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July 2022 President's Message

Who needs a president? We do. Believe it or not my two year term as Kol Rinah’s president will end this year. It is crucial for us to continue the work of our president and establish the next leader who will take office January 1, 2023. In fact we have had a combined, Brith Sholom, Kneseth Israel, Shaare Zedek, BSKI, and Kol Rinah, 83 presidents! I have served 3 different times. Louis Goodman served as President of Shaare Zedek for 27 years!...Read more...

May 2022 President's Message

“When I am employed in serving others, I do not look upon myself as conferring favors, but as paying debts. I have received much kindness from men to whom I shall never have an opportunity of making the least direct returns; and numberless mercies from God, who is infinitely above being benefited by our services. Those kindnesses from men I can, therefore, only return on their fellow-men, and I can only show my gratitude for those mercies from...Read more...

March 2022 President's Message

I have more questions than answers.   We have many reasons these days not to attend synagogue: Fear of COVID, protocols, masks, no kiddush, streaming or Zoom services from other sources, changes in our routine, business, hobbies, sports, TV, internet, etc. What’s your reason? What permanent effects will this have on our lives as Jews?   Our synagogue has continued to function. We continue to have meetings, daily minyan, lifecycle...Read more...

January 2022 President's Message

“Kol Rinah welcomes everyone. This means YOU! We embrace a diversity of all Jews. including: Jews by choice, Jews of all hues, singles, couples, families, Interfaith households, LGBTQ Jews, Jews of all abilities and disabilities, the Jew-curious, and more!”   Kol Rinah should be a place where Jews and their families of all backgrounds can gather together without judgment. Kol Rinah prides itself on being an inclusive community, and...Read more...

November 2021 President's Message

There is an old saying… The third time is a charm. Perhaps in my case it has taken me three times to get it right. And right now, it feels right. According to Jewish law, once something is done three times it is considered a permanent thing. This is called a “chazakah,” a presumption of ownership, presumption of status. Let’s say you decide to take on a new task. If you do it once and succeed — it’s beginner’s luck. A second...Read more...

September 2021 President's Message

Creating a Special Community Within Our Space Over the past several years we have done an amazing job of raising support, funding, designing, and building our new congregational home. I realize we have barely used it, but our accomplishments are truly spectacular. At this time of the year we take a closer look at where we have been, where we are, and what the future holds for us, individually and as a community. Some might say that times are...Read more...

July 2021 President's Message

My recent struggles with pain and back surgery were the toughest challenge of my life. Praying for the strength to cope, to heal and restore became my primary focus. After a successful operation I am on the path to recovery.     Before My Surgery G-d of health and healing, I surrender myself to the physician’s hand, The surgeon’s knife, The nurse’s care, Placing my body in the cradle of others, Just as I place my soul in...Read more...

May 2021 President's Message

Kol Rinah IS surviving the pandemic   Kol Rinah as a whole is doing well given the extreme conditions and safety protocols we operate under. We were not able to open our new building as planned and we miss our in-person gatherings, kiddushes, and celebrations. But we are surviving. Kol Rinah has adapted and stayed strong and viable. In fact much has been accomplished. We learned how to use Zoom meetings and stream our services. We...Read more...

March 2021 President's Message

It’s all about relationships How do we transform the model of twentieth-century Jewish institutions into twenty-first-century relational communities offering meaning and purpose, belonging and blessing? "What really matters is that we care about the people we seek to engage. When we genuinely care about people, we will not only welcome them; we will listen to their stories, we will share ours, and we will join together to build a Jewish...Read more...

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...
Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784