Rabbis’ and Cantor’s Thoughts and Writings

The Torah portion Shemot introduces Moses, whose life will frame the rest of our Torah - but this week we concentrate on the two other named people in the portion, Shifrah and Puah, two brave women.

Rabbi Mark's sermon for this Shabbat is his induction address to Cantor Tamara Wolfson, beginning with a Midrash based on Jacob's last moments with his children.

Judah in our portion had to summon up the courage to approach Pharaoh's viceroy who turns out to be Joseph. Rabbi Mark has just returned from Israel on the EHRS and Ark Synagogue trip. This sermon addresses how it was to approach Israel at the end of 2024.

In this portion Jacob has a vision of a ladder reaching up to heaven. After his vision he says 'God was in this place and I, I did not know it.' Rabbi Mark asks if you can be a Jew without any relationship with God.

Rabbi Mark's sermon for Interfaith Week considers the meaning of Jews, Christians and Muslims being known as the Children of Abraham - in the week when Abraham is the hero of the Torah portion.

Rabbi Mark's sermon considers what it means to have a world population as large as it is now, and the extent of human responsibility for the environment.

The first portion of the Torah underlines the importance of communication - for life and for the prevention of violence. Rabbi Mark's sermon.

Emeritus Rabbi Danny Smith preached this sermon on Sukkot addressing peace and life.