Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz heralds in 5787 with nuance, tears, laughter, soul-shaking depth and wisdom in his Rosh Hashanah sermon. Rabbi Gewirtz calls out our behavior to litmus test each other, a litmus test cloaked in broad generalizations that alienate us from each other and the truth. Through meaningful personal stories, including his recent time in Israel’s West Bank, Gewirtz calls for integrity, kindness, listening and courage. 5787 begins in behavior that continues to unravel October 7 wreckage and menshlekeit, the ability to behave kindly and with love towards one another. Listen further for spiritual inspiration.

Touching upon the themes of holding fear, clearing blurring eyes and looking to truly see, Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz finds himself trying to understand the different complex elements that comprise the fabric of Israeli society and his own soul.

Rabbi Matt spent his Sabbatical having deep conversations with cab drivers about Israeli society, confronting those who control what it means to be a Jew in Israel, meeting with Israeli literary heroes, politicians, members of the military, TBJ kids, Jews, Arabs, Christians and strangers. Rabbi Matt discovers hope through his dear friends Chen & Michal, who still feel trauma and dance again. Through his love of Shlomo Artzi, Rabbi Matt finds personal redemption through his daughter Sadie while sharing the experience with a fellow concert-goer and Artzi himself. The humanity of Rabbi Gewirtz, crying while landing in Israel with blurry eyes, spent his time clearing the blur.

We are charged with taking our job to see clearly seriously and look with clarity.

On the Shabbat before Tisha B'av, the saddest day in the Jewish Calendar, Cantor Beth Reinstein explores what grief has to teach us.