x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Urban Rabbi

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

Stories from my life, rabbinate, congregation, and community in West Baltimore www.theurbanrabbi.org

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

14:43

The Elusive Happy Ending

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/12/21

SHABBAT SERMON: "I’m a sucker for a happy ending. I once convinced my family to watch Shawshank Redemption arguing it was a “feel-good movie.” It’s now a running joke in our family, because Shawshank isn’t really a feel-good movie. It’s a lot of pain, tension, and suffering – with moments of humor and grace. But it has a happy ending – kind of the ultimate happy ending. And that’s what I remembered most...." Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

21:51

Deborah the Nurse: Underground Warrior!

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/12/08

This is my Shabbat sermon from Parashat Vayishlach delivered Dec. 6, 2025 (16 Kislev 5786).What we might do when faced with the erosion of basic democratic norms and civil legal protections, when minority populations are subject to leaders or citizens from the majority making blanket claims about their own insecurity while asserting blanket condemnations of entire populations? What are some non-violent tools available to us to push back against the scapegoating of migrants, of racist and xenophobic

en

14:12

"Shall I Hide?" (Shall We Seek?)

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/11/10

My Shabbat SERMON from Parashat Vayera at Beth Am Synagogue on Nov. 8, 2025. It's one thing to decide how much of ourselves to reveal to others. But how often do we assume we know exactly who others are and what they might become? Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

14:33

Rabin z"l 30 Years Later

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/11/03

Today is Yizhak Rabin’s 30th yahrzeit. This past Shabbat, I played a song I wrote 29 years ago after the first year anniversary. Below is the text, including my introductory remarks, song lyrics, and a brief coda. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

15:51

Holding our Breath for our Hostages... and for Peace

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/10/12

This is my SERMON from this past Shabbat, Hol HoMoed Sukkot 5786. ~20 hostages are supposed to return in the early hours Monday morning. The remains of up to 28 others as well. Could growth and healing await beyond Tuesday’s 2nd yahrzeit of nearly 1200 souls? Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

22:13

Point Higher

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/10/03

Saying you're sorry is not weak, it's brave, and essential for healthy relationships in a healthy society Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

27:04

Pray for the Welfare of the Government…

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/10/03

My Yom Kippur Day 5786 sermon on tyranny, the first amendment, and our republic under threat Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

31:24

Yes, and…

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/09/25

Rosh Hashanah Day 1 sermon for 5786, delivered at Beth Am Synagogue in Baltimore on Sept. 23, 2025. (Gap at Min 6:40 is where I carry the Israeli flag from the edge to the center of the bima). Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

16:37

Learning (All of Us) Together is What Jewish Communal...

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/09/21

On the last day of his life, after 120 years and 40 years of wandering, Moshe Rabbeinu gathers the people together on the banks of the Jordan River to offer them a final teaching.אַתֶּ֨ם נִצָּבִ֤ים הַיּוֹם֙ כֻּלְּכֶ֔ם“You stand today,” he says to them, “all of you, before the LORD your God” (Deu. 29:9). Rashi in 11th Century France explains we know it was his last day on earth because it says hayom, this day. This seems right, because a few chapters later, after Moshe has concluded his remarks,

en

15:10

There is No B'racha for a Gun: America’s Idolatry...

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/08/31

Reflecting on the horror of last week's Annunciation Church and School Shooting, this is the text of my Shabbat sermon on Parashat Shoftim. “O God, if You would only slay the wicked—you murderers, away from me! — who invoke You for intrigue, Your enemies who swear by You falsely.”These words come from Psalm 139 (v. 19-20), the Psalm which was recited at the beginning of Mass at the Annunciation Church in Minneapolis this Wednesday morning. Some 200 children and adults attended the service marking

en

16:25

SHABBAT SERMON: Hesed, The Best "Kind" of Loyalty

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/08/24

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner tells the following story in his book Invisible Lines of Connection:“A light snow was falling and the streets were crowded with people. It was Munich in Nazi Germany. One of my rabbinic students… told me her great-aunt, Sussie, had been riding a city bus home from work when SS storm troopers suddenly stopped the coach and began examining the identification papers of the passengers. Most were annoyed, but a few were terrified. Jews were being told to leave the bus and get into

en

17:44

Eicha: How (the Hell) Did We Get Here?

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/08/03

Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

16:09

Political Endorsements? No Thank You!

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/07/13

This past week's sermon on Parashat Balak. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

16:52

The World Needs (Good) Teachers

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/06/17

This is my sermon from June 14, 2025 (Parashat B’haalotkha 5785) reflecting on Professor Maura Finkelstein’s dismissal from Muhlenberg College, where my daughter is a current student. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

16:02

The World Needs Rabbis

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/06/01

Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

13:15

Holy is as Holy Does

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/05/16

Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

18:07

You Don't Have to Finish... What Work?

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/05/04

Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

15:04

A Picture of Injustice

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/04/28

In my sermon from the Torah portion Shemini, I discuss the mysterious deaths of Nadav and Avihu (Lev. 10:1-3). The enigmatic story reminds us that the moral complexity of powerful stories helps us refine our moral sensibilities and find moral clarity when confronting injustice in our world. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

16:32

Exodus and the Birth of the Jewish People

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/04/22

My Shabbat message from Passover Day 7, the day we commemorate our passing through the Sea and the possibilities of freedom. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

en

23:55

Power, Jews, and Settler Colonialism

The Urban Rabbi ·

2025/03/25

This was my most asked-about and commented-on sermon during the past High Holy Day cycle. It was disappointing when we learned there had been a technical difficulties, and the recording failed. I often find myself thinking often about this dismissive and harmful false claim about Jews and our relationship with the land of Israel. If it speaks to you and/or you think it would be useful in helping others deepen and refine their knowledge on a complex set of questions, please share it! Get full access

en

20 results

Similar Podcasts

Jeff Haygood, Pastor

PodPoint

PASTOR ALVARO VALENCIA

Pastor Alvaro Valencia

Grace Life Church CT.

PodPoint

Pleasant View Church

Ted Nance

Christian Heritage Church"s Podcast

PodPoint