Rabbi Janet Marder

Rosh Hashanah 5767

Introduction to Aliyah for Rabbi Akselrad

Over the holy ark in many synagogues these words are inscribed: “Da lifnei mi ata omed – Know before Whom you stand.” Because prayer and tradition can get to be routine, it’s good to begin them with a moment of mindfulness.

We have a tradition here at Beth Am of calling for the first aliyah to the Torah our Rabbi Emeritus, Sidney Akselrad. Because this is a custom that has become our habit, I want to introduce it with a moment of mindfulness.

Congregation Beth Am, you should know who is standing before you. Rabbi Sidney Akselrad and his wife Marge came to our synagogue in 1962. He served as Beth Am’s spiritual leader for 24 years, and he has been our teacher and our devoted friend for 44 years. If you know Rabbi Akselrad, you know why he is universally respected and loved. If you haven’t had the chance to get to know him, let me tell you why:

He is honest and forthright and he sticks to his guns, but he is always gentle in expressing his views. He shows you respect even if you disagree with him. He is always your rabbi, even if you disagree with him, and he doesn’t hold a grudge. He is supremely comfortable with himself, and so he makes those around him comfortable as well.

He loves people, and he remembers everything about them – their names, and their grandchildren’s names, and where they went to grad school, and what their dissertation was about. He can form an instant bond with people of any age.

He is a man of courage and high principles: he went south and marched for civil rights with Dr. King, risking life and limb in a time when it was not popular to take such stands. He spoke out against the war in Vietnam – another unpopular stand – and provided impassioned moral leadership throughout his years as senior rabbi of Beth Am. He is the person, more than any other, who ensured that our congregation would have a democratic, egalitarian culture in which people at all financial levels would always be welcome. If you want to know more, read his memoirs, on sale now at bob and bob in Palo Alto .

He is a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather. He is always reading, and he never stops learning. He has been my teacher and my advocate and my constant support since the day I arrived at Beth Am.

This past June Rabbi Akselrad celebrated his 85^th birthday. He has endured a difficult year with serenity and good spirits, sustained by his native optimism and his deep and quiet faith. We all pray that he will go forward in strength.

Rabbi, on this Rosh Hashana we want to thank and honor you for giving your life to build this holy congregation. In your honor we recall the words of our Sages -- Da lifenei mi ata omed – Know before whom you stand – and in your honor we stand before you.