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
25 episodes
Shawn Harris on the Creative Process & Bizarro Torah (INTERVIEW)
Get to know Kehillah member Shawn Harris as we discuss the life of a creative person, her big moves from the west back to Richmond, the power of imagination, storytelling and world building.Learn more about her project Bizarro Torah:
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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39:14
Arianna Rose on Music, Judaism & Neurodivergence (INTERVIEW)
Get to know Kehillah member Arianna who you've likely seen around, but have not had a chance to chat with one-on-one. In this episode we discuss growing up as a teen in West Virginia, her move to RVA, a shared love of music, and what it's like ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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39:25
A Synagogue For Tired People Like Us
Tired? Burned out? We get it. Kehillah is perfect for you.This episode starts with talking about tents and biblical translations, introversion, the crisis of people flaking out on plans, and tells a private story about Rabbi Patrick bein...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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44:20
America's Crisis of Meaning
Across America, more and more people are asking the same question: What’s the point? Faith has faded, connection feels shallow, and the old ways of belonging don’t seem to fit anymore. But in the Jewish tradition, a crisis is never the...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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24:19
Meet Lori Levy's Parents | INTERVIEW
Meet Kehillah members Sandra and Benjamin, otherwise known as Lori Levy’s parentsIn this episode, we’ll hear from the eighty-plus year old couple about everything from chicken soup to civil rights, the Black and Jewish experiences in the...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:00:32
Make Judaism Weird Again | Sukkot
Recovering from Yom Kippur with this kavanah (intention) to Make Judaism Weird Again! Because we can’t just hand people bagels and lox and expect commitment.A few requests:We need Metro RVA homes for Home Hosted Shabbat. If y...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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23:48
Rosh Hashanah Sermon | House of Prayer, Study & Assembly
What is the point of a synagogue? A few words for Rosh Hashanah.Event tickets: https://kehillahrva.org/calendar/Free tickets & support:
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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19:15
What Is God & Why Do Bad Things Happen? (Part II)
This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners.Difficult times lead us to ask: what is God and why do bad things happen?In this two part podcast, Rabbi Patrick gives us some ideas from Jewish ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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44:36
What Is God & Why Do Bad Things Happen? (Part I)
Difficult times lead us to ask: what is God and why do bad things happen?In this two part podcast, Rabbi Patrick gives us some ideas from Jewish tradition about the nature of the Divine. In part one, we talk about the many, varied and un...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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31:21
Returning to Kehillah (You Can Come Back!)
Did you know 10% of congregants (of all religions in the USA) will LEAVE their community at some point? That's normal!But if you are someone who left, and you feel that tug at your heart to come back, and you're not sure how -- th...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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29:41
Sneak Preview of High Holidays (FREE EVENTS + MORE)
Sneak preview of all our High Holidays events, details on free tickets and more.TICKETS AT KEHILLAHRVA.ORGRosh Hashanah Evening Service | Sept 22 - 6:30PMRosh Hashanah Day Servic...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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24:47
Rebbetzin Stefanie INTERVIEW
Live from the tiki room, it's Rebbetzin Stefanie! Stefanie discusses why she likes running a synagogue out of her house (although she wishes she had more Star Wars themed furniture), the value of community building, and shares some stori...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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44:49
Loving Your Neighbor, When You DON'T EVEN LIKE THEM
“Love your neighbor as yourself” is one of the most famous verses in the Torah. But what if your neighbor drives you crazy? What if you disagree about politics, values — or even reality?In this episode, Rabbi Patrick explores what the To...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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39:01
We Need To Talk About Corruption
Corruption isn’t just a political problem — it’s a human one.Drawing on texts about bribery, justice, and moral courage, Rabbi Patrick helps us explore how unchecked corruption corrodes not only institutions but relationships and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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47:11
You CAN Make Friends as an Adult
How do people make friends as adults?In this episode of the Kehillah RVA Podcast, Rabbi Patrick explores why true, lasting friendships are so rare — and so essential — in our adult lives. We’ll talk about:...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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35:22
Your Jewish and Kehillah Questions Answered
You have questions—we have answers.In this episode of the Kehillah RVA Podcast, Rabbi Patrick tackles some of the most thoughtful, funny, and heartfelt questions sent in by listeners. From what’s changed at Kehillah over ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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49:57
Jewish Anxiety
Being Jewish comes with beauty, belonging—and fear.In this episode of the Kehillah Podcast, we explore the quiet ways Jewish anxiety shows up in everyday life. From wondering whether to hang a mezuzah to deciding how (and when) to...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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23:12
Rabbi Patrick Is FAR OUT (of the Office)
Rabbi's out of town, but here are a few important announcements:Want to be on the podcast? Reach out: Rabbi@KehillahRVA.orgKavaClub hosting our Ask A Rabbi Anything on Sunday, June 29thPlease donate to support this...
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2:24
Converting to Judaism
Want to become Jewish? Rabbi Patrick explores the meaning of conversion in Kehillah and Progressive streams of Judaism—everything from Jewish identity, practice, bet din, mikvah, and ultimately belonging. Whether you're on the path or ju...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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32:18
The Conspiracy For Your Soul 👁️🗨️ Exodus 31:16-17
Stressed out? Overworked? This can help.We live in a world that’s constantly demanding more—more hustle, more speed, more screens. But Shabbat offers a sacred pause, and one ancient word changes everything: vayinafash.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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29:31
What Is Progressive Judaism?
We aren't lazy Jews.Progressive Judaism isn’t a trend—it’s a centuries-long conversation between tradition and modernity. In this episode, Rabbi Patrick explores the foundational document of Reform Judaism, and uses it as a doorwa...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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28:54
Some Thoughts on Suffering | Genesis 1:1–5
In memory of Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lischinsky, who were killed outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 21st. May their memory be a blessing, and may their families be comforted among the mourners of Zion ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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26:21
The Big Picture 🖼️ Shehecheyanu
Life. Sustained. Place. Time. Gratitude in the Moment.In this episode of the Kehillah Podcast, we zoom out—and then way in. Through the lens of Shehecheyanu, Rabbi Patrick shares a deeply personal reflection about his late ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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21:01
Significant Change Requires Significant Relationships
When we show up for one another, something sacred happens.In this first episode of the Kehillah Podcast, we explore the meaning of Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, the power of Kehillah (community), and the idea that you matt...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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24:03