Empowering Our People through Torah, Courage, & Compassion

“The Urgency of Now: Walking through the Gates of Righteousness”

Ten Days of Awe, Central Synagogue, October 2025

The Yamim Noraim remind us that the gates of righteousness are open, and sometimes God is not waiting for us to pray, but to act.

“Finding Hope in Water Drawing and Stickers”

October 7 Sermon, Central Synagogue, October 2025

Even in the face of unspeakable loss, finding joy is sacred work, and celebrating life helps keep the memory of our loved ones alive.

“The Voices That Guide Us”

Yom Kippur 5786, Central Synagogue, October 2025

When we remember and share the lessons of those who are gone, their voices and wisdom stay alive in our lives.

“Why Name Our Daughter Sarah?”

Senior Sermon, Hebrew Union College, November 2024

This sermon looks beneath the surface of our oldest matriarch, discovering not a flawless role model but a woman who struggled, endured, and grew.

Wrestling with Tradition

Fall 2025, Central Synagogue

Sessions:

  • Session 1: How Do We Learn Jewishly?

  • Session 2: Telling Our Jewish Stories

  • Session 3: What God Do I (or Don’t I) Believe In?

  • Session 4: Praying with Intention

  • Session 5: Ritualizing the Moment

  • Session 6: Exploring Our Shabbat Practice

  • Session 7: Deepening Our Relationships

  • Session 8: Honoring Our Parents

  • Session 9: What Legacy Do I Want to Leave?

What do I truly believe? How can I integrate Judaism into my everyday life? Am I living my core values? In this nine-session course, I guided learners through a comprehensive exploration of these questions and related topics. Together, we studied sacred texts, held honest conversations, and engaged in personal reflection to uncover how tradition can speak to our modern lives. Participants came from diverse backgrounds and levels of Jewish knowledge, and formed meaningful relationships over the semester as they connected with sages who have shaped Jewish thought from ancient times to today. Originally created for Jewish young adults ages 21-39, this course has been expanded at Central Synagogue to be taught to all ages by other clergy.