Sermons Archive

Wisdom Lists

Wisdom lists are designed to assist in navigating challenging situations that arise in our lives. As we add to these lists, we would appreciate your feedback as to how we can improve them. Send comments to...

We Have Been Here Before

Remarks from the Tree of Life Vigil We have been here before. Hatred is not new to the Jewish community. It is woven like a dark thread through the warp of Jewish history. Today we stand broken hearted, cradling the memory of our brothers and sisters from The Tree of...

Shall We Forgive

The road from Thousand Oaks to Palm Springs is a long one, at least twenty-five years long. That is how long I have not spoken to my uncle who lives in Palm Springs. It’s not just me. Most of the members of my family have not spoken to him and have no desire to. But I...

Machloket Leshem Shamayim

It’s three balls, two strikes, and one out at the top of the ninth inning in Yankee stadium. The Red Sox are ahead 3–¬2. Up in the right field bleachers, a young couple wearing red baseball caps and Red Sox jerseys watch the game hopefully. She yells, “Go, Red Sox!”...

Small Groups and Community

I have now lived in states across the country, from California, New Jersey, and Michigan to Ohio, Iowa, and Texas, and now back here. How many of you have lived outside of California? One of the things that separates these places is the disasters that can befall them....

What Shall We Remember

My bad memory It’s good to be back at TAE and good to be here with you tonight. More than any other congregation I have served, I have the warmest memories of my time at Adat Elohim, which is why I’m so happy to be back. Of course, the reason that I enjoyed it here so...