This week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, reminds us that blessings are often buried in places we don’t always think to look. Jacob, at the end of his life, gathers his family to share words of blessing. Within these words, we find hopes for the future along with prayers for peace. One of...
Sparks of conversation kindle the most amazing ideas. These small moments of connection with congregants always ignite creativity, comfort, and inspiration in all aspects of KI community life, from The KItchen to The Sanctuary. This week, as we study Parashat Vayeitze, we are reminded of the journey of Jacob, who...
On behalf of Rabbi David and myself, I want to share news about our Sacred Music Program that is both significant and bittersweet. Andrew Senn and Hazzan David Tilman, will be leaving their roles in the coming months for family and professional reasons. We will miss them and what they...
On Monday, we gathered as a community in prayer and listened to, Nova Festival Survivor, Matan Boltox (click here) share his experience of narrowly surviving the October 7th massacre. His story and presence inspired us. We carry with us the weight of remembering those lost and honoring the resilience of...
I am absolutely loving how alive our synagogue feels right now! The sights and sounds of community life are in full bloom, and it’s such a joy to see. Over the last few months, we have been joined by some wonderful new groups—Tide Academy (an Orthodox Jewish school), Congregations of...
This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, begins with the verse: “See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.” As we enter the Jewish month of Elul, a time of reflection before the High Holy Days, this verse serves as a reminder to “see” the choices we face on...
In this week’s Torah portion, Devarim, we are beginning the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses begins his final speech, recounting our journey and charging us to move forward, not to be afraid, and for each of us to take a part in the possession of our land. Just as Moses called...
This week at KI, our new kitchen floor is starting to be installed! It has been very exciting to see the process of the old becoming new again. Sometime this month, our kitchen floor will be gorgeous, bright, and new. We will begin creating new memories and moments in this space,...
This week we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot, meaning “weeks” in Hebrew, marks the culmination of a seven-week journey that begins with our liberation on Passover and commemorates the gift of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The meaning of Shavuot as “weeks” reminds us that meaningful experiences often require...
Last Shabbat, I taught a version of the song: “Am Yisrael Chai” (The Nation of Israel Lives) by Eyal Golan. The song was released on October 19, 2023 in the midst of Operation Swords of Iron, and remained the #1 song in Israel for several weeks. In addition, I compiled...
