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...
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,...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...