This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel unwrap the deeper meaning of Hanukkah—beyond latkes, dreidels, and eight nights of gifts. Joining them is renowned writer and public intellectual Yossi Klein Halevi, whose personal journey from Brooklyn to Jerusalem illuminates the holiday’s layered history and its evolving place in Jewish identity. Together, they explore the many versions of the Hanukkah story: the miracle of the oil, the military victory of the Maccabees, the struggle against assimilation, and the celebration of reclaimed Jewish sovereignty. Yossi reflects on growing up as the son of Holocaust survivors, his early attraction to Jewish extremism, and the decades-long transformation that led him toward a more expansive, nuanced understanding of Judaism, Israel, and power. From public menorahs in Israeli town squares to quiet candle-lighting in American homes, the conversation traces how Hanukkah is celebrated across cultures—and how October 7th has reshaped Jewish vulnerability, resilience, and collective memory worldwide. With candor, humor, and heart, Elliot, Jon, and Yossi hold space for the tensions, debates, and hopes pulsing through Jewish life today. A moving and timely episode that reminds us: Hanukkah isn’t just a holiday—it’s a lens on identity, history, and the stories we choose to pass on.
Yossi Klein Halevi https://www.facebook.com/YossiKleinHalevi/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Exploring the Future of Rabbis: Insights from Atra | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:54:30 | |
What does the future of rabbinic leadership look like—and why does it matter for all of us?
https://www.instagram.com/atrarabbis https://www.facebook.com/atrarabbis/?_rdr Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Cardinal Dolan's Christmas Blessing: A Shared Journey | 25 Dec 2025 | 00:53:01 | |
What does Christmas mean beyond the lights, music, and traditions—and what can it teach us about faith, generosity, and shared humanity? In this special holiday episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel are joined by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan for a rich and deeply human conversation recorded during the Christmas season. Together, they explore the spiritual heart of Christmas, the experience of being a religious minority in a majority culture, and the surprising places where Jewish and Catholic traditions meet. From reflections on joy, reconciliation, and generosity to deeply personal stories of vocation, pastoral care, and interfaith friendship, Cardinal Dolan offers a moving portrait of Christmas as a celebration of light in dark times—one that resonates far beyond any single tradition. Rabbi Cosgrove reflects on the “December dilemma,” while Jon Frankel shares moments of navigating faith, friendship, and belonging across religious lines. Thoughtful, warm, and often humorous, this episode is a reminder that in a divided world, shared values—faith, compassion, forgiveness, and hope—still have the power to bring us together.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan: https://archny.org/about/cardinal-dolan/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Resolutions or Renewal: The Work of Change with Rabbi Mark Borowitz | 01 Jan 2026 | 00:52:32 | |
What’s the difference between a resolution and a wish—and why does it matter?
Rabbi Mark Borowitz: Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| What Israel Needs Now: A Conversation with Einat Wilf | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:53:00 | |
Since October 7, the meanings of Jewish identity, solidarity, and the future of Israel have been in flux. On this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel sit down with Dr. Einat Wilf — former member of the Israeli Knesset, author, educator, and founder of the Oz Party — for a deep, provocative conversation about the state of Zionism, Israel’s existential challenges, and the ideas shaping Jewish life in Israel and the diaspora. Wilf brings a unique lens shaped by history, policy, and political engagement. Together, they explore how Israel’s leaders and citizens are grappling with security, ideology, and identity after October 7. The discussion moves from diaspora solidarity and the moral complexities of presence and power to Wilf’s own political project: a vision that seeks to redefine peace as rooted in Arab and Palestinian embrace of Zionism, equal civic responsibility, and a transition from an “exile mindset” to sovereign conduct. Wilf shares how her experiences in Israeli politics, academia, and strategic advisory roles inform her belief that Israel’s next chapter demands courage, clarity, and a reexamination of long-held assumptions about peace, power, and national purpose. This episode doesn’t offer easy answers — but it does offer essential, thoughtful engagement with some of the toughest questions facing Jews and Israel today. Dr. Einat Wilf: https://www.wilf.org/en/home-en/ https://www.instagram.com/einatwilf/ Oz Party: https://ozparty.co.il/en/home/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Rediscovering Constructive Disagreement: A Jewish Perspective with Daniel Taub | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:52:56 | |
In an age of polarization, outrage, and echo chambers, how do we disagree without tearing one another apart? Daniel Taub: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Dispute-Rediscovering-Constructive-Disagreement/dp/1399815067 https://rabbisacks.org/about-us/trustees/daniel-taub/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Kathrin Meyer on Holocaust Remembrance and Moral Responsibility | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:52:32 | |
As the generation of Holocaust survivors dwindles and antisemitism resurges across the globe, the work of remembrance has never been more urgent—or more complex. On this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel are joined by Kathrin Meyer, current Board Member for The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights (TOLI), former Secretary General of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and recipient of the 2025 Anne Frank Special Recognition Award. They share in a timely and essential conversation about Holocaust memory and moral responsibility today. Meyer reflects on what Holocaust remembrance means in a rapidly changing world—one marked by historical distortion, political polarization, and the erosion of shared truth. She discusses the challenges of preserving accurate Holocaust education across borders, combating denial and trivialization, and helping younger generations understand why this history still matters. The conversation moves beyond memory as commemoration alone, asking what remembrance demands of us now. How should the lessons of the Holocaust inform civic life, human rights, and the fight against antisemitism in the present? And how can remembrance remain meaningful when history feels increasingly contested? This episode is a sober, thoughtful exploration of memory not as the past—but as a living moral obligation.
Dr. Kathrin Meyer: The Anne Frank Award: https://holocaustremembrance.com/news/kathrin-meyer-2025-anne-frank-award Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Amy Spitalnick on Jewish Safety, Democracy, and the Work of JCPA | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:53:18 | |
In a moment when Jewish identity, democracy, and political loyalty feel increasingly put at odds, Common Faith asks a necessary and urgent question: Can Jewish safety and universal democratic values truly coexist?
Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA): https://jewishpublicaffairs.org Amy Spitalnick – CEO, JCPA: https://jewishpublicaffairs.org/our-team/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Being Jewish in Public: Jonah Platt on Identity, Advocacy, and Culture | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:53:13 | |
In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jon Frankel sit down with Jonah Platt—actor, musician, producer, Jewish advocate, and host of the hit podcast Being Jewish—for an honest conversation about Jewish identity, pride, and public life in a post–October 7 world.
Jonah Platt’s Podcast: https://beingjewishpodcast.com Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: The Unlikely Voice of Faith and Belonging | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:52:42 | |
What does it mean to belong—especially when you’ve spent much of your life feeling like an outsider? This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and journalist Jon Frankel welcome one of the most influential Jewish leaders in America, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue and author of the bestselling memoir Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging. Born in Korea, raised in the United States, and long made to feel like an “unlikely” Jew, Rabbi Buchdahl reflects on a lifetime of navigating identity, faith, and difference—both inside and outside the Jewish community. In a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, she shares how feeling like a stranger ultimately shaped her theology, her leadership, and her understanding of what Jewish tradition demands of us today. Together, the hosts explore the Jewish imperative to care for the outsider, the tension between belonging and exclusion, and how American Jews are once again grappling with feeling “othered” in spaces that once felt like home. The conversation also examines pluralism, political division within Jewish life, and the responsibility of religious leaders to hold diverse—and often conflicting—communities together with humility and moral clarity. At a moment when so many people feel unmoored, Rabbi Buchdahl offers a powerful reframing: that knowing the heart of the stranger is not a weakness, but a core Jewish strength—and a blueprint for empathy, resilience, and shared humanity.
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: https://www.instagram.com/rabbibuchdahl/?hl=en Her Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697350/heart-of-a-stranger-by-angela-buchdahl/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Faith on the Field: Jewish Athletes in America | 19 Feb 2026 | 00:53:45 | |
What happens when faith and Friday night lights collide? In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore what it means to live proudly Jewish lives at the highest levels of college athletics. In the first segment, they speak with Zevi Eckhaus, Division I quarterback and NFL hopeful, who shares what it’s like to navigate locker rooms where he may be the only observant Jew — and how he honored Yom Kippur while preparing for a college football game. From wearing both Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam tefillin to training for his pro day, Zevi reflects on loyalty, identity, and what it means to be an ambassador for Judaism in a sport that rarely sees Jewish representation. In the second segment, they’re joined by Elie Kligman, widely believed to be the first Orthodox Jewish player in Division I baseball. Ellie discusses navigating recruiting conversations about Shabbat observance, missing games for Jewish holidays, and explaining mezuzahs and kashrut to curious teammates. He reflects on what it means to represent not just himself, but the broader Jewish community — and why faith doesn’t have to be sacrificed for excellence. Together, these conversations raise larger questions: In a world that often pressures people to choose between identity and success, Zevi and Elie offer a different model — one of integration, pride, and quiet courage.
Zevi Eckhaus: https://x.com/zevi_eckhaus?lang=en Elie Kligman: https://mgoblue.com/sports/baseball/roster/elie-kligman/27514 https://www.instagram.com/eklig.6/?hl=en Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Purim and the ADL: Jonathan Greenblatt on Facing the Oldest Hatred | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:49:48 | |
Purim is known as Judaism’s most joyful holiday — costumes, hamantaschen, and celebration. But beneath the revelry lies a sobering truth: it is the story of an ancient antisemitic decree and the courage required to confront it.
Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt https://www.adl.org/who-we-are/leadership/staff/jonathan-greenblatt Never is Now:
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Tzedakah in Action: Andres Spokoiny on Jewish Philanthropy | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:52:36 | |
What does it mean to give—and why does Jewish tradition place such deep emphasis on tzedakah? In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy-Award-winning journalist Jon Frankel explore the Jewish ethics of giving and the real-world challenges of philanthropy today. From childhood memories of the classic blue-and-white tzedakah box to questions about how we teach generosity to the next generation, the conversation examines how giving shapes both personal character and communal responsibility. They’re joined by Andres Spokoiny, President and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, who works with philanthropists around the world to expand and strengthen Jewish giving. Spokoiny shares insights from his global perspective on philanthropy—from the importance of strategic giving and collaboration to the challenges of fighting antisemitism, supporting Jewish education, and preparing the next generation of Jewish leaders. Along the way, the conversation tackles big questions: From ancient teachings to modern strategy, this episode explores how tzedakah isn’t just about charity—it’s about responsibility, leadership, and shaping the world we want to live in.
Jewish Funders Network Andres Spokoiny: Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Half-Jew, Full Life: Georgette Bennett on Identity, Survival, and the American Dream | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:53:08 | |
What does it mean to choose an identity — especially when that identity places you in danger? This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jon Frankel sit down with sociologist, author, and humanitarian leader Dr. Georgette Bennett to discuss her moving new book, Half-Jew–Full Life: The Unlikely Journey of a Voluntary Jew from Nazi Persecution to the American Dream. The book traces the life of Gary “Pips” Phillips — born to a Jewish father and Aryan mother in Berlin — who could have avoided deportation under Nazi racial laws. Instead, he insisted on embracing a Jewish identity. “Hitler made me a Jew,” he would later say. Pips went underground in Berlin, was arrested four times, escaped three times, and survived through a combination of ingenuity, unlikely mercy, and relentless will to live. But this conversation goes deeper than biography. Georgette Bennett shares her personal connection to Pips — who became a surrogate father to her after her own family escaped postwar Hungary — and reflects on the moral ambiguities she faced in telling his story. The episode explores survivor consciousness without romanticizing survival, the difference between survivor’s guilt and survival as resistance, and how trauma echoes across generations. Rabbi Cosgrove and Jon Frankel also examine how Jewish identity today must be rooted in more than Holocaust memory — in dignity, responsibility, and the biblical commandment to care for the stranger. In a time of renewed antisemitism and polarized politics, Bennett argues that Jews are not defined only by victimhood, but by civilizational contributions and moral imagination. A story of darkness, resilience, and full-hearted living.
Dr. Georgette Bennett: Half-Jew – Full Life:
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Inside the Jewish Book Council and Why Jewish Stories Matter | 19 Mar 2026 | 00:52:06 | |
This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jon Frankel welcome Naomi Firestone-Teeter, CEO of the Jewish Book Council, to reflect on the power of Jewish literature and the work of nurturing Jewish voices in an ever-changing world. Naomi brings a deep commitment to Jewish storytelling. Since joining the Jewish Book Council in 2006 — eventually becoming its executive director and now CEO — she has helped build out the organization’s digital presence, launched national initiatives like Unpacking the Book: Jewish Writers in Conversation and the Visiting Scribe series, and nurtured a network connecting authors to Jewish organizations across North America. In this episode, the conversation moves between practical and philosophical: Why does Jewish culture place such importance on books? How can literature open doors into Jewish identity for readers of every background? What are the opportunities and challenges of sustaining Jewish storytelling in the 21st century? And what does it mean to read Jewishly — both within and beyond traditional religious frameworks? Along the way, we explore how the Jewish Book Council supports authors, festivals, book clubs, and readers; how literary culture builds bridges across Jewish communities; and why the act of reading together remains one of the most fundamental ways Jews connect to our past and imagine our future.
Naomi Firestone-Teeter: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/naomi-firestone-teeter Jewish Book Council: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/pb-daily/75th-national-jewish-book-award-winners
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Lessons from Pittsburgh: Resilience and Rebuilding with Tree of Life | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:52:05 | |
In October 2018, the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh became the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. But the story of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community is not defined by tragedy alone. In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore the past, present, and future of Jewish life in Pittsburgh. First, they’re joined by historian Dr. Barbara Burstin, a leading authority on Pittsburgh Jewry, who reflects on the city’s unique Jewish community—its deep sense of unity, its history, and the profound shock that reverberated through the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill on that devastating day. Then the conversation turns to the future with Carole Zawatsky, CEO of the Tree of Life organization, who is leading the effort to transform the site of the attack into a national memorial, museum, and education center. She shares how the new Tree of Life will honor the eleven victims, confront the history of antisemitism in America, and create a space for learning, remembrance, and Jewish life. Together, the conversations ask urgent questions:
Dr. Barbara Burstin: https://history.pitt.edu/people/barbara-s-burstin Carole Zawatsky: https://www.thetreeoflife.org/chief-executive-officer Tree of Life: https://www.thetreeoflife.org/
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Passover, Responsibility, and Repair: World Jewish Relief in Action | 02 Apr 2026 | 00:52:33 | |
What does it mean to be Jewish in a world filled with suffering—especially when that suffering extends far beyond our own community? In this Passover episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore one of Judaism’s most enduring tensions: the balance between particularism and universalism. As the Passover story reminds us, we are commanded to remember our own liberation—but also to empathize with the stranger, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. This conversation comes to life through a powerful interview with David Weisberg, Executive Director of World Jewish Relief USA, and Maurice Helfgott, Chair of Trustees of World Jewish Relief. Together, they share how an organization rooted in Jewish history and values now serves both Jews and non-Jews across the globe—from war-torn Ukraine to refugee communities worldwide. Their work raises urgent questions: Where should our attention—and our resources—go? How do we prioritize in a world of endless need? And can we truly care for others without first caring for our own? At a time when the Jewish world itself is in pain, this episode challenges listeners to consider whether compassion is a limited resource—or a defining feature of Jewish identity. With moving personal stories, moral clarity, and a deep sense of purpose, this conversation invites us to rethink what it means to live out our values in real time.
World Jewish Relief, USA: https://usa.worldjewishrelief.org/ David Weisberg and Maurice Helfgott: https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/who-we-are/our-people/
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Siach Shalom: Talking Internal Peace for Israel’s Independence | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:52:33 | |
What does it mean for a nation to move from mourning to celebration—while still struggling within itself? In this powerful episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel begin with one of the most emotionally charged passages in the Jewish calendar: the transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut. In Israel, these days unfold back-to-back—shifting from collective grief and remembrance to the celebration of statehood and independence. They are contiguous not only on the calendar, but in the heart of Israeli identity. And yet, as this episode makes clear, unity cannot be taken for granted. Recorded during a moment of war—when sirens interrupt daily life and Israelis are forced into shelters—this conversation turns inward, asking a more difficult question: What happens when the deepest divisions are not external, but internal? Featuring Dr. Alick Isaacs, Rabba Tamar Elad-Appelbaum, and Keren Sokoloff of Siach Shalom, the episode introduces a bold and deeply human approach to conflict. Rather than trying to resolve disagreements, their work focuses on healing relationships—bringing together Israelis from across ideological, religious, and cultural divides, including some of the most painful fault lines in society today. Through remarkable stories—like conversations between ultra-Orthodox women and military families during wartime—listeners witness what becomes possible when people choose not to persuade, but to listen. Not to win, but to understand. At a time when polarization defines so much of public life—not just in Israel, but around the world—this episode offers a profound insight: that true peace is not the absence of disagreement, but the ability to hold difference without losing one another. In the space between memory and independence, between sirens and silence, the question remains: Can a divided people still become whole?
Siach Shalom:
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Last Twins: A Story of Humanity Inside Auschwitz for Holocaust Remembrance | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:53:52 | |
What does it mean to remember the Holocaust—especially as we approach a world without survivors to tell the story? In this powerful episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore the meaning of Yom HaShoah and the evolving nature of Holocaust remembrance. From the origins of the day itself to the role of ritual, storytelling, and memory, the conversation asks urgent questions: How do we preserve history? Who gets to tell the story? And what happens when memory becomes something we inherit rather than witness? The discussion then turns to The Last Twins, a deeply moving documentary that uncovers a remarkable and previously untold story from Auschwitz. Featuring filmmakers Perri Peltz and Matthew O’Neill, along with Judith Richter, daughter of Holocaust survivor Erno "Zvi" Spiegel, the episode brings listeners into a story not just of survival—but of moral courage. At the heart of the film is a profound question: What does it mean to choose humanity in a system designed to strip it away? As the last generation of survivors fades, this episode challenges us to carry forward not only the memory of the Holocaust, but the values it demands of us today.
The Last Twins: The Last Twins will become available to stream on Monday, April 13 on pbs.org and the PBS App, with a broadcast premiere on Monday, June 15 at 10/9c.
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Battle Beyond the Battlefield: Israel, Narrative & Power with Benjamin Anthony | 07 May 2026 | 00:52:44 | |
This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel sit down with Benjamin Anthony to unpack the complexities of the current Middle East conflict and its ripple effects far beyond the region. Drawing on his experience as an IDF combat veteran and policy leader, Anthony reflects on the evolving nature of modern warfare—not only in physical terms, but in the battle for public opinion taking place across campuses, media platforms, and political institutions. In the first half of the conversation, Anthony traces the rise of polarization and antisemitism in global discourse, arguing that the struggle over Israel’s legitimacy has been building for decades. In the second half, the focus shifts to the strategic and human realities on the ground—from Hezbollah and Iran to the fragile coordination between the U.S. and Israel. Together, the episode explores a central tension: what it means to fight for security and survival in a world where narratives can be as consequential as weapons.
The MirYam Institute: https://www.miryaminstitute.org/ Benjamin Anthony: https://www.miryaminstitute.org/benjamin Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Devil Wears Prada 2 with David Frankel & B.J. Novak | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:53:53 | |
In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel are joined by director David Frankel and actor-writer B.J. Novak for a conversation about storytelling, success, and what changes—and what doesn’t—over time. With The Devil Wears Prada returning nearly two decades later in The Devil Wears Prada 2, Frankel reflects on why he long resisted making a sequel and what ultimately made this story worth revisiting. The discussion touches on how the media and workplace landscapes have evolved, and how those shifts shape the characters in the new film. Novak shares insights from his own path as a writer and performer, including how Jewish humor and storytelling traditions have influenced his work, from The Office to his current projects. As the conversation unfolds, it moves beyond film to consider questions about ambition, leadership, and the tradeoffs that often come with success. In a particularly thoughtful moment, Novak reframes the idea of idolatry in modern terms—asking what we place at the center of our lives, and why.
B.J. Novak: https://www.instagram.com/bjnovak/ David Frankel: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291205/ Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Questions to Convictions: Judea Pearl on Zionophobia and Coexistence | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:51:59 | |
This week on Common Faith, hosts Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel begin with a candid and personal conversation about the nature of Jewish inquiry. Why is Judaism rooted in questioning, yet sermons remain one-directional? What does it mean for a rabbi to share not just ideas, but vulnerability? And where do spiritual leaders turn when they themselves are searching for answers? In the second segment, they are joined by renowned AI pioneer and public intellectual Dr. Judea Pearl. Drawing from his new book Coexistence and Other Fighting Words, Pearl offers a bold framework for understanding modern antisemitism, the rise of anti-Zionism, and the challenges of coexistence in today’s world. From the philosophy of “Jewish normalcy” to the dangers of misinformation in the age of artificial intelligence, this conversation pushes beyond easy answers. Pearl challenges listeners to think more rigorously, speak more assertively, and confront difficult truths with clarity and conviction.
Dr. Judea Pearl: https://bayes.cs.ucla.edu/jp_home.html The book: Coexistence and Other Fighting Words: https://www.amazon.com/Coexistence-Other-Fighting-Words-2002-2025/dp/1895131731
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Beyond Borders: Water, Power & Peace in the Middle East with Gidon Bromberg | 14 May 2026 | 00:52:18 | |
In a world where borders divide and conflict dominates headlines, what if the most powerful path to peace isn’t political—but environmental? This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel are joined by Gidon Bromberg, co-founder of EcoPeace Middle East, an organization bringing together Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian leaders around a shared reality: the environment knows no borders. From water scarcity and climate change to renewable energy and economic interdependence, Bromberg makes the case that cooperation isn’t idealism—it’s survival. In a region where access to water can define daily life, and where the Jordan River itself reflects decades of neglect, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The conversation moves between the personal and the geopolitical—beginning with reflections on global Jewish identity and perspective, and expanding into a bold reimagining of peace built not through diplomacy alone, but through shared necessity. At a time when fear and division dominate, this episode offers a counter-narrative: that even in conflict, there are opportunities to build something lasting—together.
EcoPeace Middle East Gidon Bromberg: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/environmental-peacebuilding-31years-strong/
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Exploring Shavuot: Reimagining Jewish Education with David Bryfman | 21 May 2026 | 00:52:24 | |
What does it mean to receive the Torah in the modern world? This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore the meaning of Shavuot—the holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah—and ask what Jewish education should look like in an age shaped by distraction, polarization, and personal choice. Rabbi Cosgrove reflects on the Torah as a “love letter” between God and the Jewish people: something inherited, wrestled with, and reinterpreted by every generation. They are joined by David Bryfman, CEO of The Jewish Education Project and one of today’s leading voices in Jewish education. Drawing from his new book, Heroism and Hope: Recharging Israel Education in a Post-October 7th World, Bryfman challenges longstanding assumptions about Hebrew school, Israel education, and how Jewish identity is formed today. The conversation tackles everything from Jewish joy and experiential learning to campus antisemitism, social media, and the impact of October 7th on young Jews. Together, they explore whether Jewish education can move beyond fear and obligation toward something more enduring: curiosity, confidence, meaning, and belonging.
David Bryfman: His Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heroism-Hope-Recharging-Education-Post-October/dp/B0GZBH6QLL
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Inside the Haredi Community: Education, Identity, and Israel’s Future | 28 May 2026 | 00:53:19 | |
It’s easy to criticize—but much harder to build. In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel begin with a challenge: what if the real problem in Jewish life today isn’t disagreement—but a culture of critique without responsibility? From “kvetching” to self-reflection, they explore what Judaism actually demands when we call out what’s broken. Then, Rabbi Menachem Bombach joins the conversation—a Haredi educator and social entrepreneur working at the center of one of Israel’s most urgent and complex challenges: integrating the ultra-Orthodox community into broader Israeli society without compromising religious identity. Through his groundbreaking Netzach educational network, Bombach is building a new model—one that combines Torah study with secular education, opening pathways to higher education, careers, and national participation. This episode dives into the tensions shaping Israel today: religion and state, identity and economics, tradition and modernity—and asks whether a more integrated future is possible.
Rabbi Menachem Bombach: https://netzach.org.il/en/leadership-executive/ The Netzach Education Network https://netzach.org.il/en/home/
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Hidden in Plain Sight: Susan Orlean and the Art of Storytelling | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:52:26 | |
Why do some stories stay with us forever? This week on Common Faith, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel sit down with bestselling author and legendary New Yorker writer Susan Orlean to explore the art of storytelling and the human impulse to search for meaning in ordinary moments. From milkmen and librarians to taxidermists and grave diggers, Orlean has built a career uncovering the hidden worlds that exist all around us. Drawing from her memoir Joyride, Orlean reflects on journalism, curiosity, memory, and the way stories shape identity. The conversation moves between literature and lived experience, examining why certain narratives resonate so deeply and what it means to truly notice the people and places we often overlook. Along the way, the discussion turns personal: Orlean reflects on growing up Jewish in suburban Ohio, the influence of her parents, and the Jewish values that shaped her understanding of humanity, empathy, and storytelling itself. The result is a warm, thoughtful conversation about attention, connection, and the richness contained inside seemingly ordinary lives.
Susan Orlean: Joyride: A Memoir https://www.amazon.com/Joyride-Memoir-Susan-Orlean/dp/1982135166
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The World Cup and the American Exception: Soccer, Identity, and Belonging | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:52:06 | |
Why is soccer the world's game—but still not America's? As North America prepares to host the largest World Cup in history, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel tackle a question that goes far beyond sports. Joined by acclaimed writer Franklin Foer and scholar Andrei Markovits, they explore why soccer became a global language of identity, nationalism, and belonging while America developed its own sporting culture. The conversation moves from packed stadiums in Europe and South America to suburban soccer fields across the United States, asking whether America's relationship with soccer is finally changing. Along the way, the guests examine globalization, immigration, fandom, and the ways sports become proxies for deeper cultural and political questions. The discussion also turns to Jewish identity, from Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax to the challenges facing Jews in contemporary public life. What role do athletes play in shaping communal belonging? And what can the World Cup teach us about the tension between universal connection and particular identity?
Franklin Foer: Andrei Markovits: https://www.andreimarkovits.com/
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue: https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||