Our Vision of Truth, Our Faith in Tomorrow
In his Rosh Hashanah sermon, “Our Vision of Truth, Our Faith in Tomorrow,” Rabbi Davidson reflects on the challenges and hopes facing Israel, America and the Jewish people as we enter a new year. Watch the sermon and download “Our Vision of Truth, Our Faith in Tomorrow” [PDF].
Rabbi Davidson’s Reflections on the Congregational Mission to Israel
Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair at Temple Emanu-El, offers his reflections on the January 2024 Temple Emanu-El Mission to Israel in response to the October 7 attacks.
Progressivism’s Breakdown Over Israel and Jews
Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair at Temple Emanu-El, discusses how contemporary Progressivism has suffered a breakdown over Israel and Jews because of its binary sorting of peoples and nations into oppressor and oppressed. Download PDF https://youtu.be/NJAR3ZDaApY
Israel’s Moral Measure: Rabbi Davidson’s Shabbat Message
We revisit the story of Jacob, our most complex patriarch, whose midnight struggle becomes a timeless metaphor for moral wrestling in an imperfect world. From ancient entanglements to the ethical dilemmas facing Israel today, this powerful reflection explores what it means to be called Yisrael: one who wrestles with God and humanity.
Together We Will Prevail
Rabbi Davidson’s Shabbat Message – November 10, 2023
Gili Roman, Brother of Hostage Yarden Roman-Gat, Addresses Congregation
On Friday, November 3, we were honored to be joined by Gili Roman and Yotam Polizer. They addressed the congregation to raise awareness about the more than 230 Israelis being held hostage and the critical efforts to support the survivors of the October 7 terror attack. Gili Roman is the brother of Yarden Roman-Gat who […]
“I Have No Other Homeland”
Rabbi Sarah H. Reines Temple Emanu-El NYC | Yom Kippur 5784 Two of my earliest loves, Judaism and poetry, are deeply and inextricably linked. The Torah describes itself as a shir – a poem, or song. Much of our liturgy is poetry, and poetry can often be offered as prayer. Why? Because with few words, […]
Who Shall I Say is Calling?
Rabbi Joshua Davidson’s 5784 Yom Kippur Sermon “Who Shall I Say is Calling?” [PDF] “Who by fire? Who by water? Who in the sunshine? Who in the nighttime? Who by high ordeal? Who by common trial?…And who shall I say is calling?”1 Leonard Cohen composed those verses after singing for Israeli soldiers in the Sinai […]
“It’s Hard to Be a Jew”
Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson’s Rosh Hashanah sermon in the Times of Israel Shver tsu zayn a Yid! Last Spring, walking in Jerusalem, I passed a man wearing a t-shirt quoting the old Yiddish maxim: “It’s hard to be a Jew.” Even in Israel. Shver tsu zayn a Yid is how I felt that afternoon. Only […]
A Lesson from the Seder: Teaching Children as Individuals
Rabbi Joshua Davidson’s sermon from Shabbat morning services April 8, 2023, on the lesson for parents and educators from the Passover Seder’s story of the four children to teach each child as an individual according to their interests, abilities and understanding. Download the source sheet (PDF). https://youtu.be/TV0uSGhRFfA
