Publications

Rabbi Prouser’s Publications

  • For a list of articles from Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser that have appeared in the Jewish Standard publications, please click HERE.
  • “Say Little, Do Much” Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser weekly reflection for the Crescent City Jewish News (New Orleans). For archived messages, please click HERE.
  • Rabbi Prouser’s blog posts on The Times of Israel
  • Ra’u Or: Essays in Honor of Dr. Ora Horn Prouser (editor) (Ben Yehua Press, 2021)    Includes chapter: “The ‘Day of the Lord’ and the Book of Esther”
  • “Open Ye the Gates: Procedure for Returning the Torah to the Ark,” a responsum,  Hakol Kol Yaakov: The Joel Roth Jubilee Volume (Brill, 2021).
  • “Just Remove this Death from Me: Rabbinic Responses to Vaccination,” in The Theopolitics of Vaccinations, The Political Theology Network, January 16, 2020.
  • Siddur Tzofeh v’Yodeya, a prayerbook for the Shabbat Evening Service. (National Jewish Committee on Scouting, Boy Scouts of America, 2013). Reprinted as “A Time to Pray” for 2019 World Scout Jamboree
  • “Quacks and Real Americans: Solomon Schechter’s Anti-Mormonism,” Zeramim, 2:3 (Sprin 2018).
  • “Real Troopers: Scouts Find Judaism in the Wild,” Forward, April 27, 2017.
  • The Grateful Hearts Haggadah (Temple Emanuel of North Jersey, 2017).
  • Initial Instructions: A Translation Celebrating the Book of Genesis in Lipogram (Ben Yehuda Press, 2016).
  • “Notre Dame de Paras: Victor Hugo’s Midrash on the Book of Esther,” Zeramim, 1:2 (December 2016).
  • “Raising Awareness: The Symbolic Significance of Hagbahah and Gelilah,” Journal of the Academy for Jewish Religion, 9:1 (Spring 2014).

     Op-Ed Column, New Jersey Jewish Standard:

“Mature Contents: Decoding the Opening Poem of the Seder,” April 8, 2022.

“A Hidden Blessing,” November 11, 2021.

Surprising results from personal genealogical research “Reverential and Referential: A Review of the Hebrew Bible for Shavuot Eve,” May 14, 2021.

“Democracy at Auschwitz,” October 16, 2020. On the global impact of a working American democracy

“Solomonic Choices,” August 14, 2020. Parental responsibility and school re-opening during COVID

 “Scheduling Yom Kippur Sheni,” June 12, 2020. Planning for the High Holy Days during the COVID pandemic

“S’Brent! Briderlekh, s’Brent!  Reflections on a Church Fire,” December 20, 2019.

“An Eye for an Eye: Facts are Facts, October 25, 2019. Lex Talionis and Truth in Public Discourse

“Poetic Justice,” August 30, 2019. On Walt Whitman’s description of the United States as poetry

 Continuing as the Indispensable Land of Opportunity,” August 9, 2019. On political asylum for economic refugees.

 “A Prayer for our Country,” July 5, 2019.  A survey of historic prayers and their relevance to current events.

 “Kaddish for Tim Conway,” May 31, 2019. A tribute, and theological musings, on the passing of the comedian.

“Pour Out Your Wrath,” April 12, 2019. Haggadah commentary addressing Chinese suppression of religious freedom

“When Failure is an Option,” March 8, 2019. On the dangers in seeking advancement at all costs

 “Immune to Reason? Jewish Anti-Vaxxers and the Resurgence of Measles,” December 14, 2018.

“Talmudic Politics of Personal Abuse,” October 19, 2018.

“Lamentation on the Arrest of Rabbi Dov Haiyun,” July 27, 2018. On the Conservative Rabbi arrested by Haifa police for conducting a wedding ceremony.

“Sessions’ Biblical Reference was Malign in Every Respect,” June 29, 2018. (Original title: “Render unto Sessions that which is Sessions’”) On the Attorney General’s scriptural defense of Trump administration immigration policy

“Skin in the Game: Race and Israel’s Politics of Conversion,” June 15, 2018. On the Interior Ministry’s treatment of Ugandan Kibita Yosef

 “Revere the Parshah Rite at Midnight,” May 18, 2018.A poetic summary of the weekly Torah portions for Tikkun Layl Shavuot

  “The Matzah and the Hope: Remembering Neil Gillman,” April 6, 2018.

“Acknowledging Friends and Foes: A (Further) Liturgical Proposal,” February 2, 2018. A prayer for friends of the Jewish People.

“More Joy, Less Oy!” December 8, 2017.  On Jewish reactions to the Christmas season

“Don’t Wail About the Kotel… Deserve it,” October 20, 2017. The broken agreement to provide an area for mixed-gender prayer at the Western Wall

“To Bigotry No Sanction: The President’s Address to the Boy Scouts,” August 3, 2017. Responding to President Trump‘s remarks at the National Boy Scout Jamboree. Also appeared in the Times of Israel Daily Edition.

“Ask the Question, Take the Action,” July 13, 2017. Literary reflections on the Book of Lamentations (Eichah)

“Lest Violence Become Our National Pastime,” June 22, 2017. On the shooting attack on Congressional baseball players

“The U.S., the fate of liberty, and the fate of the U.S.S. Liberty,” June 8, 2017. On the fiftieth anniversary of the Israeli attack on an American naval vessel

“The Seder, the Four Children – and a Barbershop Quartet,” April 6, 2017. Commentary on the Passover Haggadah

 “Rabbinic Wisdom on the Muslim Ban: 120 Years Later,” March 16, 2017. On Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise’s 1897 objections to U.S. Muslim immigration policy

 “Lest We Swallow Each Other Alive: Remembering Rev. Peter Marshall,” Feb. 16, 2017. On Prayer and Presidents Day

 “The Truth Hertz,” January 5, 2017. On Rabbi Joseph Hertz’s 1929 address on the 2016 U.N. condemnation of Israel

“A Haftarah for Christmas,” December 22, 2016.

Commentary on the Haftarah of Parshat Vayetze

“On My Mother’s 25th Yahrzeit” September 30, 2016.

“Not So Fast: Responding to a Day of Ambiguity,” July 28, 2016. On observance of the minor fasts.

“An Old Tradition,” May 27, 2016.  Jewish perspectives on aging.

“Curses! It’s an Election Year,” January 8, 2016. An historical survey of insults and incivility in political discourse.

  • “The Persecution of Christians and the Moral Challenge for Jews” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, April 29, 2015
  • “Challenges Facing a 67-Year-Old” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, April 23, 2015
  • “Celebrating Purim With Surgical Precision” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, February 26, 2015
  • “Dignity and Death in New Jersey” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, January 22, 2015
  • “Cold Hearts and Sub-Saharan Jews” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, November 21, 2014
  • “Get Your Facts First” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, September 12, 2014
  • “The Heart that Feels Not Now is Dead” by by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, July 24, 2014
  • “Get Your Facts First,” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, September 12, 2014
  • “The Heart that Feels Not Now is Dead” by by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, July 24, 2014
  • “Stones with a Human Heart” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, The Jewish Standard, June 19, 2014
  • “Holy, Holy, Holy“ by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, Jewish Standard, May 9, 2014″
  • “From Rasha,  With Love” by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, Jewish Standard, March 27, 2014
  • An Open Letter to Shadrach Levi Mugoya by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser, Jewish Standard, February 2014
  •  “Agunot, Recalcitrant Husbands, and Their Many Accomplices,” December 11, 2015.“Old Glory and Ancient Glory,” November 25, 2015.  Chanukah as a patriotic holiday“Primary Responsibility,” October 2015.On distinguishing substance from style in political candidates“How Goodly Are Thy Tents,” July 31, 2015.Calling for Jewish communal organizations to sponsor Scouting units “The Persecution of Christians and the Moral Challenge for Jews,” April 29, 2015.“Challenges Facing a 67-Year-Old,” April 23, 2015.  On Israel Independence Day 

    “Once in Seventy Years,” March 11, 2015.  On Israel’s capital punishment policy

     

    “Death and Dignity in New Jersey,” January 22, 2015.

     On proposed assisted suicide legislation

     

    “Cold Hearts and Sub-Saharan Jews,” November 21, 2014.

    On Israeli treatment of the Abayudaya community of Uganda

     

    “Get Your Facts First,” September 12, 2014.

    On Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s view of  Religious Divorce and the Conservative Movement

     

    “The Heart that Feels Not Now is Dead,” July 24, 2014.

    On Israel’s right to national self-defense.

     

    “Stones with a Human Heart,” June 19, 2014.

    Regarding the Rolling Stones concert defying the boycott of Israel

     

    “Holy, Holy, Holy,” May 8, 2014.

    On the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II

     

    “From Rasha with Love,” March 27, 2014.  Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine

     

    “An Open Letter to Shadrach Levi Mugoya, February 6, 2014.

    Supporting a Ugandan Jew’s effort to immigrate to Israel

     

     

         DIVREI TORAH, NEW JERSEY JEWISH STANDARD

     

    Passover: “Respice, Adspice, Prospice: A Motto for Your Seder,” April 15, 2022.

    Themes of historic continuity in the Passover Haggadah.

     

    Bo: “The Taste of Freedom,” January 6, 2022.

    Exploring the meaning of freedom through Seder Ritual

    Nitzavim: “Judgement Divine and Ovine,” September 2, 2021.

    Insights on Unetaneh Tokef from the writings of Patrick O’Brian

     

    Emor: “What Ought to Be Shall Be,” April 28, 2021.

    Abraham Joshua Heschel’s role in the quest for racial equality

     

    Yitro: “The Corruption of Moses,” February 3, 2021.

    On the dangers of absolute power

     

    Shoftim: “Department of Justice, Justice,” August 19, 2020.

    Tracing the biblical origins of the motto of the U.S. Department of Justice

     

    Beshallach: “It’s a Date,” February 6, 2020.

    A biblical perspective on Tu B’Shevat

     

    Matot Masei: “Diaspora, Devotion, and Duty,” August 1, 2019.

    On the responsibilities of Diaspora Jews to the State of Israel

     

    Vayechi: “Joseph’s Chief Virtue,” December 20, 2018.

    Joseph’s leadership in light of the writings of Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller

     

    Korach: “Father’s Day, Vox Dei,” June 15, 2018.

    Honoring fathers through harmonious sibling and communal relationships

     

    Purim: “Celebrating Purim with Surgical Precision,” February 26, 2015.

    The significance of Moses and Covenant to Purim

     

     

    “Say Little, Do Much”

    Crescent City Jewish News (New Orleans),  Jan. 2018-Present.

    A weekly column of reflections on the fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Tradition

     

     

    Invited Lectures & Special Presentations (selected):

     

    “George Washington’s Favorite Verse”

    Constitution Day Celebration, Academy for Jewish Religion, October 26, 2021

     

    “Weeping With All the Letters of the Alphabet”

    On translating the Book of Lamentations, Academy for Jewish Religion, July 14, 2021

     

    “Seeking Equilibrium: The Founder’s Vision and the Challenges of Modernity”

    Workshop presented at the World Scout Interreligious Symposium, January 27, 2017

    Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, NY

     

    “The Bear Hunt: Abraham Lincoln and Civility in Political Discourse”

    Bergen County Republican Organization Lincoln Day Dinner Keynote, Feb. 25, 2016

     

    “Unity at Sinai and Kirara-Hama” (French), Sermon at World Scout Jamboree,

    Kirara-Hama, Yamaguchi, Japan; service hosted by the French Contingent; July 31, 2015

     

    “The Rabbi’s Role in Jewish Divorce,” Rabbinical Assembly Teleconference, November 2011

     

     “The Long View: The Blessing of the Sun and the 28-Year Solar Cycle”

    Academy for Jewish Religion; Riverdale, NY – March 17, 2009

     

    “The Four Fasts and America’s Founding Fathers”

     Libby Mowshowitz Memorial Lecture – Hillcrest Jewish Center, Queens, NY

    June 28, 2009

     

    “Coercion and the Recalcitrant Husband in Jewish Divorce Law”

    “The Ghet Symposium,” The Lord Reading Law Society, Montreal, Quebec

     Analyzed Canada’s Supreme Court decision in Bruker v. Markovitz – April 9, 2008

    “Settled Law in Unsettling Times: Homosexuality & Conservative Judaism”

    Forum sponsored by United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism & Rabbinical Assembly

    Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Boca Raton, FL – October/November 2006.

     

    “The National Workplace Partnership for Life:  A Jewish Perspective”

    HIP Health Plan Headquarters, New York – April 2003

     

    “Organ Donation in Jewish Law,” University of Kentucky at Lexington – March 2002

     

    “The Book of Esther & Victor Hugo’s Notre Dame de Paris”

    Rabbinical Assembly Retired Rabbis Association Convention – Miami, January 6, 2002

     

    “Holiness & Heroism: National Organ Donor Sabbath after September 11”

    Inter-Church Center, New York – November 9, 2001

     

    “A New Heart & A New Spirit: Organ Donation as the Business of Religious Leaders,” US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC

    September 24, 1998

     

    “Teachers & Student Bereavement: The Death of an Elementary School Classmate”

    Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford, CT – August 28, 1998

     

    “Assisted Suicide Legislation,” December 6, 1995;

    “Religion in the Public Square,” November 23, 1994

    University of Connecticut at Hartford, Ethics & Public Policy Series

     

     “The Smaller Congregation as a Place for Personal Jewish Growth”

    Workshop presented at United Synagogue Convention – May 4, 1994

     

     “Interfaith Marriage and Jewish Burial,” Temple Beth El, Springfield, MA

    March 16, 1993

     

     

    FILMOGRAPHY:

     

    “Moving Heaven & Earth,” USA, Uganda 2003:  Interview.

    Documentary on the Abayudaya community of Uganda.

     

    “You Can’t Take Them With You,” USA, 2019:  Interview.

    Documentary on organ donation and public policy.

  • “Lots of Strange Bedfellows: Toward a Plausible Translation for ‘Purim,” Conservative Judaism, Winter 2013.
  • The Gettysburg Address with Haftara Trope text, as arranged by Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser

TENJ in the Media

Events

Rabbi Prouser’s Sermons

Other publications