Rabbi Sanford Akselrad settled into his office at Congregation Ner Tamid to write what would be his final sermon after 37 years as the congregation’s senior spiritual leader. ¶ The significance of his last Shabbat service made finding the right words feel particularly weighty.

His inspiration came from a familiar source. Akselrad retrieved a weathered, rust-colored chair from his office closet — a remnant from Ner Tamid’s original synagogue on Emerson Drive in central Las Vegas before the community moved to Henderson in 2007 .

The chair displayed “CNT” spray-painted on its back and featured 1970s-style avocado green padding.

Speaking to a packed sanctuary May 16 during his farewell service, Akselrad revealed that he stores the chair beside his robe for the high holidays. “The chair is n

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