Faithful Friends: Inter-Religious Dialogues on Faith, Tradition, and Community
Faithful Friends: Inter-Religious Dialogues on Faith, Tradition, and Community
Podcast Description
Join two “Faithful Friends”–faithful to G-d, and good friends, Rabbi Edelstein and Anthony Cullen, as they try to better understand themselves by understanding each other. As clergy (or clergy-in-the making for Anthony), they are building bridges in the community; as friends, they are really just two theology and religion nerds who want to have interesting conversations and thought other folks might be interested to hear them too.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores themes of interfaith dialogue, biblical studies, and community building with a focus on connections between Jewish and Christian traditions. Episodes such as 'Two Mountains, One Spirit' delve into the theological parallels between Shavuot and Pentecost, examining shared concepts of revelation and covenant through scriptural references.
Join two “Faithful Friends”–faithful to G-d, and good friends, Rabbi Edelstein and Deacon Anthony Cullen, as they try to better understand themselves by understanding each other. As clergy, they are building bridges in the community; as friends, they are really just two theology and religion nerds who want to have interesting conversations and thought other folks might be interested to hear them too.
Episode Notes
🎙️ Episode Summary
Anthony (a newly ordained Catholic deacon) and Rabbi Chaim explore ordination, religious leadership, and ritual roles in Catholicism and Judaism. They discuss what it means to be called, how leaders are formed, and how roles like deacons and rabbis function in community life. With candid stories and thoughtful comparisons, they unpack differences in sacramental theology, training, and liturgical participation, while also finding rich similarities in purpose and practice. This episode explores:
- The restoration and role of the permanent diaconate in the Catholic Church and how deacons bridge secular and clerical life.
- How rabbinic ordination (smicha) works in Judaism historically and in modern movements, including challenges and evolving inclusivity.
- Practical distinctions in sacramental ministry — who can preside over baptisms, weddings, funerals, and the Eucharist.
- Liturgical participation by women and laity in both traditions and what roles are reserved for ordained leaders.
- Shared themes of teaching, pastoral care, ritual symbolism (e.g., head coverings), and how both traditions call leaders to challenge and nurture their communities.
🔦 Key Quotes:
- Rabbi Chaim: “A rabbi’s job is not to placate people — it’s to push them a little bit and challenge them to grow.”
- Anthony: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are… Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
- Anthony: “The deacon is almost seen as having one foot in the secular world, one foot in the clerical state.”
📚 Mentioned in This Episode:
- Catholic topics: Permanent diaconate, sacramental theology (Holy Orders, Eucharist, baptism, marriage), liturgical roles, zucchetto/vestments, ministry formation.
- Jewish topics: Rabbinic ordination (smicha), historical figures (Regina Jonas, Sally Priesand), seminary training, LGBTQ+ & gender inclusivity in rabbinic roles.
- Shared themes: Head coverings (zucchetto & yarmulke), ritual symbolism, teaching & pastoral care, evolution of tradition.
🙌 Stay Connected:
📧 Email us: [email protected]
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @faithfulfriends_podcast
🎙️ Recorded at Temple Beth Ahm, Aberdeen, NJ
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