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 . 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 Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube 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 Instagram Facebook YouTube This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson .

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

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

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

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

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

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

As we come together as a community in the face of a recent antisemitic attack here in Clayton, MO, it can be hard to make sense of the ongoing turmoil Jews are facing every day, here at our doorstep. Now, more than ever, is when we must turn to study, to God, and to each other. This sermon originally aired on August 8, 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 Instagram Facebook YouTube This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson .

The Jewish story contains the voices of both strength and hope. This episode includes inspiring stories of both strength and hope that have occurred in the last few years in Israel and in the local Jewish community. This sermon originally aired on October 11, 2024. 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 Instagram Facebook YouTube This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson .

There is a perpetual question of when to dwell on the tragedies of the Jewish past and when to focus our thoughts toward a positive future. When is it too soon? This sermon originally aired on May 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 Follow us on social Instagram Facebook YouTube This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson .

After the congregation witnesses and celebrates someone choosing Judaism, we become more aware of how different it can feel to have been born into Judaism. The way we decide to daily choose Jewishness and openly share those choices with others is the greatest way we can combat antisemitism and feel proud of our faith. This sermon originally aired on April 4, 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 Instagram Facebook YouTube This podcast’s theme song, “Oseh Shalom,” is performed by Rob Aronson .