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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: society
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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Antisemitism bills shouldn’t stifle free speech
Antisemitism is a serious and growing problem in the United States. Attacks on American Jews and Jewish communal institutions are at an all-time high, and a new survey finds that “classical fascist” antisemitic views, pernicious conspiracy theories about Jews as a powerful conspiratorial … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds, Public Statements
Tagged anti-semitism, antisemitism, BDS, Israel, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Judaism, justice, politics, social justice, society, Torah
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With Israel’s Democracy In Danger, We Must Not Silence Critics
As a new far-right government takes power in Israel, a debate among Jewish Americans has erupted about what it means to be “pro-Israel.” This is not new. Even before the First Zionist Congress convened over 120 years ago, there were … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged AIPAC, American Judaism, Israel, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Judaism, justice, politics, social justice, society, wisdom, Zionism
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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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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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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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‘Earn This’: Last Day of Passover 5782
Over the course of the past year or so, I’ve committed to filling in what I call my “pop culture blindspots,” making a point to watch movies with a significant cultural footprint that I, for various reasons, haven’t seen. One … Continue reading
When the Devil Comes for You: Parashat Tazria 5782
Sometimes, live television affords us moments that could never have been predicted in advance and yet, as you watch them happen, you know you are witnessing something that everyone is going to be talking about for years to come. Last … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged academy awards, Chris rock, Denzel washington, Oscars, parashah, pop culture, religion, sedra, society, spirituality, Torah, torah portion, will smith, wisdom
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Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf 