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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- 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
- Saving Democracy is a Jewish Obligation November 1, 2022
Tag Archives: religion
Don’t Hate One Another More Than Necessary
These remarks were originally shared a speech to Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, VA, on March 8, 2023. Last year, I came and spoke to the faculty and administration about rising antisemitism in America and around the world; what it … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged anti-semitism, antisemitism, culture, current-events, immigration, Judaism, justice, LGBTQ+, politics, racism, religion, society, Torah
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Saving Democracy is a Jewish Obligation
Saying that democracy itself is on the ballot has become a cliche for a reason. Experts widely agree that threats to democracy in the U.S. and around the world are rising, including the specter of political violence and election subversion … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged Democracy, Judaism, justice, politics, religion, social justice, Torah, wisdom
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When the Party’s Over — Shemini Atzeret 5783
My friend and drumming teacher, Chris Parker, once taught me a lesson about music that has always stayed with me: “Music,” he said, “is sound organized in time.” In other words, sound without time is just noise. Time without sound … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged grief, High Holidays, High Holy Days, holidays, Judaism, music, religion, Shemini Atzeret, spirituality, Sukkot, Torah, wisdom, yizkor
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The World Was Created for You — Parashat Ha-Azinu 5783
The 19th century hasidic master Reb Simcha Bunim of Peshischa famously taught that a person should always carry a note in each of their pockets. On one should be written the biblical verse, “anokhi afar va-efer / I am dust … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged ethics, God, human dignity, human-rights, Judaism, justice, parashah, religion, social justice, society, spirituality, Torah, torah portion, wisdom
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Are You a Hero? — Yom Kippur 5783
By now, you’ve heard quite a bit about my sabbatical; perhaps more than you wanted to know. Apologies if that’s the case. On Rosh Hashanah, I talked about how I tried to embrace the spirit of Shabbat by refraining from … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged david bowie, High Holidays, High Holy Days, holidays, Judaism, religion, society, spirituality, superheroes, Torah, wisdom, Yom Kippur
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Who Are You? — Kol Nidrei 5783
During my sabbatical this summer, I began finally putting pen to paper on a project that I’d been dreaming about for some time – a series of comic books based on the weekly Torah portion, with at least one volume … Continue reading
Why Are You Here? — Rosh Hashanah 5783
As a people that is well over three thousand years old, Jews have collectively lived through many eras of upheaval. We have endured revolutions and conquests; crusades, inquisitions and expulsions; the rise and fall of empires; civil wars and world … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged High Holidays, High Holy Days, holidays, Judaism, justice, politics, religion, rosh ha-shanah, rosh hashana, rosh hashanah, social justice, society, Torah
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Shabbat for Shabbat’s Sake: Parashat Sh’lakh Lekha 5782
I didn’t grow up in a sabbath-observant home. The first time I encountered traditional Shabbat observance was during my first summer at Camp Ramah in New England, when I was about 11 years old. And if I’m being totally honest, … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Judaism, religion, sabbatical, Shabbat, spirituality, Torah, wisdom
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Message to the Class of 2022
Delivered at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School Baccalaureate Ceremony, June 16, 2022 Let me begin by expressing my gratitude for having been invited here this evening. It is such an honor to be with you to celebrate this milestone with … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Reflections, Sermons
Tagged justice, religion, social justice, society, wisdom
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Punk’s Not Dead, It’s Jewish: Shavuot 5782
I couldn’t be more excited for the new FX/Hulu miniseries Pistol, which promises to tell the true story of one of my favorite bands, The Sex Pistols. I first discovered The Pistols as a teen, when my natural disposition toward … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged holidays, Judaism, justice, music, politics, Punk rock, religion, resistance, social justice, society, Torah
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Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf 