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.

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.

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.