Monday Media: Jay Michaelson’s God vs. Gay

Hot on the heels of the recent decision of the Conservative Rabbinic Assembly’s decision to allow its rabbis to officiate over same-sex marriages, we bring you a podcast from the Hyman S. & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival featuring Jay Michaelson speaking on his book God vs. Gay: The Religious Case for Equality.

This program was presented in partnership with the DCJCC’s GLOE: Kurlander Program for GLBT Outreach & Engagement. In his book, which recently came out in paperback, Jay tackles the contentious “God vs. gay” divide, arguing that religious communities should favor gay rights because of religion, not in spite of it.

As both a gay rights activist and religion scholar, he explores the moral principles that favor acceptance of GLBT people, contending that these values outweigh the ambiguous verses so often cited by conservatives.

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Or listen online here

Monday Media: Lucette Lagnado Podcast

On Closing Night of the 2011 Hyman S. & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival, journalist and acclaimed memoirist Lucette Lagnado talked about her newest book, The Arrogant Years. Lucette Lagnado is also the author of the award-winning The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, hailed by the New York Times book review as a “crushing, brilliant book.” Lagnado offers an inverted look at the “American Dream,” adding new layers to her Egyptian-Jewish family’s story.

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Or listen online here

Shabbat Surfing: Jewish Podcasts

The rain this week has taken the normally unpleasant DC commute to a new low.

So what to do when you’re stuck in traffic, sitting forever on the train platform, or just slogging through the wet city streets?

Personally, I love listening to podcasts. They take me away from whatever I’m doing (commuting, washing dishes, doing laundry) and transport me completely. I become absorbed in amazing stories, learn new things, and just generally make myself a more interesting human being.

Here are some Jewish podcasts you won’t want to miss:

-Our own Authors Out Loud podcasts feature J favorites like Andre Aciman, Lucette Lagnado and Allegra Goodman.

-The 92nd Street Y podcasts are the mother lode. Their poetry archives are particularly amazing.

–Vox Tablet, the podcast of Tablet Magazine, never fails to entertain and enlighten.

–The Israel Hour keeps me dancing with the newest (and the oldest) Israeli pop sensations.

-Finally, iTunes has a giant directory of Jewish-related podcasts. Wade through and discover something wonderful.

Shabbat Shalom!