Rabbi Cohen’s Writings

Dear Friends, A few weeks ago, I mentioned that some of my final Shabbat messages would include sources I turn to for Jewish learning and for staying informed. I want to share one that has recently captured my attention. A bit of background first. For the past two [...]

Dear Friends, We live in a moment where judgment comes quickly and often harshly. We see it in politics, on campuses, in public life—and, if we’re honest, at times within ourselves. Into that reality, Pirkei Avot, which we read between Passover and Shavuot, offers a teaching that feels almost [...]

Dear Friends, As I move toward retirement and prepare for this next chapter—making Aliyah to Israel—I’ve been reflecting on the many sources of learning and inspiration that have shaped me over the years. In the coming weeks, I’d like to share a few of them with you. The [...]

Dear Friends, With Passover right around the corner, I find myself thinking not only about the story we tell each year at our Seder, but also about the characters within it and what they reveal about us. This year in particular, I find myself thinking about Pharaoh. But [...]