About These Days/About This Torah

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon marking Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.  He recalls the memories of Annie Bleiberg z"l, a Holocaust survivor and draws lessons for our own day.  He reminds us of her words, "Life is always worth fighting for."   This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  Read the written word on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com .  

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon about his recent trip to Israel.  He shares three stories about ordinary Israelis and what we can learn from their extraordinary examples, in particular Baruch Cohen who was injured on October 7th while defending Kibbutz Magen.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  The written word can be found on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from Shabbat evening services, March 22nd.  On this Shabbat Zachor he explores what is different about today's antisemitism, in particular dwelling on the hate directed against the State of Israel from liberal circles.  He also dwells on the reactions to Senator Chuck Schumer's recent speech criticizing Israel's leaders.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  The written word can be found on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz traveled to Israel on a rabbinic solidarity mission.  In this sermon, he shares what he learned and experienced there.  He argues that we can draw strength from the people of Israel and offers examples of the extraordinary inspiration of ordinary Israelis.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  The written word can be found on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from Shabbat services on Friday October 13th, a week after the massacre of 1300 Israelis by Hamas terrorists.   He states: "Hamas’ aim is the destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of Jews. I cannot fathom why this is so difficult for people to understand and comprehend. I cannot come to grips with the fact that people are still defending these murderers. Supporting Palestinian rights should actually mean opposing Hamas."  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word, visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur morning sermon exploring history's messy and uncomfortable truths, in particular those facing the modern State of Israel.  He argues that American Jews need to support Israel's democratic foundations and the pro-democracy protestors who oppose Prime Minister Netanyahu's judicial overhaul.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com. 

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur evening sermon exploring the sometimes hidden gates we construct, from the language of our Jewish tradition to security cameras, that too often push people away and diminish the hope in our hearts.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Steven Moskowitz's Rosh Hashanah morning sermon about the importance and need of reacquainting with the natural world.  Drawing on personal experiences he offers three suggestions: 1) explore our own backyards, 2) reclaim Shabbat as an affirmation of nature and 3) unplug from technology regularly.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.   To read the written word visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day.  He draws on his visit to Montgomery's Legacy Museum, Reverend King's example and most especially the lessons from the weekly Torah portion.  We  must do better.  We can learn from Moses who defends the Midianite women and Pharaoh's daughter who saves baby Moses.  May we find the strength to rise up and take note.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary at Shabbat Services on Friday, January 13, 2023.

Let us reach out to others because we are Jewish.  And let the world say, "Look at the good they are doing because they are Jewish."  Let these acts serve as reminders of our Jewish faith.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary on Friday, January 6. 2023.

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon about the rise of antisemitism.  He explores the different types of antisemitic hate and how best to respond, saying, "Prayer is about perspective.  And being a Jew is about having hope.  We can perseverate about Kanye, we can dwell on Colleyville, we can become depressed about the lives lost at the Tree of Life Synagogue.  And this would all be understandable.  We must never forget those who were murdered because of antisemitic hate in Pittsburgh and in far too many places we have called home.  But this is not our only story."  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary on Friday evening, October 28th.

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur morning sermon about why American Jews need to reexamine the meaning of Zionism and Israel.  He argues that we need Israel as much as Israel needs us.  He begins by telling the story of Zionism's beginnings and then offers contemporary examples of what Israelis are doing to live the values of rescuing others and alleviating suffering.  Israel may not always be perfect, but Israelis are really trying to do better.

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur evening sermon about the importance of making peace with those closest to us.  Pursuing peace is not so much about nations but instead about us.   He explores the relationship between war and peace, and then concludes with practical advice for how to make peace with friends.  To read the written word or watch the video visit rabbimoskowitz.com. 

Rabbi Moskowitz's Rosh Hashanah morning sermon about the importance of custom to our families, community and country.   In it he argues that the seemingly small customs such as haroset recipes, wearing kippahs and candidates' concession speeches are those that move us forward.  To read the written word  or watch the video visit rabbimoskowitz.com. 

Rabbi Moskowitz explores his emotions of feeling small in the face of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and his worries about the future of LGBTQ rights.  He reaffirms Jewish teachings that women's health should be prioritized and that welcome and inclusivity make our community better.

The most important thing is not the exact counting the week's Torah portion suggests but instead savoring our blessings.  "A blessing can take any form.  The most important thing is to find them and collect them rather than count them.  And the really, really important thing is try to savor the blessings, and  that one perfectly timed blessing, to help carry us through life’s difficulties."

Thoughts about the war in Ukraine and the need to stand with Ukraine's democracy and against Russian tyranny, as well as some insights gleaned from one letter of Torah. "I do not pretend to know how best to end this war or how we, and other democratic nations, can rescue Ukraine, save its democracy and aid its citizens, but I am certain about the moral question.  So let our vision remain undimmed and our voices remain strong and forthright in saying, we stand with Ukraine and its citizens. " This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary at Shabbat evening services.

Antisemitism is here to stay; it always has been, and it always will.   My thoughts on the hostage taking at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas and the growing threat of antisemitism.  It make no political distinctions!  Let us forever remain one people."There is a direct line between Charlottesville whose Nazi marchers remain the fixation of the political left and whose significance the right continues to downplay and Colleyville whose Muslim attacker is the obsession of the right and whose religious affiliation the left glosses over. "Read the sermon on The Times of Israel.

This past Shabbat our congregation celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish new year for trees.   These days remind us of our obligations to do more to alleviate climate change and racial discrimination.  Cantor Talya Smilowitz chants Reverend King's words to the tune of the Haftarah chant.   These quotations from Dr. King’s speeches were edited by Rabbi Marcia Prager and set to Haftarah Trop by Hazzan Jack Kessler. 

This week we read that Jacob blessed his children and grandchildren and so we likewise bless our children.  Cantor Talya Smilowitz joins me in offering insights and suggestions for why it might be meaningful to bless your own children using the tradition's formula.  For the words of the blessing visit ReformJudaism.org.