The Rev & The Rabbi

Hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a nuanced dialogue with criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis. The conversation centers on the death of Alex Frety, a licensed gun owner, utilizing his case to highlight the dangers of rushing to judgment before independent investigations are complete. Abramson emphasizes the critical need for de-escalation training and professional accountability, noting that modern law enforcement often lacks the rigorous preparation required for complex street encounters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. The discussion centers on the death of Alex Pretti, a licensed gun owner who was killed by ICE agents, and highlights the growing tension between civil liberties and militarized law enforcement. Abramson critiques the lack of transparency and inadequate training of federal personnel, contrasting their aggressive tactics with traditional police methods of de-escalation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett regarding her extensive humanitarian career and her new book, Half Jew for Life. The conversation highlights Bennett’s work with the Multifaith Alliance, where she successfully bridged divides between Syrians and Israelis by providing massive amounts of medical and humanitarian aid to war victims. A central theme of the discussion is the dual nature of religion, exploring how sacred texts can be manipulated to justify violence or harnessed to inspire interreligious understanding and compassion for the stranger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett to explore the dual nature of religion as both a source of humanitarian compassion and a tool for extremist indoctrination. Dr. Bennett discusses her book, Half Jew, Full Life, which details the Holocaust-era struggle for identity and the dangers of authoritarianism and hate speech. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the Multifaith Alliance, highlighting Dr. Bennett's work in building bridges between sworn enemies and providing aid to Syrian war victims. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard host Alireza Jafarzadeh to discuss the ongoing struggle for democracy in Iran and the deep-seated corruption of its current theocracy. Jafarzadeh, a prominent policy expert, details how the regime has weaponized religion to justify brutal repression while simultaneously plunging the nation into an unprecedented economic collapse by diverting wealth to nuclear ambitions and foreign proxies. The dialogue moves from the historical failure of the Shah’s monarchy to the modern necessity of a grassroots, women-led resistance capable of establishing a secular, representative republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview policy expert Alireza Jafarzadeh to examine the systemic oppression and growing internal resistance within modern Iran. Jafarzadeh details how the ruling theocracy maintains power through violent repression, economic mismanagement, and the strategic misuse of religion, contrasts that with the "stolen revolution" that replaced the monarchy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Alan Abramson to analyze the legal and ethical implications of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The conversation centers on the extraction of Nicolás Maduro, with Abramson arguing that using the military for law enforcement actions violates international law and bypasses the established constitutional process of congressional approval. The participants explore the tension between the moral desire to remove despots and the danger of eroding the balance of power between government branches, particularly as it relates to executive overreach and the pursuit of oil interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson to analyze the legal and ethical implications of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The conversation centers on the extraction of Nicolás Maduro, with Abramson arguing that using the military for law enforcement actions violates international law and bypasses the established constitutional process of congressional approval. The participants explore the tension between the moral desire to remove despots and the danger of eroding the balance of power between government branches, particularly as it relates to executive overreach and the pursuit of oil interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this radio broadcast, hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Reverend Dr. Michael Faulkner to explore the complex intersection of faith and governance in the United States. The dialogue centers on the distinction between shared Judeo-Christian principles and the more extreme ideology of Christian nationalism, which Faulkner defines as a dangerous form of triumphalism that seeks religious dominion over the state. By distinguishing between cultural influences and state religion, the speakers argue that while biblical ethics shaped America’s founding, the nation must remain a pluralistic society where religious freedom and civic equality are guaranteed for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "The Rev and the Rabbi," hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a spirited dialogue with guests to explore the intersection of faith, law, and national identity. The program first examines the rise of Christian nationalism, featuring Reverend Dr. Michael Faulkner, who clarifies that while the United States was culturally shaped by Judeo-Christian principles, its democratic foundation necessitates a separation of church and state to ensure religious freedom for all. Shifting toward foreign policy, the hosts then consult attorney Allan Abramson to critique a recent military intervention in Venezuela, questioning the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first show of 2026, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard critique the inaugural actions of New York City’s new mayor, specifically his shift toward collectivism and his decision to rescind executive orders regarding anti-Semitism and the BDS movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard join news anchor Noam Laden to review the pivotal political and social milestones of the past year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard reflecting on the significant religious, social, and political transformations of the past year. The dialogue serves as a provocative retrospective on a second Trump administration, touching on the President's unconventional diplomatic successes in the Middle East and his radical restructuring of American governance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AR Bernard and Joe Potasnik discuss current events through the prism of faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Menchem Creditor comes on to talk about how his brother-in-law survived the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Jonathan Pearl comes on to talk about the meaning of Hanukkah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Governor David Paterson comes on to talk about dealing with Mamdani as a Cuomo supporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reverend AR Bernard and Rabbi Joe Potasnik give their thoughts on the news of the week through the perspective of faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reverend AR Bernard and Rabbi Joe Potasnik give their thoughts on the current events of the week from the view of religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On The Rev & The Rabbi, the pair are joined by Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about being grateful and having thanks ahead of Thanksgiving. They also discuss the culture of entitlement, interfaith unity and finding facts and truth in the modern political landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices