Parasha Ki Tetze
The Power of WordsIt is a beautiful Jewish tradition for parents to place their hands on the heads of their children and bless them on Friday nights. For sons we…
Parasha Vayera
A few weeks ago I gave a sermon in which I mentioned a film that I had seen called "Twenty Feet from Stardom." In the sermon I cited the famous…
Parasha Lekh Lekha
The phone rings on the wall of Mrs. Gerda Weinblatt's kitchen in her apartment at 303 Avenue S in Brooklyn. "Mrs. Weinblatt?" a voice says. "I have Worthington Rosecroft of…
Parasha Beraisheet
Twenty Feet from StardomThis past Monday I saw a movie called "Twenty Feet from Stardom". It focuses on the careers of a number of African American women – Darlene Love,…
Yom Kippur Morning 5774
Second ChancesMembers of our congregation are wonderful when it comes to asking questions. Some of my best sermons, I think, are based on questions that congregants ask me. I would…
Kol Nidre 5774
This Day of Judgment A few weeks ago, a young man, Michael Brandon Hill, walked armed into the McNair Elementary School in Georgia and barricaded himself into a small office,…
Rosh Hashana Day 1 Sermon
The KittelThe story is told that Elijah the prophet once showed up to a wedding dressed as a beggar. "Please sir," he asked the father of the bride, "May I…
Rosh Hashanah Evening 5774/2013
A Good YearGood evening. Once again, on behalf of the Cantor and myself, I want to welcome you to our High Holiday services. Some of us have been together greeting…
Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelekh
The Songs of our LivesIt was really an extraordinary sight!!! A totally unexpected, amazing and startling scene!! During our congregational trip to Israel this summer, we visited Masada, King Herod's…
Parasha Ki Tavo
Regaining our Sense of PurposeThe year was 1936. The Olympics were being held in Germany, and two Jewish men, Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller, were in Berlin to compete as…