(This sermon was delivered at the Vilna Shul, Boston, on November 15th, 2024) In the third period of Colin Ryan’s first day in Middle School the teacher wanted to do a “getting to know you exercise”, and so she had the students fill out a questionnaire. Assuming that the answers would be private Colin felt Continue Reading »
I was talking to my friend, colleague, and mentor Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz on Wednesday. He shared with me the following: What’s the difference between a Jewish pessimist and a Jewish optimist? The Jewish pessimist says, “Things can’t possibly get any worse.” The Jewish optimist says: “Sure they can!” As we gather together in this community, Continue Reading »
Yom Kippur Yizkor Sermon 2024 Rabbi Lisa Eiduson Temple Shir Tikva Wayland MA Writer Jesse Wegman tells this story: “Off Route 6 on Cape Cod, a few miles in from the bay near Yarmouth, Mass., there hides a giant ancient English weeping beech tree. The tree is so big that it has its own parking Continue Reading »
Hineh mah tov u-mah nayim shevet achim gam yachad. It is so good to be together. For me, this is an experience of reunion with so many of you, relationships stretching back close to 40 years. We shared so many joys, sad moments. We dreamed of building a Jewish community. Our hope has been realized. Continue Reading »
The night before I went to sleep-away camp for the first time, I threw a fit. I don’t think tantrum even does it justice. I cried, I screamed, I railed at my parents for having the audacity to spend thousands of dollars so that I could spend two weeks away with my friends. This continued Continue Reading »
A few weeks ago, I sat before a man who, in the company of strangers, sat with his head bowed and his hands open in his lap. He was a white man in his 60s with cropped grey hair – wore an ironed shirt and a tie. He spoke plainly and slowly, saying “I know Continue Reading »
Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon 2024 Transforming Loneliness into Opportunities for Community Rabbi Lisa Eiduson Temple Shir Tikva Wayland MA The English writer and scholar Noreena Hertz reflects on her childhood: “‘My throat hurts. It’s burning. It really hurts. I can’t go to school.’ It is a year of constant sore throats, streaming noses, Continue Reading »
(A video of the sermon with subtitles is available here) In June of 1966, then Senator Bobby Kennedy delivered what is considered by many to be his most famous speech. The Day of Affirmation Address, also known as the “Ripple of Hope” speech was delivered at the University of Cape Town and provided him with Continue Reading »
(This Op Ed first appeared in the MetroWest Daily News on September 29th. 2024, it is available here) On Wednesday evening, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah begins. For Jews around the world this marks the beginning of the new year. Normally we prepare for this holiday with a sense of excitement and joy. While Continue Reading »
(This article first appeared in the Fall/Rosh Hashanah issue of Shalom Magazine) When we approach the secular New Year alongside countdowns, parties, and the ball drop the major way that we mark the transition is through the making of resolutions. These can have varying levels of success, although they often do not prove to be Continue Reading »