Upcoming OYJ Events & Programs
OYJ is proud to present and co-present these upcoming events and programs in December of 2025 and into January 2026. We have the 3rd annual Hanukkah Celebration at Sprecher Brewing Company on December 17, 2025, Violins…
3rd Annual Hanukkah Celebration
It’s almost time for OYJ’s 3rd Annual Hanukkah Celebration. We are excited to once again host the event at Sprecher Brewing Company on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 from 5:30pm until 7:30pm. We will celebrate with food,…
HASTEN TO DO GOOD— A Vayera Reflection
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to share a D'var Torah at Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid. Though I don't have the full sermon available, here is an outline in sentence form.
Black – Jewish Dialogue in Partnership with Rekindle Fellowship
Milwaukee’s cohort of Black – Jewish Dialogue is in partnership between Own Your Judaism and Rekindle Fellowship. Session #1 will take place on January 25th at 10:00am and will be hosted at Arts @ Large (1100…
Cream City Beit Midrash Launch Event
A hybrid event presentation (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz & Moishe Steigmann, The Mindful Rabbi ABOUT THE EVENT: As we approach Shabbat Shirah, the “Shabbat of Song,” and reflect on the legacy of…
Violins of Hope: Remembering with Reverence
Remember with Reverence is a collaborative program presented by Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church and Own Your Judaism. As part of Violins of Hope: Wisconsin, presented by Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, this meaningful evening will feature…
Neilah Sermon: Can We Dance in the Shadows? The Practice of Joy in an Imperfect World
Our final service together on Yom Kippur explored what it means to laugh–and find joy–even amidst tragedy. You can listen to the audio recording here: https://recorder.google.com/4aeaf4c9-78d3-42b8-8b0e… There’s a story in Bava Metzia in the Talmud—the Tanur…
Yom Kippur morning Sermon: “Can We Dance in the Shadows? The Practice of Joy in an Imperfect World”
On Yom Kippur morning, we reflected on responding to tragedy through silence, the second of three rungs of responding to tradegy according to the Kotzker Rebbe. Listen to the audio recording here: https://recorder.google.com/4a63fa4e-0438-463f-b140… Timothy Wilson, a…
Kol Nidre Sermon: “Can We Dance in the Shadows? The Practice of Joy in an Imperfect World”
On the Kol Nidre, we reflected on responding to tragedy through crying or anger. Even as peace (hopefully) looms in the Middle East, there is still much pain that lingers and trauma that is unresolved. Listen…
Mindful Monday: A Torah Repaired, A World in Need of Healing
Recently, one of its atzei ḥayyim—the wooden handles that hold and support the scroll—broke. Not only did this make hagbah (lifting the Torah) impossible, but it also created a moment of reflection: even sacred things need…
Rosh Hashanah Sermon: “From Vengeance to Teshuvah: Transforming Pain into Possibilities”
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we explored how teshuvah—the act of repair and reflection—is not about revenge or punishment, but about opening ourselves to transformation and new possibilities. Read the transcript or listen to…
The Prospects of Peace: A Pre-Yom Kippur Message
This evening brought news of possibility: perhaps not just a ceasefire, but permanent peace, a path to Palestinian self-determination, and a new horizon of security for Israel. Nothing is certain, and we know how quickly hope…
Mindful Monday Message: Beyond Seeing
Last night, I was up in Sturgeon Bay in Door County officiating at a wedding, with dinner and dancing overlooking the Bay. During the nighttime, we were told we could see the Northern Lights. I walked…
Mindful Monday Message: A Parent’s Joy
If you ask my kids what matters most to me as a parent, they’ll both say: that they get along. I’ve always told them this because the two of them will likely be in each other…
Livestream Conversation with Ben Callif
Thank you to strategist, author, and philanthropist — and my cousin — Ben Callif for joining me for my most recent Own Your Judaism Livestream Conversation. We will discuss philanthropy as an expression of Jewish living,…
What’s Wrong with the Kashrut Industry?
Keeping kosher — a Jewish term for eating food that is properly prepared and supervised and for limiting the species of animals that a Jew may eat — is central to Jewish practice. Its laws originated…
Livestream Conversation with Phil Cohen
Thank you to Phil Cohen for joining me for my latest Own Your Judaism Livestream Conversation. We talked about multiple approaches to Judaism, being a role model for the next generation, what the b’ mitzvah experience…
OYJ in the Press: Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle Write-Up
Thank you to the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle for the article about the inspiring work that we’re doing here at Own Your Judaism! Rabbi Moishe Steigmann wants you to ‘Own Your Judaism’
Highland Park Shooting (July 4th)
Having posted just a little bit ago, I have now heard the tragic news of the Highland Park shooting. I’ll now add one personal thought as we continue to pray for the victims of the shooting:…
July 4th Reflections
Today, on July 4th, I’m reflecting on the U.S. Its remarkable accomplishments and its struggles, its contributions to society and the world and where we still needs to go. Amid the celebrations of July 4th and…
Juneteenth Reflections
In our Torah portion this week, shlah, we are taught once again that there should be one law for all in the Israelite community. Whether a person is an Israelite, a resident alien, or a passerby,…
Conversation with Green Bay Packers Running Back AJ Dillon (yes, he’s Jewish!)
Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon talks about his Jewish upbringing, Hebrew school vs. football, ancestry, being there for others, and what it was like running out the Lambeau Field tunnel for the first time.…
Own Your Judaism Livestream Conversation with Jonathan daCosta
During the pandemic, Jonathan Costa published his first novel, The Children of Noah: A COVID Tale. In today’s Livestream Conversation, Jon and I discuss the complicated history of his name, the central theory of the book…
If God Knows Everything, Then Why Did God Give People Free Will?
Thank you to Mason, 15 years old, for asking this question. In this video, I name seven possible responses and add a story in the middle.
Reflections on Pirkei Avot
(Note: for the past 18 months, a group of dedicated learners have joined me for weekly classes on Pirkei Avot. We completed our study of the text last week, and these are my reflections.) The world…
On Gratitude
In yesterday’s Torah reading, parashat Eikev, we read the following three words: “v’ahalta, v’savata, u’veirahta (and you shall eat, you shall be satiated, and you shall bless)”. From this, the rabbis derived the mitzvah of reciting…
Justice vs. Accountability: Reflections on the Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict
Let’s not confuse justice with accountability. In Judaism, we learn that justice is about society, the community, the collective (e.g., Exodus 22:20-21, Deuteronomy 15:7-8). There can be justice for an individual but only in the context of…
D’var Torah, Board of Directors Meeting, The Spark Wisconsin; Tribute to My Cousin
My d’var Torah (brief teaching) at the beginning of last week’s Board of Directors meeting for my non-profit organization, The Spark Wisconsin–and a tribute to my late cousin, Howard Katz, who constantly encouraged me and my…
Foretelling the Future: A 2021 New Years Blessing
On Saturday, January 2nd, as we celebrate our first Shabbat of 2021, we read parashat vayehi. In these final chapters of Genesis, the first of the five books of the Torah, Jacob bestows a blessing upon…
A Hanukkah Blessing: Increasing Our Joy
In the talmud, Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai debate the procedure for lighting the Hanukkah candles. Beit Shammai argues that we should light eight candles the first night, decreasing to one candle on the final night.…
Responding to President Trump’s Positive Test for COVID
Many will be celebrating the news that President Trump tested positive for COVID. But that is neither the Jewish way nor the American ideal. “Rejoice not when your enemy falters, and let not your heart…
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Righteousness, and Dying on Rosh Hashanah
TRANSCRIPTION: For many of us, our Jewish New Year of 5781 began with the news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing. Putting politics aside, she dedicated her life to public service and advocacy, and she was…
A Shofar Moment, 9/17/2020
Today’s mindful reflection in the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah followed by the sounding of the shofar.
A Shofar Moment with a GUEST shofar blower!
A daily mindful reflection in the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah followed by the sounding of the shofar.
A Shofar Moment, 9/15/2020
Today’s mindful reflection in the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah followed by the sounding of the shofar.