Welcome to this week's Torah from Boca from Tel Aviv!

In this special episode, I’m recording from Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. I had the privilege of joining a fellowship with rabbinical students from across denominations—Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and non-denominational—as part of an immersive experience that brings future Jewish leaders into dialogue with Israeli society, its challenges, and its soul.

While in Tel Aviv, I sat down with my friend and colleague, Rabbi Leor Sinai—a fellow dreamer, educator, and passionate Zionist—for a deep and wide-ranging conversation. We spoke about what Zionism means today, especially in the wake of October 7; the power of Jewish peoplehood; the spiritual return we're witnessing in our communities; and what it means to love our people fiercely—even when we disagree.

We also talk Torah, of course—this week’s parashah, Bamidbar, and how every Jew is like a letter in the scroll of our people—indispensable and holy.

So whether you're in Boca, Jerusalem, or somewhere in between, join us as we unpack this moment in Jewish history—raw, real, and filled with purpose.

You can read more about my mission with the Sinai Temple Israel Fellows here

Click Here For the Video on Rabbi Leor Sinai's YouTube Channel

Ever faced an invitation you didn't know if you should accept? This week on Torah from Boca, I reveal a decision I've never shared publicly—turning down a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence during the first Trump administration. I had a good reason: it was my son's siddur ceremony (when he received his first prayer book) at his school.

But what if that meeting hadn't conflicted with my son's special day? Honestly, this podcast isn't really about that meeting, but it's about all the meetings we may have with people with whom we disagree with, or that our friends disagree with.

It is about a question I explore the Torah's teachings on how we should treat those we strongly disagree with, discussing whether rabbis—and all of us—should engage privately with controversial and even dangerous individuals. Join me in wrestling with one of Judaism’s toughest ethical questions: Can we truly love our neighbor—even when it's hard?

Click here to read the text version here

In this episode of Torah from Boca, I share a story I love—a hilarious (and surprisingly deep) tale of a silent debate between a pope and a Jew named Moishe. It's funny, yes—but like so many Jewish jokes, there’s truth beneath the humor.

Watching the world await the white smoke of the papal election, I felt something stir in me. Not jealousy, but what Bishop Krister Stendahl once called sacred envy—the ability to admire another religion’s spiritual beauty without wanting to imitate it.

But then I turned to this week’s Torah portion, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, and was reminded of how Judaism offers something radical and powerful: the democratization of holiness. We don’t have a pope. We don’t wait for one person in a robe to bring us close to God. The Torah teaches that each of us—yes, even those with broken Hebrew or bad Latin—can live lives of holiness through our actions.

Join me as I reflect on what this parashah teaches us about leadership, holiness, and the sacred challenge of showing up fully—no titles required.