The College Commons Podcast

Author Danielle Sharkan finds cultural identity in multicultural community, in her picture book Sharing Shalom.Biography: Danielle grew up in the sub­urbs of Chica­go and has sincehad the priv­i­lege of liv­ing in Cana­da, Israel, and Argenti­na. As an edu­ca­tor and a proud moth­er of two won­der­ful chil­dren, she is deeply com­mit­ted to both per­son­al and pro­fes­sion­al growth. Danielle is pas­sion­ate about nature, yoga, and all things Israel — espe­cial­lyits vibrant culi­nary cul­ture. She cur­rent­ly resides in Boul­der, Col­orado, where she enjoys spend­ing time with her fam­i­ly, explor­ing the out­doors, and embrac­ing the beau­ty of life in the Rockies.

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl disentangles the power of the pulpit from the stature of its holder, by sharing the vulnerability, musicality and ethical of sermons.Biography: Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl serves as the Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City and is the first woman to lead Central’s Reform congregation in its 180-year history. Rabbi Buchdahl first joined Central Synagogue as Senior Cantor in 2006. In 2014, she was chosen by the congregation to be Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Buchdahl was invested as a cantor in 1999 and also ordained as a rabbi in 2001 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She earned a bachelor of arts in religious studies from Yale University in 1994. Born in Korea to a Jewish American father and a Korean Buddhist mother, Rabbi Buchdahl is the first Asian American to be ordained as a cantor or rabbi in North America. Prior to her service at Central Synagogue, Rabbi Buchdahl served as Associate Rabbi/Cantor at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, New York. Rabbi Buchdahl has been nationally recognized for her innovations in leading worship, which draw large crowds both in the congregation’s historic Main Sanctuary and via livestream and cable broadcast to viewers in more than 100 countries. Rabbi Buchdahl has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the Today Show, NPR, and PBS and was listed as one of Newsweek’s “America’s 50 Most Influential Rabbis.” She serves on the boards of the AJC, the Asia Society, the New York Board of Rabbis, and the Yale University President's Council. Rabbi Buchdahl and her husband Jacob Buchdahl have three children.

Author and activist Lihi Lapid follows characters who yearn for each other across space, time and even cognition.Biography:Lihi Lapid is a writer, journalist, lecturer and performer, symbolizing the voice of the contemporary Israeli woman. Her activity in various media has earned her a following that sweeps through social media with thousands of shares and comments.Her books have been on the bestseller lists for weeks, led by the book "A Soldier's Wife," which is a milestone in personal female writing in Hebrew.Lapid has published two novels, in addition to a book intended for mothers who enlist their children, two children's books, and a recipe book.She used to be a photojournalist and is now a writer, lecturer, and performer.Lapid is active in social issues, with an emphasis on two areas: women's rights and parenting children with special needs. She is the president of the "Shekel - Community Services for People with Disabilities" association.

Author Lee Yaron resists the simplification of politics, people, and, most of all, of October 7th — in favor of nuance and humanity.Biography:Lee Yaron is an award-winning Israeli journalist.Her new book, "10/7: 100 Human Stories," won the 2024 National Jewish Book Award  Book of the Year — and the 2025 Natan Notable Books award.At 30, Yaron is the youngest Book of the Year recipient in the award's history. She joins distinguished past winners including Philip Roth, Elie Wiesel, David Grossman and Amos Oz.She was selected for the prestigious 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.Her investigative journalism on corruption, social issues, and environmental concerns has prompted the establishment of state-level commissions and driven changes in Israeli policy and law. This work earned her the 2022 Yitzhak Livni "Knight" Award for Free Speech in Media. She currently serves as an elected member-representative on the Executive Committee of the Union of Israeli Journalists.Website: https://www.leeyaron.com/

Rabbi Marc Katz uses the historical imagination to plumb the depths of Judaism’s greatest choice for survival.

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi at Park Avenue Synagogue, offers profound insights into the evolving landscape of Judaism and Israel. He discusses the resilience of American Jewry, drawing parallels with the biblical story of Queen Esther amidst rising anti-Semitism. The dialogue shifts to the complexities of the two-state solution and the diaspora’s role in fostering hope. Rabbi Cosgrove emphasizes the need for ethical discourse within the community, advocating for mutual respect and collaboration in light of recent tragedies.

In this engaging discussion, Rabbi Joshua Weinberg, a leader in Reform Zionism, dives deep into the nuances of Liberal Zionism. He reflects on Israel's Declaration of Independence and its contemporary significance. The conversation shifts to the evolution of Jewish identity post-October 7th, weighing community responsibilities and ethical dilemmas. Rabbi Weinberg also explores the diverse connections American Jews have with Israel, emphasizing the need for younger generations to become more engaged. Personal stories about music and shared experiences further enrich this multifaceted dialogue.

Poet Menachem Rosensaft transforms the Psalms into a search for God who permitted the Holocaust.

Who are we and where is home? Author Yariv Inbar investigates through the mental tightrope of espionage.

Aryeh Ben David plumbs the diaries of the epochal thinker Rav Kook. He finds the imperative of love.