Rabbi Ammi Hirsch

Our Three Names: A Message to the Young Jews of America - Stephen Wise Free Synagogue On Yom Kippur, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch addresses young Jews directly, urging them to embrace the burden and privilege of carrying Jewish life forward: “You are our future… my generation will […]

My full remarks this Yom Kippur: swfs.org/sermons/our-...

Dear young people: You never before had to prove that you cared about Judaism. But if you want a Jewish future, you must embrace the truth that it is you who will forge the next phase of the Jewish saga...

To all the young people this #YomKippur: It is harder now to be an American Jew. I hope that the challenges and anxieties of our times strengthen your commitment to our people — and create a fierceness of Jewish identity in you.

Two Years On - Stephen Wise Free Synagogue On Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch reflects on the lasting wounds of October 7 and the burden of living with both power and vulnerability. He urges us to be, as […]

My full remarks on Rosh Hashanah: swfs.org/sermons/two-...

Jewish history has proven conclusively that it is far better for Jews to have power and agonize over its moral use than to be powerless and at the mercy of the dark lords. Jewish vulnerability is the impetus to widespread Jew-hatred, not Jewish power.

At best, there is an innocent naiveté in anti-Zionist Jews that may come from a good place but is unsophisticated in the ways of the real world. If your existence is not at stake, you see the world differently than those on the front lines... What kind of Jew are you?

Vote for those who remind us of the stranger, the widow, the orphan, the suffering, and those left behind. Vote for those who seek to soften our hard hearts. Vote for those who lift us up rather than tear us down — who unite rather than divide.

Politics is about conscience & character. Vote for those who can inspire us to reach our highest potential. Vote for those who remind us to consider the good of others. Which candidate encourages us to deal loyally & compassionately with each other?

In the coming years, we must push back in every arena where we have influence. Synagogues are nonpartisan. We do not endorse political parties or candidates. We do, however endorse values. Voters: Remember that every political choice we make is fundamentally a moral choice…

We should not be supporting any institution or political candidate who does not support us. Otherwise, we will lose the traditional bipartisan support of #Israel that has been so instrumental for its survival & wellbeing. We have already lost enormous ground in academia…

For the #Jewish people, the lesson of the Holocaust — fortified by the bitter failure of October 7 — is that there is no moral requirement to wait until the plans to exterminate #Israel are completed (or near completion). A justified war of no choice. #Iran

I don’t remember a time when American Jews have been so fearful, particularly here in #NYC. From intellectual and job-related biases and so on. I asked mayoral hopeful
@bradlander.bsky.social what he would do as caretaker of our city to combat this👇

#NYC mayoral hopeful @scottstringernyc.bsky.social has been a strong and proud member of the #Jewish community. He gives me his take on some of the key issues affecting Jewish NYers today. "We have a job to do here to root out evil and hate,” he tells me 👇

#NYC mayoral hopeful @scottstringernyc.bsky.social has been a strong and proud member of the #Jewish community. He gives me his take on some of the key issues affecting Jewish NYers today. "We have a job to do here to root out evil and hate,” he tells me 👇

@bradlander.bsky.social didn’t seem particularly surprised by progressive group responses in the wake of October 7th. “...there was always gonna be that kind of leftist anti-#Israel thing…” he tells me. Watch his reaction here 👇

The intifada was a years-long orgy of murder on the streets of Israel, in buses, hospitals, schools and restaurants. Those who call for intifada want total destruction of Israel. And thus, it is antisemitic by its nature and at its core.

@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social knows — or should know — the difference. “Free, Free Palestine” means destruction of Israel. “Globalize the Intifada” is about murdering Israeli diplomats worldwide, and attacking Jews and Jewish institutions.

There will come a time when the free nations of the world will thank Israel for defending Western civilization against nuclear blackmail.

The iron-clad lesson of Jewish history that we neglected on Oct. 6 is that when someone threatens to kill Jews, believe them. Judaism teaches: "If your enemy seeks your destruction, arise earlier to thwart him."

Bari Weiss and Nellie Bowles Podcast Episode · In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch · 06/05/2025 · 44m

@thefp.com founders Bari Weiss & Nellie Bowles have made prodigious contributions to #journalism & to an open exchange. At The Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, we honored them w/ our “Light of Freedom Award” & discussed their journey & challenges facing American Jews👇
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...

We must understand a basic truth: The nature of #Judaism is a critique of common norms. And the ultimate question is: What does the repeated threat to destroy the place where half of the Jews of the world live say about your views on Judaism & the Jewish people?

Former NY governor and #NYC mayoral hopeful
Andrew Cuomo & I discussed where the #Jewish community stands in support of the Democratic Party. Is it the same party? Watch his response👇 or listen to our full conversation: apple.co/4mJTAnt

I welcome hearing from all the #NYC mayoral hopefuls. These are opportunities to dwell on issues important to the #Jewish community. #Antisemitism & #anti-#Israel hostility top that list. See what former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo told me 👇 or listen to our full convo: apple.co/4mJTAnt

Demonization of Israel leads to murder of Israelis and Jews. Politicians, religious leaders, educators, the media, and all people of good faith must condemn anti-Zionism vociferously.

I deeply mourn the murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. It is another wake-up call for Americans and American Jews. This is what so many mean when they cry "Free Free Palestine," and "globalize the intifada."

I think that children of immigrants — particularly those who fled #antisemitism — are more sensitive to manifestations of hatred vs. American Jews who've never experienced what we’re seeing post Oct 7. Perhaps it’s a sign of privilege to not be sensitive to the nature of anti-#Zionism...

I was struck by Tessa Veksler’s description of her “very isolating” experience with anti-#Israel hostility and #antisemitism on campus. Full episode —> apple.co/4dbjufi

Tessa Veksler ran for @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social student president and did her best to avoid her campaign becoming a referendum on #Israel. And she won. But after Oct. 8, the hate started pouring in. Here’s part of her story — and her thoughts on why she was targeted. Full podcast: apple.co/4dbjufi

Tessa Veksler Podcast Episode · In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch · 05/08/2025 · 1h

I try not to throw around the word “hero” loosely, but when I learned about Tessa Veksler, I’ll say unequivocally that she’s one of mine… On my “In These Times” podcast, Tessa gives us a vivid sense of what our #Jewish youth are up against 📻 apple.co/4dbjufi

Amazing to spend Shabbat in Israel with my good friend Itzhik Simon. We served together in the same tank from 1977–1980... Our hearts are with all the reservists who are spending yet another Shabbat away from their families. I pray for their safe return — and an end to this war.