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President's Message

September 2019 President's Message

The High Holidays are always a special time of looking back and learning from the past, while looking forward to the prospects for renewal that are offered by the New Year. This High Holiday season, of course, will be particularly special. We will be fondly remembering the six decades our legacy congregations spent at their old buildings, while looking forward with excitement and anticipation to the prospect of moving into our new home on...Read more...

March 2019 President's Message

I have been thinking a lot about change since January 1. It has been a whirlwind of poignant losses and exciting transitions—with more to come in the months ahead…

Starting with the poignant, we recently lost several dear, valued members of our community. We continue to grieve and adjust to their absence. I find comfort in knowing that their memories will be for a blessing to us all.

After nearly 40 years in Arizona, my...Read more...

January 2019 President's Message

Dear Kol Rinah family,

I am writing to you shortly after our annual Congregational meeting at which we elected our new Synagogue officers and eight new Board Directors. I am so thrilled to again have the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of individuals with a diversity of talents, experiences and interests.

Our new Board spans the age range from 20-somethings to 80-somethings, with varied backgrounds and different...Read more...

November 2018 President's Message

As this is my first President’s column since the completion of the High Holidays season, I wanted to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of so many to make our High Holiday services, meals and celebrations a wonderful, warm, community experience. I hope everyone had a meaningful, inclusive and joyful holiday season.

Hopefully by the time you read this, you will have received a survey...Read more...

September 2018 President's Message

This is an historic time for our congregation as well as for the St. Louis Jewish community. Last month we broke ground on our new Maryland Avenue facility in Clayton. Every one of you reading this message has played a part in getting us to this milestone. The past few years have been filled with anticipation, trepidation, and passion on the part of everyone in our Kol Rinah community. Those years were also marked by the dedication and hard...Read more...

July 2018 President's Message

Eighteen months into my Kol Rinah presidency seems a good time to reflect on the hardest job I’ve ever had and the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had. Of course, this moment in time for Kol Rinah is especially exciting, challenging, gratifying and suspense-filled. I am honored to have the opportunity to make a small mark on the future of Kol Rinah and a new Jewish presence in an area where there has been no synagogue for 50...Read more...

May 2018 President's Message

What’s in a number?

I’ve always been fascinated by the number five. It’s been my lucky number for as far back as I can remember. That makes the multiples of five pretty interesting as well.

This year, my father would have turned 90. I will, G-d willing, turn 60 and my son, 30. My Mom will be 85 and my daughter, in under a week from now, will be 25.

My father always said, “They’re just numbers” and “Live...Read more...

March 2018 President's Message

When I checked in with my son in LA to find out how a new venture is going, his response summarized so much for me. He said, actually texted, cause, you know, he’s 29, “It’s a journey”.

We are all certainly on a journey, no double entendre intended. Times of change and uncertainty are exhilarating and exciting and also frightening and stressful. It has been written many times that only in times of uncertainty do we have the...Read more...

January 2018 President's Message

Disappointment. Loss. Change. Sadness. As I write this early December, I reflect upon this time of year. While this time of year brings secular as well as Jewish holidays and many automatically think of happiness, joy and celebration, it is important to know that this is also a very difficult time of year for many.

I am proud and honored to be a part of our community. I am touched to feel embraced by loving arms in...Read more...

November 2017 President's Message

It’s About the Relationships

I woke abruptly at 5:30 this morning thinking about relationships and upcoming meetings and what was important and what, not so much.

Over this High Holiday season, I’ve been thinking more and more about what makes life enriching and satisfying and gives us a sense of resilience and reassurance; in the good times and in the not so good times.

For me, and I believe...Read more...

Sun, September 22 2019 22 Elul 5779