Esther and Shmuley Rothenberg are getting ready for bed. Esther stares at her reflection in a full-length mirror. “All I see in this mirror is an old woman. So many wrinkles, bags under my eyes, flab on my arms. Shmuley, tell me something positive so I can feel better about myself.” Shmuley considers this for […]

It’s been phenomenal how widespread the expression of grief has been for the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. This is true not just among Jews but among American’s in general. This feisty Jewish grandmother, diminutive in height but mighty in intellect, is an inspiration to all of us because she fought for full equality, […]

Yom Kippur Morning 5778/2017   A young rabbi stood on the bima delivering his Yom Kippur sermon. Wanting to make a strong impression he banged on the lectern as he loudly delivered the first line of his sermon, “Every member of this congregation will die someday!” He paused and looked around at the somber look […]

Kol Nidre 5778/2017   It’s been a bad year for the truth. A very bad year. We’re only now, day by day, learning much real news was maligned as fake news. And how much fake news was dressed up to look like real news.  большое спасибо, Мать Россия – Thank you very much, mother Russia. […]

Rosh Hashanah Morning 5778/2017   Perhaps you’ve heard: After having dug to a depth of 1,000 meters last year, French scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 1,000 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors had a telephone network all those centuries ago. Not to be outdone by the French, an English […]

Erev Rosh Hashanah 5778/2017 I love to sail. I love the sound and motion, the way the boat heels over in response to a gust of wind, and, gathering speed, slices through the water. I love the sounds of splashing waves, sails stretching tight in a freshening breeze, and the rhythmic, metallic ping of the […]

Rabbi David B. Cohen November 25, 2016Having been in Israel two weeks ago, I was reminded how closely the Jewish holidays track the actual weather. With rare exceptions, the end of Sukkot brings the arrival of rain.Our liturgy reflects this. From late spring until fall, we add to the Gevurot the words, מוריד הטל״ Morid […]

Yom Kippur Morning Sermon | Wednesday, October 12 | Rabbi David B. Cohen “Let’s Be Real: Mental Health Issues in Our Jewish Community”

Kol Nidre Sermon | Tuesday, October 11 | Rabbi David B. Cohen “The Art of the Apology”

Rosh Hashanah Morning Sermon | Monday, October 3 | Rabbi David B. Cohen “Da Lifnei Mi Atah Omed – Know Before Whom You Stand: Getting to Know the Other”