What Does Juneteenth Have to Do with Judaism?

When Does Silence Become Complicity? – Rabbi Max Antman

Recorded live on July 10, 2026. When does staying silent stop being neutral? In this week's sermon on Parashat Matot-Masei, Rabbi Antman explores an ancient Torah law with a strikingly modern message: silence is never just the absence of words. Drawing on Jewish tradition, the Talmud, and recent Supreme Court dissents by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, he reflects on the moral responsibility to speak out when our values are at stake. What do we owe our communities, our leaders, and one another? And when does choosing not to object make us complicit? This sermon is a powerful invitation to find the courage to use our voices—even when speaking up is uncomfortable, unpopular, or comes at a cost.

Why Aren't We Flying the American Flag Anymore? – Rabbi Max Antman

Recorded live on July 3, 2026. As America marks its 250th anniversary, Rabbi Antman asks a timely question: What does patriotism look like when your country feels deeply divided? Drawing on the remarkable story of the daughters of Zelophehad in Parashat Pinchas, this sermon explores the courage to challenge a flawed system without abandoning it. Rather than walking away, these five women fought to make their community more just, planting their flag in a future they believed was worth building. Through Torah, American history, and the enduring Jewish commitment to repair, Rabbi Antman offers a hopeful vision of patriotism rooted not in perfection, but in the sacred work of creating a more compassionate world.

The Mistake That Kept Moses Out of the Promised Land – Rabbi Scott Gellman

Recorded live on June 26, 2026. In this sermon, Rabbi Gellman reflects on Parashat Chukat-Balak and America's approaching 250th anniversary, asking what it means to love a country while remaining honest about its failures. Drawing on Moses striking the rock, childhood Lego builds, Jewish history, and America's unfinished story, he explores why Judaism insists that how we pursue justice matters just as much as the outcome itself. From the Exodus to the Constitution, from the St. Louis to the work that still lies ahead, this sermon is an invitation to embrace both truth and hope—and to remember that a more perfect union is always under construction.

What Is Really Happening to Democracy in Israel? – Rabbi Shoshanah Conover with Orly Erez Likhovski

Rabbi Conover sits down with Orly Erez Likhovski, director of the Israel Religious Action Center, for a timely conversation about democracy, pluralism, religious freedom, gender equality, and social justice in Israel. Orly shares insights from her legal advocacy work, including efforts to protect egalitarian prayer at the Kotel, oppose gender segregation, challenge extremist legislation, and build an Israel rooted in dignity, equality, and Jewish pluralism. This conversation offers an honest look at the challenges facing Israeli society and a reminder that hope is sustained through action, advocacy, and connection.

What Does Juneteenth Have to Do with Judaism?

Recorded live as part of Temple Sholom's Juneteenth Shabbat on June 19, 2026. Temple Sholom member, educator, attorney, and shofar blower Nia Crosley joins Rabbi Conover to explore the connections between Juneteenth, the Exodus story, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom. Drawing on Jewish tradition, American history, and personal experience, they reflect on memory, justice, and the responsibility that comes with remembering what it means to be oppressed. Together, they examine the parallels and distinctions between the Jewish and Black American experiences, asking what freedom requires of us today and how sacred memory can inspire meaningful action.