Beth Am is pleased to welcome Akselrad* guest speaker Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, son of Beth Am’s Rabbi Emeritus Sidney Akselrad (z”l), and spiritual leader of Congregation Ner Tamid in Las Vegas, NV.

Rabbi Akselrad will present a program based on his new book, Love in the Time of Corona. In March 2020, the world as we knew it changed dramatically — literally overnight. As businesses, schools, and places of worship were forced to close their doors because of COVID-19, we were all filled with a sense of fear. How long would this last? How would we adapt? How deadly was this virus? How could we protect our loved ones?

One of Rabbi Sanford Akselrad's board members encouraged him to write a letter to his congregation to bring them a sense of hope during this time of great uncertainty. What began with one essay, Love in the Time of Corona, turned into a weekly communique. Now more than one hundred of these essays, focusing on themes of hope, resiliency, and the importance of pulling together as a community, have been lovingly compiled in this book.

Rabbi Akselrad will be signing copies of his book BEFORE his discussion on Saturday afternoon. The book will be available for pick up only throughout the weekend — on Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon. (Congregants can bill the cost of the book to their account; non-members may provide their contact information for billing later).

The program will conclude with havdalah followed by light refreshments. 

Visit the 2025 Akselrad Scholar-in-Residence Weekend page to read more about Rabbi Sanford Akselrad and opportunities to learn with him over the weekend.

*This event holds special significance as we gather to honor our esteemed Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Sidney Akselrad (z"l) and celebrate the enduring legacy he and his family have left within our community. 

The Rabbi Akselrad Lectureship Fund, created in memory of Beth Am’s beloved Rabbi Emeritus Sidney Akselrad (z”l), is dedicated to providing speakers and programs related to social justice, ethics and/or human relations. Please consider making a contribution to the Rabbi Akselrad Lectureship Fund in honor or memory of a loved one.