Rabbi Sharon Brous

Heartbroken and stand in solidarity with Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, targeted in an arson attack this past Shabbat.

Don't miss this online event (Jan. 6) on the relation between #faith and #democracy.
An absolute stellar panel with @crawfordstuff.bsky.social, @revjimwallis.bsky.social, @iamgloriapurvis.bsky.social and @sharonbrous.bsky.social.
Organized by Franciscan Action Network and @paxchristiusa.bsky.social

Opinion | The Humanity Amid the Horror at Bondi Beach

🗞️ Today in @nytimes.com: There is a particular horror in attacks on holy days, but even in the darkest moments, there are sparks of humanity.

Rabbi @sharonbrous.bsky.social reflects on the courage, solidarity and resilience of communities in the face of terror:

Recommend @sharonbrous.bsky.social urgently, on the light that solidarity brings into these dark dark times
The Humanity Amid the Horror at Bondi Beach www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/o...

Join us on 12/6 around 11:30am PT in person & on YouTube.com/ikarlosangeles for a conversation b/w R' Angela Buchdahl + R' @sharonbrous.bsky.social on faith, identity, leadership, and Buchdahl’s new book, Heart of a Stranger. Please RSVP bit.ly/buchdahl12625 if you're joining in person.

,בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
We thank You, God, for keeping us alive and sustaining us,
for letting us live to witness this moment

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם מַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים
We thank You, Holy One, for releasing these beloved captives

A rabbi reflects on her Yom Kippur message, as Israel's war in Gaza continues NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR, a congregation in Los Angeles, about her message this year during the Yom Kippur holiday.

Jewish communities are "so afraid because of potential harm and real harm that has come to Jews ... that they've stopped speaking out when Israel's gov't behaves in ways that are fundamentally antithetical to our Jewish values". NPR interviews R' @sharonbrous.bsky.social.
www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...

Just now getting a chance to listen to this, and it...after yesterday's events, I think it hits harder than it already would have.

A rabbi reflects on her Yom Kippur message, as Israel's war in Gaza continues NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR, a congregation in Los Angeles, about her message this year during the Yom Kippur holiday.

A rabbi reflects on her Yom Kippur message, as Israel's war in Gaza continues - NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR, a congregation in Los Angeles, about her message this year during the Yom Kippur holiday. www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...

If the Soul of the Jewish People is to be Redeemed - Rabbi @SharonBrous | Rosh Hashanah 1 / 9.23.25

We are facing a spiritual catastrophe. In the small space between prophecy and distinct possibility, we must forge a new path.

Watch/Read/Listen: ikar.org/events/if-th...

May this terrible attack be a reminder of the preciousness of every human life. May the resolve of those working toward peace be strengthened, so that there will be no more victims of violence in Israel, in Gaza, or in the West Bank, and so that all may have a future of peace, safety, and dignity.

We enter 5786 facing great challenges as a people, a nation, and a world. Amid so much heartache and uncertainty, we gather to dream, mourn, and dance together, to learn, pray and find renewed hope together. ikar.org/high-holy-da...

It's time to reclaim religion At a moment when the world seems to be spinning out of control, religion might feel irrelevant -- or like part of the problem. But Rabbi Sharon Brous believes we can reinvent religion to meet the need...

“We are going back into our sacred traditions and recognizing that all of our traditions contain the raw material to justify violence and extremism, and also contain the raw material to justify compassion, coexistence and kindness.”

Watch here: www.ted.com/talks/sharon...

@sharonbrous.bsky.social

Our most sacred commitment is to the protection and preservation of human life—and our most fervent prayer is for peace.

Amid reports of missiles landing in Tel Aviv, we are gravely concerned for the safety of our family in Israel. We hold them in our hearts, along with all the people of the region, including innocents in Tehran whose lives are in jeopardy.

Thank you, @sharonbrous.bsky.social for this message.

bit.ly/6525msnbcrab... "If you can't unequivocally condemn attacks against Jews b/c you hold them collectively responsible for the decisions of the most hard-right ministers in Israel’s history then you aren't anti-war, anti-racist, or anti-genocide, you're an antisemite."@allinwithchris.bsky.social

YouTube video by IKAR Four Things I Know - Rabbi Sharon Brous | Parashat Behar-Behukotai 5785 / 5.24.2025

Four Things I Know. For fellow Jews in particular, I recommend this @sharonbrous.bsky.social sermon.

In this time of so much heartache, we wrap the victims’ brokenhearted families in loving arms. May their memories be a blessing.

At a DC event dedicated to celebrating Jewish heritage tonight, a young couple— both of whom worked at the Israeli Embassy— was shot and killed. We are sickened by this act of murder. Terrorist violence is never justified; this is not the path to a just and peaceful future.

YouTube video by J Street Israel @ 77: What we're honoring. What we're fighting for.

If you missed our powerful #YomHaatzmaut webinar yesterday, with Rabbi @sharonbrous.bsky.social, @evanwolfson.bsky.social, and @taliabenamy.bsky.social, you can now watch it on the YouTube channel of @jstreetdotorg.bsky.social, one of our endorsing organizations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGGv...

Trump’s Fight Against Antisemitism Has Become Fraught for Many Jews American Jews have watched with both alarm and enthusiasm as strong-arm tactics, including arrests of activists, have been deployed in their name.

Nexus is in @nytimes.com this week alongside our friends @amyspitalnick.bsky.social and @thejcpa.bsky.social and @sharonbrous.bsky.social and @weareikar.bsky.social.

Trump’s Fight Against Antisemitism Has Become Fraught for Many Jews (Gift Article) American Jews have watched with both alarm and enthusiasm as strong-arm tactics, including arrests of activists, have been deployed in their name.

#giftlink
As always, @sharonbrous.bsky.social speaks up for the rights of all, even when it’s difficult.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/u...

Trump’s Fight Against Antisemitism Has Become Fraught for Many Jews American Jews have watched with both alarm and enthusiasm as strong-arm tactics, including arrests of activists, have been deployed in their name.

From @nytimes.com + J. David Goodman: Trump’s Fight Against Antisemitism Has Become Fraught for Many Jews - American Jews have watched with both alarm and enthusiasm as strong-arm tactics, including arrests of activists, have been deployed in their name. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/u...

Cory Booker spoke at a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Its rabbi says Jews should learn from his 25-hour Senate speech. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency "The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point," said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles' IKAR.

May we all find the fortitude to break through the inertia and hopelessness of our time and take a stand for our democracy and for our shared future."

www.jta.org/2025/04/02/u...

Cory Booker spoke at a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Its rabbi says Jews should learn from his 25-hour Senate speech. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency "The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point," said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles' IKAR.

We’d do well to consider why Sen. Booker felt such prophetic urgency in issuing this call in this moment. Rav Kook wrote that when the heart callouses to cruelty, we must, periodically, suspend the normal.

Cory Booker spoke at a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Its rabbi says Jews should learn from his 25-hour Senate speech. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency "The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point," said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles' IKAR.

In all seriousness, to preach for 25 hours requires not only fierce passion and preternatural endurance, but a true sense of purpose. The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point.

Cory Booker spoke at a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Its rabbi says Jews should learn from his 25-hour Senate speech. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency "The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point," said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles' IKAR.

Thank you JTA. "@booker.senate.gov spoke at @weareikar.bsky.social this past Yom Kippur morning— it was 6 minutes of straight fire. Now it’s clear that he could have easily taken us all the way through Neilah without so much as a bathroom break!