Shtender Jcast Network

Rabbi Knopf’s sermon for Kol Nidrei. Tikkun Olam is hard work. Rabbi Knopf offers thoughts on how to be most effective in our work of world repair, and also why we should bother.

Rabbi Knopf offers words of inspiration and prayer to Richmond’s community-wide interfaith Eid dinner, the Muslim celebration of the end of Ramadan.  

Rabbi Knopf’s teaching for Parshat Devarim (Aug. 12, 2016). Words are powerful, but we so often do not treat them as such. This is readily apparent in contemporary politics, but also, if we look, in our own lives.  

Rabbi Knopf’s teaching for Parshat Pinhas (July 30, 2016). Many people think that leadership is about passion, energy, and decisive action, no matter the cost. The Torah warns us about such leaders, and insists that true leadership requires compassion, understanding, patience, and relationship.  

Rabbi Knopf’s teaching for Parshat Bamidbar (June 11, 2016). How a close read of the opening verses of Numbers can teach us how to hear God’s voice today.  

Rabbi Knopf shares a graduation message with the Class of 2016, reminding them that we are all connected to each other, a fact that calls for awareness and action.  

Rabbi Knopf’s message for Parashat Emor (May 21, 2016), on the importance of presence, not sacrificing the moment for the unknown future.

Rabbi Knopf’s message for Parashat Kedoshim (May 14, 2016), on the impossibility of dual loyalties, and the value of commitment.  

Rabbi Knopf’s Yizkor message for the last day of Passover (April 30, 2016), on the power and importance of memory, including what happens when we lose it.  

Rabbi Knopf’s message for the eve of the 8th day of Passover (April 29, 2016), about the connection between Shabbat and the Exodus, and why it matters.  

Rabbi Knopf’s message for the second day of Passover (April 24, 2016), on the question of the justice of the 5th plague, the death of livestock: How can God seem to be so cruel?  

Rabbi Knopf’s message for the first day of Passover (April 23, 2016), on the growing generational divide over Israel in the Jewish community, and what we can do about it.  

Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Shemini (April 1, 2016), on the spiritual impact of a very physical act, eating.  

Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Parashat Tzav (March 26, 2016), on how a religious life needs both the continual nourishment of tradition and exposure to the outside world.  

Rabbi Knopf offers some words of prayer to kick off Richmond’s February city council meeting.      

Some brief reflections on how Judaism can guide our thinking about welcoming refugees.  

Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Parashat Bo (January 16, 2016), on the plague of darkness, in ancient Egypt, and today.  

Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Parashat Va-Era (January 9, 2016), on the infinite possibility of our lives.  

Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Va-Era (January 8, 2016), on the importance of the fierce urgency of now.  

Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Vayigash (December 18, 2015), on the legacy of Judah, and our communal responsibilities as Jews.