Torah Outside The Box - with Rabbi Louis Sachs

Conversation with Dr. Christian Funke - From Berlin to Toronto: Lessons from Germany’s Fight Against Antisemitism

Rabbi Louis Sachs sits down with Dr. Christian Funke, advisor to Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life and the fight against antisemitism, for a frank conversation about where government action matters—and where it reaches its limits. Drawing on Germany’s post October 7 response, legal approaches to hate speech, campus accountability, and initiatives that foster Jewish visibility, they explore what protects communities, what builds empathy, and what Canada might learn. Dr Christian Funke serves as personal advisor to the Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Antisemitism, Dr Felix Klein. He previously held the position of policy officer at the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, where his responsibilities included Jewish communities, churches and religious affairs. He holds a doctorate in Religious Studies. Before entering public service, Dr Funke was active in academia with a focus on Religious and Islamic studies, and spent extended periods living in Iran and Israel. . Torah Outside the Box is a podcast where Rabbi Louis Sachs shares sermons, stories, and reflections that bring Torah beyond the walls of the synagogue. Follow Rabbi Sachs on Instagram - @rabbisachs [https://www.instagram.com/rabbisachs/] or www.rabbisachs.com [https://www.rabbisachs.com]

When Words Aren’t Enough (Why Action Is What Matters) : A Shabbat Sermon from January 31, 2026

Rabbi Louis Sachs explores the power and the limits of speech in Jewish tradition. Through the classic parable of the feather pillow and teachings about lashon hara, he examines how our words can cause lasting harm—even when no legal remedy exists. But the heart of this sermon is not just about speech, it’s about action. Drawing on the story of Nachshon at the sea and modern political moments—from Holocaust Remembrance Day to statements by public officials—Rabbi Sachs challenges us to ask: are we content with saying the right things, or are we living our values through what we do? This is a sermon about responsibility, integrity, and the moral emptiness of hollow language. Words matter, but they’re not enough. Delivered on Shabbat morning, January 31, 2026, at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Toronto. Torah Outside the Box is a podcast from Rabbi Louis Sachs of Beth Sholom Synagogue in Toronto, sharing sermons and teachings that bring Torah beyond the synagogue and into everyday life. With clarity and care, Rabbi Sachs explores how ancient Jewish wisdom speaks to the challenges and questions of the modern world. Each episode offers thoughtful, relevant, and tradition-rooted insights that invite listeners to reflect, feel, and live with greater intention. Honest and relatable, these teachings offer a spiritual lens through which to view our lives — because Torah belongs not just in the synagogue, but everywhere.

Why Do We Lock the Door? : A Shabbat Message from September 13, 2025

Rabbi Louis Sachs explores the painful yet pressing question his four-year-old daughter asked after a school lockdown drill: “Why do we lock the door?” Reflecting on the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and the disturbing celebrations that followed, he draws on Jewish teachings to examine the power of speech, challenging us to defend civil discourse, reject violence, and stand proudly for our values and identity. Delivered on Shabbat morning, September 13, 2025. Torah Outside the Box is a podcast where Rabbi Louis Sachs shares sermons, stories, and reflections that bring Torah beyond the walls of the synagogue. Thoughtful, heartfelt, and occasionally a little provocative, each episode explores how Jewish wisdom speaks to modern life — because Torah belongs not just in the synagogue, but in our lives.

The Empty Pew Problem (And What We Can Do About It) : A Shabbat Sermon from June 7, 2025

Rabbi Louis Sachs explores the tension between decorum and belonging in our synagogues. Drawing on halachic sources, personal anecdotes, and a striking Midrash about Rabbi Meir, he challenges us to consider: are our expectations of reverence in the sanctuary pushing people away from the very place they most need to feel at home? From coffee cups to crying children, this sermon reflects on how cultural norms evolve—and why preserving shalom bayit sometimes means letting go of our own assumptions about what “respect” looks like. Delivered on Shabbat morning, June 7, 2025, at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Toronto. Torah Outside the Box is a podcast from Rabbi Louis Sachs of Beth Sholom Synagogue in Toronto, sharing sermons and teachings that bring Torah beyond the synagogue and into everyday life. With clarity and care, Rabbi Sachs explores how ancient Jewish wisdom speaks to the challenges and questions of the modern world. Each episode offers thoughtful, relevant, and tradition-rooted insights that invite listeners to reflect, feel, and live with greater intention. Honest and relatable, these teachings offer a spiritual lens through which to view our lives — because Torah belongs not just in the synagogue, but everywhere.

From Mourning to Mission: Passover Yizkor April 20, 2025

Rabbi Louis Sachs explores how this year's Passover and Yizkor feel heartbreakingly different in light of ongoing hostage crises and loss. Drawing on writings from the families of hostages and the newly created "Hostage Families Haggadah," the sermon challenges listeners to carry memory forward with purpose—not just to remember, but to transform grief into action and legacy. Delivered on Shabbat morning, April 20, 2025. Torah Outside the Box is a podcast where Rabbi Louis Sachs shares sermons, stories, and reflections that bring Torah beyond the walls of the synagogue. Thoughtful, heartfelt, and occasionally a little provocative, each episode explores how Jewish wisdom speaks to modern life — because Torah belongs not just in the synagogue, but in our lives.