The Kehillah RVA Podcast
Where community becomes conversation, and Judaism comes alive. This podcast is your front door to Kehillah—Richmond, Virginia’s independent, progressive Jewish community. Through stories, spiritual insights, and moments of real connection, you’ll get to know what makes Kehillah different: we’re not just a synagogue—we’re the Jewish home you always wanted. Hosted by Rabbi Patrick Beaulier, each episode features reflections on Jewish wisdom, creative contributions from Kehillah members, and updates on how this radically welcoming community is inspiring people spiritually, intellectually, and socially. 🌐 Website: kehillahrva.org 📲 Instagram: instagram.com/kehillahrva 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/kehillahrva 💛 Support the community: kehillahrva.org/donate
Episodes
October 7, 2023 shattered the comfortable ability to be Jewish without thinking much about what being Jewish meant. Suddenly, Israel, antisemitism, Jewish history, community, and identity became impossible to leave in the background.
An October 8th Jew isn’t necessarily more religious, more Zionist, or more politically conservative (or an anti-Zionist progressive, for that matter). They're a Jew whose assumptions about Jewish ...
The dual meaning of Sukkot (booths?! Divine protection?!) gets an even bigger meaning when we think about our growing community. Consider that the ancient Priestly class likely added a theological layer to a preexisting activity, and you get an understanding of Sukkot that combines the spiritual, historical and practical layers of the utterly nonsensical holiday that is Sukkot.
And also, shaking a lemon for God.
In this episode, we t...
You matter. And you're always welcome home.
Rabbi Patrick explores the ancient idea that Yom Kippur allows us to set aside the roles we play throughout the year and return to our truest selves.
Drawing on Jewish tradition, the history of the synagogue, and Kehillah's own story, he asks what makes a Jewish community a home—and what it means for Kehillah to create a permanent home of its own.
Also included: an update from Commonwe...
Kehillah is ready for its next chapter.
In this final episode of the season, Rabbi Patrick reflects on Rosh Hashanah, the story of Avraham and Yitzakh, and what it means to actually listen to the people who make up our community.
And we talk about Bayit — our effort to create a permanent, secured home for Kehillah. Not a building for the sake of a building, but a home for our Torah, Shabbat services and dinners, a MASSIVELY exp...
OK - you know I'm supposed to give a class like "what is Rosh Hashanah" but you all can find AI slop to help you learn that.
Instead, how about "What do we owe God"? Seems on-theme for the High Holy Days.
Maybe the answer isn't about figuring out exactly what God wants. Maybe it's about what we have that God doesn't have: our humanity.
If being alive is a blessing, then what are we going to do with the fact that we're here?
Upcoming Ke...
EPISODE 50!!! And we're wondering, where are the angels?
Drawing from Genesis 22, Midrash, and the Friday night prayer Shalom Aleichem, this episode explores what it means to answer God's call with one simple Hebrew phrase: Hineini—"Here I am." Also, the 90's TV show Touched By An Angel.
Upcoming Kehillah Events
📅 Friday, August 7 @ 6:00 PM
Shabbat Service & Dinner | Commonwealth Autism (Bon Air)
📅 Friday, August 14 @ 6:...
Should Judaism be accessible before someone can afford it?
The Free Synagogue Movement was built around:
- A free pulpit
- Freedom of conscience
- No pew rentals
- No required dues
- Equality and social justice
And that's Kehillah.
At a time when many people feel disconnected from institutions, perhaps people are not looking for less community. Perhaps they are looking for a differ...
A big thanks to Jacob, Joe, Martha, Robin and everyone who volunteered to make our first Shabbat at Commonwealth Autism possible.
While the rabbi is away on vacay, enjoy this sneak peek at volunteer opportunities. If you'd like to get more involved in our social circles and ambassadorship (aka hanging out with new people) fill out this form: https://kehillahrva.org/social-circles/
From our friends at Commonwealth Autism
Autism & N...
The results of our community survey are in, and there are many ways you can make Kehillah MORE of what you need it to be. Yes -- this podcast episode has a lot of asks in it. But they are all fun.
- Wish Kehillah was closer to you? Host a Shabbat (we pay for food, setup, cleanup -- all of is)
- Wish there were more groups that you can connect with? Start one! Info is on the website. And also, we need ambassadors! That's something you...
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Rabbi Patrick explores a different path through our nation's political and cultural divisions: Radical Pragmatism. Drawing on the wisdom of Yitro's advice to Moses, and the daughters of Zelophehad, this episode argues that Judaism offers a model for solving problems practical action rather than ideological certainty. What might happen if we focused less on winning arguments and more on disc...
Why do people return to unhealthy relationships, destructive habits, or situations they worked so hard to escape? And why does Rabbi Patrick watch Halloween commercials from 1988?
In this episode of the Kehillah Podcast, Rabbi Patrick explores the phenomenon of false nostalgia through the lens of the Torah's wilderness narratives.
Topics include:
- Why the Israelites repeatedly wanted to return to Egypt
- The differe...
This is an announcement 📣 a lot of great opportunities to connect, to volunteer and to donate to your Jewish community. Details in the episode. Links below:
JCC Pride Shabbat Service with Kehillah, Or Atid & NextGen (Richmond) Fri Jun 12, 2026 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM | Weinstein JCC, 23226
Shabbat Learning and Brunch at Second Arrow (Church Hill) Sat Jun 13, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Second Arrow, 23223
In this episode, Rabbi Patrick explores a provocative question: What do we owe ourselves? Drawing from the Book of Genesis and Johann Hari’s book Lost Connections, we explore whether many of our struggles stem from something deeper than stress or busyness—a loss of our humanity itself. This includes asking ourselves some deep questions like:
- What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
- How does meaning transfo...
Repeat after me: converting to Judaism is not joining a religion.
(Or at least, it’s MORE than joining a religion.)
Judaism is a peoplehood, and becoming Jewish is about being brought into that peoplehood. And the peoplehood, well, they certainly know how to people! LOL
In this part II episode on converting to Judaism, Rabbi Patrick talks about all the things they DON’T talk to you about in your Judaism 101 class. Topics i...
Shavuot starts this Thursday evening, and in the spirit of all night Jewish learning, we thought we’d offer something unique — a kind of Ask the Rabbi Anything. Questions include:
- The theology behind Jewish humor (HE HAD A HAT!)
- Why Jews got into the entertainment industry
- Dealing with chronic illness Jewishly
- Rabbi’s favorite holidays and why (Make Simchat Torah Great Again)
- Yitzhak Rabin and provinces
- How Kehillah...
What happens when life gets in the way of doing the right thing at the right time? And what happens when “second chances” go too far?
From ancient ritual law to modern community life, this episode unpacks a core tension: responsibility vs. reality.
UPCOMING EVENTS
See you for Shavuot! Marking both the harvest festival and the giving of the Ten Commandments, it'll feature an interactive storytelling experience highlighted b...
For ancient people, words had material power. Today, communication is the greatest form of world currency. Let's tie all that together, along with a beginners guide to arguing the holiest way possible.
Follow along here: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/241948?lang=bi
Donate to support Kehillah: https://kehillahrva.org/donate/
Got questions? Send us a text and we'll read it on the show
📲 Follow us on Instagram: instag...
Tiktok is garbage and influencers are just that...influence peddlers. How about we trust people we actually can know, especially about Israeli and Palestinian issues?
Here are six people Rabbi Patrick trusts -- including three locals -- because relationships are the heart of learning.
Another round of Kehillah questions answered, inspired by the 80 people (!!!) we had for Passover and the questions I was asked before or during seder. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Why does God kill the Angel of Death in Chad Gadyah? (thanks Eitan K.!)
- Are you/is Kehillah Zionist? ("thanks" Reddit!)
- And who cooked this food? (thanks everyone else!)
Kol hakavod to all our volunteers, to Commonwealth Autism, and more fo...
DOUBLE CHAI! Episode 36 has Rabbi Patrick rambling about Passover...
- How to kasher a kitchen when your family members have multiple, competing opinions about what is kosher or not
- The pro/con on going to a community seder or hosting your own
- What do they do? Rabbi answers questions about how his family observes the holiday
- And some notes about kitniyot, pizza, RSVPs, Kehillah recipes, aluminum foil and Jewish food panic
This ep...
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