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Rabbi Dara Frimmer March 21, 2025 - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon
Mar 21, 2025
Shabbat Sermon by Rabbi Dara Frimmer Rabbi Dara gave a moving sermon that reflects on the power of solidarity, the strength in community, and the deeply personal connections we make in times of crisis. She shares her own journey of wearing a symbol of hope and mourning, and how our shared responsibility binds us together. Watch this powerful message and feel the light of unity and faith. Note: This sermon was delivered on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 7PM before Israeli officials identified the body of Shiri Bibas (z’l).
Feb 21, 2025
Shabbat Shirah sermon - In honor of Steve Fox’s 90th Birthday
Feb 7, 2025
Parashat Va’era 2025 Rabbi Dara Frimmer delivered a powerful sermon, Getting Proximate (Even) Without a Plan, exploring leadership, empathy, and resilience in uncertain times. Drawing on the story of Moses and the Exodus, she challenged us to step closer to those in need—without waiting for the perfect plan. She also reflected on recent crises, the importance of community, and how we sustain hope.
Jan 24, 2025
Yom Kippur Sermon by Rabbi Zoe Klein Miles - A poetic journey seeing to make sense out of this year's remnant and wreckage. October 12, 2024
Oct 12, 2024
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 5785: When faced with the end of the world, we could be cynical and despair. We could give up. We could abandon societal norms and expectations. But, more often than not, we are creative and courageous. We respond. We reinvent. We reimagine.
Oct 4, 2024
This year, it matters how you choose to live your Jewish life. It matters to our family, here and in Israel, it matters to our non-Jewish neighbors, our fellow Angelinos and Americans, and throughout the world.
Oct 3, 2024
The pathway forward is not about expulsion or eradication. It’s about living together and finding a particular kind of holiness in co-existence. A holiness that is human-centered and sustainable, and also flawed and fragile.
Jun 14, 2024
Feb 2, 2024
Friday Night Shabbat Service When a fog lifts ... what is it we behold in its absence? In her sermon from Friday November 17, 2023 Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen shares how one specific event of this past week broke through the haze of grief and existential dread so present since the events of October 7. Framed by parshat Toldot - in which we are introduced to the twins Jacob and Esau and their decades-long feud, Rabbi Cohen presents us with a framework through which we can consider what comes next for our brethren in the Middle East. This sermon is dedicated to the memory of peace activist Vivian Silver z"l.
Nov 17, 2023
Yom Kippur, Tisha B’Av and the Fight for Israeli Democracy Yom Kippur Morning Sermon 5784
Sep 25, 2023
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Sermon 5784 THE READING CHALLENGE - CLICK HERE
Sep 16, 2023
Aug 18, 2023
Friday Night Shabbat Services in Honor of Pride Month
Jun 9, 2023
Rabbi Dara Frimmer - Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Sermon 5779 - Rabbi Dara Frimmer shares a provocative and timely teaching in the name of Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, who first taught this idea during Hartman's Rabbinic Holiday Webinar, August 27, 2018. What if "sinners" are required for us to build 'true' community and to successfully elevate our prayers to God? Video of Dr. Kurtzer's full teaching for rabbis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uda_blV0L…&feature=youtu.be
Apr 4, 2023
Chol ha'Moed Sukkot Shabbat - October 14, 2022
Oct 14, 2022
Sep 23, 2022
The Death of a Dream Friday, July 1, 2022 - Parashat Korach
Jul 1, 2022
We Cannot Do It Alone Friday, January 21, 2022 - Parashat Yitro
Jan 21, 2022
A Challah Recipe: A Yom Kippur Sermon by Rabbi Zoe Klein Miles on Yom Kippur 5782
Sep 16, 2021
The Misappropriation of Zero Sum by Rabbi Dara Frimmer at Kol Nidre 5782
Sep 15, 2021
The Israel Equation: What Do You Want It To Be? by Rabbi Dara Frimmer - Rosh Hashanah Day 2 5782
Sep 8, 2021
Welcome Back. Are we back? by Rabbi Zoe Klein Miles on Rosh Hashanah 5782
Sep 7, 2021
Shmita: This Story Is Not Over Yet by Rabbi Dara Frimmer - Erev Rosh Hashanah 5782
Sep 6, 2021
Rabbi Zoë Klein Miles - Yom Kippur Sermon 5781
Sep 28, 2020
Rabbi Zoë Klein Miles - Rosh Hashanah Sermon 5781
Sep 19, 2020
Rabbi Dara Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5780: Using the text of Chayyei Sarah, Rabbi Frimmer examines the ancient story of Abraham, Ephron the Hittite, and the first real estate transaction of the Torah. In light of Sec. of State Pompeo's announcement that Israeli settlements are not inconsistent with international law (and in a week in which PM Netanyahu was indicted and Benny Gantz announced he could not form a coalition gov't), our Torah and subsequent commentaries offer guidance as we prepare to engage with these issues in the week to come.
Nov 22, 2019
Rabbi Zoë Klein Miles - Rosh Hashana Day 2 Sermon 5780: Rabbi Zoë shares the story of her father’s 100-edition print “Abraham”. An art dealer took the edition to Europe to sell, and disappeared. 47 years later, after the art dealer’s death, his children found 87 “Abraham” prints in their attic and decide to correct one of their father’s transgressions.
Oct 1, 2019
Rabbi Zoë Klein Miles - Rosh Hashana Day Sermon 5780: We know about the Evil Eye, but could we exercise its antidote, the Good Eye, to change the way we see others and ourselves?
Sep 30, 2019
Rabbi Dara Frimmer - Rosh Hashana Day Sermon 5780: Noting historic tensions for the Jews as they move between strength and vulnerability, Rabbi Frimmer explores topics of antisemitism and immigration. “We are not stuck in a story of hate. We are the authors of the most ancient and inspiring story of liberation. A story that reminds us that transformation is possible. That slaves can become liberators. That weakness is a touchpoint for strength.”
Sep 30, 2019
Rabbi Dara Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - Each time the Jewish people have entered the land of Israel, from ancient times until now, there is a turning point in our collective history and identity. There is an unintended rupture within the community of Clal Yisrael: If Israel is now our home, what do we call the land outside of Israel in which Jews live? If Peoplehood is reborn in the land, by what name do we call our People who live outside her borders? On this Shabbat, Rabbi Frimmer examines the creation of the first Diaspora Jewish community as 2.5 tribes ask for permission to plant their roots on the West Side of the Jordan River while the rest of the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land.
Aug 6, 2019
Rabbi Dara Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - In the wake of missiles, op-eds, and Israel's Independence Day, Rabbi Frimmer asks us to turn away from the headlines and look to Torah as our guide. The Holiness code instructs us to rebuke that which is wrong and the wrongdoers. At the same time, we cannot take vengeance or bear a grudge. "This is the Holiness Code. It’s not a mirror. It’s not who we are right now. It’s a window, asking us to look out and see what we might aspire to be. At times, we are so far from the society described in the Torah. Still, we keep these verses close at hand. We read them once a year on Shabbat. We return to them during the Mincha service of Yom Kippur. They are the guiding words as we consider the start of a New Year - how do we hope to live? What society do we hope to create? And it doesn’t say: when under attack, discard the code."
May 10, 2019
Rabbi Klein Miles - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - Lists of names, lists of dead, lists of wounded overwhelm us. Delving into the infinity of one life, however, is where the heart truly breaks. A message for Yom HaShoah the week following the Chabad Synagogue shooting in Poway.
May 3, 2019
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - During a Shabbat service with 2nd and 3rd grade families, the Pop-Up Choir, and Shabbat regulars, Rabbi Frimmer teaches on the "hidden" mitzvah of Purim tzedakah. How can the holiday of Purim move past cookies and costumes and teach us important lessons about generosity, dignity, and equality? Thanks to the congregants who shared answers and reflections to the following questions: What's Purim all about? How much tzedakah are we commanded to give? Why do we wear costumes?
Mar 8, 2019
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - This week’s Torah portion outlines the intricate designs of the Priestly garments, including golden bells along the hemline of the High Priest’s robe. Rabbi Frimmer explores ancient and modern examples of when/how alarm bells signal danger in the life of the Jewish people
Feb 15, 2019
Sermon - Friday Night Shabbat - 2019 / 5779 - Millions of people have been submitting DNA kits like 23 and Me to discover their ancestry, and some are dismayed at what they find.
Jan 18, 2019
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - On Shabbat Va'era, Rabbi Frimmer examines Moses' struggle to lead the Israelites out of slavery, noting his early setbacks and deep disappointment. Drawing on the wisdom of Torah, Parker Palmer, Brene Brown, and popular advice for holding onto New Year's resolutions, this sermon connects the effort we all face to change and persevere, and offers the possibility that God and community may help us achieve all our goals, if only we would welcome them in.
Jan 4, 2019
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - Vayechi - he death of a loved one gives us a unique opportunity to do teshuvah -- a change in direction, a new behavior – an experience of forgiveness that was previously thought to be prohibited, unheard of, or unimaginable. But, death changes the rules.
Dec 21, 2018
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - Rashi, an 11th century Torah commentator, lays out the two sides of the Noah debate: There are those among the sages who view Noah positively. Certainly, had he been living in a generation of just individuals, he would have been more just. And, yet, others view him negatively. Had he been living in the generation of Abraham he would have been considered worthless.In other words, either we’re static in our growth, or we rise higher when those around us are reaching, as well. On this Shabbat of Parashat Noach, we need to refocus the story of Noah on the struggle *each one of us* encounters as we reach for righteousness, and not waste time on the question of whether we started out inherently virtuous. On this Shabbat, let us look to the possibility of newfound strength and capacity that can be discovered in community, rather than engage in the comparison and competition of who reaches higher.
Oct 12, 2018
Kavanah - Friday Night Shabbat - 2018 5779 - When gender-based violence is considered a “women’s issue” instead of a "men’s issue," we all lose.
Oct 5, 2018
Sermon - Friday Night Shabbat - 2018 / 5779 - In honor of the upcoming midterm elections, Rabbi Zoe Klein Mile shares excerpts from a fiery suffragette speech through which we may reflect how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go.
Oct 5, 2018
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5779 - In the emotional wake of the Ford-Kavanaugh hearings, Rabbi Frimmer shifts our focus from self to other, and offers the Lens of Sukkot to help us see those who live with impermanence, vulnerability, fragility, and exposure 24-7-365. Thanks to activist Dove Kent and congregant Jennifer Yashari for inspiring this post.
Sep 28, 2018
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5778 - We need to reinvest ourselves in learning about Israel’s government, understanding who has power and how that power is sustained, and familiarizing ourselves with the non-profits that help to protect Israel’s democracy and create its democratic infrastructure. We need to pay closer attention to the struggles of non-Orthodox Jews in Israel, those looking for validation and legal permission to practice as they choose. It is unconscionable to tolerate a lack of tolerance for non-Orthodox Jewish identity in this supposed Jewish nation.
Jul 20, 2018
Rabbi Frimmer - Friday Night Shabbat Sermon 5778 - Parashat Pinchas - We’ve forgotten what it’s like to travel with allies without google maps calling out our next turn and giving us an estimated time for arrival. We’ve forgotten the importance of flexibility - being willing to use the tools and resources we have in the moment - the skills we are learning as we do the work -- and making decisions in real time as to what is required and how we want to act. The poet Audre Lorde’s wrote, “Sometimes we are blessed with being able to choose the time, and the arena, and the manner of our revolution, but more usually we must do battle where we are standing.” We must learn to do battle from the place we are in. Not the place we wish we were. Not the place we were in 2 years ago. Now. This place. This time. With these people. To show up and stand up and fight for more just and compassionate immigration policies...now. Even when we don’t know where we go next. The movement starts in the place where we stand.
Jul 6, 2018
Shabbat Kedoshim - 2018/5778
Apr 27, 2018
Sermon-Kavannah Before Mourner's Kaddish - 2018/5778
Mar 17, 2018
Sermon-Shabbat Terumah - 2018/5778
Feb 16, 2018
Sermon - Yom Kippur Morning - 2017/5778
Sep 30, 2017
Sermon - Kol Nidre - 2016 / 5777
Oct 12, 2016
Article - Parashat Miketz - 2014 / 5775
Dec 17, 2014
Sermon - Rosh Hashanah - 2013 / 5774
Sep 5, 2013
Sermon - Parashat Devarim - 2010 / 5770
Jul 17, 2010
Sermon - Erev Rosh Hashanah - 2008 / 5769
Sep 29, 2008
Sep 12, 2007
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