Welcome to Stephen Wise Free Synagogue!
Join us for Shabbat services!
Fridays 6 p.m. | Saturdays 10 a.m.
Welcome to Stephen Wise Free Synagogue!
Join us for Shabbat services!
Fridays 6 p.m. | Saturdays 10 a.m.
Israel At War
Events, resources and ways to get involved in supporting Israel during this harrowing time.
Dispatches from Israel
Our Rabbi Ammi Hirsch is traveling in Israel during the war with Hamas as he seeks to express solidarity with Israelis, to learn and contribute, and to report back to you, conveying as much of what he sees as possible.
In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch
Featured Sermons
Distress, Uncertainty and Hope in Israel
Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz reflects on her week in Israel at the head of a delegation of nine early-career rabbis during the war with Hamas. Her time there included meeting with Israelis experiencing distress and uncertainty.…
A Bittersweet Thanksgiving
“Celebrating Thanksgiving may seem a bit tone-deaf when so many are suffering,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov, but “as Jews, we are often asked to celebrate the goodness of our lot at the same time we…
The Rally For Israel
Rabbi Dalia Samansky reflects on how rallying for Israel in Washington helped to “heal our heartbreak, lessen our loneliness, and diffuse our desolation…” She says, “Standing on the national mall in a sea of white…
Rebecca’s Question
“How do I continue living?” Rebecca asked in excruciating pain as her twins battled within her womb. We ask ourselves the same question today, while battling the trauma, loss and antisemitism around us. But “we…
How Did It Come to This?
“There is a three-year-old girl named Avigail in the Gaza dungeons. Whenever I think of her, I am devastated,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. “How did it come to this — this visceral rage on campus…
The Blessing of Being a Jew
Rabbi Rena Rifkin wonders how we can be grateful for being Jewish “when we are tucking our magen David necklaces into our T-shirts, using fake last names on our uber accounts and even taking down mezuzot from our…
Hope
“Many of us feel overwhelmed by the unending onslaught of terrible news and a sense of deep foreboding for what is yet to come,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov of the destruction and hatred rising up…
And the Earth was Filled with Chamas
Reflecting on the massacre of over 1,400 Israelis by Hamas, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch wonders: “What culture, what mindset, what belief system produces — or condones — such brutality?” This week’s parashah describes the flood that…
Show Up!
A week after Hamas massacred more than 1,000 Israeli civilians, “we gather for Shabbat on the day that Hamas has termed ‘A Day of Rage,’” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. “These rally-goers are not supporting peace.…
Terrorism in Israel: The Need for Moral Clarity
At a gathering mourning the surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians and expressing solidarity with Israel, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch said: “We saw in vivid reality what a pogrom looks like… Make no mistake: Israeli…
Both/And
“We are either rushing or resting. One or the other,” Rabbi Samantha Natov observes. But dwelling in our sukkahs, being both outdoors and indoors, teaches us to “dwell in contradiction,” she says. “Instead of running…
Fifty Years Ago
Fifty years after the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch reflects on his experience as a 14-year-old new Israeli immigrant and the Jewish state’s brilliant successes and unresolved disappointments over the intervening…
Impressions From the Bar
An encounter with a very non-New York couple leaves a lasting impression on Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. “They reminded me of the basic truth of our tradition: that a wise person learns from everyone,” he says.…
Focusing on the Blessings
When Rabbi Dalia Samansky’s uncle died, her grandmother said, “God has been good to me. He gave me an extra 40 years with Marty.” “I was in awe of her ability to recognize and articulate…
Hayom
“Hayom, the sound of the shofar implores us to wake up,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “This is the time to allow our hearts to break open. It is only when we are present to that…
In Search of the World of Yesterday
From the summit of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest high in the Bavarian Alps, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch gazed upon now-tranquil Europe and reflected: “The brilliant Jewish intellectuals who helped create and define the Western European golden age…
Return Together
In an increasingly digital world, “we have flattened and simplified our interactions with one another and even, at times, our expectations for ourselves,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov, imagining a world where we always choose community,…
What’s Lost
“Sometimes, we get caught up in what we’ve lost,” says Rabbi Rena Rifkin. “But when we do that, we forget to give kavod to what’s really important… The only thing we really have to worry…
The Art of Transmission
Walking through Amsterdam’s cobblestone streets and looking up at its majestic buildings, “all senses are awakened to the history and memory surrounding you,” says Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz. But what could Moses, in the absence of…
The Danger of Silence
As we prepare for the High Holy Days, Rabbi Dalia Samansky recalls powerful moments in our history when silence and inaction had grave consequences. “Sometimes, our greatest failings are not in the actions we take,…
Bonsais and Boulders
After a summer spent admiring bonsai trees and traversing a boulder field, Rabbi Rena Rifkin brought home two lessons: “The strongest trees are ones that can bend in the wind,” but you also need sure…
If A Tree Falls…
“If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?” asks Rabbi Dalia Samansky. As we approach the High Holy Days, “we are held to account for all of our actions, seen or…
Blind Spots
Each day after we wake, “we ask God to open our eyes,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. What are we missing because we’re too busy looking at our phones or our feet? As we approach the…
Actions Speak Louder…
“What do you consider to be a ‘good’ Jew or a ‘bad’ Jew?” asks Rabbi Dalia Samansky. “To be a ‘good’ Jew, we must live our Judaism in our actions, not just our thoughts. As…
On Loving
“Loving can be challenging,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov — as evidenced by the internal strife that threatens to pull Israel apart. “May love guide us and reunite us.”
Remembering the Good and the Bad
As the Israelites near the Promised Land, Moses recalls their journey — including their many failures. Amazingly, Moses and the Israelite People take responsibility for their actions, recognizing that mistakes were made and growth was…
The First Diaspora
The diaspora began before the Israelites even set foot in the Promised Land, says Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz, and they contended with some of the same Israel-diaspora issues we face today. “May our role as diaspora…
Blessings From Struggle
In this week’s parashah, Zelophehad’s five daughters win their appeal to Moses — and God — to inherit their late father’s land, blazing a new trail for all the daughters of Israel. “We can only…
The Truth Before Us
“It’s amazing how we can be so immersed in our own selves that we don’t see what’s right in front of us,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. In this week’s parashah, even Balam — a prophet…
Arguing for the Sake of Heaven
Arguments “l’shem shemayim” — for the sake of heaven — are a battle for truth, not victory. In this week’s parashah, Korach was punished by God not for challenging Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership, but for…
The Power of Positive Perception
Rabbi Dalia Samansky reminds us that our mindset can have tremendous influence on our experiences. In this week’s parashah, the Israelites succumb to their fear of failure over their faith after 10 of their 12…
Reclaiming The Menorah
Welcoming elite officers from the Israel National Defense College, Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz explains that the version of the menorah we all know is a Roman adaptation. Why then did the founders of Israel choose that…
We Need Pride
As Pride Month begins, Rabbi Rena Rifkin wonders “What is pride anyway? What does it mean to be proud of yourself and your identity? How does one develop pride? And where and when should we…
The Amplify Israel Fellowship
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz, Ph.D., announces the Amplify Israel Rabbinic Fellowship, a highly selective yearlong professional development program for early-career Reform rabbis to provide the tools and resources to incorporate Israel and…
Re-CHARGING Reform Judaism
“I fear that we are losing the soul of the Reform movement,” said Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch at the opening of Re-CHARGING Reform Judaism, a two-day conference gathering more than 300 Reform clergy, educators and lay…
Blaming Others For Our Own Faults
“Too often the faults we see in others are simply a reflection of faults we are trying to hide in ourselves,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky as she describes an antiquated practice found in this week’s…
Counting and Being Accountable
We may ask ourselves why B’midbar, the Book of Numbers, begins and ends with a census of the wandering Israelites in the desert. “What importance is a simple list of tribes and numbers?” asks Rabbi…
Stumbling Over One Another
Leviticus spells out what may happen if we act unjustly — in shocking detail, says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. And with disconcerting prescience, it predicts the survivors “shall stumble over one another as if they were…
Counting Toward The Unknown
“We usually count up when we don’t know what to expect,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov as we mark off the 49 days of the Omer, the time between the second day of Passover and the…
What Does It Mean To Be Holy?
Rabbi Samantha Natov turns to this week’s Parashat Kedoshim (Holiness Code) to answer this important question. The code “may at first glance seem to be hopping from topic to topic,” she says. “But if we…
Israel at 75!
“We’ve made it to 75!” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch on Israel’s 75th Independence Day. “The Jewish state is our supreme accomplishment and the demographic center of the Jewish world. It has injected the Jewish people…
The Complacency of Silence
Rabbi Samantha Natov ponders why the high priest Aaron remained silent following the untimely death of his sons Nadav and Avihu. Amidst the rise in shootings and violence in our country, she asks, “What about…
Rushing Through Life
Rabbi Dalia Samansky confesses “I hate matzah.” She does, however, appreciate the symbolism of the bread of affliction: “The whole process of making matzah must be completed in under 18 minutes — its hastiness results…
Wisdom Tooth Wisdom
Rabbi Ammi Hirsch struggles to understand how his dental plan could deny his claim. “Try putting yourself in another’s shoes — or the dentist’s chair,” he suggests.
Making a Habit of Being Better
Have you ever questioned a tradition only to find out that no one knows where it came from? “One of the unique aspects of Judaism is that it is a religion that is far more…
Un-Quieting Ourselves
What do non-binary people do at the Western Wall? “I think it feels like you would have to quiet yourself a little bit to be there,” one of our Rabbi Rena Rifkin’s colleagues said. Reflecting…
Hurtling Toward the Abyss
“This will be the most painful sermon of my career,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch as he addresses the crisis in Israel. “Something fundamental is at stake. It is not only the role of the courts…
Holy Cow
“You can tell when a holiday is important based on the build up to it,” says Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz, discussing the purification rituals traditionally performed on this Sabbath of the Cow. “As we begin our…
Force of Habit
“The purpose of the Tabernacle was to promote the high and noble ideal of God,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. But the Torah focuses on the minute details of its construction. Yet one of history’s leading…
Deep Purple
Israeli archaeologists recently made a remarkable find: textile scraps containing the brilliant color of purple mentioned in this week’s parashah. “Imagine being invited to Solomon’s court and peeking into his wardrobe,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch.…
Do Androids Dream in Technicolor?
As artificial intelligence tools become more widely available, Rabbi Sam Natov thinks about the new technology from a Jewish perspective. “This is hardly the first time the ways we learn and communicate have changed, yet…
Freedom to Take the High Road
Have you been frustrated in a crowded supermarket? How did you choose to react? “We have the freedom to take the high road,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “But freedom without responsibility means slavery to our…
When Hope and History Rhyme
The crossing at the Red Sea was the moment everything changed. “Every Jew must consider themselves as if they were slaves in Egypt,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch, recalling our synagogue’s humanitarian work. “We must consider…
Finding Our Light Within
The darkness that descended upon Egypt “was no ordinary darkness, created by the absence of light,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky. “Meanwhile the Israelites had light.” Where did it come from?
The Curious Case of George Santos
“Congressman George Santos is young and articulate, has an amazing resume — and is a proud American Jew. There’s just one problem: none of it is true…” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. “The curious case of…
The Fire Within
“In the face of internal resistance, how do we summon the strength to overcome all the fears and insecurities holding us back?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov. In this week’s parashah, “Even Moses, our people’s greatest…
The Jewish Peoplehood Perspective
In this week’s parashah, Jacob and Joseph leave the next generation “a roadmap for the establishment of the Jewish people,” says Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz. “We learn that at no point in our long history were…
Memories Should Make Us Better, Not Bitter
“We are a people of memory. But our tradition also recognizes that it is neither possible nor healthy to remember everything,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky, recalling her years as a hospice chaplain. “I often remind…
New Year’s Resolutions
“Do you ever find yourself making the same bad decisions again and again?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov. Judaism teaches us: “Change is gradual. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also invigorating. And changing the world starts with…
The Power of a Dream
This week’s parashah begins with Joseph’s dream. But he must walk a long road before it becomes reality. “The Jewish story is fueled by the belief that our visionary dreams can find grounding in the…
Seasonal Moods
Prompted by this melancholy season to ponder the passage of time, our Rabbi Ammi Hirsch shares a connection that Jewish tradition draws between Jacob and Hanukkah. “We never know how our actions — or inaction…
Faith and Uncertainty
“How do you deal with uncertainty?” asks Rabbi Sam Natov. “We often expect the worst. Even after receiving God’s blessing, Jacob doesn’t trust fully” — and he offers God a bargain. “Yet we have always…
Generations of Imperfection
Rabbi Dalia Samansky loves Thanksgiving. But family gatherings can often be fraught. “As much as we’d all love to have a big happy family that gets along, this is not always the case,” she says.…
A Tale of Two Elections
“I have never shied away from engaging the political process,” said Rabbi Ammi Hirsch on the recent elections in the U.S. and Israel. Pointing out the need to constantly cultivate democracy and guard against the…
Looking Back…
“Unlike other species, humans have trouble living in the moment,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Sometimes we get stuck in the past when we need to keep moving, but sometimes we need to look back in…
Pundits, Prophets and Peoplehood
Israel went to the polls this week, and it’s very possible the new government will include ministers “who preach intolerance and hatred,” says Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz. But no matter how we feel about the results,…
Some Thoughts on Organic Chemistry
This week’s parashah describes the construction of the Tower of Babel, and the scattering of all the peoples of the earth. Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch presents differing interpretations of the tower builders’ transgression and the contemporary…
Breaking the Cycle
“These last few weeks, Kanye West has peddled old vile antisemitic tropes,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “There is no excuse or explanation for his hateful words. Trying to find one is a waste of time.…
Lessons On Leadership
In the aftermath of the Golden Calf, God swore to destroy the Israelites. “It was Moses alone who saved them,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. “Leadership is about taking responsibility for others. When you go to…
Tzedakah, Joy and Wisdom
If you could invite anyone from history to dinner, how would you prepare? Rabbi Sam Natov ponders the practice of ushpizin and how preparing for imagined guests leads to mitzvot: “May our acts of tzedakah,…
For the Right to be Different
“The willingness to be different is integral to Judaism,” reflects Rabbi Ammi Hirsch on Yom Kippur. “Our different historical experiences led to our unique sensitivity to injustice and cruelty and gave us our deep appreciation…
Maybe
“What can one person do to impact on the many challenges facing our world?” asks Rabbi Ammi Hirsch on Erev Yom Kippur, reflecting on the war in Ukraine and our synagogue’s humanitarian mission. “We overcome…
Admitting Our Faults
“Asking for forgiveness is hard because it means admitting we were wrong,” says Rabbi Rena Rifkin on Erev Yom Kippur. “And yet, Yom Kippur commands us to do just that. Once we truly admit our…
Go-ing, Go-ing, Gonnne
During Rosh Hashanah, “I stopped in my office in between services to check on the Yankee games,” admits Rabbi Rena Rifkin. And now she finds that “the space between Aaron Judge’s 61st and 62nd home…
The American Campus and the Jews
On Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch addresses the proliferation of antisemitism on college campuses across America: “Antisemitism — even when it calls itself anti-Zionism — is a stain on the academies of higher learning and…
Counting Our Days
“We need to know our days to accept that we will only have so many of them,” ponders Rabbi Samantha Natov on Erev Rosh Hashanah. “Yet if we think that our one life is the…
Paying Attention
On the High Holy Days, “we use this time to refocus and to recenter ourselves,” says Rabbi Rena Rifkin. “Our lives are full of small gems. But on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we are…
Balancing Our Souls
Was the world created for us or are we but dust and ashes? “Depending on the situation, we should contemplate one or the other to remind ourselves of our place in the world,” says Rabbi…
Change Takes Courage
“Change seems especially palpable this time of year,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “Pursuing change opens us up to vulnerability, but there can be no growth without change. As we enter into these High Holy Days,…
On Strong Shoulders
Here, “we stand by one another and we hold each other up,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky as she’s officially welcomed to Stephen Wise. “Not only am I in awe as I stand before this congregation…
What is Justice in 2022?
This week we read the famous line, “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof — justice, justice shall you pursue.” “We repeat our plea for justice as if crying out, ‘Pay attention! Wake up to injustice in the world,’”…
Gathering In A Holy Place
“We Jews gather,” says Rabbi Rena Rifkin. “Sure, we can feel God with us anywhere, but it is here — at synagogue — that we keep a reminder of the Holy Ark of the Covenant,…
Redefining God
When people come to Rabbi Dalia Samansky to express their disbelief in the Divine, she says: “Tell me about the God you don’t believe in.” More often than not, they’re imagining a God who “resembles…
Loving Ourselves
“Can we still be open to loving and nurturing ourselves when we feel we are missing the mark?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov. “It is a Jewish value to judge others favorably, to judge others with…
Diaspora-Israel Relations on Tisha b’Av
“The Second Temple’s destruction also marked the end of over 600 years of positive diaspora-Israel relations,” says Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz on the Shabbat before Tisha b’Av. “It is important that we take this moment to…
This Too Shall Pass
“Gam zeh ya’avor’ — ‘This too shall pass’ has a far deeper meaning than the short sentence implies,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky. This week Moses reminds the Israelites of the 42 steps of their journey. “Moses…
A Tradition of Change
“I am a proud Reform Jew,” declares Rabbi Dalia Samansky. “One aspect I particularly love about Reform Judaism is its ability to make Judaism relevant for today’s time.” We see this flexibility in this week’s…
The Power of a Question
During this time of division and anger, “how can find our way back to one another?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov. “We’ll have to ask difficult questions — and open ourselves to other points of view,”…
An Incomplete Life
At the end of his life, Moses didn’t get to enter the Promised Land, the Torah tells us in this week’s parasha. “Most of us will never fully complete, never fully accomplish, never fully achieve…
A Vacation
“In this time when we especially need a vacation,” says Rabbi Sam Natov, “even just to strengthen ourselves to go back and do the critical work of helping to repair this broken world, Jewish practices…
On the Demise of Roe v. Wade
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch consoled: “To live in a democracy is to be defeated often. The pendulum swings from victory to loss to victory again.”…
Welcoming the Israel National Defense College
Welcoming elite officers from the Israel National Defense College, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discussed the importance of supporting Israel amid “the steadily rising temperature of Jew-hatred.” He said: “Israel has restored the freedom, the collective dignity,…
Confronting Untruth
“Our sages teach that deceiving others deliberately is like ‘stealing people’s minds,’” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “When you lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. You take away their ability to function in the…
It Takes Courage
“In these days of crisis, as we still reel from one massacre, another one has already taken place,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “When our fears get the best of us, we may be tempted to…
Massacre in Uvalde
“The fundamental religious principle is the sanctity of life,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Every other religious principle flows from this foundational truth. No right is absolute. Your right to purchase firearms must be balanced with…
Lehitra’ot From Rabbi Shira Gluck
“I am grateful beyond words for the privilege of sharing in your lives, celebrating with you in moments of joy, mourning with you in moments of sorrow,” says Rabbi Shira Gluck. “In the Talmud, Rabbi…
Reset, Renew
“The notion of a deliberate reset is an ancient Jewish concept, radical in its time, and still radical today,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “In a city that never sleeps, movement is often our goal. When…
Finding Each Other Again
“Have you noticed that we are all feeling a little edgy right now?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov. “We’re tense, prickly and irritable, as if walking with elbows out wherever we go. This is why the Jewish…
Official Trailer: In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch
Every other week, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch hosts intellectually honest conversations unpacking current events through the lens of Jewish wisdom. Unbound by politics and untethered by party lines, Ammi and his expert guests discuss everything from…
On Abortion
“The time to speak is now,” says Rabbi Rena Rifkin, in response to the leaked Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. “Jewish tradition allows for — and even sometimes requires — a woman to…
Zachor Is Not Enough
“I know it feels impossible: To keep up with every tragedy and important cause. To help as much as we can,” says Rabbi Rena Rifkin. “That is our burden as Jews who have woven the…
Before Our Refugee Relief Mission To Poland
On the eve of our mission to Poland and the Ukrainian border, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch spoke about why it’s so important to bear witness and bring immediate material and emotional support. “I hope that those…
The Broken Matzah
As part of the Passover Seder, we break the matzah. “There is always one bigger and one smaller side, a jagged edge with messy and crumbling pieces,” say Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Just like life: things…
Tel Aviv Terror
“Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine should be a clarifying moment for Jews, but also for the Western world,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch in the wake of yet another terrorist attack in Israel. “The yearning for…
To Be Alone: Between Israel and Ukraine
“For weeks, we’ve watched the Russian military mauling millions of innocent civilians. I am inexpressibly frustrated by simply watching,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “For this reason, our president Steven Silverstein and I will be leading…
Under the Magnifying Glass
“We are often stripping a person down to one piece of themselves — one word, one act, one meme. So many of us are too quick to judge and we do not do enough to…
We Are Still Here
“How can we celebrate while our brothers and sisters in Ukraine are fighting for survival?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov. “This week, I saw photos of Ukrainian Jews making hamantaschen, singing and reading the Megillah. It’s…
Cautionary Tales
“With the war raging in Ukraine, we are increasingly aware of how quickly things can change and how vulnerable we always are,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. We tell each other stories to cope — and…
Here I Am
“The Ukrainian people are saying ‘hineini’ — ‘here I am,’” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “People in neighboring countries are saying ‘hineini’ as they welcome refugees. Abraham, Jacob and Moses all said ‘hineini.’ And we, too,…
Invasion of Ukraine
“We thought that the days of authoritarian strongmen bestriding the narrow world like a Colossus were over,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch as Russian troops bore down on Ukraine’s capital. “Now we are engaged again in…
Golda (Mirren) Meir
“Passions have been ignited because Hellen Mirren will play Golda Meir in an upcoming movie. If a gentile cannot play a Jew, can a Jew play a gentile?” asks Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “This all started…
Superhuman
Just as the Olympic athletes take us away from everyday limitations, in this week’s parasha, we remember that “in their time, the priests were a source of great inspiration — yet they were just as…
Whoop(s)i
“Whoopi Goldberg said some truly offensive and ignorant things, but she apologized immediately and sincerely,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Repentance, forgiveness and atonement are central concepts in Judaism. And this was a rare opportunity for…
The Torah of Freedom
“This week’s Torah portion begins with a long list of laws,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Laws can seem abstract, but rulings respond to how our lives unfold. As Jews, we are constantly in conversation with…
Four Comments on Colleyville
“Why a synagogue? Why Jews?” asks Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch in the wake of the standoff at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. “To fight effectively against antisemitism, it is not enough to condemn the individual…
What Carries Us
The ancient Israelites wandered the wilderness for 40 years, carrying the Holy Ark from place to place. “But it was not a burden,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov, “for the Ark carries those who carry it.”…
In The Dark
“Trying to figure out what the world will look like tomorrow — let alone three months from now — is a monumental and deeply frustrating and draining task,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “We are creatures…
A Blessing for the New Year
“As we begin the secular new year, we find ourselves asking: Who should I be?” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Instead of asking who should I be in the coming year, we could ask: How can…
The Wounded Lion Still Knows How to Roar
“We all have struggles, large and small, public or hidden, that we go through throughout our lifetimes. No one gets through life without tremendous loss,” says Rabbi Sam Natov as the COVID-19 cases have increased. “Yet…
Where is the Cream Cheese?
“We take for granted so much about life. Most of us do not give a passing thought to deprivation. Practically none of us thinks about whether we can put food on the table today,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch.…
Omicron
“Here we are again: another vile, virulent, vexing variant,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. In this week’s parasha, “Joseph didn’t ask, ‘Why did God create pestilence?’ He figured out how to improve and ultimately escape his…
Blessings and Challenges
“On this Shabbat of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for our blessings and acknowledge the challenges that have made us who we are,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Just as water carves rock over time, the adversities…
The Unraveling of American Zionism?
“Last week, The New York Times Magazine reported on ‘The Unraveling of American Zionism,’” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Our Reform institutions have an opportunity — and an obligation — to state what it is we…
The Same, But Different
“When a hero sets out on a great journey, there is a familiar story arc,” says Rabbi Shira Gluck. But our stories are different; they tend to repeat themselves: “This week’s parasha picks up with…
Faith
“There are moments in life that feel so intensely awful that it seems as if they will go on forever,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. It’s in times like these when we may not see the…
Two Models of Succession
“There are two models of succession portrayed in the Torah and haftarah portions of the week,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Abraham took his time and built his succession plan carefully. But David’s was done in…
Between Tikkun Olam and Klal Yisrael
“Tikkun olam — repairing the world — is an outgrowth and an expression of Judaism itself,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “But sometimes it seems to be the only value Reform Jews emphasize. All of us…
Aging Out
“At some point, everyone reaches an age when they hand over the fight to the next generation,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. Which makes Abraham’s story in this week’s parasha all the more profound: “He is…
Finding Sanctuary
Mere weeks after Yom Kippur, many of us have already transgressed. “The midrash tells us that God created and destroyed 974 worlds before creating the world we know,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Just like Noah,…
Creating Order
“There is disorder all around us. How can we create order when we are surrounded by chaos?” asks Rabbi Rena Rifkin. “Through mitzvot, we explore how to behave and interact with our world. Like God’s…
Ecclesiastes on Sukkot
On our most joyous festival, “Jewish tradition encourages us to study the Book of Ecclesiastes, who writes, “Everything is futile: utter futility,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. He asks: “Why, of all books, did the Sages…
Missing Out on Joy
“In the wake of Yom Kippur, we have cleared out the clutter of regret,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Sukkot gives us an opportunity to tap into joy” that we should be sure not to miss…
What is Going On in our Schools?
“What is going on in our schools? The task of the best educational institutions is not to tell students what to think, but to give them the tools how to think,” said Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch…
La-Z-Boy Jews
“Were the Ten Lost Tribes truly lost, or were they destroyed?” wonders Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch on Erev Yom Kippur. “For some, exile is coerced. Others just drift away from our people until there is no…
Yom Bri’at Ha-Adam: Honoring Creation
“‘Who shall live and who shall die? Who by fire and who by water?’ These words are no longer metaphorical,” says Rabbi Shira Gluck this Shabbat Shuvah. This year, on the anniversary of Creation, “Let…
Reflections On Antisemitism
“If there is one lesson to absorb from the Holocaust, it is that when someone proclaims an intention to exterminate the Jews, believe them,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, recalling a harrowing story from Auschwitz this…
We Are Enough
“There is a kind of myth that we can hold onto balance for even more than a short time, but to be alive is to be in motion,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov this Erev Rosh…
That’s What Friends Are For
“What does a life of blessing look like? It’s easy to see that it’s the people in our lives who really matter,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “This week’s Torah portion reminds us that we have…
Responding to Need
In the wake of an earthquake in Haiti and the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Rabbi Samantha Natov reflects on our duty to our fellow human beings: “We may be separated by our places of birth,…
The Sanctity of Remembering and Forgetting
In Jewish tradition, memory is one of our most sacred obligations, but forgetting can be a virtue, too, says Rabbi Shira Gluck. “As we approach Yom Kippur, we must seek forgiveness from those we have…
Power Dynamics
“The Torah places heavy restrictions on people in positions of power to provide desperately needed checks and balances,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “In order to really take the pursuit of justice seriously, we need to…
Broken Pieces
When Rabbi Rena Rifkin set out to solve a 1,500-piece puzzle she was dismayed to find a broken piece. “One night, we managed to fit it into the puzzle and by the next morning, I…
Through Grace
“Why do bad things happen to good people? Or good things to bad people?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Ultimately, we are born into circumstances that are not of our making. The Torah teaches that it…
From Rupture to Reconciliation
“Today, only six days after Tisha b’Av, the day of Jerusalem’s destruction and Israel’s exile, we celebrate Tu b’Av, the holiday of love,” says Rabbi Shira Gluck. This emotional whiplash would be difficult for anyone,…
Reshaping Our Narrative
“Tisha b’Av is our time to weep and mourn,” says Rabbi Shira Gluck. “But suffering is not an identity; it’s a universal experience. In the stories we tell about ourselves, we create our own narrative.…
Our Words Matter
“I almost never make a promise. When I do, it’s only with absolute confidence that I can keep my word,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov, reflecting on this week’s parashah, in which Moses discusses the laws…
Who Is Left Out?
“The census in week’s parasha, Pinchas, is noteworthy because it mentions the names of people who would’ve been counted, but their actions disqualified them,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Whom do we leave out of our…
Blind Spots
“Sometimes things are right in front of us, but we don’t see them. It takes something to help us change our perspective,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. In this week’s Torah portion, an angel helps Balaam…
Hosting the Israel National Defense College
Welcoming officers from the Israel National Defense College for a special Kabbalat Shabbat, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch spoke about the miracle of Israel’s existence. “Zionism is about empowerment: to rewrite the Jewish story in the annals…
The Uncertainty of Our Times
“In this week’s Torah portion, Moses endured yet another rebellion. Challenge Moses all you want, but it’s hard to comprehend the constant refrain of ‘Let’s go back to Egypt,’” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “The unknown…
The Big Lie
Commenting on the Torah portion, wherein 10 of the 12 tribal leaders sowed panic in the community, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch emphasized: “At first the scouts spoke the truth. Master liars do not make everything up.…
Confronting Hate With Healing
“In the past days I have been hearing from people of all ages who are distraught at the barrage of ugly words written about Israel and Jews,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “How do we not…
The Fracturing of Liberal Judaism
“We are witnessing the fracturing of liberal Judaism along the same fissures as a century ago – our sense of Jewish identity,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Do we belong to the Jewish people? Are we…
A Tragic Week of War: Five Comments
“I mourn the loss of life already inflicted, and lament the many further tragedies that will befall both Israelis and Palestinians in the days ahead,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Every one of the 2,000 missiles…
The Pain of Others
“This week’s Torah portion contains one of the most profound passages in the history of civilization,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch: “‘You shall proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.’”
Ready Or Not, Here I Come!
“Pressure to be perfect is not new. It’s biblical; it’s biblical. The priests and even their sacrifices had to be perfect,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. With all that pressure, “there are aspects of ourselves we…
George Floyd and the Slow Progress Toward Justice
“It is gratifying that justice was served, but it is not full justice. Nothing can restore what was taken,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “The most important result of the brutality inflicted on George Floyd is…
Living With Uncertainty
This week’s Torah portion deals with leprosy — “and the quest to understand why people became afflicted,” says Rabbi Sam Natov. “In the face of uncertainty, how can we gain a sense of control? But…
The Things That Count
“Passover reflects and embodies the idea of liberation, while Shavuot reflects and embodies the idea of responsibility. The festivals are inseparable,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Every day of counting the Omer is a reminder that…
Working On Ourselves
“What would you need to move forward from mitzrayim — which means ‘narrowness,’ and is our word for Egypt?” asks Rabbi Samantha Natov on this Shabbat and the last day of Passover. “Working on ourselves…
Spiritual Nourishment
As we live through Passover in a plague of our own, Rabbi Samantha Natov says: “I think it’s more important than ever to ask the theological and existential questions we often push to the backs…
Conversion in Israel: Three Comments
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch praised Israel’s Supreme Court for its landmark ruling this week requiring that people who converted to Judaism in Israel under the auspices of Reform and Conservative rabbis be recognized as Jews and…
Deliverance
“The Bible offers two models of salvation,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, “the Exodus and Purim. Judaism’s approach to history assumes that as the eras unfold divine intervention becomes less prominent and human deeds become more…
Between the Ordinary and the Sublime
“Few know that a full third of the Book of Exodus is about the minute details of building the Tabernacle,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “I think that it is to teach us that the grandest…
Some Thoughts on the Impeachment Trial
“To stand against the crowd requires courage,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflecting on the impeachment trial and this week’s parasha. “Moral courage is the human ingredient that is most difficult to bring out of ourselves.…
On Boredom
“Few of us take the commandment mandating Shabbat observance seriously or even realize that it’s one of the Ten Commandments,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Freeing up time is why God gave us Shabbat. Use it…
Hold Me Up
Soon after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they were attacked by the Amalekites. Throughout the battle, “Moses raised his hands and kept them steady until sunset — so the people would see their leader…
Reflections on the Inauguration
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on the stress of the past four years and his emotional reaction to the inauguration of President Joe Biden. “As I watched, I felt the heaviness lifting. The sadness began to…
Frogs Here, Frogs There…
In this week’s parasha, the Torah says that a frog — written in the singular — started the surge that covered Egypt. Rabbis Elazar and Akiva argue: were the other frogs already there, waiting to…
For a Mess of Pottage
“Democracy is hard. It requires constant and loving cultivation,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “May it be that one day we will look back upon these days and conclude that the last four years were an…
Predictions For 2021
“It is not for human beings to predict the future. Only God knows what will happen tomorrow,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch on New Year’s Day. “Jewish tradition is emphatic: the future is not some static…
A Holy Day
“I love when Christmas falls on Shabbat,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “It gives me an opportunity to remind myself that Judaism is both universal and particular: that we unite with the world in fellowship —…
Dream On
In this week’s parasha, we learn that “not only does Joseph constantly dream big dreams, he also has a unique capacity to interpret dreams,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “The Talmud contains this amazing thought: ‘Dreams…
Unsettled
This week’s parasha reminds us that it can all change in the blink of an eye, says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “As you gaze into the lights of the menorah, feel the hope of renewal: that…
Holding On a Little Longer
“Sometimes, prevailing is just enduring,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “That is the key lesson of this week’s Torah portion.” When wrestling with his unknown assailant, “Jacob does not relent, hoping that he can hold on…
Giving Thanks in Hard Times
“Have you given thanks this week?” asks Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “It’s challenging to express gratitude when we are enduring hardship. Take some time this Thanksgiving weekend just to be thankful. Consider the misery in this…
Jewish Wisdom for Anxious Times
In this week’s parashah, Abraham’s trusted servant devises a test to find a wife for Isaac. “Once Eliezer saw Rebecca, he relaxed his standards,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “He realized that by setting the bar…
Mourning Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Mourning the passing of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z’’l, our Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch said: “Blessed with dazzling brilliance, Rabbi Sacks helped millions answer life’s central questions and dilemmas. And in so doing, he bestowed incomparable honor…
The Nightmare Ends
“As the Trump presidency ends we must work to strengthen the institutions of democracy,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “It turns out that the protecting walls of American democracy are more fragile than we imagined. In…
What Comes Next?
“When I think about this current historical moment and these two biblical narratives of destruction, the story of the Tower of Babel feels particularly relevant,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “So many in positions of power…
Gal Gadot As Cleopatra
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch wades into the controversy surrounding the casting of Gal Gadot as Cleopatra that’s been roiling the Twitterverse: “Why shouldn’t an Israeli portray an ancient Middle Eastern queen? The subtlety and power of…
A Different Simchat Torah
I love Simchat Torah at Stephen Wise. Our celebrations are different this year: we won’t be outside and we won’t even do hakafot inside the sanctuary,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “I hope that we remember…
When God Weeps
“The increasing tendency in 21st-century America to affirm one acceptable answer is profoundly illiberal, even if it comes from the Left,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch on Yom Kippur. “For years we have allowed the foundations…
Cave Dwellers
“On this Day of Atonement, we sense our human vulnerability as never before,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Remain steadfast. Even now, in the dimness of the cave — at this, the most isolated, dark and…
Petrified Man
On Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch delivered a message of hope and moral clarity: “We will never surmount the racial breach in our country without a willingness to step into and repair it. Judaism commands…
Zero Waste
“We’d like to start fresh, but that is impossible,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “During these High Holy Days, we can learn from our mistakes and rebuild out of regret. Our regrets give us raw material…
When You Go Back Out
On the first Shabbat back in our sanctuary, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses this week’s parasha, “Ki Tetze” — “When You Go Out.”: “Perhaps because ‘Ki Tetze’ begins with going out to war, much of the…
The Long Walk to Freedom
“Today is an important day: June 19th, the day that the emancipation finally arrived to the slaves of Galveston. It wasn’t the exact day they were freed, recalled the descendants of the slaves, but that’s…
George Floyd
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses George Floyd’s death and our country’s yearning for justice.
Moderation
Judaism was never big on self-denial,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discussing this week’s parashah. “Holiness is expressed through ethical actions. Fundamentalists and extremists distort the mainstream Jewish tradition of seeking moderation, logic and reason.
Freedom and Responsibility
Passover and Shavuot are linked conceptually, which is why we count down the days,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “You can’t have freedom — Passover — without law — Shavuot. If we do not embrace responsibility,…
If…
“If you shall follow my laws…” begins this week’s parashah. “That word ‘if’ is one of the most consequential words,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “It connotes all of the uncertainties of life.”
The Big and the Small of the Matter
Bigger people have a responsibility to smaller people.” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses the obligations outlined in this week’s parashah, Emor. “To diminish people who are not quite as big in responsibility or social status violates…
The Dignity of Labor
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch delves into what the this week’s parashah has to say about labor and providing for those less fortunate: “Why do we have obligations to those who cannot support themselves? The Torah is…
How Will We Heal?
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch has always been a bit intimidated by this week’s parasha, Tazria-Metzora, which deals with treating those afflicted with disease. “It lays out a path for these people to be quarantined and then…
New York Strong
“New York’s streets are silent now, but our city will come back noisy as ever,” says our Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “As we rebuild, we, ourselves, will be rebuilt.”
When This Is All Over
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch asks what kind of person each of us will be when we emerge from social isolation and finds guidance from Jewish tradition.
Building Resilience
On the morning of Passover and with spring in the air, Rabbi Samantha Natov spoke about how our history and practicing gratitude for even the smallest things helps us to be resilient in tough times…
Earning Our Freedom
On the Shabbat before Passover, each Israelite household was commanded to watch over a lamb for four days before using its blood to mark their doorposts. “God wanted the Israelites to earn their freedom —…
Patience
“We read in the Book of Daniel, ‘thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.’ We must pass this test — or there will be incalculable human suffering,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Have patience.…
We’re All In This Together
We never really think about how connected we are with everybody else,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “This week’s Torah portion emphasizes that Moses assembled the entire people of Israel in order to complete the tabernacle.…
Social Distancing
As we focus on “social distancing” and staying healthy in the challenging months ahead, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch urges us “to focus on the things that really matter to us: life, family, friends, meaning, purpose.”
Coronoavirus
“When we are anxious and afraid, we often act unintelligently — with little wisdom and with pervasive cruelty,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. As the coronavirus looms, what we need is a good, strong dose of…
Contemplating Moral Leadership
As our country grapples with political turmoil and gears up for another divisive election, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch contemplates the moral character of leaders. “The indispensable criterion for leadership is moral awareness,” he says.
The Institutions of Our Lives
“These days, trust in our most critical institutions is in distressing decline,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, who discussed how public confidence has eroded when it comes to the media, the courts, schools, churches and synagogues.…
My Depressing Uplifting Week
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses his long depressing, uplifting week — including the march against anti-Semitism on Sunday, his remarks to Fieldston students on Thursday, and his advice to parents for raising proud Jewish children.
A Thousand Years From Now
After accidentally dating a d’var Torah “3019,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch began to think about the world in 1,000 years and how future generations will look back on our time.
No Way NBA
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch questions our country’s health in the wake of the NBA-China controversy. “The general manager of the Houston Rockets sent a rather bland tweet upholding the struggle for democracy in Hong Kong –…
Trapped!
On Yom Kippur, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses the ways we seek to escape – and give meaning and purpose – to the anxiety of life. Some choose the path of science and technology, but does…
The Return of Antisemitism
In his Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch spoke about antisemitism from both sides of the aisle, slamming the right for excusing hate speech and the left for hypocrisy on Israel, and criticizing the Reform…
Remembering Home
Before we are born, we contain the knowledge of everything in the world,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov this Erev Rosh Hashanah. “Life, then, is a process of remembering. The best we can do is to…
Falling
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch tackles questions of free will and morality in this crucial period leading up to the High Holy Days. “This season is about taking responsibility. Judaism insists that you can control your life…
Judge Yourself First
The period before the High Holy Days, during the month of Elul, is one of the rare times in Judaism that we’re told to focus on ourselves, says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “The whole point of…
Welcoming the Israel National Defense College
Welcoming officers from the Israel National Defense College for a special Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch spoke about the modern-day miracle of Israel and recounted how the Israelites’ march to the Promised…
The Season is Short
After the recent loss of his mother, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on life’s ephemeral beauty – and the central importance of mothers in our lives.
From Pittsburgh to Poway
After a shooting attack on a California synagogue and an anti-Semitic cartoon published in The New York Times left American Jews reeling, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch addressed anti-Semitism coming from both the right and left: “Jews do…
The Past Alive: A Passover Message
“In every generation, every Jew should feel as if they were personally redeemed from Egypt,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch quotes from the Haggadah. “The Haftarah reading for the second day of Passover mentions Natan-Melech once, in…
The College Admissions Scandal
Speaking about the recent college admissions, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says: “The impulse to cheat is always present in our lives – especially in a society like ours that so rewards accomplishment. Jewish tradition teaches that…
On Antisemitism
“Right-wing antisemitism inclines towards violence. The antisemitism of the left is camouflaged by the rhetoric of human rights, anti-colonialism, liberalism, and white privilege. It tends to be expressed nowadays through hatred of Israel. And starting…
Our Reputations
In this week’s parasha, God singles out Bezalel by name – and a good name is among our most precious possessions. “Anticipating modern times when, Jewish sages warned against the human propensity to damage a…
On Anger
In this week’s parasha, Moses became so enraged that he took the tablets – described by the Torah as being carved by the very finger of God – and shattered them into pieces. In this…
The More Things Change
Despite the characteristic rapid social changes of our times, we know what kind of behavior is right and what’s wrong, says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, who discusses the ongoing controversy in Virginia’s state government and the…
I’m There For You…
“With every technological advance – something is lost.” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch braved sub-zero temperatures to encourage us to create warmth by avoiding distractions and building meaningful relationships.
The Women’s March
As mounting accusations of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel advocacy roil the national Women’s March movement, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch announced that Stephen Wise Free Synagogue will disassociate from Women’s March Inc., and that it will join the…
The Porcupine’s Solution
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses the painful reconciliation of Jacob’s sons in the Book of Genesis, and how we should seek to release unresolved anger in our lives. “I meet so many people who cannot forgive…
After Pittsburgh
“I know that many of us are afraid. We gather today in memory, in solidarity, but also in defiance. To be a Jew is, itself, an act of defiance. We will not cower. Be proud…
In the Cabinet Room
“Sitting there in the Cabinet Room, waiting for the leader of the reconstituted Jewish state, I felt the mysterious, ineluctable flow of time.” Rabbi Hirsch reflected on his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,…
Human Nature
“Nowadays, we can’t really be sure whether a hurricane is just another storm, or if, somehow, the climate itself is changing – putting into question our very way of life. In the Torah, the key…
How Did You Do That?
“For all living beings the body’s needs are to continue to exist, but, for human beings, the mind needs harmony.” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch asks difficult questions to justify religion’s relevance in our modern times.
From the Ghetto
On Yom Kippur, in the absence of an official response from the Reform movement to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon’s recent criticism of Judaism as “divisive” and Jewish intramarriage as “a ghetto of two,” Rabbi…
30 Years On
On Kol Nidre, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflected on his 30 years as a rabbi and how we come to develop wisdom and faith: “The world is bigger than any one of us. This realization that…
The Still Small Voice
“If what some people mean by ‘religion should stay out of politics’ is that we should never engage in the social challenges of our times – never speak about the here and now, but only…
Seizing Children From Parents
“Judaism survived because a privileged and comfortable adult – Pharaoh’s daughter – had compassion on a Jewish refugee child.” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch references the story of Moses and reminds us of the principles of our founding fathers…
Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain: Some Observations
“The very connectedness and shrinking of the world – that was supposed to bind us in a common thread of humanity – has isolated us.” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch responds to an unprecedented mental health crisis…
A Sad Week
“It is one thing to point out – rightly – human suffering. But you cannot be neutral between liberal democracy and authoritarian coercion, between respect for human life and contempt for life, between dignity and…
Israel at 70
“We cannot fully understand the contemporary Jewish experience, or live complete Jewish lives, without Israel being part of our Jewish identity.” In celebration of Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch honors our history…
Yom Ha’shoah: Again and Again
On Holocaust Memorial Day, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch demands that we combat humanity’s evil impulses and instill the values of tolerance, decency, compassion, freedom, diversity, and respect. “Again and again and again we have chosen life. …
Whatever is in Your Heart, Go and Do
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch celebrates the last night of Passover by honoring the achievements of King David and our adult b’nai mitzvah class.
At the AIPAC Policy Conference
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch shares key points he made as a panelist on pro-Israel activism in progressive communities at the 2018 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference, which was attended by thousands of Israeli…
The Superheroes of Florida
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on the Florida teenagers fighting gun violence and our moral obligation to support them. “Heroism is the sustained advancement towards a moral goal when the gaze of the world has moved…
Peak Performance
“Train yourselves and your children for moral performance as you would train yourselves for physical performance,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says. “Do moral workouts. Spend part of every day practicing moral deeds.”
Witold Pilecki
Responding to Poland’s new law that makes it a crime to accuse the Polish nation of complicity in the Holocaust, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch remembers a Polish officer who fought the Nazi invasion of his homeland…
Finding Happiness at Yale
“The human spirit responds to and is strengthened by goodness, kindness, social connections, family, and friends — precisely the rewiring that the Hebrew prophets emphasized nearly three thousand years ago,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch.
The Bible Meets Technology
“Religion is more important to us than ever,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says. “The Torah reminds us that machines serve us — not the opposite. We seek to make technology our tool, not our taskmaster.”
The Outhouses of the World
“America is not about where you came from,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says in this sermon. “It’s about where you want to go.”
Jerusalem!
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. “Judaism without Jerusalem is not Judaism.”
Don Quixote at Rest
“Even if we are devoted to attacking the windmills of injustice, the righteous fight itself might grind us down,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says. “We need to step back — and pursue — the other principles…
Thoughts and Prayers
“With every new massacre, it has become easier for us to move on,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch. “Instead of just thoughts and prayers, we need deeds, actions, resolutions, and resolve.”
Marathon Man
After the recent terrorist attack, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch finds symbolism in the New York City Marathon. “Above all else, the race tests persistence, endurance, and our will to continue.”
Suite 117
Rabbi Hirsch urges American Reform Jews to establish and fund a stronger progressive movement in Israel to counter the intensifying religious extremism of the country’s ultra-Orthodox monopoly.
Between Two Worlds
Eternity came before us; eternity comes after us. Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch asks: “What is the significance of our brief sojourn on earth?”
America First
In his Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch offers an assessment of the political and moral health of our country since the election of President Trump.
What Do You Want to Know?
“It is good for you to take time off your academic pursuits and professional responsibilities and reflect in synagogue on what you want to do with all the knowledge you have acquired,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch…
Of Two Hearts
“The secret of life is to fear what should be feared — but not allow fear to paralyze action and trample upon moral values,” says Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch.
Lesbos Love
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on the synagogue’s refugee relief mission to Greece and Germany. “We are a tiny corner of the world on 68th Street, but still, we did a lot of good.”
The Human Spirit
There is an essential truth that should govern our behavior, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says. “You can give of yourself without depleting yourself. The spirit of God rests upon you. You can — you must —…
Interdependence
“What the Bible is teaching more than anything else is that human beings need other human beings,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says in this sermon. “Practically everything we have, and everything we know, comes from other…
Israel Independence Day
In a day and age when “it is hard for us to appreciate Jewish independence because it is our daily reality,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch finds inspiration for renewed commitment to Israel in his favorite biblical…
Refugee Relief Mission: The Moral Imperative
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch urges our community to support the synagogue’s refugee relief work. “I hope you will tell your friends, share our moral indignation, and resolve to do something yourselves.”
Israel Mission 2017
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on our recent mission to Israel. “I wish I could persuade those of you who have not been to participate in this transformative, life-altering journey — because words fall short.”
The Stone Guy
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch finds inspiration (and humor) in an incapacitating experience with a kidney stone. “The touch of a human hand — not the philosophy of eternal reward — is Judaism’s best response to pain.”
Anti-Semitism
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch responds to the spate of threats against Jewish institutions across the country. “The only way to defeat hate is to confront it.”
Reflections on Norma McCorvey
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch looks back on the more than four decades that have passed since the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade. “When it comes to the core of what drives us in life, our…
The Harder Way
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on this era of instant gratification and “alternative facts” and reminds us: Jewish tradition is emphatic that there are no shortcuts in life.
Refugees
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch responds to President Trump’s immigration ban and announces a congregational refugee relief trip to Greece and Germany. “Step into the shoes of the refugee,” he says. “Try to imagine yourself on a…
Making America Great: Inauguration Day 2017
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reminds us that we must always preserve and defend the Jewish tradition’s core values. “Our greatness is not only in cherishing and speaking of these values, but in living up to them…
Whitefish, Montana
Reflecting on hate speech that has recently plagued the small Jewish community of Whitefish, Montana, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch considers the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “All that is required for evil to triumph is…
Under the 59th Street Bridge
Through the lens of the biblical story of Joseph’s reunion with his brothers, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on a deeply Jewish idea: that there is a guiding force in the universe. “Joseph could not unravel…
Hanukkah: The Seventh Night
“Twas the seventh day of Hanukkah, and all through the night, Jews were observing Shabbat with delight.” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch mesmerized listeners of all ages with his fun take on a classic poem.
Slouching Towards Sodom
“Judaism is not passive acceptance of the divine will. God wants protest for the sake of what is right,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says in this sermon. “The point of Judaism is to feel a kinship…
Now What?
In his first sermon since Americans elected Donald Trump to be the next president of the United States, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch offers words of consolation and action. “I have not witnessed this widespread and communal…
Oh, The Tales That We Tell
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch examines the human inclination to lie. As an example, he condemns UNESCO’s draft resolution that “simply erased” any connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. “We must train ourselves to value and…
Lessons of a Broken Toe
In his Yom Kippur sermon, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on heroism and our quest for meaning. “If we really look, we will discover that everything is broken,” he says. “We are all infirm. We might…
Our Sacred Honor
In his Kol Nidre sermon, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch considers the US presidential election and Judaism’s demand that we speak about — and act upon — the moral challenges of our time. “Beyond all of the…
Israel: Three Imperatives for Progressive Jews
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch focused on Israel in his Rosh Hashanah sermon. “The objective of the Jewish state is not only freedom for our people, but freedom for all people,” Rabbi Hirsch said. “We liberal Jews…
The Curious Case of the Hawk and the Squirrel
An unusual scene in Central Park inspires Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch to reflect on praying, blessings, and faith. “Try to pray for the permanent and infinite things… not only for yourself, but for others. And then–go…
When Politicians Lie
“Your words are you: your character, your spirit – your essence,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says in this recent sermon. “When leaders lie, they coarsen public values and corrode public life.”
Three Steps to a Fulfilled Life
“Life optimally lived is for, with, and through others.” In this sermon, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch describes how planning and personal accomplishment can be channeled towards the common good.
Shimon Peres
“He was a spectacular president – a position with little political power – but with the moral power to sway the hearts and minds of the people,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch said of the late Shimon…
Humility
Watch Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch’s inspiring Shabbat sermon on “Humility.” Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a reform Synagogue on the Upper West Side of New York. SWFS is a beacon of progressive Jewish thought, inclusive worship,…
Desire
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on the existential restlessness that resides in each of us. “Learning to live is about learning to control our desire for desire. If we do not learn this skill, desire will…
The Next US President
With the presidential primaries behind us, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch asks: What qualities do we want in our leaders? Jewish tradition hints that the great political leaders are not necessarily beloved; like Moses, they need to…
Orlando: Five Comments
Touching on the sanctity of life, Judaism’s mandate to fight evil, the intolerable ease in this country of acquiring lethal firearms, religious extremism fueled by a nihilistic interpretation of Islam, and widespread bias towards the…
Jon Snow is Alive!
What gives your life meaning? Judaism urges protest, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects in this sermon. Don’t accept the world as it is: find meaning and purpose in fighting injustice.
Why We Fight
“Jewish lives matter,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch said in Friday’s sermon as he welcomed officials from the Israel National Defense College to Stephen Wise Free Synagogue on May 20. “Antizionism is not necessarily antisemitism, but the…
Next Year In Jerusalem
“Judaism always believes in next year, not only as a prayer, but as a plan,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects. “In our tradition, the golden age is still to come.” For more than 100 years, Stephen…
Hope
Since ancient times, Jewish spiritual leaders have offered hope in the face of illness and suffering, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reminds us. It is a process of acceptance outlined in the Torah. Stephen Wise Free Synagogue…
Noise
Reflecting on the cacophony of the Internet, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch asks: Is all this information a sign of engagement or withdrawal? Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a Reform Synagogue on the Upper West Side of…
Brussels: Murder in God’s Name
In this Shabbat Sermon, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on the true meaning of religion in the wake of unspeakable recent horrors. Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a Reform Synagogue on the Upper West Side of…
Sweating the Details
Reflecting on a Torah portion that narrates the building of the Tabernacle, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch finds a fundamental lesson: the sublime is a product of the ordinary. Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a Reform Synagogue…
Count Me!
From the days of Moses, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects, participation in the Jewish community has been the essence of Judaism – an insight that illuminates the disconnect many Jews feel toward presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.…
The Beauty Within
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch draws on the Torah and New York Fashion Week to remind us: Do not look to outer beauty, look to the heart. Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a reform Synagogue on the…
Our Shelter: Go Downstairs!
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch asks that we consider “That of which we are most proud, that which reveals the best of us every single day,” in this week’s Shabbat sermon, “Our Shelter: Go Downstairs!” Stephen Wise…
New York Values
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on “New York Values” in this week’s Friday night Shabbat sermon. Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a reform Synagogue on the Upper West Side of New York. SWFS is a beacon…
Powerball
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch delivers this week’s inspirational Shabbat Sermon, “Powerball.” Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a reform Synagogue on the Upper West Side of New York. SWFS is a beacon of progressive Jewish thought, inclusive…
Talking Trump
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch offers his insight in this week’s Shabbat Sermon, “Talking Trump.” Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a reform Synagogue on the Upper West Side of New York. SWFS is a beacon of progressive…