Words to Live By
When we finish reading a book of the Torah, as we did last weekend, we say חזק חזק ונתחזק (chazak …
Category Archives: Congregation Kol HaNeshama
Farewell
The following is the last sermon I gave as Rabbi of Congregation Kol HaNeshama in Sarasota, Florida. I retired at …
The Wondering Jew
My congregation has finally been able to stop calling itself wandering Jews, as we found a place to alight after …
Look Up
Many people want to talk to me about fear and hopelessness these days. They look at the pictures of wildfires …
Don’t Lose Heart
Lately, the news has left my head is spinning. So many things are competing for our attention, each more dire …
Hate is Not Welcome Here
The following is an op-ed piece that I co-wrote with my colleague. It first appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on …
After Colleyville
Less than 48 hours after the Texas synagogue hostage situation ended, nearly 30 members of my congregation and I gathered …
Meaningful Lives
This weekend we will read the last chapters of Genesis. The Torah portion’s first word is vayichi which means “and …
What’s a Mitzvah?
“What is a mitzvah?” I was asked this week. “What does it really mean?” my questioner added. They had already …
A Candle Burns in the Dark
Something beautiful happens at the beginning of this week’s Torah portion. Aaron is instructed to mount lamps at the entrance …
SRQ Jew 