Rabbi Sherman - Honorable Mensch-ion

Each year, on the anniversary of 9/11, I dedicate this column to Joshua Birnbaum. Joshua, a recent Columbia University graduate, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and was trapped on the top floors of the World Trade Center on that fateful morning when he knew that he would not make it home.

The shofar is the most popular Jewish instrument. Unlike a trumpet or trombone, there are no valves to play exact pitches. Every shofar is unique, and the sound is pure and simple.

In September 2008, I delivered my senior sermon at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. It was Parshat Ki Tavo.

Isaac Yosef owns Frena Bakery, the only kosher bakery in San Francisco. Four years ago, Carlos Flores walked in to the bakery and asked for a job. Carlos was open about his past. He had been in prison for the last 23 years and was released three days prior. Isaac told him he could start work the next week. What happened next is the meaning of cheshbon hanefesh, introspection of the soul. Isaac started hiring former prisoners, and today, he has had over 40 former criminals working in his bakery, baking challah and other goodies we all enjoy.

There are signs the holy days are around the corner; the shofar call each morning, the sun setting earlier, and the sermon preparation. Yet, there is one marker that is often overlooked: Psalm 27, the Psalm of Repentance. We recite this morning and evening as we say, "I seek to dwell in the house of God all the days of my life." The Metzudat David points out the word dwell, shavti, literally means to sit. Thus, when I sit in the house of God, it will be good for me.

On our way to the Grand Canyon, we spent a day in Sedona, hiking the magnificent red rocks. As we traversed the Bell Rock path, only a quarter up the mountain, we noticed that there were no more trail signs to follow. We waited for other hikers to show us the way. After a few short minutes, a group gathered, no one with the ability to be the leader. Our children were looking forward to reaching the top, but their hopes were dashed. My son looked at me and said quietly, "Everyone is lost!"

Several years ago, I had the chance to meet comedian Jackie Mason in a New York deli. During that thirty second conversation, it was obvious that Jackie Mason on stage was the same Jackie Mason in daily life. He knew how to make us laugh, but he also allowed us to look at the world with a Jewish perspective.

My favorite children’s museum is the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, named after American scientist and statesmen, Benjamin Franklin.

Zoom is a gift that keeps on giving. At any moment of any day, with the simple click of a button, we can see and hear each other in real time. Over the last 18 months, we checked in with our neighbors, our friends, and our families. Yet, there is no substitute for the absence of presence that we have all longed for.

I attended a shiva minyan this week. As I reflected on the life of a member of our community, I started to reread email exchanges we had during the last year. As we approached Chanukah, the clergy sent an email reminding our community that each member would receive a gift at their doorstep before they lit the first candle.