As Passover approaches, I am running a lot of recipe trials in my kitchen at home. I love rehearsing- whether it is preparing for Seder, a Service, a Concert, or even a tough conversation. Rehearsing is an opportunity to test an outcome. Some things in life need more rehearsing than...
On this Friday, March 28th, we will gather to honor Hazzan David Tilman and Ellen Tilman as they prepare to move closer to family. After 14 magnificent years as Director of Shir KI, Hazzan Tilman is retiring, having brought unparalleled beauty, professionalism, and warmth to our sacred music. Ellen Tilman,...
This Shabbat, Friday, March 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., Congregations Shaare Shamayim and Keneseth Israel will join together for Hadassah Shabbat Across the Regions. Many of our members’ support Hadassah, an organization established on February 24, 1912, that supports Israel through its world-renowned hospitals, providing critical medical care, expanding surgical...
This coming Shabbat at KI we will celebrate our February’s Jewish Disability, Awareness and Inclusion Month. We will share this evening with our friends at AADD (Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities) and JCHAI (Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence). AADD is an organization that provides social, educational, and support...
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...
