Erev Rosh HaShanah 5784, Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann This summer, I re-read This I believe, a book of excerpts from NPR’s series of the same name, in which people from all backgrounds share their personal philosophies. One in particular has stayed with me since. Greg Chapman, an ordinary man from…

Much to the chagrin of my family, my verion of zoning out is watching videos on the TikTok app. I find TikTok to be a great source of entertainment and community — and it can sometimes be a great source of torah. …

If you can observe a day in the life at the Grabelle Herrmann residence, you will probably hear me calling out to Jon, our resident tech expert. “My phone isn’t working, what do I do?” “My computer isn’t working all of a sudden, what do I do?” And often you…

Recently, my husband Jon and I made an agreement: we will not talk about anything of meaning or importance, about us, the kids or our work or life, after 9pm. If one of us has a thought we desperately want to share with the other, or an agenda item that…

D’var Torah, Parshat Emor May 6, 2023 About 7 years ago, I snapped a photo of an impressive Michael Jackson impersonator who was dancing the moonwalk in the park by City Hall. I put the photo on social media with the caption “Reason number 1289 that I love NYC.” This…

Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, Delivered January 28, 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD-UiWZmfNM On January 27, 1922, SAJ held its first Shabbat service, a few doors down at 41 West 86th Street, ten days after the Society for the Advancement of Judaism had been established. On January 29, 2022, SAJ inaugurated its Centennial Year…

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. …