Crackers and Grape Juice

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode, we talk with Rabbi Joseph Edelheit to reflect on one of the darkest moments of this Advent season and how faith communities are navigating grief, fear, and resilience.On December 14, 2025, a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia — known affectionately as “Chanukah by the Sea” — turned into a scene of unspeakable violence when two gunmen opened fire on the Jewish community gathered to welcome the Festival of Lights. At least 15 people were killed, and dozens more were wounded in what authorities and community leaders have characterized as a terrorist attack with antisemitic intent.In the midst of global mourning, believers across traditions are asking how our faith shapes responses to such hatred.To guide the conversation, Rabbi Jospeh suggested “The Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting was an attack on Judaism” by Jeffrey Salkin, which argues that this tragedy is not an isolated act of violence but part of a broader pattern of attacks that seek to desecrate Jewish life and faith itself. The piece challenges both Jewish and non-Jewish readers to reckon honestly with rising antisemitism and what it means to defend not only people but the sacred rhythms of religious life.Whether you’re listening from a church pew, a living room candlelighting, or on a long walk, this episode is our invitation to sit with hard questions and to remember that faith calls us to stand with those made vulnerable, even when the world feels unbearably heavy.📍 Tune in, subscribe, and join us for a conversation about grief, memory, and the work of love in dark times.Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section five of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section four of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics.Jason and Ken also rant (at the very beginning) about what grinds their gears about Advent. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section three of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Here’s a snippet of Bonhoeffer’s lecture:A sermon is born twice, once in the pastor’s own study and once in the pulpit, the latter representing the real origin.[36] An ill-prepared preacher will be insecure and will have to distract listeners from that insecurity through all sorts of devices deriving from his own vanity: noise, pathos, appeal to teary emotions. The highest possible objectivity in the pulpit results from the best preparation. The preacher is free with regard to preparatory work to the extent required and is not bound to having to learn anything word for word. Prayer in the sacristy before the sermon. Kneeling belongs not in word through the Spirit.Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section two of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Here’s a snippet of Bonhoeffer’s lecture:“In the subjectivity of the preacher, the objective character of the church is constantly changing. The sermon of the one who does not stand in obedience is robbed not of its promise but of its trustworthiness. Discipleship is the place where the proclamation is made present. Hence, what it must emphasize is not its proximity to the Volk but its alien character in this world.”Next up is Section Three (which you can read in the same document as Section Two). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

This episode, Jason and Teer are joined by Ken Jones to explore the theology of preaching as articulated by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, exploring the significance of the preaching office, the relationship between preaching and the sacraments, and the challenges faced by contemporary preachers. Ken emphasizes the importance of understanding preaching as a divine calling rather than a mere profession, and they discuss the need for a sacramental view of preaching that recognizes its role in delivering the gospel. They also address the crisis in preaching today and the necessity for preachers to be well-trained and grounded in scripture. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Brian Zand shares his transformative journey through faith, exploring the depths of theology and spirituality. He discusses his crisis of faith, the importance of community, and the need for a richer understanding of Christian tradition. Zand emphasizes the significance of translating complex theological concepts for everyday believers and reflects on the evolution of youth ministry within the church. His insights encourage both pastors and laity to engage deeply with their faith and seek a more authentic relationship with God. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Jason Micheli caught up with Chris EW Green to discusses Chris’s new book, All Life Comes From Tenderness. This book is a collection of sermons and homilies that emphasize the importance of vulnerability in preaching, the essence of sermon preparation, and the relationship between God and humanity. He explores sacramental themes, the role of saints in spiritual growth, and the significance of noticing details in scripture. The discussion highlights the need for preachers to engage with tradition and imagination to nurture their congregations effectively. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Holly Berkley-Fletcher discusses her experiences as a missionary kid and her insights into white evangelicalism. She explores the complexities of race, politics, and the narratives surrounding forgiveness and American exceptionalism within the evangelical community. Holly emphasizes the need for accountability in the missionary movement and reflects on the fears and challenges faced by evangelicals today. The discussion also touches on the differences between evangelical and mainline churches, highlighting the importance of communal repentance and understanding the historical context of these faith traditions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, Teer and Jason sit down with Rabbi Joseph for an honest and deeply personal conversation about what it means to be Jewish in a time of global conflict. As headlines from Gaza continue to grieve and divide, Rabbi Joseph offers a perspective shaped by history, faith, and heartbreak—speaking candidly about the loneliness many Jews feel, the complexity of the moment, and the challenge of holding grief for all who suffer.This is not an easy conversation. But it’s a necessary one. Together, we ask: What does it mean to tell the truth without resorting to partisanship? What does it look like to love our neighbors when the world tempts us toward sides? And how can Christians and Jews move toward one another in a time when it feels easier to retreat?If you're looking for a place to start—not to solve, but to understand—this conversation is a step in that direction.Find Crackers and Grape Juice on Instagram, Facebook, and Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe