Podcast
Hebrew School Dropouts
Hosted by Rabbis Rena Singer and Noah Westreich · EN
Welcome to Hebrew School Dropouts!
You don't need to have actually dropped out of Hebrew school to be a Hebrew School Dropout. Maybe you went for a few years and had a bar or bat mitzvah before calling it quits. Maybe you skipped the whole thing entirely. Maybe you're exploring Jewish identity for the first time after a 23andMe surprise.
What matters is the mentality: you're skeptical of easy answers, allergic to platitudes, and curious whether Judaism might have more to offer than you assumed. Our show is for secular, spiritual-but-not-religious, unaffiliated, and questioning people who want to engage with Jewish wisdom as adults — honestly, irreverently, and with real substance.
Hosted by Rabbis Rena Singer and Noah Westreich of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, this show is about ideas, not identity politics.
Every episode follows a three-part structure. We start with funny, surprising, and sometimes absurd stories from rabbinic life — the moments that don't make it into sermons. Then we dive deep into Jewish philosophy, history, and the questions at the heart of modern Judaism. Our next part is a fresh look at Jewish holidays, rituals, and traditions, exploring why they exist and what they might mean for contemporary life.
Whether we're wrestling with God and spirituality, examining lifecycle ceremonies, navigating Israel and antisemitism, or rethinking prayer, we bring intellectual rigor without the stuffiness — learning without judgment.
If you're seeking connection to heritage, ancestry, and something larger than yourself — if you want an introduction to Judaism with adult questions and no guilt, this is your show. Welcome to Hebrew School (dropouts)!
3episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What’s Going on with All that Anti-Semitism?
Feb 1900:56:18Tap to summarizeThe anti-semitism episode in which rabbis Noah and Rena sit down with journalist Arno Rosenfeld of The Forward- America’s oldest Jewish newspaper. Arno has been reporting on anti-semitism for the last few years and helps us understand how to think about it in a nuanced way. Is anti-semitism a virus? How is anti-semitism similar to and different from racism? How should Hebrew school drop outs think of anti-semitism? Credits Hosted by Rabbis Rena Singer and Noah Westreich of Temple Emanu-El San Francisco Produced and edited by Arielle Nissenblatt Engineered and scored by David Woje Production company Pinwheel by Audily
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What does it mean to "do" Hanukkah / Chanukah / Hanukah?
Dec 2000:33:22Tap to summarizeNote: this episode was recorded before the horrifying shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia. The Chanukkah / Hanukkah / Chanuka episode... in which the rabbis discuss rebellious b'nai mitzvah children, receiving underwear gifts for Hanukkah, and the right way to light the candles. In this episode, hosts Noah and Rena get into our modern celebration of Hanukkah. The history, rituals and traditions, latke crispiness hacks, and why decorating is a thing (p.s. it's actually a commandment!) We want to note that this episode was recorded before the horrifying shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia. We are sending our love to Jews in Australia and Jews around the world who are mourning the loss of those precious lives. Credits Hosted by Rabbis Rena Singer and Noah Westreich of Temple Emanu-El San Francisco Produced and edited by Arielle Nissenblatt Engineered and scored by David Woje Production company Pinwheel by Audily Timestamps [00:00:00 – 00:03:45] Welcome! From dark chapels to honest teens[00:03:45 – 00:07:30] Can a Jewish mother be responsible for picking the rabbi that marries her kid?[00:07:30 – 00:12:45] Hanukkah, capitalism, and competing with Christmas[00:12:45 – 00:19:45] Why we light the menorah this way[00:19:45 – 00:25:15] Public miracles, safety, and Jewish visibility[00:25:15 – 00:33:30] Latkes, handwashing, and mindful rituals
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"There's no such things as an off-duty rabbi" | Welcome to Hebrew School Dropouts
Dec 1700:29:32Tap to summarizeIn the pilot episode of Hebrew School Dropouts, hosts and rabbis Noah Westreich and Rena Singer introduce us to the concept of being a Hebrew school dropout. They emphasize that it's more about a mindset than actual credentials. You don't have to have actually dropped out — or gone to Hebrew school at all — to enjoy this show. Rabbis Noah and Rena introduce the structure of the podcast, which includes segments like "Ritual of the Week," "Big Jewish Idea," and "Rabbi Moments." P.s. if you want to help them rename or officially name these segments, reach out! Noah and Rena each select a Jewish ritual and bring it to the class. In this episode, Noah shares some words about hakafot, the circles that couples make around one another at weddings — and shares how he adapts it for couples that he marries. Rena brings the Modeh Ani prayer, highlighting her personal practice and connection to it — and how she's adapted it over the years. The "Big Jewish Ideas," segment tackles concepts like the understanding of God versus belief, and insights from Martin Buber's Hasidic philosophy that challenges the separation between the sacred and the profane. This inaugural episode is an exploration of Jewish spirituality, inviting listeners to consider how these ideas and rituals can be integrated into modern life. "Rabbi Moments" brings personal anecdotes from our hosts, offering a glimpse into the unique responsibilities and humorous situations they encounter. Credits Hosted by Rabbis Rena Singer and Noah Westreich of Temple Emanu-El San Francisco Produced and edited by Arielle Nissenblatt Engineered and scored by David Woje Production company Pinwheel by Audily Modeh Ani - Texas Style Timestamps [00:05] Intro to The Show [01:33] Ritual Of The Week [12:47] Big Jewish Idea [24:53] Day In The Life Of A Rabbi
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