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IKAR Podcasts

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes533Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for IKAR Podcasts

Latest Episodes

The window of opportunity is closing.

But as long as the spark of vitality remains within us, it’s not yet too late.

A conversation featuring Elly Oltersdorf of Achvat Amim,

sharing a firsthand perspective on Jewish solidarity work in the West

Bank amid escalating settler violence. Joined by Joe Goldman of New

Israel Fund, this conversation will explore what sol... more

Source sheet: docs.google.com/document/d/1H8amu8GaAckmuDgd7HIknLHTIyz6YQ5UvmZDKExjriY/edit?usp=sharing

We are a nation built by people who dared to believe the unbelievable, even when the odds were far worse and the stakes much higher than a... more

We are a nation built by people who dared to believe the unbelievable, even when the odds were far worse and the stakes much higher than at any  blackjack table… Our shared history, our family stories, our collective legacy is one of impossible dream... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Joe Goldman
Regional Director for Southern California at New Israel Fund
New Israel Fund
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
Agnes Borinsky
Speaker introducing and sharing Torah and personal reflections
Episode: Sacred Meetings - Agnes Borinsky | Pesah II
David Hasan
Neurosurgeon and humanitarian founder of Gaza Children Village
Duke University; Gaza Children Village
Episode: CEO of The Gaza Children Village Dr. David Hasan and Rabbi Sharon Brous in conversation
Rabbi Morris Panitz
Guest teacher, IKAR community member
IKAR
Episode: Peeking Behind the Veil - Rabbi Morris Panitz | For the Love of Learning

Host

Rabbi Sharon Brous
Host of IKAR Podcasts; central figure in conversations blending Jewish learning with public ethics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 198 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 States2 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.

Listeners appreciate the ethical and humanistic approach to modern issues.
Audio balance is a recurring issue, but content remains strong.
The host depth and compassion stand out, great for thoughtful listening.
Guests and topics are consistently engaging and relevant.
Content is intellectually rigorous and accessible to a broad audience.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Architect Barbara Bestor in conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous
Q: How will guests and community members experience entering the space, and how will agency and humility be manifested in the design?
Barbara describes a layered journey from street to garden to sanctuary, with multiple entry points and a garden-centered plan that fosters openness while maintaining a sense of sacredness. The architecture aims to make the interior feel intimate and welcoming, encouraging dialogue and connection while honoring tradition.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About IKAR Podcasts

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

Thoughtful, tradition-forward discussions that weave Jewish ethics, democratic ideals, and contemporary life into practical guidance. Episodes span governance, learning communities, ritual stories, and moral challenges—often centering on justice, humility, and collective responsibility. Notable strengths include deep textual engagement, humanizing leadership, and a penchant for connecting ancient wisdom to today's social issues; occasional production hiccups are noted by listeners but don't eclipse the overall depth and relevance for faith-minded professionals and educators seeking meaningful discourse.

A standout aspect is the consistent emphasis on learning as a communal, action-oriented venture—whether through long-form Talmudic study, ... more

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How many listeners does IKAR Podcasts get?

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What are the audience demographics for IKAR Podcasts?

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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. The Ezra Klein Show
3. On Being with Krista Tippett
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. For Heaven's Sake

How many episodes of IKAR Podcasts are there?

IKAR Podcasts launched 13 years ago and published 533 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.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for IKAR Podcasts?

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What guests have appeared on IKAR Podcasts?

Recent guests on IKAR Podcasts include:

1. Elly Oltersdorf
2. Joe Goldman
3. Cory Booker
4. Matan Kach
5. Dalia Dassa Kaye
6. Ben Allen
7. Agnes Borinsky
8. David Hasan

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.

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