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Sukkot, Science and Religion

Posted on October 4, 2023

My piece on Sukkot, science and religion at sinaiandsynapses.org! Image by Freepik

Sukkot, Water, and Oneness

Posted on September 26, 2023

From Yom Kippur, when we put aside our material existence by fasting and spending so many hours in prayer, we move within days to Sukkot. Sukkot is by contrast a very earthy, material holiday. There is the Sukkah booth itself and the plant material that makes up its roof. There are the Arba’ah Minim, the Four Continue Reading »

Rabbi Jon’s Rosh Hashanah Sermons 5784 (2023)

Posted on September 20, 2023

Click to read the text of the sermons: Day 1 — Glimmers Day 2 — Through Regret Or watch or listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ls7atGlUohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qamHm6VmXzo

Click Here for Elul 2023 / 5783 – Information, Resources, and Links

Posted on August 16, 2023

Click Here for Elul 2023 / 5783 – Information, Resources, and Links

The Eye Inside the Eye: D’var Torah for Parashat Re’eh

Posted on August 16, 2023

This was my D’var Torah for Parashat Re’eh last Shabbat, August 12, 2023. Two friends encounter each other late at night near the town square. It’s a classic small New England town, gazebo in the center, and it’s a particularly clear night, the new moon. The one finds the other kneeling down next to a Continue Reading »

Best of High Holy Day Sermons, Second Edition!

Posted on August 15, 2023

From Rabbi Jon — my updated list of recommendations of my own Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur words spanning the past ten-plus years that I think stand the test of time: Hope In An Uncertain World (5777/2016) What the Chanukkah dreidel can teach us about four kinds of hope. Who Knows? (5780/2019) How the story Continue Reading »

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot – A Nashua Theater Guild Production

Posted on August 8, 2023

We hate Shakespeare! At least that’s what the audience thinks until they get a rip-roaring rundown of Shakespeare’s classics. With zombies, talking cows, and an appearance by Jerry Springer, I Hate Shakespeare! is a hilarious and fast-paced introduction to Shakespeare — with a modern twist. Plus, someone gets a pie in the face. A gloriously Continue Reading »

“How To Be President” Project — Rabbi Jon, Rev. Palm and Rev. Reinke Interviewed Gov. Asa Hutchinson

Posted on August 3, 2023

Here is the full unedited video of our conversation on August 2, 2023 with former Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Republican candidate for president. Rabbi Jon, Rev. Allison Palm of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, and Rev. Michael Reinke of Church of Our Savior (Episcopal) in Milford interviewed the governor. Learn more about why Continue Reading »

Keter Shem Tov Recipient Ruth Weiner Harris

Posted on July 11, 2023

Temple Beth Abraham is pleased to award this year’s Keter Shem Tov (the crown of a good name) to Ruth Weiner Harris. Ruth has been an active member of Temple Beth Abraham for over 40 years. Ruth’s passion for helping to enhance Temple Beth Abraham has always been in the forefront. She has contributed to Continue Reading »

For Independence Day: Yaz on Masada (My American Tale — What’s Yours?)

Posted on July 3, 2023

This is the D’var Torah I gave for Parshiyyot Chukkat-Balak 5783, July 1, 2023. This is a picture of me at the age of 17 on top of Masada in Israel, wearing a baseball cap that says “YAZ”. I remember asking someone to take this picture, and to get me and the Yaz cap and Continue Reading »