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Be A Reed, Change Your Mind

Be A Reed, Change Your Mind
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Sunday, September 20, 2020

Rosh HaShanah 5781 by Rabbi Sydni Sunday, September 20th, 2020 Be A Reed, Change Your Mind

Our Rabbis taught: Adam was created on the eve of Shabbat, [the last of all created beings]. Why? So that if a person’s opinion of himself should become conceited, he would be reminded that the gnat preceded him in the order of Creation (Talmud Bavli...Read more...

A Message About Legacy

A Message About Legacy
By David Ginsburg
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020

Rosh HaShanah 5781 by David Ginsburg Saturday, September 19th, 2020 A Message About Legacy

Dear Fellow congregants, visitors and guests,

You must be thinking about now, ”Why is David up here now? He isn’t the president anymore.” And you are right. I am the past president, having served Agudath Achim for two...Read more...

"I Didn't Know" Is Not Enough

"I Didn't Know" Is Not Enough
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020

Rosh HaShanah 5781 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, September 19th, 2020 "I Didn't Know" Is Not Enough

“When I made that comment earlier, I had no idea it would hurt your feelings.” How many wrongdoings have each of us personally committed in the past year that ended with, “I didn’t know. If I had known, I never would have...”? How about those...Read more...

An Alternate Hineni for 5781

An Alternate Hineni for 5781
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020

Rosh HaShanah 5781 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, September 19th, 2020 An Alternate Hineni for 5781

“Here I stand, impoverished in merit, trembling in the presence of the One who hears the prayers of Israel. Even though I am unfit and unworthy for the task, I come to represent Your people Israel and plead on their behalf. Therefore, gracious and...Read more...

Honor and Dignity for Workers on Labor Day

Honor and Dignity for Workers on Labor Day
Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780
Saturday, September 5, 2020

פרשת כי תבוא, תש״פ Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, September 5th, 2020 Honor and Dignity for Workers on Labor Day

In 1894, President Grover Cleveland followed the examples of Oregon, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York and declared the first Monday of September Labor Day, in celebration of those...Read more...

Preparing for the Al Chets—Embracing Teshuvah Before the High Holy Days

Preparing for the Al Chets—Embracing Teshuvah Before the High Holy Days
Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780
Saturday, September 5, 2020

פרשת כי תבוא, תש״פ Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, September 5th, 2020 Preparing for the Al Chets - Embracing Teshuvah Before the High Holy Days

I ended my d’var Torah last week with the mention of one of my favorite parts of the High Holy Day liturgy, the Al Chet’s....Read more...

Please, Sweat the Small Stuff

Please, Sweat the Small Stuff
Parshat Ki Teitzei, 5780
Saturday, August 29, 2020

פרשת כי תצא, תש״פ Parshat Ki Teitzei, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, August 29th, 2020 Please, Sweat the Small Stuff

When I was little, my parents kept a book in their bathroom, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, And It’s All Small Stuff. When I am picking something to wear or eat for breakfast or a salutation in an...Read more...

Place for Yourself Judges and Officials—The President and His Retinue

Place for Yourself Judges and Officials—The President and His Retinue
Parshat Shoftim, 5780
Saturday, August 22, 2020

פרשת שפטים, תש״פ Parshat Shoftim, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 Place for Yourself Judges and Officials - The President and His Retinue

The Democratic National Convention just finished its four evenings of presentation, and the Republican National Convention will begin its...Read more...

Bringing Redemption Through Naming

Bringing Redemption Through Naming
Parshat Eikev, 5780
Saturday, August 8, 2020

פרשת עקב, תש״פ Parshat Eikev, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, August 8th, 2020 Bringing Redemption Through Naming

You built or bought a home with the efforts of your own two hands. You studied for years to gain your wisdom and expertise. You raised a family, and now, your children and grandchildren live across the country, maybe even...Read more...

The Big Ten: Distinctly Intuitive, Distinctly Influential

The Big Ten: Distinctly Intuitive, Distinctly Influential
Parshat Va'et'hanan, 5780
Saturday, August 1, 2020

פרשת ואתחנן, תש״פ Parshat Va'et'hanan, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, August 1st, 2020 The Big Ten: Distinctly Intuitive, Distinctly Influential

When I ask a child how many commandments exist in the Jewish tradition, what number do you think I hear most? (10!) When we think about commandments, the...Read more...

A Meditation on Words

A Meditation on Words
Parshat D'varim, 5780
Saturday, July 25, 2020

פרשת דברים, תש״פ Parshat D'varim, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, July 25th, 2020 A Meditation on Words

Starting tomorrow morning, we’ll be embarking on our journey through the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy. The Hebrew word Devarim literally means “words,” but it can more deeply mean things, matters, or stuff. Judaism is a...Read more...

Tisha B'Av and Combating Wanton Hatred

Tisha B'Av and Combating Wanton Hatred
Parshat D'Varim, 5780
Saturday, July 25, 2020

פרשת דברים, תש״פ Parshat D'varim, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, July 25th, 2020 Tisha B'Av and Combatting Wanton Hatred

Tisha B’Av, the most devastating day of the Jewish calendar, begins this Wednesday evening and proceeds through Thursday night. Tisha B’Av acts as the symbolic date for one particular event in...Read more...

Promises and the Exercise of Trust

Promises and the Exercise of Trust
Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020

פרשת מטות-מסעי, תש״פ Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, July 18th, 2020 Promises and the Exercise of Trust

Around this time of year, as I start writing outlines for the High Holy Days and brainstorming what I will teach, I start thinking about my own personal bits ofteshuvah, my own personal goals for the...Read more...

Tricky Texts and Kubler-Ross' Five Stages

Tricky Texts and Kubler-Ross' Five Stages
Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020

פרשת מטות-מסעי, תש״פ Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, July 18th, 2020 Tricky Texts and Kubler-Ross' Five Stages

Take a moment and think about a text in Torah or Talmud that really makes you upset, angry, embarrassed, or sad… Raise your hand if you can think of a story or tradition that fits that...Read more...

How NOT To Talk About the Holocaust

How NOT to Talk About the Holocaust
Parshat Pinhas, 5780
Saturday, July 11, 2020

פרשת פנחס, תש״פ Parshat Pinhas, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, July 11th, 2020 How NOT to Talk About the Holocaust

For those who attended our service on Saturday morning last week, I appreciated your cooperation in wearing face masks to our building and in keeping your physical distance so that we could connect socially and...Read more...

I Am Angry. Is That Okay?

I Am Angry. Is That Okay?
Parshat Pinhas, 5780
Saturday, July 11, 2020

פרשת פנחס, תש״פ Parshat Pinhas, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, July 11th, 2020 I Am Angry. Is That Okay?

I certainly still possess my fair share of naivete, but when I was younger and even more naive, I believed that anger was a useless emotion; its only purpose was to spark violence and hurt. And yet, as I followed the news, as I...Read more...

A Psalm from the Depths—Of the Sons of Korach

A Psalm from the Depths—Of the Sons of Korach
Parshat Korah, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020

פרשת קרח, תש״פ Parshat Korah, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 27th, 2020 A Psalm from the Depths - Of the Sons of Korach

Korah’s sons are often seen in the Rabbinic tradition as beacons of repentance, piety, and wisdom. In this week’s parashah, these sons are swallowed into the earth for associating with...Read more...

Kohanim, Leviim, and Modern Sacred Space

Kohanim, Leviim, and Modern Sacred Space
Parshat Korah, 5780
Saturday, June 27, 2020

פרשת קרח, תש״פ Parshat Korah, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 27th, 2020 Kohanim, Leviim, and Modern Sacred Space

In our modern worship, we no longer bring animal sacrifices; instead, we pray. We no longer give tithes to one central tabernacle or Temple; instead, we pay dues to our local synagogues. In days of old,...Read more...

The Mitzvah of Displaying Our Judaism

The Mitzvah of Displaying Our Judaism
Parshat Sh'lah, 5780
Saturday, June 20, 2020

פרשת שלח, תש״פ Parshat Sh'lah, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 20th, 2020 The Mitzvah of Displaying Our Judaism

Ever since I’ve known my bearded, kippah and tzitzit-wearing husband, I’ve seen him stopped and questioned about Judaism constantly. In Shreveport, that tends to happen a lot more often. On a hike,...Read more...

Communal Sacrifice for Communal Wrongdoing

Communal Sacrifice for Communal Wrongdoing
Parshat Sh'lah, 5780
Saturday, June 20, 2020

פרשת שלח, תש״פ Parshat Sh'lah, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 20th, 2020 Communal Sacrifice for Communal Wrongdoing

In reflection on this Juneteenth, a few of us were speaking earlier today about experiences we had and the injustices we witnessed when we were younger that make us feel ashamed or guilty now. We spoke...Read more...

Back to Normal?

Back to Normal?
Parshat B'ha'alotkha, 5780
Saturday, June 13, 2020

פרשת בהעלתך, תש״פ Parshat B'ha'alotkha, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 13th, 2020 Back to Normal?

Lately, I’ve heard a lot of “I can’t wait for everything to get back to normal.” Way back in February, we could hug each other in public, we could go shopping without any thoughts of face masks or hand sanitizer, and we could attend...Read more...

I Miss This—A Blessing

I Miss This—A Blessing
Parshat B'ha'alothka, 5780
Saturday, June 13, 2020

פרשת בהעלתך, תש״פ Parshat B'ha'alotkha, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 13th, 2020 I Miss This - A Blessing

I miss this moment in the service… 

Va-y'hi binsoa ha-aron, vayomer Moshe...

And the bittersweet moment after the Torah reading, when as we put the Torah away we mumble…

Uvnuho yomar, shuvah...Read more...

Pursuing Justice Through Knowing My Neighbor

Pursuing Justice Through Knowing My Neighbor
Parshat Naso, 5780
Saturday, June 6, 2020

פרשת נשא, תש״פ Parshat Naso, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 6th, 2020 Pursuing Justice Through Knowing My Neighbor

Yesterday afternoon, during an interfaith Zoom call with clergy from all over the state, I found myself in a breakout session with three African American pastors, one in Baton Rouge and two in New Orleans....Read more...

Y'varekhekha—May God Bless You and Protect You

Y'varekhekha—May God Bless You and Protect You
Parshat Naso, 5780
Saturday, June 6, 2020

פרשת נשא, תש״פ Parshat Naso, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, June 6th, 2020 Y'varekhekha - May God Bless You and Protect You

It’s been a hard week, and for good reason. We are still in the midst of a pandemic. We have seen protests and riots across the country, based in the real suffering that so many people face on a...Read more...

Moderation and Compassion: A Jewish Ethic of Buying and Selling

Moderation and Compassion: A Jewish Ethic of Buying and Selling
Parshat B'har-B'hukotai, 5780
Saturday, May 16, 2020

פרשת בהר-בחקתי, תש״פ Parshat B'har-B'hukotai, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, May 16th, 2020 Moderation and Compassion: A Jewish Ethic of Buying and Selling

Every year, on the Friday before ordination at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, one of our deans teaches a notoriously lengthy...Read more...

Hukim u'Mishpatim—Laws of Ritual and Compassion

Hukim u'Mishpatim—Laws of Ritual and Compassion
Parshat Emor, 5780
Saturday, May 9, 2020

פרשת אמור, תש״פ Parshat Emor, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, May 9th, 2020 Hukim u'Mishpatim - Laws of Ritual and Compassion

For those who have been learning with me on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, we have been studying a lot of what are traditionally called hukim, ritual laws and practices. On Wednesday...Read more...

You Shall Be Holy—You Are a Worthwhile Person

You Shall Be Holy—You Are a Worthwhile Person
Parshat Aharei Mot-K'doshim, 5780
Saturday, May 2, 2020

פרשת אחרי מות-קדשים, תש״פ Parshat Aharei Mot-K'doshim, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 You Shall Be Holy - You Are a Worthwhile Person

On my first day of orientation at Swarthmore College, all of the incoming freshmen were gathered into the auditorium to watch a little play that ended...Read more...

Gradual, Intentional Healing

Gradual, Intentional Healing
Parshat Tazria-M'tzora, 5780
Saturday, April 25, 2020

פרשת תזריע-מצורע, תש״פ Parshat Tazria-M'tzora, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, April 25th, 2020 Gradual, Intentional Healing

It took me a long time to send Jackquie information for the May calendar. I wanted so badly to write in Shabbat services on Friday nights and Saturday mornings at the synagogue. I wanted so badly to...Read more...

Eat, Savor, and Bless

Eat, Savor, and Bless
Parshat Sh'mini, 5780
Saturday, April 18, 2020

פרשת שמיני, תש״פ Parshat Sh'mini, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, April 18th, 2020 Eat, Savor, and Bless

On April 15, the New York Times featured an article entitled “Eating is Weird Now. Here’s How to (Kind Of) Get Back to Normal.” For many of us, both staying home throughout the day and the stress caused by going to work in a time of...Read more...

A Passover Different from All Other Passovers

A Passover Different from All Other Passovers
Parshat Tzav, 5780
Saturday, April 4, 2020

פרשת צו, תש״פ Parshat Tzav, 5780 by Rabbi Sydni Saturday, April 4th, 2020 A Passover Different from All Other Passovers

This year, I have heard too many people say, “I think I am just giving up on the Passover seder.” There is so much to worry about already, and the border to Texas, where I can buy my Passover cake mix...Read more...

Sat, November 23 2024 22 Cheshvan 5785