The Rabbis Rubenstein speak about a recent decision to not sign a recent letter signed by many other rabbis in the twin cities. They explain their reasoning and their philosophy of when to and when to not sign rabbinic letters.

https://minnesotarabbinicalassociation.org/letter-to-the-jewish-community-about-constitutional-rights-and-jewish-safety

Join the rabbis Rubenstein as they chat with Saint Paul Tal Dror Rouache, a great friend and Israel Program director of the Saint Paul Jewish Federation. Together they will explore how we as American, Minnesotan Jews could be in active relationship with Israel. 

Our Rabbis Rubenstein will delve into the topic of fertility and birth with a very special guest- a wonderful OB-GYN in their community. They will discuss their experiences with birth and fertility as well as how Judaism looks at these important topics. We hope you enjoy what was a truly meaningful and important discussion.

The Rabbis Rubenstein invite special guest, Ken Agranoff, ED of Temple of Aaron, to have a conversation around the financial costs of practice Judaism in 2023. Is practicing Judaism too expensive, just or a bargain? Listen and find out!

In a very special and important episode, Our Rabbis Rubenstein interview Rom El Hai, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival. His personal story of shock, confusion, fear, courage and resolve allows us to connect in a unique way to the upheaval and horror of October 7th, 2023. We hope you find our conversation as meaningful, informative and poignant as we did.

Our rabbis Rubenstein talk to pastor Phillip Romine about interfaith work in Saint Paul and speak about the purpose of interfaith or multi-faith relationships. Special guest, Pastor Phillip Romine, of Interfaith Action of Saint Paul, joins us to talk about a very special organization in the twin cities area. We address the challenges, beauties, and communal obligations of living in a multi-faith society.

The Jewish community is going through a tremendous tragedy and experiencing intense grief and anxiety after Hamas terrorists broke through the barrier fence in Gaza, murdering over 1400 Israelis, taking over 200 people of all ages hostage on Oct. 7 2023, committing one of the worst massacre of Jewish life in one day since the Holocaust. Now we in America sit updating the news every couple of minutes as Israel opens up a major invasion of Gaza in order to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages. Although we are surely not suffering as much as Israelis at this time, Jews in America are experiencing intense grief, as well as confusion, fear and anxiety with increasing threats of Anti-Semitism in the USA and around the world. The Rabbis Rubenstein and their favorite psychologist, Dr. Ashley Braun-Gabelman discuss their responses and reactions to the ongoing conflict and strategies for coping with the ongoing anxiety, grief and fear we are experiencing. We hope that this episode can be your guide in getting through and coping with this extremely difficult time.

Our Rabbis Rubenstein jump into the topic of head-covering in Jewish thought. They jump into questions like should you be covering your head? What might you cover your head with? Why do some Jews cover their heads? and where does the head covering tradition come from?

Today our Rabbis Rubenstein explore, what the US Surgeon General, has called the epidemic of Loneliness in our country. They explore Jewish responses to depression, anxiety, and loneliness all with the professional advice of a sought-after and experienced clinical psychologist who studies and treats these issues, R. Rachel’s sister, Dr. Ashley Braun-Gabelman. Enjoy this meaningful episode!

In honor of our new show name (They’re Rabbis and They’re Married), we invited on another lovely rabbinic couple Becca Walker and Ariella Rosen to talk through what’s it’s truly like to be rabbis and be married to each other. We hope you enjoy our conversation!

In this episode of, “They’re Rabbis & They’re Married,” we invite on a special guest, R. Adam Stock Spilker, one of our amazing rabbinic colleagues in Saint Paul. R. Spilker is the senior rabbi of Mount Zion, the nearby reform congregation. We invite him on to address the topic of “Torah from Heaven,” or the idea that the Torah is from God and given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. We will address that faith claim, and look at the different ways and theologies we hold as Jews who love Torah each in our individual way. We hope you find our different theologies on this particular topic refreshing and helpful to aid you in building a relationship with Torah in your life.

Our Rabbis Rubenstein parse through an ancient Jewish text together, demonstrating what Jewish partner (chevrutah) study looks like. They discuss, within the text learning, what to look for in new teachers and friends.

Our Rabbis Rubenstein are joined by guest, Andrew Davies of the Bible Players (The Bible Players, Jewish Comedy) to discuss alternative and fun ways to teach and learn Torah and Judaism. The Rabbis experiment with improvisation games and speak about the value of widening the ways in which we teach Judaism. We hope you enjoy this discussion!

Get ready for Passover the Rabbis Rubenstein! Learn all about chametz and getting your home ready for the holiday! We’ll learn not only what to do but why we do it- Chag Pesach Sameach!

Join our rabbis as they engage in discussion with Rev. Dr. James C. Thomas, immediate past president of the Saint Paul Black Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Today the rabbis go through and discuss the famous Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sermon- “On Being a Good Neighbor” with their good friend and community partner- Rev. Dr. Thomas. We hope you enjoy!

Our Rabbis Rubenstein and special guest Rabbi Adir Yolkut discuss and break down the question: Should Jews watching American Football? Listen and find out how one can look at American Football from a Jewish perspective right before the Superbowl!

Today the Rabbis Rubenstein discuss the modern movements and denominations of Judaism. They detail how the movements came about and ask the big question of many peoples minds these days- do we still need denominations? Should one be “just Jewish?” Listen and find out!

A special episode of Living Jewishly with the Rabbis Rubenstein in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The rabbis read through one of their favorite sermons of Dr. King and discuss it through a Jewish lens deriving practical lessons for today’s issues.

In this episode, the Rabbis Rubenstein, debate the meaning of the holiday of Chanukah. They work together to isolate the different meanings of the holiday and talk about the holiday means to them. They discuss the battles of the Maccabees against the Syrian Greeks and Hellenized Jews and if they would have found Modern Jews who were also proud Americans to be distasteful. Is there room for the zealotry of the Maccabees for the modern American Jew? If so, what role should the spiritual meaning of Chanukah play in our lives today? We hope you enjoy their meaningful discussion! Happy Chanukah!!

Rabbis Rachel and Marcus Rubenstein discuss their relationship and encounters with Christmas traditions as American Jews. Can American Jews engage with Christmas? If so, so what is the line? For Jews, how is Christmas both problematic and positive at the same time? Listen to find out!

In this episode, our rabbis take us on a journey through the sources, philosophies and traditions of gratitude within their Jewish practice. In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday the rabbis share their family Thanksgiving traditions and how they intersect with their Jewish identity and practice. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

In this episode of Living Jewishly with the Rabbis Rubenstein, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus explore the sources and inspirations for their passionate Zionisms. We use the plural to say that there are many different ways and reasons for one to love the state of Israel and those ways and reasons should be explored and celebrated. They discuss some of the complicated and difficult questions around Israel and share their personal experiences with their spiritual homeland. The episode is in response and in honor of the recent Israeli elections for prime minister.

Today Rabbis Rachel and Marcus will discuss the holiday of Halloween. American Jews are confronted with the celebration of Halloween and each family must ask themselves- Do we celebrate Halloween? Does Halloween accord with Jewish values? How does Judaism deal with the holidays of other faiths and cultures? What does it mean to live as a minority? How do we maintain our Jewish identities while striving to be fully integrated and proud Americans? They will also examine the origin of Halloween and if ghosts and demons are talked about or believed in within the Tanakh and Rabbinic Literature.

Join our Rabbis Rubenstein as they delve into early Zionist philosophers who sound like they could be writing their thoughts today on your favorite social media app. The thinkers they will sample with you in this episode are not well known enough in today's modern American Jewish community but they should be! These Jews were facing many of the same issues we are confronting anew today and can give us much fresh insight from the past. We hope you enjoy!

Welcome to the very first episode of Living Jewishly! In this pilot episode you will be introduced to the hosts of the show, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus Rubenstein. As you meet your hosts you will hear stories of how they grew up, how they choose to live out their Jewish lives as a family today, and a peek into what this podcast will be all about. After the introductions, we delve into today’s topic-- Kosher, or Jewish practices around food and eating. How do Rabbis Marcus and Rachel apply Kosher practices to their own lives? How do they make decisions about what they will and won’t eat? How do they eat with people who don’t keep kosher? What meaning does keeping kosher add to their lives? What about keeping kosher do they struggle with? Explore these questions and more in this exciting first episode of Living Jewishly! Remember to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

Our Rabbis Rubenstein delve into a "surprise text" (B. Talmud Shabbat 11a) which discusses the proper way for a Jew to give a gift. Through it's illuminating discussion, our Rabbis are able to derive many important Jewish values about how we treat each other and the purpose of our actions in this world. 

Our Rabbis Rubenstein are back! R. Rachel has returned from maternity leave! The rabbis are starting where they left off- with the siddur (Jewish prayer book)! In this episode they will continue guiding you through the siddur. Through listening, this episode will help you connect in a deeper way to the words of prayer and hopefully to God. 

Our Rabbis Rubenstein have noticed that many Jews struggle to find meaning in the traditional Jewish prayer service. Even if they are able to say the prayers, often it is something that is done because one is supposed to with little understanding of the spiritual transformation it should lead one to achieve. On the contrary, the Jewish siddur (prayer book) leads a spiritual practitioner through a vast guided meditation which can rewire the mind and the soul. Our rabbis lead us through a magisterial tour of the siddur, and what each moment of it can offer a dedicated spiritual practitioner. Here is part #1 on the morning blessings.

Our Rabbis Rubenstein interview Temple of Aaron member, Semyon Axelrod, a Jew who escaped the Soviet regime after being refused exit for many, many years. He speaks about his historic struggle to live as a Jew freely and what that struggle means for us today.

R. Marcus surprises R. Rachel with a text she never delved deeply into in the Babylonian Talmud Tractate Brachot (7b) asking the question- when is it ok to poke the bear? When is it ok to do something that you know will upset a powerful but evil person? Learn this text with us and see how two rabbis break down an important Talmudic text.

Our Rabbis Rubenstein invite a special guest, Coleen Dieker, onto the podcast to discuss music and it’s role in Jewish practice, spirituality and life. Coleen has been the incredible artist in residence for Temple of Aaron over the past years and is an expert in using musical performance to elevate the spiritual moments had in Jewish communities across the country. We will also get to hear a new exclusive song from her! We hope you enjoy this conversation.

In this special episode, Rabbi Marcus and Rachel Rubenstein kick off a brand-new mini-series exploring 10 foundational practices for living out your Judaism. First up: Prayer.

What does it mean to really pray — not just recite words, but connect? The Rubensteins dive into the heart of tefillah, sharing personal stories, spiritual insights, and practical guidance for building a meaningful prayer life, whether you're a daily davener or just beginning to explore the siddur.

From ancient texts to modern struggles with focus, from the structure of the Amidah to finding your own voice in conversation with the Divine — this episode sets the tone for a transformative journey into embodied Jewish living.

Tune in and take the first step with us.

Join our rabbis Rubenstein as they explore the hit Israeli song of the year, "Tamid Ohev Oti" or "Always loves me" by Sasson Ifram Shaulov. The rabbis discuss the meaning of the song and what it says about Israeli society and the Jewish people.

Listen to the full song by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3fz8ezua

Link to Ein Nechamah Song: אלייצור - אין נחמה | ElaytZur- Ein Nechama - YouTube

Link to Lyrics of Ein Nechamah: Shilo Ben Saadon - אין נחמה (Ein Nechama) (English translation)

Lyrics of Od Yoter Tov: 

God is a good Father, and He extols me, He sees my good deeds

He sees that I seek to be good, but I’m imperfect, thus all I need is a few prayers

But God sees my good deeds, the times I tried, refusing to give up

He knows my moment of shame and frustration, and how I continually start over anew

And the blessed God, always loves me, I will always have nothing but goodness, the blessed God, always loves me, I will always have nothing but goodness

And I will be even better, even better, even better, even better, even better, even better, and I will always have nothing but goodness

He hears me, has mercy on me, and always answers me, even when the answers feel delayed, God's still there, remind me continually that You always love me, give me new gifts everyday

And mercifully guide me, as in this world is called mercy, let everyone see that you hear prayers, and we will be glad and healthy

And the blessed God, always loves me, I will always have nothing but goodness, the blessed God, always loves me, I will always have nothing but goodness.

And I will be even better, even better, even better, even better, even better, even better, and I will always have nothing but goodness.

And I will have a prosperous life, and for those seeking love, may they find their match, I will have complete recovery and sound health, an exquisite happy life every year

The blessed God, always loves me, I will always have nothing but goodness, the blessed God, always loves me, I will always have nothing but goodness

And I will be even better, even better, even better, even better, even better, even better, and I will always have nothing but goodness

ה' הוא אבא טוב והוא תמיד מתפאר בי רואה בי רק ת'נקודות הטובות

רואה שאני רוצה להיות טוב רק לא יוצא לי וחסרות לי כולה כמה תפילות

וה' הוא גם ראה את הרצון שהיה לי שניסיתי לא אמרתי נואש

רואה בבזיון שלי במר שהרגשתי איך התחלתי כל פעם שוב מחדש

וה' יתברך תמיד אוהב אותי

ותמיד יהיה לי רק טוב

ה' יתברך תמיד אוהב אותי ותמיד יהיה לי רק טוב

ויהיה לי עוד יותר טוב

ועוד יותר טוב

ועוד יותר טוב

ועוד יותר טוב

ועוד יותר טוב

ועוד יותר טוב

ותמיד יהיה לי רק טוב

שומע מרחם עלי ותמיד עונה לי

ואם עדיין לא

In this episode of They’re Rabbis and They’re Married, our Rabbis continue their mini-series on 10 foundational Jewish practices. They explore why showing up to synagogue isn’t just a weekend habit—it’s a cornerstone of Jewish spiritual life. From the ancient Temple to your neighborhood shul, we trace how communal prayer, sacred space, and presence in a minyan have shaped Jewish identity across generations.

We talk about the emotional resistance people often feel, what makes a shul feel like home (or not), and how even imperfect prayer spaces still carry divine potential. Whether you're a daily davener, a High Holiday drop-in, or somewhere in between, this conversation invites you to rethink what it means to “belong” in Jewish community.