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
While The Storms Rage: Thinking of Van Gogh
In these hyper-tense times, Rabbi Hirsch worries we’ve become “so overwhelmed with the fury of our relentless politics as to leave little time or space for Jewish reflection.” And while Judaism demands we involve ourselves…
Defining Freedom
“As Passover draws to an end, we are left with an enduring question: ‘What exactly is freedom?’” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. Upon crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites move from subjugation under Pharaoh’s rule to…
Savoring the Details
As Passover nears, “Why do we read about the minutia of sacrifices instead of Moses, the ten plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea?” asks Rabbi Dalia Samansky. “The Torah could be teaching us…
The Calling
Rabbi Ammi Hirsch has been hearing from many American Jews who are “deeply concerned — not only about many specific polices and executive actions, but about the very soul of America.” He says, “Despair is…
The Hollowing
A joyful conversation reminds our Rabbi Samantha Natov how much humanity we miss out on when we interact from behind a screen. And she worries about the creep of artificial intelligence into our daily lives:…
Skin in the Game
In this week’s parashah, God directs Moses to ask the Israelites to donate a selection of very specific items and skills to help construct the Mishkan — “but only ‘if their hearts so moved them,’” says Rabbi Dalia…
Tenacity Triumphs
Most of Jewish history can be summed up in nine words, says Rabbi Dalia Samansky: “They tried to kill us. We won… Let’s eat!” But why do we constantly remind ourselves of the times we…
Thinking About the Red Carpet
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses the magnificent clothing of the priests described in this week’s Torah portion. “Why all this elaborate fashion?” he asks. “For beauty and glory… to honor the institution and its values, and…
The Agony and the Ecstasy
This week was a turning point for Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. “What the Bibas family symbolizes — the concretization and normalization of pure evil in the face of pure innocence — finally crushed me. This was…
Ein Miliem: There Are No Words
“There are no words,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky, who — like so many others — spent 500 days hoping and praying for the safe return of the Bibas family along with all of the other…
Sermons From Our Rabbis
Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz
Rabbi Rena Rifkin
