Messy, Imperfect Forgiveness: Parshat Vayechi 2023/5783, Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann The theme of forgiveness is a predominant one in the Joseph narrative. Joseph’s revelation of his true identity and move to meet Judah’s initiative and approach, in last week’s Torah portion, offers one of the most dramatic moments in the…

By Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All Tekiah. One blast. Pay attention. This is not a test. Shevarim. Three sounds, the sound of weeping. The weeping of a pregnant child forced to carry a baby to term. The weeping of a person for whom it was not…

Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann About a month ago, my mother said something on a phone call that took my breath away. While she did not necessarily intend this comment as hurtful, it nonetheless bruised almost instantaneously. …

Yom Kippur 2022/5783, Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann I begin with a story (of an unknown source:) When God was ready to create human beings on the 6th day of Creation, God decided to give the human beings a special gift. …

A New Blessing Every Day for the New Year, Rosh HaShanah 5783 From The Curse of Blessings, adapted from Mitch Chefitz There was an Officer of the Law, and he was as proud as you can imagine. He loved showing off his perfect blue uniform with brass buttons and sword…

An Intention given during Rosh HaShanah Services 5783 There is a midrash, a creative interpretation, on the Creation of humankind that goes like this: When God began to create the first human being, not all of God’s ministering angels were so clear this was a good idea! …

Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, Rosh HaShanah 2022/5783, delivered at SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All In the Unetaneh Tokef Prayer, the liturgist writes: “On Rosh HaShanah, all people pass before (you) God like sheep to a shepherd.” This image has always resonated with me. Though some people take this metaphor…

Address to the SAJ Congregational Meeting, June 15, 2022, Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann In this week’s Torah portion, B’ha’alot’cha, Moses hits a breaking point after the people take to kvetching once again, weeping and crying “if only we had meat to eat!” and remembering all the “good things” that they…

Protecting Trans Kids and Trans Families March 5, 2022, Parshat Pekudei If I were living my exact same life: working as a rabbi, partnering and raising my children, but I happened to live somewhere in the state of Texas, there is…