Rabbi Cassi Kail

Doing the Right Thing, Anyway: Rosh Hashanah 5784

Each High Holy Day season, I’ve offered a sermon on what our tradition has to say about a contemporary moral issue. In past years, I’ve talked about antisemitism, climate change, racism, and Israel, to name a few. As I considered a topic to address this year, I felt strangely overwhelmed even by the prospect ofContinueContinue reading “Doing the Right Thing, Anyway: Rosh Hashanah 5784”

The Most Human Human: Rosh Hashanah 5784

In 2009, Brian Christian found himself in the strangest contest of his entire life: He would soon sit before a panel of judges to prove that he was, in fact, a human being. The most convincing person would gain the title “The Most Human Human.” Considering the fact that he is a human being, BrianContinueContinue reading “The Most Human Human: Rosh Hashanah 5784”

Multi-Faith work, a multiplicity of hope

I am writing from a plane returning from a multi-faith conference in Doha, Qatar, entitled “From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility.” Faith leaders, philanthropists, ambassadors, dignitaries, academics, and influential people gathered to dream of a world filled with more understanding, mutual respect, and cooperation. Pastor Bob Roberts, Rabbi David Saperstein, and Imam Mohamed Magid createdContinueContinue reading “Multi-Faith work, a multiplicity of hope”

Choose Life

Danielle was finishing medical school when I met her. Always a caretaker, she decided to be a doctor when she was just ten years old. She wanted to provide the best care possible for her patients. Danielle had a tight-knit family with cousins, aunts and uncles, and a few very close friends who felt likeContinueContinue reading “Choose Life”

Being a Zionist

Over the past few years, I have spoken about many topics during the High Holy Days. I’ve discussed high holy day themes such as forgiveness, repentance, and self-compassion. I’ve spoken about inclusion and Temple Beth El’s rich history. I’ve discussed topical matters such as antisemitism, and climate change. But there is one topic I haveContinueContinue reading “Being a Zionist”