Verses
Welcome to Verses: Where Broadway and Torah Meet, a place to geek out on Broadway musicals, Biblical text, and the interplay of the verses in both. On each episode of Verses, Anita Silvert in Chicago selects a song from the Broadway canon and matches it with a selection from the Biblical canon, putting the texts in conversation with one another.
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Election 2024 Suffs and Zelophechad
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
It’s election time….finally. Listen as we explore how women stood up and demanded their rights, both in the Torah and the new musical “Suffs”, about the suffragettes in the early 20th century. Follow along with the scripture here.
Friday Sep 06, 2024
Only for Now
Friday Sep 06, 2024
Friday Sep 06, 2024
Global economy, foreclosures, mortgages, finding work, and swimming against a tide of political and social changes. Sound familiar? It should! Join me as we explore Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) and “For Now” from Avenue Q. Follow along with the scripture here.
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Friendship
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
You’ve got a friend in me. Ok, wrong show, but join me as we explore the deep challenges and joys of friendships. We’ll be looking at the relationship between Jonathan and David in 1st Samuel in the Bible, and “For Good” from Wicked.
You can follow along with the Biblical text here.
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Omer Rent
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Testing 1,2,3 – This week’s episode is all about counting. We count up, we count down. Join me as I explore counting the Omer, as we prepare for Shavuot, and “Seasons of Love” from Rent.
You can follow along with the Biblical text here.
Thursday May 16, 2024
Fathers and Sons
Thursday May 16, 2024
Thursday May 16, 2024
Fathers and sons, a most complicated relationship! Join me as we examine the connection that Abraham and Isaac have, along with exploring “Not My Father’s Son” from the Broadway hit, “Kinky Boots” You can follow along with the Biblical text here.
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Why We Tell the Story
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Happy Passover! Join Anita as she explores the Exodus story and “Why we tell the Story” from Once on this Island. You can follow along with the lyrics and the Biblical text here. Feel free to share and follow! And let me know what you like, or would like more/less of here at our Faceook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
The King, the Queen, and the Conman
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
We'll look at the story of Esther for the holiday of Purim, and bring in a song from "110 in the Shade". Remember to "booooo" when Haman's name comes up! He's the villain in the Book of Esther, and we try to drown out his name! Here's the source sheet for the Biblical text https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/552216?editor=1
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
West Side Story’s AMERICA w/ The Sin of the Spies
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
The land you have always wanted to go to turns out not to be what you expected as hosts Anita and Rabba Rachel discuss the connections between immigrants to America in West Side Story and the Promised Land.Read the Biblical text and the song lyrics on this Sefaria source sheet.https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/356735?editor=1 Join the Verses Facebook group to continue the conversation!https://www.facebook.com/groups/941182063491276Visit Anita's website here.https://www.anitasilvert.comVisit the Jewish Living Lab here.www.jewishlivinglab.com
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT w/ The Text of Joseph
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Does clothing make the man? What role does clothing play in Joseph's story?Join Rachel and Anita as they compare the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and the Biblical text of Joseph, as seen through the lens of clothing.Follow along on the source sheet at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/463601?editor=1
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Jekyll and Hyde’s CONFRONTATION w/ The Story of Jacob and Esau
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Who was Jacob struggling with when the "man" confronted him?The story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells of a man whose internal struggle ends badly. What about Jacob's struggle? Join Anita and Rachel as they connect the song "Confrontation" from Jekyll and Hyde to Jacob's struggle with the angel.Follow along on the source sheet at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/463599?lang=bi