May Our Words Be Acceptable to You
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May Our Words Be Acceptable to You
Parshat Bo, 5781
Saturday, January 23, 2021
At Wednesday morning’s Presidential inauguration, when Andrea Hall, a veteran Fire Captain, recited the Pledge of Allegiance in English and American Sign Language, she began the ceremony with a tone of welcoming for all,...Read more...
Pray for Peace, Pray for Government
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Pray for Peace, Pray for Our Government
Parshat Sh'mot, 5781
Saturday, January 9, 2021
רבי חנניה סגן הכהנים אומר: הוי מתפלל בשלומה של מלכות שאלמלא מוראה איש את רעהו חיים בלעו.
Rabbi Hananiah,...Read more...
Friday Night's Blessing of the Children
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Friday Night's Blessing of the Children
Parshat Vay'hi, 5781
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Each Friday evening, as Shabbat begins, it is customary for parents to bless their children. For boys and men, we say ישימך אלהים כאפרים וכמנשה - May God make you like Efraim and...Read more...
Danger on the Road—Acknowledging Impulses in Times of Darkness
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Danger on the Road—Acknowledging Impulses in Times of Darkness
Parhsat Vayigash, 5781
Saturday, December 26, 2020
The New York Times published an article yesterday morning entitled, “Vodka in Your Coffee Cup: When Pandemic Drinking Goes Too Far.” The...Read more...
A Tunnel With Lights on Either End
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A Tunnel With Lights on Either End
Parshat Vayeisheiv, 5781
Saturday, December 12, 2020
This past Wednesday, in a meeting with rabbis across the state, Governor John Bel Edwards described Louisiana’s relationship with COVID through a brilliant metaphor: We are currently in a tunnel with...Read more...
To Seek and To Offer—Worth the Trouble
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To Seek and To Offer—Worth the Trouble
Parshat Vayishlah, 5781
Saturday, December 5, 2020
In pastoral counseling classes, especially those classes about offering care in periods of sickness and mourning, we were taught to offer specific help before it is asked - a glass of water, a...Read more...
Shabbat Thanksgiving
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Shabbat Thanksgiving
Parhsat Vayeitzei, 5781
Saturday, November 28, 2020
We are Jewish, spiritual descendants of Judah (Yehudah), the fourth son of Leah and Jacob. Leah, who struggles to win her husband’s affections throughout Parashat Vayeitzei, is overjoyed by the birth of her fourth...Read more...
Honoring Parents—An Imperfect but Life-Affirming Endeavor
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Honoring Parents—An Imperfect but Life-Affirming Endeavor
Parshat Toldot, 5781
Saturday, November 21, 2020
None of our parents are or were perfect. As far as I know, all of our parents are or were human. Some, we might argue, made a few more significant mistakes...Read more...
Shabbat of Service to Our Country
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Shabbat of Service to Our Country
Parshat Hayei Sarah, 5781
Saturday, Novemebr 14, 2020
So far in our liturgy today, we have asked God for peace in Sim Shalom, one of the last prayers of our Amidah, in our Kaddish Shalem with the final words of Oseh Shalom, in our prayers following...Read more...
Every Vote (Every Person) Counts
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Every Vote (Every Person) Counts
Parshat Veyeira, 5781
Saturday, November 7, 2020
If we were to only learn one thing from this election, our lesson should be that every single person counts. The difference between votes for Biden and Trump in Georgia is currently under 2000, in a state with...Read more...
Eyes Wide Open, Awareness in the Face of Fear
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Eyes Wide Open, Awareness in the Face of Fear
Parshat Vayeira, 5781
Saturday, November 7, 2020
It may seem like we have a good amount to fear. If “our guy” wins, we may fear the reaction of the “other side.” If “the other guy” wins, we may fear for the future of our...Read more...
Be a Blessing on Your Journey
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Be a Blessing on Your Journey
Parshat Lekh-L'kha, 5781
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Rabbi Feivel and I just arrived home from our road trip to Boise, Idaho and back - a mere 54 hours of driving, not including stops. Three days before our scheduled departure, we learned that our car would not be...Read more...
Be a Blessing, Vote!
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Be a Blessing, Vote!
Parhsat Lekh-Lekha, 5781
Saturday, October 31, 2020
And Adonai said to Avram, lekh l’kha (hey you, go!) from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I shall make you into a great nation, and I will bless...Read more...
Zman Simhateinu—The Time of Our Joy
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Zman Simhateinu—The Time of Our Joy
Sukkot
Saturday, October 3, 2020
I need to apologize to anyone who had to deal with me this week - between the stress of the holidays and witnessing the mess that was Tuesday’s presidential debate, I have certainly not been my cheeriest self. But from conversations I’ve had with friends,...Read more...
With the Utterance of Our Lips—Intentional Speech in 5781
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With the Utterance of Our Lips—Intentional Speech in 5781
Yom Kippur
Monday, September 28, 2020
On Saturday morning, I spoke about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s use of words. Every document she wrote, every interview, and every memory gleaned from family and friends makes clear that she refused to...Read more...
The Torah of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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The Torah of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Parshat Ha'azinu, 5781
Saturday, September 26, 2020
The court chambers of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg proudly displayed a painting of the Deuteronomic command, Tzedek tzedek tirdof - justice, justice you shall pursue! (16:18). Justice Ginsburg,...Read more...
Be A Reed, Change Your Mind
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Be A Reed, Change Your Mind
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Sunday, September 20, 2020
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
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A Message About Legacy
By David Ginsburg
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020
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
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"I Didn't Know" Is Not Enough
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020
“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
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An Alternate Hineni for 5781
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020
“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
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Honor and Dignity for Workers on Labor Day
Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780
Saturday, September 5, 2020
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
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Preparing for the Al Chets—Embracing Teshuvah Before the High Holy Days
Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780
Saturday, September 5, 2020
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
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Please, Sweat the Small Stuff
Parshat Ki Teitzei, 5780
Saturday, August 29, 2020
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
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Place for Yourself Judges and Officials—The President and His Retinue
Parshat Shoftim, 5780
Saturday, August 22, 2020
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
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Bringing Redemption Through Naming
Parshat Eikev, 5780
Saturday, August 8, 2020
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
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The Big Ten: Distinctly Intuitive, Distinctly Influential
Parshat Va'et'hanan, 5780
Saturday, August 1, 2020
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
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A Meditation on Words
Parshat D'varim, 5780
Saturday, July 25, 2020
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
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Tisha B'Av and Combating Wanton Hatred
Parshat D'Varim, 5780
Saturday, July 25, 2020
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
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Promises and the Exercise of Trust
Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020
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
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Tricky Texts and Kubler-Ross' Five Stages
Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020
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...
Fri, April 11 2025
13 Nisan 5785
Rabbi's Sermons
Bereshit - Genesis
- Parshat Bereshit: Oct. 26, 2019, October 1, 2021, October 2, 2021, October 25, 2024
- Parshat Noah: Nov. 2, 2019, October 8, 2021, Oct. 29, 2022, Nov. 1, 2024
- Parshat Lekh-L'kha: Nov. 9, 2019, Oct. 31, 2020, Oct. 31, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 15, 2021, Nov. 8, 2024
- Parshat Vayeira: Nov. 16, 2019, Nov. 7, 2020, Nov. 7, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 22, 2021, Oct. 23, 2021, Nov.15, 2024
- Parshat Hayei Sara: Nov. 14, 2020, Oct. 30, 2021, Nov. 22, 2024
- Parshat Toldot: Nov. 30, 2019, Nov. 21, 2020, Nov. 6, 2021
- Parshat Vayeitzei: Nov. 28, 2020, Nov. 13, 2021, Dec. 6,2024
- Parshat Vayishlah: Dec. 14, 2019 , Dec. 5, 2020, November 20, 2021, Dec. 13, 2024
- Parshat Vayeisheiv: Dec. 12, 2020, Nov. 27, 2021, Dec 20, 2024
- Parshat Miketz: Dec. 4, 2021, Dec 27, 2024
- Parshat Vayigash: Jan. 4, 2020, Dec. 26, 2020, Dec. 11, 2021, Jan 2, 2025
- Parshat Vay'hi: Jan. 11, 2020, Jan. 2, 2021, Jan. 10, 2025
Shemot-Exodus
- Parshat Sh'mot: Jan. 18, 2020, Jan. 18, 2020 - Part 2, Jan. 9, 2021 , Jan. 17, 2025
- Parshat Va'eira: Jan. 25, 2021, Jan. 24, 2025
- Parshat Bo: Feb. 1, 2020, Jan. 23, 2021, Jan 31, 2025
- Parshat B'shalah: Jan. 30, 2021, Jan. 15, 2022, Feb. 3, 2023, Feb.4, 2023, Feb.7, 2025
- Parshat Yitro: Feb. 15, 2020, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 21, 2022, Feb. 22, 2022, Feb. 14,2025
- Parshat Mishpatim: Feb. 22, 2020, Feb. 18, 2023
- Parshat T'rumah: Feb. 29, 2020, Feb. 29, 2020 - Part 2, Feb. 20, 2021, Feb. 4, 2022, Feb. 5, 2022, Feb. 25, 2023, Feb.28, 2025
- Parshat T'tzaveh: March 7, 2020, Feb. 27, 2021, Feb. 12, 2022, Feb. 11, 2022, March 7, 2025
- Parshat Ki Tisa: March 14, 2020, March 6, 2021, February 19, 2022, March 14,2025
- Parshot Vayak'heil-P'kudei: March 21, 2020, March 13, 2021, February 26, 2022, March 18, 2023
Vayikra-Leviticus
- Parshat Vayikra: March 20, 2021, March 11, 2022, March 24, 2023, March 25, 2023, April 4, 2025
- Parshat Tzav: April 4, 2020, March 27, 2021, March 19, 2022
- Parshat Sh'mini: April 18, 2020
- Parshot Tazria-Metzora: April 25, 2020, April 17, 2021, April 2, 2022, April 20, 2024
- Parshot Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: May 2, 2020, April 24, 2021, May 7, 2022, May 3, 2024, May 10, 2024
- Emor: May 9, 2020, May 1, 2021, May 13, 2022, May 14, 2022, May 6, 2023
- Parshot B'har-B'hukotai: May 8, 2019, May 16, 2020, May 7, 2021, May 21, 2022, May 28, 2022, May 24, 2024, May 31, 2024
Bamidbar-Numbers
- Parshat Bamidbar: May 15, 2021, May 20, 2023, June 7, 2024
- Parshat Nasso: June 6, 2020, June 6, 2020 - Part 2, May 22, 2021, June 10, 2022, June 2, 2023, June 14, 2024
- Parshat B'ha'alotcha: June 13, 2020, June 13, 2020 - Part 2, June 9, 2023, June 10, 2023, June 21, 2024
- Parshat Sh'lach: June 20, 2020, June 20, 2020 - Part 2, June 5, 2021, June 28, 2024
- Parshat Korah: June 27, 2020, July 18, 2020, July 24, 2023, July 5, 2024
- Parshot Chukat-Balak: June 26, 2021, July 12, 2024, July 19, 2024
- Parshat Pinchas: July 11, 2020, July 11, 2020 - Part 2, July 2, 2021, July 3, 2021, July 22, 2022, July 23, 2022, July 26, 2024
- Parshot Matot-Masei: July 18, 2020, July 18, 2020 - Part 2, July 10, 2021, July 30, 2022, August 2, 2024
D'varim-Deuteronomy
- Parshat D'varim: July 25, 2020, July 25, 2020 - Part 2, July 17, 2021, August 6, 2022, August 9, 2024
- Parshat Va'et'hanan: Aug. 1, 2020, July 24, 2021, August 12, 2022, August 13, 2022, Aug. 16, 2024
- Parshat Eikev: Aug. 8, 2020, July 31, 2021, August 19, 2022, August 20, 2022
- Parshat Re'eh: August 7, 2021, August 30, 2024
- Parshat Shoftim: September 7, 2019, Aug. 22, 2020, August 14, 2021, August 14, 2021 - Part 2, September 3, 2022, September 6, 2024
- Parshat Ki Teitzei: Aug. 29, 2020, August 20, 2021, September 13, 2024
- Parshat Ki Tavo: Sept. 5, 2020, Sept. 5, 2020 - Part 2, August 28, 2021, Sept. 17, 2022, Sept. 20, 2024
- Parshot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Sept. 11, 2021, September 24, 2022, Sept. 27,2024
- Parshat Ha'Azinu: Sept. 26, 2020, October 4, 2024
- Parshat Haberakhah
Rosh HaShanah: Sept. 19, 2020, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 2, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 3, Sept. 20, 2020, Sept. 7, 2021, Sept. 8, 2021, Sept. 9, 2021, Sept. 26, 2022, Oct 2, 2024
Yom Kippur: Sept. 28, 2020, Sept. 16, 2021, October 5, 2022
Sukkot: Oct. 3, 2020 , Sept. 20, 2021, Oct. 16,2024, Oct. 18, 2024
Passover: April 3, 2021, April 23, 2022, April 7, 2023, April 12, 2023 April 27, 2024
Rosh Hodesh: April 22, 2023
Today's Calendar
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Shabbat Day
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May 31 Shul-led Services Saturday, May 31 |
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This week's Torah portion is Parshat Tzav
Candle Lighting
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Havdalah
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Erev Pesach & Shabbat HaGadol
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