The Light Lab Podcast
We (Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Eliana Light, and special guests) believe that there is so much insight to be found in Jewish sacred heritage by holding the gems of our liturgy to the light. We see the immense value of personal, heart-opening, empathy-expanding prayer practice. And we love to talk about both!
Episode 16: Activating Shechina (with Rishe Groner)
What a joy to interview (spi)ritualist, writer, educator, and friend Rishe Groner of the Gene-Sis. A channel of ecstatic & embodied Jewish practice, Rishe lives and breathes prayer- so much so that she has an incredible prayer podcast of her own, Just Pray. We talk about this new project, plus her childhood in a Chabad family in Melbourne Australia, walking in prayer, the keva-kavanah (fixed liturgy-intention) tension, and exploring t’fillah with kids. Plus even more beautiful bits of wisdom. May this blessed back-and-forth activate Divine presence in your day!
Episode 15: Acknowledging What Is (G’vurot)
It’s the second blessing of the Amidah, the fourth installment of our Amidah series, and an all-around enlivening episode! By diving deep into G’vurot, Josh, Ellen, and Eliana explore many questions including: What does it mean to be brought back to life? How is g?d the “owner of the powers,” and can they be rented? And how many movie and musical theater references can we make in an hour without really trying? Plus, listen to the end to hear a song of Eliana’s all about gratitude.
What is YOUR superpower?
Episode 14: Listen to the Siddur (with Rabbi Steve Sager)
Grateful to share another meaningful conversation with Rabbi Steve Sager. If you haven’t gotten a chance, listen back to episode 12 for our first interview. In this continuation, Rabbi Sager reflects on t’fillah through his own life, including his upbringing, his encounter with Mordecai Kaplan, and his path to Rabbinical school. Plus we continue to explore blessings, play and imagination, praying in English, and what it means to listen to the siddur.
What are the moments that make your breath catch in your throat? Where is your wonder?
Episode 13: Who is Present? (Avot V'Imahot)
Now that we’ve taken three steps back and three steps forward, and delved into the first three words of each bracha, it’s time to explore the first blessing of the Amidah- Avot V’Imahot, patriarchs, and as we discuss, also matriarchs. There is so much to uncover in just this one paragraph, including: Our feelings about adding to prayer, Poetic language that goes up to the heavens and back down to earth, inter-text galore, many musical modes, and Jedi ghosts. Really.
Episode 12: Prayer is not so Linear (with Rabbi Steve Sager)
This week’s episode was a difficult one to title- throughout my interview with the wise and compassionate Rabbi Steve Sager, he brought to light so many beautiful facets of t’fillah: what t’fillah means, is, and can be; what it takes to lead t’fillah; the “joyful reunion” of prayer and liturgy; what ritual requires; and g?d as the impulse to live. Rabbi Sager is a scholar of prayer, poetry, Rabbinic literature, and the art of conversation, and this is our first of many. Take a breath, listen in, and see where it takes you.
Episode 11: Pool of Blessings (baruch atah yud-hey-vav-hey)
When we said we were going to dig deep into the Amidah, we meant it! In this week’s episode, Josh, Ellen, and Eliana explore/geek out over just three words- Baruch, Atah, and a four-letter name we can’t even pronounce. These three words begin the Amidah, appear at the end of every section of the Amidah, and begin every traditional blessing, and there is so much to explore, including (but not limited to): knees, curtain calls, praying to a “You,” Jewish numerology, and diving into the pool of blessing.
Episode 10: Why Worship? (with Cantor Rosalie Will)
We’re so blessed to welcome the amazing Cantor Rosalie Will to the Light Lab! In this episode, Eliana and Rosalie explore what worship is, why it matters, and how better questions can elevate prayer communities. Plus we sing the praises of the songleading and music conference Hava Nashira, and Rosalie introduces her brand new nonprofit Sing Unto God.
Episode 9: Palace Enough for Me (Adonai S'fatai Tiftach)
We are embarking on our most ambitious deep dive yet- the Amidah. But before we get too far in, we need to take a step back. Well, three. This week, Josh, Ellen, and Eliana explore “Adonai S’fatai Tiftach,” the preamble to the Amidah, what the Amidah even is, and what it means to prepare for prayer.
Episode 8: We are/will be One (Shema and Aleinu)
In the shema, we say g?d is one. Yet in the aleinu, we say on that day, g?d will be one. Which is true? Hear some thoughts from Eliana, breathe along with a short practice, and stay until the end for a gorgeous shema from the magical, mindful musician Chava Mirel.
Episode 7: The Jewish Space-Time Continuum (with Yoshi Silverstein)
In this first full-length interview episode, Eliana connects with Yoshi Silverstein, founder of Mitsui Collective. We dig into embodied Jewish practice and what it has to do with racial justice, prayer, and the concept of time. It goes some pretty wonderful and wild places, just like a canoe in the river (a reference you’ll understand once you hear our conversation!)
Episode 6: Lights & Miracles (Hanukkah Candles)
Happy Hanukkah! In this very special holiday episode, Eliana, Josh, and Ellen explore the ritual of Hanukkah candles: from the opening blessings, to the difference between a menorah and a chanukiah, to the many verses of Maoz Tzur. Plus, Josh shares his brand new melody for Hanerot Hallalu! We hope this adds some sparkle to your festival of lights.
Episode 5: Thanks-Giving (Modim Anachnu Lach)
It’s time for thanks-giving! Eliana, Ellen, and Josh explore the gratitude prayer of the Amidah, Modim Anachnu Lach. We nerd out on Jewish-people-monikers, intertext, and gematria (numerology,) plus share our favorite melodies and Thanksgiving traditions. What a great excuse for gratitude!
Episode 4: Gratitude Glasses (Modeh/Modah Ani)
This week, Eliana, Ellen, and Josh wake up in gratitude by diving deep into Modeh/Modah Ani. We talk morning rituals, translations, g?d names, favorite melodies, and more.
Episode 3: To Evening the Evenings (Ma'ariv Aravim) with Alexander Nemser
Eliana, Ellen, and Josh are joined by poet and educator Alexander Nemser for a deep dive into Ma'ariv Aravim, the first blessing in the evening service. We talk sheep, stars, translations, and time, plus learn about Alexander's prayer journey and hear some beautiful original poetry. It's a conversation as multifaceted and vast as the twilight sky...
Episode 2: We are the Luminaries (Or Chadash)
To celebrate the launch of the light lab, Eliana, Ellen, and Josh dive deep into the prayer "Or Chadash," a new light. We explore the different kinds of light, light-centered g?d-names, and our favorite melodies for this prayer. Plus Eliana sings and shares her song, "A New Light." We hope this is an en-light-tening episode!
Episode 1: Prayer vs Prayers (T'fillah)
In this first episode, we start with the foundational questions:
What is prayer? What is liturgy? Why does this matter? And why does this matter to us?