Some Thoughts on Israel’s 65th
Some Thoughts on Israel’s 65th by Rabbi David J. Cooper I wanted to share with you some of my thinking as we enter the month that marks the 65th anniversary of the State of Israel. That moment in 1948 was experienced as a tragedy in the lives of the Palestinian Arabs many of whom were […]
Talking to our Kids About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – A Message and Invitation from Rabbi Dev
How do we talk to our kids about Israel/Palestine? One of the most challenging things I face as a rabbi, an educator and a parent is finding developmentally appropriate ways to ease our kids into the morally complicated, historically intricate, sometimes inspiring and often heartbreaking landscape of the Jewish national project in Israel/Palestine and the […]
“Embracing Uncertainty: A Sermon for Kol Nidrey Night” by Rabbi David J. Cooper
The energy of attempt is greater than the surety of stasis Mary Oliver In late June, I was in New York and I had my first opportunity to go to the Pride Parade in Manhattan. Marilyn and I sat on the sidewalk on 5th avenue with her friend Mimi. For some reason, as my […]
“Faith After the Holocaust” by Rabbi Burt Jacobson (High Holydays 5773/2012)
A Yom Kippur Afternoon Sermon On Yom Kippur afternoon in traditional synagogues the cantor or prayer leader chants a section of the service called “Elah Ezkara,” which means, “These things I remember . . .” In keeping with the somber nature of the Day of Judgment, the Elah Ezkara recalls the martyrdom of the […]
Hillel’s Three Questions (High Holydays 5772 / 2011)
An Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon by Rabbi Burt Jacobson “How are you, ma?” “So how should I be?” Instead of answering her son’s question with a direct statement—“I feel lousy!”—she answers his question with another question, as if to say, “Why are you asking me? Use you eyes, use your head, and you won’t have […]
