Rabbi Jill Maderer Congregation Rodeph Shalom, March 11, 2022 Vashti is Now: Accountability in the Reform Movement Sexual Misconduct Reports Next week, we celebrate Purim. It is undisputed: the Purim story is implausible—never happened. Megillat Ester/the Book of Esther is a farce. A text for a ridiculous time when the...
As COVID cases have dropped 90% from national pandemic highs, our Pandemic “How We Gather” Task Force has recommended that we loosen our protocols. In doing so, we are prepared to re-implement protocols with very short notice if trends change and case/positivity/hospitalization levels rise. We are saddened that thousands of...
A conversation overheard in Grand Central Station, recounted in Kathryn Schultz’s book called, “Being Wrong:” You said pound cake. I did not say pound cake; I said crumb cake. You said pound cake. Don’t tell me what I said. You said pound cake. I said crumb cake. I actually...
Thank you for inviting me to speak today, Rabbi Maderer. I am always struck by the beauty and solemnity of this moment, this Yizkor Memorial service that is so meaningful to all of us. It is a time to remember our loved ones within the context of this solemn day...
When I was a student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati studying for the rabbinate, as part of the training, HUC required that we be student rabbis in small congregations that did not have full time clergy. We travelled every other weekend, to serve as the rabbi of congregations that...
Good Yontif! It is so wonderful to connect with one another virtually and in person! Many of us have been busy over the summer renormalizing our lives only to now contend with this recent variant wave of COVID. However, I’m glad we can connect with one another during this sacred...
Imagine a tangled rope. A lump of knots and twists with two ends sticking out. If we want to untangle the rope, we can’t just pull on the ends – in fact that will make it even worse. We need to work our way through the tangle, through the knots,...
L’shanah tovah. Quite a journey. Each step up the mountain stretching limits, even each step down the mountain demanding courage. A journey through unfamiliar wanderings, along an uncertain path, on a quest for purpose. When Abraham and Isaac ascend Mount Moriah and Abraham prepares to fulfill what he believes to...
Once upon a time, there was a poor Jewish baker named Yosef. Yosef lived in a small town; a three day trip to the big city of Prague. One night, after a long day at the bakery, Yosef came home and, exhausted, he collapsed into his bed and quickly...
In-person, join together for a pre-Shabbat service oneg at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby and Forman Family Courtyard (weather permitting) or virtually at 6:00pm by clicking here or visiting our website. How we regather for Shabbat Services We are eager to regather in the sanctuary on Fridays at 6:00...
