What Am I Willing To Die Living For? A Look at Freedom in the Seder
The Talmud in Masechet Pesachim debates when participants should recline during the Passover seder. One position argues reclining…
April 15, 2019
Writings
Thoughts & Torah
Sam loves to write on a number of subjects — from prayer leadership and Jewish stories, to Torah reflections and travel experiences.
Substack
Exploring Good Davening
Thoughts on prayer leadership, creating meaningful and potentially transformative prayer communities. Subscribe to get new posts directly in your inbox.
June 24, 2025
Praying Your Announcements - Part 2
Matching tone, allowing breath, and techniques for delivering them
May 27, 2025
Praying Your Announcements - Part 1
Tips and Tricks Calling Pages and Giving Kavannot
April 21, 2025
Late For Kiddush
How do we hold a spiritual container when we're on a time clock?
March 14, 2025
Distracted Davenning
What should we be thinking about when leading prayer?
March 13, 2025
Reflections on the Fast of Esther
How her model might help us through chaotic and troubling times.
March 4, 2025
One Hour, One Melody
All you need is one
Archive
From the Blog
Parshat Emor: To Live In Israel
Torah: To Live In Israel Until the morrow of the seventh week, you shall count fifty days, and…
May 1, 2016
Parshat Acharei Mot
Torah: What Seeds Have You Planted? When you shall come into the Land, and you shall plant all…
April 24, 2016
Seder: Our Love of the Land of Israel
“Go and learn what Lavan the Aramean wanted to do to our father Jacob” When we tell the…
April 22, 2016
Parshat Tzav: What Does It Mean To Be Shalem?
Torah: What Does It Mean To Be Shalem? One of the sacrifices which the Torah expands upon in…
April 3, 2016
Parshat Vayikra: Humbling the Self Before the Other
Torah: Humbling the Self Before the Other It’s no secret that this world is becoming more and more…
March 18, 2016
Parshat Vayakhel
Torah: The Two Realms of Community Building Last week, I participated in a trip with Perspectives, an organization…
March 4, 2016
Parshat Ki Tisa: Higher and Higher
Torah: Higher and Higher The Lord said to Moshe, “Go, ascend from here… to the Land that I…
February 26, 2016
Parshat Tetzaveh: Words Matter
Torah: Words Matter Parshat Tetzaveh reads more like a fashion magazine or manual than a typical Torah story.…
February 19, 2016
Parshat Terumah: When The Trees Were Martyrs
Torah: When The Trees Were Martyrs “The political, economic and cultural welfare of the Arabs will thus always…
February 12, 2016
Parshat Mishpatim: Little By Little I Shall Drive Them Away
Torah: Little By Little I Shall Drive Them Away “I shall send the hornet-swarm before you and it…
February 5, 2016
Parshat Yitro: One Love, One Heart
Torah: One Love, One Heart “In the third month from the Exodus of the Children of Israel from…
January 29, 2016