Author: Cantor Matt Axelrod

Cantor Matt Axelrod has served Congregation Beth Israel of Scotch Plains, NJ since 1990. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and a national officer of the Cantors Assembly. Cantor Axelrod is the author of Surviving Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah: The Ultimate Insider's Guide, and Your Guide to the Jewish Holidays: From Shofar to Seder.

by Cantor Matt Axelrod December 4, 2022 2

The Dybbuk of December

‘Tis the season. Get ready for the ubiquitous talking points and media outrage (read: Fox News) expressing solidarity with allContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod May 9, 2022 0

Quicksand and Child Sacrifice

What could quicksand and child sacrifice possibly have in common? It seems that they’re both something that people used toContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod April 1, 2022 1

Living in a Time of Leprosy

I’m giving up. I’ve been a good soldier all these years, doing my very best to be creative, putting myContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod March 4, 2022 0

The New Line of Kids’ Holidays is Finally Out!

Today is Rosh Chodesh—the first day of the Jewish month of Adar II. This month is noteworthy for two reasons:Continue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod December 22, 2021 0

Festivus for the Rest of Us

Who says that we Jews can’t enjoy all of the various holidays celebrated by everyone around us. Even though it’sContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod October 21, 2021 1

Abraham’s Fall from Grace

(This post is adapted from a D’var Torah that I presented at a recent Cantors Assembly meeting.) The Torah hasContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod October 15, 2021 1

Shifting into Neutral

I think I’ve had it with the gender thing. No, I’m not making any major lifestyle changes. I’m talking aboutContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod October 5, 2021 2

Some Congregants are More Equal Than Others

I spend a lot of my time surfing the web. (Do they actually use that expression anymore or is thatContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod March 26, 2021 1

Exodus 2.0

B’chol dor va dor chayav adam lirot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatzah mimitzrayim In every generation, each person is obligatedContinue Reading

by Cantor Matt Axelrod February 23, 2021 1

The Great Purim Controversy Continues…

I’m prepared to die on this hill. I don’t usually write follow ups to previous posts, but my recent screedContinue Reading