A Celebration of Rabbi Jeremy Barras 🎸 | January 8-11, 2026
A Weekend Celebration of Leadership, Vision & Community
Ten years ago, Rabbi Jeremy Barras arrived in Miami with a guitar case full of dreams and a heart full of hope. Like Bruce Springsteen’s anthems of perseverance and triumph, Rabbi Barras has transformed Temple Beth Am into a powerhouse of spiritual growth, community engagement, and unwavering faith.
Through his inspiring book “A Reason to Rise” and his decade of transformational leadership, Rabbi Barras has given our community countless reasons to celebrate. Join us for a weekend that honors a leader whose visionary guidance led to raising $55 million to completely reimagine our campus, and whose deep love for Israel has strengthened our connection to our homeland and heritage.
TRIBUTE VIDEO
Watch tribute video honoring Rabbi Jeremy Barras, his leadership, vision and our community!
Born To Lead Photo Recap
View highlights from our incredible weekend:
January 8: Born To Lead: Kickoff Gala & Concert Photos
January 9: Born To Lead Shabbat Photos
January 10: Born to Lead Saturday Teachings
January 11: Born to Ball: Family Picnic & Community Celebration
Kickoff Gala & Concert
Various Campus Locations
5:45 PM – Doors open (Earlier start time!)
6:00 PM – Food and Bar service opens
6:30 PM – National Anthem and Hatikvah performed by Zach Krys
7:00 PM – Program begins (Earlier start time!)
7:30 PM – The Boss Project concert & Miami Hurricanes game
7:30 PM – Swag stations open (Chapel and Chapel Lobby)
8:40 PM – Grilled Cheese & Dessert service
We’re bringing BOTH The Boss Project tribute band AND the Canes game to Beth Am! Enjoy live Springsteen in the Social Hall OR watch the game on big screens in the chapel or bounce between both! Bars, food stations, and swag stations throughout.
Dress Code: Concert chic OR Canes gear your choice!
Arrive by 6:15 PM to get settled before the 7:00 PM program starts.
“Born to Lead” Shabbat
Sanctuary & Social Hall
5:30 PM – Extended pre-neg gathering
6:30 PM – Special themed Shabbat service
8:00 PM – Dessert oneg
No cost, but please RSVP and let us know you’re coming!
Saturday Teachings
Various Campus Locations
8:30 AM – Bagel Breakfast (Chapel Lobby)
9:00 AM – Torah study with Rabbi Barras (Chapel)
9:30 AM – Tot Shabbat (Extended Social Hall)
10:30 AM – Special Minyan (Chapel)
12:00 PM – Kiddush Lunch
Born to Ball: Family Picnic & Community Celebration supporting the Pinecrest Police Department
The Lampen Sachar Outdoor Cultural Life Center & Poyastro Family Athletic Center
10:00 AM – Top Nosh Cafe Opens (Serving Coffee, Drinks, and Snacks until 3:00 PM)
10:30 AM – Sunday Salon: Professor Henry Green Presents “The Forgotten Exodus: Sephardi Voices” (Adult Reading Room)
12:00 PM – Family Picnic
12:30 PM – Tikkun Olam service project supporting the Tikva Children’s Home
1:00 PM – Basketball Skills Competition supporting Pinecrest Police Department
(Registration now closed but come cheer on our competitors)
All proceeds benefit our Pinecrest Police Department
Colleen and Richard Fain
Leslie Miller Saiontz
Nora and Jordan Anderson
Daniela Zanzuri-Beiner and Ed Beiner
Elizabeth and Clinton Biondo
Meredith and Michael Branciforte
Rooney and Michael Brodie
Melissa and David Buckner
Judy and Dan Cowan
Debra and David Deutch
Jill and Seth Diamond
Adrian and Ken Dubow
Beth and David Ertel
Susie and Joseph Goldberg
Stephie and Evan Goldman
Lisa and Lee Goldstein
Dilia and Bill Grossman
Meredith and Grant Gussin
Laura and Jason Haim
Barbara Havenick
Shelley and Joe Jacoby
Elana and Jared Kaplan
Rebecca and Arnaud Karsenti
Angelina and Josh Kaye
Tina and Jonathan Kislak
Laura Ko sky and Daniel Koffsky
Cristina and Roman Krislav
Juliana and Alex Krys
Susan and Richard Lampen
Nicole and Danny Leder
Adrienne and Steven Messing
Jenna Citron Pinchuk and Bryan Pinchuk
Mycki and Stuart Ratzan
Jessica and Andres Sawicki
Rachel and Alexander Schapiro
Katie and Michael Scheiner
Robyn and Kevin Schumacher
Lily and David Serviansky
Donna Bitterman Shepard and John Shepard
Ruth Shere
Jessi Berrin and Benjamin Sherman
Sharon and Howard Socol
Elizabeth and Scott Wasserman
Melissa and Scott Weingarden
Heidi Sokol Weinstein and Scott Weinstein
Pamela and Howard Wolofsky
The Rising
Colleen and Richard Fain and Leslie Miller Saiontz and Family
Behind the Bimah Underwriter
Laura and Dan Koffsky
Social Hour Sponsor
Lisa and Victor Mendelson and Family
Tribute Program Underwriter
Debra and David Deutch
Swag Station Sponsor
The Havenick Family
Dessert Reception Sponsor
The Ertel Family
Live Concert Sponsors
Shelley and Joe Jacoby, Lily and David Serviansky, Jackie and Richard Siegel
Shabbat Sponsor
Susan and Richard Lampen
Rabbi’s Gift Sponsor
Ruth Shere
HealthMerch
Kitanim Flowers
LIME Fresh Mexican Grill
Michael Meltzer Catering
Kitanim