World Zionist Congress | Vote by Wednesday

Strengthening progressive Judaism means taking action by voting.

There is no single better way to support Progressive, Liberal, and Reform Judaism in every corner of the globe than casting a ballot for “Vote Reform” in the American election to the World Zionist Congress. Your vote, amplified by our collective strength, could yield a huge return for our global movement.

Union of Reform Judaism says “When we vote Reform in the World Zionist Congress, we give the Israeli Reform Movement added strength to swim upstream, both in Israeli society and the Zionist movement- to work towards values of pluralism, equality, and democracy.”

Cast your vote here. There is a voter registration fee of $7.50

Passing of Bill Ellacott

It is with great sadness that the Jewish Community of Kauai learned of the passing of long-time, regular member Bill Ellacott on February 19, 2020. Our heartfelt condolences go to Vicki and their entire family at this difficult time. Donations may be made in Bill’s name to Kauai Hospice.

JCK Seeks Part-Time Administrative Consultant

The Jewish Community of Kauai is looking for a very part time (6 hours per month with additional hours at Passover and the High Holidays) administrative consultant to help with the following tasks:

• Monitor phone messages

• Shopping, set up, clean up and coordination for Oneg Shabbats (luncheons).

• Perform other administrative tasks as required by the board.

• Help with Passover administration (additional hours).

• Help with High Holiday administration (additional hours).

Candidate Qualifications:

• Have knowledge of Jewish traditions and holidays.

• Have flexibility in schedule.

• Have good verbal and written communication skills.

• Have computer skills.

• Organizational skills.

Starting pay is $15-$25 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Please send resume and cover letter to: jobatJCK@gmail.com.

Questions can also be sent to the gmail.

Applications are due: February 15, 2020.

Community Updates for December

Watch Rabbi Aryeh Azriel Receive URJ Award | LiveStream

Our very own High Holiday Rabbi, Aryeh Azriel will be honored this Thursday from 430pm-600pm Hawaii time, and you can see it live by visiting the Union of Reform Judaism Biennial Conference website at that time."We’re honored to present The Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award to Omaha, Nebraska’s Tri-Faith Initiative, whose extraordinary multi-faith work models pluralism and outstanding partnerships for us all.Learn more about Rabbi Aryeh.

Watch for 2020 event calendar coming soon

We will be sending out our Shabbat, High Holiday, Passover and other event schedule soon.

Kauai Shabbat This Saturday November 16

Kauai Shabbat This Saturday November 16

Services will be conducted by board member Sara Silverman. D'var Torah will be presented by board co-president Carol Pescaia. And we will have a community Oneg Shabbat following the service facilitated by board member Laura Barzilai. We need your help with serving and cleanup.Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.When: Saturday, November 16, 2019.Time: 10:00 am.Siddur: We will be again be using our new Siddur, Mishkan T'filah. Please donate name plates in our new books to honor loved ones!For more information please contact us.

Shabbat Shuvah and Yom Kippur 5780

Shabbat Shuvah and Yom Kippur 5780

Shabbat Shuvah. Join the Jewish Community of Kauai and St. Michael's for our most unique Shabbat Shuvah ever. It will take place this Saturday, October 5, at 10 am at St. Michael’s. Services, led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, will be followed by a lovely catered luncheon.Torah Dedication. The Jewish Community of Kauai will complete and dedicate its new Torah at the Shabbat Shuvah event. We will be joined by St. Michael's and Fr. Andrew. For more detailed information, see our national press release.Yom Kippur. Be with us for Yom Kippur services, starting with Erev Yom Kippur on Tuesday, October 8 at 7pm. Services continue on Wednesday, October 9 at 10am. Adult discussion with Rabbi Aryeh reconvenes at 345 pm, followed by Yizkor and Neliah at 5pm. The High Holidays conclude with our celebratory Israeli-themed Break-the-Fast, catered by Sandy Jennings of Fresh from the Garden.Contributions. Cost to attend one service is $50, except for those who have a paid membership for 5780. Minimum membership contribution is $180 for individuals and $360 for families (2 or more).Photo by Jeff of Mike Abramson, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Rob Kvidt, and Marty Kahn.

Kauai Shabbat Shuvah With Rabbi Aryeh and St. Michael's

Join with Jewish Community of Kauai and St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church for a most unique Shabbat Shuvah celebration. It will take place on Saturday, October 5, at 10 am at St. Michael's. Services will be followed by a lovely catered luncheon.New Torah Dedication CelebrationAn incredible highlight of this year's High Holidays and in the life of our Kauai Jewish Community will take place on Shabbat Shuvah, when we will complete the last words in our new Torah, using special ink and quill. Members of the community will be invited to participate. This is an event associated only with a new Torah, and it is a very rare opportunity in which to be able to take part.Kauai Shabbat ShuvahThis year again, as part of our observance of High Holidays, we will celebrate Shabbat Shuvah. We're thrilled that this year's services will be led again by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, with the assistance of Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt.Shabbat Shuvah is one of the Jewish year's most special Shabbats. It is sometimes called the Sabbath of Return or Sabbath of Repentance. Saturday, October 5 will mark a time for self-reflection, for finding our own highest good, and for casting out all that no longer serves us in the New Year just started. Shabbat Shuvah follows the Rosh Hashanah New Year's service and leads us to the Yom Kippur holiday which begins with Kol Nidre on Tuesday, October 8. See our entire High Holidays schedule of events.Jewish Community of Kauai and St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church Join TogetherThe Reverend Andrew McMullen, representing St. Michael's, and JCK are happy to be expanding our relationship. This includes permanent display of our Torah ark within the church sanctuary, and the Jewish Community of Kauai being known as the Synagogue-in-Residence at St. Michael and All Angels. Rabbi Rob will also be joining St. Michael's at one of their services prior to this celebration. St. Michael's congregation is wholeheartedly invited to join with us for this event.All services are held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.Visitors are most welcome. Guests (those who are not members of JCK or STM) are asked to make a minimum suggested donation of $50 per person, per service attended including Shabbat Shuvah. You are welcome to pay online or in person. There is, according to our community’s practice, no charge to attend any of the services for our paid members.In our tradition of tzedakah (charity), and in the spirit of aloha, please bring donations of food and/or money for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, which distributes food to about one hundred people each week; it is staffed by volunteers, and is supported by donations, including ours. Canned and/or non-perishable food, please.Catering for the High Holidays is being provided by Sandy Jennings of Fresh from the Garden. 

Once in a Lifetime | Kauai High Holidays 2019/5780

Join us for our annual Kauai High Holiday services, starting with Erev Rosh Hashanah, Sunday September 29 at 7pm. We are grateful to be welcome back and led in our observance by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, with the assistance of Rabbi Rob Kvidt.You won't want to miss this year's high holidays! We will be completing our new Torah during the High Holidays, which could not be more exciting for all of us. It is sacred, beautiful, amazing, historic, and iconic.We will also be using our new Machzor, Mishkan Hanafesh. The High Holidays' liturgy offers a new experience of Yamin HaNoraim (spiritual growth) that encompasses awe, solace, contemplation, personal and communal worship, and music. It also provides an easily accessible guide for Tshuvah and Chesbon Hanefesh (repentance and self-reflection).The Machzor incorporates both our rich Jewish past and today’s modern age. It is fully transliterated, has many options for Torah readings, provides background and contextual information, poetry and alternative readings, commentary, multiple theological possibilities, a beautiful interpretation of Hebrew, and engaging artwork and essays.Visitors and non-members are asked to make a minimum donation of $50 per person, per service attended, or $150 per person for all High Holiday services. Click here to donate. Donation envelopes will also be available at services.There is, according to our community's practice, no charge to attend any of the services for our paid members (click here to join or renew).Many Thanks. Organizing the 10 Days of Awe for our eclectic Jewish Community of Kauai is always a group effort. We are most grateful to the Executive Board (Elyse Litvack, Carol Pescaia and Jeff Tucker), President Emeritus Marty Kahn, Rabbi Rob Kvidt, and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

Schedule for High Holiday services:

• Erev Rosh Hashanah on Sunday, September 29 at 7 pm, followed by apples/honey oneg.

• Rosh Hashanah on Monday, September 30 at 10 am, followed by catered luncheon and unique ocean Tashlich.

• Shabbat Shuvah on Saturday, October 5 at 10 am followed by luncheon.

• Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 pm.

• Yom Kippur Day on Wednesday, October 9 at 10 am. Adult group discussion with Rabbi Aryeh reconvenes at 3:45 followed by Yizkor and Neilah and a profuse array of delicious food for our annual break-the-fast celebration.

Services are held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.In our tradition of tzedakah (charity), and in the spirit of aloha, please bring donations of food and/or money for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. The Kauai food pantry distributes food to about one hundred people each week, is staffed by volunteers, and is supported by donations, including ours. Please donate money, canned and/or non perishable food.Catering for the High Holidays will be provided by Sandy Jennings of Fresh from the Garden.Let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel is currently a Scholar in Residence at Countryside Community Church where he will be offering a Jewish understanding of Hebrew Scriptures. He has also accepted a position of adjunct lecturer, at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, in the religion department.Rabbi Aryeh was recently featured in an article in Oprah Magazine for his groundbreaking work at his Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha.Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Rabbi Aryeh served as Senior Rabbi at Omaha's Temple Israel from 1988-2016. His many remarkable Jewish experiences also include:

• Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha. Rabbi Aryeh has been a focal visionary of this globally unique project that will locate a synagogue, church and mosque together on one campus with a common desire to foster mutual understanding, respect and friendship.

• Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College, 2008.

• Recipient of the Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award in 1993.

• 1997 recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. – Living the Dream Award, recognizing his continuing work on building cooperation with projects such as the Mitzvah Garden, Black/Jewish Dialogue and Habitat for Humanity.

• Human Relations Award from the Omaha Education Association.

• Associate Rabbi at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in Baltimore, Maryland, until 1988.

• Received his ordination and Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in 1983 from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati.

• Counselor at OSRUI, a Reform Jewish summer camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in 1973.

Articles about Rabbi Aryeh:http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/19/us/tri-faith-initiative-omaha-nebraska/http://www.omaha.com/news/kelly-rabbi-azriel-s-interfaith-work-builds-bridges-for-omaha/article_0b7931a9-c810-59f2-b5e3-254cc4eb7aca.htmlhttp://omahamagazine.com/2014/05/10257/http://www.omaha.com/news/kelly-rabbi-azriel-s-interfaith-work-builds-bridges-for-omaha/article_0b7931a9-c810-59f2-b5e3-254cc4eb7aca.html

Reminder: Special Shabbat Nachamu Tomorrow With Rabbi Rob

Reminder: Join us for Shabbat Nachamu tomorrow! This Sabbath of Comfort sets the stage for our transition from the mourning of Tisha B’Av to the spiritual heights of Elul, Rosh Hashana and beyond.Our own Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt is excited to lead his first service since being ordained in New York City in June at Congregation Ezrath Israel. Attending the ordination from JCK were Allan and Judy Rachap and Jeff Tucker. Prior to leaving Kauai, JCK board co-president Carol Pescaia presented beautiful lei to be worn at the ordination.This is a momentous and joyous event for the Jewish Community of Kauai and you won't want to miss it.Some highlights of the service will be:

• Flute trio and duet with Rabbi Rob, Susan Hironaka and Kenneth Hironaka
• Dvar Torah: Vaetchanan - Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
• Sermon: Take Action Against Gun Violence

We will have an Oneg Shabbat following the service catered by Sandy Jennings, and as always, we will need your help with serving and cleanup.Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.When: Saturday, August 17, 2019.Time: 10:00 am.Siddur: We will be again be using our new Siddur, Mishkan T'filah. Please donate name plates in our new books to honor loved ones!Tzedakah: In our tradition of charity, and in the spirit of aloha, please bring donations of food and/or money for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. The Kauai food pantry distributes food to about one hundred people each week, is staffed by volunteers, and is supported by donations, including ours. Please donate money, canned and/or non perishable food.For more information please contact us.As a reminder, JCK needs sponsors for Shabbat Onegs. Please take part, as any level of participation is available.Ordination photo at Congregation Ezrath Israel. Rabbi Rob together with Rabbi/Mentor Jill Hausman.

Kauai Jewish Community Update | July 15, 2019

Next Shabbat will be August 17 at 10 am, led by Rabbi Rob!

Watch for details to follow soon in our next update. See you at St. Michael's. 

Come celebrate Nancy Golden's 90th birthday!

Nancy is a tremendous advocate on Kauai and a long-standing and much beloved member of the Kauai Jewish Community.The gala takes place on Sunday, August 18th, from 11am to 2pm at Camp Sloggett in Kokee (no pets allowed).Please bring a potluck dish to share.No gifts please: donations may be made to either CFS/Nana's House, Island School, or YWCA.RSVP to Debra Blachowiak at (808) 639-2437 or debra@oceanfrontsir.com. 

What a wonderful Shabbat we celebrated with Rabbi Daniel Brenner!

Rabbi Brenner and his wife Felicia joined us earlier this month for an enjoyable and enlightening musical Shabbat. Those of us who were able to attend had a fabulous time. Sandy provided a delicious Oneg Shabbat that included a most unusual cinnamon bread challah. We hope to be able to invite them back to Kauai again soon. 

Passing of Richard Levine z"l and Barbara Levine z"l.

It is with great sadness that the Jewish Community of Kauai learned of the passing of long-time, regular members Richard and Barbara Levine. They had recently moved to the mainland to be near their children. Richard died in June and Barbara followed about two weeks later. Our condolences go to their family at this difficult time. Richard's obituary. Barbara's obituary. Donations may be made in their names to Charles River Hadassah, c/o Penny Kraus, 13 Scott Drive, Holliston, MA 01746 (https://www.Hadassah.org).Post by Co-Presidents Carol and Jeff and Rabbi Rob.

June 15 Kauai Shabbat Is Cancelled

We regret to inform you that there will be no Shabbat service this Saturday, June 15, 2019.Our next Kauai Shabbat service, with guest Rabbi Daniel Brenner will take place on July 6.The following Shabbat will be on August 17, 2019. It will be led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt, who is is being ordained on June 27 in New York! We also look forward to seeing you in August.In addition, we are pleased that Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will return to Kauai for the High Holidays in September. Stay tuned for more on that soon.Mahalo.Carol & JeffJCK Board Presidents