Sermons by Rabbi michael j. safra
The following are selected sermons given by Rabbi Michael Safra on holidays and special occasions.
5781
Rosh Hashanah - This is Not Normal Click here for the video version.
Kol Nidre - Only Together Click here for the video version.
Yom Kippur - On Forgiveness Click here for the video version.
First Day of Sukkot (October 3) Click here for the video version.
And God Remembered-Parashat Noah (October 24) Click here for the video version.
Vayera (November 7) Click here for the video version.
Toldot (November 21) Click here for the video version.
Vayetze (November 28) Click here for the video version.
Seeking to Understand and Appreciate the Other (December 12) Click here for the video version.
Revenge is not as Fulfilling as it May Seem (December 19)
I am Tired (January 16) Click here for the video version.
5780
Rosh Hashanah – Words Matter
Kol Nidre – On Jewish Unity
Yom Kippur – Twice a Week
Purple Shabbat – We Must Not Remain Indifferent
Pluralism, February 1 Sermon
Vayakhel Moshe, Responding to Crisis with Social Solidarity (March 21) Click here for the video version.
Shabbat HaGadol (April 4) by Rabbi Safra Click here for the video version.
Parashat Shemini (April 18) by Rabbi Safra Click here to download the sermon.
Parashat Achrei Mot/Kedoshim (May 2) by Rabbi Safra Click here for the video version.
Parashat Emor (May 9) Ritual Does Not Go Stale by Rabbi Safra Click here for the video version.
Yizkor on Second Day of Shavuot (May 30) by Rabbi Safra Click here for the video version.
The World Needs More Prophets (June 6) by Rabbi Safra Click here for the video version.
Parshat Shelah (June 20) by Rabbi Safra titled "Black Lives Matter"
Parashat Re'eh (August 15) by Rabbi Michael Safra Click here for the video version.
Parashat Ki Tavo (September 5) by Rabbi Michael Safra. Click here for the video version.
5779
Rosh Hashanah – Slow Down and Live
Kol Nidre – Standing with Israel…in the Tragic Gap
Yom Kippur – Overcoming the Fear of Death
Solidarity Shabbat in Memory of the Victims in Pittsburgh
If You Play with Fire, March 29
To Be Truly Free, May 25
Lo T’Ametz Levav’kha, Shabbat Re’eh
5778
Ki Tavo 5778 – Joyfulness Means Awareness
History Points to the Future
In Memory of Rabbi Neil Gillman
Yom Kippur – Memories Can Change Us for the Better
Kol Nidre – A Space for Me to Lodge
Rosh Hashanah – We Will Not Be Lost
And These Are the Layers – Parashat Mishpatim
Context Matters – Parashat Shelah
5777
Rosh HaShanah – Experience God in All Your Ways
Kol Nidre – A Nation of Dreamers
Yom Kippur – The Value of Memory
Parashat Lech Lecha – Let Us Not Separate
Fake Tears – Parashat Bo
Block Out the Darkness; Make Room for Light – Parashat Shoftim 5778
5776
Rosh HaShanah – Celebrating Our Sacred Community
Kol Nidre – I Have No Other Homeland
Yom Kippur – Slow to Anger, Quick to Forgive
Parashat Ha’azinu – You Can Observe a Lot Just by Watching
Our Eternal Connection to the Land – Lekh Lekha
Shabbat Hagadol – Focusing on the Essence
Parashat Re’eh – They Make it Look so Easy
5775
Parashat Vayetze – Love Languages
Parashat Toldot – We Cannot Afford to Wait
Parashat Lech Lecha – Why Should We Care about Ancient Stories?
Shabbat Breishit – The Good Must Be Stronger than the Bad
Yom Kippur – The Broken and the Whole
Kol Nidre – We are Israel
Rosh Hashanah – You Shall Be a Blessing
5774
Rosh Hashanah – Derekh Eretz
Kol Nidre – The Meaning of Humility
Yom Kippur – The Power of Tears
Parashat Vayera – Our Community’s Near Death Experience
Shabbat Beshalah – From Complainment to Fulfillment
Parashat Terumah – Fill the Seats
Parashat Pekudei – Nothing Is Perfect
Parashat Tazria – Choose Life
Parashat Re’eh – There Shall Be No Needy Among Us
Parashat Ki Tetze – Justice and Mercy
5773
Rosh Hashanah – Finding Satisfaction from the Inside Out
Kol Nidre – I Engage
Yom Kippur – Engaging in Active Prayer
Ki Tissa – Sin of Excess
Shabbat HaGadol – The Power of Empathy
Korah – Speak Up
Nitzavim/Vayelekh – The Torah Is Not in Heaven
Parashat Vayyigash – For the Unity of the Jewish People
5772
Rosh Hashanah – Being Jewish is Doing Jewish
Kol Nidre – More than Facts
Yom Kippur – God in Process
Parashat Yitro – Reflections on My Visit to Israel
Shabbat Zachor – Protecting the Ones on the Margin
Parashat Shemini – Interpret, You Shall Interpret
Ki Tavo – Mitzvot and Kavanah
Parashat Shemot – Celebration of Ten Years at B’nai Israel
5771
Rosh Hashanah – Living with a Mitzvah Mindset
Kol Nidre – The Language Gap
Yom Kippur – Maintaining Faith in a Broken World
Wed, January 20 2021
7 Shevat 5781
announcements
The Winter/Spring Program Guide is now available. Click here to view.
Healing from Hate: Battle for the Soul of a Nation Screen the movie at home anytime from January 4–20. Learn more here.
February is Jewish Disability Advocacy Month (JDAM)
Click here for details and events.
Join Our Shabbat Morning Livestream
Click here to access.
Limited In-Person Worship Opportunities Available
Click here for our COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures related to limited in-person worship services.
Racial Justice Shabbat with Guest Speaker Reverend Timothy Warner
Click here to view the sermon.
Explore Our Exciting Adult Education Offerings
Learn more here.
Join Us Virtually
Click here for our upcoming events and programs. We look forward to connecting our community.
Daily Minyan & Shabbat Services are Virtual
Click here for our worship schedule and access information.
weekday services
Sunday | 9:00 AM & 8:00 PM
Monday–Thursday | 7:15 AM & 8:00 PM
Friday | 7:15 AM
*Service times vary on holidays.
Click here for access information.
shabbat services
inclement weather policy
Click here for information.
Join Our Mailing List
We are accessible
B’nai Israel is proud to be accessible to all.
Large print siddurim, assistive listening devices and page magnifiers are readily available. Our entire building and grounds are wheelchair accessible. We can provide sign language interpreters upon request and subject to availability.
