On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jill Maderer and Rabbi Jack Paskoff reflect on the meaning of the High Holidays this year in the wake of the October 7 Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israelis and as antisemitism surges in the United States and around the world.

Summary of the conversation generated with AI

The conversation focuses on the upcoming High Holidays and the challenges and unique aspects of preparing for them. The two rabbis discuss their personal preparations and the spiritual significance of this time of year. They also address the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for open dialogue and understanding. The conversation touches on the importance of joy and connection during the holidays, as well as the impact of the pandemic on synagogue attendance and the opportunities it presents for reaching a wider audience. The rabbis express their hopes for the coming year, including peace, connection, and understanding.

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About the Guests



Rabbi Jill Maderer

Jill L. Maderer is the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, where she has served since her ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, NY in 2001. 

Rabbi Maderer currently serves on the Board of the Interfaith Philadelphia; in the past she has served as: president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, chairperson of the Center City Kehillah, a member of the Religious Leaders Council (multi-faith) of Greater Philadelphia, as a Mussar Institute instructor training Reform rabbis, as faculty at URJ Camp Harlam, and she has served on the Central Conference of American Rabbis’ Task Force for Experience of Women in the Rabbinate. 

Rabbi Jack Paskoff

Jack Paskoff is in his 32nd year as the rabbi of Congregation Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster, PA. During that time, the congregation has grown in significant ways in terms of membership, childhood and adult learning, and social justice work.

To many, Lancaster seems an unlikely place for meaningful Jewish life, but this community of 330 families has made its presence known throughout Pennsylvania and throughout the Reform movement. Jack often addresses social justice issues in his congregation, and, through his various community activities, has become a voice of Tikkun Olam throughout Lancaster County having participated in and launched projects related to homeless, poverty, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant resettlement. He regularly speaks about this work in a column in the local newspaper and through numerous speaking engagements.

Jack is very involved in Reform Judaism’s youth and camping programs. A number of graduates of the congregation have gone on to active involvement in Jewish life.

Jack has been married to Risa for 38 years. He is the father of Ari (married to Danielle) and Gadi, and recently became the proud Saba of Seth.

Jack is a native New Yorker, graduating from Brandeis University, before being ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Prior to arriving in Lancaster, Jack was the associate rabbi at the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, NJ.

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