David A. Kunin, at The Blogs

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Feb 25, 2022, 6:02 AM

This week I want to share an essay I wrote on seeking peace, Our world is a very dangerous place, and all need to pray and work for the restoration of peace. Lo Yisa goy el goy che-rev, lo yil-ma-du...

Feb 16, 2022, 5:39 PM

Radical Inclusivity

Recently there have been a series of articles in the New York Times and the web discussing a return to in synagogue (or church) only services. Many of these articles stressed the connections created and felt during physical services,...

Jan 23, 2021, 8:33 PM

Parshat Bo – shadows of the past

As I sit here in Syracuse, caught up in the COVID isolation and limitations, I have been thinking back on two short trips that I took in the last years before Shelley, and I left Japan; one to Berlin...

Dec 23, 2020, 1:41 AM

Read the Full Article and Take the Vaccine

Sometimes, reading only the Facebook headline (seemingly a common occurrence, as evidenced by the comments) can be both misleading and even dangerous. This was made evident by a recent Haaretz post (12/20/20) entitled, “Concern among Muslims, Orthodox Jews over...

Dec 4, 2020, 1:20 AM

Jacob and Esau, Thinking About Dialogue Reconciliation

True reconciliation is never easy because it demands that we step away from our preconceptions, feelings of hurt and biases, and reach for a sense of empathy and connection. As Jacob does in our parashah, we need to wrestle...

Jun 5, 2020, 12:54 PM

The Birkat Cohanim – A threefold path to God

I doubt many readers here would agree, but I have always been greatly moved by traditional duchening – the priestly blessing (Birkat Cohanim) delivered by descendants of the Cohanim. This blessing, given on significant festivals (and every Shabbat in...

May 14, 2020, 9:29 AM

Students Strike for the Future of Our World – An Expression of Tikkun Olam

On Friday, Students in Australia plan a strike (this time virtual) as they call on world leaders and decision-makers across the globe to take responsibility for climate change, and environmental degradation. This is especially timely in the era of...

May 1, 2020, 7:39 PM

We Are the World (Rituals that Unite)

I wonder what the world will be after the post-COVID-19 pause. Will we learn anything about what it means to be part of an interrelated human community, or will we maintain our selfish individualism, thinking mainly of ourselves? The...

May 1, 2020, 10:00 AM

Achre Mot – Kiddoshim: L’eylah L’eylah – Higher and Higher Though Holiness

Keddoshim t' hyu ki kaddosh ani Adonai Elohayhem -- You shall be holy, for I the Eternal your God, am holy. Over the past few months, I think the Kaddish has been more on my mind than ever before. With...

Apr 14, 2020, 8:35 AM

Changing Direction – Hopes for the Future

Shelley and I hope that everyone is enjoying Pesach, the festival of our freedom. This year with the necessary social separation and isolation, I think all of us have felt far from free. It has also been hard to...

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About Me

David serves as rabbi of Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas in DeWitt, NY. He was formerly the rabbi of the Jewish Community of Japan and a past chair of the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. He works closely with the emerging Jewish community in Indonesia. He has a strong commitment to interfaith relations, exemplified by, "Beyond the Golden Rule: A Jewish Approach to Dialogue and Discourse."