Category Archives: sermons

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

Don’t Throw A Good Wish Away: A Yom Kippur Morning Sermon

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

There is a story told of a simple man, living in a simple village. His name was Itzik. He was a man who loved God and devoted his life to the care of his synagogue and his family and his … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Rosh Hashanah: Come to Shul!

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Rosh Hashanah: Be Here Now When the kids were younger, going to Beth Am on Friday night was a big deal, they loved it. So much so that if I was really struggling with them I would threaten them and … Continue reading →

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Words Matter: Rosh Hashanah 2016 5777

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

If you have two Jews stranded on a desert island, they will build three synagogues—one for each of them and one synagogue that no one will visit on principle. Jews often disagree with other Jews. “Two Jews three opinions”—that is, … Continue reading →

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Outrage

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

More killing, more sadness and insanity. I am outraged and want to get out into the world and change it. Change it now because it is nearly too late, I feel. I feel angry in my gut—that’s where this anger … Continue reading →

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You Are Loved. Rosh HaShanah 5776 Sermon

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

When I was quite young, on summer days I would lie on the lawn and look up at the clouds. Those puffy white clouds took on various shapes and scenes in my imagination and I created fantastic stories from the … Continue reading →

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2014 Yom Kippur Sermon: You Make A Difference: Suicide, Depression and Knowing You Matter

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

A teacher in New York decided to honor all of her high school seniors by telling each of them how much of a difference they made. Using the Who I Am Makes A Difference Ceremony, she called each student to … Continue reading →

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2014 Rosh Hashanah Sermon~Two Days Before the Bat Mitzvah: An Ethical Will to Our Children

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

G, our twelve and a half year old daughter’s Bat Mitzvah is in a few days: Two Days actually. It is on Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This, as you know is not the … Continue reading →

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Get A New Goal

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows Get a New Goal Rosh Hashanah 5774 2013 It may come as a surprise to you that as the High Holy Days approach many rabbis around the country go into, what I would call, an annual … Continue reading →

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