Kol Nidrey Sermon
The human family. All of us. Remember that idea?
News
Erev Rosh haShanah Sermon 2020
Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz News, Sermon
There’s a joke floating around the Internet, which I cannot take credit for but I am happy to share: ‘The question no job applicants in 2015 ever got right was, ‘so, where do you see yourself in five years?’’
Rosh haShanah Day 1 Sermon
I don’t know if I can speak on behalf of anyone else, but I have felt the silent emptiness stretch like a wasteland across my soul.
The Rosh HaShanah Torah Readings Should Stimulate Teshuvah
The Isaac-Ishmael-Hagar story is in chapter 21 and the Akeda is in chapter 22. Rosh Hashanah offers the opportunity to study them together.
Live from the Bimah: Behind the Scenes
This Rosh Hashanah we decided to go live from the Bimah. For the first time we could immerse the congregation in the High Holiday atmosphere with streaming services directly from our Sanctuary.
When Your Rabbi is a Catholic Tenor: Lessons of Teshuva Through Music
As often as politely possible, I hide from this piece. I find as many excuses as I can to say “no thanks” to the Rabbi’s kind and humbling yearly request to sing it – not enough prep time, too much else going on, someone else can do it better (this last one is always true), etc. This year, however, I said yes.
Hillel’s Rules and COVID-19
These are the true golden rules from Hillel. When I studied them in high school, they seemed to apply to almost anything. As I grew older less so. However, it is now in this time of a pandemic that I find them most useful.
A Lullaby for the High Holidays
This High holiday season may be hard, but we will not be alone.
The Heritage of the Sword
Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz News, Sermon Shoftim
He gripped his little brother’s hand, his stomach churning with fear and embarrassment, his fingers slick with his own sweat. He didn’t dare look at him; the lids of his eyes weighed down by shame and grief, for he knew what was yet to come.
