A Free Pulpit
In 1905, Stephen S. Wise was under consideration to serve as rabbi at Temple Emanu–El in New York City. When he learned that his sermons would be reviewed in advance by the temple’s board of trustees, he withdrew himself from consideration and founded a “free” synagogue where anyone who addresses the congregation can say what he or she wishes.
Since establishing freedom of the pulput, our bimah has served as a platform for some of the most important voices in our community, our country and behind. And our rabbis have a rich tradition of speaking about the defining issues of our times.
Featured Sermons
After Five Months of War
“In many ways it is still October 7th. Time froze,” says Rabbi Ammi Hirsch, offering his perspective of where we are five months later, on the Shabbat before embarking for Israel with our synagogue’s mission.…
Mistakes and Redemption
“We as a community royally screwed up” when we built the golden calf, says Rabbi Dalia Samansky. “But it is what happens in this week’s portion that shows how we as a people grew from our experience. Mistakes and bad…
Guardrails
Humanity has always pushed its limitations, especially with the creation of artificial intelligence, says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “May we understand that power needs to be tempered by ethical precepts, compassionate hearts, with sufficient guardrails to…
The Moral Flame
In this week’s parashah, we read about “the eternal flame” — the lamp that burned continuously in the Tabernacle. “The light of the eternal flame, according to our Sages, is what we would call today…
Bound Together
Have you ever wondered why Jews were famously mercantile during the Middle Ages? Traders had difficulty communicating, explains Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz, but Jews “have always maintained a facility in Hebrew.” Amid modern challenges to the…
Leap of Faith
Taking a leap of faith is challenging for humans, acknowledges Rabbi Samantha Natov. But “if we waited to understand before acting, we might never take a step,” she says. “It is only through living that…
Some Thoughts on Jury Duty
Rabbi Ammi Hirsch offers impressions from his two long days of jury duty: “There is no such thing as perfect justice. Everything human is filled with human imperfections. The entire justice system – and so…
The Power of Music
“This Shabbat, we honor the historical memory of the Israelites singing on the shores of freedom, dancing with timbrel in hand, finding strength in being in the moment together,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “When we…
On Truth
“Judaism challenges us to live in truth —to live with authenticity, integrity and moral responsibility,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “We need courage and strength to bring our sense of what is true to light, even…
Sermons From Our Rabbis
Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz
Rabbi Rena Rifkin