Rabbi Adrian Schell

Our Civic Covenant: Faith and Democracy In a time of deep societal division and rising anxiety, Rabbi Adrian Schell delivers a powerful address for Civic Shabbat, "A Covenant of Courage." Drawing on the ancient call to Abraham in Parashat Lech Lecha and the prophet Micah's vision of peace, Rabbi Schell explores the urgent challenge of our time: the breaking of our "civic covenant". He confronts the corrosive effects of populist language and the resurgence of antisemitism, arguing that these are not just political issues, but a profound moral crisis that threatens the soul of democracy itself. This sermon is a call to reject the politics of grievance and instead answer the timeless call to "go forth, not to conquer, but to kindle". It is a powerful reminder that in the face of fear, our greatest strength lies in our shared commitment to decency, justice, and one another.

Our Civic Covenant: Faith and Democracy

In a time of deep societal division and rising anxiety, Rabbi Adrian Schell delivers a powerful address for Civic Shabbat, "A Covenant of Courage." Drawing on the ancient call to Abraham in Parashat Lech Lecha and the prophet Micah's vision of peace, Rabbi…

The Lonely God and the Creation of Relationship There is a strange tenderness in the second creation story.The first chapter of Genesis is full of grandeur and order: light and darkness, sea and sky, evening and morning. Everything unfolds with rhythm and precision, and when it is done, God looks at the world and calls it very good. Then the tone changes. The second chapter begins not with perfection but with need.

The first imperfection in creation is not sin or violence. It is loneliness.

How Can We Rejoice? A Sukkot Message Two Years After October 7th My sermon for Erev Sukkot addresses a direct and painful collision in the Jewish calendar: the beginning of 'z’man simchateinu', the season of our joy, falls on the exact second anniversary of the October 7th atrocities. It explores how the sukkah itself, with its flimsy walls and lesson in vulnerability, will not let us hide from this echo. This year, those walls are a stark reminder of the vulnerability imposed on so many. The sermon grapples with how we can possibly celebrate in the face of this memory, the ongoing hostage crisis, and the fresh grief from the recent antisemitic attack in Manchester. The message redefines Sukkot's joy not as a distraction, but as an act of defiance, resilience, and sacred memory—a way to honour those who no longer can, by choosing to build, gather, and sing because we remember.

How Can We Rejoice? A Sukkot Message Two Years After October 7th

My sermon for Erev Sukkot addresses a direct and painful collision in the Jewish calendar: the beginning of 'z’man simchateinu', the season of our joy, falls on the exact second anniversary of the October 7th atrocities. It explores…

Probabilities Don’t Hug You Back: A Neilah Sermon for a World Without Guarantees This Neilah sermon begins with a story from the town of Chelm, where a drought has caused a crisis of faith, and the people demand proof that God is listening. Into this debate steps Jossele, who argues that while he can't be certain about God, he knows that a life of kindness, forgiveness, and charity is a good life in itself. This sets the stage for the final, honest hour of Yom Kippur, when we must choose how to live without guarantees. The sermon is a call to live with "doubt in the head, faithfulness in the hands" , holding our values high even when the future is unknown and letting our hearts lead us through the gates.

Probabilities Don’t Hug You Back: A Neilah Sermon for a World Without Guarantees

This Neilah sermon begins with a story from the town of Chelm, where a drought has caused a crisis of faith, and the people demand proof that God is listening. Into this debate steps Jossele, who argues that while he…

The Town of Stopped Clocks: A Kol Nidrei Message on Forgiveness and Time This sermon for Kol Nidrei begins with a story of a town where every clock is stopped at the precise moment of a deep personal hurt. This powerful metaphor explores how we all carry "stopped clocks" in our own hearts—frozen moments of resentment where we have defined ourselves, and others, by their worst mistakes. The service of Kol Nidrei and the work of teshuvah (turning) are presented as the spiritual keys to restarting time. This is a message not about forgetting the past, but about finding the courage to believe that change is possible, to allow our stories to move forward, and to take the small, brave step of winding just one clock.

The Town of Stopped Clocks: A Kol Nidrei Message on Forgiveness and Time

This sermon for Kol Nidrei begins with a story of a town where every clock is stopped at the precise moment of a deep personal hurt. This powerful metaphor explores how we all carry "stopped clocks" in our own hearts—frozen…

What Do You Hear When the World Comes In? There is a particular sound to the world when heard from inside a sukkah. The solid walls of our homes are designed to keep the world out; the thin walls of the sukkah invite it in. The rustle of the wind through the s'chach, the distant sound of traffic, the neighbour’s conversation—all of it becomes part of the fragile, temporary space we inhabit.

What Do You Hear When the World Comes In?

There is a particular sound to the world when heard from inside a sukkah. The solid walls of our homes are designed to keep the world out; the thin walls of the sukkah invite it in. The rustle of the wind through the s'chach, the distant sound of traffic,…

Take Words With You: A Jewish Guide to a Hopeful New Year Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the work of 'teshuvah' (return) can feel daunting. But what if the essential tool for change isn't guilt, but language? Rabbi Adrian Schell explores the ancient Jewish "technology" of using words—for apology, for prayer, and for rewriting our own stories—as we prepare for the new year. Drawing on the Torah portion Vayeilech and the prophet Hosea, this sermon reframes Yom Kippur not as a day of judgment, but as a hopeful destination on a communal journey.

Take Words With You: A Jewish Guide to a Hopeful New Year

Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the work of 'teshuvah' (return) can feel daunting. But what if the essential tool for change isn't guilt, but language? Rabbi Adrian Schell explores the ancient Jewish "technology" of using words—for…

The Pain of Being Unseen: A Rosh Hashanah Message of Hope and Recognition On Rosh Hashanah, we stand before the Divine with a profound and deeply human hope: to be truly seen. This sermon explores the quiet, sinking feeling of being overlooked that we have all experienced and connects it to the central prayers of the High Holy Days. It asks: What is the greatest blessing we can receive in this new year?

The Pain of Being Unseen: A Rosh Hashanah Message of Hope and Recognition

On Rosh Hashanah, we stand before the Divine with a profound and deeply human hope: to be truly seen. This sermon explores the quiet, sinking feeling of being overlooked that we have all experienced and connects it to the…

A message that challenges us to hold fast to our moral centre and renew our commitment to healing a fractured world, starting with the one inside each of us.

It delves into the collision between command and covenant , the modern voices of fear and anger that command us today , and the silenced voice of Sarah, whose cries of determined hope become the very sound of the shofar.

What if Abraham’s journey up the mountain was not an act of blind submission, but a courageous test of God's own promise? This sermon explores faith not as the silencing of our moral conscience, but as an active, courageous partnership with the Divine.

YouTube video by Wimbledon Synagogue When Conscience and Command Collide: Faith and Ethics in the Akedah (Binding of Isaac) Story

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXCg...

When Conscience and Command Collide: Faith and Ethics in the Akedah Story

In this powerful sermon for the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5786, Rabbi Adrian Schell of The Wimbledon Synagogue offers a profound re-reading of the Binding of Isaac (the Akedah).

Rosh HaShanah A new year teaches, renewal begins within—each choice shaping hope, growth, and transformation. #ShanahTovah #NewYear #Renewal #highholidays2025 #Elul

Rosh HaShanah

A new year teaches, renewal begins within—each choice shaping hope, growth, and transformation. #ShanahTovah #NewYear #Renewal #highholidays2025 #Elul

29 Elul Pirkei Avot teaches: “Let your house be open wide, and let the poor be members of your household” – urging us to practice generosity and hospitality by welcoming those in need as part of our family. #highholidays2025 #Elul #hospitality #generosity

29 Elul

Pirkei Avot teaches: “Let your house be open wide, and let the poor be members of your household” – urging us to practice generosity and hospitality by welcoming those in need as part of our family. #highholidays2025 #Elul #hospitality #generosity

28 Elul Hasidic tradition insists, “There is no despair in the world at all” – inspiring us to hold onto hope and resilience, never losing faith that change for the good is possible. #highholidays2025 #Elul #hope #resilience

28 Elul

Hasidic tradition insists, “There is no despair in the world at all” – inspiring us to hold onto hope and resilience, never losing faith that change for the good is possible. #highholidays2025 #Elul #hope #resilience

26 Elul Shimon the Righteous said, “The world stands on three things: on Torah, on service, and on acts of loving-kindness” – teaching that study and spirituality, devotion to God, and ethical kindness are the pillars that uphold our world. #highholidays2025 #Elul #Torah #kindness

26 Elul

Shimon the Righteous said, “The world stands on three things: on Torah, on service, and on acts of loving-kindness” – teaching that study and spirituality, devotion to God, and ethical kindness are the pillars that uphold our world. #highholidays2025 #Elul #Torah #kindness

25 Elul The rabbis teach, “Who is honoured? One who honours others” – showing that we earn true respect by treating others with respect and dignity. #highholidays2025 #Elul #respect #honour

25 Elul

The rabbis teach, “Who is honoured? One who honours others” – showing that we earn true respect by treating others with respect and dignity. #highholidays2025 #Elul #respect #honour

24 Elul Pirkei Avot teaches, “Who is wealthy? One who rejoices in their portion” – reminding us that gratitude and contentment with what we have is the truest form of wealth. #highholidays2025 #Elul #gratitude #contentment

24 Elul

Pirkei Avot teaches, “Who is wealthy? One who rejoices in their portion” – reminding us that gratitude and contentment with what we have is the truest form of wealth. #highholidays2025 #Elul #gratitude #contentment

23 Elul Pirkei Avot teaches, “Who is strong? One who controls their impulses” – defining real strength as self-control and mastery over one’s anger and desires. #highholidays2025 #Elul #innerStrength #selfControl

23 Elul

Pirkei Avot teaches, “Who is strong? One who controls their impulses” – defining real strength as self-control and mastery over one’s anger and desires. #highholidays2025 #Elul #innerStrength #selfControl

Elul 22

The Mishna says, “Who is wise? One who learns from every person” – true wisdom comes from humility and an openness to learning from everyone we meet.

simanija.com/22-elul

#highholidays2025 #Elul #wisdom #humility

21 Elul The Talmud teaches that lashon hara (evil speech or gossip) “kills three”: it harms the speaker, the listener, and the person spoken about – a stark warning about the destructive power of our words. #highholidays2025 #Elul #speech #noGossip

21 Elul

The Talmud teaches that lashon hara (evil speech or gossip) “kills three”: it harms the speaker, the listener, and the person spoken about – a stark warning about the destructive power of our words. #highholidays2025 #Elul #speech #noGossip

20 Elul Our sages teach that we should judge others lekaf zechut – with the benefit of the doubt – viewing people favourably whenever possible. #highholidays2025 #Elul #compassion #understanding

20 Elul

Our sages teach that we should judge others lekaf zechut – with the benefit of the doubt – viewing people favourably whenever possible. #highholidays2025 #Elul #compassion #understanding

19 Elul Jewish tradition teaches that “great is repentance, for it brings healing to the world” – our personal transformation through teshuvah (repentance) can bring renewal and repair far beyond ourselves. #highholidays2025 #Elul #repentance #healing

19 Elul

Jewish tradition teaches that “great is repentance, for it brings healing to the world” – our personal transformation through teshuvah (repentance) can bring renewal and repair far beyond ourselves. #highholidays2025 #Elul #repentance #healing

The Commandment of Joy There is a kind of seriousness we sometimes mistake for holiness. We approach our religious lives, especially as the High Holy Days draw near, with a sense of profound obligation, of weighty duty. There is a time for solemnity, of course. Yet, our tradition is wary of a service that becomes so heavy it crushes the spirit it is meant to lift.

The Commandment of Joy

There is a kind of seriousness we sometimes mistake for holiness. We approach our religious lives, especially as the High Holy Days draw near, with a sense of profound obligation, of weighty duty. There is a time for solemnity, of course. Yet, our tradition is wary of a…

18 Elul Pirkei Avot teaches that you are not obligated to complete the work of perfecting the world, “but neither are you free to abandon it” – encouraging perseverance in pursuing goodness and justice. #highholidays2025 #Elul #perseverance #responsibility

18 Elul

Pirkei Avot teaches that you are not obligated to complete the work of perfecting the world, “but neither are you free to abandon it” – encouraging perseverance in pursuing goodness and justice. #highholidays2025 #Elul #perseverance #responsibility

17 Elul Our sages teach, “Not study but practice is the main thing” – reminding us that learning must lead to action, and we truly live our values through what we do. #highholidays2025 #Elul #action #integrity

17 Elul

Our sages teach, “Not study but practice is the main thing” – reminding us that learning must lead to action, and we truly live our values through what we do. #highholidays2025 #Elul #action #integrity

16 Elul Jewish tradition teaches that worship is only meaningful when it reflects our commitment to be just and kind in our dealings with others. #highholidays2025 #Elul #worship #ethics

16 Elul

Jewish tradition teaches that worship is only meaningful when it reflects our commitment to be just and kind in our dealings with others. #highholidays2025 #Elul #worship #ethics

That Verse in Deuteronomy: Reclaiming a Torah of Pride, Not Pain A single verse in this week's Torah portion, Ki Tetzei, has been used for centuries to exclude and shame transgender and queer people. But is that what the Torah truly intends? In this Pride Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Adrian Schell explores our tradition as a vast, ancient house we inherit—a place of beautiful, light-filled rooms, but also difficult corners. By bravely entering one of these "cold rooms" and examining the notes left by our ancestors like Rashi and Maimonides, we discover that the verse's original purpose was not to shame identity, but to forbid deceit and prevent harm. This sermon reframes a weaponised text as a call for authenticity and challenges us to ensure our "house of tradition" is a warm, safe, and welcoming home for all, illuminated by the central truth that every person is created in the image of God.

That Verse in Deuteronomy: Reclaiming a Torah of Pride, Not Pain

A single verse in this week's Torah portion, Ki Tetzei, has been used for centuries to exclude and shame transgender and queer people. But is that what the Torah truly intends? In this Pride Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Adrian Schell…

15 Elul Jewish tradition teaches that we are stewards, not owners, of creation – entrusted to preserve and protect the Earth for future generations. #highholidays2025 #Elul #environment #stewardship

15 Elul

Jewish tradition teaches that we are stewards, not owners, of creation – entrusted to preserve and protect the Earth for future generations. #highholidays2025 #Elul #environment #stewardship

14 Elul Jewish tradition calls on us to participate in tikkun olam, the repair of the world, through acts of justice and compassion – taking responsibility to improve our society for everyone. #highholidays2025 #Elul #tikkunOlam #socialAction

14 Elul

Jewish tradition calls on us to participate in tikkun olam, the repair of the world, through acts of justice and compassion – taking responsibility to improve our society for everyone. #highholidays2025 #Elul #tikkunOlam #socialAction