Hag Sukkot Sameach,
Happy Sukkot to everyone! We want to express how blessed we feel to be a part of this wonderful community. We want to extend also a special thank you to the many volunteers who helped make our High Holy Days so beautiful, including our dedicated and stalwart choir and our ushers. We also thank our office staff who spent long hours processing tickets, and our childcare specialists who cared lovingly for little ones.

Please find our clergy sermons linked below. Peace and blessings upon our congregation, upon Israel, and upon the whole world. 

Rosh Hashanah Evening

Welcome to our Bayit

Through stories, our Temple Isaiah Clergy invited the congregation into their homes by describing as aspect of their homes that motivates and inspires them.

• After you read these stories, consider: How does your home reflect your dreams and beliefs? How is your home reflective of how you create and maintain meaningful relationships? How is your home connected to Israel? What stories can you tell?

 Rosh Hashanah Morning Family Service

The Opposite of Boring is…

Rabbi Zoë Klein shared a story about a man who is terribly bored, so he leaves everything behind in search of paradise. Ultimately, he discovers paradise, but in the last place he’d ever have expected.

• After you read this sermon, consider: How can you also find paradise? What are the ways that Rabbi Klein showed that the opposite of boring is “Judaism”? What do you think is cool about Judaism?

 Rosh Hashanah Morning Main Service

Reach In, Reach Up, Reach Out

Rabbi Rick Kellner spoke about the personal crises so many have faced this past year and asked, “What do we do when it is hard to find joy? How do we overcome life’s challenges?” He explains that strength can come from reaching in, reaching up and reaching out.

• After you read this sermon, consider: What do you do when you are in need of help? Are you more apt to turn inward, to pray to God, reach out to others or none of the above? At which type of “reaching” would you like to become better?

 Kol Nidre

It’s Only A House

Rabbi Zoë Klein heard a financial advisor say to his audience, “If your house is to expensive for you, just unload it. Get rid of it. It’s only a house,” and then wondered if it is really possible to say such a thing.

• After you read this sermon, consider: What are the material things that you cannot do without? What are the non-material things that give your life the most meaning? How can your house promote your core values?

 Yom Kippur Morning Family Service

Slow Down

Rabbi Rick Kellner asked what a yellow light means. When he was told “Slow Down,” he asked it again, but much more slowly. He spoke about a new movement that is catching on to counter our fast-food immediate-gratification society, and how like the tortoise in the famous story, sometimes slow and steady wins the race.

• After you read this sermon, consider: When in your week do you make time to develop relationships, let your imagination wander, relax? What would you have to give up to make part of every Saturday “Shabbat Family Time”?

 Yom Kippur Morning Main Service

Public Education

Rabbi Dara Frimmer spoke about Public Education as the civil rights issue of our time. She urged that it is not only about our schools, but about how we engage with our neighbors in meaningful conversations about issues that affect us all. She asked, “What would it look like for Temple Isaiah to take a leading role in creating a Westside conversation about public education?” and shared many of the steps that have already been taken. She said change starts not with a miracle, but a conversation.

• After you read this sermon, consider sharing a personal story about your experiences with school: as a child, as a teenager, public or private, city or suburbs? Based on those experiences, what kind of education do you want for our children today? When you think about public education, what are your hopes and dreams? What are your concerns? Who else might share your hopes, dreams and concerns? Talk to them and find out!

To learn more about community organizing at Isaiah and our campaign to strengthen Westside schools, join us for our next meeting on October 15 from 7:00-9:00pm at Temple. RSVP at rabbidara@templeisaiah.com.
Sukkot

Health Care Reform

Rabbi Rick Kellner addressed the Health Care Debate from a Jewish historical perspective. After you read this sermon, click here to find out how to contact your representatives and for valuable website links to further your knowledge regarding this important issue.