The Blame Game

Choosing the Living: a response to a world that prefers our history to our presence

The world often embraces Jewish stories when they are tragic, memorialized in museums, or win Academy Awards — but as Dara Horn famously wrote, "People love dead Jews. Living ones, not so much." In this episode, the Rabbis explore the vital connection between our history of loss, our modern right to self-determination, and our future, where the ultimate act of defiance is living with unapologetic Jewish joy.  This sermon originally aired on April 17, 2026. Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here. [https://www.ti-stl.org/payment.php?donation_type_id=7409554] For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org [https://www.ti-stl.org/]   Follow us on social  Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael] Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis] YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/tistl] This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson [https://www.robaronsonmusic.com/].

Jewish Resilience

Having just commemorated Yom HaShoah, and in this moment of deep communal challenge and change, Rabbi Amy reflects on what it means to live openly as a Jew. Drawing on a personal experience, she speaks honestly about loss and isolation since October 7, while also sharing moving stories of unexpected allies and renewed commitment to Jewish life. Her message is a reminder that even in turbulent times, we are strong, we are resilient, and we are not alone. This sermon originally aired on October 2, 2025. Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here. [https://www.ti-stl.org/payment.php?donation_type_id=7409554] For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org [https://www.ti-stl.org/]   Follow us on social  Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael] Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis] YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/tistl] This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson [https://www.robaronsonmusic.com/].

Let My People Go

Moses stands before the burning bush and receives the divine command to tell Pharaoh, "Let my people go," yet he repeatedly resists, citing a profound speech impediment. Yet, this story serves as a powerful reminder that while we are all deeply flawed and bound to fail, if God can entrust the leadership of a nation to a man who struggled to speak, we too are capable of achieving greatness despite our own imperfections.  This sermon originally aired on January 13, 2026. Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here. [https://www.ti-stl.org/payment.php?donation_type_id=7409554] For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org [https://www.ti-stl.org/]   Follow us on social  Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael] Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis] YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/tistl] This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson [https://www.robaronsonmusic.com/].

The Blame Game

When terrible things happen, we often look for where to place the blame - villains, ourselves, even God. This week’s Torah portion prompts us to ask the same question about how the Israelites went from having Joseph as Pharoah’s right-hand man to being entirely enslaved in Egypt just a short time later.  This sermon originally aired on January 9, 2026. Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here. [https://www.ti-stl.org/payment.php?donation_type_id=7409554] For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org [https://www.ti-stl.org/]   Follow us on social  Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael] Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis] YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/tistl] This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson [https://www.robaronsonmusic.com/].

Planting for the Next Generation

Drawing on Mark Twain’s famous observation of Jewish endurance, this sermon explores how the secret to Jewish continuity lies not in having all the answers, but in our commitment to passing down stories and planting for the future. Even in a modern world filled with uncertainty, rising antisemitism, and complex questions that feel impossible to answer, our tradition encourages us to find clarity in our purpose. Like the story of Honi and the carob tree, we are called to be a people that build and flourish for the next generation—planting seeds of meaning today so that those who follow us can taste the fruit tomorrow.  This sermon originally aired on January 23, 2026. Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here. [https://www.ti-stl.org/payment.php?donation_type_id=7409554] For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org [https://www.ti-stl.org/]   Follow us on social  Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael] Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis] YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/tistl] This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson [https://www.robaronsonmusic.com/].