Articles, Reflections, and Other Writings

For additional writing see Rabbi Laurie's Blog.

 

Passover Supplement 2025

• Four Questions for This Time

Passover Reflection from Rabbi Laurie - April 17, 2024

• Celebrating Passover at a Time of War

Opening teaching at the Shaarei Shamayim Annual Meeting - February 25, 2024

• Justice, Empathy, and Curiosity

A Note from Rabbi Laurie - December 13, 2023

• On Perspective-Taking

Remarks at the Madison Common Council - December 5, 2023

• Speaking in Support of a Ceasefire in Gaza

A Note from Rabbi Laurie - November 1, 2023

• A Visit from Rep. Pocan

Evolve: Reconstructing Judaism - October 16, 2023

• I Protest This Bloodshed

High Holiday Greeting to the Madison Jewish Community - September 4, 2023

• From Our Rabbis: Treating Each Other With Extraordinary Respect

NewCAJE Summer Conference: "Summit on the Future of Jewish Education" - July 6, 2020

• Embracing a Jewish Educational Vision During a Pandemic

Reflection: Passover and Shavuot - April 17, 2020

• COVID-19 and our Community: Resisting Despair and Marking Time

Shaarei Shamayim 30th Anniversary - February 29, 2020

• Thirtieth Anniversary Greetings

Opening Session of the Wisconsin State Legislature - February 11, 2020

• Rabbinic Invocation

Shavuot 5779 - June 8, 2019

• A Futile Search for the Wow in Science: Reflections of a Scientist's Daughter

Jewish Values & the Ethical Now: A Conference in Celebration or Rabbi David A. Teutsch, Ph.D - March 11, 2019

• Towards a New Jewish Ethical Framework for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Purim at Shaarei Shamayim - March, 2019

• Rhyming Intros to the Megillah

The Progressive - February/March, 2019

• Anti-Semitism in the Age of Trump

The Capital Times - November 29, 2018

• Laurie Zimmerman: Nazi salute photo is a chance to learn

Jewish Telegraph Agency - November 19, 2018

• A local rabbi's message to the Wisconsin high school boys who gave the Nazi salute

Sermon: Church Women United, November 2, 2018

• Being an Ally, Owning Antisemitism, Creating Solidarity

Sermon: October 28, 2018

• Interfaith Vigil on Pittsburgh Shooting

The Capital Times - May 17, 2018

• Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman: Standing with my Muslim neighbors in the wake of Jerusalem and Gaza

Sermon: April 27, 2018

• Prayer for Workers' Memorial Day

The Times of Israel - November 21, 2017

• American Jews must condemn Israeli detention of Palestinian children

Jewish Telegraphic Agency - August 29, 2017

• Why rabbis like me oppose Israel's ban on BDS activists

The Capital Times - June 30, 2017

• Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman: Thanks to Mark Pocan for supporting nonviolent activist

Sermon: April 26, 2017

• Press Conference with Voces de la Frontera: Support Immigrants this May Day

Dvar Torah: Jewish Federation Board Meeting - March 21, 2017

• Jewish Federation of Madison Dvar Torah

Forward – March 13, 2017

• Letter to the Editor: Tell Kids the Hard Truth About Israel

Sermon: Service Sunday First Unitarian Society - August 2016

• Noah: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us

The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle - July 1, 2016

• Grumbling, complaining and kvetching through the desert

Prayer: Rev. Everett Mitchell Presentation - February 9, 2016

• Opening Prayer

Prayer: Wisconsin Clergy Press Conference - November 23, 2015

• Open the Borders to Syrian Refugees

Jewish Telegraphic Agency – September 27, 2015

• Op-Ed: Why Jewish educators need to teach the Palestinian perspective

Sermon: Torah Siyyum - June 28, 2015

• A Love of Torah

Sermon: May 2015

• Conversation is a Form of Prayer: Welcoming Young, Gifted, and Black

Sermon: Mt. Zion Baptist Church - January 18, 2015

• Contribution to the MLK Interfaith Service

Chanukkah Party Skit - December 17, 2014

• The Story of Chanukkah

Reflection: Dane County Board with Madison Urban Ministry - November 17, 2014

• Reflection before the Dane County Board

Sermon: Service Sunday First Unitarian Society - August 1, 2014

• Service Sunday: No to Despair, Yes to Action

Sermon: Service Sunday First Unitarian Society - August 18, 2013

• Service Sunday: Doing Loving Deeds for Others

Dvar Torah: September 2012

• Community Planning Meeting

Sermon: Service Sunday First Unitarian Society - August 2012

• Service Sunday: Planting for the Future

The Capital Times - January 9, 2012

• Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman: After 10 years, it's time to shutter Guantanamo

Jewish Telegraphic Agency - March 2, 2011

• Op-Ed: Wis. governor’s plan threatens workers and Jewish values

Huffington Post - February 28, 2011

• Why Madison Rabbis Oppose Wisconsin Governor's Budget Repair Bill