Recent Sermons
“Labor Day Rosh Chodesh” – Weekly Words of Torah from Rabbi Davis – August 30, 2019
Shalom Chaverim This weekend marks an important time on our Jewish and American calendars. On the secular calendar, we celebrate Labor Day and on the Jewish calendar, we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Elul, the new month of Elul. Labor Day was promoted by labor unions in the late 19th century to celebrate the contribution of workers to the prosperity, strength and security of America. Rosh...
read moreTeach Your Children. Teach Your Students – Weekly Words of Torah from Rabbi Davis – August 16, 2019
Shalom Chaverim This past week, one of my teachers, Rabbi Reuven Hammer, died. Rabbi Hammer was a scholar and one of the founders of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel. I studied midrash with Rabbi Hammer during my year of rabbinical school year in Jerusalem. So, I’d like to share a midrash in his memory. We read in this week’s parasha, Vaetchanan, words we know...
read more“Guard Your Tongue” – Weekly Words of Torah from Rabbi Davis – August 9, 2019
Shalom Chaverim I spoke to you last week about sinat chinam. The rabbis famously teach that the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred. Internal strife between Jewish groups weakened Jewish society so much so that they could not withstand the external threat of the Romans. Significantly, some commentaries on the Talmud focus less on the emotion of hatred and more on its...
read morePlowing with Love and Doubt – Weekly Words of Torah from Rabbi Davis – August 2, 2019
Shalom Chaverim When my kids were young and we’d have dinner, one of them would inevitably say something like, “I hate broccoli.” And I’d say back to them, “you can just say ‘no thank you.’ And at some point during the day, one of the kids would inevitably say to his brother, “I hate you.” And I’d ask him to find a different word...
read moreA Call For Civil Discourse – A Weekly Letter from Rabbi Davis – July 17, 2019
Shalom Chaverim I have spent a few days this week visiting Camp Ramah. (In a week, I’ll go up to Herzl.) With limited cell phone coverage, I missed what I understand has been a very difficult week at home. Nevertheless, allow me to share some thoughts. As you may know, earlier in the week Rabbi Olitzky posted a message of support for Rep Ilhan Omar...
read moreSummer Flowers – A Weekly Letter From Rabbi Davis – July 12, 2019
Shalom Chaverim Before we headed out of town on vacation, I asked the children who live next door to water our flowerpots outside while we were gone. I left them written instructions and they willingly agreed. In years past, we’ve lost our beautiful summer planting when we’ve failed to make these arrangements. Throughout the Netherlands, we saw tulip bulbs for sale in stores. We saw...
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