This past weekend was a wonderful time celebrating Keneseth Israel and I so appreciate the outpouring in honor of my twenty years as KI’s Executive Director. 

My remarks during the service are included below.

I am honored by your presence this evening. The comments from the speakers, the tribute book and your kind words privately were touching and embarrassing but I think tonight really is about what we as a community have accomplished during these past 20 years.  I am fortunate to be a part of an extraordinary team of individuals – clergy, senior staff, lay leadership, volunteers, teachers, maintenance and administrative staff. 

“Thank you” feels like an inadequate way to convey my heartfelt gratitude for the efforts of the Spring Celebration volunteers – Amy and Debbie and the entire team did an amazing job creating ways to celebrate KI and make memories for all of us. I will certainly cherish these memories.

There are so many different parts of my life in the sanctuary this evening – those on the bimah, KI co-workers, congregants, the choir, coworkers from Federation Day Care Services, members of Main Line Reform Temple, NATA colleagues (both active and retired), local colleagues from DVASA, community partners, my personal partner – Melissa and particularly meaningful to me is the presence of my family: Mom and Dad, my brother, Bruce and my sister Gina, my brother-in-law Tom, my daughter Naomi and son-in-law Tyler, my son Aaron and daughter-in-law Hannah and their children (my oldest grandchildren) – Joshua and Abigail. Thank you! I am so grateful that we could share this evening. 

How did I end up at KI? The seed was planted over 40 years ago when I was representing Federation Day Care Services on a Federation Task Force. It was through the task force that I first crossed paths with KI’s then-Executive Director, Bill Ferstenfeld. From our very first interaction, I was impressed with Bill and the work he was directing at Kl. Our relationship evolved into a mentorship when I became executive director at Main Line Reform Temple in 1989.  I distinctly recall a conversation with Bill during one of our mentoring discussions during which I told him that after he retired, I could see myself as Executive Director of KI.

What intrigued me about KI?  

• You were the largest reform congregation in the Delaware Valley
• Your radio broadcast on Shabbat and High Holy Days had widespread popularity
• Your impressive building 
• The rich history of congregants and staff having significant impact on the world outside of KI

Those things were a part of what intrigued me about KI but that list has changed: 

• our membership and religious school numbers are smaller
• after 60 plus years on the radio we ended the broadcast
• Although the building is still significant we are using it differently than just a few decades ago.

Things have changed – and that is okay!  We have become a vibrant hub for Jewish living for the broader community. Under the same roof – a Reform congregation, a conservative congregation, an orthodox school, a preschool of 170 children, a holocaust museum, a community-wide senior center with extensive programming, and the incredible Temple Judea Museum.  As a result of KI’s reputation it is quite common to meet people all over the country who have a tie to KI.

As a community we made changes. The one constant and what kept me here for 20 years are the people. It is you! I see every day how you are committed to making a difference in the world, feeding the hungry, providing a voice for Reform Judaism, investing in education, supporting one another in life’s journey and nurturing our legacy. Your hearts and your actions impact our community and that investment makes it easy for me to support the work of the congregation. 

At this point in my career, I sometimes reflect on the people that have impacted my life. Gratitude fills my heart. Each one is a part of my story.

Cantor Doug Cotler wrote a song in the late 80s that feels like a melding of “The Giving Tree” and a Sir Isaac Newton quote. The song is titled, “Standing on the Shoulders” The first verse in part says:

In the garden there’s a tree

Planted by someone who only imagined me

What love, what vision….

I’m standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me!

I love the imagery of those individuals who planted that tree for me. I picture those I didn’t know joined with those in my lifetime who have provided a way for me to move forward with strength. Some of those people are in this room today and I am better because of them. Thank you.  

KI, founded in 1847, has an incredible history. In 2027 we will celebrate our 180th year as a congregation. Let’s consider the generations who built and nurtured our congregation. Who made it possible for us to be here today. During the celebration of our 180 we will certainly honor the past, celebrate all that we are today and take the next steps for the future. We have built upon the foundation that was started by the generations before us and each day we continue to build on that legacy.

I am excited to focus on how we can continue to build and strengthen KI for the next generations. It is our responsibility to do the work so future generations can say “we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us.” This is an incredible time for KI and I look forward to your partnership in these efforts.   

May God bless you and keep you.

Shabbat Shalom,

Brian Rissinger

Executive Director

Apr 10, 2026