Rabbi Bellows gives sermons almost every Erev Shabbat (Friday evening) usually based on that week's Torah portion or with reference to an upcoming holiday. The purpose of a sermon is to use ancient teachings from our tradition to bring spiritual meaning to our lives and to inspire us to act to make our world more whole and just.
(Take kippah off head and hold it, look at it, look at the Ark, look back at the kippah) What a beautiful concept. And a beautiful object. I feel blessed as a rabbi to be able to spend so much time near this Ark. I am grateful to Sol LeWitt for giving us this vibrant,… Continue Reading
Earlier in our service we heard the beautiful music of the Kol Nidre prayer. For centuries, this melody has spoken deeply to our people, of the mood and message of Yom Kippur. The melody is what has remained important to us, much more so than the words. Because if you look at the words, you’ll… Continue Reading
There is Hagar: we see her sitting in the wilderness, weeping. Her mistress Sarah has banished her, fearing that Ishmael would usurp Sarah’s son Isaac’s inheritance. Abraham – Hagar’s master – Ishmael’s father – sent them away, with only a skin of water and some bread. And now the water is gone, and Hagar can’t… Continue Reading
This summer, we were fortunate to spend a glorious week on Cape Cod. One of the highlights was watching our kids find confidence swimming in the ocean and facing down the waves. Our son Ziv, who is 7 ½, was doing really well with the waves. But inevitably, like every beginner, Ziv had that experience… Continue Reading
In this week’s Torah portion, Chukat, in the Book of Numbers, the Israelites are nearing the end of their 40 year trek through the wilderness. The community has arrived in a place named Kadesh, where Miriam dies. Immediately after her death, the community is without water. They rise up against Moses and Aaron, saying, “Why… Continue Reading
I will never forget the first time I saw my colleague and former boss Rabbi Lynne Landsberg, several years after she had suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in a car crash. I ran into her at a URJ Biennial convention –the national conference of our Reform movement. Thirteen years earlier, Lynne had supervised me when… Continue Reading
Perhaps you read this story in the Huffington post a couple weeks ago[1]: Katherine Hackett has done everything America has asked of her. She is a hardworking, skilled, educated professional who paid taxes and contributed to her community. A single mother from Moodus, Conn., she raised two sons who have served our country in the… Continue Reading
I could wile away the hours Conferrin’ with the flowers Consultin’ with the rain And my head I’d be scratchin’ While my thoughts were busy hatchin’ If I only had a brain This year does happen to be the 75th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz. But that’s not my only excuse to sing one… Continue Reading
Joseph and Nelson Props: 2 metal chairs Joseph coat Cast: Joseph Nelson Brothers Traders Prison Guards DeKlerk A long, long time ago, according to the Torah, there was a man called Joseph. (Joseph steps out) He lived in the land of Canaan, on a bridge of land just north and east of the continent of… Continue Reading
When you look at this tomato, what do you see? What questions come to mind? · Red, round, shiny, beautiful · I wonder if it’s juicy inside and if it has good flavor · I think about eating it with a slice of mozzarella and some basil · I might wonder whether it is organic… Continue Reading
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