Park Avenue Synagogue Podcast

The Ethics of Protest

Mon, 11 May 2026 14:12:34 -0400

From commencements to demonstrations outside synagogues, we are struggling to answer the same urgent question: When does protest deepen democracy, and when does it fray the ties that bind? Rabbi Cosgrove argues for a Judaism that honors dissent while insisting upon dignity, restraint, and covenantal responsibility.

Not the Whole Story

Mon, 04 May 2026 11:22:35 -0400

Rabbi Zuckerman explores Albert Einstein’s relationship to Zionism and the dangers of reducing complex history to sound bites and half-truths.

Shabbat Dinner with JTS Chancellor Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz (April 24, 2026)

Mon, 04 May 2026 09:25:33 -0400

We welcomed JTS Chancellor Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz to share remarks during Shabbat dinner, and honor her extraordinary service and leadership, which have left a lasting imprint on our community.

Aharei Mot-K’doshim: The Blame Game

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:30:17 -0400

Blame is easy; self-reflection is hard. Rabbi Cosgrove explores the instinct to deflect responsibility onto others and calls, in the spirit of Aharei Mot-K’doshim, for a turn inward, where critique begins with humility, responsibility, and the courage to examine oneself.

An Age-Old Question

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:30:04 -0400

How do the Jewish people remember tragedy? In this time of memorial and celebration, Rabbi Zuckerman turns to a lesson from the rabbis in the aftermath of the destruction of the temple: to not mourn a devastating loss is impossible, but to mourn too much is also not permitted. Life continues.

It's About Time

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:28:05 -0400

What holds the Jewish people together across difference and distance? Rabbi Cosgrove explores the triad of time, text, and territory, beginning with Jewish time as the rhythm that shapes how we live and belong.

A Quiet Act of Continuity

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:33:53 -0400

Rabbi Zuckerman delivers a poignant message on the final day of Passover: Jewish life is found not only in its grand expressions, but in its quieter ones as well.

Go and Learn

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:16:09 -0400

Rabbi Pink explains how the Passover Seder demonstrates the importance of asking questions and learning from everyone around us.

Slaves to Our Phones

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:03:36 -0400

What does it really mean to be free? On the Shabbat of Passover, Rabbi Zauzmer encourages us to ask this question and suggests that if we can never put our phones down, we are not truly free.

Reframing Our Story

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:53:37 -0400

Touching on one rabbi's response to a pro-Palestine campus display and the Passover Seder, Rabbi Zuckerman reminds us that to be a Jew is to tell a story that begins in pain, but does not end there; rather, it's to insist that there is a path from suffering to hope.

Us and Them

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:53:11 -0400

Do you tell the Passover story as a tale of “us” versus “them”? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that binary distinctions between good and bad do not tell the whole story, not in the past, and not now. He encourages us to acknowledge and thank non-Jews who have supported our people.

Calling Balls and Strikes

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:36:15 -0400

With baseball season beginning this week, Rabbi Zauzmer discusses automatic balls and strikes, and the humility that the new rule brings to the game.

Presence in Absence

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:20:41 -0400

What can we learn from Torah readings that recount details of rituals and structures that no longer exist? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that the connections we make with other people are sacred and persist even when the other person is not physically with us.

Seeking God's Face

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:10:57 -0400

There are moments when God’s face feels hidden and faith itself seems beyond reach. Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that even when we cannot see the face of God directly, we may still encounter the divine in the face of another.

A Stiff-Necked People

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:34:12 -0400

When is stubbornness a flaw and when does it become necessary for a people to survive? From Menachem Begin's stance against accepting reparations from Germany to the Israelites worshiping the Golden Calf, Rabbi Zuckerman discusses the characterization of Jews as a a "stiff-necked people."

Cantor Cast: Long Spiel Short

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:47:29 -0500

Join us as Cantor Davis and cantorial intern Kelsey Bailey discuss all things Purim spiel, and get to know Kelsey better.

Do Clothes Make the Person?

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:53:59 -0500

Rabbi Zuckerman explores why the Torah goes into such detail about the clothing one should wear in a sacred space. Clothing, according to the Torah, is not decorative. Rather, it binds us and shapes us. In the biblical imagination, clothing does not merely express identity – it creates identity.

The Big Debate Over the Big Game

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:37:12 -0500

Rabbi Zauzmer discusses the recent Super Bowl ad about antisemitism and encourages us to spend more time fighting antisemites than we spend fighting one another.

They Are Home

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:20:35 -0500

Rabbi Zuckerman speaks about the repatriation of the body of the last hostage in Gaza, Master Sergeant Ran Gvili – linking his return home to this week’s parashah, where Moses carries Joseph’s bones out of Egypt.

Cantor Cast: Shabbat Shira: What is It?

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:28:56 -0500

Cantors Davis and Reisner revisit the pipeline issue from their last episode and share a preview of a special melody for "The Song of the Sea," coming up this Shabbat.

Living in Truth

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:08:22 -0500

Freedom is born not only through God’s miracles, but through human agency. Drawing on the Torah reading, Václav Havel, and contemporary politics, Rabbi Cosgrove challenges us to stop “living within the lie,” reclaim our moral voice, and take agency in a consequential time.

ICE in Minnesota

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:13:20 -0500

Rabbi Pink, a Minnesota native, discusses the unrest in his home state, and shares how a teaching from this week’s Torah portion can help us understand what is happening and how to respond.

The Wrong Reason to Malign

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:59:18 -0500

On the Shabbat before MLK Day, Rabbi Zauzmer reminded us that while we can criticize the policies of our elected officials, we should celebrate religious diversity in leadership.

Why Moses?

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:16:15 -0500

Why Moses? A close reading of three brief scenes before the burning bush reveals the leadership qualities that shaped Israel’s greatest prophet. Rabbi Cosgrove explores moral courage, responsibility, and the art of standing in the breach – lessons Moses lived by, and lessons our fractured moment urgently needs.

The Jewish Blueprint for Combatting Loneliness

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:14:38 -0500

Cantor Cast: Why Does Nobody Want This?

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:21:45 -0500

Cantors Davis and Reisner discuss everything from what drew them to the cantorate, Jewish spiritual leadership today, how their work intersects with other parts of their lives, and the hit show "Nobody Wants This."

The War Within

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:16:50 -0500

Hanukkah is not simply a story of light over darkness, but a cautionary tale of Jew against Jew. In an age of division, Rabbi Cosgrove calls for rededication to one another – reminding us that the true miracle is unity without uniformity, and the courage to keep kindling shared light.

Between Fury and Restraint

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:24:22 -0500

Israel’s war is being fought on two fronts, on the battlefield and in the battle for moral clarity. As the last hostage awaits return, Rabbi Cosgrove explores the tension between Jacob’s restraint and his sons’ fury – how far one may go, and must not go, to save a life.

Stephen R. Volk Inaugural Lecture: The Soul of America: Our Nation at 250

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:57:32 -0500

Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham joined Rabbi Cosgrove for a closer look at key moments in America’s history at this milestone anniversary at the Stephen R. Volk Inaugural Lecture: The Soul of America: Our Nation at 250. Reflecting on our nation’s triumphs, the darker hours, and the moments in between, this nuanced discussion brought our history to life and looked to the past for lessons on the way forward.

Jon Meacham, a Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, is one of America's most prominent public intellectuals. Meacham is the author of multiple bestselling books, including And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, and His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope. Named a “Global Leader for Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a fellow of the Society of American Historians. Meacham regularly appears on MSNBC, CNN, and other news outlets.

Jacob’s Other Dream

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:33:28 -0500

Twenty years after Jacob famously dreamed of a ladder ascending to heaven, he had another, less well-known vision. Rabbi Pink analyzes that story and shares what it can teach us about our lives.

The Cradle of Democracy

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:16:55 -0500

Following Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor, Rabbi Cosgrove calls for a civic awakening. Like Rebecca seizing her destiny, Jews today must act with agency—knowing our leaders, voting, and standing up for democracy and Jewish community. Nothing “just happens.” The future of our people and city is in our hands.

Stranger and Resident: The Paradox of The Jewish Experience

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:18:59 -0500

From a visit to The Museum of Jewish Heritage on the anniversary of Kristallnacht and this week's torah portion, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the Jewish experience of being both a stranger and a resident in the place they call home, throughout history to today.

To Walk Together Again

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:46:34 -0500

Following New York’s mayoral election, Rabbi Cosgrove reflects on democracy, disagreement, and the bonds of Jewish peoplehood. Drawing on the story of Abraham and Isaac, he calls for renewed dialogue, humility, and ahavat yisrael, a reminder that the real test begins not on the mountaintop, but on the way down.

The Joy of Vulnerability (Sukkot, 2025)

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:45:02 -0500

Rabbi Zauzmer leads a discussion on why Sukkot is known as the holiday of joy, encouraging us to let our walls down.

A Prayer for the Nations (Sukkot, 2025)

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:44:27 -0500

Rabbi Pink explains the hidden meaning behind the ancient sacrifices on Sukkot, and what we can learn from them about how we interact with people outside our community.

Winding the Clock

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:42:49 -0500

How do we carry on after the spiritual high of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that living Jewishly is a year-round, weekly, and daily commitment. If we want the peak moments, we must practice regularly.

A Holy Disruption (Rosh Hashanah, 2025)

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:01:11 -0500

As long as there have been Jews, there have been complaints. But some disagreements are holier than others. Rabbi Pink analyzes when Jews are called, and in some cases required, to protest.

The Torah of Uno (Yom Kippur, 2025)

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:00:25 -0500

If you've ever played card or board games - and especially if you've argued over their rules - you've already picked up a hidden lesson that applies to Jewish learning. Rabbi Pink explains how this experience should inspire everyone to learn more about Judaism in the coming year.

After the Fall: How We Rise

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:59:32 -0500

From this week's parashah about Abraham, the anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, and the upcoming mayoral election in NYC, Rabbi Zuckerman finds a common lesson: sometimes we have to go down to climb even higher and what seems like misfortune and betrayal can actually be providence in disguise.

No Matter the Outcome, You Must Vote

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:58:56 -0500

As the early voting period begins, Rabbi Zauzmer reminds us of our Jewish obligation both to vote and to choose the best available candidate.

Verse Zero: When God Starts Over (Shemini Atzeret, 2025)

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:57:11 -0500

On the two-year Hebrew anniversary of October 7, Rabbi Zauzmer invites us to consider the trauma that prompts us to create our world anew.

Faith in the Midst of Uncertainty

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:56:18 -0500

With a hostage deal coming to fruition, a time of joy mixed with sorrow, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the miracle of Jewish survival and endurance.

On The Record

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 12:25:10 -0400

With the New York mayoral election in less than three weeks, Rabbi Cosgrove explains why Zohran Mamdani poses a danger to the security of New York Jewish community. He urges us to work to convince undecided voters and to vote ourselves.

The Chamberlain Effect: Knowing vs. Doing (Yom Kippur, 2025)

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:30:07 -0400

From screen time to free throws, Rabbi Zuckerman explores why we resist positive change, even when we know it would serve us, and how Yom Kippur can inspire us to choose the path of courage and growth.

Heschel's Secret Mission to the Vatican (Yom Kippur, 2025)

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:48:30 -0400

With the rapid rise of a new kind of antisemitism, we are not the first generation of Jews who have navigated this challenge. Rabbi Zauzmer compares our time to Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's, imploring us to follow his example with three steps we can take in the fight against antisemitism.

The Length of Days (Yom Kippur, 2025)

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:46:42 -0400

What is the gift of Yizkor? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that as we recall those who are no longer with us, we can pledge to create a memorial for them by the way we live. By taking full advantage of each day, we guarantee that we will enjoy length of days.

Of Silver Platters and Mirrors (Yom Kippur, 2025)

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:45:41 -0400

Can we support Israel’s legitimate self-defense and also have empathy for the suffering of Gaza? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that the tension between concern for self and concern for the other defines Jewish identity and that self-examination together with critique of the other is the essence of Yom Kippur.

Finding Our Why

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:36:53 -0400

On this Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Zuckerman reflected on the extraordinary resilience of the Jewish people—from the displaced persons camps of 1945, where life and learning were rebuilt out of devastation, to the challenges we face today after October 7. Through stories of survival, renewal, and his own journey to Israel, Rabbi Zuckerman explored a timeless truth: “Those who have a why to live can bear almost any how.” As we enter the new year, he calls on us to root ourselves in purpose, to live by the teachings of our tradition, and to take the wheel of our own lives.

The Intersection of Confidence and Humility

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:36:11 -0400

Remembering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on her fifth yahrzeit, Rabbi Zauzmer urges us to disagree better and to see the humanity in everyone.

Jonas Phillips and the American Jewish Ideal

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:38:15 -0400

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Rabbi Cosgrove turns to the legacy of Jonas Phillips for guidance and inspiration. His story — immigrant, patriot, proud Jew — challenges us to claim our freedoms boldly, live our Judaism publicly, and secure a vibrant Jewish future.

Our Worst - and Best - Selves

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:37:26 -0400

In an age of viral shame, Rabbi Cosgrove tells us that the High Holidays teach otherwise. God does not seek our destruction but our return. We stand before God as our worst — and best — selves, called to forgiveness, renewal, and life.

The Great Balancing Act

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:11:08 -0400

Two hundred years ago, Mordecai Manuel Noah dreamed of Ararat, a Jewish refuge on the Niagara River. His vision failed, but the question endures: how to live fully in the world without losing ourselves to it. Rabbi Cosgrove calls on us to take up that challenge anew.

L'dor V'dor: Hayden and Boris

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:20:19 -0400

A new episode of our teens’ project on the family history of senior members of our community is now available. These conversations offered the teens a new perspective on Jewish American life and gave the adults the chance to reflect and connect with Gen Z.

L'dor V'dor: Max, Noah, and Herb

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:34:02 -0400

L'dor V'dor: Alex and Joan

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:03:01 -0400

L'dor V'dor: Charlie and Ellie

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:31:14 -0400

A new episode of our teens’ project on the family history of senior members of our community is now available on the PAS Podcast. These conversations offered the teens a new perspective on Jewish American life and gave the adults the chance to reflect and connect with Gen Z. Check back later in the summer for more episodes.

L'dor V'dor: Nadine and Maya

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:23:43 -0400

This is the first episode of our teens’ project on the family history of senior members of our community. These conversations offered the teens a new perspective on Jewish American life and gave the adults the chance to reflect and connect with Gen Z.

Conversations with Cosgrove: People of the Book with Zibby Owens

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:39:20 -0400

Listen as Rabbi Cosgrove speaks to Zibby Owens – the host of the award-winning daily podcast Totally Booked with Zibby and founder of Zibby Media – about her book: On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Friends of the IDF with Rabbi Steven Weil

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:17:40 -0400

With Israel under fire, listen as Rabbi Cosgrove speaks to Rabbi Steven Weil, the CEO of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), the only organization authorize to collect charitable donations on behalf of the IDF across the United States.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Making Sense of the Moment – Israel and Iran Briefing with Dr. Richard Haass

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:46:43 -0400

Dr. Richard Haass and Rabbi Cosgrove discuss the latest developments in conflict between Israel and Iran, what it means for Israeli and global Jewry, and its implications on the world stage.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Baseball, Pete Rose, and Redemption

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 12:21:40 -0400

PAS’s own Jon Frankel and sportswriter Michael Bamberger join Rabbi Cosgrove for a wide-ranging conversation about baseball, exploring Jewish ethical questions raised by topics such as the end of Pete Rose’s banishment and the use of electronic umpires.

"Free Palestine" No More

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:11:33 -0400

Words aren’t just words—they carry history, impact, and, sometimes, danger. Rabbi Cosgrove explores how language evolves, why “Free Palestine” can no longer be dismissed as harmless, and what it means to speak—and stay silent—in an age of rising antisemitism.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

The Story of Ruth, the Story of Us

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 15:53:06 -0400

Why do we read Ruth on Shavuot, and why at Yizkor? In a world governed by law, Ruth teaches the power of hesed – unearned, enduring kindness. Rabbi Cosgrove reflects on memory, love, and the quiet acts that bind us to one another, in life and in loss.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: By the Grace of the Game with Dan Grunfeld

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:25:12 -0400

Listen as Rabbi Cosgrove and Jon Frankel, PAS member and guest co-host for this episode, interview Dan Grunfeld, former professional basketball player and son of former New York Knick and NYC high school basketball legend Ernie Grunfeld, as they discuss Dan’s book, By the Grace of the Game: The Holocaust, a Basketball Legacy, and an Unprecedented American Dream.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Modern Rabbinic Ordination with Shuly Rubin Schwartz

Tue, 27 May 2025 11:39:04 -0400

Recorded in front of a live audience, listen as Rabbi Cosgrove talks to Shuly Rubin Schwartz, chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), joined by JTS students, including our own Rabbi Aiden Pink, as they highlight how JTS has adapted to the modern world.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Take Him Out of the Ballgame

Mon, 19 May 2025 11:31:17 -0400

Can a person guilty of moral failure ever be redeemed? Reflecting on the posthumous reinstatement of Pete Rose, Rabbi Cosgrove explores the balance between justice and mercy, sin and atonement. In a world desperate for integrity, he argues, moral accountability, especially from our leaders, is the cornerstone of national character.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Ordo Amoris

Mon, 12 May 2025 12:01:56 -0400

In the wake of a papal-political clash over “the order of love,” Rabbi Cosgrove explores Judaism’s own moral calculus: how to love one’s neighbor while prioritizing one’s own. Drawing on the Bible, rabbinic tradition, and current events, he examines where faith, ethics, and communal responsibility meet—and sometimes collide.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: The Students of Soloveitchik with Rabbi Daniel Ross Goodman

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:55:15 -0400

Listen as Rabbi Cosgrove talks to Rabbi Daniel Ross Goodman about his past studies of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, how it led to his recent book, Soloveitchik's Children: Irving Greenberg, David Hartman, Jonathan Sacks, and the Future of Jewish Theology in America, and what it meant to be a student of "The Rav."

Conversations with Cosgrove: Discussion of Israel with Michael Oren

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:46:15 -0400

In front of a live audience, Rabbi Cosgrove and Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013, discuss a wide range of current events and issues that are relevant to Israel, both its politics and its people.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

A Night of Questions

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:07:10 -0400

What makes the seder different from all other nights? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that above all, it’s the questions that frame the entire evening. He urges us to listen to everyone’s questions with open hearts and minds and to allow that every question can have more than one right answer.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

The Still, Small Voice

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:51:39 -0400

When alternate notions of what’s in the best interest of the Jewish community compete, how do we know what’s right? Reminding us that we are not the first to face this dilemma, Rabbi Cosgrove recalls Rabbi A.J. Heschel, urging us to find the quiet inner voice of conscience.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: The WZO Election with Yizhar Hess and the Vote for Mercaz

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:04:39 -0400

Rabbi Cosgrove and Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, discuss why American Jews should vote for Cosgrove and the MERCAZ USA (Conservative Movement) (Slate 17) in the elections that run through May 4.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Brothers for Life with Snir Pilus

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 13:12:29 -0400

Rabbi Cosgrove interviews Snir Pilus from Brothers for Life (BFL), which gives critical and immediate help to Israeli soldiers injured in combat. Among other initiatives, the organization pairs recently wounded soldiers with other injured soldiers to support each other during recovery.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Dual Loyalty with Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:10:11 -0400

Listen as Rabbi Cosgrove is joined by Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz, the senior rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in California and the author of a new book, The Case for Dual Loyalty: Healing the Divided Soul of American Jews, as they discuss the post-October 7 relationship between American Jews and Israel.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

The Vashti-Esther Dilemma

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 10:15:17 -0400

What model of leadership serves our people best? Absolute adherence to principle or willingness to compromise? The book of Esther prompts Rabbi Cosgrove to examine both approaches, share his own answer, and advise that we must be tolerant of those who choose differently than we do.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Face to Face

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:37:18 -0500

Where do we find holiness? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that while a beautiful sanctuary may inspire us, holiness is to be found in the connections between people, between ourselves and others. He urges us to pursue holiness by practicing respectful dialogue with those with whom we disagree.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Shoulder to Shoulder

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:58:00 -0500

It is tempting to see things as black or white, right or wrong, good or bad. Rabbi Cosgrove reminds us that reality is not so neat. He urges us to be generous in standing together as we deal with the messiness of conflicting truths.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Making a Change on Campus with Marc Rowan

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:54:23 -0500

In the wake of the October 7 attacks and many universities’ lack of strong response to rising antisemitism on campus, Marc Rowan, major funder and Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, encouraged university donors to “close their checkbooks” until major changes are made on campus. Looking at the current state of affairs, Rowan and Rabbi Cosgrove will discuss the many ways we can advocate for change on campus and beyond.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

What Makes a Leader?

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:36:47 -0500

What are the qualities of a leader? Looking to the examples of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Moses, Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that a great leader is one who stands up for righteousness while honoring the sentiments of opposing factions who do not agree on what is the truth.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

An Empathy Deficit

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 11:52:42 -0500

After participating in a mission to Israel for parents and their Gen Z children seeking to gain a common language for discussing the impasse between Israelis and Palestinians, Rabbi Cosgrove urges us to realize that no resolution is possible without empathy for the other side.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Let’s Do Something with Bucky Apisdorf

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 09:34:45 -0500

Bucky Apisdorf, founder of Let’s Do Something, an organization that promotes advocacy, safety, and healing in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks, recounts his experience on Oct. 7 and how his life changed after the death of his best friend at the Nova Festival.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Don't Plant a Flag

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:40:24 -0500

What does it mean to celebrate victory by planting a flag? Rabbi Cosgrove cautions that true victory includes respecting the dignity of our opponents and that only when we refrain from provoking and demeaning our adversaries can we hope for a permanent, peaceful resolution of conflict.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Confessions of a Female Rabbi with Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:17:04 -0500

Rabbi Cosgrove is joined by Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski to discuss her new book, Confessions of a Female Rabbi: Relevant Religion in an On-Demand World. Together, they explore her efforts to foster a deeper connection to Jewish life for “unshuled” Jews.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Challenges of Antisemitism with Rabbi Jeremy Gordon

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:32:52 -0500

Listen as Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, Senior Rabbi of New London Synagogue, discusses the history and current incidents of antisemitism in London and the world.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Our American Stories

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 09:26:53 -0500

What is your American story? Rabbi Cosgrove offers four questions to guide conversations at the Thanksgiving table.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: A Triumph of Life with Rabbi Yitz Greenberg

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 09:38:44 -0500

Listen as Rabbi Cosgrove speaks to renowned scholar and author Rabbi Yitz Greenberg about his new book, A Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism, which explores the relationship between humanity and God.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Looking Long

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:22:51 -0500

Following last week’s election, you may feel crushed and afraid or you may feel relieved and grateful. Rabbi Cosgrove counsels that whatever our reaction, each of us must move forward, working to realize our ideals with respect for those whose reactions differ from our own.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Israel's Democracy with Yohanan Plesner

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 09:12:40 -0400

Listen as Rabbi Cosgrove discusses the current political climate in Israel with Yohanan Plesner, President of the Israel Democracy Institute since 2014.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Israel’s Existential War with Bernard-Henri Lévy

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:38:43 -0400

Listen to Rabbi Cosgrove's interview with renowned philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy as they discuss his new book, Israel Alone, and Israel’s existential war against barbarism.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

The World Today: Dr. Richard Haass in Conversation with Rabbi Cosgrove

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 16:25:21 -0400

Dr. Richard Haass, a veteran diplomat and respected voice on U.S. foreign policy and international relations, shared insights on what has taken place in the Middle East and the world over the past year and his thoughts about what might be on the horizon.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

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Lt. Nathan Baskind, z"l

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:09:06 -0400

Can you imagine peace between sworn enemies? Through the story of how Jews and former Nazis cooperated to find and reinter the remains of an American Jewish soldier buried in a German mass grave, Rabbi Cosgrove offers hope that the enmities of our day may also be resolved someday.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Shattered Vessels

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:04:29 -0400

What happens after a fragile vessel shatters? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that the divine light of our loved ones remains even after they are no longer present, and especially at Yizkor, we can still gather their sparks.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

The Essence of Courage

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:23:53 -0400

What does it mean to be courageous, especially during times that, on the surface, call for resignation? Through an exploration of Jewish history, rabbinic thought, and High Holiday liturgy, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the bravery that is hard-wired in the DNA of the Jewish people.

Pardon Me

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:24:09 -0400

Are you carrying any grudges? Regretting how you’ve treated someone? Rabbi Cosgrove urges us to forgive the shortcomings of others as we hope God will forgive our shortcomings, to make apologies and accept apologies so that we can begin the new year free of past bitterness.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Entering a Synagogue

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:23:28 -0400

What do we seek when entering a synagogue? By way of a visit to his grandfather’s synagogue, Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that we hope to experience gratitude for the people and values that have shaped us and to dedicate ourselves to becoming even better versions of ourselves.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

A Time of Testing

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:22:47 -0400

Do you have hope for the future? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that all of Jewish history has been a series of trials and tests, and it is hope that has sustained the Jewish people throughout. To guarantee the Jewish future, we must channel our hope into living vibrant Jewish lives.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Rabbi Cosgrove Book Discussion with Juju Chang

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:20:20 -0400

ABC News’ Nightline anchor Juju Chang interviews Rabbi Cosgrove about his latest book, For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

The Pull of the Land

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 09:11:01 -0400

In good times and bad, for Israelis and for American Jews, Jewish identity is tied to our connection to the Land. Rabbi Cosgrove explains how the pull of Israel situates Jewish identity and lays bare the challenge of living outside Israel while always feeling that one belongs there.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Today and the Day After

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:17:59 -0400

Throughout history, hope in the future has been essential to Jewish survival. Rabbi Cosgrove urges that despite our weariness and despair over the continuing war in the Middle East, we must envision and plan for a future of peaceful coexistence between Israel and its neighbors.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.

Conversations with Cosgrove: Talking Torah with Abigail Pogrebin and Rabbi Dov Linzer

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 12:09:07 -0400

Listen to Rabbi Cosgrove's interview with Abigail Pogrebin and Rabbi Dov Linzer about their remarkable collaboration on the book It Takes Two to Torah: An Orthodox Rabbi and Reform Journalist Discuss and Debate Their Way Through the Five Books of Moses, and how the Torah can bring people together despite their differences.

For more Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, follow @Elliot_Cosgrove on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay connected with PAS? Follow us @ParkAvenueSyn on all platforms, and check out www.pasyn.org for all our virtual and in-person offerings.