Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Reverend A.R. Bernard, and guest Rabbi David Seth Kirshner regarding the multidimensional nature of Passover. The conversation transitions from the holiday’s inherent "identity crisis"—balancing the bitterness of historical slavery with the sweetness of liberation—to the modern necessity of maintaining hope amidst contemporary tragedy. The participants emphasize that Judaism is a religion of inquiry, where the act of asking questions and embracing life's "broken pieces" is...
Mar 22, 2026•49 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard discussing the profound layers of Passover with guest Rabbi David Seth Kirshner. The conversation explores the holiday’s inherent dual identity, balancing the joy of liberation with a sober reflection on historical and modern oppression. Kirshner emphasizes that Judaism is a religion of questions, where the ritual of inviting children to inquire at the Seder table is more important than providing absolute answers. The participants also reflect on K...
Mar 22, 2026•24 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a profound dialogue regarding the inner life and the moral responsibilities of leadership within a fractured society. The program begins by honoring the legacy of the late journalist Ernie Anastos, framing him as a symbol of human decency who prioritized his authentic identity over social acceptance. This discussion on personal integrity transitions into a somber reflection on rising violence and antisemitism, where the hosts argue that m...
Mar 15, 2026•49 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard, welcome guest Larry Grogan, who shares his mission to run 100 marathons in 100 days to inspire those living with Parkinson’s disease. Despite his diagnosis, Groen champions the philosophy that "movement is medicine," arguing that physical activity acts as a vital tool for neuroplasticity and maintaining a high quality of life. The conversation shifts from the clinical benefits of exercise to a deeper spiritual discussion on defying passive resigna...
Mar 15, 2026•13 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Hindy Poupko regarding a New York City Council bill designed to protect houses of worship and schools from targeted harassment. The discussion emphasizes that while the right to protest is a fundamental American liberty, it should not cross into the intimidation of families and children at their places of sanctuary. Poupko highlights the broad interfaith coalition supporting the legislation, noting that religious leaders of diverse backgr...
Mar 08, 2026•26 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard discuss the pressing need for legislative protection of religious institutions amid a modern decline in public reverence. Featuring guest Hindi Pukpko from the UJA-Federation, the conversation centers on a proposed New York City bill designed to establish buffer zones around houses of worship and schools to prevent the intimidation of congregants by aggressive protesters. The participants argue that while the right to protest is a sacred American v...
Mar 08, 2026•48 min
Today's special episode captures a high-stakes dialogue concerning international security, religious duty, and the historical parallels of modern conflict. The conversation centers on a major retaliatory strike from Iran and the subsequent threats to civilian life in Israel, while also exploring the moral obligations of leadership and community protection during difficult times. Through a mix of political analysis and spiritual reflection, the participants discuss the necessity of unity between ...
Mar 01, 2026•46 min
Reverend A.R. Bernard and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik host New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to explore the intersection of spiritual faith and public service. The dialogue highlights how the traditions of Lent, Ramadan, and Yahrzeit serve as catalysts for moral reflection and a sense of communal responsibility, framing religion as a "North Star" for navigating social challenges. DiNapoli details his approach to fiscal oversight and the management of pension funds, emphasizing that his commit...
Feb 22, 2026•46 min
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli joins host Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard to discuss the intersection of faith, public service, and fiscal responsibility. The conversation begins with a reflection on religious traditions like Lent and the Jewish Yahrtzeit, emphasizing how spiritual discipline and the memory of loved ones should inspire a forward-looking sense of moral responsibility rather than mere ritual. DiNapoli argues that his Catholic upbringing provides a "Nort...
Feb 22, 2026•37 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard host Deacon Kevin McCormack to discuss the financial and emotional crisis facing the Catholic school system in Brooklyn. The conversation highlights the heartbreaking closure of several local schools due to declining enrollment and a lack of public funding, prompting an urgent plea for New York to adopt federal scholarship tax credits. Beyond policy, the speakers reflect on their long history of interfaith dialogue, emphasizing that religious educa...
Feb 15, 2026•46 min
AR Bernard and Joseph Potsanik discuss the educational and financial crisis facing Catholic schools in Brooklyn, highlighted by the heartbreaking decision to close seven institutions due to dwindling enrollment. Deacon Kevin McCormack explains that these schools lack the city subsidies provided to public and charter counterparts, forcing parents to shoulder costs that the "system" fails to adequately support. To address this, the speakers advocate for a federal scholarship tax credit and urge Ne...
Feb 15, 2026•21 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend AR Bernard explore the intersection of faith, community, and current events through the lens of Super Bowl Sunday. They begin by characterizing the sports holiday as a modern American Sabbath that fosters family unity, eventually transitioning into deeper discussions about combating anti-Semitism and the importance of understanding historical context in global conflicts. The speakers emphasize that education alone is insufficient for social harmony; instead, th...
Feb 09, 2026•49 min
Hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a nuanced dialogue with criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis. The conversation centers on the death of Alex Frety, a licensed gun owner, utilizing his case to highlight the dangers of rushing to judgment before independent investigations are complete. Abramson emphasizes the critical need for de-escalation training and professional accountability, noting that mod...
Feb 01, 2026•46 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Allan Abramson regarding a controversial shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. The discussion centers on the death of Alex Pretti, a licensed gun owner who was killed by ICE agents, and highlights the growing tension between civil liberties and militarized law enforcement. Abramson critiques the lack of transparency and inadequate training of federal personnel, contrasting their aggressive tactics wit...
Feb 01, 2026•38 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett regarding her extensive humanitarian career and her new book, Half Jew for Life . The conversation highlights Bennett’s work with the Multifaith Alliance, where she successfully bridged divides between Syrians and Israelis by providing massive amounts of medical and humanitarian aid to war victims. A central theme of the discussion is the dual nature of religion, exploring how sacred texts can be manipulated to justi...
Jan 25, 2026•26 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Dr. Georgette Bennett to explore the dual nature of religion as both a source of humanitarian compassion and a tool for extremist indoctrination. Dr. Bennett discusses her book, Half Jew, Full Life , which details the Holocaust-era struggle for identity and the dangers of authoritarianism and hate speech. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the Multifaith Alliance, highlighting Dr. Bennett's work in building bridges betwe...
Jan 25, 2026•52 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard host Alireza Jafarzadeh to discuss the ongoing struggle for democracy in Iran and the deep-seated corruption of its current theocracy. Jafarzadeh, a prominent policy expert, details how the regime has weaponized religion to justify brutal repression while simultaneously plunging the nation into an unprecedented economic collapse by diverting wealth to nuclear ambitions and foreign proxies. The dialogue moves from the historical failure of the Shah’...
Jan 18, 2026•49 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview policy expert Alireza Jafarzadeh to examine the systemic oppression and growing internal resistance within modern Iran. Jafarzadeh details how the ruling theocracy maintains power through violent repression, economic mismanagement, and the strategic misuse of religion, contrasts that with the "stolen revolution" that replaced the monarchy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 18, 2026•38 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview criminal defense attorney Alan Abramson to analyze the legal and ethical implications of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The conversation centers on the extraction of Nicolás Maduro, with Abramson arguing that using the military for law enforcement actions violates international law and bypasses the established constitutional process of congressional approval. The participants explore the tension between the moral desire to remov...
Jan 11, 2026•25 min
In this episode of "The Rev and the Rabbi," hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard engage in a spirited dialogue with guests to explore the intersection of faith, law, and national identity. The program first examines the rise of Christian nationalism, featuring Reverend Dr. Michael Faulkner, who clarifies that while the United States was culturally shaped by Judeo-Christian principles, its democratic foundation necessitates a separation of church and state to ensure religious fre...
Jan 11, 2026•47 min
In this radio broadcast, hosts Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard interview Reverend Dr. Michael Faulkner to explore the complex intersection of faith and governance in the United States. The dialogue centers on the distinction between shared Judeo-Christian principles and the more extreme ideology of Christian nationalism, which Faulkner defines as a dangerous form of triumphalism that seeks religious dominion over the state. By distinguishing between cultural influences and state ...
Jan 11, 2026•22 min
In the first show of 2026, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard critique the inaugural actions of New York City’s new mayor, specifically his shift toward collectivism and his decision to rescind executive orders regarding anti-Semitism and the BDS movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 04, 2026•48 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard join news anchor Noam Laden to review the pivotal political and social milestones of the past year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 28, 2025•25 min
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Reverend A.R. Bernard reflecting on the significant religious, social, and political transformations of the past year. The dialogue serves as a provocative retrospective on a second Trump administration, touching on the President's unconventional diplomatic successes in the Middle East and his radical restructuring of American governance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 28, 2025•51 min
AR Bernard and Joe Potasnik discuss current events through the prism of faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 21, 2025•48 min
Rabbi Menchem Creditor comes on to talk about how his brother-in-law survived the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 21, 2025•22 min
Rabbi Jonathan Pearl comes on to talk about the meaning of Hanukkah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 14, 2025•25 min
Former Governor David Paterson comes on to talk about dealing with Mamdani as a Cuomo supporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 14, 2025•25 min
Reverend AR Bernard and Rabbi Joe Potasnik give their thoughts on the news of the week through the perspective of faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 14, 2025•49 min
Reverend AR Bernard and Rabbi Joe Potasnik give their thoughts on the current events of the week from the view of religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 07, 2025•47 min
