Verses

Verses

Welcome to Verses: Where Broadway and Torah Meet, a place to geek out on Broadway musicals, Biblical text, and the interplay of the verses in both. On each episode of Verses, Anita Silvert in Chicago selects a song from the Broadway canon and matches it with a selection from the Biblical canon, putting the texts in conversation with one another.

Episodes

July 3, 2025 25 mins

A note from Anita: This was one of my mother's favorite musicals, and in her memory, I'm re-airing this episode. She believed in the magic of making a beautiful world; she believed in the promise of humanity, and the glory of gardens. In memory of Charlene Salzman, I hope you think of her as you listen.  Paradise: what creeps in to make it crumble? Join Rachel and Anita as they explore "Camelot" from Camelot, and the text from Gen...

Mark as Played

Join Verses for an exploration of making a journey to find our life’s dreams. We’ll listen to “Climb Every Mountain” from Sound of Music and the Counting of the Omer, between Passover and Shavuot. Follow along with the scripture here.

Mark as Played
April 8, 2025 26 mins

Happy Passover! Join Anita as she explores the Exodus story and “Why we tell the Story” from Once on this Island.  You can follow along with the lyrics and the Biblical text here. Feel free to share and follow! And let me know what you like, or would like more/less of here at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276

Mark as Played
March 10, 2025 39 mins

Now is the time for feasting, folly, and hiding behind masks! Join Rabbi Anita Silvert, with special co-host Sarah Sapperstein, for an exploration into the story of Esther and Purim, and the Cinderella song from Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”. Who are you, behind the mask? Who’s hiding? Who isn’t?

And who are you without the mask?

Follow along with the scripture here.

Mark as Played
February 11, 2025 33 mins

It’s almost spring….somewhere. We are quickly approaching Tu B’Shvat, the annual birthday of trees and a harbinger of spring. Join Verses as we connect this holiday with a spring song from “A New Brain” by William Finn. Dig out those planting tools!

Follow along with the scripture here.

Mark as Played
January 15, 2025 40 mins

Love can make you do some wild and sometimes dangerous things! Join me as we explore the stories of Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, and Samson. We discuss love (philandering?), ego, vows, and the famous Mr. and Mrs. Manoach in the book of Judges. Guest co-host is Rabbi Lisa Ann Wharton. Check out her website at www.pnaishore.org, and to connect with me, you can join the Facebook page Verses-Where Broadway and Torah Meet. You ca...

Mark as Played
December 23, 2024 35 mins

It’s the darkest time of the year,  yet we find light. Join us as we explore light and darkness, day and night, and of course Chanukah! We’ll be hearing music from A Little Night Music, and look at texts from Creation, Joshua, and more.  Link to source sheet.

Mark as Played
November 25, 2024 23 mins

While you’re cooking for Thanksgiving’s meal, take a listen as we look at the idea of fitting into a community, whether it’s two people at your table, or 20 or more. We bring together wisdom from Pirke Avot and Pippin’s Corner of the Sky.  Follow along with the scripture here.

Mark as Played
November 5, 2024 20 mins

It’s election time….finally. Listen as we explore how women stood up and demanded their rights, both in the Torah and the new musical “Suffs”, about the suffragettes in the early 20th century. Follow along with the scripture here.

Mark as Played
September 6, 2024 19 mins

Global economy, foreclosures, mortgages, finding work, and swimming against a tide of political and social changes. Sound familiar? It should! Join me as we explore Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) and “For Now” from Avenue Q.  Follow along with the scripture here.

Mark as Played
July 23, 2024 19 mins

You’ve got a friend in me. Ok, wrong show, but join me as we explore the deep challenges and joys of friendships.  We’ll be looking at the relationship between Jonathan and David in 1st Samuel in the Bible, and “For Good” from Wicked.

You can follow along with the Biblical text here.

Mark as Played
June 7, 2024 22 mins

Testing 1,2,3 – This week’s episode is all about counting. We count up, we count down. Join me as I explore counting the Omer, as we prepare for Shavuot, and “Seasons of Love” from Rent.

You can follow along with the Biblical text here.

Mark as Played
May 16, 2024 25 mins

Fathers and sons, a most complicated relationship! Join me as we examine the connection that Abraham and Isaac have, along with exploring “Not My Father’s Son” from the Broadway hit, “Kinky Boots” You can follow along with the Biblical text here.

Mark as Played
April 18, 2024 26 mins

Happy Passover! Join Anita as she explores the Exodus story and “Why we tell the Story” from Once on this Island.  You can follow along with the lyrics and the Biblical text here. Feel free to share and follow! And let me know what you like, or would like more/less of here at our Faceook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276

Mark as Played
March 20, 2024 21 mins

We'll look at the story of Esther for the holiday of Purim, and bring in a song from "110 in the Shade". Remember to "booooo" when Haman's name comes up! He's the villain in the Book of Esther, and we try to drown out his name! Here's the source sheet for the Biblical text https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/552216?editor=1

Mark as Played
The land you have always wanted to go to turns out not to be what you expected as hosts Anita and Rabba Rachel discuss the connections between immigrants to America in West Side Story and the Promised Land. Read the Biblical text and the song lyrics on this Sefaria source sheet. https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/356735?editor=1 Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/94118206349...
Mark as Played
Does clothing make the man? What role does clothing play in Joseph's story? Join Rachel and Anita as they compare the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and the Biblical text of Joseph, as seen through the lens of clothing. Follow along on the source sheet at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/463601?editor=1
Mark as Played
Who was Jacob struggling with when the "man" confronted him? The story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells of a man whose internal struggle ends badly. What about Jacob's struggle? Join Anita and Rachel as they connect the song "Confrontation" from Jekyll and Hyde to Jacob's struggle with the angel. Follow along on the source sheet at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/463599?lang=bi
Mark as Played
Was Noah just following orders? And what did he really think about the flood, and God's decision? This week Rachel and Anita pair Children of Eden's take on Noah's conversation with God, and the text itself. Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/427401?lang=bi
Mark as Played
Was Noah just following orders? What did he really think about the flood, and God's decision? This week Anita and Rachel pair Children of Eden's take on Noah's conversation with God, and the text itself. Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/427401?lang=bi
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.