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.
A few months ago, Spencer came home from preschool singing a song that I hadn’t heard for years. It’s one of those call and repeat songs, so repeat after me: We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,[1] We’re going to catch a big one, What a beautiful day We’re not scared. Uh oh – grass Long wavy… Continue Reading
A 13-year-old girl wrote an essay, entitled “One People,” in the East Midwood Jewish Center synagogue bulletin[1] on June 2, 1946. It included the following wisdom: The war has left a bloody trail and many deep wounds not too easily healed. Many people have been left with scars that take a long time to pass away. We must never forget the horrors which… Continue Reading
Shabbat Shalom! Shanah tovah! Let’s consider this quote from Morgan Freeman: “I knew at an early age I wanted to act. Acting was always easy for me. I don’t believe in predestination, but I do believe that once you get where ever it is you are going, that is where you were going to be.… Continue Reading
Shabbat Shalom! Shanah tovah!! Gut Yontiff! Hineynu – Here we all are. Hineini – Here I am. I know that this isn’t what the High Holy Days usually look like at CBSRZ, let alone in any synagogue. And, yet, here we are. Early in our service, Cantor Belinda chanted the prayer, Hin’ni – Here I am… Continue Reading
Gut Yontuv and G’mar Chatimah Tovah. I have experienced resurrection. Before you storm out in shock or protest, aren’t you dying (heheh) to know what I mean by that? Why would your rabbi make such a statement? Is she trying to shock you? Why would she mention a concept that doesn’t seem very Jewish? Wait – Did she die? Did… Continue Reading
I never thought I would have to give this sermon. In my fifteen years in the rabbinate, and the twenty years since I entered seminary, I naively thought that Anti-Semitism was a done deal. A thing of the past. Something to discuss historically but never in the present tense. Yes, we knew that there were still minor incidents here… Continue Reading
God put Abraham to the test. God said to him, “Abraham,” and he answered, “Here I am.” And God said, “Take your son, your favored one, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you.” So, early the… Continue Reading
Shanah Tovah! Gut Yontif! This year’s Rosh HaShanah Pop Culture Pop Quiz is about to begin! Please tell me which television show each of the following quotes comes from: “The tribe has spoken.” (Survivor) “This is the true story… of eight strangers… picked to live in a house… work together and have their lives taped… to… Continue Reading
You are warmly invited for an exciting evening of adult learning, creativity, and fun. Our Adult Education Committee has designed a dynamic night to help us celebrate the festival of Shavuot. There will be three workshop blocks with a variety of electives from which to choose. Please view the Program Booklet below to start selecting… Continue Reading
This has been the week of Forbidden Conversations. This has been the week of words being said out loud which make others uncomfortable, or which are painful for us to utter. This has been a week of wrestling with identity, with beliefs, and with our loved ones over difficult events and issues. And none of… Continue Reading
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