Rabbi Jim‘s Podcast

Chukat 5770 - Unseen Rudders Set The Courses

The recent events off the coast of Israel and Gaza have bothered many.  In this podcast I will explore our moral and religious duty to the issue at hand and explore those article who may (or may not) be hitting the mark. ARZA Statement NYT - Oren Krauthammer NYT - Kristof NYT- Gordis WSJ - Halevi URJ - Yoffie

How do we see ourselves? Pesach 5770

How do we wrestle with the idea of meaning?  While we all believe that we understand the concept, for many it is elusive at best.  On the holiday of Passover, we are asked to engage the idea of meaning.  What does that require us to do?

Vayikrah 5770 Calling For Support

This week saw a series of horrible headlines between Israel and the United States play out on the front pages of too many newspapers.  The scary piece is what has begun to happen in our country as certain generals are calling upon Israel to change and are openly questioning the relationship between American and Israel.  Having Bibi's brother-in-law call Obama an anti-Semite did not help. Please listen, consider, and then call your representatives and share your support for Israel at this difficult juncture.

Tetzaveh 5770 Our Masks That Define, Our Masks That Hide

In an attempt to learn Hebrew after a trip to Israel, I found myself listening to a podcast about a Purim party.  What does a Purim party have to do with searching for who we are and who we might be?  Good question.  The answer is found in the word for costume which also may imply a search for ourselves.

Terumah 5770 - The Idols Which Go Before, and The Sanctuary Of and By People

Terumah is the Torah portion that describes the first call for a sacred space in the Israelite community.  Interestingly some believe that this parasha is out of order, and that the Golden Calf should come first.  Should it?  I would love to hear your take on this question!

Haiti R.E.L.I.E.F.

Dear listeners, As you know, I usually don't ask for money unless there is a significant cause.  This is one of those days where I feel the need to reach out to you for help.  A group of people are going down to Haiti to help that country recover from the devestating earthquake and aftershocks that have hit the country.  Please take a minute to join me in giving what you can to support this group. "All who save a life, it is as if they have saved a world." (Talmud)

Bridges - Opening Comments of Rabbi Elwell

These are the comments at our last Bridges program.  Bridges is the program that speaks to the transitions in life and how we address these moments a Jews.

The Enemies that Define - V'yeitzei

This podcast will focus on the the issues surrounding Laban, Iran and Israel.  How could these be connected (you might ask)?  Let's just say that nuclear threats, stealing a Nobel Prize, and executing people sentenced to ten years in prison should make us wonder about the stability (mental and otherwise) of the Iranian regime.  Additionally, when Israel arrests a woman for wearing a tallit, all Jews should pause and wonder.

Chayei Sarah - Interfaithways Shabbat

This week I am going to explore the most prominent non-Jew in our Torah portion, Ishmael and ask us to consider what he teaches us about ourselves.  I am doing this because Beth David is a part of InterFaithways Shabbat, a city-wide effort to deepen our relationships and understandings with interfaith families.  I will also end the sermon with a list of 10 things we need to keep in mind when welcoming interfaith families and the challenges synagogues need to overcome.

Va-yeirah 5770 - And Even Abraham Needed to See Humans

The name for an angel and a human messenger has never been clear in Hebrew texts.  This makes some wonder why the Torah and Jewish literature did not strive for a distinction, yet maybe there is a reason for this.  Perhaps the reason lends itself to why we need to hear God's word regardless of the source.