In Remembrance of 9/11

On Sunday, September 11, Temple Emanu-El hosted the first leg of the 15th Anniversary Interfaith Commemoration and Walk in Remembrance of 9/11 organized by the American Jewish Committee NYC.

Watch a brief video of our special memorial, interfaith service from the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary, featuring remarks by

Listen to the full service, which includes remarks by Robert J. Silverman, U.S. Director of Muslim-Jewish Relations for AJC;

Sermons by Our Senior Rabbi

On Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, 2016,
Rabbi Joshua Davidson discussed the history-making week
in Philadelphia (with the nomination of Hillary Clinton as a presidential candidate), the themes of zealotry and fear,
and changes in leadership. 

The Breaking of Glass Ceilings

On Zealotry and the Stoking of Fear

A Transition in Leadership: From Moses to Joshua
(View the weekly service handout »)

Welcoming Our New Senior Cantor

On Friday, July 1, 2016, Temple Emanu-El welcomed
Mo Glazman as our ninth senior cantor. Cantor Glazman
delivered a D’var Torah about the rituals of Judaism and
their role in living a meaningful life.

Listen to the Call to Prayer by Rabbi Joshua Davidson
and Cantor Glazman’s D’var Torah »

Celebrating Our Jewish-Muslim Friendship

We are joined this Shabbat by Hussein Rashid, Ph.D., founder of islamicate, L3C, a consultancy focusing on religious literacy and cultural competency. He has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and both a master of theological studies and doctorate from Harvard University. His research focuses on Muslims and American popular culture. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Barnard College. (June 10, 2016)

Listen to opening remarks by Rabbi Allison Tick Brill
and those of Dr. Hussein Rashid »

Congregational Shabbat Celebration

In appreciation of their service, Temple Emanu-El celebrates
the work of Cantor Lance Rhodes and Rabbi Rena Rifkin.
(May 20, 2016)

Listen to Rabbi Davidson’s remarks
and those of Cantor Rhodes »

Listen to remarks by Rabbi Davidson,
Lifelong Learning Director Saul Kaiserman and Rabbi Rifkin »

Why Israel Needs Reform Judaism

Temple Emanu-El welcomes Rabbi Micky (Michael) Boyden of Kehilat Yonatan Reform Congregation in Hod Hasharon, Israel, near Tel Aviv. Rabbi Boyden writes regularly for The Jerusalem Post and is a frequent guest speaker in North America and Europe, where he addresses issues related to the Israel/Palestinian conflict and the challenges facing liberal Judaism in Israel. Kehilat Yonatan is a recipient of support from our Philanthropic Fund. (May 13, 2016)

Listen to Rabbi Davidson’s opening remarks
and the sermon by Rabbi Boyden »

Religious Pluralism Advances in Israel

On Shabbat Zachor (the Sabbath of Remembrance), Temple Emanu-El welcomes Anat Hoffman, one of Israel’s leading advocates of civil and human rights, as well as egalitarian prayer, as its guest at Sabbath services. Introductory remarks by Rabbi Amy Ehrlich. (March 18, 2016)

Listen to Rabbi Ehrlich’s opening remarks
and the sermon by Ms. Hoffman »

Liturgical Evolution
and The Union Prayer Book

During the first Shabbat of February, Temple Emanu-El welcomed Rabbi Howard A. Berman as our scholar in residence to discuss “Liturgical Evolution and the Union Prayer Book” and to lead us in a community conversation about Temple Emanu-El’s liturgical journey, an opportunity for us to share with each other what we value in a prayer book. (February 5 and 6, 2016)

Listen to the Friday evening service »

Listen to the Saturday morning service »

Remembering Dr. King

To commemorate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Temple Emanu-El hosts a special worship service on the Sabbath of Dr. King’s birthday. Our guests are the Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III and the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir. (January 15, 2016)

Listen to the full service »

Human Rights Shabbat

Each year, congregations around the country select one Sabbath around Chanukah time to specifically celebrate their commitment to human rights. In 2015, Temple Emanu-El welcomed Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, vice president for community engagement of HIAS, the oldest international migration and refugee resettlement agency in the United States. (December 18, 2015)

Listen to Rabbi Davidson’s opening remarks
and the sermon by Rabbi Rosenn »

Volunteer Recognition Shabbat

Temple Emanu-El proudly recognizes all congregants, individuals and groups, who have participated in our many volunteer programs. (December 11, 2015)

Listen to Rabbi Davidson’s sermon »

Installation of Our Assistant Rabbi

Rabbi Allison Tick Brill was installed as our assistant rabbi in a service led by Rabbi Steven Mason, rabbi emeritus of North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois, where she served as a rabbinic student. (December 4, 2015)

Listen to Rabbi Davidson’s opening remarks,
the installation ceremony and Rabbi Brill’s remarks »

Interfaith Celebration With
The Very Rev. Dr. James Kowalski

Building on our relationship established through the SDG Psalms Project, Temple Emanu-El is pleased to welcome back to the pulpit The Very Reverend Dr. James Kowalski, Dean of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. (November 20, 2015)

Listen to Rabbi Davidson’s opening remarks
and Rev. Dr. Kowalski’s sermon »