Living Jewishly Out Loud

Let My People Go

Moses stands before the burning bush and receives the divine command to tell Pharaoh, "Let my people go," yet he repeatedly resists, citing a profound speech impediment. Yet, this story serves as a powerful reminder that while we are all deeply flawed and bound to fail, if God can entrust the leadership of a nation to a man who struggled to speak, we too are capable of achieving greatness despite our own imperfections. 
This sermon originally aired on January 13, 2026.
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This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

The Blame Game

When terrible things happen, we often look for where to place the blame - villains, ourselves, even God. This week’s Torah portion prompts us to ask the same question about how the Israelites went from having Joseph as Pharoah’s right-hand man to being entirely enslaved in Egypt just a short time later. 
This sermon originally aired on January 9, 2026.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
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This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

Planting for the Next Generation

Drawing on Mark Twain’s famous observation of Jewish endurance, this sermon explores how the secret to Jewish continuity lies not in having all the answers, but in our commitment to passing down stories and planting for the future. Even in a modern world filled with uncertainty, rising antisemitism, and complex questions that feel impossible to answer, our tradition encourages us to find clarity in our purpose. Like the story of Honi and the carob tree, we are called to be a people that build and flourish for the next generation—planting seeds of meaning today so that those who follow us can taste the fruit tomorrow. 
This sermon originally aired on January 23, 2026.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

Jewish Appearances

Jewish congregations, and Temple Israel specifically, have a long tradition of innovation and change. In the generation to come, we need to both appear more Jewish and make more Jewish appearances. 
This sermon originally aired on December 5, 2025.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

Going All In

Throughout American Jewish history, there have been times when it seems that a switch flips in us that reminds us that our Judaism is our defining feature. Now is the time to embrace our particularism and go all in for Judaism. 
This sermon originally aired on September 23, 2025.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

The Siren & the Shofar

In times of danger, we have warnings that help us protect ourselves, but there’s rarely a sign that tells us when the danger has passed. The shofar, however, provides a message about both protection and when we can return to feeling safe and whole again.
This sermon originally aired on September 22, 2025.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

Jews by Choice: Part 2

You may remember our spring episode on those who become Jews by choice. Join us for this episode of Living Jewishly Out Loud as Rabbi Amy digs deeper into the awe and significance of choosing this journey for oneself. 
This sermon originally aired on September 12, 2025.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

Who Are the Bad Guys? Seeking Clarity in a Time of War

With news of a possible end to the Israel-Hamas war, and as we await the release of our hostages this weekend, Rabbi Michael offers clarity and context in this powerful episode directly tackling the painful question: are we the bad guys? Drawing on decades of travel and study in Israel and the Palestinian territories, he delves into the massive attack plan behind October 7th, the deafening antisemitic silence that followed, and the accountability necessary on the path toward peace.
This sermon originally aired on October 1, 2025.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

The Jewish Origins of Paddington Bear

The story of Paddington Bear was inspired by the author seeing Jewish refugee children during WWII.  As we marked Kristallnacht and read the story of the Akeidah, we looked at the ways in which our faith teaches that the Jewish community refuses to sacrifice its children.  We believe in and sanctify life, and our children are our greatest resource. 
This sermon originally aired on November 15, 2024. 
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 

Escaping the Scapegoat

Ancient Judaism imagined Yom Kippur as a time when ritually, the whole community’s sins could be erased by putting them on a scapegoat (an actual animal). How has the idea of the scapegoat transformed and affected us over time, and what can we learn from it today?
This sermon originally aired on May 23, 2025.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute at: www.ti-stl.org/Donate  
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social Instagram: www.instagram.com/congregationtempleisrael Facebook: www.facebook.com/templeisraelstlouis  YouTube: www.youtube.com/tistl  
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson.