Watch the video below to hear my thoughts on antisemites from my hometown, Kanye, Kyrie, Basheer Jones, and the legacy of Avraham Avinu.
Author: scottbroland
Yom Kippur 5783: At the Gates of Hope
Mario Zacchini, the last surviving member of the original generation of human cannonballs, passed away in 1999 at 87 years old. According to his obituary in the New York Times, Zacchini’s routine employment was being explosively propelled from a cannon across a circus tent into a net. Mr. Zacchini would fly through the air at…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah II 5783: We Can Be Angels
In March of 2020, I boarded a plane to join 20,000 fellow Zionists at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference. I had come to appreciate this annual gathering for giving me opportunities to learn, to reconnect with colleagues and friends, and to reenergize me. At that time, we began to hear the…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah I 5783: Sweet as Honey
I was a sophomore in college when I had the most frustrating Jewish experience of my life. I finally worked up the courage to attend Shabbat services and dinner at Rutgers Hillel. Having grown up in the Reform movement, I attended Kabbalat Shabbat services with the Rutgers Reform community. When it came time for the…Read more »
Yom Kippur 5782: Tefilah
A few weeks ago, we were blessed to have Rabbi Alan Lettofsky join us for Shabbat services. As one of the editors of the Conservative Movement’s newest series of siddurim, Rabbi Lettofsky spoke to a group of us about the process he and the committee engaged with to birth the new books. One of Rabbi…Read more »
Kol Nidre 5782: Committing to Israel
Do you remember those few good weeks? The period of 6-8 weeks this summer when it seemed like everyone was vaccinated and we briefly came out of our isolation? During that period, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel with our Cleveland Jewish Federation. I had not traveled anywhere in nearly eighteen months, so…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah II 5782: The Wellerman
Those of you who tuned in yesterday will recall that I gave the first of a two part sermon. Yesterday, I spoke about transforming our doubt into possibility. The sermon was presented in honor of Connie Waxman, of blessed memory, and all of our members who passed just before and during these pandemic months. I…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah I 5782: Head Full of Doubt
(Today and tomorrow’s sermons are dedicated in loving memory of Connie Waxman, and to all of the beloved members of Congregation Shaarey Tikvah we have lost since just before the pandemic: Joel Adelman, Donald Berman, Rolf Camnitzer, Jackie Chernin, David Foster, Susan Greenberg, Elisabeth Greenfield, Marion Gruen, Arthur Kaplan, Dr. Richard Katzman, Robert Schubach, Clive…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah II 5781: Spiritual Maturity
As newborns, we learn that if we scream someone will answer. This is a fine lesson for a newborn to learn. However, as we grow we learn that sometimes screaming is not the answer. Sometimes it is best to be quiet. At other times, we need to be selective in choosing a trusted friend in…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah I 5781: Gamliel, Yehoshua, and Radical Empathy
For me, one of the joys of Torah study is getting to know our sages. Through my learning, obscure names like Nittai, Hamnuna, and Abaye have become recognizable personalities and even friends. Today, I would like to introduce you to two these friends. They represent two ways of being. One was focused on a singular…Read more »