Author Archives: Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Witness. Feel. Act.

Posted on September 29, 2018 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Chol Ha Mo’ed Sukkot Sermon offered at Congregation Beth Am, September 28, 2018 I want to share about this momentous time we are in our Country. We are at a crossroads. Never before has there been a supreme court justice … Continue reading →

Posted in civil discourse, Congregation Beth Am, holidays, Love, sermons, Twelve Steps, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Do Not Despair: A Yom Kippur Sermon

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

There is cable news station that is often on in my house, or on my Sirius XM radio in the car… until someone tells me to turn it off. I don’t have a lot of time to listen or watch … Continue reading →

Posted in civil discourse, Congregation Beth Am, Gratitude, High Holidays, sadness, sermons, Shana Tova, Uncategorized, Voting Engagement | Leave a comment

Kol Nidre: You Have Permission

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

[To the tune of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood theme song] It’s a beautiful eve in the sanctuary, a solemnly evening in the synagogue. I’m glad you’re here, I’m glad to share, this holy day with you. I was 36 years old … Continue reading →

Posted in civil discourse, Congregation Beth Am, Gratitude, High Holidays, Love, Mindfulness, parenting, prayer, sermons, Teshuva, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Celebration

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

On our last day, we went to Masada and the Dead Sea. We rode camels and will soon have a festive dinner together on our last night in Israel 2017. On Masada we offered mourner’s Kaddish for a dear relative of one … Continue reading →

Posted in Congregation Beth Am, Gratitude, Israel, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Out of Darkness

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

On the short bus ride to Yad VaShem (The Jewish People’s living memorial to the Holocaust), Lana asked us to imagine a room that would fit 100 people, then think of a space that holds 500 people, a 1000 people and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti Semitism, Congregation Beth Am, Israel, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Shabbat

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Shavua Tov! Just landing from a truly wonderful Shabbat and pre-Shabbat tour. Friday morning we went to the Ayalon Institute near Rehovot. The website explains it best: “Next to the Rehovot Science Park, on Kibbutz Hill, stands the Ayalon Institute, which … Continue reading →

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A Divided City

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

A call for a day of rage, a tekes/graduation ceremony for tons of Israeli soldiers, a walk on a 2000-year-old sidewalk, a stop to get free WiFi and a toasted cheese bagel. Women standing on chairs, peering over to the men’s … Continue reading →

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Liberating Judaism

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

“When we fight against the monopoly, we are actually liberating Judaism for all Israelis and since this is the fastest growing Jewish community on the Planet, it is a worthwhile fight.” Anat Hoffman speaking to our Beth Am Tour this evening. … Continue reading →

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40 Miles From Damascus

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

What a difference two years makes. Standing only 40 miles away from Damascus, we looked out from the Golan Heights into Syria. Today, the U.N Guards were looking at their cell phones and only occasionally into their high powered telescope pointing … Continue reading →