Rabbi Arthur Weiner

As a general rule, I like to write about things that I know something about. But this Shabbat, I want to share some thoughts and ideas on a subject that I really don't know enough about. It's an important issue that has received a great deal of attention in recent years. It has become an issue in our schools, in our public spaces, in our nation's culture wars, and even became an issue in the campaign that was likely more significant than many people realized. The issue is the rights of transgender people. So many people have thoughts about this, and they feel compelled, entitled, and competent to render opinions on this subject. I don't. And it's not for lack of care or concern for the rights and dignity of the transgender community, or individuals who are struggling with their self-definition and gender identity. I believe strongly that there are complex, scientific, social, cultural and yes religious dimensions to this question. That's why I do not talk abou...

There's an old saying that a Rabbi gives but one sermon his entire career. I'm not sure I agree, but I understand why this saying exists. It's an understanding that while subjects and topics may change, certain ideas and values find themselves expressed on a regular basis. As I think about the thousands of sermons, bulletin articles, Shabbat messages and other communications over the course of my career, this is certainly rings true for me. And one of those values is the importance of reconciliation, of making up, of the need to fix important relationships that for whatever reason have gone awry. Throughout my career, I have seen tensions between parents and children, among sisters and brothers, and between dear friends lead to bitterness and estrangement. I have officiated at too many funerals, and attended too many shiva houses where the grief was compounded by failure to either seek forgiveness, extend forgiveness, or even attempt to talk and reconcile while there was st...

If you didn't get the reference to Harold and Kumar in the title, this Shabbat message may not work. But if you did get the reference, or are still willing to give it a shot, it will make sense in a few paragraphs from now. Like you, I have been following the reporting about the election results, and the reactions of different groups and organizations. The American people have made their choice, and in perhaps the greatest political comeback in our nation’s history, Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States. Some are elated, and others are devastated. Wall Street seems quite happy, our NATO allies decidedly less so. What will be is anyone's guess. As they say in the world of finance "past performance is not an indicator of future results." Considering our nation is still divided over President Trump's first term in office, I will leave an analysis of what the future might bring to others more qualified to speculate. What I will say is that giv...