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 overwhelm us.”

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 make hard decisions.

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 LGBT community, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch responds to the tragedy in Orlando. Visit www.swfs.org for more information.

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.

“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 dividing line is becoming increasingly blurry.”

For more than 100 years, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue has been a catalyst for progressive Jewish thought, support for Israel, and committed social action in the local community and beyond. www.swfs.org