Parashat Balak: The Talking She-Donkey; Ma Tovu; SHIR KI, Our Adult Choir, Begins Again, and The Choir Needs You! This week’s Torah portion is one of only two Sidrot/portions out of the over fifty in the complete Torah that is named for a non-Jew! The Torah portion of Balak teaches...
On Friday night I will lead my first service on the KI bimah with Cantor Levy. The road to this point has been long and not just with regard to the thorough search process that brought me here; the road to my arrival at KI can be traced back generations....
This week we have a transition of leadership within our synagogue. Our synagogue president, Janice Schwartz-Donahue, will be ending her three years as president. And of course, our beloved senior rabbi, Lance J. Sussman will be entering into Emeritus and retirement. Leading a synagogue for lay leaders is no easy...
This will be my last eKI (June 23) and tomorrow, June 24, will be my final Friday night Shabbat service at KI. Most of my efforts at this point are directed at moving into my new office across the hall in the former Gift Shop. I am glad I will...
B’ha-a-lo-techa: The March Begins, Building the Menorah and the Trumpets, Prayer for Miriam’s Good Health. Shir KI Returns to Verizon, April 2023, and We Need You! We are returning to the Verizon Hall stage in April 2023 to celebrate Israel 75, and we want you to join us! If you...
There is a Yiddish song called “Oyfn Pripetchok,” and in the refrain it says that we must practice the Hebrew letters over and over again to learn. “Remember children, what you learn, repeat it again and again-kometz aleph o.” Repeating words, prayers, and teachings out loud is essential to learning...
It’s June, the final month of my work as Senior Rabbi of KI and all the big celebrations are behind us. We still have Confirmation (this Saturday night) and a number of Bnai Mitzvah and baby namings among other things. But the clock is running and sometime in the next...
America is weeping for her children From an unknown place In our shattered souls Where there is no consolation Or hiding from our feelings. America is weeping for her children And their shattered bodies and Families Who cannot dig graves Deep enough to bury their sorrow. America is weeping for...
Last Shabbat evening, the KI congregational family joined together for a joyous and moving tribute to Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, our retiring Rabbi. I conducted a special musical program presented by our sensational volunteer choir, Shir KI, professional vocal quartet, including Abbe Chapman, soprano; Jenifer Smith, mezzo; Steven VanName, Tenor;...
May 25, 2022 Dear Friends: As promised, below are several opportunities for KI members to meet Rabbi Benjamin David, our next rabbi, and for him to get to know us. Please read on, mark your calendars and join us. We are currently planning several small group gatherings throughout the summer...
