Kol Ramah

Parashah Talk for Ki Tavo [Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8], featuring Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler in conversation about the weekly Torah reading, is now available. Give a listen as they discuss the range of meaning in the ritual of the first fruits [26:1-11], connecting it with God's promise to the Israelites in Exodus 6:6-8 and the cups of wine at the seder. We explore the nexus between storytelling and redemption and provide commentary on some verses of particular importance to us. Finally, we touch upon the blessings and the curses, and compare them to their appearance in Leviticus [chapter 26], attempting to wrest meaning for modern day Jews.

Parashat Ki Tetze [Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19] is known for its mitzvah density. 74 of the 613 commandments the rabbis located in the Torah [12%, for the mathematically inclined] are found in these few chapters. There are laws for all occasions. Give a listen as Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmonofky and Barry Chesler discuss some of them. Among those discussed are the ben sorer u-moreh (the stubborn and rebellious son) [21:18-21], levirate marriage [25:5-10], and the command to destroy Amalek [25:17-19]. Shabbat Shalom!

Our great show! The audio edition. Lots going on in the Parasha Talk this week for Parashat Shoftim. Join Rabbi Eliot Malomet, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky, and Rabbi Barry Chesler for an amazing talk. Dedicated to Yaakov Malomet and Gabi Wachs who are getting married this Sunday! Mazel Tov!

The latest edition of Parashah Talk, for Re'eh [Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17] is now available! Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky join Rabbi Barry Chesler in lively conversation about the choice between a blessing and a curse, the meaning of the metaphor of us as God's children. the Deuteronomic addition to the laws of the sabbatical year and how it might effect public policy, and the holiday calendar. Give a listen!

Here is Parasha Talk Ekev, with our good friends, Rabbi Eliot Malomet, Rabbi Barry Chesler and Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky. There's lots to talk about: the land of Israel, our relationship with God, and what does God really want from us. Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!

A special edition of Parashah Talk on Tisha B'av, in which we discuss some aspects of Tisha B'Av, Parashat Va-etchanan, and Shabbat Nachamu. Give a listen!

The boys are back! Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky and and I Barry Chesler, have taken our show on the road, as it were. A longstanding highlight of the camp week, Parashah Talk, now is available on Facebook and on Kol Ramah, 102.3 FM on your FM dial [when camp is in session and you are in the vicinity of Wingdale, NY] and on the World Wide Web at Kolramah.us. This week we begin reading the 5th and final book of the Torah, Sefer D'varim, the Book of Deuteronomy. We spend some time talking about the setting and significance of the book as well as discuss the upcoming fast day of Tisha B'Av [the 9th of the Hebrew month Av, observed Wednesday evening and Thursday, July 29-30], which has become a national day of mourning for the Jewish People. The other name for Sefer Devarim in Hebrew is Mishneh Torah, often translated as 2nd Torah, since Deuteronomy recapitulates a number of laws and events from Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, in addition to providing fresh material. When Rambam [Moses Maimon

It's Shabbat, so it must be another edition of Parashah Talk. This week, Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky, and Barry Chesler discuss the concluding chapters of the Book of Numbers, the double portion of Mattot-Massei. We circle back to Pinchas, consider the power of words when making oaths, the cities of refuge, and more. At the end, each rabbi attempts to sum up the book so that we may properly begin Devarim [Deuteronomy] next week. Give a listen!

Please enjoy this special project of Radio Kol Ramah "Babayit" - Home edition, kayitz 2020. We may all be socially distant but that did not stop our radio class from taking a tour of our favorite places at home, culminating in a virtual visit to our radio station in Wingdale! Featuring Lior Austrian –Jacobs Dave Waldman Jolie Weinberg Netanel Salzberg Eden Produced by David Goodman with Mitch Mernick Edited by Yaniv Morozovsky Song Playlist: אברהם טל - שבוע טוב סטטיק ובן אל תבורי - נמסטה ליאור נרקיס עומר אדם ומשה פרץ - שירו של שפשף שלומי שבת ואליעד - מורידים את הירח עדן בן-זקן ועומר אדם - קוקוריקו חנן בן ארי - אם תרצי ישי ריבו - הלב שלי מחנה רמה בבירקשירס - טוב לי במחנה רמה

This week's socially distanced edition of Parashah Talk is here! Come listen as Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler discuss Parashat Pinhas.

Enjoy a great Parsha Talk about the Red Heifer, the death of Miriam, the miraculous well, the perils and challenges of leadership, the death of Aaron, Balak the proto-anti-Semite, blessings and curses, looking at Israel as an outsider and so much more. We miss being with each other in person, but we are making up for it on Zoom with great Zoom-Torah. Once again great thanks to Rabbi Eliot Malomet for hosting a great conversation Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Rabbi Barry Chesler, both of whom managed to be elsewhere for this Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom!

Another edition of Parashah Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. We concentrated on the figure of Korach; see if we said anything as revolutionary as Korach himself!

Things get really charged in the Parashah Talk this week - we debate whether the whole debacle of the spies was a failure of leadership or if Moses, Joshua, and Caleb were just doing the best that they could. We briefly cover the wood gatherer and the mitzvah of tzitzit. Give a watch or a listen. One of the bright spots of the whole covid-confinement is having a hevruta with our great friends, Rabbi Eliot Malomet, Rabbi Barry Chesler and Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Thanks Rabbis! Shabbat Shalom!.....And a special Mazel tov to Rabbi and Cantor Chesler on their wedding anniversary!!!

This week's edition of Parashah Talk on Parashat B'ha'alot'kha features Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky, together with yours truly, Rabbi Eliot Malomet, in conversation about the curious phenomenon of the inverted nuns bracketing two verses which appear in the Torah service [one when we take the Torah out and one when we return it to the Ark], and the character of Moses as a leader, among other topics. Dare I say it is one of our best; certainly one of the most fun to do!

Parsha Talk - Nasso by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

The Matan Torah Edition of Parasha Talk. We go deep in this conversation, asking what revelation is, what is the experience of Torah study about, and what are our favorite things to study. Join me and my great friends, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Rabbi Barry Chesler, and Hag Sameah!

We are dedicating our Parasha Talk this week to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires Gesher 2020. We are so brokenhearted for you this week, after the official announcement that Kayitz 2020 will not be happening. We hoped, but deep down we knew that this was what had to be. Only comfort to you and your families. This is a big loss. The three oldest rabbis who probably taught you more than once as you were coming up through the Edot, are sending you our love and blessings. Cherish your memories, nourish your hopes and dreams. You'll be back, and so will Ramah. Stronger than ever. So we take some time this week to discuss the themes of the midbar, the wilderness, the first Jewish camp, the camp of the Children of Israel in the desert, the Levites and so much more. Have a listen. Shabbat Shalom!

Another great installment of Parasha Talk. Listen to Rabbi Eliot Malomet with Rabbi Barry Chesler and Rabbi Jeremy Kalmonofsky discuss some of the great themes of this week's parasha: the sabbatical year, the cycles of time, the stages of poverty, exploitation, and our responsibilities in keeping the covenant. Learn the secret behind the sweetness of the cherry tomato! Some of the best Torah conversation you will find anywhere!! Take a listen.

It's finally time for makhelah - our staff/camper choir that sings every Friday night at Camp during Kabbalat Shabbat! We hope this fills your home with joy as you head into Shabbat. Todah rabah (thank you) to everyone who participated in making this beautiful video, and to Miriam Hertzson (Rosh Hofa'ah - Performing Arts) for coordinating this project.

The best parasha discussion originally created in Dutchess County New York is back this week with a new edition on Parashat Emor. Take some time to listen to me, Rabbi Eliot Malomet, and my good friends Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler. This awesome threesome of Ramah Rabbis, delve into the subjects of the holiness of the Kohen, disability, humane-ness with regard to animal slaughter, holiness as closeness to God, and blasphemy. What was that blasphemer so angry about? If you need some fresh Torah in your life, take a listen. Shabbat Shalom!