Category Archives: Gratitude

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

Staycation

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

For my family, a “staycation” is code for many things. It’s code for, we can’t afford a vacation right now. It’s also code for, we will stay in the cold and snowy, damp and dark  Chicago winter instead of soaking … Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Love, Mindfulness, parenting, 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 →

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Posted on September 4, 2016 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Elul 1 Travel.  No matter how many plans we make, how prepared we think we are, when it comes to travel (and yes, I know, with life too) we never know what adventure lies before us. Recently, after a three-hour wait that … Continue reading →

Posted in elul, forgiveness, Gratitude, High Holidays, Love, parenting, Teshuva | Leave a comment