About These Days/About This Torah

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon about the murder of six Israeli hostages only days before soldiers reached them and the need for a cease fire.  He discusses Hersh Goldberg-Polin in particular and the remarkable courage of his parents Jon and Rachel and criticizes Benjamin Netanyahu's failures, stating "I wish to stand with those Israelis protesting against Netanyahu and his government’s unprecedented failures and standing up for a better, and perhaps brighter, future for the country we so love."  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  Read the written word on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon marking Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.  He recalls the memories of Annie Bleiberg z"l, a Holocaust survivor and draws lessons for our own day.  He reminds us of her words, "Life is always worth fighting for."   This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  Read the written word on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com .  

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon about his recent trip to Israel.  He shares three stories about ordinary Israelis and what we can learn from their extraordinary examples, in particular Baruch Cohen who was injured on October 7th while defending Kibbutz Magen.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  The written word can be found on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from Shabbat evening services, March 22nd.  On this Shabbat Zachor he explores what is different about today's antisemitism, in particular dwelling on the hate directed against the State of Israel from liberal circles.  He also dwells on the reactions to Senator Chuck Schumer's recent speech criticizing Israel's leaders.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  The written word can be found on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz traveled to Israel on a rabbinic solidarity mission.  In this sermon, he shares what he learned and experienced there.  He argues that we can draw strength from the people of Israel and offers examples of the extraordinary inspiration of ordinary Israelis.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  The written word can be found on his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from Shabbat services on Friday October 13th, a week after the massacre of 1300 Israelis by Hamas terrorists.   He states: "Hamas’ aim is the destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of Jews. I cannot fathom why this is so difficult for people to understand and comprehend. I cannot come to grips with the fact that people are still defending these murderers. Supporting Palestinian rights should actually mean opposing Hamas."  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word, visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur morning sermon exploring history's messy and uncomfortable truths, in particular those facing the modern State of Israel.  He argues that American Jews need to support Israel's democratic foundations and the pro-democracy protestors who oppose Prime Minister Netanyahu's judicial overhaul.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com. 

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur evening sermon exploring the sometimes hidden gates we construct, from the language of our Jewish tradition to security cameras, that too often push people away and diminish the hope in our hearts.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Steven Moskowitz's Rosh Hashanah morning sermon about the importance and need of reacquainting with the natural world.  Drawing on personal experiences he offers three suggestions: 1) explore our own backyards, 2) reclaim Shabbat as an affirmation of nature and 3) unplug from technology regularly.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.   To read the written word visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.

Rabbi Steven Moskowitz's sermon in honor of Yom Haatzmaut, the State of Israel's 75th anniversary.  He relishes in this unique historical moment, celebrates Israel's accomplishments and offers arguments that Israel needs a constitution to help guarantee its democratic character.  This sermon was recorded in a synagogue's sanctuary at Shabbat Services on Friday evening, April 28, 2023.

For more details and in depth analysis about these issues in particular those about Menachem Begin look to the Israel Democracy Institute and the Shalom Hartman Institute.