Category Archives: Fear

It is Possible to Worry Less.

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Yom Kippur 5784 Congregation Beth Am, Buffalo Grove, IL There’s an old joke about a Jewish telegram, it read “Start Worrying. Letter to follow.”[1]   Then there’s the joke about four people who get lost while hiking in the desert together. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Congregation Beth Am, Fear, Gratitude, High Holidays, Holocaust, Jewish Jokes, sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We Mourn. We Get up. #SolidarityShabbat

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Here is a sermon I delivered Friday night November 2nd,  one week after eleven Jews were murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Shabbat Morning.  The sermon was delivered from an outline, written-out a touch more fully … Continue reading →

Posted in #Solidarity Shabbat, Anti Semitism, Congregation Beth Am, Death and Mourning, Fear, Hate, Jews and Trump, Love, sadness, sermons, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

We Stand Here Today: The Trajectory of A Blessed Shul

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

In 2012, I stood before you and shared that I often feel like I am living in a Bible story, at that time I admitted that I felt as if I was living in Exodus when God commanded, Asu Li … Continue reading →

Posted in Congregation Beth Am, Fear, High Holidays, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

We Will Not Be Silent. A Rosh Hashanah Sermon 5778 delivered at Congregation Beth Am, Buffalo Grove, IL

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

My husband Kyle has been a cook county court house manager for many years. A few years ago Kyle was sitting in the chambers of a Latino Judge and saw a ram’s horn prominently displayed on the judge’s shelf.  Kyle … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti Semitism, civil discourse, Fear, Hate, High Holidays, Jews and Trump, Peace Vigil, sermons, Shana Tova, Shofar, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

AFTER THE GRIEF

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

The feelings of anger and despair I have will in time morph into action and revolutionary love. We are strong and courageous and in this together and right and there are too many people who need us. We need us. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fear, Love, Mindfulness, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Fear: Face Everything And Rise: A Kol Nidre Sermon

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Do you remember the Billy Crystal movie, Mr. Saturday Night? Billy Crystal plays Buddy and David Paymer plays his brother Stan. As kids, they put together vaudeville routines and performed at family get-togethers, but when they finally get their chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Fear, High Holidays, holidays, Love, Mindfulness, sermons, Shana Tova, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment