Rabbi Penzner's Kol Nidre Sermont 5776: Do It Anyway: A Jewish Approach to Race and Racism Today

We began tonight’s service, even before the chanting of the Kol Nidre, with a disclaimer.

By the authority of the heavenly court

and by the authority of this earthly court

with the consent of the Everpresent

and with the consent of this congregation

we hereby declare it permissible

to pray with those who have transgressed.

This disclaimer speaks of our collective guilt in a spirit of all-encompassing love. Over and over, our liturgy proclaims

The Eternal, the Everpresent

Is a compassionate and gracious God,

Patient, abounding in devotion and truth,

Assuring steadfast chesed for a thousand generations

Forgiving transgression, iniquity and sin,

And granting pardon.

Posted on September 25, 2015 .

Rabbi Penzner's Rosh Hashanah Sermon 5776: Making Micah's Message Your Mantra

This past summer your rabbi entered a monastery.

I assure you that I have not decided to live the cloistered life or considered a new religious tradition. I chose to spend three days for personal reflection and writing as a guest of the Benedictine monks of Weston Priory in Vermont.  In return for living in the guest house for a few days, guests are asked to eat all meals with the brothers and to join them for daily prayer. For me, it was like having my own High Holy Days with the monastery as my synagogue, the monks as my rabbis, and the other visitors, priests and nuns and spiritual seekers, as my congregation.

Posted on September 21, 2015 .