The Soviet author Vasily Grossman imagined a final letter from his mother before her death in the Berdichev Ghetto; he also continued writing to her after her death. Rabbi Cosgrove invites us to imagine the letters our loved ones might have written to us and what we would write ourselves.
October 08, 2022
Kissinger on Moses
Occasion(s) / Ha·azinu
Drawing parallels between Moses and successful modern leaders, Rabbi Cosgrove finds that Moses exemplifies all the qualities of a great leader, especially the ultimate measure of success: that one’s values endure far beyond one’s own lifetime.
October 05, 2022
Postcards
Occasion(s) / Yom Kippur, Yizkor
The moment of Yizkor makes us aware of the finite and indefinite length of our lives. Rabbi Cosgrove encourages us not only to remember our debts to those who have gone before but also to recognize our responsibility to those who will follow us and will, in time, remember us.
October 04, 2022
To Honor and Revere
Occasion(s) / Yom Kippur
While we hope for long life, we fear the inevitable losses of old age; most of all, we fear becoming irrelevant. Rabbi Cosgrove charges us with revering our elders, not only by caring for their physical and social needs, but above all, by maintaining their values in our own lives.
September 26, 2022
Herzl and Me
Occasion(s) / Rosh Hashanah
In an imagined conversation with the founding father of Zionism, Rabbi Cosgrove assesses the accomplishments, the aspirations, and the complexities of the Jewish state and provides a charge for us all to create strong Jewish identities.
September 17, 2022
These Truths We Hold Dear
Occasion(s) / Ki Tavo
The stories we tell ourselves reflect our personal realities and desired self-images. Rabbi Cosgrove urges us to sit down with each other in these weeks leading to the High Holidays and to listen to each other’s stories with an aim to restoring understanding.
September 10, 2022
Lost and Found
Occasion(s) / Ki Tetzei
Rabbi Cosgrove suggests that while the Torah lists detailed rules for returning lost property, the deeper meaning of this concern may be about repairing lost relationships and restoring our souls.
June 11, 2022
Keeping Pace
Occasion(s) / Naso
Graduation season reminds us that time moves forward inexorably. Rabbi Cosgrove teaches that even though it is human nature to resist change, we live best when we move forward with openness to becoming our best selves in whatever circumstances the future brings.
June 04, 2022
Rights and Obligations
Occasion(s) / B’midbar, Shavuot
The story of Ruth, read on Shavuot, demonstrates the value of putting others’ needs above our own. Rabbi Cosgrove reminds us that our Jewish tradition teaches that we are not free to do whatever we please, but that living in society requires us to accept limits on our freedom.
May 07, 2022
Holy Living
Occasion(s) / K’doshim
What defines a life of k’dushah, of holiness? Responding to that ages-old question, Rabbi Cosgrove finds that a life of holiness includes both observance of ritual detail and commitment to ethical behavior, pride in the distinctions that set Jews apart and responsibility to all humanity.