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. 

During the Erev Shabbat service, Rabbi Akselrad will present “Truths My Father Taught Me: The Life and Times of Rabbi Sidney Akselrad" (as told to Rabbi Sanford Akselrad). He will weave personal memories of his father together with the timeless issues that continue in Jewish life today. By bridging the past and present, we will explore civil rights, intermarriage, women in the rabbinate, and how we face similar challenges today.

Following the Erev Shabbat service, there will be a dinner prepared by the Poltava/Odesa Committee. Come together as a community supporting our friends in Ukraine while supporting each other during these challenging times. Proceeds from the dinner will support our sister congregations in Ukraine. Register for the dinner by Tuesday, April 22.

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.

If you attend virtually, please join the livestream starting at 6:15 PM. You may follow along in our texts for the Erev (evening) Shabbat service using the digital version (available for purchase) of the Mishkan T'filah: A Reform Siddur.

To enhance your enjoyment of Shabbat, please visit betham.org/shabbatcorner (including "Social Stories" in the Resource Box to prepare children ahead of time for what to expect during the Shabbat service).

**This service will be live video streamed. By entering the Sanctuary you give Beth Am permission to record you.