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Messages from Rabbi Benjamin Zober

Newsletter Articles from Our Rabbi

Rabbi Benjamin Zober serves as the rabbi at Temple Sinai in Reno—the “Biggest Little Synagogue.” A “recovering public defender” turned congregational leader, he brings a blend of legal rigor, interfaith advocacy, and a quick-witted sense of humor to his teaching and writing.

When he isn’t on the bimah or serving with local interfaith and social justice organizations, Rabbi Benjamin is a proud stepdad, baker, amateur ukulele player, pop-up book artist, and progressively slower runner. Here, he shares his newsletter messages, Shabbat sermons, and reflections on Torah, ethics, and living Jewish values in Northern Nevada and beyond.

When It’s Time – Sukkot 5787

When I was in rabbinical school, my dad had valve replacement surgery. While we were waiting for him to come out of surgery, I saw that there was a walking labyrinth in the hospital. I started to walk it, thinking about my dad and my fears and thoughts about life, death, all of those big issues that were weighing on me. I was almost to the center when a hospital employee approached me and let me know that I had to leave. They were closing the labyrinth for the day.

Rosh HaShanah Day 5787 – The Trick is to Listen

There once was a young boy in Eastern Europe who received a shofar at the age of 10. The approaching High Holy Days meant that it was time to practice blowing the shofar. Every day he went out into the field and blew - but no matter how hard he blew or red in the face he got, no sounds came out. He tried buzzing and blowing, he held it to the right, to the left, straight forward, up, down - nothing helped. This went on for the entire month of Elul, hours at a time, and still not sounds.

Eating Bitterness – Erev Rosh HaShanah 5787

What does the bitterness in our lives mean for us?

Words from the Bimah

Past Sermons from Rabbi Benjamin Zober

Torah is a lifelong conversation, and the insights shared during our services are meant to resonate long after the candles are lit or the shofar is sounded. Welcome to our archive of past sermons, where you can revisit the teachings, stories, and reflections shared by Rabbi Benjamin Zober. From the weekly peace of our Shabbat services to the deep introspection of the High Holy Days, we invite you to explore these words of Torah, find inspiration, and continue the conversation at your own pace.

Yom Kippur 5787 – The Acts that Ushered Me Back to Humanity

September 23, 2026

Last year, I was invited to offer an invocation for the annual conference of VOAD, the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. After my words Leonard Marcus, the keynote...

Kol Nidre 5787 – Accepting the Truth

September 21, 2026

“It’s rarely the truth itself that people can’t accept. It’s how they feel about it.” ― Karen Russell, The Antidote...

Nitzavim 5786 – Taking a Stand

September 8, 2026

My "uncle" Sid worked for John F Kennedy and LBJ. In 1963, when the march on Washington happened, he took his son Richard to hear MLK speak. It...