Author Archives: Rabbi Dan Horwitz

Rabbi Dan Horwitz

About Rabbi Dan Horwitz

is a rabbi, educator, consultant and community builder. Committed to lifelong learning, he holds a BA in Politics from Brandeis University, an MA in Jewish Studies from Gratz College, a JD and an MA in Sport Management from the University of Michigan, and an MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew College. He received rabbinic ordination from the non-denominational Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk. Dan is happiest when engaged in meaningful discussion with others on topics of Jewish and general philosophical interest, when playing basketball, and when Justin Verlander is pitching. For more information, check out www.rabbidanh.com

Questions, Not Answers

Rabbi Dan Horwitz
April 3, 2014

“We will do and we will listen” — still relevant for Jews today? Not in how many of us make our choices… Especially in a world where leisure time is cherished and Judaism is competing in the marketplace of extra-curricular activities. Most contemporary Jews reject the traditional “commandedness” structure of Jewish life, so how can More »

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Noble Ideas, Tarnished

Rabbi Dan Horwitz
March 18, 2014

It’s easy to get down, facing life’s challenges To scream and to frown, heart covered in calluses Hopes dashed, lack of desired impact Arguing over what exactly constitutes a fact   Ideals shattered, butchered and battered Clinging to a sense of calm but only getting madder At those who don’t care, who give up on More »

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Unsettled

Rabbi Dan Horwitz
January 9, 2014

I’m not sure that my own views on the Divine are settled.   I find the demographic realities of the Jewish community to be unsettling.   I struggle mightily with the motivations and convictions of West Bank settlers.   I travel so much for work that I inevitably feel unsettled.   I worry that in More »

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Jewish in Beijing

Rabbi Dan Horwitz
December 24, 2013

I had the privilege this past May of serving as the Rabbi-in-residence for Kehillat Beijing – Beijing’s progressive Jewish community. Overwhelmingly comprised of Americans who are pursuing business ventures in China, I found the community to be incredibly warm and welcoming.  Inevitably, when transported to a new situation, folks tend to extend warmth, as they’re More »

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It’s All Hillel’s Fault

Rabbi Dan Horwitz
December 1, 2013

“Hillel would also say: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” - Pirkei Avot 1:14   It seems that much of the American Jewish world has become fixated on the first of Hillel’s three presented clauses.  More »

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The Kotel

Rabbi Dan Horwitz
October 1, 2013

A symbol, you see Powerful and mystifying to me   People yearning for a day long since past When sacrifices were the norm, yet didn’t last   With prayer since supplanting slaughter And somehow a son having greater rights than a daughter   To identify as part of holy community Which somehow causes such great More »

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