Rabbi Zuckerman speaks about the repatriation of the body of the last hostage in Gaza, Master Sergeant Ran Gvili – linking his return home to this week’s parashah, where Moses carries Joseph’s bones out of Egypt.

Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on this week’s Torah portion following a visit to the Museum of Jewish Heritage on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, considering the paradoxical Jewish experience of being both a stranger and a resident in the places we call home.

From this week's parashah about Abraham, the anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, and the upcoming mayoral election in NYC, Rabbi Zuckerman finds a common lesson: sometimes we have to go down to climb even higher and what seems like misfortune and betrayal can actually be providence...

With a hostage deal coming to fruition, a time of joy mixed with sorrow, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the miracle of Jewish survival and endurance.

From screen time to free throws, Rabbi Zuckerman explores why we resist positive change, even when we know it would serve us, and how Yom Kippur can inspire us to choose the path of courage and growth.

On this Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Zuckerman reflected on the extraordinary resilience of the Jewish people—from the displaced persons camps of 1945, where life and learning were rebuilt out of devastation, to the challenges we face today after October 7. Through stories of survival, renewal, and his o...

How do we face the monumental tasks asked of us during the High Holidays? Rabbi Zuckerman draws on wisdom from The Last Mile, a documentary about a record-breaking marathon runner, and this week's torah portion for an answer: not in a single dramatic leap forward, but a series of steps.

Through stories of Moses, David, and Herzl, Rabbi Zuckerman explores the sacred, beautiful, and heartbreaking task of working towards a legacy that may only come to fruition after you are gone. 

Can a legacy that begins in arrogance and rupture eventually lead to humility and healing? Rabbi Zuckerman looks to the Torah, history, and personal stories from the congregation for an important lesson: we're not defined by what we inherit, we're defined by what we do with it. Instead of running...

What happens when standing up costs more than staying quiet? In a time when voices are silenced by backlash, and truth is traded for comfort, Rabbi Zuckerman turns to Torah and today’s headlines to explore moral clarity, courage, and the high stakes of silence. This sermon calls us to speak — eve...

When hunted and voiceless, should one's fate be decided by chance, or destiny be seized? Reflecting on the sacred conversations that took place on Mount Sinai, along with modern history, Rabbi Zuckerman encourages us to take action rather than wait.

In this week’s sermon, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the courage of speaking out through the lens of our recent guest speaker, Montana Tucker, who chose to share their personal beliefs—despite the threat of digital retribution from her multimillions of followers. Drawing on themes of moral clarity ...

There is Jewish mysticism that manifests itself in physical articles, customs that are halakhic or personal ritual. As profound as they can be, Rabbi Zuckerman urges us to not only rely on these artifacts to channel spirituality, but for us to manifest our spiritual work through actions.

How do we sing of liberation with broken hearts? Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on balancing the sadness from tragedies in our modern world with the joy that runs through the Passover holiday.

When God called the Israelites a "stiff-necked people," God was also providing a prophetic vision of Jewish resilience. Rabbi Zuckerman concludes that the impetus for building the golden calf is also what would become the most heroic virtue of the Jewish people.

What does one do when there are no signs of approaching miracles or heavenly protection while marching into moments of fear or tragedy? By reflecting on Abraham’s task to sacrifice his son, and more contemporary hardships of the Jewish people, Rabbi Zuckerman uncovers the balance between divine i...

During the NYC marathon weekend, Rabbi Zuckerman compares marathon runners to the story of Noah, and reflects on how through hope, resilience, and support, we can help each other reach the finish line and decide our own future. 

How have the Jewish people been able to endure and persevere in the face of exile and tragedy? Drawing on themes of the holiday of Sukkot, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the revolutionary ideas of Ze'ev Jabotinsky, a leading Zionist thinker of the early 20th century.

What does it mean to be courageous, especially during times that, on the surface, call for resignation? Through an exploration of Jewish history, rabbinic thought, and High Holiday liturgy, Rabbi Zuckerman reflects on the bravery that is hard-wired in the DNA of the Jewish people.

How do a people in exile maintain their traditions, ideals, and knowledge of history? Rabbi Zuckerman explains that Jewish survival is not dependent on rebuilding a physical structure, but rather by maintaining a structure of learning and nurturing Jewish identity, and how you can bring these str...

How do we move forward when the obstacles at hand seem too great? How do we revive our souls when our faith is wavering? Rabbi Zuckerman applies Amalek's attempt to crush the spirit of the Israelites to the crises, and aspirations, the Jewish people face today.

Rabbi Zuckerman draws parallels between the Israelites wandering in the desert and the current state of worldwide Jewry, reflecting the deeper meaning behind the census of every Israelite as requested by God, and how we can count ourselves in this same story of our ancient history.

What makes a moment in Jewish history, both biblical and not, a miracle? Can what seem to be modern, human interventions be miraculous? Rabbi Zuckerman seeks to answer these questions by reflecting on themes in the Haggadah and times of resilience and survival.

The Jewish connection to the land of Israel has been threatened with severance before October 7, yet these attempts have increased since. Through a historical lens, Rabbi Zuckerman explores how the establishment of Israel is the reconstitution of a national home, not colonization.