Sermons
Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz’s sermons connect Jewish tradition with the real questions we face today. Her teachings offer gentle insight, spiritual grounding, and a thoughtful moral voice. We hope these reflections bring perspective, meaning, and encouragement to your own journey.
Membership Shabbat Sermon
I am so privileged to serve as the rabbi of such an incredible, dynamic, creative, warm, big-hearted, tenacious and quirky (in the best possible way) community.
A Prayer For Our Times
Grant us the courage to see things clearly as they are and as they should be.
Drip-Drip (The Oldest Story)
Only a few generations prior, things seemed stable and peaceful.
Two Brothers and An Angel – Reflections on Jewish Communal Divisions on Israel/Palestine
For the last eight years since I’ve been a Midwestern rabbi, I’ve stood by the premise that ‘the periphery is the cutting-edge.’
Genesis: A Roadmap for Human Flourishing?
In Jewish mysticism, there exists the concept of ‘Adam Kadmon’, the Primordial Adam.
Waiting For The Next Day
The eighth day, with its solemnity and final prayers for rain and repentance, lead into the joy of Simchat Torah.
Curses and Places
It is important to note that there is a distinction between grieving a person and grieving a reality.
On Birds, Roofs and Public Health – Toward A Better Theology for Elisha ben Abuya
The rabbinic sage Elisha ben Abuya witnessed an obedient and pious boy fulfill the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird, as per the Torah’s instructions. He ascended the tree, shooed away the bird, collected the eggs and then fell to his death.
Pride Sermonette
Moses and the Israelites have been wandering through the wilderness and have arrived at the edge of the Promised Land.