I am going to let you all in on a little secret that many of you may know – I can, in fact, play the guitar. I have one sitting in my office at this very moment, a beautiful Taylor that I very much enjoy playing. I use it regularly to lead worship for our…
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On Finding My True Helping Partner
On Rosh Hashanah 2012 I stood on the bima and pointed out to all of the Jewish mothers and grandmothers in the room that my ring-finger was woefully bare. I used this “date gathering scheme” to talk about the difficulties of the first date; the simple trivial conversations that we hope will turn into deeper,…
How will we remember our history?
This sermon was originally delivered on 6/19, the day after the tragic mass shooting of people praying at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. In 2008 I served as the director of Education for Camp Kalsman, a URJ camp located an hour outside of Seattle and had the amazing opportunity to write a letter in…
Opening Prayer for the Colorado State Senate
On January 30, 2015 I delivered the following prayer at the opening of Colorado State Senate: Makor Chayyim, Source of all life, we arrive at this moment filled with gratitude, awe, and anticipation. With gratitude we arrive in this sacred chamber each morning. We give thanks for the opportunity to make our great State of…
Prayer for Peace for all who live in Israel/Palestine
I gave this prayer to conclude a JStreet event at Temple Emanuel on 12/18/2014: Avinu Shebashamayim, God who is in Heaven, may You guide our hands to work towards creating peace in Israel/Palestine for all who dwell there. May you intend our minds and hearts to work towards peace together with all who seek peace…
Lebron James, Welcome Home
In the winter of 2003 I was walking through my college quad when I decided to call my parents. Usually available, I was surprised when they said that they couldn’t talk because they were going to the University of Akron to watch some high school student who was supposed to be this big new star…
We must stop anti-Semitism in all corners of society.
We all engage in activities we really enjoy but feel ashamed about. For me, this activity is reading Gizmodo.com, a popular gadget blog run by Gawker media. I have been reading this website regularly for about 10 years, beginning when I was a computer science major in College. The writing isn’t great, the flagrant self-promotion…
Turning Baseless Hatred into Unconditional Love
Parashat V’etchanan, 5774. August 8th, 2014 Rabbi Brian Immerman I did not attend the rally for Israel last week at the state capital, primarily for two reasons. First, I was skeptical when I learned it was sponsored by Americans Against Terrorism, an organization whose messages I believe cross the line from supporting Israel to fueling…
Prayer for Israel
Yihi Ratzon Milfanecha, our God and God of our ancestors, as we gather on another tragic day of violence in Israel, we pray for peace among those who dwell in her land. May you shelter the land with protection so that our brothers can emerge from their bomb shelters. May you shower the land with…
Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbors
Sixteen years ago, and just as young, I packed my backpack with my homework, grabbed a sack lunch from our refrigerator, and I left for the walk to school. I crossed Lee Road at Fernway, normally a busy intersection, and noticed it was quiet. I looked to the South and saw some Police tape –…
Rabbi Brian Immerman 