Carol
Shabbat Service - Saturday, January 20
Shabbat Service - Saturday, January 20
Nathan Morrow
Chanukah Celebration!
Chanukah Celebration!
Carol
Service Canceled - Friday, November 17
Service Canceled - Friday, November 17
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High Holidays 5783/2023
High Holidays 5783/2023
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Passover Seder on Kauai 2023
Passover Seder on Kauai 2023

Jacob Dayan Visits Kauai

(Editor's note:  JCK Member, Paul Weil, chaired and coordinated the Kauai visit of  Israel's Consul General. We asked Paul to share his observations. Special thanks to Dale Rosenfeld and Roberta  Weil for their help with arrangements).Jacob Dayan, Israel’s Consul General in Los Angeles, serving the Southwestern States and Hawaii, visited Kauai this week with his wife and three children. His visit to our island came at the end of a one week visit to the State of Hawaii. The Consul General met politicians and business leaders as well as the Jewish communities on Oahu (Honolulu), Maui and Kauai. He also spoke at Synagogues on Maui and in Honolulu as well as with the Kauai Jewish Community.In Honolulu, the Consul General met with the Governor, Linda Lingle who, as you know, is Jewish and with Neil Abercrombie, Mufi Hanneman and Duke Aiona, the three major gubernatorial candidates.In his meetings with Governor Lingle and others, he sought support for the expansion of work for the Israeli company providing geo-thermal system on the Big Island now bringing electricity for over 20,000 homes!  He also presented information regarding desalinization and waste management systems developed by Israel.Mr. Dayan stated that he was impressed with the Democratic former Honolulu Mayor, Mufi Hanneman, as well as Republican Lt. Governor, Duke Aiona, and their expressions of friendship toward Israel.  He said that he believes either candidate would be good for Israel, but that Neil Abercrombie, who has had a record of voting against Israel in Congress according to Mr. Dayan, would not.Here on Kauai, Mr. Dayan met with the Garden Island newspaper and answered questions about his visit, the economic and business opportunities involving green energy, water, waste treatment and disposal, and his establishing contacts with local Jewish communities as well as outreach to other ethnic communities.   He was very impressive in making his pitch for Israel.He also met with a leader of the local Native Hawaiian Community, a woman who teaches Hawaiian language and culture at a local private school. They reportedly found a great deal in common in discussing preservation and teaching of their ancient language, culture and customs.A private meeting between Mr. Dayan and Kauai’s Mayor, Bernard Carvalho, was held before the program on Wednesday night.  They discussed ways in which Israeli companies could help with our island’s primary problems of energy, waste disposal, water and better agriculture production.He then spoke to an audience of about 75 people, which included the Jewish Community and many local politicians and other community leaders.  These included Mina Morita, member of the State House of Representative from Kauai, former Mayor and Council member, JoAnn Yukimura, former Council member Ron Kouchi, David Iha, the founding Chancellor of Kauai Community College, and Ramon de la Pena, Kauai’s member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Hawaii.Mr. Dayan Dayan spoke of Israel’s desire to help the U.S. veterans with Israel’s successful program for integrating veterans back into society. Several members of the audience later reminded the Consul General that the current Secretary of the VA, Eric Shineski, is a native of Kauai and a childhood friend.The Consul General answered numerous questions after his talk and was then mobbed by audience members with more questions and discussion.Thursday morning, Roberta was host and escort for a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Dayan to Kauai’s Hindu Monastery.  They met with Paramacharya Palaniswami , editor in chief of “HINDUISM TODAY” at the Hindu Monastery followed by a short tour of the grounds and the new temple.The Consul General and his family were taken by Dale Rosenfeld to the Lawai International Center for lunch and a visit with the Executive Director and members of the Board of this remarkable facility which features 88 shrines replicating an ancient pilgrimage of 88 temples in Shikoku, Japan. The center is the only such site existing outside of Japan and is one of the oldest Buddhist temple sites in the country.The Dayans' will return  to LA Friday after a very productive visit to Hawaii.

Shabbat Service Friday Night

Please join with fellow Kauai Jews as we gather for our monthly Shabbat this Friday, August 13.This month's assembly will be led by Board President Marty Kahn.Services begin at 7:00PM, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Hardy Street in Lihue. Map.Please remember to bring canned goods for donation to Loaves and Fishes, the largest food pantry on the island of Kaua’i.Comments.Subscribe to our email updates.

JCK Hosts Consul General of Israel

On Wednesday evening, August 11th at 7:30 p.m. the Kauai Jewish Community organization will host an appearance at St. Michael's Church in Lihue by the Hon. Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles. Mr. Dayan will speak and respond to questions on current events in the Middle East based upon his vast diplomatic experience in the region.Please join us. Refreshments will be served. Map.Following is a summary of CG Dayan’s personal history:Consul General Dayan assumed the position of Consul General of Israel in October 2007. In this role, he is the senior representative of his government in the Southwestern United States. Before assuming his post in Los Angeles, Mr. Dayan was selected to prepare a strategic plan on the feasibility of opening negotiations with Syria. Prior to this he served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom. In this position he had intimate involvement in policy formation, decision-making, and implementation. He was also responsible for Ministerial strategy development related to various diplomatic efforts and coordinated policy initiatives between Ministries. Previously he was the Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, where he was responsible for the Minister's work on US, Asia, East Europe, and Middle East affairs. He managed various projects related to Ministerial activities as well as diplomatic initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly.Mr. Dayan served in the role of Political Counselor at the Embassy of Israel in Washington D.C. where he was responsible for policy coordination with the State Department and the National Security Council. Previous to his service in Washington he held the post of Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Athens, Greece. And, he served in the Department of Palestinian Affairs in the Foreign Ministry where he participated in Israeli peace delegations and served on several working committees. Mr. Dayan graduated Magna cum Laude from Tel Aviv University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics and History and has done graduate work in Historical Studies. He served in the Israel Defense Forces in a military intelligence capacity.He is married and has two daughters. He is also fluent in English and French.Comments.Subscribe to our email updates.

Jewish Community of Kauai and Mazon Support Kauai Food bank

MAZON, the Jewish Response to Hunger, recently donated $15,000 to the Kauai Food Bank for operational support, and specifically food pick-ups, salvage, a and distribution. Dale and I presented the check on behalf of MAZON to Judy Lenthall and Kelvin Moniz of the Kauai Food Bank.From 2008-2009, the Kauai Food Bank experienced a 40% increase in demand for services. From January – May, 2010, there has been another 30% increase in demand over the same time period in 2009. The month of December, 2009 set a 16 year record high in demand for service. Although the Kauai Food Bank is the smallest food bank in the state, they continue to serve the largest percentage of the total population on their island. According to the Hunger Study, 2010, the KFB fed about 17% of the total population of Kauai - over 11,000 different people served in 2009. The KFB is the only Food Bank in Hawaii accredited by the (BBB) Better Business Bureau, meeting all 22 of their Standards for Charitable Accountability in governance, transparency, effectiveness, and performance.MAZON, A Jewish Response to Hunger, is a national nonprofit organization that allocates donations from the Jewish community to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds. MAZON (“food” in Hebrew) founded in 1985, believes its dual purpose is to provide for those who are hungry today, and to address the systemic causes of hunger and poverty, both domestically and globally.  MAZON is supported by over 100,000 donors who incorporate social justice and hunger relief as crucial components of their everyday lives. Each year MAZON grants over $4 million to more than 300 carefully screened hunger-relief agencies, multi-service organizations and advocacy groups that seek long-term solutions to the hunger problem.Their mission is:

  • To educate and raise the consciousness of the Jewish community regarding its obligation to alleviate hunger and its causes;
  • To make donating a portion of the cost of life cycle events (historically at least 3%) to MAZON a permanent tradition in Jewish life; and
  • To provide for people who are hungry while at the same time advocating for other ways to end hunger and its causes.

For more information on the Kauai Food Bank please visit www.kauaifoodbank.orgComments.Subscribe to our email updates.

In Memoriam: Keith Richman

Keith Richman, 56, beloved son of Dr. Monroe and Esther Richman, long-time members of the Jewish Community of Kauai,  passed away July 29, 2010  after a long illness.  A prominent physician who founded Lakeside Community HealthCare, Inc., Dr. Richman also represented the 38th Assembly District  (parts of North San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley, and  Santa Clarita) in the California legislature from 2000-2006.   As  a tireless advocate for health care and pension reform, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called him "a great leader and passionate public servant".  He supported the San Fernando Valley's secession from the city of Los Angeles and would have served as mayor of the new city had  the secession bid succeeded.  A moderate Republican enthusiastic about reform,  Dr. Richman wanted to improve governance and public services for the San Fernando Valley.  His many colleagues lauded him for having made a great difference in the district he represented.Our hearts go out to Esther and Monroe Richman in this time of great loss.Thanks to Trudy Schoenfeld and Ellen LeClair for their help with this article.Photo credit: Daily News

Shabbat Services This Saturday

Please join with fellow Kauai Jews as we gather for our monthly Shabbat on July 17.This month's assembly will be led by Board President Marty Kahn.  He'll be joined by Dale Rosenfeld, Board Vice-President, who will lead the D'var Torah.Services begin at 10:00AM, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Hardy Street in Lihue. Map.An oneg will follow.Please remember to bring canned goods for donation to Loaves and Fishes, the largest food pantry on the island of Kaua’i.Comments.Subscribe to our email updates.

Shabbat Saturday June 26

Please join us on Saturday, June 26, for our monthly celebration of Shabbat.This month's service will be led by Rabbi Norm Mendel, recently retired from Congregation Beth David of San Luis Obispo.  He'll be joined by his South African born wife Heather, an author, speaker and artist who published her first book Towards Freedom: a feminist hagaddah for men and women, in 1995.  She'll pose the question:  "Eve, hero or villain?  You decide".  What if the literal reading of Eve is wrong and in a quantum age, does it matter?  A discussion for all those interested in the kabbalah, myth, mysticism and the evolution of consciousness.We'll gather at 10:00AM, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Hardy Street in Lihue. Map.An oneg will follow.Please remember to bring canned goods for donation.

Kauai Hospice Bereavement Workshop

Kauai Hospice will be providing a free workshop for anyone who is interested.It will consist of specialized training to increase the capacity of professionals to provide bereavement counseling to grieving children and families by developing skills and resources to facilitate group and one-to-one support sessionsWhen:          Thursday, June 17th, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Lunch Break – On Your Own) Where:        Queen Liliu`okalani Children’s Center (QLCC); 4530 Kali Road, LihueWhy:             To empower front line workers to effectively support grieving children; to give requisite and appropriate resources and tools providers need to confidently and competently lead their own groups. Learning Objectives:  By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the need / role bereavement services play in supporting children, adolescents, and their families; articulate the difference between normal and complicated grief.
  • Identify and describe three particular challenges in administering, staffing and programming bereavement services / groups.
  • Understand factors that influence the grief experience, long-term effects of bereavement, and identify at risk youth and adults.
  • Discuss different programs / strategies suitable for different age groups (time limited support groups, monthly drop-ins, 1:1 support, networking grieving teens/adults) and the merits / draw backs of each.
  • Know the school’s role in providing ways to memorialize a student who died; how teachers can be educated and students supported.

Shavuot Shabbat, Potluck and More

A final  reminder that our monthly community Shabbat will be this Saturday, May 22, at 10:00am.  Following the service, we'll share in a potluck Oneg arranged by Barbara Levine.  Please bring dairy or fruit dishes to share.The service  will be led by Marty Kahn with a reading from the Book of Ruth and a poem from Carol Pescaia. We will be celebrating Shavuot, the commemoration of the anniversary when the Torah was given to the Jews some 3,300 years ago.As a reminder everyone is encouraged to bring  canned goods for donation.Location:  St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Hardy Street in Lihue.  Map.Comments.Subscribe to our email updates.