Welcome to our library of Jewish thought! At every Shabbat and holiday service, our clergy present sermons that teach the values of Judaism and respond to the questions and complexities of Jewish religious and secular life. We have compiled an archive of the most recent sermons here on our website. Take a moment to add a bit of Torah to your busy day. We invite you to read a sermon you've missed, or take a second look at one of your favorites.
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You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the sermons If you are having any problems, please download the latest version. |
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| Twittering Torah - 6/19/2009 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz discusses the implications for Twitter on the Jewish process of questioning and study. |
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| Images of Israel - 5/01/2009 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz discusses 2 iconic images of Israel and the cover of the May 1, 2009 issue of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal. A sermon reflecting on Israel's 61st birthday. |
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| How To Not Be Depressed in a Depression - 2/28/2009 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz talks about the Hebrew month of Adar and its commandment to increase joy and happiness in light of our economic situation. |
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| 15 Minutes to Impact... Never Again - 1/02/2009 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz speaks out about the conflict in Gaza and the threats to Israel's existence. |
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| Legacy - Tarzana the Promised Land - 10/10/2008 |
| Rabbi Don Goor's High Holy Day sermon on building a mishkan(a holy place) and the Temple Judea Legacy campaign. |
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| Siblings - 10/09/2008 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender's Yom Kippur sermon on siblings and the Jewish values of family relationships |
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| "Who is Rich?" - 10/09/2008 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz' Kol Nidrei sermon about the current economic crsis and how as Jews we are commanded to act and respond. |
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| -Isms - 10/01/2008 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender examines Ageism, Sexism, Racisim and Heterosexualism from the Jewish perspective. |
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| Who Will Live and Who Will Die? The Power to Decide is in Our Hands - 10/01/2008 |
| Rabbi Don Goor, High Holy Day sermon on Health Care in America and the Jewish perspective. |
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| Eat and Be Satisfied - 9/30/2008 |
| Rosh Hashanah Sermon from Rabbi Dan Moskovitz on addiction, compulsive behavior and hearing God's voice. |
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| Going for the Bronze! - 8/15/2008 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz talks about the significance of the number three in Jewish tradition. |
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| Bring Them Home - 7/18/2008 |
| Rabbi Moskovitz shares his thoughts on the Israeli prisoner exchange for the remains of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser (z"l) |
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| Blessed is the Match - 10/26/2007 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz talks about the divergent lessons learned from fire and the symbolisim of fire in Jewish tradition. |
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| Rabbinic Leftovers - 10/05/2007 |
| View a video of the Rabbinic Leftovers Shabbat Service as our Rabbis share those words that did not make it into their High Holy Day sermons. Also enjoy the beautiful music of our Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot and our very talented CITs (Cantors in Training). Click on the READ MORE link below to view the video of the service. |
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| Yizkor Talk - 9/25/2007 |
| Rabbi Don Goor compossed the following Yizkor Talk that was deleievered at both Tarzana and West Campus |
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| How To Cure a Fanatic - 9/24/2007 |
| High Holy Day Sermon delivered by Rabbi Don Goor of Temple Judea (Tarzana & West Hills, CA). Rabbi Goor addresses the issue of fanatasism and the importance of hearing the other's point of view. Click on the READ MORE link below for video and full text of this sermon. |
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| The Earth is the Lord's - 9/22/2007 |
| High Holy Day Sermon delivered by Rabbi Don Goor of Temple Judea (Tarzana & West Hills, CA) speaks about the climate crisis and a Jewish responsibility to be caretakers of the earth and its natural resoruces. Click on the READ MORE link below for video and full text of this sermon. |
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| Aging Jewishly - 9/23/2007 |
| High Holy Day Sermon delivered by Rabbi Karen Bender of Temple Judea (Tarzana & West Hills, CA) about the blessing and meaning of aging from the persepctive of Jewish tradition. Click on the READ MORE link below for video and full text of this sermon. |
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| Moral Dilemma, The Aggressive Impulse and Peace - 9/23/2007 |
| High Holy Day Sermon delivered by Rabbi Karen Bender of Temple Judea (Tarzana & West Hills, CA) about the Iraq War, our aggressive impulses as human beings and the Jewish imperative to seek peace and pursue it. Click on the READ MORE link below for video and full text of this sermon. |
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| Success-ism - 9/22/2007 |
| High Holy Day Sermon delivered by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz of Temple Judea (Tarzana & West Hills, CA) speaks about the loss of childhood and the subsequent pressure placed on children and families to suceed and to fill each available moment of every day in the pursuit of happiness. Click on the READ MORE link below for video and full text of this sermon. |
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| God Talk - 9/23/2007 |
| A Second Day Rosh Hashanah sermon delivered by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz. A conversation about God and four fundamental questions. |
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| iTorah - 6/29/2007 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz discuss the release of the iPhone and its implications for modern Jewish life. |
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| National Anthem - 6/26/2007 |
| Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot sings the Nathional Anthem at Pac Bell Park (now SBC Park) in San Francisco 2/5/2004 |
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| TO LIFE! - 1/19/2007 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz talks about the message and lessons we must learn from the death of our young friends. |
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| Providing Hope - 1/05/2007 |
| Rabbi Don Goor reflects on lessons learned from his recent mission to Ethiopia. |
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| WHO IS YOUR PERSONAL PERSON OF THE YEAR? - 12/30/2006 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz reflects on the Time Magazine Person of the Year for 2006 and our own personal influences/role models. |
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| FIFTY FOUR HOURS IN THE HOLIEST OF LANDS - 10/03/2006 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender High HolyDay Sermon 5767. Podcast available on iTunes search Temple Judea |
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| THE WORLD NEEDS THE JEWS - 10/03/2006 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz High Holy Day Sermon 5767. Podcast available on iTunes search Temple Judea |
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| THE AUDACITY OF HOPE - 10/03/2006 |
| Rabbi Don Goor, High Holy Day Sermon 5767. Podcast available on iTunes search Temple Judea |
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| LIVING WITH FEAR IN A WORLD FILLED WITH FEAR - 10/03/2006 |
| Rabbi Bruce Raff, High Holy Day Sermon 5767. Podcast available on iTunes search Temple Judea |
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| YIZKOR DRASH 5767 - 10/02/2006 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender Yizkor Drash (podcast and video soon available) |
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| What Kind of Society Should We Have? - 3/30/2006 |
| A sermon by Rabbi Don Goor on immigration in America as an 'I-Thou' issue |
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| What if...? - 1/06/2006 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz reflects on the Talmudic principle of saving a life and thereby saving the entire world. A sermon about the difference one person can make in the lives of others. |
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| Measure Twice and Cut Once - 11/04/2005 |
| Rabbi Moskovitz speaks about the meaning of Mitzvah Day and the work of Tikkun Olam. |
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| Rabbinic Leftovers - 10/29/2005 |
| Sermons and music you didn't hear at the High Holy Days from our Rabbis and Cantor |
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| Rosa Parks’ Bus - 10/28/2005 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender, Rabbinic Leftover's sermon on Rosa Parks and how we each have a bus. |
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| To Everything There Is A Beginning - 10/21/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz on Parshat B'reysheit and what it really means to be, The People of the Book. |
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| Let Justice Well Up as the Waters - 10/14/2005 |
| Rabbi Don Goor, High Holy Day Sermon 5766: Tikkun Olam requires more than a bandaid, it takes real, long lasting repair. |
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| Empathy - 10/13/2005 |
| High Holy Day 5766 Sermon by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz on Empathy and how as Jews it informs our world view and relationship with others. |
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| The Loving Stranger Who Dwells Among Us - 10/13/2005 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender's High Holy Day sermon on welcoming the non-Jew into our community. |
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| Teach Them Well - 10/12/2005 |
| Rabbi Bruce Raff, High Holy Day sermon on the lessons learned from being and becoming an adult. |
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| Shanah Tovah - 10/04/2005 |
| Rabbi Don Goor's welcome remarks for Rosh Hashanah |
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| Mishebeyrach - 10/03/2005 |
| Cantor Alison Wissot and the Temple Judea Choir singing Mishebeyrach at Rosh Hashanah services 5766 |
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| Shalom Rav - 10/03/2005 |
| Cantor Wissot and Soloist Lauren Furman sing Shalom Rav as part of the Rosh Hashanah service. |
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| What would you die for? What do you live for? - 10/03/2005 |
| Rosh Hashanah 5766 D'var Torah on Parshat Vayera and the Binding of Isaac, by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Where Was God, Where Is Man? - 9/02/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, questions raised by the natural and human disaster that has occured in the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A Sermon and Text Study |
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| Color Wars - 8/05/2005 |
| Rabbi Don Goor discusses the Dissengagement and the tensions it has created in Israel. |
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| Tell The Story - 7/29/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz examines Parshat D'varim and its important lessons of our collective family story. |
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| The Three People You Meet When You Go To Israel - 7/22/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, shares his reflections and observations upon his recent return from study in Israel. |
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| Memorial Day - 5/27/2005 |
| Rabbi Don Goor reflects on the meaning of Memorial Day in the United States |
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| How to Eat a Hot Dog on Matzah - 4/15/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, Shabbat sermon on the importance of passover for Reform Jews. |
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| If These Walls Could Talk - 4/08/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, Shabbat Fusion D'var Torah on Parshat Tazria and the peculiar verse in the Torah that explains that a house can be infected with a skin disease. |
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| Building a Temple Builds Community - 2/11/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, Drash on Parsha Terumah and its message of Tzedakkah on the eve of Super Sunday |
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| Shamor v' Zachor (Protect and Remember) - 1/28/2005 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, sermon commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz |
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| MERRY CHRISTMAHANUKAWANZAKAH - 12/17/2004 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz explores the blending of winter holidays together and how that trend impacts Jewish identity. |
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| Why Do Jews Vote - 10/28/2004 |
| Rabbi Don Goor, on the Jewish vote and it historical impact on American democracy. |
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| I am the violin - 9/29/2004 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender - Yizkor Talk 5765 |
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| A Mountain and a Boat - 9/29/2004 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender - High Holy Day Sermon 5765 |
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| Where Jews Find Community - 9/27/2004 |
| Rabbi Bruce Raff - High Holy Day Sermon 5765 |
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| Year of Shabbat - 9/27/2004 |
| Rabbi Don Goor - High Holy Day Sermon 5765 |
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| The Stirring of Memories - 9/27/2004 |
| Rabbi Don Goor - Yizkor Talk 5765 |
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| Fear, Curiosity, Courage and Hope - 9/27/2004 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz - High Holy Day Sermon 5765 |
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| Israel: Real or Imagined?! - 8/13/2004 |
| Rabbi Don Goor. Rabbi Goor shares his reflections on his recent one month visit to Israel wheer he was a Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem |
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| The Greatest Generation - 5/28/2004 |
| On Shabbat Naso, Rabbi Moskovitz speaks about the connection of the World War II generation and the Dor B'Midbar, the Generation of the Desert in this week's Parsha. |
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| In The Big Inning - 3/12/2004 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz shares a D'var Torah on Parshat Ki Tisa viewed through the lens and insights of baseball. |
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| Passionate About The Passion - 2/27/2004 |
| Rabbi Moskovitz shares his reaction to Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of Christ |
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| The Volkswagon as a Temple - 1/24/2004 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz speaks out about the grocery workers strike and lockout in Southern California |
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| We Are What We Eat - 1/24/2004 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz. Keeping kosher in the age of Mad Cow. |
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| Shalom Bayit - 10/07/2003 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender - High Holy Day Sermon 5764: Peace in the Home is Judaism's highest value. |
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| A New Way to Think About God - 10/07/2003 |
| Rabbi Bruce Raff - High Holy Day Sermon 5764. There are events in our world that just happen and are neither a punishment nor a consequence from God. |
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| God Love Us Anyway - 10/07/2003 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz - High Holy Day Sermon 5764. An exploration of the causes and remedies of Jewish Guilt. |
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| Find Your Judaism in Your Feet - 10/07/2003 |
| Rabbi Don Goor - High Holy Day Sermon 5764: A sermon on the past, present and future of Tikkun Olam at Temple Judea. |
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| Yizkor Talk 5764 - 10/07/2003 |
| Rabbi Don Goor - also delivered by Rabbi Moskovitz at the West Campus. |
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| Open Up A Window - 9/29/2003 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz: Second Day Rosh Hashanah 5764 - D'var Torah |
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| A Report From Israel - 5/09/2003 |
| Rabbi Don Goor's address during the joint Yom Ha'atzmauth service between Temple Judea and Temple Aliyah. Delivered at Temple Aliyah |
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| Yom Haatzmaut - Celebration 55 - 5/06/2003 |
| Rabbi Karen Bender's address to the West Valley Jewish community at Celebration 55. |
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| War Is Not The Answer - 2/28/2003 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, explains the Jewish legal traditions view on war and when one is obligated to engage in it. |
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| Sins of Head, Heart and Soul - 12/20/2002 |
| Rabbi Dan Moskovitz comments on the biblical parallels of Sen. Trent Lotts recent praise of Sen. Strom Thurmond. |
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| I know What It Was Like in Noah's Ark - 10/11/2002 |
| In this Shabbat Sermon we explore the lessons of Noah and the ark. |
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| Yizkor Talk - 9/16/2002 |
| Delivered at the Hall of Liberty, Yom Kippur 5763 |
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| Standing As Tall As The Statue of Liberty - 9/16/2002 |
| High Holy Day Sermon 5763 on the Yahrtzeit of America's Freedom Rabbi Karen Bender |
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| Yizkor Talk - 9/16/2002 |
| Yizkor Talk delivered at the West Campus 5763 |
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| Love, Family, Perfection & Forgiveness - 9/16/2002 |
| High Holy Day 5763 sermon. |
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| Yizkor Talk - 9/16/2002 |
| Yizkor 5763 |
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| Israel Is Organic - 9/15/2002 |
| High Holy Day 5763 sermon on Israel and our relationship to it. |
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| Run For Your Life - 9/15/2002 |
| High Holy Day Sermon 5763 on lessons learned while running 26.2 milies. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Lessons Learned While Rolling Torah - 9/08/2002 |
| This Second Day Rosh Hashanah Sermon was delivered at the Tarzana Campus 9/8/02 - 5763 |
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| I Spy - 6/07/2002 |
| A Friday Night sermon in response to the call of the Federal Government for the establishment of a Department of Homeland Security. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| If the Torah Fits - 5/18/2002 |
| Sermon for Shabbat Shavuot, about finding a fit for Judaism in your life. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Knife, Fork and Spoon Revisited - 4/05/2002 |
| A Shabbat sermon. |
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| HaTikvah - The Hope of A Tiny Nation - 3/29/2002 |
| A sermon discussing the recent terror attacks in Israel over the Passover holiday. |
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| Sliding Doors - 12/21/2001 |
| Friday Night Sermon on Parshat Vayigash and connecting the seemingly unconnected events of our life. |
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| Life in 150 Words - 12/07/2001 |
| A Friday Night Sermon about getting to know one another and making lasting impressions. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Installation Address - 11/09/2001 |
| Remarks by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz on the evening of his installation as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Judea. |
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| Installation of Rabbi Moskovitz - 11/09/2001 |
| Rabbi Jerry Raiskin has been Rabbi Dan's Rabbi since he was born. Rabbi Dan invited him to give the address at his installation service. |
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| A Gay Rabbi - 11/02/2001 |
| Delivered by our Senior Rabbi Don Goor at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, Ca as part of their KULANU Program. |
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| Where Were You When? - 11/02/2001 |
| A sermon remembering Yitzhak Rabin on the six year anniversary of his assasination. |
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| Makom Sheh Liebe Ohave - 10/29/2001 |
| A special musical piece prepared by Cantor Caro and Cantorial Soloist Mark Britowich in celebration of Rabbi Bender's installation. Makom Sheh Leibe Ohave is a passage from the Talmud meaning, The place that my heart holds dear. |
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| Installation of Rabbi Karen Bender - 10/29/2001 |
| Rabbi Bender's acknowledgement and response to Rabbi Davidson's installation address. |
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| Installation of Rabbi Karen Bender - 10/29/2001 |
| Rabbi Davidson's Address to Temple Judea on the occassion of Rabbi Bender's Installation as Associate Rabbi |
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| We Need Community - 9/27/2001 |
| Yom Kippur 5762 |
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| Shabbat Version 2.0 - 9/27/2001 |
| Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur 5762 sermon on Shabbat in a Reform context. Delivered at the Hall of Liberty. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Being Torah - 9/27/2001 |
| Yom Kippur 5762 Sermon on the centrality of Torah in our lives and our congregation. |
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| Parents - 9/26/2001 |
| Delivered Yom Kippur 5761 |
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| Nachamu: Response to September 11th - 9/26/2001 |
| Delivered Rosh Hashanah 5762 |
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| Kol Nidre Intro of Contradictions - 9/26/2001 |
| Delivered Kol Nidrei 5762 |
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| We Lament - 9/26/2001 |
| Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 5762 sermon in response to the Terror Attacks of September 11, 2001. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Rosh Hashanah Intro - 9/18/2001 |
| Introduction to Erev Rosh Hashanah services at Tarzana Campus. |
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| Inscribe Your Book of Life - 9/18/2001 |
| Rosh Hashanah 5762 Sermon on the terror attacks in New York and Washington, DC. |
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| Dear President Bush - Stem Cells - 7/28/2001 |
| A Friday Night Sermon on the Jewish view of the Stem Cell debate. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Learning How To Bend - 6/08/2001 |
| A D'var Torah on the hardening of Pharoah's heart and the lessons learned from a 3 year old. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| An All Too Familiar World - 3/09/2001 |
| A sermon in response to the recent school shooting in San Diego. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| Happiness and Meaning - 10/08/2000 |
| Yom Kippur 5761 |
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| Life is Written on Your Face - 10/08/2000 |
| Kol Nidre Sermon 5761 delivered at The Hall of Liberty. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| What Do We Leave Our Children - 9/16/2000 |
| Rosh Hashanah 5761 |
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| Pay It Forward - 9/16/2000 |
| Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Sermon 5761 on the Mitzvah of doing Mitzvot for one another. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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| The Kugel Crisis - 7/29/2000 |
| Shabbat sermon drawing connections between the Family Kugel and Jewish tradition. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz |
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Twittering Torah.pdf
AlisonAnthem.MP3
1445.rm