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.
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

Jul 23, 2024
Friendship
Jul 23, 2024
Jul 23, 2024
19 min
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.
Jul 23, 2024
19 min

Jun 7, 2024
Omer Rent
Jun 7, 2024
Jun 7, 2024
22 min
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.
Jun 7, 2024
22 min

May 16, 2024
Fathers and Sons
May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
25 min
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.
May 16, 2024
25 min

Apr 18, 2024
Why We Tell the Story
Apr 18, 2024
Apr 18, 2024
26 min
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
Apr 18, 2024
26 min

Mar 20, 2024
The King, the Queen, and the Conman
Mar 20, 2024
Mar 20, 2024
21 min
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
Mar 20, 2024
21 min

Mar 20, 2024
Mar 20, 2024
26 min
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
Mar 20, 2024
26 min

Mar 28, 2023
Mar 28, 2023
34 min
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
Mar 28, 2023
34 min

Mar 21, 2023
Mar 21, 2023
27 min
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
Mar 21, 2023
27 min

Jan 2, 2023
Jan 2, 2023
25 min
Was Noah just following orders? And what did he really think about the flood, and God's decision? This week Rachel and Anita pair Children of Eden's take on Noah's conversation with God, and the text itself.Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/427401?lang=bi
Jan 2, 2023
25 min

Dec 19, 2022
Dec 19, 2022
27 min
Was Noah just following orders? What did he really think about the flood, and God's decision? This week Anita and Rachel pair Children of Eden's take on Noah's conversation with God, and the text itself.Follow along at https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/427401?lang=bi
Dec 19, 2022
27 min





