Shanah Tova!  This year, these words are more difficult to say than in the past. It has been a tough year.  For me personally, for so many of us here this evening.  We have experienced the death of loved ones.  Sudden illnesses have torn families apart. Some of us have lost jobs and experienced the uncertainty of tomorrow.  Others have confronted challenges that come with aging, losing a sense of independence. We’ve faced all sorts of hardships this past year. It has no doubt been a difficult year for our city, as well. Gun violence is at its worst.  Our city continues to operate without a budget. Things have been difficult on a global level, too.  We live in an America where minimum wage does not provide enough for people to live. Antisemitism is on the rise throughout Europe. Terrorist attacks occur on a weekly basis.  We hear and we...

 50. 50 bells. I did not count. I stood, somberly listening to each bell ring. And then a pause.  I wondered during each pause, is this it? Are we done yet? And I watched. I watched cars driving through the street. I watched people walking by. The bells did not stop ringing. 22, 23, 24. I tried to make out the individual faces of the people across the street. And I heard another bell --  37, 38, 39. I felt my eyes welling up with tears. And the bells, they kept ringing -- 45, 46, 47. They are still ringing. My heart started to beat fast. Really fast. I grew angry. 48, 49, 50. Love not Hate, Amanda. Love not Hate. Earlier this week a wise voice spoke, “Love does not despair. Love makes us strong. Love gives us the courage to act. Love gives us hope…”[1] How? How does...

In a large anonymous college lecture hall, time had run out. The professor called for the exams.  As the students finished up, they tossed their blue books on the professor’s desk.  A few minutes passed.  The last few students desperately scribbled their final comments and left the auditorium.  After ten minutes, only the professor, the stack of hundreds of blue books, and one student remained in the room.  The student kept writing. Five, then ten, then fifteen minutes continued to pass. The professor stood there, shocked at this student’s chutzpah. Finally, the student finished.  He walked up to the professor, blue book in hand. The professor said: “Young man, if you think I am going to accept that exam, now twenty minutes late, you are mistaken.” The student grinned: “Professor, do you have any idea who I am?!” The professor answered: “No, I have no idea, and to be quite...

I have anticipated this very sermon for many years now.  The first sermon I would deliver, not as a student rabbi, or a rabbinical student, but as an ordained rabbi serving my congregation.  I’ve thought for a few months now, about what I would say on this evening, what message I wanted to deliver.  How I could show the congregation, who I am as a rabbi?  How I would be able to adequately convey my passion, my drive, my deep commitment to Judaism – my inspiration to become a rabbi? Since I cannot answer all of these questions and share everything in just one sermon, I decided I wanted to introduce you to five special women in my life…and I’m not talking about my grandmothers, mother, aunts, sisters and niece.  I’m talking about five women who serve as role models, and inspiration to me as both a rabbi and as...