Rabbi Sharon BrousEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Plenary session with guest speakers Rabbi Elliot Dorff and Rabbi Sharon Brous, at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, May 21, 2026. (Youtube) Special Guests: Rabbi Elliot Dorff and Rabbi Sharon Brous.

Join Rabbi Sharon Brous and Dalia Dassa Kaye as they discuss Dassa Kaye's new book, Enduring Hostility - The Making of America’s Iran Policy, "a timely and rigorous analysis of a half-century of American policymakers' shifting perceptions of Iran, and how they have driven US-Iran relations." Dalia Dassa Kaye is a Senior Fellow at the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations and a former Senior Political Scientist and Director of the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy.

California State Senator Ben Allen, representing Senate District 24, including Beverly Grove, Fairfax, Mid City West, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, joined Rabbi Sharon Brous in conversation.

A conversation in recognition of October 7th with Rabbi Sharon Brous and Alana Zeitchik, an Israeli-American peace advocate.

Shavuot Tikkun All-Night Study Session with Rabbi Sharon Brous, at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, June 1, 2025. How does the messenger impact the message? Join us for a close reading of a Talmudic story that explores the boundaries between blessings and curses, speakers and listeners, parents and children. (Youtube) Special Guest: Rabbi Sharon Brous.

At a time when so many of us feel brokenhearted by the ongoing pain, uncertainty and polarization in our world, Rabbi Sharon Brous has been a grounding force and a guiding light for me and so many. She is the senior rabbi and founder of IKAR, a leading-edge Jewish community based in Los Angeles, known for weaving together soulful spirituality, social justice, and deep belonging. A graduate of Columbia University for both her undergraduate and then her M.A. in Human Rights and ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, she is widely recognized as one of the most influential rabbis in America. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post, and her 2016 TED talk , "Reclaiming Religion," has been viewed by more than 1.5 million people. Most recently, she has made an impact with her book The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World, which offers a powerful roadmap for healing through presence, connection, and care. I first learned about Rabbi Brous from my podcast guest, Valerie Kaur, author of See No Stranger, whose Revolutionary Love Project is deeply aligned with Rabbi Brous' message of compassion and collective responsibility. Since then, I've turned again and again to Rabbi Brous' sermons—words that name difficult truths and pathways forward with honesty, courage, and humanity. Often, it felt as though her messages came just before the headlines—as if she were speaking directly into the emotional moment that was about to unfold. When I reached out to see if she might be open to a conversation, I was surprised and deeply grateful when she said yes. In this conversation, Rabbi Brous shares about her unexpected path to becoming a rabbi, how her mother's love shaped her, how faith became a foundation for her activism, and why the call to build Beloved Community starts with the people right around us. We explore the Loneliness Epidemic, the necessity of joy, and how we can hold multiple truths at once, even in a time of deep polarization. We also speak about the extraordinary power of small acts of courage—like two bereaved fathers—one Israeli and one Palestinian—who found connection in shared grief and chose to build something healing from that pain. Again and again, Rabbi Brous reminds us that even in the face of heartbreak, we are not powerless. She invites us to begin simply—by noticing when we want to pull away, and choosing instead to turn toward. To offer compassion instead of judgment. To show up, even when we don't have the perfect words. And to remember that healing begins not in sweeping solutions, but in small, courageous acts of connection. I hope this episode meets you where you are, acknowledges your pain and then also, as it did me, renews a sense of purpose and hope. Topics Discussed in this Episode: Rabbi Brous' unexpected path to becoming a rabbi The power of showing up: why small acts of presence matter Joy as a spiritual necessity, not a luxury Engaging children in honest conversations and sharing our sadness The Loneliness Epidemic and how to reconnect with our communities Holding space for both Jewish and Palestinian grief We don't have to choose sides—being pro-humanity vs. pro-conflict <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"

Today, Michael speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous. Sharon is the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a leading-edge Jewish community based in Los Angeles, and the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World , a national bestseller. She was named #1 on the Newsweek/The Daily Beast list of most influential Rabbis in America and has been recognized by The Forward and Jerusalem Post as among the most influential Jews alive today. Her work has been featured in The New York Times , The Los Angeles Times , and The Washington Post , and her 2016 TED talk, "Reclaiming Religion," has been viewed by more than 1.5 million people. Sharon is in the inaugural cohort of Auburn Seminary's Senior Fellows program, which unites top faith leaders working on the frontlines for justice, she sits on the faculty of REBOOT and serves on the International Council of the New Israel Fund, and the national steering committee for the Poor People's Campaign. Highlights from Michael's and Sharon's insightful conversation include: -Sharon's spiritual awakening and a deep dive into her seminary journey, her love for Talmudic texts, and the realization that her feminist, activist voice was missing from the tradition, and needed to be included -The deep spiritual yearning among disaffected Jews and the need for a new, imaginative religious expression that is both prophetic and rooted in justice -The criticism and threats Sharon received for calling people to compassion, and the spiritual imperative to resist polarization by turning toward, not away from, each other -Poignant stories from Sharon's community and life, including a powerful lesson from her mentor that taught her the sacred responsibility of simply showing up -Themes from Sharon's celebrated sermon, The Amen Effect , and how it turned into a national best-selling book -The link between social disconnection and the rise of tyranny, and a story of how an ideological conflict helped catalyze a life-changing shift in someone -The "18 minutes of joy" practice from Sharon's grieving friend, redefining joy as a form of resistance and spiritual resilience, and so much more! Finally, Michael leads a guided meditation on expanding love from a personal to global scale, culminating in gratitude, spaciousness, and divine compassion. Learn more about IKAR and Sharon's work at https://ikar.org/ and on social media. Remember to Subscribe or Follow and set an alert to receive notifications each Wednesday when new episodes are available! Connect with Michael at his website – https://michaelbeckwith.com/ – and receive his guided meditation, "Raise Your Vibration and Be Untouchable" when you sign up to receive occasional updates from Michael! You can also connect with him at https://agapelive.com/ . Facebook: @Michael.B.Beckwith https://www.facebook.com/Michael.B.Beckwith IG: @michaelbbeckwith https://www.instagram.com/michaelbbeckwith/ TikTok: @officialmichaelbeckwith https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmichaelbeckwith YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqMWuqEKXLY4m60gNDsw61w And as always, deep gratitude to the sponsors of the Take Back Your Mind with Michael B. Beckwith podcast: -Agape International Spiritual Center:

This episode is the first in the 2nd half of our Hard Conversations series. Kelly speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous, who she discovered at the Aspen Ideas Festival and was so captivated by that she waited backstage to invite her onto the podcast. Together they explore forgiveness through ancient and modern perspectives, examining a powerful ritual where those with broken hearts walked against the crowd at the Temple Mount and were asked simply, "What happened to you?" Rabbi Sharon unpacks the Jewish process of teshuvah (repentance), shares why sitting beside someone in their darkness can mean more than offering solutions, and reveals how truly seeing one another might help us bridge our deepest divides. Their exchange offers fresh insights for anyone seeking to repair relationships or create meaningful connections after harm. Check out Rabbi Sharon's book: The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend our Broken Hearts and World. Episode recorded at Aspen Ideas Festival. This episode was made possible by a grant from Templeton Religion Trust. To learn more, go to templetonreligiontrust.org . To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We often think that purpose comes from big moments or grand gestures. But what if it’s the small, quiet connections that truly shape the way we see the world? In this week’s episode, Simran speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous, a spiritual leader whose journey to faith is deeply intertwined with her passion for social justice. Rabbi Brous shares how her path shifted from aspiring civil rights attorney to becoming a rabbi, and how a spiritual awakening in college led her to discover the powerful intersection of faith and justice. She takes us through ancient rituals—like a practice at the Temple Mount designed to connect with the broken-hearted—and how these traditions can still help us build empathy and community today. Rabbi Brous also reflects on the importance of multi-faith collaboration and how showing compassion and curiosity toward others can transform our relationships. This conversation is a powerful reminder that purpose isn’t always about big moments. Often, it’s found in the quiet acts of connection and empathy that bring us closer to each other and to something greater. Resources: IKAR Website Check out Simran’s work on his website at simranjeetsingh.org . Wisdom & Practice is produced in partnership with PRX and the Aspen Institute, with support from the John Templeton Foundation. Music by Raj Kanwal Singh. This episode was produced by associate producer, Serena Chow, producer, Rithu Jagannath and senior producer, Morgan Flannery. Our project manager is Edwin Ochoa, our show is mixed by Tommy Bazarian and the executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzales.

On March 3rd, we welcomed Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu Sarah, Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the forefront of a burgeoning new peace movement in conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous.

In this episode of "The Rest is Commentary," host Shep Rosenman welcomes Rabbi Sharon Brous, the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR and author of the national bestseller, "The Amen Effect," to explore the transformative power of love, justice, and personal connection drawing inspiration from Shep's song (cowritten by Ray Allen Kayanek) "Love is the Heart of this Coup" and Psalm 25. Rabbi Brous shares her insights on how loneliness can pave the way for tyranny, as articulated by Hannah Arendt, and emphasizes the importance of addressing social rifts to prevent the abuse of power. She highlights the significance of intimate conversations as well as systemic change in envisioning a future unburdened by past injustices, in which humanity and justice prevail and she and Shep offer practical steps for rehumanizing our interactions and building a more inclusive society. Join Shep Rosenman and Rabbi Sharon Brous as they explore the intersections of music, spirituality, and activism, and listen to the song "Love is the Heart of This Coup."

Rabbi Sharon Brous is the founding rabbi of IKAR, a Jewish community in Los Angeles, and the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World. In this conversation, Rabbi Brous emphasizes the importance of “sacred encounters,” people truly see and hear each other's stories, particularly in times of grief or pain. She also points to the Jewish ritual of asking the brokenhearted, “Tell me what happened to you?” as a model for deep, empathetic listening. This episode serves as an epilogue to our series on the Peace Initiative for Israel and Palestine at Commune Topanga. You can listen to all the episodes from that series at onecommune.com/peace-initiative-for-israel-palestine. This podcast is supported by: Bon Charge Get 15% off when you order at boncharge.com and use promo code COMMUNE Apollo Neuro: Get 15% off your purchase of the Apollo wearable at ApolloNeuro.com/commune SEED: Get 25% off your first month of Seed’s DS-01® Daily Synbiotic.with code 25COMMUNE. Head to Seed.com/commune Timeline: Timeline is offering the Commune community 10% off your first order at timeline.com/partners/jeff-krasno-commune LivOn Labs Get free samples with any purchase at livonlabs.com/commune Eudēmonia Eudēmonia will take place in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 1-3. For more information and to purchase your ticket, visit https://eude.me/commune

Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi of Ikar in Los Angeles, joins Rabbi Yoshi for a conversation focusing on her new book, "The Amen Effect." In a time of loneliness and isolation, social rupture and alienation, Rabbi Brous suggest ways that we can mend our broken hearts and rebuild our society. Rabbi Brous also shares about the ways that she has tried to navigate these challenging months since October 7 all the while mourning her father who died a few weeks before Rosh Hashanah in 2023. To learn more about "The Amen Effect," visit the link below: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720048/the-amen-effect-by-sharon-brous/

Grief can paralyze us. Most of us aren't given a manual about how to comfort someone grieving or how to ask for help with our own pain. That's why I wanted to revisit one of my favorite conversations, with Rabbi Sharon Brous. I talked with her about being present to someone else's pain and what it means to heal together in the loneliness epidemic. Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her book, The Amen Effect , Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Sharon and her work, check out: her book The Amen Effect her congregation iKAR

This week, we are honored to share with you a conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous, author of the The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World. From the moment we started reading Sharon’s book, we knew that she had a special message, and that she would be an incredible guest. Sharon’s book is a beautiful blend of ancient Jewish wisdom, contemporary science, and deep personal experience that shows how humans throughout history have taken up the responsibility to sit with each other as sacred witnesses to life’s most vulnerable and most joyous moments. Sharon makes the case that when we sit with each other in “celebration, sorrow, and solidarity,” we are connecting in ways that not only forge deep and lasting relationships, but contribute to a larger healing in our communities and in the world. One of the things we loved about Sharon’s book and the conversation with her was that she shared experience from her own life in which she’s succeeded here as well as where she’s failed. None of us do this perfectly, and so often we feel like we don’t even know how to—Sharon was wise and generous in giving herself and all of us grace for now always showing up for people the way we could have, but also practical advice that help us see how we can do this better. Sharon’s speaking from the perspective of a Jewish Rabbi, but her work reminds us of our own sacred texts and our promises to be willing to “mourn with those that mourn.” We loved that Sharon explained that these principles of connection and solidarity really are universal, and we all get at them in our own languages and through our own rituals and traditions. This episode cuts straight to the heart of what it feels like to be human; it was impossible for it not to get personal, since we all know grief, joy, and connection intimately. We absolutely loved talking with Sharon and consider this a special episode. We hope that you enjoy it as much as we did! Join us on July 11 for the Wayfare festival! RSVP here.

Loneliness is now an epidemic, with devastating impacts on our health. How can we rekindle the deep human connection we need now more than ever? For Rabbi Sharon Brous, this question is the focus of her work. Considered one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., she's founded her own congregation and has led multiple White House faith events. In her new book, The Amen Effect, Sharon explores how grief and heartbreak can be gateways to truly seeing each other. Sharon and I talk about what it means to be present to someone else's pain and how a 2,000-year old ritual taught her the meaning of healing together. This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Sharon and her work, check out: her book The Amen Effect her congregation iKAR

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yankolwiz interviews Rabbi Sharon Brous, founding and Senior Rabbi of IKAR Sharon Brous is the founding and senior rabbi of IKAR, a trail-blazing Jewish community based in Los Angeles. Built in 2004, IKAR has grown into a diverse, dynamic, multi-generational community, one of the fastest-growing and most influential in the country. Brous has been named #1 Most Influential Rabbi in the U.S. by Newsweek/The Daily Beast. She blessed both President Obama and President Biden at their National Inaugural Prayer Services, and her TED Talk “Reclaiming Religion” has been viewed 1.5 million times. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Washington Post. A New Yorker at heart, she’s grown deeply enamored of the sunshine and promise in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and children. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rabbi Sharon Brous joins Chelsea to talk about why failing a friend offers the best opportunity for growth, the importance of community during times of grief, and the power of curiosity to change even the most obstinate minds. * Get The Amen Effect here. * Need some advice from Chelsea? Email us at DearChelseaPodcast@gmail.com * Executive Producer Catherine Law Edited & Engineered by Brad Dickert * * * * * The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the Podcast author, or individuals participating in the Podcast, and do not represent the opinions of iHeartMedia or its employees. This Podcast should not be used as medical advice, mental health advice, mental health counseling or therapy, or as imparting any health care recommendations at all. Individuals are advised to seek independent medical, counseling advice and/or therapy from a competent health care professional with respect to any medical condition, mental health issues, health inquiry or matter, including matters discussed on this Podcast. Guests and listeners should not rely on matters discussed in the Podcast and shall not act or shall refrain from acting based on information contained in the Podcast without first seeking independent medical advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharon Brous is America's #1 Most Influential Rabbi ( Newsweek, The Daily Beat ). She is the founding and senior rabbi of IKAR in Los Angeles, a diverse, multi-generational faith community that celebrates the vibrancy of the Jewish people. Rabbi Brous has blessed both President Obama and President Biden in their Inaugural Prayer Services, and she has united millions with her TED Talk, "Reclaiming Religion". In this week's episode of You Are What You Read , Rabbi Brous offers wisdom and insights from her latest book, The Amen Effect, to set us on a pathway to genuine, joyful human connection . In an era of loneliness and isolation, our deepest spiritual work is finding our way to one another. We'd also like to thank our sponsor Book of the Month . Head over to bookofthemonth.com and use Promo Code ADRI to get your first book for just $9.99. Thank you for listening, and thank you for reading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the girls discover just how different their childhoods are after June shares her affection for the game, Egyptian Rat Screw. Then, we hear from ikar founder and author senior Rabbi Sharon Brous about her book The Amen Effect and responding to people's pain without a fix-it mentality. Remember Deep Divers, your presence is enough. Follow Rabbi Brous’ at @SharonBrous on Twitter, read The Amen Effect , and listen to her TED talk . Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every thinking person and caring person has been affected by the pain and suffering in our world of late. And most of us have been grappling with the horrors of October 7 and everything that has come since then. Today, Rabbi Sharon Brous is here to help us make sense of it all. Rabbi Sharon Brous is the founding rabbi of IKAR Jewish synagogue and community in LA. Rabbi Sharon was also chosen to bless President Obama and Vice President Biden at their inaugural in 2013, and she returned to do the same for President Biden and vice president Harris in 2021. She was also named the number one most influential rabbi in the United States by Newsweek and The Daily Beast. Her new book is available now for preorder and it also makes a wonderful gift for yourself and for others. It’s called The Amen Effect, ancient wisdom to mend our broken hearts and world, and I think you’ll love it. So pick up a copy today wherever you get legendary books. You’re listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different . We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let’s go. Rabbi Sharon Brous on coping with grief The conversation begins with Christopher asking Rabbi Sharon Brous about coping with grief and finding hope post-tragedy. Rabbi Sharon admits feeling shattered, expressing concern for her family and the world. Despite the prevailing sorrow, she emphasizes the pivotal moment in history, urging a deliberate choice toward healing. Christopher questions how, as a rabbi, she addresses anger, fear, and despair. Rabbi Sharon sees her role as a pastor: comforting the afflicted, acknowledging pain, and fostering empathy. She encourages reconnecting with shared humanity, emphasizing agency in shaping a better future. “I think that my first job is to be a pastor, to really be a pastor to my community. To, as we say, comfort the afflicted, to name out loud the pain that people are experiencing, to affirm how incredibly worrisome and anguished this time really is. And not to stop there – to then lead us to stretch our hearts and try to find some empathy from our own suffering, to try to reestablish links to a world that we dream is possible, even from out of the depth of the world that we find ourselves in.” – Rabbi Sharon Brous Rabbi Sharon Brous on loneliness and finding a community after a tragedy Christopher shares his distress post-October 7, expressing shock and concern at the rising anti-Semitic behavior. He opens up about feeling out of control, lonely, and abandoned—a sentiment echoed by others. Rabbi Sharon Brous acknowledges the surprising existential loneliness post-tragedy. Drawing on Dr. Vivek Murthy’s insights, she links loneliness to a gap between

Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein with Rabbi Sharon Brous - Lessons from Their Holocaust Documentary

An interview with Rabbi Sharon Brous, the Founding and Senior Rabbi of IKAR in Los Angeles. Rabbi Brous is a leading voice in reanimating religious life in America, working to develop a spiritual roadmap for soulful, multi-faith justice work in Los Angeles and around the country. She has been recognized by the Forward and Newsweek as one of the most influential Rabbis and Jews in the world. Rabbi Brous with Alex Weisz about her plant-based lifestyle and animal rights activism that steered her towards the spiritual activism that she is so widely known for today. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of the license: http://bit.ly/2sTETUQ Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://youtu.be/MAiHpRUbc0k Follow Shamayim on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shamayimjewishanimaladvocacy/ Follow us on Instagram at @shamayimjewishanimaladvocacy

With Election Day rapidly approaching, there are many issues of concern to each voter before they cast their ballot. But the Jewish voter is not monolithic. In each episode of “Behind the Ballot Box: Jewish Values and Our Vote,” Rabbi Jesse Olitzky speaks to rabbis and Jewish communal professionals about a specific issue at stake in this election and why they believe it should be front and center in the minds of voters. Host Rabbi Jesse Olitzky of Congregation Beth El in South Orange, NJ speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous, Founder and Senior Rabbi of IKAR in Los Angeles about the relationship between politics and Torah. Each prior episode dealt with a specific issue at stake in November’s election. In this final episode, they discuss how synagogues, Jewish communal institutions, and rabbis should or should not take a stand on issues that are often deemed as “political,” how they grapple with members of their community that may disagree with them, and how we rebuild a very broken and divided society after the election. Don’t forget to vote! How do you listen to Behind The Ballot Box? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!

Rabbi Sharon Brous is the founder and Senior Rabbi at IKAR, which she calls “a laboratory for bold, imaginative Jewish practice.” Based in Los Angeles, it became one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in the country, and Rabbi Brous has been recognized as one of the nation’s most influential American Jews. She has been credited with “reanimating Jewish community and re-energizing prayer at a time of growing disaffection and declining affiliation.” In 2013 she blessed President Obama and Vice President Biden at the Inaugural National Prayer Service. Among other positions, she is a Senior Fellow at Auburn Theological Seminary and serves on the rabbinic advisory council to American Jewish World Service. We spoke about her innovative approach to Jewish spirituality and her unique congregation. Learn more about Rabbi Sharon Brous here: http://www.ikar-la.org/about/leadership/ikar-team/