Be a Blessing, Vote!
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Be a Blessing, Vote!
Parhsat Lekh-Lekha, 5781
Saturday, October 31, 2020
And Adonai said to Avram, lekh l’kha (hey you, go!) from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I shall make you into a great nation, and I will bless...Read more...
Zman Simhateinu—The Time of Our Joy
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Zman Simhateinu—The Time of Our Joy
Sukkot
Saturday, October 3, 2020
I need to apologize to anyone who had to deal with me this week - between the stress of the holidays and witnessing the mess that was Tuesday’s presidential debate, I have certainly not been my cheeriest self. But from conversations I’ve had with friends,...Read more...
With the Utterance of Our Lips—Intentional Speech in 5781
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With the Utterance of Our Lips—Intentional Speech in 5781
Yom Kippur
Monday, September 28, 2020
On Saturday morning, I spoke about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s use of words. Every document she wrote, every interview, and every memory gleaned from family and friends makes clear that she refused to...Read more...
The Torah of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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The Torah of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Parshat Ha'azinu, 5781
Saturday, September 26, 2020
The court chambers of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg proudly displayed a painting of the Deuteronomic command, Tzedek tzedek tirdof - justice, justice you shall pursue! (16:18). Justice Ginsburg,...Read more...
Be A Reed, Change Your Mind
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Be A Reed, Change Your Mind
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Our Rabbis taught: Adam was created on the eve of Shabbat, [the last of all created beings]. Why? So that if a person’s opinion of himself should become conceited, he would be reminded that the gnat preceded him in the order of Creation (Talmud Bavli...Read more...
A Message About Legacy
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A Message About Legacy
By David Ginsburg
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Dear Fellow congregants, visitors and guests,
You must be thinking about now, ”Why is David up here now? He isn’t the president anymore.” And you are right. I am the past president, having served Agudath Achim for two...Read more...
"I Didn't Know" Is Not Enough
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"I Didn't Know" Is Not Enough
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020
“When I made that comment earlier, I had no idea it would hurt your feelings.” How many wrongdoings have each of us personally committed in the past year that ended with, “I didn’t know. If I had known, I never would have...”? How about those...Read more...
An Alternate Hineni for 5781
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An Alternate Hineni for 5781
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Saturday, September 19, 2020
“Here I stand, impoverished in merit, trembling in the presence of the One who hears the prayers of Israel. Even though I am unfit and unworthy for the task, I come to represent Your people Israel and plead on their behalf. Therefore, gracious and...Read more...
Honor and Dignity for Workers on Labor Day
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Honor and Dignity for Workers on Labor Day
Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780
Saturday, September 5, 2020
In 1894, President Grover Cleveland followed the examples of Oregon, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York and declared the first Monday of September Labor Day, in celebration of those...Read more...
Preparing for the Al Chets—Embracing Teshuvah Before the High Holy Days
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Preparing for the Al Chets—Embracing Teshuvah Before the High Holy Days
Parshat Ki Tavo, 5780
Saturday, September 5, 2020
I ended my d’var Torah last week with the mention of one of my favorite parts of the High Holy Day liturgy, the Al Chet’s....Read more...
Please, Sweat the Small Stuff
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Please, Sweat the Small Stuff
Parshat Ki Teitzei, 5780
Saturday, August 29, 2020
When I was little, my parents kept a book in their bathroom, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, And It’s All Small Stuff. When I am picking something to wear or eat for breakfast or a salutation in an...Read more...
Place for Yourself Judges and Officials—The President and His Retinue
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Place for Yourself Judges and Officials—The President and His Retinue
Parshat Shoftim, 5780
Saturday, August 22, 2020
The Democratic National Convention just finished its four evenings of presentation, and the Republican National Convention will begin its...Read more...
Bringing Redemption Through Naming
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Bringing Redemption Through Naming
Parshat Eikev, 5780
Saturday, August 8, 2020
You built or bought a home with the efforts of your own two hands. You studied for years to gain your wisdom and expertise. You raised a family, and now, your children and grandchildren live across the country, maybe even...Read more...
The Big Ten: Distinctly Intuitive, Distinctly Influential
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The Big Ten: Distinctly Intuitive, Distinctly Influential
Parshat Va'et'hanan, 5780
Saturday, August 1, 2020
When I ask a child how many commandments exist in the Jewish tradition, what number do you think I hear most? (10!) When we think about commandments, the...Read more...
A Meditation on Words
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A Meditation on Words
Parshat D'varim, 5780
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Starting tomorrow morning, we’ll be embarking on our journey through the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy. The Hebrew word Devarim literally means “words,” but it can more deeply mean things, matters, or stuff. Judaism is a...Read more...
Tisha B'Av and Combating Wanton Hatred
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Tisha B'Av and Combating Wanton Hatred
Parshat D'Varim, 5780
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Tisha B’Av, the most devastating day of the Jewish calendar, begins this Wednesday evening and proceeds through Thursday night. Tisha B’Av acts as the symbolic date for one particular event in...Read more...
Promises and the Exercise of Trust
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Promises and the Exercise of Trust
Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Around this time of year, as I start writing outlines for the High Holy Days and brainstorming what I will teach, I start thinking about my own personal bits ofteshuvah, my own personal goals for the...Read more...
Tricky Texts and Kubler-Ross' Five Stages
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Tricky Texts and Kubler-Ross' Five Stages
Parshat Matot-Masei, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Take a moment and think about a text in Torah or Talmud that really makes you upset, angry, embarrassed, or sad… Raise your hand if you can think of a story or tradition that fits that...Read more...
How NOT To Talk About the Holocaust
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How NOT to Talk About the Holocaust
Parshat Pinhas, 5780
Saturday, July 11, 2020
For those who attended our service on Saturday morning last week, I appreciated your cooperation in wearing face masks to our building and in keeping your physical distance so that we could connect socially and...Read more...
I Am Angry. Is That Okay?
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I Am Angry. Is That Okay?
Parshat Pinhas, 5780
Saturday, July 11, 2020
I certainly still possess my fair share of naivete, but when I was younger and even more naive, I believed that anger was a useless emotion; its only purpose was to spark violence and hurt. And yet, as I followed the news, as I...Read more...
A Psalm from the Depths—Of the Sons of Korach
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A Psalm from the Depths—Of the Sons of Korach
Parshat Korah, 5780
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Korah’s sons are often seen in the Rabbinic tradition as beacons of repentance, piety, and wisdom. In this week’s parashah, these sons are swallowed into the earth for associating with...Read more...
Kohanim, Leviim, and Modern Sacred Space
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Kohanim, Leviim, and Modern Sacred Space
Parshat Korah, 5780
Saturday, June 27, 2020
In our modern worship, we no longer bring animal sacrifices; instead, we pray. We no longer give tithes to one central tabernacle or Temple; instead, we pay dues to our local synagogues. In days of old,...Read more...
The Mitzvah of Displaying Our Judaism
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The Mitzvah of Displaying Our Judaism
Parshat Sh'lah, 5780
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Ever since I’ve known my bearded, kippah and tzitzit-wearing husband, I’ve seen him stopped and questioned about Judaism constantly. In Shreveport, that tends to happen a lot more often. On a hike,...Read more...
Communal Sacrifice for Communal Wrongdoing
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Communal Sacrifice for Communal Wrongdoing
Parshat Sh'lah, 5780
Saturday, June 20, 2020
In reflection on this Juneteenth, a few of us were speaking earlier today about experiences we had and the injustices we witnessed when we were younger that make us feel ashamed or guilty now. We spoke...Read more...
Back to Normal?
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Back to Normal?
Parshat B'ha'alotkha, 5780
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Lately, I’ve heard a lot of “I can’t wait for everything to get back to normal.” Way back in February, we could hug each other in public, we could go shopping without any thoughts of face masks or hand sanitizer, and we could attend...Read more...
I Miss This—A Blessing
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I Miss This—A Blessing
Parshat B'ha'alothka, 5780
Saturday, June 13, 2020
I miss this moment in the service…
Va-y'hi binsoa ha-aron, vayomer Moshe...
And the bittersweet moment after the Torah reading, when as we put the Torah away we mumble…
Uvnuho yomar, shuvah...Read more...
Pursuing Justice Through Knowing My Neighbor
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Pursuing Justice Through Knowing My Neighbor
Parshat Naso, 5780
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Yesterday afternoon, during an interfaith Zoom call with clergy from all over the state, I found myself in a breakout session with three African American pastors, one in Baton Rouge and two in New Orleans....Read more...
Y'varekhekha—May God Bless You and Protect You
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Y'varekhekha—May God Bless You and Protect You
Parshat Naso, 5780
Saturday, June 6, 2020
It’s been a hard week, and for good reason. We are still in the midst of a pandemic. We have seen protests and riots across the country, based in the real suffering that so many people face on a...Read more...
Moderation and Compassion: A Jewish Ethic of Buying and Selling
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Moderation and Compassion: A Jewish Ethic of Buying and Selling
Parshat B'har-B'hukotai, 5780
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Every year, on the Friday before ordination at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, one of our deans teaches a notoriously lengthy...Read more...
Hukim u'Mishpatim—Laws of Ritual and Compassion
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Hukim u'Mishpatim—Laws of Ritual and Compassion
Parshat Emor, 5780
Saturday, May 9, 2020
For those who have been learning with me on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, we have been studying a lot of what are traditionally called hukim, ritual laws and practices. On Wednesday...Read more...
Tue, September 9 2025
16 Elul 5785
Rabbi's Sermons
Bereshit - Genesis
- Parshat Bereshit: Oct. 26, 2019, October 1, 2021, October 2, 2021, October 25, 2024
- Parshat Noah: Nov. 2, 2019, October 8, 2021, Oct. 29, 2022, Nov. 1, 2024
- Parshat Lekh-L'kha: Nov. 9, 2019, Oct. 31, 2020, Oct. 31, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 15, 2021, Nov. 8, 2024
- Parshat Vayeira: Nov. 16, 2019, Nov. 7, 2020, Nov. 7, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 22, 2021, Oct. 23, 2021, Nov.15, 2024
- Parshat Hayei Sara: Nov. 14, 2020, Oct. 30, 2021, Nov. 22, 2024
- Parshat Toldot: Nov. 30, 2019, Nov. 21, 2020, Nov. 6, 2021
- Parshat Vayeitzei: Nov. 28, 2020, Nov. 13, 2021, Dec. 6,2024
- Parshat Vayishlah: Dec. 14, 2019 , Dec. 5, 2020, November 20, 2021, Dec. 13, 2024
- Parshat Vayeisheiv: Dec. 12, 2020, Nov. 27, 2021, Dec 20, 2024
- Parshat Miketz: Dec. 4, 2021, Dec 27, 2024
- Parshat Vayigash: Jan. 4, 2020, Dec. 26, 2020, Dec. 11, 2021, Jan 2, 2025
- Parshat Vay'hi: Jan. 11, 2020, Jan. 2, 2021, Jan. 10, 2025
Shemot-Exodus
- Parshat Sh'mot: Jan. 18, 2020, Jan. 18, 2020 - Part 2, Jan. 9, 2021 , Jan. 17, 2025
- Parshat Va'eira: Jan. 25, 2021, Jan. 24, 2025
- Parshat Bo: Feb. 1, 2020, Jan. 23, 2021, Jan 31, 2025
- Parshat B'shalah: Jan. 30, 2021, Jan. 15, 2022, Feb. 3, 2023, Feb.4, 2023, Feb.7, 2025
- Parshat Yitro: Feb. 15, 2020, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 21, 2022, Feb. 22, 2022, Feb. 14,2025
- Parshat Mishpatim: Feb. 22, 2020, Feb. 18, 2023
- Parshat T'rumah: Feb. 29, 2020, Feb. 29, 2020 - Part 2, Feb. 20, 2021, Feb. 4, 2022, Feb. 5, 2022, Feb. 25, 2023, Feb.28, 2025
- Parshat T'tzaveh: March 7, 2020, Feb. 27, 2021, Feb. 12, 2022, Feb. 11, 2022, March 7, 2025
- Parshat Ki Tisa: March 14, 2020, March 6, 2021, February 19, 2022, March 14,2025
- Parshot Vayak'heil-P'kudei: March 21, 2020, March 13, 2021, February 26, 2022, March 18, 2023
Vayikra-Leviticus
- Parshat Vayikra: March 20, 2021, March 11, 2022, March 24, 2023, March 25, 2023, April 4, 2025
- Parshat Tzav: April 4, 2020, March 27, 2021, March 19, 2022, April11, 2025
- Parshat Sh'mini: April 18, 2020, April 26, 2025
- Parshot Tazria-Metzora: April 25, 2020, April 17, 2021, April 2, 2022, April 20, 2024, May 2, 2025
- Parshot Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: May 2, 2020, April 24, 2021, May 7, 2022, May 3, 2024, May 10, 2024
- Emor: May 9, 2020, May 1, 2021, May 13, 2022, May 14, 2022, May 6, 2023
- Parshot B'har-B'hukotai: May 8, 2019, May 16, 2020, May 7, 2021, May 21, 2022, May 28, 2022, May 24, 2024, May 31, 2024, May 23, 2025
Bamidbar-Numbers
- Parshat Bamidbar: May 15, 2021, May 20, 2023, June 7, 2024, May 30, 2025
- Parshat Nasso: June 6, 2020, June 6, 2020 - Part 2, May 22, 2021, June 10, 2022, June 2, 2023, June 14, 2024, June 6, 2025
- Parshat B'ha'alotcha: June 13, 2020, June 13, 2020 - Part 2, June 9, 2023, June 10, 2023, June 21, 2024, June 13, 2025
- Parshat Sh'lach: June 20, 2020, June 20, 2020 - Part 2, June 5, 2021, June 28, 2024, June 20, 2025
- Parshat Korah: June 27, 2020, July 18, 2020, July 24, 2023, July 5, 2024
- Parshot Chukat-Balak: June 26, 2021, July 12, 2024, July 4, 2025, July 11, 2025
- Parshat Pinchas: July 11, 2020, July 11, 2020 - Part 2, July 2, 2021, July 3, 2021, July 22, 2022, July 23, 2022, July 26, 2024, July 18, 2025
- Parshot Matot-Masei: July 18, 2020, July 18, 2020 - Part 2, July 10, 2021, July 30, 2022, August 2, 2024, July 25, 2025
D'varim-Deuteronomy
- Parshat D'varim: July 25, 2020, July 25, 2020 - Part 2, July 17, 2021, August 6, 2022, August 9, 2024, August 1,2025
- Parshat Va'et'hanan: Aug. 1, 2020, July 24, 2021, August 12, 2022, August 13, 2022, Aug. 16, 2024, August 8th, 2025
- Parshat Eikev: Aug. 8, 2020, July 31, 2021, August 19, 2022, August 20, 2022, August 15, 2025
- Parshat Re'eh: August 7, 2021, August 30, 2024
- Parshat Shoftim: September 7, 2019, Aug. 22, 2020, August 14, 2021, August 14, 2021 - Part 2, September 3, 2022, September 6, 2024, August 29, 2025
- Parshat Ki Teitzei: Aug. 29, 2020, August 20, 2021, September 13, 2024, September 5, 2025
- Parshat Ki Tavo: Sept. 5, 2020, Sept. 5, 2020 - Part 2, August 28, 2021, Sept. 17, 2022, Sept. 20, 2024
- Parshot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Sept. 11, 2021, September 24, 2022, Sept. 27,2024
- Parshat Ha'Azinu: Sept. 26, 2020, October 4, 2024
- Parshat Haberakhah
Rosh HaShanah: Sept. 19, 2020, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 2, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 3, Sept. 20, 2020, Sept. 7, 2021, Sept. 8, 2021, Sept. 9, 2021, Sept. 26, 2022, Oct 2, 2024
Yom Kippur: Sept. 28, 2020, Sept. 16, 2021, October 5, 2022
Sukkot: Oct. 3, 2020 , Sept. 20, 2021, Oct. 16,2024, Oct. 18, 2024
Passover: April 3, 2021, April 23, 2022, April 7, 2023, April 12, 2023, April 27, 2024, April 18, 2025
Shavuot: June 1st, 2025
Rosh Hodesh: April 22, 2023
Friday Night
: 6:00pm |
| Candle Lighting : 7:07pm |
Shabbat Day
: 10:00am |
: 1:30pm |
| Motzaei Shabat : 8:00pm |
| Havdalah : 8:14pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Sep 13 Motzaei Shabat Shabbat, Sep 13 8:00pm |
Sep 21 Board Meeting No Movie tonight Sunday, Sep 21 5:00pm |
Sep 22 Arvit Monday, Sep 22 6:30pm |
Sep 23 Shaharit (Shofar) Tuesday, Sep 23 9:30am |
Sep 23 Tashlich at Duck Pond Tuesday, Sep 23 4:00pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parshat Ki Tavo
| Shabbat, Sep 13 |
Candle Lighting
| Friday, Sep 12, 7:07pm |
Havdalah
| Motzei Shabbat, Sep 13, 8:14pm |
Erev Rosh Hashana
| Monday, Sep 22 |