The Power of Human Interaction and Joy in Building a Better World

What does it mean to show up for someone?   

What does it mean to sit with another person’s pain?   

And if we are hurting, why can it be so difficult to ask for help? 

Part of being human is learning how to accompany people through hard times. Yet our culture looks at pain as a sign of imperfection, and vulnerability a sign of weakness. In this conversation, the Surgeon General and Rabbi Brous share in how the opposite is, in fact, true: vulnerability and pain can be extraordinary sources of strength and healing. Drawing from both professional and personal moments, Dr. Murthy and Rabbi Brous delve into why the simple act of showing up for each other — an intrinsic power we all possess — is so powerful and healing. And why it is so needed now, especially in these times when the world can feel despairing and lonely. 

(00:03:21)    In a challenging world, how can we find moments of light? 

(00:06:23)    How would Rabbi Sharon Brous describe the state of our spirit? 

(00:10:14)    What does it mean to show up in one another’s lives? 

(00:15:30)    How can we help people who are struggling? 

(00:27:29)    How do we show up for others when we ourselves are in pain? 

(00:42:17)    How can we get more comfortable asking others for help? 

(00:47:31)    When did Rabbi Brous know she would walk the life path she’s walking? 

(00:53:23)    What do you does Rabbi Sharon Brous do in moments of despair? 

(01:01:54)    Did we used to be better at showing up for one another? 

(01:07:22)    Rabbi Sharon Brous offers a blessing. 

We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.   

Sharon Brous, Rabbi & Author 

Instagram: @sharonbrous 

Twitter: @sharonbrous 

Facebook: @rabbisharonbrous 

About Rabbi Sharon Brous

Rabbi Sharon Brous is the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a Jewish community that launched in 2004 to reinvigorate Jewish practice and inspire people of faith to reclaim a soulful, justice-driven voice. Her 2016 TED talk, “Reclaiming Religion,” has been viewed by more than 1.5 million people. She is the author of the recently published book, “The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World." 

In 2013, Brous blessed President Obama and Vice President Biden at the Inaugural National Prayer Service, and in 2021 returned to bless President Biden and Vice President Harris, and then led the White House Passover Seder with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. In 2023, she led a Hanukkah lighting with the Vice President and Second Gentleman. She was named #1 on the Newsweek/The Daily Beast list of most influential Rabbis in America, and has been recognized by The Forward and Jerusalem Post as one of the fifty most influential Jews. 

Brous is in the inaugural cohort of Auburn Seminary‘s Senior Fellows program, sits on the faculty of REBOOT, and serves on the International Council of the New Israel Fund and national steering committee for the Poor People’s Campaign. 

A graduate of Columbia University, she was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.