April 2025 Akselrad Scholar-in-Residence Weekend

Beth Am Welcomes Rabbi Sanford Akselrad as our 2025 Akselrad* Scholar-in-Residence

Rabbi Sanford Akselrad is son of Beth Am’s Rabbi Emeritus Sidney Akselrad (z”l) and spiritual leader of Congregation Ner Tamid in Las Vegas, NV.  We will have several opportunities to learn from Rabbi Akselrad over the weekend:

• Truths My Father Taught Me: The Life and Times of Rabbi Sidney Akselrad
  Friday, April 25, 6:15 PM, Sanctuary
  During the Erev Shabbat service, Rabbi Akselrad 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.
• Shabbat Dinner to Support Ukraine, With Guest Speaker Rabbi Sanford Akselrad
  Friday, April 25, 7:30 PM, Social Hall
  Come together after the Erev Shabbat service with Rabbi Akselrad to dine at a delicious community dinner prepared by the Poltava/Odesa Committee. REGISTER BY 4/23
• Torah Study
  Saturday, April 26, 9:00 AM, Beit Kehillah
  Come learn with Rabbi Akselrad during Torah Study.
• Love in the Time of Corona
  Book Discussion & Havdalah
  Saturday, April 26, 4:00 PM, Beit Kehillah
  On Shabbat afternoon, come learn with Rabbi Akselrad as he presents a program based on his new book, Love in the Time of Corona. The program will conclude with havdalah followed by light refreshments. 

Rabbi Sanford Akselrad was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1984. His rabbinic thesis dealt with the moral implications of the Holocaust and how the Holocaust is taught in public and private schools.  Because of his expertise, Rabbi Akselrad helped form the Governor’s Council on Holocaust Education, and he faithfully served as a member of that Board for over twenty five years.

Rabbi Akselrad is currently a board member of the Anti-Defamation League of Las Vegas and the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada. Rabbi Akselrad has served on the National Commission on Jewish Living, Worship and Music for the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) for over ten years. He has also served on the Outreach Committee (to interfaith families) of the URJ. Rabbi is married to Joni and has two children, CJ and Sam. His daughter-in-law is Ana and his granddaughter is Genevieve.

*This weekend 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.