Follow the Magan David by Dr. Bettyruth Walter
It was Saturday evening in Tel Aviv. I was sitting on my meerpeset (terrace) overlooking Ben Zion Boulevard, watching the comings and goings of walkers and bikers. I slowly realized […]
“Zionism is a Verb”: Rabbi Eli Freedman Sermon 1/20/2023
The most misquoted verse in the entire Torah appears in this week’s portion. “Let My people go!” Maybe it’s because of Charleton Heston, but when we think of Moses approaching […]
“A Place Where We Are Seen” – Rabbi Maderer’s Kol Nidre Sermon 5783
This summer, when Philadelphia welcomed the Dear Evan Hansen tour, I was struck by the enduring human question the musical poses: How can we feel understood? The show, about a […]
“White Christian Nationalism and Civic Engagement”: Rabbi Freedman’s Yom Kippur Sermon 5783
A few years ago we took our Rodeph Shalom teens to Israel over winter break. One sunny Monday morning, as we were touring the Galilee, we saw people going about […]
Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Ian
“Chazak chazak v’nitchazek. Be strong, be strong and we will be strengthened. We are finding new strength as we help ourselves, our neighbors and friends through this difficult time. Your […]
“Safe Confession Versus Truthful Confession”: Rabbi Maderer Rosh Hashanah Sermon
When I handed down my decades-old ripped blue-jeans to my teen-aged daughter and I told her: they were so old that they used to be my fancy jeans, she asked, […]
“Happy Birthday Foxy”: Rabbi Freedman Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon
My kids love to play pretend. Nora has a stuffed fox, named of course, Foxy. The other day, Nora declared “Today is Foxy’s birthday.” In fact, most days, it’s Foxy’s […]
Sharing Space with Jews in ALL Hues these High Holy Days
Sharing Space with Jews in ALL Hues these High Holy Days We are grateful to be in a values-driven community that embraces diversity; yet, an honest look at our community […]
Introducing Israel ConnectRS
Have you been reading Staying Connected’s fascinating factoids about Israel’s scientific advances? Did your children enjoy Israeli dance and a falafel lunch last May to celebrate Israel Independence Day? Did […]
Public Prayer and the Separation of Church and State in Our Jewish Values
Our Jewish practice, as well as the practice of countless other minority religions in our nation, is protected by the separation of church and state, a separation that was trampled on […]