Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
In this moving Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Adrian M. Schell takes us through the untold narrative of Isaac and Ishmael, two estranged brothers separated by trauma and reunited only by their father Abraham’s death. With a focus on themes of…
In a world that often feels divided and overwhelming, I explore in my Erev Rosh HaShanah Sermon the timeless question: What about hope? Through personal stories, Jewish wisdom, and reflection, I hope to challenge you to reclaim hope not through…
How is your stock-taking – cheshbon haNefesh – going? Now, only 10 days away from the start of the new year and 20 days from Yom Kippur, how much do you feel prepared for the big days in our Jewish…
A couple of years ago, a friend of ours planted a small garden on her balcony. It was nothing fancy—just a few herbs, a tomato plant, and some strawberries. But when that first tomato ripened, it was like magic. She…
In his sermon for Shabbat Ki Teitzei, Rabbi Adrian Schell addresses the complex challenge of remembering past atrocities while striving to move forward, focussing on the Torah’s seemingly contradictory commandments regarding Amalek (Deuteronomy 25:17–19). He draws parallels between this ancient…
In Parashat Ki Teitzei, we encounter the beautiful mitzvah of Shiluach HaKen—the commandment to send away the mother bird before taking her young (Deut. 22:6-7). At first glance, this may seem like a small gesture, but it holds a profound…
In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, we catch a glimpse of the society the Israelites envisioned building upon reaching the Promised Land. It’s a picture of a harmonious community where everyone is cared for, celebrations abound, and prosperity is shared.…
As we delve into Parashat Eikev this Shabbat, two key lessons stand out: the risk of taking our blessings for granted and the deep-rooted connection between our people and the Land of Israel. Moses cautions the Israelites about forgetting God…
On this Tu B’Av, the festival of love, may the divine spark of love illuminate your hearts and guide your souls. May those who are in love be blessed with a deep and enduring connection, filled with understanding, joy, and…
This week, Chayim and I had the pleasure of seeing the musical Hello, Dolly! It’s a joy and cheerful production, filled with music, laughter, and the charm of its main character, Dolly Levi, played by the wonderful Imelda Staunton.