The Darkest Light: Shlomo Carlebach, His Legacy, and a Difficult Reckoning — Part 1

In this episode of The Jewish World, Rabbi Elchanan Poupko sits down with Simon Mendes, director and producer of The Darkest Light, the new documentary examining the life, legacy, and allegations of sexual abuse surrounding beloved Jewish musical icon Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.

Mendes shares his experience making the film and telling the deeply complicated story of Carlebach through the eyes of his daughter, Neshama, as she confronts the painful reality of allegations against her father and the impact of his legacy on survivors and the community that embraced his music.

Rabbi Poupko brings a deeply personal perspective to the conversation. His parents were close with Carlebach, and as a child and young man, Poupko spent many Shabbatot at Carlebach's moshav, attended his concerts, and experienced firsthand the extraordinary charisma and spiritual power that drew generations of Jews to Carlebach.

Together, Mendes and Poupko explore the tension between the music and spiritual inspiration that shaped Jewish life for so many and the serious allegations that have profoundly changed how Carlebach's legacy is understood.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation about Carlebach, his music, his community, and the difficult questions raised by The Darkest Light.