This sermon, On Light and Liberty, traces the American Jewish journey through the stories of Gershom and Moses Seixas, Theodore Roosevelt’s Jewish officers, and the enduring tension of being both residents and strangers in America. Rabbi Alex Kress weaves history, Torah, and civic ideals to confront antisemitism and illuminate the Jewish role in safeguarding democracy. At the nation’s 250th anniversary, he calls Jews to shine as a light unto the nations by defending liberty for all.

This sermon reflects on the importance of holding space for multiple truths and the challenges of engaging with complex issues, especially in divisive times. Drawing from personal experiences in a Jewish-Muslim fellowship, it emphasizes the need to avoid binary thinking and encourages embracing dialogue and dissent, as modeled in Jewish tradition. It critiques the oversimplification of issues seen on college campuses and in society, advocating for deeper conversations and an appreciation for the nuances that allow for growth and understanding.

This sermon explores the resilience of the Jewish people, using historical references to the destruction of the Second Temple and the symbolism of Jerusalem and Babylon. It underscores the dual existence of Jewish communities in Israel and the diaspora, emphasizing their mutual responsibility to support each other. Through the lens of Jewish history and philosophy, the message calls for a deep investment in local and global Jewish communities, promoting connection, learning, and solidarity across geographical and cultural divides.

This message recounts the experience of visiting Holocaust sites and reflecting on the events of October 7th, 2023, invoking a sense of communal trauma and the tension between merely surviving and thriving. It draws on the “Stockdale Paradox” to emphasize the need to confront harsh realities while holding hope for the future. The sermon urges the community to stay resilient, take pride in their Jewish identity, and participate in rebuilding efforts, such as restoring a Holocaust-surviving Torah scroll, symbolizing life, resilience, and the strength to thrive in the face of adversity.