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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- A New Prayer for the United States of America July 15, 2020
- Statement of Moral Outrage at Police Violence and Systemic Racism July 9, 2020
- Justice Demands RISC June 15, 2020
- Message to the Class of 2020 June 14, 2020
- Richmond’s Wailing Wall June 12, 2020
Tag Archives: politics
A New Prayer for the United States of America
Our God and God of our ancestors, bless and protect the United States of America and secure, strengthen, and advance the ideals and institutions that are its pride and its glory. Guide our leaders and officials to see Your image … Continue reading
Posted in Prayers, Uncategorized
Tagged community, culture, current-events, faith, God, history, human-rights, inclusion, justice, Liberation, liberty, morality, peace, philosophy, politics, prayer, religion, social justice, society, spirituality
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Statement of Moral Outrage at Police Violence and Systemic Racism
On June 30, 2020, a group of about 60 Richmond-area clergy representing many faiths, now known as Clergy Action RVA, gathered at Marcus David Peters Circle (formerly known as the Robert E. Lee Monument) to demand an end to police … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements
Tagged current-events, faith, justice, politics, race, racism, religion, Religion and Politics, social justice, society
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Justice Demands RISC
On June 15, 2020, I was asked to give closing remarks at the (virtual) annual gathering for RISC — Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities — an organization of congregations from throughout the Richmond region working to solve critical community … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Sermons
Tagged culture, current-events, ending poverty, Gun Control, Guns, homelessness, justice, politics, race, racism, religion, social justice, society
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Message to the Class of 2020
I was asked to record a message for the seniors graduating from Maggie Walker Governor’s School, but I think it is applicable to students everywhere — and, indeed, all of us. Hope you find it meaningful. Feel free to share … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Reflections, Sermons
Tagged current-events, faith, history, personal, politics, religion, responsibility, social justice, society
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Richmond’s Wailing Wall
The recent wave of anti-racism protests have produced at least one tangible outcome: Sometime soon, Richmond’s Confederate monuments will be removed. As I have argued before, this move is both welcome and long overdue. However, as plans are drawn for … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds, Reflections
Tagged confederate monuments, culture, current-events, faith, history, justice, politics, race, racism, religion, social justice, society
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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 Statement on George Floyd’s Murder and Systemic Racial Injustice
Like many of you, I have been heartbroken and angry since George Floyd’s murder on May 25. Central to Jewish tradition is the notion that every human being is created in God’s image, that we are all equal in value … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Reflections
Tagged culture, current-events, faith, justice, politics, race, racism, religion, social justice, society
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Shavuot and Collective Responsibility
It is telling that when Jewish faith is born, it is born in community. The revelation at Sinai, which we commemorate on the festival Shavuot (which begins this Thursday evening), is a national encounter with the Divine, a collective experience. … Continue reading
Leaning Into Love: A Jewish Message for Lent/Easter 2020
I was honored to be invited to offer remarks at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Richmond, VA) during the Lenten season. Unfortunately, those plans were…altered…by the pandemic. But my message has been posted on YouTube. You can check it out here:
Posted in Reflections, Sermons
Tagged coronavirus, covid-19, current-events, ethics, health, healthcare, justice, love, politics, religion, social justice, society, spirituality
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Wearing a face mask? You’re doing a mitzvah. Make a brachah!
Among the Jewish tradition’s most cherished values is the sanctity of human life. With a few notable exceptions, one must not endanger their life in order to fulfill a religious obligation. And one must violate even the most significant commandments … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds, Public Statements, Reflections
Tagged blessing, coronavirus, covid-19, current-events, faith, health, healthcare, politics, prayer, religion
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