The Voices of Emanu El Podcast

This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared

Join Rabbi Josh Fixler on a spiritual journey through the High Holy Days. Discover the deep emotional and spiritual arc from Tisha B’Av to Yom Kippur and Simchat Torah, and explore the themes of preparation, reflection, and transformation. Learn why true change and spiritual awakening require time, intention, and a willingness to be present with an open heart. Inspiring stories and traditions from Jewish wisdom bring these days of awe to life. Whether you’re preparing for the holidays or seeking deeper meaning, this message offers guidance and motivation for your journey.

Ready or Not: Finding Spiritual Connection Before the High Holy Days

Are you feeling unprepared as the High Holy Days approach? You’re not alone! Rabbi Pam Silk shares heartfelt stories and reflections on readiness, community, and entering the New Year just as we are. Whether you’re excited, anxious, or somewhere in between, this message reminds us that perfection isn’t required — showing up together is what matters most.

Escape Velocity

How do we ensure our lives leave a meaningful mark? In his inspiring Erev Rosh HaShanah sermon, Rabbi Oren Hayon weaves together the Voyager 1 space probe, time capsules, and the story of our Jewish ancestors to explore what it means to achieve "escape velocity" — to send our values, memories, and love past the boundaries of time. Through powerful metaphors, Rabbi Hayon invites us to reflect on what we’ll pack into our own spiritual time capsules as we launch into a new year. Watch to the end for this thought-provoking message on memory, legacy, and the forces that shape our future.

Watchers on the Wall

Across the street from the National Mall in Washington, DC, sits The Museum of the Bible — one of the nation’s most controversial attractions. In this urgent message, discover how revisionist history and Christian Nationalist ideology are being woven into the American story, threatening the wall of separation between church and state. Follow the journey of Rabbi Josh Fixler who, explores why these narratives matter not only for Jews, but for all who care about democracy, religious freedom, and pluralism in America. Hear how recent laws, such as those mandating Christian scripture in public schools, represent more than symbolic cracks — they are part of a broader campaign to redefine what it means to be American. Learn how you can recognize, talk about, and push back against the rise of Christian Nationalism in your own community, and why it’s vital that we become "watchers on the wall," defending the foundational promise of liberty for people of all faiths and none. 

Who is Strong?

What does it mean to be truly strong as Jews today? In his Kol Nidre sermon, Rabbi Oren Hayon explores the tension between power and anxiety in the Jewish experience at a moment when conversations about Israel feel riskier than ever. He weaves together history, ethics, and urgent modern realities, reminding us that strength means more than military might; it means courage, moral clarity, and deep connection to each other and our traditions. 

Only Better: The Science, Struggle, and Spirit of Personal Change

Can people truly change who they are? On Yom Kippur, the Jewish day devoted to self-reflection and transformation, Rabbi Pam Silk explores the inspiring stories of individuals — supported by science, wisdom, and Jewish tradition — who prove that growth is possible. From a neuroscientist who confronts his own “psychopathic” brain scan to the journeys of biblical figures and personal experiments in shifting habits, this message weaves together psychology, spirituality, and tradition. Learn what it takes to break free from old patterns, embrace intentional change, and heal ourselves and the world.

The Lost Synagogue, The Rainbow, and the Air of Freedom

Discover the untold story of Houston's vibrant LGBTQ Jewish community, as Rabbi Josh Fixler explores the history of Aytz Chayim and Mishpachat Alizim, two congregations born out of longing for both safety and affirmation. Journey from hidden ballrooms to the promise of the rainbow, and learn how courage, creativity, and faith transformed an entire community. This moving reflection connects local history, Torah, and the timeless hope for home and belonging. Featuring insights on legacy, pride, and the meaning of freedom. 
Cantor Rollin Simmons ends the episode with a special version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Born to Run

What does Bruce Springsteen’s anthem “Born to Run” have in common with the Jewish story? Rabbi Oren Hayon explores the timeless urge to break free, leaving comfort for transformation, and letting faith guide us into the unknown. As we revisit Abraham’s first call to “Lech Lecha,” discover how tradition and rock & roll both push us to seek something greater. Perfect for anyone asking where inspiration and leadership begin.

The Place Where Memory is Multiplied

What does legacy really mean? In this heartfelt sermon for Shabbat Chayei Sarah, Rabbi Oren Hayon reflects on Abraham’s devotion to Sarah and the deeper meaning of building lasting impact — at home, in community, and in leadership. Discover how every small act of kindness, every gesture of remembrance, and every moment spent nurturing goodness can multiply a legacy that outlives us. Watch now for a moving message on leadership, memory, and making love concrete.

Gratitude - Who's to Blame?

When life feels random, cruel, and out of control, many of us instinctively reach for blame — others or ourselves. Rabbi Josh Fixler weaves together Rachel’s long struggle with infertility, Brené Brown’s research, and Viktor Frankel’s “paradoxical intention” to explore a different spiritual response: gratitude. Through midrash, modern psychology, and a deeply personal story of loss and Thanksgiving, he invites us to seek moments of blessing even in seasons of heartbreak.