The Rest is Commentary with Shep Rosenman

028: Boxing with the Divine: A Conversation with Rabbi Rachel Kobrin and Jeff Ward

Rabbi Rachel Kobrin and Jeff Ward join host Shep Rosenman for a conversation that packs a punch. Inspired by the song, “Jaco’s Boxing” (drawn from Psalm 71), they explore prayer and tradition through the unexpected lens of the boxing ring—where resilience is tested, weary hands are lifted by community and by God, and compassion is demanded even for our enemies, echoing through the shofar and the cry of Sisera’s mother.  
From dynamic prayer spaces to bold new approaches to teen engagement, from the challenges of leadership to the centrality of gratitude and love, this episode is a fast-moving journey through the heart of Jewish life today. Plus, we launch the promotion of Jeff's new book, Shabbat on Mars —landing October 16, 2025, wherever books are sold.  
This isn’t just a discussion—it’s an invitation to reimagine how tradition meets the everyday, and how faith can spark creativity, courage, and community.  

027: The Tears-to-Laughter Pipeline: A Conversation with Ingrid Avison

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, Shep Rosenman sits down with singer-songwriter and grief therapist, Ingrid Avison, for a moving conversation about the making of “Little Prizes,” a song born out of Psalm 86 and the end-of-life journey of Shep’s dear friend, Kim Simon. This episode is dedicated to Kim and her family. If you want to read more about Kim's life, click this link.
Shep and Ingrid reflect on grief as both a deep wound and a surprising wellspring of creativity—exploring how writing with co-writer Liz Hanellin, performing music as ritual, and weaving in humor, presence, and community can help manage the process of loss.
The discussion also shines a light on Ingrid’s unique path as both therapist and musician, her newest projects, and the ways songs can comfort, connect, and carry us through life’s hardest seasons. Here's a link to Ingrid’s website.

026: Silence and Song: A Conversation with Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand

Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand joins host Shep Rosenman for a moving conversation inspired by the song “Nothing Left to Be Said” and Psalm 49. Together, they explore what silence can mean in times of grief, the power of Jewish mourning rituals such as shiva and the work of the Hevra Kadisha, and how music, memory, and storytelling help us navigate loss.  
Through personal stories and interfaith perspectives, they reflect on the many ways communities honor loved ones—whether through ritual, burial customs, humor, or the everyday objects that hold memory. The discussion weaves together Jewish tradition, universal themes of mourning, and the creative process of transforming sacred texts into art, offering listeners both insight and comfort in the face of loss.  

025: Hope is a Song: A Conversation with Leah Lesch (In Memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin)

In this powerful episode, Shep Rosenman sits down with co-writer Leah Lesch to uncover the story behind “Bring Him Home”— a moving piece born from Psalm 126 in the shadow of October 7th. The episode is dedicated to the memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin.  
Leah and Shep reflect on how the song came to life, the emotional depth of Nettie Wolkind’s performance, and its heartfelt intention as a prayer for Hersh Goldberg-Polin and all the hostages to return home.  
What follows is more than a conversation about music—it’s a journey through hope and heartbreak, memory and mourning. The episode delves into how songwriting becomes a form of healing, and how community, empathy, and ritual can carry us through even the deepest loss.  
If you’ve ever wondered how art transforms grief into strength and sorrow into solidarity, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.  
 

024: Embracing Your Shadow: A Conversation with Rabbi Mel Gottlieb

In this episode of "The Rest is Commentary," host Shep Rosenman engages in a profound conversation with Rabbi Mel Gottlieb about the journey to wholeness by embracing both light and shadow within ourselves. Drawing inspiration from the song "Finding My Way Out," co-written with Liz Hanelin and produced by Shep's son, E. Rose, Rosenman and Rabbi Gottlieb explore the significance of integrating opposites to achieve authenticity and spiritual growth.Rabbi Gottlieb shares insights from Kabbalistic and Jungian thought, encouraging listeners to love the evil in themselves and embrace their shadow, as this is essential for loving others. This episode delves into the complexities of unity and duality, examining the role of memory, gratitude, and spiritual listening in personal transformation.The discussion traverses a rich tapestry of topics, from the spiritual significance of letters in the Torah to the importance of counting blessings and the value of heretics in a diverse world. Join us as we explore the delicate balance of compassion and discipline, and the power of finding God within ourselves and in the act of unity.

023: Write, Reflect, Repeat: A Conversation with Anne Pinheiro Guimareas

 
What happens when the inner voice of prayer collides with the outer world of storytelling? In this soul-stirring episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Brazilian writer-director Anne Pinheiro Guimarães for a raw and reflective conversation that spans continents, cultures, and questions of the self.
Together, they explore the thin line between self-awareness and self-judgment, and how prayer—not just as ritual but as a posture of the heart—can guide us through it. Anne opens up about her creative process, the quiet power of diary-keeping, and the ongoing negotiation between identity, heritage, and personal transformation.
From the complexities of sexuality and family to the pull of diaspora and the persistence of memory, this episode invites you into the intimate territory where art, spirit, and truth collide. Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.

022: Legacy, Loss, and Laughter: A Conversation with Yehuda Geberer

What does it mean to leave a legacy—and can laughter help us face our own mortality?
Join host Shep Rosenman for a captivating conversation with acclaimed historian, host of the Jewish History Soundbites podcast, and tour guide Yehuda Geberer that’s equal parts profound and uplifting. Inspired by a moving visit to his parents’ graves and the timeless words of Psalm 16, Shep opens up to his nephew about the story behind his heartfelt song, “Can’t Stay Here Long.”
Together, Shep and Yehuda dive deep into the Hasidic tradition of "hisbodidus" (personal meditation/conversation with the divine), as taught by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, and explore how spirituality, memory, and humor intertwine in our lives. Discover how maintaining a sense of humor can help us navigate relationships, honor those who came before us, and create a lasting impact through acts of kindness.
Don’t miss this episode packed with wisdom, wit, and warmth—a must-listen for anyone curious about the ties that bind us to our past and the ways we shape our legacy every day.
Tune in and be inspired to laugh, reflect, and leave your own mark on the world.

021: When the World Doesn't Feel Safe: A Conversation with Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn

In this deeply moving and insightful episode of The Rest is Commentary, Shep welcomes Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn—spiritual leader, hospital chaplain, interfaith activist, and author—for a conversation that bridges trauma, creativity, parenthood, and the search for shared humanity. Alissa, who serves as a Rabbanit at Netivot Shalom in Teaneck, NJ and works as a hospital chaplain, is known for her empathetic leadership and commitment to guiding people through the most intimate and challenging moments of their lives.
Alissa and Shep traverse the terrain of creativity as a sacred act, exploring how Torah, music, and pain come together to form new vessels for meaning. Alissa reflects on how Shep’s song, “The Golden Rule,” resonated with the unrelenting emotional fatigue of this moment in Jewish history, particularly in the wake of October 7th.
The conversation also confronts the fragility of civic dialogue and the dangers of dehumanization—whether at a City Council meeting or in national political discourse. Alissa offers insight from her interfaith work, highlighting the importance of discerning when to engage in difficult conversations and when silence is self-preservation.
Her experience of trauma as a mother and Jewish leader in the post–October 7th world underscores the episode’s central theme: how do we rebuild trust, purpose, and life when our foundations have been shaken?
Through it all, Alissa shares her personal journey of resilience, including the birth of her long-awaited son and the simultaneous release of her book—a project steeped in love, halacha, and the daily sacredness of parenting. This episode is both a balm and a challenge: to soften our hearts, name our pain, and respond to darkness with life-affirming action.
We pushed up production of this episode after the "Run for Their Lives" marchers in Boulder, County were attacked.  We dedicate this episode tot heir healing and to those who continue to stand up for the Jewish and Israeli communities worldwide.

020: From Awareness to Action: A Conversation with Rabbi Joe Black

Step into an unforgettable episode of “The Rest is Commentary” as host Shep Rosenman welcomes the extraordinary Rabbi Joe Black for a conversation brimming with inspiration, music, and heartfelt reflection. In this special installment, we celebrate not only Joe’s remarkable journey as a rabbi, musician, and songwriter, but also his upcoming retirement from his beloved synagogue in Denver, Temple Emanuel—a milestone that marks the end of an era and the beginning of new creative adventures.
We have the special treat of hearing some of Joe's songs played off the cuff.  Discover how Joe’s passion for music and spirituality intertwines, as he shares moving stories about encountering the divine through relationships, song, and the arts. Inspired by the evocative song “Endless,” itself a tribute to Psalm 42, Joe and Shep explore the three transformative stages of spirituality: awareness, appreciation, and action.
Listen in as Joe reveals the joys and challenges of balancing his dual callings as a spiritual leader and an artist, offering candid insights into the creative process, the power of faith, and the beauty of embracing change. This episode is a vibrant testament to the magic that happens when intellect and creativity unite, and how the bonds of community, art, and spirituality can illuminate every stage of life’s journey.

019: Urgency of Empathy: A Conversation with Naomi Less in memory of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lishinsky

In this powerful episode of The Rest is Commentary, acclaimed singer,  composer, ritual leader, and rocker, Naomi Less joins the conversation to unravel the deep complexities of Jewish identity and the pursuit of safety in this increasingly turbulent world. As a self-described “Lefty Zionist,” Naomi shares her personal journey—one shaped by resilience, hope, and, more recently, the rising tide of anti-Semitism.
Using the lens of Shep's evocative song “Until When,” inspired by Psalm 13, Naomi reveals how music becomes both a sanctuary and a call to action.
Listeners are invited into this candid exploration of what it means to navigate difficult conversations, foster critical thinking, and lean into rituals that nurture and sustain community bonds.
The episode pays heartfelt tribute to Sarah Lynn Milgram and Yaron Lishinsky, may their memories be a blessing.  Their murders underscore the urgent need for peace, empathy, and understanding in these challenging times.