West End Synagogue

10/13/2026

A contemplative, musical moment from our clergy on the high holy days:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/11/2026

On Shabbat, Rabbi Emily spoke about her experience at the Israelis For Peace vigil in Union Square on October 7th and the importance of collective grief. Link to full sermon in comments

10/08/2026

Our Rabbi’s thoughts on Rosh Hashanah:

Rabbi Emily Cohen's sermon on Rosh Hashanah morning at West End Syn...

10/07/2026

10/06/2026

Join us on Zoom Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7pm as we learn how Judaism survived in the Soviet Union.

Prof. Elissa Bemporad of Queens College and the CUNY Graduate Center will discuss the Jewish experience at a time when the teaching of all religions was banned to anyone under 18, and what happened to religious practices, cemeteries, religious buildings, and more.

Contact the office for Zoom link at [email protected]

10/06/2026

Rabbi Emily's Kol Nidre Sermon was featured by Reconstructing Judaism alongside sermons from a few of her colleagues! If you haven't yet watched Rabbi Emily's sermon you can find it at the link below.

Last week's Rooted & Relevant newsletter featured excerpts from High Holiday sermons by Reconstructionist rabbis around the movement. A few lines can only capture so much, so here are the full sermons if you'd like to read them in their entirety:

• Rabbi Emily Cohen RRC ’18, West End Synagogue Kol Nidre sermon: https://loom.ly/Y3nVK3Q
• Rabbi Rachael Weiss RRC ’09, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation - JRC Rosh Hashanah family service: https://loom.ly/cHa0ivM
• Rabbi Ariann Weitzman Bnai Keshet, Montclair, NJ Erev Rosh Hashanah sermon: https://loom.ly/CMBRnrk
• Rabbi Jamie Arnold RRC ’99, Congregation Beth Evergreen (CBE) Yom Kippur service: https://loom.ly/7WWOAjU

Thank you to these rabbis for their words and their generosity in sharing them.

10/01/2026

A clip from Rabbi Emily’s Rosh Hashanah sermon on the importance of community and presence in challenging times

09/29/2026

After the searching of the High Holy Days, Sukkot invites us to slow down and simply dwell. Moadim L’simcha from WES.

Slow Down/The Mother’s Response by Kohenet Riv Shapiro

09/25/2026

A clip from Rabbi Emily Cohen’s Yom Kippur morning sermon on Safety through Solidarity