Rabbi Julie’s sermon for Parshat Vayeshev, December 21, 2024
I once heard a story about a freshman at the University of Colorado, Boulder who was struggling with her intro to chemistry class. The story probably stuck with me because I struggled with my intro to chemistry class in college. In fact, for many, many years afterwards I would have anxiety dreams involving the periodic table. This young woman, named Libby, was in the chemistry lab late one night, trying to follow the instructions of the experiment, but struggling to get it right. Continue reading →
Rabbi Julie’s sermon for Parshat Lech Lecha, November 9, 2024
When I first decided to speak about the 2024 presidential election this Shabbat, I wasn’t sure we would know the final outcome of the election. I am grateful that there will be a peaceful transition of power. I know we have a variety of feelings about the election, ranging from despair and numbness to jubilation and optimism. Though we are not a true ‘purple’ congregation, because we lean heavily towards the Democratic party, there are a significant number of Republicans at Shomrei and our votes were cast both for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. So I will endeavor this morning to give an apolitical speech about one of the most important presidential elections in the history of the United States of America. Given how radically different, even mutually exclusive, the narratives are about the candidates and the significance of this election, I’m not sure it’s possible to successfully thread the needle. But I will try, and I hope when you judge my words, you will consider not only what I am saying, but also what I am refraining from saying. Continue reading →
Selecting a few items, and memories, from the complex life of a loved one is the best way to keep them from being forgotten.
This yizkor sermon was delivered at Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Montclair, NJ on Yom Kippur 5785 (Oct 4, 2024). An earlier version was given at the Jewish Center of Princeton on Yom Kippur 5775.Continue reading →
As we all gather this morning, in the midst of a meaningful fast and without that morning coffee I know I am missing right now…I have the privilege of talking to you about, what else? Food…and housing, and the basics of the blessings of what it means to have enough…
And thinking about our neighbors and friends who don’t. Continue reading →
Rabbi Julie’s sermon for Kol Nidre, 5785, October 11, 2024
Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six-hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? In love, in seasons of love. That’s how you measure, measure a year.
Rabbi Julie’s sermon for Rosh Hashanah Day 1, 5785, October 3, 2024
On Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed. Who shall live and who shall die. Who will live a long life, and who will come to an untimely end.Continue reading →
