The Rest is Commentary: Podcast

What happens when a klezmer/classical/punk violinist, Torah teacher, and poet walks into a podcast? Pure magic.

Join Shep Rosenman for a soul-stirring conversation with the incomparable *Alicia Jo Rabins*—musician, writer, and spiritual adventurer—whose work weaves together Jewish mysticism, feminist insight, and raw creative fire.

In this electrifying episode of The Rest is Commentary, Alicia opens up about her groundbreaking proj...

Discover an inspiring episode of The Rest is Commentary as host Shep Rosenman welcomes Rav Hanan Schlesinger, an Orthodox rabbi with a unique perspective. Get ready for an enlightening journey through the complexities of Israeli-Palestinian relations and the power of grassroots initiatives.

Rav Hanan, co-founder of Roots-Shorashim-Judur, shares his compelling personal transformation from a West Bank settler to an advocate for mutua...

Imagine finding the divine in every conversation, every interaction, and every moment of your life. Join host Shep Rosenman and his inspiring guest, Rabbi Sherre Hirsch, as they embark on a profound exploration of spirituality in the most unexpected places all sparked by the song, The Ballad of a Ghost. With Sherre's insightful perspective and deep spiritual wisdom, they uncover how sacred moments can emerge from the ordinary, tran...

🎶🔥 **New Episode Alert!** 🔥🎶  

This week on *The Rest is Commentary*, I sit down with the one and only **Peter Himmelman**—Grammy & Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter, film composer, visual artist, and author—for a **deep, raw, and soul-stirring conversation**.  

🎤 **We talk about:**   ✨ The magic of songwriting and its connection to faith   💔 Turning grief into music—and music into healing   🕊️ The song he wrote for the *...

Step into a realm where music sparks magic! On this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host, Shep Rosenman, sits down with the dazzling Shanna in a Dress—quirky folk-pop maven and live-wire performer. Inspired by Shep's song, Our Day Begins, which is inspired by Psalm 59, we dive deep into Shanna's creative process, where head meets heart, and discover how she transforms positivity into art.

We uncover the secrets of connecting wit...

🎙️ New Episode Alert! Dive into the fascinating world of creativity and spirituality with Shep Rosenman, Brian Michael Bendis (Peabody Award winning creator of iconic characters like Miles Morales and Jessica Jones), and Rabbi Michael “Stick” Shefrin. Together, they explore how faith fuels artistic expression, the influence of Jewish culture on creativity, and the art of staying true to your roots while embracing diverse tradition...

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman is joined by the esteemed Dr. Mayim Bialik to delve into the profound connection between Torah, music, and inspiration. Mayim, widely recognized for her roles on television, including Blossom and The Big Bang Theory, shares her insights into how music and faith intertwine in her life.

The conversation spans the exploration of poetry and music, the songwriting process, an...

Hit play on this soulful and thought-provoking episode of "The Rest is Commentary" as host Shep Rosenman sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Carolyn Shulman for a powerful exploration of parenting, music, and ancient wisdom. Inspired by Shep’s song “Kissing My Son,” they dive into the raw fears and boundless joys of raising children—set against the backdrop of Psalm 2’s timeless truths.

Carolyn reveals how a childhood gift—a...

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman welcomes Mitchell Hoenig, a former lone soldier in the IDF, to discuss the inspiration behind the song "Dear David."  Drawing from his unique experiences in the Israeli army, Mitchell shares the profound impact of soldiers receiving letters and gifts during their service and reflects on the importance of maintaining human connections despite the distance and challenges.

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In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman dives deep into the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Joined by industry veterans Brent Travers, a talent manager and producer, and Dan Weidman, a corporate communications expert, this heartfelt discussion draws from their rich history and personal experiences.

Brent challenges the notion of seeking forgiveness from God alone, emphasizing the import...

In this introspective episode of "The Rest is Commentary," Shep Rosenman and Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum, Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies, unravel the layers of personal and spiritual reflection in the song, "Naked in Your Gaze," inspired by Psalm 5. In a compelling discussion, they delve into themes of love, deception, and the creative process.

Shep and Rabbi Zarum explore how poetry and song can serve as mirrors, reflecti...

In this episode of "The Rest is Commentary," host Shep Rosenman welcomes Rabbi Sharon Brous, the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR and author of the national bestseller, "The Amen Effect,"  to explore the transformative power of love, justice, and personal connection drawing inspiration from Shep's song (cowritten by Ray Allen Kayanek) "Love is the Heart of this Coup" and Psalm 25.

Rabbi Brous shares her insights on how loneliness ...

In this episode of "The Rest is Commentary," host Shep Rosenman is joined by Abby Fifer-Mandell, a senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at USC and a visiting professor at UVA's School of Medicine. They delve deep into a conversation inspired by Psalm 91 and the song "Fraction of Grace," touching on themes of loss, family, depression, and social networks.

Shep and Abby explore the phenomenon of what we see and what we don't see, both...

In this heartwarming episode, Shep and Elise Miller reminisce about their high school days, their shared love of music, and the unexpected journey of faith and doubt that life has taken them on. With personal anecdotes and deep reflections, they explore the power of music to unify and uplift, the challenges of maintaining faith in difficult times, and the importance of being present in the moment. Join us for a candid conversation...

In this episode of The Rest Is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Rabbi David Kasher to discuss the intricate dance between faith, doubt, and destiny. Rabbi Kasher, director of Hadar West Coast, shares his personal journey of synthesizing diverse Jewish traditions and his deep love for Jerusalem, inspired by "Sun Break" from Shep Rosenman's Psalms song cycle and Psalm 125.

They delve into the complexities of belief, the ...

Welcome to The Rest is Commentary, a podcast where music, ancient wisdom, and personal connections intertwine. Hosted by Shep Rosenman, each episode features a unique song inspired by the Psalms, or Tehillim in Hebrew, shared with a friend to spark meaningful conversations.

Join Shep and his diverse array of guests—including rabbis, designers, professors, actors, authors and more —as they explore universal themes through a Jewish l...