This week’s Torah portion, Haazinu, features Moses’ last poem to the People of Israel. In honor of this poem I am including two poems I mentioned in last week’s service. The first is by Shimon Peres, and the second is…
Yom Kippur 5777 Sermon
“How the Jewish People Learn Grit” At one of the most momentous points in Torah, at the beginning of Beshalach in the Book of Exodus, the People of Israel finally freed from bondage, the Egyptian army fast approaching, the Torah…
Kol Nidrei 5777 Sermon
“Reflections on the Shema: Listening to the Deepest Recesses of Our Souls” Over the course of Yom Kippur, you may hear the words of the Shema sung in at least three different ways: There is the intense and forceful refrain…
Torah Thoughts – Vayelech
Last week’s passing of Shimon Peres marks a turning point in the history of State of Israel. Peres, who immigrated to Israel from Poland in 1934, was part of that first generation of leadership who not only helped to found…
Rosh Hashanah 5777 Sermon – Evening
“The Process of Return on High Holidays” Hashivenu Adonai Eleycha VeNashuvah Hadesh Yameneynu KeKedem Return us, God, let us return. Renew our days, as you have done of old. For thousands of years we have sung these words in the…
Rosh Hashanah 5777 Sermon – Morning
Moving Toward True Diversity in the Jewish Community What do the following famous people have in common? Daveed Diggs, the dreadlock bearing actor of the Broadway musical Hamilton fame, Alicia Garza, the Oakland based activist and founder of the Black…
Torah Thoughts – Ki Tavo
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, begins with the very sweet words: “When you enter the Land.” After forty years of wandering we are at the doorstep of the Holy Land ready to enter. The first thing the Torah…
Torah Thoughts – Ki Tetzei
The Shofar cry is both a signal of High Holidays and that of an impending war. In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tetzei, we hear the echo of the ram’s horn in the first few words, “when you go out…
Torah Thoughts Shoftim 2
On Labor Day weekend, my family and I visited the Fantasy Island amusement park on Grand Island for the first time. As part of our visit, we had a chance to catch one of the “Wild West” shows they run…
Torah Thoughts – Re’eh
When the Torah says something once it’s important, but, when it says it twice it’s essential. In this week’s portion Re’eh, Moses states, “if there be a destitute person among you, any of your brethren in any of your cities,…