At a recent dinner I attended, our two rabbis emeritus discussed what Jewish life in Oregon was like 150 years ago. Those early settlers were courageous pioneers, and rabbis were hard to come by for a new congregation. Despite difficult beginnings, our ancestors built a home for future generations of Portland Jews.
Recording from Shabbat Services, January 19, 2019 D’var from Saturday, January 19, 2019 – Rabbi David Kosak *If you would like to download the recording and listen later, right click on the link then click “Save as” and it will save onto your computer for later listening. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus. Click here for an archive of past recordings
Recording from Shabbat Services, January 18, 2019 D’var from Friday, January 18, 2019 – Rabbi David Kosak *If you would like to download the recording and listen later, right click on the link then click “Save as” and it will save onto your computer for later listening. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus. Click here for an archive of past recordings
This past Wednesday, I spent the day at Portland’s police academy. This six hour simulation placed senior clergy in the police training facility located in northeast Portland. This day of training that I attended was part of a program entitled “One Cop” which is short for “one congregation, one precinct.”
Recording from Shabbat Services, January 11, 2019 D’var from Friday, January 11, 2019 – Rabbi David Kosak *If you would like to download the recording and listen later, right click on the link then click “Save as” and it will save onto your computer for later listening. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus. Click here for an archive of past recordings
In the latest Oasis Songs: Musings from Rav D, Rabbi Kosak looks at some classic sources on the notion of the “chosen people” and explains how Isaiah viewed chosenness as a duty to dispel ignorance and falsehood.
Recording from Shabbat Services, January 5, 2019 D’var from Saturday, January 5, 2019 – Rabbi David Kosak *If you would like to download the recording and listen later, right click on the link then click “Save as” and it will save onto your computer for later listening. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus. Click here for an archive of past recordings

