Lent is a season of penance.  For those parishes in the archdiocese now preparing for mergers, there is sure no shortage of opportunities for sacrifice this Lent.

For one, there is the somber prospect of “letting go” of a parish that is home, that we’re used to, where our babies were christened and from when our folks were buried.  This is the parish where we have come to Mass on Sundays, sent our kids to learn their faith, put in our envelope each week, and come to know a warm community.

To “give that up;” to see two parishes merge into a…

AMDG                      February 20, 2015                      JMJ

Last Friday, I had the honor of preaching at Sabbath service at Temple Emmanuel.  I thought you might be interested in my sermon.

You honor me, Rabbi Davidson and congregation, with this gracious invitation.

To be in this venerable, historic temple for Sabbath is a gift for which I am most grateful.

Not that I’m surprised.  Hardly . . . you see, since my arrival here in New York a half-dozen years ago,…