November 23, 2024 -

Rabbi Caruso

Lead Me Into the Mystery – Rabbi Joshua L. Caruso, Yom Kippur 5773

Posted on September 27, 2012

In rabbinical school, we had a wonderful Talmud professor named Michael Chernick – we liked him because he was not your typical seminary teacher. He was impolitic, unpolished, but surprisingly aware of what we rabbis-to-be were experiencing – he had our number. And there were times when he departed from the expected course of study Continue Reading »

Jack Black and the Pintele Yid – Rabbi Joshua Caruso, Erev Rosh Hashanah 5773

Posted on September 20, 2012

Below is the Sermon from Rabbi Joshua Caruso at Erev Rosh Hashanah in the Contemporary Service at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Sunday, September 16, 2012. We invite you to share your responses, forward and share these remarks with others, as we seek to engender discussion and dialogue on “If Not Now, When?” the interactive blog Continue Reading »

The Silence Heard From Munich

Posted on July 27, 2012

The Silence Heard from Munich – July 27, 2012 By Rabbi Joshua L. Caruso Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Beachwood, Ohio   Silence. Silence can be observed for the sweet and for the bitter. Its palpable presence can drive home a message of meaning, surpassing anything uttered in words. And silence can be chilling…when it’s used Continue Reading »

“The Power of the Particular”: David Brooks, Bruce Springsteen . . . and Torah?

Posted on July 5, 2012

A recent Opinion piece by New York Times columnist, David Brooks, caught my attention. Entitled “The Power of the Particular”, the author used his observations attending Bruce Springsteen concerts in Europe to lift up an important point about holding close to one’s core orientation and history.  One particular moment caught Brooks’ attention. Along with 56,000 Continue Reading »

Embracing Interfaith

Posted on May 14, 2012

The impending holiday season evokes feelings of joy, faith, and togetherness. Yet, for some it is a time of conflict and struggle – particularly for families that include people who come from different faith traditions. I can identify. My Jewish mother and Italian Catholic father were both fairly disconnected from their faiths when I was Continue Reading »