Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of something good, and unwind with this week’s Havdalah Happy Hour! Tonight we’re joined by Amanda from Kvetch & Co for a post-Shabbat conversation full of laughs. We kick things off with a...

This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Shemini as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. What sets the Jewish people apart from others? And more importantly—what does it mean to be holy in our ...

In case you missed it or want to share, here is this weeks Shabbat Sermon with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 19, 2025) 

This week on The Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re joined by the one and only Ben Suffel! We kick things off with a very special feature: 90 seconds of frozen video thanks to a technical glitch. (Don't worry — we recover faster than Jeremy and Jill wi...

In case you missed it or want to share, here is Torah Talk with Rabbi Steve Schwartz, Rabbi Dana Saroken, and Ritual Director Ben Kreshtol at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 12, 2025)

This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parshat Tzav as we continue in the Book of Leviticus. Rituals offer us a sense of comfort and stability, reminding us that even in the midst of chaos, Shabbat arrives each week w...

In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore. (April 5, 2025)

On this week’s Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re deep in the heart of Passover prep—cleaning, planning, and debating just how many boxes of matzah we really need. And of course, we wrap up with our Shonda of the Week—because what’s a good con...

This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parshat Vayikra as we begin the Book of Leviticus.   From barbecue to sacrifices and the weight of consequences, we dive into the deeper meanings behind these ancien...

The moms are back! This episode of Kvetch & Co. is all about surviving winter—because, honestly, it was a lot. We’re talking about navigating the flu (and every other ailment that made its way through our homes), recapping recent f...

In case you missed it or want to share, here is Rabbi Steve Schwartz's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congreagation in Baltimore. (March 29, 2025)

Havdalah Happy Hour is back on the Beth El Podcast Network! In this episode, we recap all the festive fun from Purim at Beth El Congregation — costumes, groggers, and maybe even a hamantaschen or two. Then, we look ahead to Passover, sharing...

This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parashat Pekudei as we reach the end of  the Book of Exodus. 

In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 22, 2025)

In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Ben Kreshtol's Torah Talk at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 15, 2025) 

This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken dive into Parashat Ki Tisa as we journey through the Book of Exodus. Building community. Holding traditions. Finding forgiveness. What brings you through the door?An...

During Friday night’s sermon, Rabbi Dana Saroken shared some very powerful insights from her time at the ADL’s “Never Is Now” Conference in NYC. 

On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re diving into all things Purim with our special guest, Rachel Rudo! We’re talking hamantaschen, our favorite Disney movies (because every Purim spiel needs a little extra magic), and giving y...

This week, Rabbi Schwartz and Ben Kreshtool dive into Parashat Tetzaveh as we journey through the Book of Exodus. Do the clothes make the man? Are sequels to movies better than the original? We also discuss olive oil and cook...

​This Shabbat, we were joined by rabbinical intern, Bennett Decker to provide the Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (March 1, 2025)

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes warmer weather, longer days, and—of course—baseball season! This week, we’re diving into the joys (and occasional miseries) of springtime.But wait—ever tried lamb, rabbit, or other “del...

This week, Ben Kreshtool and Cantor Emily Ellentuck dive into Parashat Terumah as we journey through the Book of Exodus. Why does God need a place to dwell? And what’s up with dolphin skin in the desert? Pl...

On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re going off-book—literally! We kick things off by discussing the art of davening without a siddur. Can you wing it? Are water bottles the new fad? From Stanley cups to emotio...

In case you missed it or wanted to share, here is Rabbi Dana Saroken's and Ben Kreshtool's Shabbat Sermon at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. (February 22, 2025)

On this episode of Havdalah Happy Hour, we’re diving into the big questions—like why meteorologists get so much hate (seriously, they’re just trying to help), whether sushi cakes are a culinary masterpiece or a mistake, and how Ben sur...