About These Days/About This Torah

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon about the war against Iran.  He explores the reasons why Israel and America are fighting this war and shares his worries about what might happen next.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word visit his blog: rabbimoskowitz.com.  

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon following the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the return of the last hostage Ran Gvili's body from Gaza.  He suggests that their deaths may shape the destinies of Israel and the United States if they push our nations to look within and change course.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word visit rabbimoskow...

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from Shabbat Lech Lecha about Abraham's call.  He offers a new interpretation of Abraham's call suggesting that it was random and unexpected.  Abraham's journey to the land of Israel was a continuation of his father's trek and a journey of grief.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary.  To read the written word visit his blog:...

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur morning sermon.  After two years of this destructive and harrowing war between Israel and Hamas, he urges us to regain our balance and not only defend Israel but raise our voices in protest.  While Israel has a moral responsibility to safeguard Jewish survival it also has a moral responsibility to safeguard the lives of other human beings.  Jews must reclaim their...

Rabbi Moskowitz's Rosh Hashanah morning sermon.  He suggests two ways we can combat today's fears.  Leaning on the tradition, he urges us to recite blessings, in particular when awaking in the morning.  Citing examples from the Talmud, he counsels us to affirm argument and to embrace the challenge of sitting across from others with whom we disagree.  This sermon was recorded in our synag...

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon about Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lifschinsky.  He meditates on their all too brief lives and their dreams of a better, more peaceful future.  He concludes, "We are now two steps farther away from realizing this promised blessing of peace."  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 about how we might strengthen ourselves in the face of the October 7th attacks and the antisemitism it fomented.  He argues that we must be honest, tenacious and flexible when facing these threats and says that we should remember that Hamas and Hezbollah are our enemies not all Palestinians or Muslims.  We must remain resilient!  This sermon was rec...

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur morning sermon about how the October 7th attacks unmasked the antisemitism cloaked as anti-Zionism.  He argues that it is a continuing assault on our central story of the Jewish people's return to the land of Israel.   He worries aloud about young American Jews who feel disconnected from the millions of Jews who call Israel home and states that we are called...

Rabbi Moskowitz's Rosh Hashanah morning sermon about the October 7th massacre and the continuing war.  He articulates why he remains a devoted Zionist and the necessity of choosing power over powerlessness.  He tells stories from this year's many visits to Israel and argues Jews should not only be devoted to the State of Israel but remain attuned to the suffering of all people. This serm...

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 un...

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...

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 murdere...

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 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. ...

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 vi...

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...

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day.  He draws on his visit to Montgomery's Legacy Museum, Reverend King's example and most especially the lessons from the weekly Torah portion.  We  must do better.  We can learn from Moses who defends the Midianite women and Pharaoh's daughter who saves baby Moses.  May we find the strength to rise up and take note. ...

Let us reach out to others because we are Jewish.  And let the world say, "Look at the good they are doing because they are Jewish."  Let these acts serve as reminders of our Jewish faith.  This sermon was recorded in our synagogue's sanctuary on Friday, January 6. 2023.

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon about the rise of antisemitism.  He explores the different types of antisemitic hate and how best to respond, saying, "Prayer is about perspective.  And being a Jew is about having hope.  We can perseverate about Kanye, we can dwell on Colleyville, we can become depressed about the lives lost at the Tree of Life Synagogue.  And this would all be understandable. ...

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur morning sermon about why American Jews need to reexamine the meaning of Zionism and Israel.  He argues that we need Israel as much as Israel needs us.  He begins by telling the story of Zionism's beginnings and then offers contemporary examples of what Israelis are doing to live the values of rescuing others and alleviating suffering.  Israel may not always b...

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur evening sermon about the importance of making peace with those closest to us.  Pursuing peace is not so much about nations but instead about us.   He explores the relationship between war and peace, and then concludes with practical advice for how to make peace with friends.  To read the written word or watch the video visit rabbimoskowitz.com. 

Rabbi Moskowitz's Rosh Hashanah morning sermon about the importance of custom to our families, community and country.   In it he argues that the seemingly small customs such as haroset recipes, wearing kippahs and candidates' concession speeches are those that move us forward.  To read the written word  or watch the video visit rabbimoskowitz.com.