On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Richard Address engages with Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, senior rabbi of Temple Rodef Shalom, Falls Church, VA, and Rabbi Matthew Soffer, senior rabbi of Judea Reform Congregation, Durham, NC, to explore the significance of Passover in the context of current events.

They discuss how this year’s Seder will resonate deeply with themes of oppression, resistance, and hope, reflecting on personal and communal challenges. The conversation highlights the evolving role of progressive Judaism and the importance of faith and community in navigating difficult times, ultimately calling for action and inspiration as they approach the holiday.

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About the Guests

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Rabbi Amy Schwartzman

Rabbi Schwartzman was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She received her Masters of Hebrew Literature in 1988, and ordination in 1990, from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. Following ordination, she joined Temple Rodef Shalom as our Temple’s first Assistant Rabbi and became the synagogue’s first Associate Rabbi. In June of 1998, following the retirement of Rabbi Lazlo Berkowits z”l, Rabbi Schwartzman was installed as Senior Rabbi of Rodef Shalom, giving Temple Rodef Shalom the distinction of being one of the largest congregations headed by a woman rabbi.

Rabbi Schwartzman is involved in the leadership of many Jewish organizations and has served on the executive board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and co-coordinated the Women’s Rabbinic Network of Reform Judaism. She has also worked with many community organizations including the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, many national and local housing organizations, and has been active in community AIDS projects.

Rabbi Matthew Soffer

Rabbi Matthew V. Soffer is the senior rabbi of Judea Reform Temple in Durham, South Carolina.

He lives in Durham with his wife and three children.

Rabbi Soffer was ordained as a graduate of the New York Campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He served at Temple Israel of Boston since 2009, beginning as a rabbinic intern and finishing as Senior Associate Rabbi. As a Student Rabbi, he served at Main Line Reform Temple and Congregation Beth Elohim, both in New York. His work has included portfolios in Social Jusice and in outreach to and engagement of Jews in their 20s and 30s.

Among his honors are the Religious Action Center’s 50 Faces of Justice, Newsweek/Daily Beast’s 10 Rabbi’s to Watch, and NFTY President’s Award. His publications include “Global Swarming: Can We Become Worthy of Creation,” CCAR Press, 2017; several commentaries and essays on My Jewish Learning, on Reform Judaism.org, and in The Times of Israel. His work also includes music composition and performance, comedy, and community organizing.

The topic of his Rabbinic Thesis, “Listening for Laughter: Sensing Humor in the Babylonian Talmud,” is a wonderful window on his character and style.

You can follow him on Twitter @MattSoffer and listen to his podcast, Pulpit on the Commons.

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