(This Op Ed originally appeared in the MetroWest Daily News on 3/16/25 – https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/opinion/columns/2025/03/15/wayland-rabbi-condeming-antisemitism-specify-the-act-swastika-wayland-ma-opinion/82358700007/) On Wednesday morning, while in a therapy session (because there’s a lot at the moment), my phone started to ding – a swastika had been graffitied in Wayland, the town in which our Temple is located. I continued the conversation because Continue Reading »
To view the sermon – click here A baby being comforted by its mother on our flight back from London. A baby sitting in a shopping cart, being pushed around Trader Joe’s. A baby on the zoom screen, while celebrating a Jewish life cycle moment. Each time I had the same reaction. Each time all Continue Reading »
(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 »
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 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 »
