Rabbi Levi A. Olan: The Conscience of the City

“Except the Lord build a house, they labor in vain who build it.” In this sermon, delivered on October 15, 1967, Rabbi Olan directly addresses the question, what difference does it make whether or not …

“Tell me first about the successful man, does he pity and can he cry for those who suffer?” October 8, 1967 This is perhaps the most moving – and at the same time the most …

“Most religions… idealize a person who, by his life, shows us the God we cannot see. In this sermon, delivered on April 30, 1967, Rabbi Olan grapples with the question, how do we know that …

“What really matters in life is quality not quantity.” This sermon, delivered on April 23, 1967, is one in which Rabbi Olan’s personal voice comes through most clearly.  It is noteworthy that his celebration of …

“It is not ours to forgive, only to lead and help people to begin their penitence.” In this sermon delivered April 2, 1967, Rabbi Olan describes the evolution from forgiveness through ritual in Temple times …

“Sunday school is more a kind of ritual or ceremony than an education for the answer to the question, ‘What is the meaning of my existence?’” In this sermon of March 26, 1967, Rabbi Olan …

““Religion is not an opiate…  It is a stimulant which awakens [us] to real living.”  In this sermon of March 12, 1967, Rabbi Olan begins with the question, what do people want from religion?  He …

In this sermon, delivered on March 5, 1967, Rabbi Olan makes pronouncements that were not popular in many quarters in his day, nor are they in ours.“Each religion has some truth, no religion has all …

“The peace and welfare of any nation finally depends upon the translation of natural human rights into law.  This was evident to the founding fathers of America as it must become evident to us now.” …

Isaiah: “‘What mean ye that ye crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?’ saith the Lord.” In this sermon of February 12, 1967, Rabbi Olan preached openly about politics.  “The national War …