At this live “Being Jewish with Jonah Platt” event in San Diego, supported by Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Crown Family Philanthropies, and the Jim Joseph Foundation, Jonah Platt welcomes two influential spiritual leaders: Rabbi Sharon Brous, founding rabbi of IKAR in Los Angeles, and David Ingber, founding rabbi of Romemu in New York. Together, they explore how their egalitarian, non-denominational communities are reimagining synagogue life by emphasizing spiritual aliveness, engaging prayer, and social justice.
Brous and Ingber speak candidly about the challenges of leading “big tent” communities in a deeply polarized time, where congregants often expect rabbis to mirror their views, and leave when they don't. Brous discusses transforming sermons into collective responsibility and action, while Ingber critiques what he calls a more consumer-driven performative Judaism, shaped by convenience rather than commitment. Drawing on experience from the Women’s March controversy through the aftermath of October 7th, they examine what it means to lead with integrity when every word carries weight.
The conversation also grapples with enduring questions at the heart of Jewish life: the role of prayer, the tension between universal values and particular Jewish obligation, and the importance of humility and patience in leadership. Against the backdrop of rising antisemitism and growing political divisions around Israel and America, this episode looks at what Jewish leadership demands and what the Jewish community can become in this moment of urgency and change.
This is Part One of a Two-Part conversation.
In the episode, they discuss:
- The founding visions behind IKAR and Romemu
- How Brous and Ingber are reimagining synagogue life
- The rabbinical role in modern society
- Silence from progressive allies following October 7th
- Rabbi David Ingber’s experience confronting Tamika Mallory and Louis Farrakhan
- The concept of “raising flawed flags”
- The Talmudic story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza
- Balancing universalism and particularism through Torah teachings
- The pressure to respond instantly on social media versus engaging in thoughtful reflection
A special thanks to our partners on this episode:
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
Mentioned In The Episode:
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt Webby Award
BJJP: Religious Communicators Council Award: Best Audio Visual Program
BJJP: 2025 W3 Award Winner: Best Podcast Host
Brooklyn Yeshivas Circa 1937 Part I
Women First Marched to Challenge Trump. Now They Are Challenging Each Other
Judaism is About Love by Rabbi Shai Held
What Did the People Hear at Mount Sinai?
Gazing Into the Digital Face of Levinas: The Ethics of Self and Other in Cyberspace
NYC bill allowing protest ‘buffer zones’ around houses of worship passes with veto-proof majority
Zohran Mamdani has no opinion on a united Ireland. That matters more than you think
Horseshoe Theory in American Politics
American Jews May Be Moving Right
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Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
