🎙 We Are Not Boring: The Secret History of Jewish America

Has anyone here seen The Frisco Kid? A Polish rabbi, played by Gene Wilder, is sent to America in the 1800s—only to find that the joke isn’t on him, but on American Jewry itself. Before the Holocaust, Jewish scholarship and intellectualism thrived in Europe, while American Jews were seen as an afterthought, a punchline.

But here’s the twist: We built something extraordinary. From the earliest Jewish refugees in New Amsterdam to the birth of America’s powerful Jewish institutions, we forged a unique identity—one that too many of us don’t even realize we have.

In this episode, we dive into the secret history of American Jews, the biblical roots of our communal responsibility, and why we are anything but boring.

Thanks to Haviv Rettig Gur and his excellent podcast, Ask Haviv Anything, specifically, the second episode titled, The Lost History of American Jews.

🔊 Tune in for an eye-opening journey through the story of us.

💡 Enjoy this podcast? Feeling inspired to make a difference? Support our work at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh—donate here.

🔥 Who Lit the Flame of Judaism for You? 🔥

Who in your life ignited your Jewish spark? Was it a rabbi, a teacher, or a family member who lived out their Judaism in everyday actions? In this thought-provoking sermon, Rabbi David Baum explores the power of passing the torch—through generations, through mitzvot, and through the light of Torah. Drawing connections between the Olympic torch relay, the eternal flame of the Mishkan, and the hidden light of Purim, Rabbi Baum reminds us that Jewish continuity is a daily commitment, not just a historic event.

Click here to watch

What makes a synagogue truly holy? Is it the grandeur of its architecture—or something much deeper? In this d’var Torah on Parashat Terumah, given at his son’s bar mitzvah, Rabbi David Baum reflects on sacred spaces, personal experiences from the March of the Living, and a surprising insight from his own children. As his son, born and raised at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh, reaches this milestone, Rabbi Baum shares how meaningful it is to celebrate in a warm and loving community. Drawing on the wisdom of Jewish tradition, he explores where God truly dwells—not just in buildings, but in our hearts. Listen to this podcast to discover what really makes a shul a spiritual home!

Click here to watch the video and read the transcript

Empty Chair, Broken Promises

Click here to read

In this deeply moving episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum reflects on a powerful moment from his visit to Israel’s Library of Congress, where empty chairs, each holding a hostage’s favorite book, bear witness to the ongoing tragedy of October 7th.

Through the devastating story of the Bibas family and the Torah’s unflinching condemnation of kidnapping in Parashat Mishpatim, this episode explores how Jewish tradition demands justice, recognizes the long echoes of trauma, and offers a path forward in the face of unimaginable grief.

Join us in an act of witnessing—because in Jewish tradition, to bear witness is not passive. It is a call to action, to memory, and to hope.

On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Rabbi David Baum’s sermon for Parashat Vaera, Protecting Our Hearts: Confronting Evil Without Losing Ourselves, offers a profound reflection on the role of suffering, resilience, and the human heart in the face of injustice. Drawing parallels between the biblical Exodus, the civil rights movement, and the challenges of our modern world, Rabbi Baum invites us to confront the timeless question: Is suffering necessary to bring about change? Rabbi Baum shares the story of his great-uncle Andrew Baum, a Holocaust survivor whose unwavering hope and optimism sustained him and others in the darkest of times.

Protecting Our Hearts is not just a reflection on the past but a guide for the present. It challenges us to confront evil without losing ourselves, to choose hope over despair, and to remember that the power to shape our hearts—and our world—lies within us. As we remember the victims of the Holocaust and all who have suffered under oppression, let us commit to opening our hearts, strengthening our resolve, and working together to bring light into the world.

This sermon is a reminder that while suffering may be a part of our history, it does not have to define our future. The choice is ours.

Visit Rabbi Baum's website for more www.rabbidavidbaum.com

More Than a Number, But A Name: Reclaiming Our Humanity After the Release of the Hostages. In this week's Torah From Boca, I examine the power of names and how recognizing the inherent dignity of every human being is crucial for building a just and compassionate society, and the enduring relevance of the Exodus story for our world today, as we strive to overcome prejudice and create a more just future. I also speak about hostages and the potential release on Sunday, January 19.

What if you were the last Jew on Earth? In his sermon, Rabbi Baum examines the recurring fear of 'the ever-dying people' and how it shapes Jewish identity and practice. The Torah portion Vayehi highlights Jacob's fear of being the last Jew, which mirrors the anxieties of Jews in the diaspora who worry about assimilation. Rabbi Baum also shares a story of his grandfather, a holocaust survivor.