Central Synagogue
This is the podcast/audio archive of Manhattan's historic Central Synagogue- featuring sermons, music, lectures and conversations. Central Synagogue works tirelessly toward a world in which Judaism is central to the lives of people everywhere and is a profound and positive force for humanity.
4d ago
You’ve probably heard of the Talmud–but what is it really, and how do/can contemporary Jews relate to this crucial text? In this session, Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau will discuss all things Talmud with Rabbi Ethan Tucker, PhD, President and Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar. A renowned expert in Jewish law, Rabbi Tucker was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and earned a doctorate in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Harvard College. Co-founder of Kehilat Hadar and winner of the first Grinspoon Foundation Social Entrepreneur Fellowship, Rabbi Tucker was named one of America’s Top 50 Rabbis by Newsweek in 2011 and 2012. He is the co-author of Gender Equality and Prayer in Jewish Law and hosts the podcast Responsa Radio.
5d ago
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "A Namesake of Jacob or Israel?" December 19, 2025
Dec 12
Sermon by Rabbi Hilly Haber, "The Light of Courage and Hope: Hanukkah 5786" December 12, 2025
Dec 5
Sermon by Rabbinic Intern Brooklyn Michalowicz, "Healing Apart, Coming Together" December 5, 2025
Dec 3
Jews have been using “midrash” as an interpretive tool for centuries. So, what is “midrash,” and how can we relate to it today? Join Rabbinic Intern Rebecca Thau for an exciting conversation with Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD, where they will delve into these topics and beyond. Author, teacher, midrashist, mystic, poet, essayist, and priestess, Rabbi Hammer is committed to an earth-based and wildly mythic view of the world in which nature, ritual, and story connect us to the body of the cosmos and to ourselves. She is the co-founder of the Kohenet Institute and the Director of Spiritual Education at the Academy for Jewish Religion. Rabbi Hammer is the author of nine books and numerous articles, poems, and stories–including compilations of contemporary women’s midrash.
Nov 28
Sermon by Rabbi Rachael Houser, "Giving Our Rachels Their Due" November 28, 2025
Nov 21
Sermon by Rabbi Sivan Rotholz, "From Crisis to Clarity: Why We Study Torah" November 21, 2025
Nov 7
Sermon by Rabbi Ari Lorge, "Children of Abraham" November 7, 2025