Lech Lecha and the Elections — Going Forward From Here
Does it not seem like a long time since the Chicago Cubs won the World Series? Last Friday night we were all gathered right here in our sanctuary celebrating the…
What Do Noah and Cubs Fans Have in Common?
Hank Greenberg was arguably the greatest Jewish baseball player of all time. Born, Hyman Greenberg, in 1911, he played first base for the Detroit Tigers in the 1930’s and 1940’s.…
Rosh Hashanah Day 5777 : A Fresh Start
One of the themes of Rosh Hashanah is birth and renewal. We proclaim on this day, Hayom Harat Olam, “Today is the Birthday of the World”. Our tradition holds that…
Rosh Hashanah 5777 Eve : Letting Go of our Baggage
I’d like to begin my sermon this evening by telling you a story. The story takes place in the 1980’s, before the widespread use of personal computers, before smart phones,…
Parasha Ki Ta-vo-uh: “When you Enter the Land”
These final weeks leading up to the High Holidays we are reading The Book of Deuteronomy. The Book of Deuteronomy is part farewell address by Moses, part exhortation to the…
Parasha Shoftim: The Qualities of a Leader
At the Academy for Jewish Religion, all rabbinic students were required to take a course in Homiletics. For those of us who are not clergy and may not be familiar…
Parasha Ekev: Coping with Despair
In July of 1854 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, author of the American classics which I am sure some of you know --- “The Song of Hiawatha”, “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “Evangeline”…
Parasha Devarim
On behalf of Congregation Beth Shalom, I would like to welcome Rosanne Kearny and Don McCallum and Kelly Callahan into our community and into the Jewish people. You might not…
Parasha — Matot Massei — Speaking Up
Shabbat Shalom. It is wonderful to return home to Congregation Beth Shalom after my vacation. Middy and I had a great time, both resting at home and traveling to the…
Where Flowers Never Grow — Parasha BeHaalotecha
Our Parasha this week opens with G-d commanding Aaron to light the seven branched Menorah. The Menorah stands in the Ohel Moed, Tent of Meeting, in front of the Ark…