Rosh Hashanah Sermons

Here are links to my two Rosh Hashanah sermons:

• First day -- On Being Judgmental
• Second day -- A Spiritual Lens on Economic Life

Below are some more particulars on the theme of Judaism and business, which I referred to on the second day.  In a related vein, I am seeking to start at least Business Ethics Group for employers.  The group would meet monthly during lunch at a workplace.  There would be a presentation of a workplace dilemma by a participant along with study of a framing text.  If you are interested in participating or hosting the group, please contact me.  

Heksher Tzedek: Conservative movement initiative to promote Jewish ethics for kosher food producers

Timberland:  read about their approach to corporate social responsibility

Fair Trade certification (and our local King David Coffee Roasters)

For details on the Agriprocessors kosher meat production story:

• timeline of alleged violations through March 2008
• May 2008 immigration raid

I did obliquely mention in my spoken remarks that the "Organic" certification from the government does not always guarantee all the environmental benefits that we imagine come with organic farming.  This article by Michael Pollan was where I first learned about that.

Comments

[Ellen Trager]

As I sat listening to your sermon on judgement on the first day of Rosh Hashanah I had to smile. The topic was perfect and connected to advice I heard about six months ago and have been since telling everybody I know. The CEO of Pepsi, Indra Nooyi, sited her father's words "Assume positive intent" in a Fortune article earlier this year. http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0804/gallery.bestadvice.fortune/7.html(One of the many reasons I think she's an outstanding role model.)I love to see my worlds merge like this. It validates for me that those that work towards "being the best person they can be" can succeed in there professional, spiritual, and family lives.