Recent Sermons

At the beginning of our parasha, Abraham buys the Cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite in order to bury Sarah there. This is the first recorded real estate transaction in the Bible and although you might not be expecting real estate contracts in the Torah, it turns out to be both interesting and relevant. Abraham announces his desire to...Read more...

Kol Nidre 5786
Congregation B’nai Jacob

Thinking about the complexities of synagogue life today, my mother recently asked me if I believed that there is such a thing as Kehilla Kedosha — holy or sacred community. It is a good question. In fact the traditional initials designating a synagogue are ק׳׳ק standing for...Read more...

Unetaneh Tokef — If We Give Our Attention
Rosh Hashanah Day 1, 5786
September 23, 2025
Congregation B’nai Jacob

Unetaneh tokef — so begins Rosh Hashanah’s central prayer. God ascends to His Throne on High in Judgement. The great shofar is sounded, a still...Read more...

Kol Nidre Sermon from B'nai Jacob on Vimeo.

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, I spoke about how communities such as our synagogue help to foster collective resilience. Tonight I want to address a second important dimension of the work of communities, that is, how communal organizations like churches and synagogues, PTA’s and Lions Clubs, are essential to the wellbeing of democracy.

Over the summer, I attended the...Read more...

Rosh Hashana Day 1 sermon from B'nai Jacob on Vimeo.

There is a proverbial Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times. This seems to be our lot.”

When I think back over the last several years, I am struck by how many assumptions that I held have been upended. I am shocked that once solid institutions seem shaky, that as a nation we have lost so much trust and goodwill, and that we have lost much of the...Read more...