Rephonic
Artwork for IKAR Podcasts

IKAR Podcasts

IKAR
Judaism
Torah
Jewish Community
IKAR
Israel
Exodus
Community
Talmud
Moses
Joseph
Passover
Rosh Hashanah
Social Justice
Compassion
Iran
Anti-Semitism
Pharaoh
Inclusion
Midrash
Justice

Sermons, talks, classes, and more from IKAR Rabbis and the IKAR community.

PublishesDailyEpisodes545Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismReligion & Spirituality

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for IKAR Podcasts

Latest Episodes

I hunger for a leadership with the moral seriousness, the moral imagination to recognize that the greatest achievement is not brute force and military victory, but the embrace and affirmation of human life. Of peace.

What happens when we have the courage to really see what is before us—the blessing, the curse, and everything in between? Re’eh invites us to look up, pay attention, and enter Elul and this season with our eyes and hearts wide open.

From the broken brotherhoods of Genesis to the final conversation between Moses and Aaron, the Torah asks what it truly means to become our brother's keeper. Through a relationship shaped by speech, silence, conflict, and compassion, a vision emerges... more

ASL Interpretation for this sermon is available on YouTube.

In this week's parsha we read that Moses pleads with God, and the form of that word (va'etchanan) only shows up in one other place in the Torah - with Joseph. What do these two moments come... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Identity/Crisis
Identity/CrisisShalom Hartman Institute
For Heaven's Sake
For Heaven's SakeShalom Hartman Institute, Ark Media
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Being Jewish with Jonah PlattJonah Platt // Jewish Identity, Culture, and Current Events

Recent Guests

Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas
Guest darshanit delivering the sermon
IKAR
Episode: Between Two Mountains - Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas
Lani Santo
CEO of Footsteps, nonprofit supporting people leaving ultra-Orthodox communities
Footsteps
Episode: Kissing Girls on Shabbat w/ Dr. Sara Glass + Lani Santo
Sara Glass
Clinical Director of Soul Wellness NYC; psychotherapist and author of Kissing Girls on Shabbat
Soul Wellness NYC
Episode: Kissing Girls on Shabbat w/ Dr. Sara Glass + Lani Santo
Joe Goldman
Regional Director for Southern California at New Israel Fund
New Israel Fund
Episode: Confronting Settler Violence: Voices from the Jewish Solidarity Movement
Elly Oltersdorf
Outreach Director at Solidarity of Nations, Achvat Amim
Achvat Amim / Solidarity of Nations
Episode: Confronting Settler Violence: Voices from the Jewish Solidarity Movement
Cory Booker
United States Senator, New Jersey
United States Senate
Episode: Senator Booker in Conversation with Rabbi Brous: I had to do my part
Matan Kach
Rabbi or teacher referenced as a guest in the discussion
Blessed Memory (reference)
Episode: The Curse of Exile: ‘If’ or ‘When’? / Parshat Behar-Behukotai - Rabbi David Kasher
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Senior Fellow at UCLA Burkle Center; author of Enduring Hostility: The Making of America's Iran Policy
UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations
Episode: Enduring Hostility - The Making of America’s Iran Policy | Dalia Dassa Kaye in conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous
Ben Allen
California State Senator, 24th Senate District
California State Senate
Episode: Lunch & Learn: Senator Ben Allen with Rabbi Sharon Brous

Host

Rabbi Sharon Brous
Host of IKAR Podcasts; IKAR

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 199 ratings
  • Wonderful!

    Rabbi Brous is a gifted and compassionate spiritual leader. She communicates her passion for Judaism while also demonstrating compassion for anyone, regardless of religion. I am hooked on her sermons and use them to add depth to the sermons of my own Rabbi.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Reader8591
    United Statesa year ago
  • Grateful

    So grateful for IKAR

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mme Blink
    United Statesa year ago
  • Thank You for helping to shape my moral world view

    These sermons and classes teach me so much and help put into words and context my own personal moral view. The Rabbis are all smart, interesting and challenging!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Coach Marissa
    United States3 years ago
  • Learning.

    I’m a shy Jew. Raised in a home where my Judaism was hidden. I’m no longer in that closet. But still shy. That’s to say I attend temple on this podcast. Xxxx

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Family Dog
    United States3 years ago
  • Thank you

    Wow

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billybill1984
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience notes audio quality issues but praise the depth of discussions.
Audience highlights the value of interfaith and civic engagement discussions.
Listeners praise thoughtful, compassionate leadership and relevant spiritual insights.
Listeners appreciate the blend of spirituality with current social issues.
Many describe the host's sermons as human, accessible, and deeply thought-provoking.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Jewish Art of Resolving Contradictions / Parshat Naso - Rabbi David Kasher
Q: What did God actually say to Moshe at the end of Parshat Naso, and why is there a question about it?
The host explains that the verse appears to hang at the end of the Parsha, inviting readers to look for a resolution elsewhere in Torah; this leads into the broader pattern of how contradictions are resolved by additional verses.
Lunch & Learn: Senator Ben Allen with Rabbi Sharon Brous
Q: How can residents effectively engage with their representatives given the volume of issues?
He recommends using a mix of channels—personal outreach, staff engagement, attending meetings, and contributing to the fundraising ecosystem to build durable relationships—while stressing the importance of proactive, ongoing dialogue with both legislators and their staffs.
Enduring Hostility - The Making of America’s Iran Policy | Dalia Dassa Kaye in conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous
Q: What is Israel's role in this history, and how does it influence current policy decisions?
Israel is a major actor with influential interests, but U.S. policy decisions ultimately rest with Washington. The discussion challenges simplistic attributions to any one actor and argues for recognizing the complex, evolving dynamics between Israel, Iran, and U.S. policymakers.
Enduring Hostility - The Making of America’s Iran Policy | Dalia Dassa Kaye in conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous
Q: Is war inevitable given the 40-year history, or could there have been different choices earlier in the timeline?
Not inevitable; there were openings in the 1980s, 1990s, and later periods where a different approach might have reduced risk. The conversation emphasizes that language, framing, and missed opportunities often closed doors to more constructive engagement.
Rabbi Sharon Brous and Gideon Maltz, 2025 Charles Bronfman Prize Recipient
Q: From the guest's perspective, what moves large corporations to commit to refugee hiring beyond initial statements?
Measurable business results and demonstrated improvements in performance, retention, and productivity drive companies to scale refugee hiring; once they see concrete benefits, they want to do more.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About IKAR Podcasts

What is IKAR Podcasts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program features sermons, conversations, and teach-ins led by IKAR rabbis and guest religious and civic leaders. Episodes often blend scriptural analysis with modern ethics, social justice, and community narratives, including discussions on leadership, democracy, LGBTQ+ topics within religious contexts, and interfaith solidarity. A recurring strength is thoughtful, human-centered reflection that connects ancient texts to contemporary life, paired with interviews with prominent figures from faith, politics, and nonprofit sectors. The format typically centers on moral imagination, compassionate leadership, and practical calls to action, making it appealing to listeners seeking meaningful spirituality that engages real-world issues.

Where can I find podcast stats for IKAR Podcasts?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for IKAR Podcasts. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to IKAR Podcasts and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does IKAR Podcasts get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for IKAR Podcasts, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for IKAR Podcasts?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for IKAR Podcasts, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does IKAR Podcasts have?

To see how many followers or subscribers IKAR Podcasts has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to IKAR Podcasts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with IKAR Podcasts:

1. Identity/Crisis
2. For Heaven's Sake
3. Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
4. The Promised Podcast
5. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

How many episodes of IKAR Podcasts are there?

IKAR Podcasts launched 13 years ago and published 545 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact IKAR Podcasts?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for IKAR Podcasts?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for IKAR Podcasts from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for IKAR Podcasts?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of IKAR Podcasts. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on IKAR Podcasts?

Recent guests on IKAR Podcasts include:

1. Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas
2. Lani Santo
3. Sara Glass
4. Joe Goldman
5. Elly Oltersdorf
6. Cory Booker
7. Matan Kach
8. Dalia Dassa Kaye

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days