The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark

Rabbi Mark speaks with Angela Moore who is a leader at UNHCR, and important U.N. Refugee Agency that is helping persecuted and displaced people find help and support as they struggle to build new lives free of terror, oppression, and, in some cases, exploitation. Mark also interviews Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, who is the first woman ever to be ordained as a cantor in the Jewish faith. She talks about being a pioneer in a field that was for centuries exclusively male.

Rabbi Mark speaks with Matthew Thiessesn PhD., biblical scholar and teacher, about Jesus' Jewish roots and he welcomes Pastor James Brooks who is a new minister in Hagerstown, MD at First Christian Church.

Rabbi mark talks with Dr. Nehemia Gordon, who was one of the translators of The Dead Sea Scrolls, about his take on scripture from both a Jewish and Christian perspective.

Rabbi Mark speaks about his trip to Israel and what he experienced there as opposed to what is generally seen on cable news. Mark then spoke to spiritual guide, teacher, and grief counselor Mitch Cohen who helps clarify the distinctions between being religious and embracing spirituality.

In this episode Rabbi Mark is joined by award winning composer and flutist Mattan Klein. Mattan Klein shares his account of how life in Israel has changed in the past weeks. He gives the historical perspective of the Israel-Palestine and the decades of transgressions that led to the recent events. He also shares his music and his hope that it could lead to harmony and love. On the second half of the episode Mark is joined by former President of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau Thomas Riford. On the show he shares the history of Thomas Kennedy, a man from Hagerstown who championed Religious Freedom for all. Born in 1776, Thomas Kennedy fought against discrimination and was the leading force to pass the "Jew Bill" which allowed people of Jewish decent or belief to hold public office. Listen to Mattan's 2023 Album Listen to Mattan's 2022 Album Jazzwise Magazine Mattan Klein Facebook Hagerstown Convention and Visitor's Bureau Thomas Kennedy Center

Amy Jaffy serves as the Senior Vice President at Vista Del Mar. Amy explains, they have the capacities to oversee a number of child refugees from various countries. Amy has background and a private practice in psychotherapy which she uses to help stablize and support the children from varying countries that come in. She talks how far Vista Del Mar has come in the past 100 years and how they continue to serve families and the community to this day. Rabbi Jackie Redner served as the resident pastor for 17 years. Director of spiritual enrichment and a certified, mind, and medicine practitioner. Rabbi Jackie explains how her upbringing and roots led her to want to work in a place like Vista Del Mar. Despite the low amount of jewish children coming through Vista Del Mar she works with people of all faiths to support their spiritual journey. Judism and Interfaith practices are seen throughout Vista Del Mar as all holidays including Jewish holidays are celebrated. Vista Del Mar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VistaDelMarOrg/ Website: https://vistadelmar.org/ Next Mark is joined by poet, author, and proud vegan Vivian Chinelli to talk about her veganism and why others could think before consuming animals. Like others she ate meat until she was challenged one day and she began to stop consuming it. She now makes conversation in the streets of Los Angeles about why people eat meat and how they can look into some alternatives. She also incorporates her poetry into undertaking to educate. She's written a number of books on the topic of veganism. I'm not Vegan but My Cousin is: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Vegan-But-Cousin-Respecting/dp/B0B7QJ8HN7 Website: http://www.vivianchinelli.com

Our first guest is a motivational speaker, trainer, teacher, author, and a certified life coach. She is The FOCUS Trainer which stands for Fun, Opprotunity, Concentration, Unwavering, and Sucess. Rabbi Mark and Cherish break down her offerings and skills and how she uses her services to contribute to her local community. Cherish explains how her upbringing brought her to where she is today. How she started behind in class in reading and writing and gradually learned and overcame to eventually graduate with honors. The second guess is Ryan Berger who is the Funeral Director for the Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home. He unpacks his role at the funeral home and how he helps families get through their time at the funeral home. They discuss the specific burial ceremonies guests need depending on the religion of the deceased. Ryan also explains the stigma around funeral directors in the general public and how others typically feel strange or weary around him.

The first half of the today's episode Rabi Mark shares the origins of his faith and how he found his spirituality in Judaism. He speaks on how science and religion aren't necessarily in conflict. We see that science speaks to the how but religion speaks to the why. Rabi Mark gives a thorough break down of the history of the faith and some of their practices. Well known figures of the faith like Moses and Abraham are discussed and insight is given to how they guided and affected the religion. The second half focuses on the Muslim faith. Mark is joined by the president of the Islamic Center of Hagerstown Basheer Azizi. Their focus is at the Center is on connecting the local community and to give people a place to practice the faith. Azizi speaks on what it looks like to serve as a Muslim in Hagerstown and how that has changed over the decades. He explains how his faith has given a purpose in his life and how growing up during 9-11 shaped his adult life. Mark and Basheer break stereotypes within Islam and Judaism as well as speaking on the extremists in both of their groups.

Religion and faith isn't the only thing discussed on The Interfaith Roundtable. This week the discussion is focused on community work and how the ideals of helping and aiding those around us coincides with faith or is an off-shoot of it Sommer Gilliam combined her love of community with her love of creating. The owner of Kreeative Kreations in Hagerstown, Maryland, Sommer creates not only beautiful hairstyles, but also soulfull and delicious treats. As a director of The Washington County Black Professionals Network, Sommer lives a life of uplifting those around her, while also chasing her own dreams. She tells her story and why she does what she does. In the second half, Rabbi Mark is joined by Kathleen Prest, a social worker who works to train foster families with San Mar Treatment Foster Care, as well as Jennifer Lewis, a fellow congregate and clinical social worker as well as the Director of Treatment Foster Care for San Mar Family and Community Services. These two ladies discuss the importance of stability and love for foster children, as well as detail the work they do in helping in transitions and guiding them in life.

For the first half, Rabbi Mark is joined by fellow Hagerstown Area Religious Council members Rev. Jonathan Harris and Ashlee Harris of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They talk names and assumptions about members of their faith as well as their community and charity work. You can find out about volunteer opportunities at https://www.justserve.org/. The second half features a chat with another HARC member, Father Todd Young of St. John’s Episcopal Church. They discuss the openness of the Episcopal Church and how Father Todd navigates their message in the modern world. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

First Rabbi Mark is joined by fellow Listen Frederick host Brian Donahue. Brian hosts The Big Sci-Fi Podcast, the Brian Donahue Show Podcast, as well as faith based podcasts. Brian also is a Minister at the Pursuit Friends Church in Northeast Ohio. Rabbi Mark and Brian talk about the intersection of his passions and podcasts. He unpacks his church motto Pray, Love, Live on Mission. The phrase was derived from the great commission where Jesus called his followers to reach out to others that need God. Finally they discuss the importance of faith when it comes to believing in the accuracy and infallibility of Scriptures. Jane Powell works with the Literacy Council of Washington County. The council offers language classes to a large range of adults who need help with their literacy. She works with adults helping them in reading, writing and math with both native English speakers and with non-native speakers. Jane discusses what lead up to joining the Literary Council. What seemed to be her under qualified, second choice in the Literary Council quickly became her life. Many students found the Literacy Center through the local community college who recommends their services to students who fail to meet the literacy requirements to under college. Jane covers the possibility of a stigma around illiteracy and why/how these notions should be dispelled. Jane shares that the literacy program doesn't just stop within the building but Powell reaches out to schools as well as prisons. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

Rabbi Mark speaks with Professor Robert H. Mnookin about the modern Jewish identity in America in celebration of the paperback release of his book, The Jewish American Paradox: Embracing Choice in a Changing World. Together they discuss four critical challenges that the modern American Jew comes across when it comes to their community. Professor Mnookin flips the narrative and asks Rabbi Mark about his history, before the interview continues with anecdotes from Professor Mnookin's experience as a negotiator and his reflections on current events. Robert H. Mnookin is the Samuel Williston Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and for twenty-five years served as the Chair of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. He directs the Harvard Negotiation Research Project. A leading scholar in the field of conflict resolution, Professor Mnookin has applied his interdisciplinary approach to negotiation and conflict resolution to a remarkable range of problems; both public and private. Professor Mnookin has written or edited ten books and numerous scholarly articles. His most recent books include Kissinger the Negotiator (with James K. Sebenius and R. Nicholas Burns); and Bargaining with the Devil: When to Negotiate, When to Fight. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

The Interfaith Roundtable is sponsored by The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home and F&M Trust. This week Rabbi Mark sits down with Paula Myers to discuss Baháʼí Faith. Baháʼí is the unity of God, religion, and of all humanity. Ms. Myers explains that Baháʼí focuses on family in the home and being generous to all individuals. Paula even opens up her home (brownies included) to share the teachings. Even among interfaith discussing Baháʼí are taught not to ceaselessly argue with others. The second guest is Rachel Bright, a Naturopathic Doctor as well as a holistic tradition practitioner. Naturopaths not only seek to help patients get through their symptoms but also seek to find the source of the ailment and treat it from there. She explains how a naturopathic practitioner isn't shackled by an insurance company like traditional doctors are. She finds that the modern medical field breaks up the body into small parts (otolaryngologists, dermatologists, oncologists) whereas naturopathic medicine looks at the body as a whole. She relates the body to a symphony saying every part of the body has a role to play and if their role is off the body will falter. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

The Interfaith Roundtable is sponsored by The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home and F&M Trust. Raed Haq met Rabbi Mark at a Quiznos. A bit of a surprising place to find a guest for a show exploring interfaith stories, right? However, it did lead to a wonderful discussion on Islam and the skewed perception many have on the religion. A member of The Islamic Society of Western Maryland, Raed re-discovered Islam in college and has since found a home in the religion. He and Rabbi Mark dive into the differences of Shia and Sunni, break down the context of some passages typically used against Muslims, and find a common goal in wanting others to understand their faith. In the second half, Rabbi Mark is joined by Reverend Les McIntosh, Sr. of Impact Ministries in Hagerstown. They discuss his philosophy on spreading the gospel, as well as Impact's contributions to the local community. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

The Interfaith Roundtable is sponsored by The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home and F&M Trust. Dr. Kerry Olitzky joins Rabbi Mark and Elizabeth to discuss how he is helping recovering addicts and how fundamental Jewish principle's can help and transform recovering addicts. Dr. Olitzky is the former executive director of Big Tent Judiasm and also happened to be Rabbi Mark's professor back at Hebrew Union College. Dr Olitzky is a prolific author penning over 75 books on Judiasm as well as children's books. The principles discussed in this episode are all outlined in his book Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery. The second guest on today's show is Belladonna Laveau who is a practicing Wiccan and is Matriarch and Archpriestess of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church International. She is also the Dean of an online Wiccan College Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary which is the first and only Wiccan sponsored College. Laveau unpacks her journey to Wicca and hardships she's faced because of her religion. She dispels popular misinformation on the belief and shares how there is common ground in Wicca with many other popular religions. Send your thoughts on the show or suggestions on topics you would like to hear discussed to MJPerman9@gmail.com! Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

The Interfaith Roundtable is sponsored by The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home and F&M Trust. In the first half of this week's show Rabbi Mark muses on why he started the show and explains how we can use our gifts for not only our benefit but ultimately God's purpose. He then goes into the Jewish teaching of Kabbalah and how many misunderstand the mystic Jewish discipline. Rabbi Mark then takes us through a meditative exercise to practice mindfulness to show us an example of Kabbalist meditation. In the second half Rabbi Mark is joined by Pastor Steve Humphrey. Pastor Humphrey is head Pastor Otterbein United Methodist Church. John Wesley and the origins of the Methodist Movement are discussed. He explains how the Methodist movement not only seeks personal transformation but also transformation on a societal level. One of the final topics they cover is what Pastor Humphrey describes as the decline of mainstream religion and the rise of religious extremist as well as how politics are intercepting and co-oping religious teachings.

Rabbi Mark is joined by Ukrainian Christian Volodymyr Grinchenko. He talks about how he grew up in a secular Jewish family in Southern Ukraine but was converted by missionaries which led him on a path to come to America and obtain a a master's degree in practical theology and a doctorate in pastoral psychotherapy. Together they wrestle with the idea of the concept of evil and why a creator would allow murder and atrocities in the world. On that note, Volodymyr speaks on his family's current struggles living in Ukraine during wartime and how spiritual people should react to war. He covers a number of topics relating to Ukrainian society and religious matters like the topic of religious freedoms in Ukraine and anti-semitism in Ukraine. They end their discussion on Christmas and what is the spirit of Christmas and how to keep it alive. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

The Interfaith Roundtable is sponsored by The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home. This week the first half of the show is dedicated to covering the Unity Church. Rabbi Mark is joined by founding pioneer of the Unity of Hagerstown Maryland Church, Reverend Sandy Boyer . Reverend Sandy unpacks the founding of the Unity Church and how it finds its origins in the New Thought movement. Sandy, herself, speaks on how she found the Unity Church after feeling unfulfilled being raised in a fundamental Christian household. She closes by speaking on The Season of Nonviolence which is a movement founded by the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Arun Manilal Gandhi. In the second half of the show Rabbi Mark outlines his personal Jewish belief with his wife Elizabeth. He covers the foundation of Judaism such as convenient, mitzvah (or good deeds), and loving your neighbor as yourself. He unpacks who God is as well as Jewish holidays like the upcoming holiday Hanukkah. Rabbi Mark keeps it fun as well as informative and closes the show with a Hebrew song about praying for peace. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

On this episode Rabbi Mark and his wife Elizabeth are joined by Reach of Washington County Director Jeannie Asbury. She discusses the organization and their fight against homelessness and how they help people at risk for homelessness. Asbury converses how she got involved with Reach after working in the US Airforce as a targeteer. She found what started as a side job quickly transformed into her calling in life. Asbury details how wide the homelessness problem is in Hagerstown and for the DMV area and its wider ranging implications. Rabbi Mark and Asbury sheds light on how people find themselves at risk for homelessness and debunks the stigma and stereotypes around the epidemic. Finally, Asbury thoroughly outlines the best way to help individuals such as panhandlers in a one-on-one situation. Find out more about Reach and how you can help at www.reachofwc.org. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

Rabbi Mark is joined this week by Pastor Monsignor J. Bruce Jarboe. Pastor Bruce heads the St. Ann Roman Catholic Church of Hagerstown, Maryland. Many aspects of the catholic faith are discussed in this episode from the vow of celibacy to how one can and cannot gain salvation through works. Pastor Bruce goes into how he came to be leader of a Catholic Parish and how his upbringing in the church lead him to that point. Finally, discussion of how the belief in organized religion has declined in recent generations. On this subject, Pastor Bruce recounts how he believes people gravitate to religion during struggles and hard times. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing a week later at Listen Hagerstown.