Finding God in Unexpected Places

At age 94 Rabbi Jack Riemer shows no signs of slowing down. Long retired from his full-time congregational rabbinic career, Jack still writes at least two sermons a week. In addition, he produces a torrent of articles, book reviews, and commentary for publication in Jewish newspapers and periodicals throughout the United States. Although he no longer walks very far unaided, his sermons reflect an Olympic marathon mind filled with a myriad of incisive insights, invariably buttressed by traditional Jewish teachings. The hallmarks of Rabbi Riemer’s sermonic brilliance are gently witty commentary on something happening in the world around us, resolved through creative readings of Jewish texts. He scrupulously avoids anything political or any subject even suggesting negativity toward Israel. He skirts criticizing elements of modern American Jewish life. His closest readers can only infer Jack’s closely-guarded opinions. Most readers will smile at his kind humor, warm inside with his loving understanding, and feel inspired and instructed by his suggestions for action and thought.