Park Avenue Synagogue Podcast

Cantors Davis and Reisner revisit the pipeline issue from their last episode and share a preview of a special melody for "The Song of the Sea," coming up this Shabbat.

Freedom is born not only through God’s miracles, but through human agency. Drawing on the Torah reading, Václav Havel, and contemporary politics, Rabbi Cosgrove challenges us to stop “living within the lie,” reclaim our moral voice, and take agency in a consequential time.

Rabbi Pink, a Minnesota native, discusses the unrest in his home state, and shares how a teaching from this week’s Torah portion can help us understand what is happening and how to respond.

On the Shabbat before MLK Day, Rabbi Zauzmer reminded us that while we can criticize the policies of our elected officials, we should celebrate religious diversity in leadership.

Why Moses? A close reading of three brief scenes before the burning bush reveals the leadership qualities that shaped Israel’s greatest prophet. Rabbi Cosgrove explores moral courage, responsibility, and the art of standing in the breach – lessons Moses lived by, and lessons our fractured moment urgently needs.

Cantors Davis and Reisner discuss everything from what drew them to the cantorate, Jewish spiritual leadership today, how their work intersects with other parts of their lives, and the hit show "Nobody Wants This."

Hanukkah is not simply a story of light over darkness, but a cautionary tale of Jew against Jew. In an age of division, Rabbi Cosgrove calls for rededication to one another – reminding us that the true miracle is unity without uniformity, and the courage to keep kindling shared light.

Israel’s war is being fought on two fronts, on the battlefield and in the battle for moral clarity. As the last hostage awaits return, Rabbi Cosgrove explores the tension between Jacob’s restraint and his sons’ fury – how far one may go, and must not go, to save a life.

Twenty years after Jacob famously dreamed of a ladder ascending to heaven, he had another, less well-known vision. Rabbi Pink analyzes that story and shares what it can teach us about our lives.

Following Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor, Rabbi Cosgrove calls for a civic awakening. Like Rebecca seizing her destiny, Jews today must act with agency—knowing our leaders, voting, and standing up for democracy and Jewish community. Nothing “just happens.” The future of our people and city is in our hands.

From a visit to The Museum of Jewish Heritage on the anniversary of Kristallnacht and this week's torah portion, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the Jewish experience of being both a stranger and a resident in the place they call home, throughout history to today. 

Following New York’s mayoral election, Rabbi Cosgrove reflects on democracy, disagreement, and the bonds of Jewish peoplehood. Drawing on the story of Abraham and Isaac, he calls for renewed dialogue, humility, and ahavat yisrael, a reminder that the real test begins not on the mountaintop, but on the way down.

Rabbi Zauzmer leads a discussion on why Sukkot is known as the holiday of joy, encouraging us to let our walls down.

Rabbi Pink explains the hidden meaning behind the ancient sacrifices on Sukkot, and what we can learn from them about how we interact with people outside our community.

How do we carry on after the spiritual high of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that living Jewishly is a year-round, weekly, and daily commitment. If we want the peak moments, we must practice regularly.

As long as there have been Jews, there have been complaints. But some disagreements are holier than others. Rabbi Pink analyzes when Jews are called, and in some cases required, to protest.

If you've ever played card or board games - and especially if you've argued over their rules - you've already picked up a hidden lesson that applies to Jewish learning. Rabbi Pink explains how this experience should inspire everyone to learn more about Judaism in the coming year.