The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark

On this episode of Interfaith Roundtable, Rabbi Mark welcomes back Jeannie Asbury, Director of REACH of Washington County, for an eye-opening and deeply important conversation on homelessness, poverty, and the power of community. Together, they explore the growing challenges facing individuals and families across the country—from rising housing costs and mental health struggles to addiction and the realities of life on the streets. Jeannie shares firsthand insight into the work being done locally through REACH, including shelter programs, case management, and innovative efforts to help individuals regain stability and independence. The conversation also highlights the vital role that faith communities, local organizations, and volunteers play in making a difference—showing how compassion, collaboration, and understanding can bring real change. This episode is a powerful reminder that while the challenges are complex, hope is found in people coming together to serve others. To learn more about REACH or how you can get involved, visit: https://reachofwc.org/

In this episode of Interfaith Roundtable, Rabbi Mark is joined by Pastor Brad Reeves from Crossway Fellowship in Hagerstown, Maryland, for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on faith, identity, and the role of religion in today's world. Together, they explore the core teachings of the Episcopal tradition, the evolving relationship between religion and politics, and the challenges facing modern faith communities. Drawing from personal experiences and theological perspectives, the discussion also dives into the importance of humility, service, and maintaining meaningful dialogue across religious and cultural differences. At a time when division often dominates the conversation, this episode highlights the power of mutual respect, shared values, and collaboration in pursuing peace, justice, and a deeper connection to the divine. Whether you are deeply rooted in your faith, exploring spirituality, or simply curious about different religious perspectives, this episode offers an engaging and insightful look at how we can better understand one another and work together toward a more compassionate world.

Rabbi Mark speaks with Angela Moore who is a leader at UNHCR, and important U.N. Refugee Agency that is helping persecuted and displaced people find help and support as they struggle to build new lives free of terror, oppression, and, in some cases, exploitation. Mark also interviews Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, who is the first woman ever to be ordained as a cantor in the Jewish faith. She talks about being a pioneer in a field that was for centuries exclusively male.

Rabbi mark talks with Dr. Nehemia Gordon, who was one of the translators of The Dead Sea Scrolls, about his take on scripture from both a Jewish and Christian perspective.

In this episode Rabbi Mark is joined by award winning composer and flutist Mattan Klein. Mattan Klein shares his account of how life in Israel has changed in the past weeks. He gives the historical perspective of the Israel-Palestine and the decades of transgressions that led to the recent events. He also shares his music and his hope that it could lead to harmony and love. On the second half of the episode Mark is joined by former President of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau Thomas Riford. On the show he shares the history of Thomas Kennedy, a man from Hagerstown who championed Religious Freedom for all. Born in 1776, Thomas Kennedy fought against discrimination and was the leading force to pass the "Jew Bill" which allowed people of Jewish decent or belief to hold public office. Listen to Mattan's 2023 Album Listen to Mattan's 2022 Album Jazzwise Magazine Mattan Klein Facebook Hagerstown Convention and Visitor's Bureau Thomas Kennedy Center

Our first guest is a motivational speaker, trainer, teacher, author, and a certified life coach. She is The FOCUS Trainer which stands for Fun, Opprotunity, Concentration, Unwavering, and Sucess. Rabbi Mark and Cherish break down her offerings and skills and how she uses her services to contribute to her local community. Cherish explains how her upbringing brought her to where she is today. How she started behind in class in reading and writing and gradually learned and overcame to eventually graduate with honors. The second guess is Ryan Berger who is the Funeral Director for the Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home. He unpacks his role at the funeral home and how he helps families get through their time at the funeral home. They discuss the specific burial ceremonies guests need depending on the religion of the deceased. Ryan also explains the stigma around funeral directors in the general public and how others typically feel strange or weary around him.

Religion and faith isn't the only thing discussed on The Interfaith Roundtable. This week the discussion is focused on community work and how the ideals of helping and aiding those around us coincides with faith or is an off-shoot of it Sommer Gilliam combined her love of community with her love of creating. The owner of Kreeative Kreations in Hagerstown, Maryland, Sommer creates not only beautiful hairstyles, but also soulfull and delicious treats. As a director of The Washington County Black Professionals Network, Sommer lives a life of uplifting those around her, while also chasing her own dreams. She tells her story and why she does what she does. In the second half, Rabbi Mark is joined by Kathleen Prest, a social worker who works to train foster families with San Mar Treatment Foster Care, as well as Jennifer Lewis, a fellow congregate and clinical social worker as well as the Director of Treatment Foster Care for San Mar Family and Community Services. These two ladies discuss the importance of stability and love for foster children, as well as detail the work they do in helping in transitions and guiding them in life.

First Rabbi Mark is joined by fellow Listen Frederick host Brian Donahue. Brian hosts The Big Sci-Fi Podcast, the Brian Donahue Show Podcast, as well as faith based podcasts. Brian also is a Minister at the Pursuit Friends Church in Northeast Ohio. Rabbi Mark and Brian talk about the intersection of his passions and podcasts. He unpacks his church motto Pray, Love, Live on Mission. The phrase was derived from the great commission where Jesus called his followers to reach out to others that need God. Finally they discuss the importance of faith when it comes to believing in the accuracy and infallibility of Scriptures. Jane Powell works with the Literacy Council of Washington County. The council offers language classes to a large range of adults who need help with their literacy. She works with adults helping them in reading, writing and math with both native English speakers and with non-native speakers. Jane discusses what lead up to joining the Literary Council. What seemed to be her under qualified, second choice in the Literary Council quickly became her life. Many students found the Literacy Center through the local community college who recommends their services to students who fail to meet the literacy requirements to under college. Jane covers the possibility of a stigma around illiteracy and why/how these notions should be dispelled. Jane shares that the literacy program doesn't just stop within the building but Powell reaches out to schools as well as prisons. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

The Interfaith Roundtable is sponsored by The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home and F&M Trust. This week Rabbi Mark sits down with Paula Myers to discuss Baháʼí Faith. Baháʼí is the unity of God, religion, and of all humanity. Ms. Myers explains that Baháʼí focuses on family in the home and being generous to all individuals. Paula even opens up her home (brownies included) to share the teachings. Even among interfaith discussing Baháʼí are taught not to ceaselessly argue with others. The second guest is Rachel Bright, a Naturopathic Doctor as well as a holistic tradition practitioner. Naturopaths not only seek to help patients get through their symptoms but also seek to find the source of the ailment and treat it from there. She explains how a naturopathic practitioner isn't shackled by an insurance company like traditional doctors are. She finds that the modern medical field breaks up the body into small parts (otolaryngologists, dermatologists, oncologists) whereas naturopathic medicine looks at the body as a whole. She relates the body to a symphony saying every part of the body has a role to play and if their role is off the body will falter. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

The Interfaith Roundtable is sponsored by The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home and F&M Trust. Dr. Kerry Olitzky joins Rabbi Mark and Elizabeth to discuss how he is helping recovering addicts and how fundamental Jewish principle's can help and transform recovering addicts. Dr. Olitzky is the former executive director of Big Tent Judiasm and also happened to be Rabbi Mark's professor back at Hebrew Union College. Dr Olitzky is a prolific author penning over 75 books on Judiasm as well as children's books. The principles discussed in this episode are all outlined in his book Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery. The second guest on today's show is Belladonna Laveau who is a practicing Wiccan and is Matriarch and Archpriestess of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church International. She is also the Dean of an online Wiccan College Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary which is the first and only Wiccan sponsored College. Laveau unpacks her journey to Wicca and hardships she's faced because of her religion. She dispels popular misinformation on the belief and shares how there is common ground in Wicca with many other popular religions. Send your thoughts on the show or suggestions on topics you would like to hear discussed to MJPerman9@gmail.com! Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

Rabbi Mark is joined by Ukrainian Christian Volodymyr Grinchenko. He talks about how he grew up in a secular Jewish family in Southern Ukraine but was converted by missionaries which led him on a path to come to America and obtain a a master's degree in practical theology and a doctorate in pastoral psychotherapy. Together they wrestle with the idea of the concept of evil and why a creator would allow murder and atrocities in the world. On that note, Volodymyr speaks on his family's current struggles living in Ukraine during wartime and how spiritual people should react to war. He covers a number of topics relating to Ukrainian society and religious matters like the topic of religious freedoms in Ukraine and anti-semitism in Ukraine. They end their discussion on Christmas and what is the spirit of Christmas and how to keep it alive. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

On this episode Rabbi Mark and his wife Elizabeth are joined by Reach of Washington County Director Jeannie Asbury. She discusses the organization and their fight against homelessness and how they help people at risk for homelessness. Asbury converses how she got involved with Reach after working in the US Airforce as a targeteer. She found what started as a side job quickly transformed into her calling in life. Asbury details how wide the homelessness problem is in Hagerstown and for the DMV area and its wider ranging implications. Rabbi Mark and Asbury sheds light on how people find themselves at risk for homelessness and debunks the stigma and stereotypes around the epidemic. Finally, Asbury thoroughly outlines the best way to help individuals such as panhandlers in a one-on-one situation. Find out more about Reach and how you can help at www.reachofwc.org. You can find out more information about the Hagerstown Area Religious Council at harccoalition.org. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing at Listen Hagerstown.

Achieving an end to poverty is a wish many faiths share. Kimberly Buchanan, Director of Development & Whole Family Services for the Washington County Community Action Council, joins Rabbi Mark for a discussion on how Circles is doing just that. Afterwards, Rabbi Mark is joined by his mentee, Wesley Mason, who came to Judaism later in life, and producer Kristina Manente, who considers herself Agnostic. Together they discuss why young people aren't interested in organized religion or are leaving it in droves (and possibly what organizations and congregations can do to counteract that). Wesley Mason grew up in Western Maryland and now lives in Hagerstown. He is a classical violinist who trained with a master teacher in Russia and has performed extensively across the country. He is part of the congregation at B'nai Abraham in Hagerstown where Rabbi Mark is the rabbi. Kristina Manente is the producer, director, and engineer behind The Interfaith Roundtable and manages both The Frederick Podcast Network and The Hub City Podcast Network at Manning Media. She is on-air at Key 103 as Curly, and is mother to two small dogs. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable with Rabbi Mark every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, with the podcast version airing a week later at Listen Hagerstown.