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 opportunity to really grow and develop. The unknown challenges our survival centered lizard brains to protect ourselves. So change is difficult.

What will the new building look like? How much total money will we raise? Will it be enough? Will it feel like our home? Every day our synagogue leaders are facing decisions, questions, fears and a passion to do something new and amazing that will enrich Kol Rinah as well as our broader community, for years to come.

I am so excited and challenged and stretching every day. I have had the privilege to work side-by-side with internal as well as external religious leaders, financial experts, architects, design people, development and marketing people, leaders of every background, age and interest, and more.

I know that we are on the right path. There have been frustrations and bumps in the road, aplenty. I wish I knew five years ago what I know now, but isn’t that often the case?

We have a remarkable opportunity to shape and contribute to something historic which will meet the needs of Kol Rinah and provide opportunities of Jewish life for many years to come. We will have the ability to lead, host and house all things Jewish, religious services of greater breadth and interest, educate the next generations of Jewishly committed, bring music, theater, art, lectures to our community and provide a hub for gathering in a new, Jewish way.

Contribute your resources, time, money and expertise. Experiences and opportunities of this magnitude do not come along that frequently. Join us in this ground breaking innovation; pun intended.