One of the consequences of our surreal season has been greater clarity about what really matters in life.  I hear that again and again—what really matters—from people in various stages of life.

There was a bride and groom who were going to get married this summer.  It was to be a glorious venue, with a stunning view of the water, in a historic villa, uber elegant, with hundreds of guests.  The tables were going to be set with the finest linens, china and flowers.  Now all of that is up in the air.  When I asked them how I could be helpful, they said: simple.  Just hold the date.  We want to get married.  The venue, the view, the villa, it doesn’t matter.  The linens, the china, the flowers, it doesn’t matter.  What really matters is our love and our marriage. If we have to do it privately, virtually, so be it.

Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/what-really-matters-a-contemporary-coronavirus-dayeinu/

Last year, I made a Passover parody playlist to help our family get in the holiday spirit.  This year, a friend sent me a coronavirus playlist with songs like, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” “U Can’t Touch This,” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It.”  Or my personal favorite for this Pesach: “From a Distance.”

Last night, many of us connected with our loved ones from a distance via Zoom, FaceTime, and other virtual platforms.  In Israel, there’s a new Pesach move: ochlim b’nifrad, shirim b’yachad – eat separately and sing together.

Last night, all over Israel, with the entire country on lockdown and not allowed even to leave their homes, people took a page out of two other major Jewish holiday playbooks.  Apartment-dwellers channeled Hannukah, moving their tables to their front windows.  Those with more outdoor room channeled Sukkot, setting their tables out on balconies or in backyards, so they could join neighbors in song.  Eating at separate tables, singing together.

Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-michelle-robinson/do-what-you-can/

Join us on Temple Emanuel’s Mission to learn Torah at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.

From March 28th, 2020.

It was 2012. I was standing on the sidewalk of Emek Refaim holding a blindfold, ready to begin the simulation.

I put the blindfold on, feeling excited for the challenge. I was determined to be the best temporarily blind person ever. But as the darkness set in, I was surprised by how quickly my excitement fizzled in the face of anxiety. Without the ability to see, I was paralyzed by fear.  Even the classmate posted next to me, whose job it was to protect me and prevent me from stumbling, didn’t relieve my anxiety. I slid my feet along the sidewalk slowly, checking for bumps and trying to feel my way along the path. In the end, though I was determined to be the best temporarily blind person ever, the only award I could have received that day was “most anxious”.

Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-aliza-berger/blind-faith/

From March 28th, 2020

Mazal Tov Lily on your Bat Mitzvah!  And mazal tov to your parents, David and Melissa, to your sisters, Tove and Emma, to your grandmother Lee.  Lee, we are so happy that you now live at Evans Park, so close to our shul.  And mazal tov to your aunt and uncle, Jessica and John, and to your cousins, Hannah, Noah and Olivia.  This is not the day that any of us would have envisioned, but it is a deeply beautiful and meaningful Bat Mitzvah in its own way.

Which leads to the obvious question:  what is the meaning that we are supposed to make of the fact that your Bat Mitzvah Lily has coincided with a pandemic?  Years from now, you will be able to tell your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that your Bat Mitzvah took place just when the world was contending with Covid-19.  What is the meaning we are to make, what is the meaning you are to make, of this fact?

Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/your-finest-hour/

A story is told about Rebbe Zusha of Anipoli, a beloved Chasidic rabbi who lived in Northern Poland in the 1700s, a place that was not particularly friendly to its Jewish residents. One night, Reb Zusha left his house and began to walk. Two big, burly, policeman stopped him and asked: “Where are you going?” Zusha took a breath and replied, “I don’t know.”

“That’s ridiculous. You must know where you’re going,” one policeman growled. “Tell us now or there will be severe consequences.” “I don’t know,” Zusha again replied.

“That’s it!” the second policeman shouted, lunging forward to grab him by the shoulders. The two officers marched him roughly to the prison and threw him behind bars. “Now,” they roared, “answer the question – WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”

“I told you,” Reb Zusha replied, “that I didn’t know – and clearly I was right. I thought I was going to shul, but instead here I am in jail.”

Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-michelle-robinson/where-are-you-going/

Tune in as Rabbi Michelle Robinson interviews Jonathan Ornstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow. We look forward to hearing Jonathan speak at Temple Emanuel on Tuesday, March 17th.

Follow this link to learn more https://www.templeemanuel.com/event/building-a-jewish-future-in-krakow/

It was Monday morning. I had just parked in the Wegman’s lot, and was gathering my re-usable bags when the phone rang.  I answered, and the familiar recording began to play, [robotically] “an inmate from the Donald D Wyatt Detention Facility would like to speak with you….” I settled back into my seat as I waited for the end of the recording. “This call is being recorded. To accept charges, press 0. Thank you for using Global Tel Link.” I pressed zero.

There was a pause, and then a voice filled my car. “You’ve got to help me. I just can’t take this anymore. Please, you have to get me out of here.”

Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-aliza-berger/dont-be-indifferent-make-a-difference/