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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- Welcome Akiva Betzalel Knopf October 2, 2017
- Extremists for Love – Yom Kippur 2017 October 1, 2017
- Three Essentials to Pack for Your Journey – Kol Nidrei 2017 October 1, 2017
- After Charlottesville, Be a Light – Rosh Hashanah 2017 September 24, 2017
- Here’s the Advice I Would Give to New Rabbis… June 25, 2017
Tag Archives: politics
Extremists for Love – Yom Kippur 2017
In June 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke before a large crowd in Detroit. In his speech, King argued that, despite the dangers of nonviolent resistance, “there are some things so dear, some things so precious, some things so eternally … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged current-events, ethics, faith, history, human dignity, justice, Martin Luther King, personal, philosophy, politics, religion, social justice, society
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After Charlottesville, Be a Light – Rosh Hashanah 2017
JJ Grey, a contemporary rock and blues singer, once recalled a lesson his grandmother taught him: “you can’t fight darkness, so be a light.” Last month, darkness came to Virginia: An unholy alliance of white supremacists marched on Charlottesville. Just … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged current-events, history, holocaust, Jewish holidays, Jewish thought, justice, peace, philosophy, politics, religion, resistance, rosh hashanah, social justice, society, Trump
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Do You control Your Monuments, or Do They Control You? – Shavuot 2017
Recently, the City of New Orleans removed its Confederate monuments, prompting both celebrations and protests. The actions and their aftermath reverberated across the country and, not surprisingly, into Virginia. Protests and counter-protests erupted – violently – in Charlottesville a couple … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged civil war, confederate monuments, culture, current-events, education, history, ioldatry, politics, race, racism, religion, social justice, society, terrorism
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Remarks from Richmond Rally Against Muslim Ban
Video of these remarks can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/jewishaction.us/videos/705614492975135/ Video of all speeches can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/moveon/videos/10154390220140493/ In 1790, our first president, George Washington, sent a letter to the Jewish community in Newport, Rhode Island, pledging that “the government of the … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Reflections
Tagged current-events, history, human-rights, justice, peace, politics, refugee crisis, refugees, religion, security, social justice, society, terrorism
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Remarks at Interfaith Standing Together Press Conference
It is an honor to stand in this sanctuary surrounded by colleagues and friends representing so many brother and sister faith traditions. To my mind, this synagogue is the perfect place for us to stand together against hate and deliver … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Uncategorized
Tagged current-events, faith, history, peace, politics, religion, social justice, 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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Moses for President
As the U.S. presidential primary process slouches toward what will doubtlessly be a contested convention season this summer, I find myself not infrequently wondering what guidance the Jewish tradition would have for selecting our next leader. I have already written … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged ethics, holidays, Judaism, justice, Moses, Passover, Pesah, politics, religion, social justice, society, Torah, wisdom
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