Jewish day school, Jewish studies in college, rabbinical school, a doctorate in the history of Judaism – whatever criticisms can be leveled against me as a rabbi, the accusation that I took shortcuts in my Jewish education is not one of them.
October 09, 2015
Far from the Tree
Occasion(s) / B’reishit
Every parent, at one time or another, has observed the personal attributes or outward behaviors of their child and reflected either silently or out loud, “Oh, that’s me!” We bear witness to our children’s qualities and character, and whether biological or adopted, by nature or nurture, we know th
September 25, 2015
A Model Ministry
Occasion(s) / Ha·azinu
It is not every day that a Jewish kid gets to sit at the right hand of the Holy Father. Yesterday was my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do so.
September 22, 2015
The Hyphen Within
Occasion(s) / Yom Kippur
Nobody knows for certain where Sandy Koufax was on this day fifty years ago, but all of us know where he wasn’t. It was game one of the Dodgers-Twins World Series, and Koufax was due to pitch against Minnesota’s Mudcat Grant. The game did not go well for the Dodgers.
September 13, 2015
A House Divided
Occasion(s) / Rosh Hashanah
ממשלת ישראל מודיעה בתדהמה, בצער רב, וביגון עמוק על מותו של ראש הממשלה ושר הביטחון
יצחק רבין, אשר נרצח בידי מתנקש, הערב בתל אביב. הממשלה תתכנס בעוד שעה, לישיבת אבל בתל אביב. יהי זכרו ברוך
September 12, 2015
A House of Prayer for All People
Occasion(s) / Rosh Hashanah
One of the oldest, and sweetest, and well-known tales of the High Holiday season is the story of a young Jewish boy, orphaned as a child and adopted into a warm-hearted gentile family. The boy knew himself to be Jewish, although he did not know exactly what that meant.
September 11, 2015
A Benchmark in the Breach
Occasion(s) / Nitzavim
This morning I want to talk to you about one of the foundational documents of the Jewish people. It is not the Ten Commandments, not the Sh’ma, and not the Israeli Declaration of Independence.
June 05, 2015
The Best Defense
Occasion(s) / B’ha·alot’kha
One year ago, in June of 2014, Park Avenue Synagogue hosted President Shimon Peres in his final farewell address to the American Jewish community.
May 22, 2015
The Image Within
Occasion(s) / Shavuot
In relating the story of creation, the rabbis tell of God’s plan to create humanity in the divine image. Having heard God’s intent, the angels grew jealous and sought to foil God’s plan by hiding God’s image from humanity.
May 08, 2015
Two Worlds of Judaism
Occasion(s) / Emor
As Israel’s governing coalition was cobbled together late Wednesday night, just two hours before deadline, I thought of Winston Churchill’s quip: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” Despite the fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu won a stunning thirty-seat victo