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
56 episodes
The October 8th Jews
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 O...
What You Missed on Sukkot
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...
What Does It Mean To Come Home?
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, th...
Let's Build A Home
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.
What Do We Owe God? An early take on Rosh Hashanah
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 abou...
Where Are The Angels? (See You For Shabbos Dinner?)
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: Hi...
The FREE SYNAGOGUE Movement
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 &nbs...
Recap of Shabbat at Commonwealth Autism | Kehillah Volunteer Opportunities
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 mor...
Survey Results + We Need Your Help
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? ...
Radical Pragmatism: A Jewish Gift for America's 250th Birthday
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 Zelopheha...
False Nostalgia — Why We Sometimes Want to Go Back
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 exp...
We've Got Some Announcements | Shabbat | Commonwealth Autism | High Holy Days
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: ...
Judaism, Depression, and Recovering Our Humanity
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 tha...
Conversion To Judaism Part II: The Unspoken Stuff
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,...
Ask the Rabbi Anything | Shavuot | Jewish Jokes | Chronic Illness
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 H...
Who Gets Second Chances? | Lev. 21-4; Numbers 9
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...
The Power of Language
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:
Six Sources I Trust on Israel & Palestine
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 -- b...
Your Kehillah Questions Answered (Part II)
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 Cha...
Passover For Normal People
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 notThe pro/con on going to a community seder or ...
A Day in the Life of Rabbi Patrick Beaulier
Get the inside secrets on what it's REALLY like to be a rabbi.• What “work” means when your job is community • Coffee with the rabbi as pastoral care and first contact • Protecting lunch time, health, and sustainable ...
Avi Remetz of Jewish Community Federation of Richmond Next Gen | INTERVIEW
Avi Remetz is the Director of Philanthropy and Engagement for Next Gen, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond’s initiative for young adults to connect, lead, and make an impact. They bring together individuals in their 20s, 30s, and early...
Purim is the Inglourious Basterds of the Bible
“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal position for just such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)What if where you are right now isn’t accidental? What if this moment — complicated, uncomfortable, demanding — is precisely the one you’re m...
We Need To Talk About Corruption (Part II)
In this episode, Rabbi Patrick speaks directly to those who feel hurt, betrayed, or disillusioned by famous Jewish men in the news — whether in politics, philanthropy, or Jewish communal life. The rise of antisemitism online is, in some part, c...
Javon: the Rabbi’s Son Who’s Healing the World | Interview
Regretfully the audio from this recording was messed up. We chose to publish it anyway, because this interview is just too fun. If you'd like to help us, we could really use someone who likes audio and video production. Volunteer by emailin...