This past week was an experiment in how communities see themselves and others.  In an attempt to reach out to families where there are mixed faith backgrounds, Interfaithways contacted and requested that area synagogues make some part of their Shabbat weekends about interfaith families.  The question of outreach is one that is often troubling because unless it is done from the soul, it often struggles with the issue of authenticity. Where do we find authentic reaching of the soul to others?  We need only look to our Torah portion and to the work of Rabbi Alexander Schindler in the Judaism of the 20th century. Download Standard Podcasts Less

We begin to examine, as a faith community, how we will meet the challenges of a national economy in trouble. Includes Rev. Amy's rendition of The Three Little Pigs, in 30 seconds! Less

What does it mean to touch history?  This week we got a sense of this both in our historic election. Download Standard Podcasts Less

"A Faithful Democracy" Rev. Amy discusses, in nonpartisan language, the real rules of keeping church and state separate, even and especially during election times. Less

In the course of digging up an ancient fortress, a six inch square of ancient Hebrew text was unearthed this week.  According to the Torah portion, this shard resulted from God throwing humanity into chaos during the episode with the Tower of Babel and the creation of many languages.  While the Torah names not bad guys in the story, the rabbis do.  Why is it that we need to t create heroes and villains to personify evil?  Why, if God forbid, the Phillies had lost, would we have attributed the loss to the Curse of Billy Penn and why might we want to consider heroes and villains in our upcoming election? Download Standard Podcasts Less

During this time of Samhein, All Hallows Eve, and Day of the Dead, the veil between this world and the spirit world is thin. Remember ancestors and those departed by bringing pictures for our altar. Less

It is common that as Reform Jews, we tend to be the target of many attacks from other movements.  Often it seems that Reform Jews might do less when in reality it might just be more difficult to understand Reform Judaism than other movements of Judaism.  This is a sermon to help both the Reform Jew and those from other movements better understand what we do, and more importantly, why we do it. 1999 Pittsburgh Platform Commentary Article - “What Does Reform Judaism Stand For?” Download Standard Podcasts Less

Kol Nidre is the most mysterious and holy evening in the Jewish year.  This Kol Nidre, I wanted to focus on the fact that we are commanded to ‘choose life’ and I wonder if we are able to do that.  Why do we struggle to find a life that is the work of art we want.  What happens when we decide to pick other things and make them the focus of our lives?  What happens when busy replaces living? NBR Transcript Download Standard Podcasts Less

Kol Nidre is the most mysterious and holy evening in the Jewish year.  This Kol Nidre, I wanted to focus on the fact that we are commanded to ‘choose life’ and I wonder if we are able to do that.  Why do we struggle to find a life that is the work of art we want.  What happens when we decide to pick other things and make them the focus of our lives?  What happens when busy replaces living? NBR Transcript Download Standard Podcasts Less

Our reading of the haftara (the reading from the prophets or writings) for Rosh Hashannah is from the book of Nehemiah.  Nehemiah can be read as two Hebrew words, nechem (consolation) yah (of God.)  At this time we need to take a step back and consider who is really threatening us, and who is truly undermining the American Dream.  Can it be that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit is really the great threat to our country, or did someone else in New York cause more destruction to the American Dream than this irritating Iranian?  What do we do in the midst of a global financial meltdown…other than relearn how to be there for each other? Here is a guide by Rabbi Mencher from the Union for Reform Judaism to help you as you try to help others. Download Standard Podcasts Less

We live in a world that is constantly trying to tell us that we need more.  How do we find our own authentic sense of judgment as we go into the High Holidays?  I invite you into this conversation with a hope that you find more than just a plan for the rest of the year.  I hope you find one for the rest of your life. Shannah Tovah U’Metukah - May you have a sweet and happy New Year! Download Standard Podcasts Less

We live in a world that is constantly trying to tell us that we need more.  How do we find our own authentic sense of judgment as we go into the High Holidays?  I invite you into this conversation with a hope that you find more than just a plan for the rest of the year.  I hope you find one for the rest of your life. Shannah Tovah U’Metukah - May you have a sweet and happy New Year! Download Standard Podcasts Less

Due to technical difficulties, this sermon is challenging to listen to at some points. But there is plenty that is audible. Less

So there there are now 50,000 reasons to be ‘Bama bound!  I got this article e-mailed to be by more than a few congregants that reported that the Jewish community in Dothan, Alabama has a new approach to boosting the Jewish population.  They are offering up to $50,000 to families to move there.  Well, I grew up in Alabama, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert if you are thinking of moving to the Peanut Captial of the World.  Listen and enjoy! $50,000 and Alabama Red Holland Download Standard Podcasts Less

May I Come In? Welcoming each other does not always hap-pen in ways we expect, and it often doesn’t look how we imagined, yet we yearn for it. Less