Erev Rosh Hashanahsermon delivered by Rabbi Eli Freedman In his new Netflix movie, Between Two Ferns, Zach Galifianakis asks Paul Rudd if he is a ‘practicing Jew.’ Without missing a beat, Rudd responds, “I’m not a practicing Jew… I perfected it!” Funny, but not true. None of us have perfected...
Delivered by Rabbi Jill Maderer, Rosh Hashanah morning. Why are we here? Why are we here as individuals and as a community? Generations ago, one of our prophets, Elijah, is called to answer that question. Immersed in a spiritual quest, and frightened by a broken world, Elijah crawls into a...
We all know the old expression, “Two Jews, three opinions!” A cute, funny line, but rooted in a fundamental philosophy that is paramount to our tradition. From our very beginnings, Judaism has been a religion that encourages dialogue and debates l’shem shamayim(for the sake of heaven).Jacob wrestled with a divine...
Rabbi Eli Freedman’s sermon from Friday, September 6 Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof– Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue. This week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, literally meaning “judges” is filled with talk of justice. Justice in our judicial system. We read in our Torah, “You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality;...
This Shabbat, for our benediction, Rabbi Maderer offered these words written by her colleague Rabbi Michael Adam Latz: To whom am I loyal? To God. To my beloved family. To children everywhere. To my congregation.
By Rabbi Eli Freedman In the spirit of lifting up women’s voices, I want to begin with the words of Rabbi Elaine Zecher of Temple Israel in Boston. She writes, “Women have been wronged.Children have been wronged as well. No one is left untouched in the destructive legislation concerning abortions—especially,...
by Rabbi Jill Maderer I am so grateful to serve a congregation that cares not only about its immediate needs, but also about the broader Jewish community. All of our clergy work on initiatives beyond our walls. Such work nourishes us in our professional growth, contributes to the greater good...
by Rabbi Jill Maderer I write this having just returned from the annual convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). There, I moderated a panel about important work that is now taking place to combat anti-Semitism. This work was unknown to most of my colleagues, and I thought...
Anyone remember the song, “Come Out and Play,” also known as, “Keep ‘Em Separated,” by the 90’s alternative band, Offspring. The story goes that inspiration for the “keep ’em separated” lyric actually came from frontman, Dexter Holland’s, experience in a laboratory cooling flasks full of hot liquids. He placed them...
by Rabbi Maderer This article originally appeared in the March issue of the Rodeph Shalom Bulletin. Last month, I expressed here, and in a sermon, my gratitude about my extended family’s trip to Israel. Several things made it deeply meaningful. I have an almost life-long relationship with Israel, having begun...
