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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- Crimes Against Humanity — Parashat Nasso 5783 June 4, 2023
- A Temple For All – Parashat Ki Tissa 5783 March 12, 2023
- Don’t Hate One Another More Than Necessary March 10, 2023
- Antisemitism bills shouldn’t stifle free speech February 13, 2023
- With Israel’s Democracy In Danger, We Must Not Silence Critics January 23, 2023
Tag Archives: Jewish People
Help Elect me to J Street Board!
The past four years have been extremely difficult for those of us who cherish democracy and human rights: injustice has spread and authoritarianism has risen at home and abroad. This dark period also saw too many in the American Jewish … Continue reading
A History Lesson
During the first weekend of demonstrations, Richmonders joined in the nationwide protests over police brutality towards African Americans, launched in response to the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by a white Minneapolis police officer. The mostly peaceful … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged current-events, faith, history, Jewish People, justice, politics, race, racism, religion, social justice, society
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A Eulogy for Helen Zimm (z”l)
Today, I had the painful honor of burying my dear friend and teacher, Helen Zimm. The experience was made even more painful by the fact that most of Helen’s family and virtually all of her community were not able to … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged coronavirus, covid-19, current-events, faith, history, holocaust, hope, Jewish holidays, Jewish People, jewish state, love, Passover, personal, religion, society, spirituality, women
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Where the Oppressed Shed Tears
Sermon for Day 1 of Rosh Hashanah 5780 — September 30, 2019 According to tradition, the powerful, piercing cry of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah is meant to awaken us from our spiritual and moral slumber, the mindless and purposeless … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged culture, current-events, faith, Guatemala, immigration, Jewish People, Jewish thought, politics, religion, society
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Remarks at 2016 Community Eid Dinner
As-Salam-u-Alaikum and Eid Mubarak. Adira joins me in expressing what an honor it is to be with you this evening. I am deeply grateful to the organizers for their generous invitation, for all their holy work on behalf of the … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged ethics, God, holidays, interfaith, Jewish holidays, Jewish People, Judaism, justice, nature of god, peace, politics, rabbis, religion, social justice, society, Tisha B'Av, Torah, wisdom
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30 Days of Liberation – 2016
The Talmud teaches that, during the 30 days before Passover, we should learn about matters related to the holiday. In that spirit, I composed a brief message for each of the previous 30 days, drawing from the wisdom Passover imparts. I hope you find these … Continue reading
Posted in 30 Days of Liberation, Reflections
Tagged ethics, God, growth, holidays, Jewish People, Judaism, Passover, Pesah, religion, social justice, society, spirituality, theology, Torah, wisdom
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Israel – The Fragile Miracle
The price of prosperity is humility, gratitude, and vigilance; the perpetual realization that one has more than he deserves, that abundance is not destiny, and, for those reasons, all can be lost with at least as much ease as it was attained. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged history, Israel, Jewish People, jewish state, miracles, security
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Will Partisan Fight Over Iran Deal Permanently Polarize Jewish Americans?
I was on an AIPAC-sponsored trip to Israel on the day the world powers announced their deal with Iran over the latter’s nuclear program. With the American Israel Public Affairs Committee declaring its opposition to the deal early on, I, … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged american jews, iran, iran deal, Israel, Jewish People
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Why Israel Matters (to me, at least) – Va-Et’hanan 5775
Today marks the second week of our sermon series about Israel. I wanted to spend some time together this month unpacking several takeaways from my recent trip to Israel and, in general, talking about our relationship to the Jewish State … Continue reading
Converting to Judaism Doesn’t Have to be So Hard
Jewish communities around the world celebrated the festival of Shavuot over the weekend, commemorating the Jewish people receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. During this holiday, it is customary to chant from the biblical Book of Ruth, at least in … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged assimilation, Conversion, Jewish People, Judaism, rabbis, ruth, Talmud, Torah
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Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf 