Living Jewishly Out Loud

During this busy time of year – kids heading back to school, Labor Day plans, the High Holy Days approaching, fall sports underway – it can feel difficult to add anything else to your plate. But in many ways, it is in fact the best time of year to recommit to living Jewishly out loud. The Torah reminds us that being a mensch is an innate responsibility, not just when it is convenient, but when our acts of kindness will make the greatest impact on the world. Join Rabbi Michael as he explores how to embrace the Jewish tradition of loving your neighbor, and why there has never been a better time to do so.
Lighten your load in preparation for the High Holy Days.
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This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson. 
 

As we head into the High Holy Days, we often focus on teshuvah — the hard work of apologizing and making amends. But what about the modern "villains" in our lives whom we aren't ready to forgive? In this powerful pre-holiday episode, discover three practical, psychological tools for processing deep resentment. While forgiveness requires two people, letting go of hatred is an inner job that only you can do for yourself; tune in to lighten your emotional load and prepare your heart for a truly peaceful New Year. 
Lighten your load in preparation for the High Holy Days.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here.
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. 

Is a "good friend" someone who never judges you, or the one person with the courage to call you out? Drawing from the Torah, this episode dives into the difficult Jewish obligation of tochecha — offering constructive criticism to those we love. From a mysterious Talmudic story about a rabbi and a neighbor’s ox to the three golden rules of "rebuking" without ruining a relationship, we explore how holding each other accountable is the ultimate Jewish act of love.
This sermon originally aired on April 24, 2026.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here.
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. 

We’ve all heard Jewish caregivers kvell over their "exceptional" children — the doctors, the lawyers, the "tall and handsome" sons. And they're right to: Jews make up only 0.2% of the population, yet hold 20% of the world’s Nobel Prizes and the list of accomplishment goes on and on. Is it just good luck, or is it the way we’re raised? In this episode, Rabbi Amy breaks down the "Talmudic Checklist" — a six-point roadmap of parental obligations that ensures the next generation doesn't just survive, but thrives.
This sermon originally aired on May 8, 2026.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here.
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. 

The world often embraces Jewish stories when they are tragic, memorialized in museums, or win Academy Awards — but as Dara Horn famously wrote, "People love dead Jews. Living ones, not so much." In this episode, the Rabbis explore the vital connection between our history of loss, our modern right to self-determination, and our future, where the ultimate act of defiance is living with unapologetic Jewish joy. 
This sermon originally aired on April 17, 2026.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here.
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. 

Having just commemorated Yom HaShoah, and in this moment of deep communal challenge and change, Rabbi Amy reflects on what it means to live openly as a Jew. Drawing on a personal experience, she speaks honestly about loss and isolation since October 7, while also sharing moving stories of unexpected allies and renewed commitment to Jewish life. Her message is a reminder that even in turbulent times, we are strong, we are resilient, and we are not alone.
This sermon originally aired on October 2, 2025.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here.
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. 
 

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.
Love this episode and want to show your support? Contribute here.
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. 

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 here.
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. 

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 here.
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. 

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 here.
For more information about Congregation Temple Israel, visit: www.ti-stl.org  
Follow us on social InstagramFacebookYouTube
This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson.