Rabbi Sari Laufer

Rabbi Sari Laufer is the director of congregational engagement at Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles. A cum laude graduate of Northwestern University Rabbi Laufer was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles in May 2006. Prior to coming to Wise, Rabbi Laufer spent 11 years as the assistant and associate rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Sholom in New York City.

Articles by Rabbi Sari Laufer

Talmud pages

Tractate Shabbat

Shabbat 123

If I had a hammer.

Talmud pages

Shabbat 106

Entrapment.

Tractate Shabbat

Shabbat 105

Tearing up on Shabbat.

red sea split

Passover

The Oft-Misquoted Catchphrase of the Exodus

'Let My People Go' is only half the equation.

Forgiveness

Must We Forgive Someone Who Hasn’t Made Amends?

Jewish tradition says no. Here’s why.

Rosh Hashanah

This Rosh Hashanah, Try Picking Up the Phone

Mass emails and social posts asking for forgiveness from ‘anyone I hurt’ bypass the hard work of repentance.

hold hands

Sitting Shiva

When It’s OK To Say Nothing

At shiva, the mourner gets to decide whether or not to initiate conversation.

Study

Rebecca and Isaac’s Guide to Raising Twins (Not)

What can we learn from one of the Torah’s most dysfunctional families?

Bible

Baseless Love

How Tu B’Av, the “Jewish Valentine’s Day,” can prepare us for Yom Kippur.

Study

Be The Wilderness

With uncertainty comes unparalleled potential for expanding our horizons.