Moral Courage: From the Study of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis

Rabbi Denise Eger joins Rabbi Ari Averbach to trace her 38‑year rabbinic journey from Memphis to the pulpit, and the hidden struggles of LGBTQ students in seminary. She recounts organizing secret support networks, her ordination in 1988, and serving as rabbi of Beth Chayim Chadashim during the height of the AIDS crisis—pastoring the sick, educating institutions, and building community care when mainstream support was absent.The conversation follows Eger’s leadership in changing Reform movement policy and practice around LGBTQ inclusion, including public visibility that helped shift Hebrew Union College and the Central Conference of American Rabbis toward nondiscrimination and support for same‑sex marriage. She reflects on Rabbi Harold Schulweis’s moral courage to learn and change, the importance of in‑reach (kiruv) to welcome Jews who feel excluded, and the long work of expanding Jewish belonging.Turning to today, Eger warns about cancel culture, virulent antisemitism, and online radicalization of youth, calling for sustained moral courage from clergy and lay leaders. She closes by honoring LGBTQ ancestors and celebrating Pride, sharing liturgy from her Mishkan Ga’ava collection that remembers those who fought and sacrificed so future generations could live openly and with dignity.LINKS:Morality Legality and Homosexuality — A Rosh Hashanah Sermon by Rabbi Harold M. SchulweisRosh Hashanah 5753, September 27, 1992TEXTAUDIOMishkan Ga'avah: Where Pride Dwells—A Celebration of LGBTQ Jewish Life and RitualEdited by Rabbi Denise L. EgerForeword by Loren Ostrow

This week, we're joined by Janice Kamenir-Reznik—prominent figure in the Jewish and civic communities, known for her work as an activist, retired environmental attorney, and co-founder of Jews United for Democracy and Justice and Jewish World Watch. She co-founded Jewish World Watch (JWW) in 2004 with Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis (z"l), a non-profit dedicated to fighting genocide and mass atrocities globally

Join our host Rabbi Ari Averbach we discuss the influence and poetry of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis with Cantor Jacqueline Rafii of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino California.

Actress, author, producer, and podcaster Mayim Bialik joins the Moral Courage podcast and host Rabbi Ari Averbach for an intimate discussion. We touch on her upbringing and start in the world of acting, as well as her Judaism and connection to the teachings of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis. Part 1 of 2

Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, an American Conservative rabbi. He is a Visiting Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law and Distinguished Professor of Jewish theology at the American Jewish University in California, author and a bio-ethicist. He describes his relationship with Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis (z”l) that began when he arrived in Southern California, and how Rabbi Schulweis’ teachings are relevant in this troubled world. Moderated by Rabbi Ari Averbach, Senior Rabbi at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks, CA.

“Moral Courage” shares Jewish ideas and conversations — inspired by the works of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis(z"l) — that make Jewish wisdom more accessible, inclusive and relevant to today’s complicated world. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Averbach.Rabbi Schulweis was a longtime pulpit rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, from 1970 until his passing in 2014, who made Judaism approachable and accessible. He believed that humanity could do divine work in the world, trying to make it a better place. He was a cofounder of the anti-genocide program Jewish World Watch, and said that Jews have a moral responsibility to help those who are suffering, wherever they are. He was also the founding Chair of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, recognizing Christians who saved Jews from the Holocaust. His is a voice that we need now, as the world is fraught, in constant conflict, with suffering and irresponsibility both in abundance.