https://templebethmiriam.org/birthright-to-israel-jacob-swartz/

In this short d'var Torah, I point out the use of a strangely worded command and what it may mean on this Shabbat.

In these days of rising anti-Semitism on the cusp of Hannukah, I ask the question, 'How do you identify?'

I offer a few thoughts about Veterans' Day and the reality of war

On the 85 anniversary of Kristallnacht, I offer these thoughts in light of the violence toward Jews in 2023

My reflections on the last four weeks.

In this sermon I take a phrase from Jeremiah and apply it to this Yom Kippur.

These are my reflections after the first full week of war in the MidEast.

In this sermon, I speak about our brokenness and how, despite it, we can create.

In this sermon, I discuss the Jewish ideas of a good year, not necessarily a happy year.

My reflections on the titanic changes in Israel that may create another failed Maccabean state.

In this periodic radio appearance, I speak with Rabbi Steven Garten about Moses' punishment for hitting the rock (twice) to provide water for the Israelites even though God told him to speak to the rock.  

This is the audio of the Siyym service for 2023, the last Kabbalat Shabbat Family service led by our upper grades.  The video with audio can be found at this link:
https://Temple-Beth-Miriam.livecontrol.tv/3e51d9b5

In this d'var Torah, I explore Ramban's interpretation of  “The Eternal One spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai” and what it mean's for us today as autonomous Jews.

In this dvar Torah I discuss the hazard of literally reading the passages such as 'an eye for an eye' which so many people ascribe to. I argue that the Rabbis were much more advanced than sticking to the literal text and that tradition of interpretation created what we now call Judaism

In this d'var Torah, I explore the meaning of the portion dealing with the leper in today's Torah portion. I discover it is relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.

In this episode I discuss the death of Nadav and Abihu and Aaron's (non)reaction and what it has to teach us.

In this episode, I introduce you to Nachson ben Aminadav, a leader as brave as Moses but totally unknown to most people. Who was he?  What did he do? Tune in a find out.

In this episode, I explore with the congregants a discussion about our own Passover traditions and how unique and perfectly valid they are.

In this short d'var Torah, I discuss what happens when we only focus on the task at hand and what happens if we neglect to pay attention to the souls surrounding us.

A d'var Torah on the light that burns inside us - internal and eternal.