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President's Message

January 2021 President's Message

A Renewed Focus on Finance and Engagement Leadership and Engagement The leadership is changing the name to ENGAGEMENT, rather than membership, with the intent of refocusing the mission of engaging more people, (members and non-members) in new, innovative ways. The VISION statement on our website reads:  “A dynamic and forward-looking congregation where all generations come together to experience Judaism in innovative...Read more...

November 2020 President's Message

Dear Kol Rinah Family, Happy Fall. It is difficult to believe that we are now more than seven months into our COVID-19 lifestyles and that the High Holidays are behind us. Thanks so much to all of you who made our virtual live-streamed and Zoom programming the huge success that we experienced. A special appreciation to Bill Kaufman who worked tirelessly to accomplish our many demanding technological needs. We really could not have succeeded...Read more...

Steptember 2020 President's Message

Did you ever notice how time can go so quickly but also so very slowly? It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, not being able to attend services with everyone, or meet in person, has been going on forever. But I also think, how can it be September already and the High Holidays are right around the corner? Time is really funny. Actually my PhD dissertation was on time estimation and perception. That’s a long story which I won’t bore...Read more...

July 2020 Special- President

Click here for the entire July 2020 Special Voice edition I’ve spent an enormous amount of time over the past three months in our new Kol Rinah home on Maryland Avenue. Really the only places that I’ve been going have been the new building and our old building. I must say that spending time in the new building makes me more and more excited for what our future holds. I envision our beautiful new spaces as community gathering places. I see...Read more...

May 2020 President's Message

Dear Kol Rinah family, Welcome to the surreal world of the unthinkable virtual reality. I hope and pray that you all are healthy and safe. Who would have thought that our world would be dictated by zoom meetings, work at home, stay inside and stay safe? Our community has managed to really pull together, checking on one another, getting together through virtual programs, texting, social media, and yes, even the good old-fashioned telephone. The...Read more...

March 2020 President's Message

As I write this entry, I am thinking about how fragile life is and how important it is to embrace the good and value people while we still share the earth with them.

This week our Kol Rinah family lost a true mensch and one of my favorite people, Bill Solomon. He was a mentor to me and the best example of how to live with kindness, generosity, humility, love and a perpetual smile. I know his memory will be a blessing to us...Read more...

January 2020 President's Message

Dear Kol Rinah Community, As I write to you it’s 11pm and I’m listening to soulful niggunim at the international USCJ (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) conference. During the past few days of inspirational workshops, lectures, presentations and music, my thoughts have been of all of you at Kol Rinah and of how fortunate we are to have one another. I feel blessed and lucky to serve you as your President. I am honored and humbled by...Read more...

November 2019 President's Message

I am pleased and proud to introduce you to our new Shinshinit who will be with us this year from Israel, teaching our kids and sharing her experiences of Israel with us. What follows is her story:

How do you measure a year? 

In seconds? Months? Maybe moments and memories? 

And how do you measure 3 years? 

I measured my last 3 years by anticipation. The anticipation to make a dream come true. To...Read more...

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...

Thu, February 25 2021 13 Adar 5781