DVAR TORAH

Man laughing joyfully at a formal event with flowers.

Let Them Eat Brioche is Not a Negotiation

Parashat Mattot-Maseh 2025Rabbi Cy Stanway - Shir Shalom - Gainesville Florida Mattot: Let them Eat Brioche is not a NegotiationJuly ...

Balak – God Laughs

Rabbi Cy StanwayShir Shalom - GainesvilleJuly 11, 2025 There is an old saying that what makes God laugh is seeing ...
Man sitting at a table with candles and food, holding a knife and fork.

Parashat Chukat

No More Hiding... GAINESVILLE - JULY 4 2025 When I was at camp many years ago, one of the standard ...
Three people examining a large printed sheet outdoors.

Korach’s Foible

Dvar for June 25 Korach The Torah portion this week is one of the most confusing in the entire Torah.  Its ...

The Strangest Rosh Hashanna: Rosh Hashanna Morning 2020/5781

As you may know, I try to find Jewish content and Jewish meaning in everything.  There always seems to be ...
A man passionately teaching in front of a whiteboard.

Beautiful Brokenness

Yom Kippur Morning 2023 Rabbi Cy Stanway I want to share a true story[1] with you:  In 1975, in Cologne, Germany, ...
Cyril

Yeish V’eiyn – To Have and not Have

Erev Yom Kippur Erev Yom Kippur 2023Rabbi Cy Stanway I love playing around with words and expressions. There is always ...
Cyril Stanway

Wither Free Israel? Rosh Hashanna Morning 2023

Whither Free Israel?Rosh Hashanna Morning 2023Rabbi Cy Stanway Many years ago, I had the most embarrassing moment of my life, ...
Cyril

Broken Bones and Connective Tissue: Erev Rosh Hashanna 2023

Rabbi Cy Stanway There was a fascinating article I found during the pandemic that has stayed with me. I want ...
Man reading to a group of children in a cozy room.

NEW WORDS

New Words: Old Problems Yom Kippur Morning 2022 Rabbi Cy Stanway Let’s start this morning with a little quiz. What ...