Two weeks ago I gave an impassioned sermon about the right to be who we want to be, to love who we want to love, and to have autonomy over our bodies. I felt sad afterward. These aren’t the sermons I want to give. I want to stand on the bima and tell you it…
Tag: gun violence
The Arithmetic of Failure
Since the pandemic began, we have been a society fixated on numbers. First we were concerned about the raw numbers of people getting sick, and then hospitalized, and then those who have died from COVID. Looking at individual numbers are important for each of these represents a soul who has become sick, a person who…
A Thanksgiving Reflection on Ferguson
I delivered this sermon on 11/28/2014 at Temple Emanuel: Hodu l’adonai ki tov, ki l’olam chasdo –Give thanks to God for God is good, God’s compassion is everlasting. Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate – the people in our lives about whom we care most, the fact that we can hopefully enjoy an abundance of…
Prayer to End Gun Violence
A copy of the prayer I delivered at an interfaith rally to end gun violence, sponsored by Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, of which Temple Emanuel is a founding member: Avinu She’bashamaim, our Holy One in heaven, with solemnity and courage we stand before you today. For too long we have stood…
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 