Rabbi Zauzmer Sermons

2025 Sermons

To Mask or Be Seen (January 4, 2025)

2024 Sermons

To An Anti-Israel Protester (May 4, 2024)

Rabbi Zauzmer brings us into an imagined conversation with an anti-Israel protestor on campus, giving us guidance for how to speak to our own friends even through vehement disagreement.
The Difference Between History and Memory (April 30, 2024)

The last time we gathered for Yizkor was October 7. Now, we must keep the memories of those killed on that horrific day alive – not as history, but in our personal memories.
Counting Each New Day (April 24, 2024)

Rabbi Zauzmer leads a participatory discussion about the meaning behind counting the Omer and encourages us to be grateful for each new day.
The Oscars Speech That Could Have Been (March 16, 2024)

Rabbi Zauzmer responds to Jonathan Glazer's acceptance speech at the Oscars and explores the parallels that do exist between the Holocaust and Israel's current situation.
Show Us Your Imperfections (February 17, 2024)

Since October 7, we have been more willing to share with one another when we are not okay. Rabbi Zauzmer encourages us to show up in community with all our flaws and our hurts, even when they are of a more personal nature.

2023 Sermons

The Unknown Future (December 30, 2023)

We all wish we could know what lies ahead. Rabbi Zauzmer leads a discussion about the anxiety that comes from our inability to know the future.
Gratitude in the Midst of Darkness (November 25, 2023)

Rabbi Zauzmer shares how challenging it might have been to find gratitude on Thanksgiving during this dark time and offers us two suggestions to consider.
The Courage to Speak Up (October 27, 2023)

During this time of heightened antisemitism and anti-Zionism, Rabbi Zauzmer shares her frustration toward what's going on at college campuses, especially her alma mater, UPenn. She discusses what the young people at PAS are doing to speak up, and implores everyone to follow their example.
Welcoming Guests (September 30, 2023)

On Sukkot, it is traditional to invite guests to our homes and sukkot to celebrate the holiday with us. There is even a custom of inviting biblical guests to spiritually join us each night.
Saying What Matters Before It's Too Late (September 25, 2023)

We often wait until we are on our deathbeds to say the most important things to those we love, sometimes leaving us without the opportunity to say them at all. Yom Kippur is our wake-up call to have these conversations now.
What ChatGPT Teaches Us About Living with a Whole Heart (September 16, 2023)

Some think artificial intelligence will drastically improve our world, and some think it will destroy us, but it's up to us to figure out how to live in a world with AI. Rabbi Zauzmer explores Jewish perspectives on AI and encourages us to strengthen the muscles which make us human, not machine – our emotions, our empathy, and our compassion.
Can We Complain? A Group Discussion (June 24, 2023)

When is it appropriate to complain? Exploring the Torah portion, Pirkei Avot, and other commentaries, Rabbi Zazumer leads a spirited discussion regarding the Jewish perspective on complaining.
The Empty Seat at the Seder Table (April 13, 2023)

Perhaps there was always meant to be a fifth question and a fifth cup of wine at the Seder. Rabbi Zauzmer explores the empty space created by these fifths and invites us to consider who we imagine sitting in the empty chair around our own seder tables.
Leaps of Faith (February 18, 2023)

Living a Jewish life, or any life of meaning, requires us to be adventurous and take leaps of faith. Rabbi Zauzmer shares stories from her recent honeymoon to Asia and explores the ultimate Jewish leap of faith found in this week's Torah portion.