Verses - podcast cover

Verses

The Jewish Living Labversesbroadway.podbean.com
Welcome to Verses: Where Broadway and Torah Meet, a place to geek out on Broadway musicals, Biblical text, and the interplay of the verses in both. On each episode of Verses, Anita Silvert in Chicago selects a song from the Broadway canon and matches it with a selection from the Biblical canon, putting the texts in conversation with one another.

Episodes

Counting the Omer

Join Verses for an exploration of making a journey to find our life’s dreams. We’ll listen to “Climb Every Mountain” from Sound of Music and the Counting of the Omer, between Passover and Shavuot. Follow along with the scripture here.

May 13, 202528 minEp. 34

Why We Tell the Story

Happy Passover! Join Anita as she explores the Exodus story and “Why we tell the Story” from Once on this Island. You can follow along with the lyrics and the Biblical text here . Feel free to share and follow! And let me know what you like, or would like more/less of here at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276

Apr 08, 202526 minEp. 33

Hiding Behind a Mask

Now is the time for feasting, folly, and hiding behind masks! Join Rabbi Anita Silvert, with special co-host Sarah Sapperstein, for an exploration into the story of Esther and Purim, and the Cinderella song from Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”. Who are you, behind the mask? Who’s hiding? Who isn’t? And who are you without the mask? Follow along with the scripture here .

Mar 10, 202539 minEp. 32

Tu B’shvat and Spring

It’s almost spring….somewhere. We are quickly approaching Tu B’Shvat, the annual birthday of trees and a harbinger of spring. Join Verses as we connect this holiday with a spring song from “A New Brain” by William Finn. Dig out those planting tools! Follow along with the scripture here .

Feb 11, 202534 minEp. 31

Defense of Love (AGYG/Samson)

Love can make you do some wild and sometimes dangerous things! Join me as we explore the stories of Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, and Samson. We discuss love (philandering?), ego, vows, and the famous Mr. and Mrs. Manoach in the book of Judges. Guest co-host is Rabbi Lisa Ann Wharton. Check out her website at www.pnaishore.org , and to connect with me, you can join the Facebook page Verses-Where Broadway and Torah Meet . You can also subscribe to my Substack for more of my musings! Follow ...

Jan 15, 202540 minEp. 30

Light and Darkness — Chanukah

It’s the darkest time of the year, yet we find light. Join us as we explore light and darkness, day and night, and of course Chanukah! We’ll be hearing music from A Little Night Music, and look at texts from Creation, Joshua, and more. Link to source sheet.

Dec 23, 202436 minEp. 29

Pirke Avot and Corner of the Sky

While you’re cooking for Thanksgiving’s meal, take a listen as we look at the idea of fitting into a community, whether it’s two people at your table, or 20 or more. We bring together wisdom from Pirke Avot and Pippin’s Corner of the Sky. Follow along with the scripture here .

Nov 25, 202424 minEp. 28

Election 2024 Suffs and Zelophechad

It’s election time….finally. Listen as we explore how women stood up and demanded their rights, both in the Torah and the new musical “Suffs”, about the suffragettes in the early 20th century. Follow along with the scripture here .

Nov 05, 202420 minEp. 27

Only for Now

Global economy, foreclosures, mortgages, finding work, and swimming against a tide of political and social changes. Sound familiar? It should! Join me as we explore Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) and “For Now” from Avenue Q. Follow along with the scripture here .

Sep 06, 202419 minEp. 26

Friendship

You’ve got a friend in me. Ok, wrong show, but join me as we explore the deep challenges and joys of friendships. We’ll be looking at the relationship between Jonathan and David in 1st Samuel in the Bible, and “For Good” from Wicked. You can follow along with the Biblical text here .

Jul 23, 202419 minEp. 25

Omer Rent

Testing 1,2,3 – This week’s episode is all about counting. We count up, we count down. Join me as I explore counting the Omer, as we prepare for Shavuot, and “Seasons of Love” from Rent. You can follow along with the Biblical text here .

Jun 07, 202423 minEp. 24

Fathers and Sons

Fathers and sons, a most complicated relationship! Join me as we examine the connection that Abraham and Isaac have, along with exploring “Not My Father’s Son” from the Broadway hit, “Kinky Boots” You can follow along with the Biblical text here .

May 16, 202425 minEp. 23

Why We Tell the Story

Happy Passover! Join Anita as she explores the Exodus story and “Why we tell the Story” from Once on this Island. You can follow along with the lyrics and the Biblical text here . Feel free to share and follow! And let me know what you like, or would like more/less of here at our Faceook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276

Apr 18, 202426 minEp. 22

The King, the Queen, and the Conman

We'll look at the story of Esther for the holiday of Purim, and bring in a song from "110 in the Shade". Remember to "booooo" when Haman's name comes up! He's the villain in the Book of Esther, and we try to drown out his name! Here's the source sheet for the Biblical text https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/552216?editor=1

Mar 20, 202421 minEp. 21

West Side Story’s AMERICA w/ The Sin of the Spies

The land you have always wanted to go to turns out not to be what you expected as hosts Anita and Rabba Rachel discuss the connections between immigrants to America in West Side Story and the Promised Land. Read the Biblical text and the song lyrics on this Sefaria source sheet. https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/356735?editor=1 Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website here. https://www.anitasilvert.com Visit t...

Mar 20, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 2

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT w/ The Text of Joseph

Does clothing make the man? What role does clothing play in Joseph's story? Join Rachel and Anita as they compare the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and the Biblical text of Joseph, as seen through the lens of clothing. Follow along on the source sheet at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/463601?editor=1

Mar 28, 202334 min

Jekyll and Hyde’s CONFRONTATION w/ The Story of Jacob and Esau

Who was Jacob struggling with when the "man" confronted him? The story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells of a man whose internal struggle ends badly. What about Jacob's struggle? Join Anita and Rachel as they connect the song "Confrontation" from Jekyll and Hyde to Jacob's struggle with the angel. Follow along on the source sheet at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/463599?lang=bi

Mar 21, 202328 min

Children of Eden’s AIN’T IT GOOD w/ Noah’s Conversation with God

Was Noah just following orders? And what did he really think about the flood, and God's decision? This week Rachel and Anita pair Children of Eden's take on Noah's conversation with God, and the text itself. Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/427401?lang=bi

Jan 02, 202326 min

Children of Eden’s THE FLOOD w/ The Story of Noah

Was Noah just following orders? What did he really think about the flood, and God's decision? This week Anita and Rachel pair Children of Eden's take on Noah's conversation with God, and the text itself. Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/427401?lang=bi

Dec 19, 202227 min

Children of Eden’s THE MARK OF CAIN w/ Cain and Abel

What causes a brother to kill another brother? What led to the struggle between Cain and Abel? Join Rachel and Anita for two different takes on the story, (with a lot in common!), one from Genesis text, and the other from "The Mark of Cain" from the 1991 Stephen Schwartz musical Children of Eden. Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/418733?lang=bi

Dec 05, 202225 min

CAMELOT w/ The Garden of Eden

Paradise: what creeps in to make it crumble? Join Rachel and Anita as they explore "Camelot" from Camelot, and the text from Genesis and the Garden of Eden. Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/418659?lang=bi

Nov 29, 202225 min

The Apple Tree’s BEAUTIFUL WORLD w/ The Tree of Life

As Verses' second season continues Rachel and Anita ask if it all started with the apple and wonder what it was like for Adam to see this brand new world in an episode pairing the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden and the 1966 show "The Apple Tree" with its song "Beautiful World”. Follow along on the Sourcesheet at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/443328?lang=bi sefaria.org apple-touch-icon.png

Nov 07, 202227 min

Sunday in the Park with George’s COLOR AND LIGHT w/ In the Beginning

With the launch of Season 2 the spotlight falls on God, the Ultimate Artist! Join Rachel and Anita as they explore "Color and Light" from Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George" and the opening lines of Bereshit, when God creates the universe and made order out of chaos. Follow along to this episode with the Sefaria sourcesheet at: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/409646?lang=bi

Oct 20, 202225 minEp. 1

Fiddler on the Roof’s ANATEVKA w/ The Exodus from Slavery in Egypt

The Passover miniseries concludes as Rachel and Anita explore what it means to be on the edge of what came before and what's coming next, bringing together Fiddler on the Roof's well-known finale 'Anatevka' and the story of the exodus from slavery in Egypt. Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website at https://www.anitasilvert.com/ Visit the Jewish Living Lab at www.jewishlivinglab.com/podcasts...

Apr 04, 202225 min

The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd’s FEELING GOOD w/ Exodus & Deuteronomy

In part 2 of the Passover mini series Anita and Rachel look at freedom in a conversation bringing together 'Feeling Good' from The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd, and pairing it with texts from Exodus and Deuteronomy. Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website at https://www.anitasilvert.com/ Visit the Jewish Living Lab at www.jewishlivinglab.com/podcasts...

Mar 29, 202228 min

Once on This Island’s WHY WE TELL THE STORY w/ Exodus

You know the old saying that God made humans because God likes stories? Tune in for this episode as hosts Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold and Anita Silvert kick off a special Passover mini-series with "Why we tell the Story" from Once on This Island paired with a text from Exodus. Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website at https://www.anitasilvert.com/ Visit the Jewish Living Lab at www.jewishlivinglab.com/podc...

Mar 22, 202225 min

Come From Away’s BLANKETS & BEDDING w/ The Hospitality of Abraham

How do you make someone feel truly welcomed? When a stranger shows up, sent by fate, whether in Gander on 9/11 or with Abraham in the bible, these people know how to make a guest feel at home. link to source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/304290?lang=bi Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website at https://www.anitasilvert.com/ Visit the Jewish Living Lab at www.jewishlivinglab.com/podcasts...

Mar 01, 202224 min

110 in the Shade’s RAIN SONG w/ Honi the Circlemaker

Rain is a blessing; not enough or too much, it can be a curse. Join hosts Anita and Rachel as they splash through the Rain Song from "110 in the Shade", pairing it with the story of Choni the Circlemaker. Read the Biblical text and the song lyrics on this Sefaria source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/295694?editor=1 Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website at https://www.anitasilvert.com/ Visit the J...

Feb 14, 202223 min

The Secret Garden’s I HEARD SOMEONE CRYING w/ Moses at the Burning Bush

Do you notice those suffering around you? Do you pay attention and ask how to help? Join Anita and Rabba Rachel as they match Secret Garden's "I Hear Someone Crying" and the story of Moses at the Burning Bush. Read the Biblical text and the song lyrics on this Sefaria source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/306736?editor=1 Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website at https://www.anitasilvert.com Visit t...

Jan 25, 202226 min

Pippin’s CORNER OF THE SKY w/ the Book of Ecclesiastes

In the search for the meaning of life, what matters most? Love? Wealth? Pleasures? How old you are? Anita and Rabba Rachel discuss Pippin and how it relates to the Book of Ecclesiastes. Read the Biblical text and the song lyrics on this Sefaria source sheet. https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/370926?editor=1 Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276 Visit Anita's website at https://www.anitasilvert.com Visit the Jewish Living Lab at ...

Jan 04, 202225 min
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