Blog

While some might revel in the fact that this first month of the Jewish year features twelve holiday days out of thirty days, others might suggest that it is a bit of an overdose, as for some, once Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have concluded, they are over-Judaized, and need to take a break. The unfortunate victim of that is the festival of Sukkot, which begins on the 15th day of the month of...Read more...

What words can I share after crafting all of my holiday sermons, something that does not repeat the themes that I am focusing upon? Every new year begins with the promise of hope, that the year will be a better one, filled with joy, laughter and good health. Despite our desires to be in a post-COVID era, we are not. In fact, some of the protocols that we had thought were retired have returned,...Read more...

I had the distinct privilege and honor this past Monday to speak at the prestigious Chautauqua Institution, as the keynote speaker to kick off the ninth and final week there, with the subject being “resilience”. While I had heard of Chautauqua Institution before, I had never been there, and I’m delighted that I had the opportunity. It is a gated community situated on the beautiful shores...Read more...

We began the month of Elul this past Sunday evening, which positions us in the countdown period that concludes with the 1st of Tishrei, Rosh Hashanah 5782. During this concluding month of the year, we add Psalm 27 both morning and evening, and the shofar is sounded at the conclusion of morning services except for Shabbat.

Have you ever...Read more...

I had the privilege of being invited by Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel, to speak at the No Fear rally in front of our nation’s Capitol building this past Sunday, July 11. My immediate thoughts centered on the horrific conclusion that nearly three years after the massacre in Tree of Life, I have to go to Washington, DC, for this type of rally, as the disease of antisemitism refuses to go...Read more...