How is being Jewish akin to being a Michigan Wolverine? Rabbi Cosgrove points to the pull of pride in belonging and the push of outside hostility that unite a group. As we confront the hostility unleashed on October 7, we must also retain our joy in living a Jewish life.
December 16, 2023
Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson, z"l
Occasion(s) / Mi-ketz
How should a Jewish majority apply Jewish law and its principles in a sovereign Jewish state in the modern world? Rabbi Cosgrove honors the memory of his friend and teacher Rabbi David Ellenson, z”l, by introducing three of his articles that address this critical question.
December 09, 2023
Rattled, Raw, and Resilient
Occasion(s) / Va-yeishev, Hanukkah
What are you doing now to support Israel? Rabbi Cosgrove reflects on last week’s PAS mission to Israel, emphasizing the overwhelming solidarity of Israelis in caring for survivors of the October 7th attacks, advocating for the hostages, and supporting the soldiers.
November 18, 2023
A Call to Action
Occasion(s) / Tol’dot
What are you doing for Israel? Recalling the dramatic and united efforts of American Jewry to assist pre-State Israel, Rabbi Cosgrove calls on us to be united and unflagging in stepping up on all fronts to support Israel in the current war.
November 11, 2023
Coping and Hoping
Occasion(s) / Hayyei Sarah
How do we move forward after a grievous loss? Recognizing that we have passed sh’loshim, thirty days since the horrendous attacks of October 7, Rabbi Cosgrove turns to our founding father Abraham’s family for a model of how even deeply estranged siblings can work toward a common future.
October 28, 2023
The Great Awakening
Occasion(s) / Lekh L’kha
Antisemitism? Here? Now? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that the aftermath of October 7 has revealed not only verbal and physical attacks, but a “higher antisemitism” – a societal attitude that Jewish lives don’t matter.
October 21, 2023
Israel's Just War
Occasion(s) / Noah
Is Israel fighting a just war? Rabbi Cosgrove reviews the Jewish laws of war to provide us with a vocabulary for understanding and defending Israel’s response to the Hamas terror attack of October 7.
October 14, 2023
Moral Clarity
Occasion(s) / B’reishit
Is there any justification for murder? Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that wanton killing and torture are pure evil. He calls for us to support the ADL, to condemn the acts of Hamas as terrorism and to insist that the thought leaders in our communities do the same.
October 13, 2023
To Save a Life
Occasion(s) / B’reishit
Following the terrorist rampage in Israel last week, the eyes of history are upon us. Rabbi Cosgrove calls on us to support Israel with dollars to meet the urgent needs of the moment and for the sake of pikuach nefesh, saving lives, to make donations even on Shabbat.