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. This year’s Akselrad Lecturer is Lindsey Newman, the Director of Community Engagement at Be’chol Lashon. Be’chol Lashon (“In Every Language”) is an organization that strengthens Jewish identity by raising awareness about the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of Jewish identity and experience. Lindsey will speak during our Friday evening service on “Not Free to Desist: Reigniting the Jewish Commitment to Racial Justice.”

Prior to the service at 5:15 PM, join the pre-service reception in "The Foyer" for a reception with three of Rabbi Akselrad’s children, Rabbi Sandy Akselrad, Audrey Smith and Lisa Akselrad. We will share memories of Rabbi Akselrad and reflect on his work for social justice.

Following the service, at 7:15 PM, continue the conversation with Lindsey in "The Foyer", our virtual meet-up space.

Prior to joining Be’chol Lashon, Lindsey worked in the fields of women’s rights advocacy and early childhood education, and has dedicated herself to inclusion and diversity in the Jewish community for over a decade. She participated in the 2016 Selah Leadership Cohort and was a 2018 Fellow of the Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership. Lindsey received her B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. She currently splits her time between two of the best cities in the world, San Francisco and New York.

Each week, please join a livestream of our Friday night service. We encourage you to watch from home at betham.org/streaming or on our YouTube channel or on the Beth Am Facebook page, starting at 6:15 PM. If you miss the 6:15 PM livestream (or a later time works better for you), a simulated broadcast of the service will repeat at 8:00 PM on betham.org/streaming.