The feeling of sadness for what took place yesterday has not fully dissipated. Rarely am I at a loss for words. Yesterday left me with nothing to say, only to feel a sense of deep sadness for our country. I don't know what it must have been like to live outside of Jerusalem at the time of destruction of the Temple, to hear of it burning down, being looted and destroyed. I am sure the pain felt was deep and profound, not just a loss of physical items, but a loss felt so deep because it was … [Read more...]
Yizkor Yom Kippur 5774
Yizkor Yom Kippur 5774 Rabbi Steven Abraham Today, in a few minutes we will do as Jews have done for centuries and take a break from the prescriptive ritual that makes up the Yom Kippur service to remember those individuals, friends and family that touched our lives. We join together to honor their memory, by keeping it alive inside each of us. It was only a few years ago that I even dared to enter the synagogue of my youth during the Yizkor service, blessed to still … [Read more...]
The Palace is Burning
Friends, A well taught midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 39:1) tells us that, as Abraham was journeying, he came across a burning palace. "Is it possible that this palace has no master?" asked Abraham. Whereupon God looks out from the palace and says, "I am the master of this palace." Today we look across our country and we see our palace, our country on fire. I have spent the day searching for the right words, yet I fear they may never come. Our country is on fire and some are trying to put it out … [Read more...]
A Letter to My Grandfather
YK Yizkor 5780 A Letter to My Grandfather Pop, you have been gone a little more than 5 years and I miss you every day. You were an incredible person, not because of your job or wealth, but because of your character. I have been thinking about you a great deal over the past few months and felt the need to write, perhaps I simply needed to remind myself of some of the characteristics that made you such a wonderful person in the hopes of being able to put myself back on … [Read more...]
Parshat Chukkat – “Life’s Not Fair – Drive On”
I recently finished reading "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World" by 4 Star Admiral William McRaven (Ret). The book is the expanded version of his May 2014 commencement address at The University of Texas at Austin (watch here). In the address, Adm. McRaven referenced the UT slogan, "What starts here changes the world" as a basis to share ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him during his career and his … [Read more...]
May His Memory Always Be For A Blessing
On the occasion of Seth Rich's z"l 3rd Yahrzeit I had the honor being at Ramah as his friends and family dedicated a "roofball" court in his honor. Seth along with his friends at Ramah invented the game and the court will serve as a living memorial for years to come. As a tribute to Seth and his family, I wanted to share my eulogy which included remarks from a number of his friends and family. Seth Conrad Rich Our tradition teaches us to have hope in our darkest hours … [Read more...]
What Am I Reading
From time to time folks tend to ask what I am reading. With summer upon us, I figured I would throw out a few books that I have enjoyed over the past few months. "The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life" by David Brooks - I am currently in the midst of finishing this book up, but have had an extremely hard time putting it down. I also encourage you to listen to the 92nd Street Y Podcast where David Brooks talks about the book. "Faith or Fear: How Jews Can Survive in a … [Read more...]
Dear Senator Sasse
Honorable Senator Ben Sasse, Last week you went to the floor of the Senate, our nation’s greatest deliberative body, and spoke out about Pro-Abortion Extremism. I support your position to be Pro-Life. You have every right, as a father, husband, and US Senator, to let your faith guide your life and decision-making. As an observant Jew who has studied the same Bible as you, as well as a wide scope of rabbinic commentaries, I see the abortion debate from a very different angle. Why is my … [Read more...]
Parshat Sh’lach
This week we read one of my favorite stories in the Bible — the story of the twelve ‘spies' Moses sends to explore the Land of Israel. The task of these scouts is to determine if the land is habitable, is there food and water, are there people currently residing on the land, and more. While there are plenty of stories in the Torah that relate to modern day life, this story has always stood out for its timely relevance. It has always struck me that before the expedition takes place, we are told … [Read more...]
Elijah and Immigration
This evening, I had the pleasure of reading a bedtime story to my kids. Naama chose "Pavel And The Tree Army" by Heidi Smith Hyde (Author), Elisa Vavouri (Illustrator) which was sent to PJ Library Families in January 2019. The story follows the life of Pavel and his friend Anatoly, immigrants who came to America seeking a better life. These two men left their homes to take part in one of FDR's greatest achievements, the Civilian Conservation Corp. While the Corp planted trees as well as built … [Read more...]
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