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

Monday Mar 10, 2025
Hiding Behind a Mask
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Now is the time for feasting, folly, and hiding behind masks! Join Rabbi Anita Silvert, with special co-host Sarah Sapperstein, for an exploration into the story of Esther and Purim, and the Cinderella song from Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”. Who are you, behind the mask? Who’s hiding? Who isn’t?
And who are you without the mask?
Follow along with the scripture here.

Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tu B’shvat and Spring
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
It’s almost spring….somewhere. We are quickly approaching Tu B’Shvat, the annual birthday of trees and a harbinger of spring. Join Verses as we connect this holiday with a spring song from “A New Brain” by William Finn. Dig out those planting tools!
Follow along with the scripture here.

Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Defense of Love (AGYG/Samson)
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Love can make you do some wild and sometimes dangerous things! Join me as we explore the stories of Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, and Samson. We discuss love (philandering?), ego, vows, and the famous Mr. and Mrs. Manoach in the book of Judges. Guest co-host is Rabbi Lisa Ann Wharton. Check out her website at www.pnaishore.org, and to connect with me, you can join the Facebook page Verses-Where Broadway and Torah Meet. You can also subscribe to my Substack for more of my musings!Follow along with the scripture here.

Monday Dec 23, 2024
Light and Darkness — Chanukah
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
It’s the darkest time of the year, yet we find light. Join us as we explore light and darkness, day and night, and of course Chanukah! We’ll be hearing music from A Little Night Music, and look at texts from Creation, Joshua, and more. Link to source sheet.

Monday Nov 25, 2024
Pirke Avot and Corner of the Sky
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
While you’re cooking for Thanksgiving’s meal, take a listen as we look at the idea of fitting into a community, whether it’s two people at your table, or 20 or more. We bring together wisdom from Pirke Avot and Pippin’s Corner of the Sky. Follow along with the scripture here.

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.
