Jewish Adult Ed Reinvented – Rabbi Molly Karp

Jewish Adult Ed Reinvented – Rabbi Molly Karp

Author: Meli Solomon, the Talking with God Project October 26, 2023 Duration: 43:35

Episode 52.
Rabbi Molly Karp was raised with both the message she could do anything, and the Orthodox Jewish day school's many restrictions for girls. Added to this was time in nature, on Israeli kibbutzim, and in Judaic Studies courses. Her passion and skills with Jewish education were apparent early on and she has dedicated most of her professional life to that work. She has also acquired rabbinic ordination and been a congregational rabbi. Doing things in her own way and not according to a denominational “party platform” is important to her. Teaching in her own program – SAJE: Senior Adult Jewish Education – allows for that. In her experience, adults know what they want to learn and her job is to teach them in the best way she can.


Highlights:
00:11:45 Historical realization, Jewish diversity, childcare on kibbutz
00:19:06 Reform religious school --> raising kids --> therapy --> Jewish mindfulness program --> embracing role as a rabbi.
00:21:20 Formed SAJE after the Jewish Federation ended WAJE. Jewish adult education, Montessori-inspired.
00:30:48 Diversity in Jewish beliefs and practices continues.
00:35:23 Center of Torah: Love others as yourself.
00:37:57 "Embrace Jewish roots, be the change."
00:40:29 Common reactions to my identity as a rabbi are  the person's self-criticism and their grievances against Judaism.



Social Media links for Rabbi Molly Karp:
Website – www.rabbimollykarp.com
Email –  rabbimollykarp@gmail.com

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13846558


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 


Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org


The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project


Hosted by Meli Solomon of the Talking with God Project, Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life is a conversation about the practical realities of spiritual life. This podcast moves beyond abstract theology to examine how ancient traditions from Judaism, Islam, and other spiritual paths actually inform our modern routines, decisions, and relationships. Each episode delves into the nuanced spaces where belief meets action, exploring the challenges and rewards of aligning deeply held values with everyday behavior. You'll hear from a variety of voices discussing how they navigate this integration, whether through ritual, ethical choices, or community engagement. The discussions are grounded in real-life experience, focusing on the tangible ways faith provides meaning, fosters connection, and shapes identity in a contemporary context. Rather than offering simple answers, this series invites reflection on the ongoing, personal work of weaving spiritual principles into the fabric of daily existence. It’s for anyone curious about how others live out their convictions and seeking inspiration for their own journey toward a more coherent and purposeful life, all through thoughtful, accessible dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 101

Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
Podcast Episodes
How Faith Can Evolve Through Change – Aaron Solberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:52
Episode 98. (replay of Episode 78)Over the last two episodes with Judith Pajo and Zeyneb Sayilgan, we’ve talked quite a bit about faith challenges and dealing with changes in life that impact religious practice. Those ch…
Grief as a Sacred Opening – Zeyneb Sayilgan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:26
Episode 97. Burying a child is an unimaginable trauma that no parent should have to face. My guest today, Zeyneb Sayilgan, has sadly needed to endure that pain and grief twice. Through it all, her Muslim faith has sustai…
Embracing Oneness: Jewish Mysticism in Practice – Lex Rofeberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:30
Episode 95. What comes to mind when you hear the term mysticism? Perhaps you imagine a yogi sitting cross legged in meditation, or people sitting in a circle chanting. Several religions have mystical practices, Sufism in…
Forging a more Resilient Faith After Doubt – Aubrey Chaves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:51
Episode 93. Did you grow up in a highly observant home and religious community where surety of belief was the norm? Aubrey Chaves did, and much as she felt embraced by the family’s deep engagement within their Mormon con…
Building Peace Through Interfaith Dialogue – Raphael Luzon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:27
Episode 92. Jews had lived in Libya since the third century BCE, but 1967 marked their final expulsion from the majority Muslim country. Raphael Luzon was a child at the time and fled with his family. Like many, they wen…